Consummation of the Velvet Queen

The journey up the grand spiral staircase to the master tower sanctuary was bathed in the quiet, sacred hush of an alpine midnight. When Vassili carried Talia across the heavy oak threshold of their private quarters, the outside world ceased to exist. The ancient master sanctuary—once a cold, austere fortress chamber furnished only with iron weapon racks and heavy chests—had been completely reimagined by the castle staff to honor their…