The dim light of the candles flickering in the room danced upon Zoya’s red bridal attire. Sitting in Shahnawaz’s lap, Zoya felt as though her entire existence would melt and merge into his iron-like frame. In Shahnawaz’s blue eyes today, there wasn't that terrifying hardness, but rather a thirst intense enough to set Zoya’s soul on fire.

Shahnawaz tilted Zoya’s chin up with extreme delicacy. Zoya’s eyelids were heavy, and a strange tremor played upon her lips.