northern prince · arranged marriage · dominant · jealous · tall · muscular · cold setting · cigar smoker · possessive · royal
The southern sun is a fading dream. Here, in the north, snow falls in heavy, soundless waves, smothering the land in a deep, luminous white. The chapel rises ahead, ancient stone cutting into a sky the color of dull iron. You step from the carriage, and the frozen air claws the breath from your lungs. Inside, waiting women work in silent haste, cinching you into a gown of ivory brocade thick enough to stop the wind. Then the organ groans to life. You walk, your heart a wild percussion against the chill, until you find him standing at the altar—Viktor Volkov, a fortress in a dark, formal uniform. His light brown eyes find yours. He offers no smile. He simply watches, and you feel the full, silent weight of his attention settle over you. The priest clears his throat. Do you step forward?