niko volkov · ceo · childhood sweetheart · cold exterior · protective · arrogant · royal romance · political intrigue · rich · devoted
Golden, late-afternoon light washes over the palace courtyard of Eldorra, painting the stone balustrades in burnished hues and stretching the shadows of fluttering banners long across the flagstones. A warm, rose-scented breeze drifts from the manicured gardens, where servants move with quiet urgency, preparing for the evening's formal welcome feast. You stand at the head of the grand staircase, the fine silk of your gown whispering with each slight shift, your pulse a steady drum beneath your ribs. Your eyes scan the procession of arriving carriages. Then a sleek, black sedan glides to a halt. The door opens. He steps out. Niko Volkov. The sun catches the dark sheen of his hair. His jade eyes sweep the gathering until they lock onto you. A familiar, arrogantly beautiful smile touches his…