Chapter Two Hundred-Twenty-Nine
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 pulled up to the entrance, where a small staff waited to greet them. Unlike the formal reception at the royal palace, this welcome was understated, just the estate manager, housekeeper, and a few essential staff who bowed and curtseyed respectfully before showing them inside.
"Your Highnesses, we've prepared the master suite as requested," the manager informed them. "Dinner will be served at seven, or earlier if you prefer. The staff quarters are in the east wing, so you'll have complete privacy in the main residence."
"Thank you, Henry," Niko replied. "That will be all for now."
As the staff withdrew, Amelia took in the grand entrance hall with its exposed wooden beams and stone fireplace. Despite its size, the estate felt cozy and inviting, more like a home than a palace.
"Would you like a tour?" Niko offered, taking her hand.
"I'd love one."
He led her through the estate, pointing out sitting rooms, the library, the music room with its grand piano. Each space was beautifully appointed but comfortable, designed for living rather than state functions.
"And this," Niko said finally, opening a set of double doors, "is our suite."
Amelia stepped inside, marveling at the spacious room with its panoramic windows overlooking the mountains. A massive four-poster bed dominated one wall, while a seating area with a private fireplace occupied another. French doors led to a stone balcony with what appeared to be a hot tub.
"This is incredible," she said, turning to find Niko watching her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
"I'm glad you approve." He closed the distance between them, his hands settling on her waist. "Because I plan to keep you in here for a significant portion of our stay."
The promise in his voice sent heat pooling in her belly. "Is that so?"
"Mmm." His lips found her neck, trailing kisses up to her ear. "Unless you object?"
"Not at all," she managed, already breathless from his touch. "Though I'd hate to miss those mountain views."
Niko chuckled against her skin. "Oh, I intend for you to see plenty of the mountains." His hands slid lower, cupping her bottom through her dress. "Just perhaps from a horizontal perspective."
Amelia laughed, the sound turning to a gasp as he lifted her easily, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down gently, his body covering hers as his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that quickly deepened from tender to hungry.
His hands made quick work of her dress, pushing it up over her hips while his lips traced a path down her throat. When he reached the key resting against her collarbone, he paused, pressing a reverent kiss to the symbol of her new status.
"Mine," he murmured against her skin, the word sending a thrill through her despite her modern sensibilities.
"Yours," she agreed, her fingers threading through his hair to guide his mouth back to hers.
They took their time undressing each other, exploring with hands and lips until they were both naked and breathing heavily. Niko's eyes never left hers as he positioned himself between her thighs after putting on a condom, the evidence of his desire pressing against her entrance.
"I want you," he said simply, the raw honesty in his voice matching the hunger in his eyes.
"Then take me," she replied, wrapping her legs around his waist in invitation.
He entered her slowly, giving her body time to adjust to his size. The slight discomfort from their previous encounters had faded, replaced by a delicious fullness that had her moaning his name.
"God, you feel incredible," Niko groaned, his control visibly slipping as he began to move within her.
Amelia met his thrusts with her own, her hands roaming his back, nails digging into his shoulders as pleasure built within her. This was different from their earlier encounters, less tentative, more primal. As if now that they'd discovered each other's bodies, they were free to lose themselves completely in the connection.
Niko's pace increased, his breath hot against her neck as he drove into her with increasing urgency. One hand slipped between them, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves at her center and circling it in time with his thrusts.
"Come for me," he urged, his voice strained with the effort of holding back his own release. "Let me feel you, Amelia."
His words, combined with the dual sensation of his body filling her and his fingers working their magic, pushed her over the edge. Amelia cried out his name as waves of pleasure crashed through her, her inner muscles clenching around him in rhythmic pulses.
Niko followed moments later, burying himself deep inside her with a groan that rumbled through his chest. For several heartbeats, they remained locked together, breathing heavily, sweat cooling on their skin.
Eventually, he rolled to the side, taking her with him so she lay sprawled across his chest. His fingers traced lazy patterns up and down her spine as their heartbeats gradually slowed.
"I think I'm going to enjoy being married to you, Princess," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Amelia smiled against his chest. "The feeling is mutual, Your Highness."
They dozed for a while after he disposed of the condom. They lay wrapped in each other's arms as afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows. When Amelia woke, Niko was watching her, his expression unguarded in a way she rarely saw.
"What is it?" she asked, reaching up to touch his cheek.
He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I was just thinking how different this is from what I expected."
"In what way?"
"I expected duty, obligation, perhaps eventual companionship." His thumb traced circles on her wrist. "I didn't expect to feel this... comfortable."
The admission wasn't a declaration of love, but it was nice. "Neither did I," she confessed. "I was prepared to be a good princess, a suitable wife. I wasn't prepared to actually want you."
Niko's smile was slow and satisfied. "And do you? Want me?"
In answer, Amelia pushed him onto his back, straddling his hips with newfound confidence. "What do you think?" she asked, leaning down to capture his lips in a kiss that left no doubt about her desire.
His hands settled on her waist as she reached for another condom and handed it to him after she settled herself above him, taking him inside her with a sigh of pleasure. This new position gave her control, allowing her to set the pace as she rode him, her hands braced on his chest.
"You're perfect," Niko groaned, his eyes dark with desire as he watched her move above him. "So beautiful."
Amelia lost herself in the rhythm, in the exquisite sensation of him filling her, in the way his gaze never left hers. When his thumb found her most sensitive spot, circling it with just the right pressure, she shattered around him, his name a breathless prayer on her lips.
He followed her over the edge, his hands gripping her hips as he thrust up into her one final time. Spent and satisfied, Amelia collapsed onto his chest, their bodies still joined as their breathing gradually slowed.
"I think," Niko said eventually, his voice rough with lingering desire, "that we might need to reconsider our plans for the honeymoon."
"Oh?" Amelia lifted her head, resting her chin on his chest. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well," he replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I had arranged for hiking, horseback riding, perhaps some local sightseeing."
"And now?"
A slow smile spread across his face. "Now I'm thinking we might not leave this room for at least the first three days."
Amelia laughed, the sound full of genuine happiness. "I could be persuaded to support that amendment to our itinerary."
"Excellent." Niko rolled them over so she was beneath him once more, his body already responding to her proximity. "I believe negotiations can begin immediately."
As his mouth claimed hers again, Amelia surrendered willingly to the desire building between them once more. Their marriage might have begun as an arrangement, a political alliance orchestrated by others, but what was growing between them now was entirely their own creation—passionate, genuine, and full of promise for the future.
And as Niko's hands and lips began a leisurely exploration of her body, Amelia knew with sudden certainty that she would never regret the path that had led her here, to this man and this life that were rapidly becoming more precious to her than she had ever imagined possible.