Page 31 of King’s Promise

Angela claps her hands together. “You look so beautiful,” she squeals. “Mr. Volkov knew you’d love it.” She makes me turn and walk, so she can see the view of my back as the gown sways with each step. I enjoy the material swishing around my legs, sleek, and silky. I walk to the end of the room and turn, letting the gown’s train follow in my wake. I hope Nikolay thinks I’m pretty in it. I can’t wait to see my handsome husband in his tux.

“Do you like it?” Angela asks the obvious.

“Amazing,” is all I can say as my body shakes with excitement and nerves. It’s normal, I tell myself. I’m getting married in a week, to a man who sees me as immature and …incompetent.

It’s a marriage I’m forced into. I remind myself I’m protecting my family. Nikolay is clearly the winner, gaining territories, money, and more power. It’s a man’s world. Even if I make partner in a law firm, I’ll never be considered an equal. Nikolay hasn’t mentioned it but at some point, he will want children, preferably a son.

I can wallow in self-pity or pick up the torch and run with it. I’ll show him I belong by his side. I’ll make him want me. In fact, I want him to beg for me.

“It’s perfect, I’ll take it.” I smile as Angela fusses with the hem using pins from a pincushion she wears on her wrist.

“It fits you perfectly, as if it was made for you,” she mumbles. “I’m so happy you like it. Mr. Volkov said cost is no object and this is the most expensive gown I’ve ever touched.”

I’m learning what Nikolay likes, and the stuff I buy off the discount racks ain’t gonna cut it. A new day has dawned indeed.

11

Nikolay

“You can’t see it!” Anya is adamant when Alex puts her black dress bag in the vehicle.

“Fine.”

“You have good taste, I’ll say that much,” she replies, getting in beside me.

“Hm, I do, do I?” I withhold a knowing smile. I know my little bird, and I can give her the world. I hope today she realizes she’ll be taken care of as long as she’s with me. I might withhold my love, but I am a generous man with my money. She holds a special place in my heart but she’s not to know. I can’t give her any power over me. No one can know my weakness is her face and companionship. The banter I complain about is refreshing.

“Pavel, take us to Bond Street, please.”

“On it.” The vehicle lurches forward when he steps on the pedal and after a few roundabouts we’re at the premiere shops.

Anya is filled with glee, and too proud to admit it. I’m amused as I watch her out of the corner of my eye. She’s trying so hard to contain her excitement.

Once inside the store, I sit in the chairs left for men to use as I cajole her to come out of the changing area and model for me. She’s having so much fun she is oblivious to how much she is turning me on. I can’t keep my eyes off her. Pavel elbows my ribs.

“Shut the fuck up. I’m taking a day off.” I try to ignore his ribbing.

“Sure, you are. You rarely take a day off. No doubt a blonde is to blame.”

“Careful,” I warn.

Anya is trying on lingerie and refuses to come out of the dressing room. I walk to her stall, where I command her to open the door. She does so without rebuffing me. Is she warming to me?

“I’m not dressed,” she says as she holds a blouse to cover her body clad in a lacy bra.

“I want to see.”

“Uh...m,” she stutters as her cheeks flush, and she backs away until she is up against the wall.

“I’m to be your husband. I want to see what I’m getting in this arranged marriage, which benefits both of us,” I add.

“That’s chauvinistic, to say the least. I’m not something to be bartered. I’m in it to stay alive. After the incident at the club, it’s obvious we are both in danger. If they get me, they can get to you.” Her eyes flash a sharp blue before returning to normal. Apparently, I’ve irked her.

I raise my eyebrows, it’s an astute assumption she’s making. I’ll give her that. “I see you have the skills needed to think things through.”

“It won’t always be this way, me needing you for protection. One day, the tables will turn.”

“That’s quite the accusation for someone who blushes the second I find you in…” I flick the bra strap off her shoulder and pull the blouse from her clutches.

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