The King's Bride

Amy Adams dug through the pile of lace, taffeta, and tulle in her lap, seeking the match to the orphaned silver pump in her hand. The back room of Casa Nostra smelled like garlic, tomato sauce, and failed dry cleaning efforts. “Aha!” She held up the MIA stiletto triumphantly right as her best friend Matt poked his head through the vinyl curtain. “You’re still not ready?” He grimaced at the dressing catastrophe before her. “The gala starts in thirty minutes.” “I’ll be ready in five.” Amy grinned up at him. “I promise this Cinderella won’t turn into a pumpkin before midnight.”Matt rolled his eyes before retreating to the front of the restaurant. As a reward for her years waitressing at Casa Nostra, Matt scored Amy a coveted invite to the annual spring gala held by the New York Botanical Gardens. Rubbing spaghetti stains off her secondhand gown was the closest to a fairy godmother she was gonna get. Slipping into the silver heels, she sighed in satisfaction at her reflection. Not ba

Over the next few days, Amy plunged into an exhausting routine of etiquette lessons, public appearances, and gown fittings. The palace staff scrambled to mold the prince's "Cinderella commoner" into an acceptable royal figurehead.Her only comfort was Katerina, the kind lady-in-waiting assigned as her companion. Like a mother hen, Katerina answered Amy's endless questions and soothed her tears of frustration."Be strong, little fox," she would urge. "His Highness would not have selected you unless he saw indomitable spirit beneath your shyness. You must believe in that too."When Amy confided her deepest fears of embarrassing Viktor or damaging his authority, Katerina squeezed her shoulder. "The prince cares nothing for appearances. He seeks only a partner who completes him as person, not position. So show him the real Amy!"Bolstered, Amy decided to take control of her destiny. Slipping free of her watchful retinue one afternoon, she set out exploring the palace's sprawling gardens

Weeks after their swift but sweet wedding, Amy flourished into her role as Valendria’s Princess and future Queen. With Viktor’s steadfast love bolstering her, the doubts of others no longer plagued her thoughts. Even the King and Queen Dowager had thawed into cordiality, swayed by their only son’s clear devotion.One golden afternoon, Amy and Viktor escaped to the lush palace gardens for fresh air. Laughing together on a stone bench tucked away from prying eyes by fragrant jasmine bushes, they could pretend themselves just an ordinary newlywed couple, blissfully unburdened by royal obligations.“Ah but I adore you like this.” Viktor nuzzled Amy’s neck, pulling her close onto his lap. “Relaxed and radiant and all mine without tedious appointments or protocol.” His warm lips found hers in a familiar dance that soon turned passionate.Time fell away...until distant calls of their names intruded. Sighing regretfully, Viktor withdrew just as attendants approached round the garden bend. “F

Nestled deep in the snowy woods, Viktor reined the horses toward a secluded glen. Amy gasped to see a blanket and pillows strewn before a roaring bonfire complete with a picnic basket and champagne bucket.Viktor lifted her down, his smoldering gaze reflecting the wild flames. "I wished to show my endless gratitude for all you endured for my sake, moya. Tonight allow me to worship you properly." He slipped Amy's fur cloak from her shoulders, baring her skin to the fire's heat...and his hungry eye. She trembled anticipating his attention. "Then I am yours to adore as you please, my king."With a throaty growl Viktor bore Amy down into the blankets, claiming her mouth fiercely. She responded with equal urgency, craving physical union after combating foes side by side. Garments peeled away unheeded as they celebrated survival and triumph with primal passion beneath moon and stars. Later Viktor stroked Amy's hair as she dozed against his chest watching the fire sink to embers. "You ar

Over the next few days, Anastasia pushed to be included in Viktor's important meetings with advisors and ministers. She wanted decision-making power over his kingdom even before officially marrying Nikolai. Viktor politely but firmly denied her requests. He made excuses that these long-scheduled meetings covered dull budget details or minor bureaucratic matters. But in truth, he did not trust Anastasia's motives. Her sudden engagement to his brother was clearly a calculated political move on her part. She had taken advantage of Nikolai's attraction to her. Viktor doubted his foolish brother grasped how cunning his new fiancee truly was. Anastasia intended to expand her authority and influence through this marriage alliance. Amy shared Viktor's concerns. She tried talking sensibly to Nikolai, warning he was being used as a pawn in Anastasia's chess game for more dominance over the region. But Nikolai brusquely dismissed Amy's words. Dazzled by Anastasia's beauty and confident cha