**EPISODE 21 — "The Girl Who Stood Too Close"**
The moment Lucian carried Isha into the Silverwood Sanctuary, the entire hall froze.
Vampires—warriors, healers, scholars—turned to stare. Some with curiosity. Some with confusion. And a few… with envy.
Lucian didn't care.
He didn't let her walk. Didn't let her touch the ground.
His arms stayed around her the whole time, holding her like she'd break if he loosened even a fraction.
Isha felt every gaze, every whisper.
But she also felt the steady, fierce heartbeat in Lucian's chest.
A comfort.
A warning.
A claim.
When he set her down carefully on a soft velvet cushion, she tried to breathe normally—but her fingers were still gripping his shirt, refusing to let go.
And he noticed.
His voice dropped, soft as a whisper.
"Isha. You're safe. I'm right here."
Safe?
Yes.
Except… someone approached.
A woman.
Tall. Beautiful. Vampire. With long dark hair that shimmered like polished obsidian and eyes that glowed ice-blue.
Every other vampire bowed slightly as she passed.
Isha didn't know her, but she already hated the way the woman's gaze softened at the sight of Lucian.
**And hated the way Lucian's expression changed—surprised, almost guilty.**
"I heard the commotion outside," the woman said, stepping closer. "Lucian, you're injured."
Lucian's jaw tensed.
"I'm fine, Liorra."
Liorra.
Beautiful name.
Beautiful woman.
Isha's stomach tightened.
Liorra placed her hand on Lucian's arm—slowly, deliberately.
Her fingers slid up his forearm as she examined the faint scratches on his skin, and her voice softened further.
"You should have come to me. I'm still your healer."
Still?
Isha's heart dropped for a moment.
Lucian stepped away—subtle, but intentional.
"It's not necessary," he said flatly.
But Liorra didn't step back.
Instead, she turned her attention to Isha and smiled politely… but her eyes?
Cold.
Measuring.
Dangerous.
"And this must be the human everyone is whispering about," Liorra said, crossing her arms. "The one you risked your life for."
Isha felt a sting.
She opened her mouth to greet her, but Liorra didn't let her speak.
Her voice dripped with false sweetness.
"Humans are fragile. They break so easily, Lucian. You shouldn't carry them into battles."
Isha stiffened.
Lucian's voice turned sharp in an instant.
"I didn't carry her into a battle. I carried her out of one."
Liorra sighed dramatically and stepped even closer—too close.
"Lucian… you used to be more careful with your heart."
Isha's breath stopped.
Heart?
Liorra leaned toward him, brushing imaginary dust off his collar.
Lucian's eyes flicked to Isha for a split second.
And Isha's world flipped.
Jealousy hit her chest like a punch.
Hot. Sharp. Ugly.
She hated it but couldn't stop it.
Her jaw clenched.
Her stomach twisted.
Her fingers dug into the cushion.
Why was she even feeling this?
Lucian wasn't hers.
He never promised anything.
He never said he—
Liorra's voice broke her thoughts.
"Do you remember, Lucian? You once told me no human could ever stand beside you."
Isha's throat tightened painfully.
Lucian inhaled sharply, anger flaring in his eyes.
"Enough."
"Oh?" Liorra tilted her head. "So now she's special? She's different?"
Silence.
Lucian didn't deny it.
He couldn't.
Isha's breath shook quietly.
Liorra smirked—victory glinting in her eyes.
"I should heal you in private," she whispered. "Old times' sake."
Isha's head snapped up.
**She hated that suggestion more than anything else she had ever hated.**
Before she could stop herself, she stood abruptly—and stumbled.
Lucian reached her instantly, steadying her by the waist.
Her voice came out before her brain could stop it:
"She doesn't need to touch you."
Liorra raised an eyebrow.
Lucian froze.
Isha blinked, mortified.
Oh God.
Did she just say that OUT LOUD?
Lucian stared at her as if she had just confessed her soul.
Liorra's smile faded instantly.
"I'm sorry?" Liorra said, icy calm.
Isha swallowed hard, but the jealousy was too strong to fight anymore.
"She… she keeps touching you. And I don't like it."
Lucian's fingers tightened slightly on her waist.
Liorra scoffed.
"She is jealous? A human? You truly are losing your mind, Lucian."
Lucian's voice dropped, dangerous and deep.
"You will not speak about her like that."
Liorra's confidence faltered.
Lucian moved in front of Isha, shielding her completely.
"If anyone heals me tonight, it will be her."
Isha's breath caught.
Me?
What?
"I—I don't know how to heal a vampire—" Isha whispered.
Lucian didn't look away from her.
"You don't need magic," he murmured. "Just… be here."
Liorra's jaw clenched.
"This is humiliation," she hissed. "For you. For our people."
Lucian's reply was quiet but devastating:
"Isha is mine to protect."
Isha's heart stopped.
Liorra went silent—shock and fury mixing in her eyes.
She turned sharply and walked away, her steps echoing through the hall.
Isha stood frozen.
Lucian slowly turned back to her.
His voice was soft.
Too soft.
"You were jealous."
It wasn't a question.
Isha looked away, cheeks burning.
"I… I don't know what you mean."
Lucian lifted her chin gently with his fingers.
"Don't lie to me."
Her breath trembled.
She didn't want to admit it.
Didn't want to sound foolish.
Didn't want to let him know how deeply she felt—
"It's okay," Lucian whispered, leaning closer. "I liked it."
Her heart exploded.
He cupped her face with both hands, silver eyes burning into hers.
"You don't have to hide it," he breathed. "I feel the same."
"I—Lucian—"
He stepped even closer, so close she felt his breath brush her lips.
"Tell me," he whispered. "Did it bother you… when she touched me?"
Isha exhaled shakily.
"…Yes."
Lucian closed his eyes briefly, as if that one word was too much for him to handle.
When he opened them again, everything changed.
Raw emotion.
Hunger.
Possession.
Tenderness.
He brushed his forehead against hers, their lips only a breath apart.
"You don't even know," he whispered, "how badly I wanted to pull you into my arms the moment I saw your face drop."
Her heart hammered painfully.
His thumb caressed her cheek, slow and deliberate.
"Say it again," he murmured. "Say you didn't like her touching me."
She swallowed, voice trembling.
"I… didn't like it."
His breath hitched.
Lucian's lips grazed the corner of her mouth—barely a kiss, more like a confession.
"Good," he whispered, voice shaking slightly. "Because no one else touches me. Not anymore."
Isha's entire body felt weightless.
Lucian pulled her close, holding her against his chest.
Not a kiss.
Not yet.
But the kind of embrace that meant more.
Silence wrapped around them.
Beautiful.
Heavy.
Charged.
Finally, he whispered into her hair:
"Isha… you don't have to say the words yet. But let me be the one you want."
Her eyes stung with tears she didn't understand.
"But Lucian…" she whispered. "Am I really someone who can stand in your world?"
He held her tighter.
"You already are."
And for the first time…
Isha believed him.
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**EPISODE 21 COMPLETE**