Beneath the Thorns — A Dark Romance of Fire, Devotion, and Redemption - introduction

Moscow. Snow fell like ash over the Volkov mansion. A boy of nine stood silently before his dying grandfather, who had just slit a man’s throat for betrayal. That boy didn’t cry. He didn’t flinch. His name was Aarav Volkov Knight, son of a British heiress and a Russian mafia king. “Feelings make you weak, boy,” his grandfather whispered. “Don’t love. Control.” That night, Aarav buried every piece of his heart under the ice. --- Thousands of miles away, in the courtyard of a Vrindavan temple, a young girl danced barefoot in devotion. Meera Sharma, age nine, spun like a flame in the moonlight, her hands telling the story of Radha and Krishna’s eternal love. Her mother watched from the steps, her eyes misty. After every dance, Meera folded her hands to the dark idol of Krishna. “Please always be my best friend, okay? I’ll never need anyone else.” --- Two souls. Two different worlds. One storm-bound fate.

Introduction

Aarav volkov(ml)

🥀 Aarav Volkov — The Thorned Crown Aarav is the heir to the Volkov Empire — a dynasty built on blood, shadows, and calculated terror. Born of two worlds — Russian mafia blood and Indian grace — he walks the tightrope between brutality and restraint. With cold grey eyes and a sculpted exterior, he is a silent storm. He is feared across nations for his ruthlessness. In boardrooms, he’s untouchable. In underworld circles, his name silences rooms. But beneath the tailored suits and venom-laced charm, lies a storm of grief, betrayal, and buried innocence. He believes love is a weakness. That faith is delusion. That no one stays. Until her. Likes: Control, classical music (secretly), sharp minds, late-night solitude, old letters from his mother. Dislikes: Weakness, unpredictability, emotional vulnerability, pity, loud people.

Arnold Volkolo(ml dad)

🧊 Aarold Volkov — The Ice General Aarav’s father. The head of the Volkov empire — cold, calculative, a man whose gaze alone can command armies. He speaks little, but his silence is louder than thunder. To the world, he is a serpent in a silk suit — cunning, strategic, and merciless. But to his wife, Vishakha, he’s a love-struck fool. The only woman who can melt his icy resolve with a single look. He becomes a child in her presence — soft, smiling, and almost… innocent. Likes: Silence, old war books, red wine, Vishakha’s laughter, loyalty. Dislikes: Betrayal, sentimentality, weakness in leadership.

Adrik volkov(ml grandfather)

🥶 Adrik Volkov — The Ghost King Aarav’s grandfather. The man who once ruled the underworld with an iron fist. Cold, ruthless, and terrifying. His love died with his wife — once the only softness in his stone heart. Since her tragic death, he’s become a shadow: heartless, detached, and brutal. He raised Aarav to be steel — no softness, no emotion, only survival. Likes: Absolute power, control, discipline. Dislikes: Love, disobedience, emotional expression.

Leo thomson(ml frnd)

😈 Leo Thomson — The Devil’s Smile Aarav’s closest friend. Heir of the Thomson Group. Model by profession, criminal by blood. A heartbreaker with a smirk that could melt glaciers and a tongue sharp enough to cut steel. He’s chaotic charm in human form — flirty, deadly, and irresistibly magnetic. He can kill with a smile and then joke about it. But under all that glitter lies a fiercely loyal soul — the only one who dares call Aarav out and live. Likes: Girls, expensive wine, tailored suits, wordplay, vintage cars. Dislikes: Boredom, possessiveness, fake emotions.

Rai clestine(ml frnd)

🧠 Rai clestine— The Silent Flame Rai is the observer. Aarav’s silent shadow and the most dangerous among them. Calm, cold, and incredibly intelligent — he rarely speaks, but when he does, everyone listens. His presence is intimidating, his mind a maze. Mystery surrounds him like perfume. He watches everyone, trusts no one — and always knows more than he lets on. Likes: Chess, poetry, thunderstorms, control, psychological games. Dislikes: Attention, small talk, betrayal.

Nina dobriel(ml frnd)

👑 Neena dobriyal— The Spoiled Flame The daughter of a billionaire media tycoon. A former childhood friend of Aarav’s, now clinging to the fantasy that they are destined to be together. She’s stunning, sensual, and aware of it. She uses her body and charm like weapons. Jealousy burns in her every glance toward Meera. She believes Aarav is hers — and anyone who stands in her way will regret it. Likes: Attention, luxury, dominance, Aarav. Dislikes: Being ignored, competition, Meera.

meera sharma(fl)

🌸 Meera sharma — The Devoted Flame The female lead. A classical Indian dancer on a scholarship in Europe. Graceful, kind, and deeply devoted to Krishna. Raised in a small town, she carries the strength of centuries in her soul. She’s gentle, but not weak. Naïve, but not blind. And her faith — unwavering. Her presence is peace. Her dance, prayer. She’s the storm Aarav never saw coming — light in his darkness. Likes: Dancing, reading scriptures, tulsi tea, full moons, soft music. Dislikes: Lies, cruelty, loud voices, being underestimated.

vaidehi sharma(fl mom)

🌷 Vaidehi sharma— The Mother with a Silent Spine Meera’s mother. A woman of soft words and deep devotion. Naïve at times, but holds a quiet strength. She’s proud of her daughter and believes in her dreams. She’s suffered in silence for years — for her child’s future — but when it comes to Meera, she will become fire. Likes: Prayers, sunlight, temple bells, feeding others. Dislikes: Conflict, arguments, her own tears.

Ayla verma(fl frnd)

🔥 Ayla Verma — The Wild Rose Meera’s roommate and best friend. A total contrast to Meera — bold, loud, brave, flirtatious, and sassy. She curses like a sailor and loves like a child. Has zero filter and a heart of gold. Protective of Meera like a lioness. Will punch a guy and hug a stranger in the same minute. Likes: Lipsticks, coffee, bold fashion, Meera’s innocence, spicy food. Dislikes: Douchebags, silence, rules.

Rose bennett(fl frnd)

🧊 Rose Bennett — The Silent Storm A contrast to her name, Rose isn’t soft or delicate — she’s snow: cold, beautiful, silent, and lethal. She’s the observer of Meera’s circle — always watching, rarely speaking. When she does speak, it cuts like a blade wrapped in silk. Rose loves her friends — Meera, Aayla, and others — like family, with a fierce loyalty. But she doesn’t let many in. To outsiders, she’s intimidating, unapproachable, and often mistaken for arrogant. But those who hurt her loved ones? They learn quickly that she’s not just icy — she’s venomous. Likes: Snowfall, clean silence, poetry, classical ballet, justice Dislikes: Small talk, fakeness, bullies, disloyalty, men who talk too much