The sun had set by the time Amelia and Niko boarded the helicopter waiting to return them to the palace. Their two weeks at the mountain estate had passed in a blissful haze of lovemaking, quiet walks through the alpine meadows, and candlelit dinners by the fireplace. They'd developed a comfortable routine, sleeping late, exploring the grounds in the afternoons, and spending their evenings tangled in each other's arms.Now, as the helicopter blades whirred to life, Amelia settled into her seat, fastening her safety belt while Niko conferred briefly with the pilot. She studied her husband's profile, noting a subtle change in his demeanor… a new tension in his shoulders, his smile a bit more reserved as he took the seat beside her."Ready to return to reality?" she asked, raising her voice slightly over the growing noise of the rotors.Niko nodded, squeezing her hand. "The mountain air has been good for us, but duty calls."As the helicopter lifted off, Amelia gazed down at the estate g
The royal mountain estate was nestled in a valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks, a sprawling stone structure that looked more like a luxury resort than a royal residence. As their car wound up the private drive, Amelia gasped at the stunning views of alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers. Their helicopter had dropped them about ten minutes away, leaving the final stretch to be driven."It's beautiful," she breathed, taking in the pristine landscape."My mother loved it here," Niko said, his gaze following hers out the window. "She used to bring us every summer when Alexei and I were boys. Said it was the one place she could forget she was a queen and just be a mother."The personal revelation, offered so casually, touched Amelia deeply. Niko rarely spoke of his mother, who had died when he was eighteen. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said softly.He turned to her, his expression warm. "I thought you might enjoy the privacy. The main palace can be... overwhelming."The car pu
King Theodore was already seated when they arrived at the private dining room, a stack of papers opened beside his coffee cup. He looked up as they entered, his face breaking into a warm smile."Ah, there you are!" he exclaimed, rising to his feet. "I was beginning to think you might not appear at all."Amelia felt heat rise to her cheeks, wondering if her father-in-law could somehow read on her face exactly what had delayed them. But Niko squeezed her hand reassuringly as he guided her to a chair."Sorry for keeping you waiting, Father," he said smoothly. "We were finalizing some details for our trip.""Of course, of course," Theodore replied, resuming his seat. "The mountain estate is all prepared for your arrival. I've instructed the staff to give you complete privacy… no unnecessary interruptions.""Thank you," Amelia said sincerely. "That's very thoughtful."Servants appeared with plates of pastries, fruit, and eggs, filling their cups with steaming coffee and tea. As they ate, K
The warm water pounded against Amelia's shoulders as she tilted her head back, eyes closed. Steam billowed around her. Niko's phone had rung as they headed into the bathroom."Room for one more I hope?" Niko's voice broke through her reverie.Amelia opened her eyes to find her new husband watching her from the shower door, his gaze appreciative as it traveled over her wet skin."I did say I wanted us to shower together," she said, unable to keep the pleased smile from her lips."I got off the phone as quick as I could." He stepped inside, closing the glass door behind him. "And now I have a much more important task at hand.""Is that so?" Amelia turned to face him fully, suddenly very aware of her nakedness.Though they'd spent the night discovering each other's bodies, this was different…bright morning light streaming through the bathroom window, nowhere to hide, nothing to obscure. Amelia fought the instinct to cover herself, instead lifting her chin slightly, and met his eyes with
The invitation sent a thrill through her. Amelia let her hands explore the contours of his torso, tracing the definition of his muscles, learning the feel of his skin beneath her touch. When her fingers brushed across his nipple, he inhaled sharply, his own hands tightening on her waist.Bolder now, she leaned forward to press her lips to his collarbone, tasting the salt of his skin. His response was immediate, a low groan as his head tilted back, giving her better access."Your turn," he murmured after a moment, his hands finding the straps of her nightgown. He paused, seeking permission with his eyes.Amelia nodded, and he slowly slid both straps down her arms. The nightgown slid down her body before it pooled at her feet, leaving her in nothing but simple lace panties.Niko's sharp intake of breath was gratifying. His eyes traveled over her body with unmistakable appreciation. "You are even more beautiful than I imagined," he said hoarsely.She should have felt exposed, vulnerable,
Amelia stared at the ceiling of her new bedroom suite, the moonlight casting soft patterns across the dark room. The royal residence wing was eerily quiet at this hour, so different from the constant bustle of the day. She'd spent the last hour carefully unpacking a few personal items like photographs, favorite books, small treasures from her life before becoming Princess Amelia of Wystovia. Weird, she knew, to be doing this on her wedding night.But the wedding reception had ended hours ago. After a final round of goodbyes, Niko had escorted her through a maze of corridors to their private wing of the palace. He'd shown her to her bedroom, explaining which doors led where, how to call for assistance if needed."This will be your space," he'd said, standing awkwardly in the doorway. "My room is through there." He'd gestured to an adjoining door between their suites. "If you need anything at all..."Separate rooms? Oh my god, now she felt like she was playing a role in some Victorian no