**EPISODE 17 — *"THE FIRST REAL KISS"*
Lucian woke with a sharp inhale — as if he had been drowning and finally found air.
His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly red before softening.
He was… warm.
His head rested on something soft. Familiar.
His cheek was pressed against Isha's shoulder, his arms loosely around her waist.
Her fingers were buried in his hair, still moving gently as if afraid to stop.
Her eyes were tired, but still watching him.
Worried.
Protective.
Tender.
His heart jerked.
"Isha…" he whispered, voice hoarse. "Why are you— why didn't you put me down?"
Her voice cracked.
"Because you collapsed in my arms, Lucian. You think I'd drop you like a bag of potatoes?"
He blinked — a little dazed.
"You held me… the entire night?"
She nodded.
He swallowed hard, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"You should have rested. I didn't mean—"
"Lucian," she interrupted softly, her thumb brushing under his eye, "stop apologising for existing. Please."
Silence.
Lucian stared at her like he couldn't understand why she was being this gentle with him.
Then he slowly sat up — wincing at his wound. Isha grabbed him before he could fall again.
"Lucian!" She steadied him. "Don't move so fast!"
His gaze shifted to her hand on his chest.
"That wound," he murmured, "should've healed by now. The wraith's claws were corrupted."
He met her eyes again, his expression softening.
"You were crying," he said quietly, "weren't you?"
Her breath stilled.
"I—I thought—"
"That I would die?" he finished gently.
She looked away.
Lucian's fingers tilted her chin back toward him.
"I promised you I wouldn't leave."
"But you keep getting hurt for me," she whispered.
"And I will keep doing it. As long as I'm breathing."
That made her chest ache. He said it so simply, like it was a fact, not a choice.
She pressed a hand over her heart.
"This… this scares me, Lucian."
His voice dropped to a low, intimate whisper.
"Why?"
"Because you matter to me too much."
His breath hitched.
He didn't speak.
Didn't move.
He just looked at her like the world had stopped.
Then suddenly — without warning — he was close. Much closer.
His forehead touched hers, his fingers sliding gently into her hair.
"Isha," he murmured, "you're making it very hard for me to control myself."
Her pulse raced.
The warmth of his breath hit her lips.
"Lucian…" she whispered.
He closed his eyes, the edge of his mouth brushing her cheek.
"I thought I lost you last night," she confessed.
"You didn't," he whispered back. "You never will."
His nose brushed hers.
Her breath shook.
The moment felt charged.
Too intimate.
Too fragile.
She could feel his heartbeat — fast for a vampire.
His lips hovered over hers…
almost touching…
Then—
Her stomach growled.
Loudly.
Lucian froze.
Isha blinked.
And then—
Lucian *burst into laughter.*
Actual laughter.
Deep, warm, real.
Isha's cheeks burned. "Lucian!"
He leaned back, still laughing softly.
"You haven't eaten, have you?"
"I was too busy making sure you didn't die in your sleep!"
His laughter faded, replaced with something softer… deeper.
He reached for her hand and kissed it gently — his lips lingering a little too long.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"For staying.
For caring.
For… everything."
Her heart flipped.
Before she could respond, Lucian lifted her effortlessly.
She squeaked. "Lucian—!"
"You're eating," he said simply, carrying her to the kitchen area.
He set her down on the counter, stepping close — far too close — as he reached for things around her.
Every time he reached over her shoulder, his fingers brushed her skin.
Every time he turned slightly, his breath warmed her cheek.
She was sure he was doing it on purpose.
Finally, he stepped back.
"Eat."
She took a bite. "Happy now?"
"No," he said, stepping toward her again.
"What?"
He placed both hands on either side of her, trapping her gently against the counter.
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
His voice dropped, low and intoxicating.
"I'm not happy because you still look scared."
She swallowed. "Scared of… what?"
"Scared of losing me."
She looked away, eyes glossy.
"Lucian… I can't go through that again."
He leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers.
"Then don't," he whispered.
"Don't hide from me. Don't push me away. Don't pretend I don't matter."
Her breath caught.
"Lucian…"
"Isha," he whispered, brushing her cheek with his lips, "you matter. More than you should. More than I can handle."
Her eyes fluttered shut.
He tilted her chin up gently.
"I'm going to kiss you," he murmured.
"Unless you tell me to stop."
Her lips parted.
Her heartbeat thundered.
"Lucian…"
"Yes?"
His voice was velvet.
"Don't stop."
That was all he needed.
Lucian's lips descended on hers in a slow, breathtaking kiss.
Soft.
Tender.
Then deeper — fuller — as his hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
Isha clutched his shirt, melting into the kiss, feeling his trembling restraint and growing hunger — not for blood this time, but for *her*.
Lucian kissed her like he had wanted to from the moment he met her — like she was the only thing keeping him alive.
When he finally pulled back, his breathing was uneven.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," he whispered against her lips.
She flushed, breathless. "Then why didn't you?"
His smile was a little wicked, a little soft.
"Because if I kissed you once…
I knew I wouldn't stop."
Her cheeks heated.
He kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then the corner of her mouth — slow, teasing, sweet.
And then—
He stiffened.
Isha noticed instantly.
"Lucian?"
His jaw clenched. His eyes darkened.
"The wraith was a message," he said.
"A warning."
Her breath froze.
"Kael knows where you are."
"And he's coming."
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**EPISODE 17 COMPLETE**