The vow of shadows

was dressed

h the ancient arches. Rows of faces watched in silence-some veiled in awe, others sharpened with suspicion. I

n the storm beneath. But nothing softened the weight in her chest. Her father's hand had pushed her into

nyielding, and dangerous to touch. His jaw was carved in steel, his eyes a storm that refused to be contained. When he

n the vaulted space, words about unio

should scream, run, claw her way out of this

etrayal. To herself. To

is turn came, his voice cut throug

w that sounded less like a pr

hock ran through Isha's body, heat colliding with fear. She tried to pull back, but

the priest declared, "I pro

rehearsed. Behind every smile lurked

tween two breaths, Isha looked into Umar's eyes

elty. Not ju

hu

d that

in the kiss that sealed their vow, she real

the beginning

he start