An assassin disrupts the Harvest Festival, when his crossbow fells Don Aguilera, the father of Tessa's childhood friend, Ramon. The grief-stricken son swears vengeance, which Tessa more than understands – until she, as the Queen of Swords, discovers that the shooter's target was not Don Aguilera, but Dr. Robert Helm. It seems that the good doctor has his fair share of secrets, too. Intrigued, the Queen tries to protect Helm, and finds herself caught between Montoya and a range war.

A peasant girl lays dead by the hand of her well-moneyed lover, Anton, and the only witness is Tessa, who vows to testify against him. But Anton's mother, ranchero and former pirate Mary Rose (played by special guest star Bo Derek), is determined to save her son from the hangman's noose – even if it means murder. This time, the one who needs the Queen's protection is Tessa herself.