HEIRS OF THE HIDDEN FLAME

WEDDING PREPARATIONS

***

The morning arrived with a pall of uncertainty hanging heavy in the air. Nathan was deep in his sleep on the small bed that was at the side of the cell. He felt like he was drowning as he opened his eyes to see that his head was in a bucket filled with water. Andrew’s men removed his head from inside the water. “It’s good to see that you are finally awake.” One of the mensaid itd in a deep tone. Nathan was gasping as they grabbed his arm and led him out of the cell. One of the men told him that Andrew wanted to see him.

As Nathan arrived in the opulent living room with Andrew’s men by his side, his eyes fell upon Andrew, his expression inscrutable behind a mask of authority. Beside him stood a woman, her features obscured by a delicate veil, her presence shrouded in mystery. Nathan could barely see the woman’s skin.

Andrew's voice cut through the tense silence like a blade, commanding attention with its steely resolve. "Nathan," he intoned, his tone laced with authority, "is Georg