**EPISODE 22 — "The Unwanted Lesson"**
The morning light filtered through the crystal windows of the Silverwood Sanctuary, scattering soft patterns across the room where Isha lay curled under warm blankets. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was.
Then she felt it.
A presence.
Warm. Protective. Familiar.
Her eyes fluttered open.
Lucian was sitting beside the edge of her bed, elbows on his knees, staring at her like he'd spent the whole night watching her sleep.
Maybe he did.
Her voice was soft.
"…You're still here?"
Lucian didn't blink.
"I never left."
Her heart skipped.
He looked tired—not physically, but emotionally. The type of exhaustion only centuries of responsibility could carve into someone's soul. But the moment her eyes met his, the shadows in his expression softened.
"Isha," he said quietly, "I want to teach you something today."
She pushed herself up slightly.
"What is it?"
Lucian stood and offered his hand.
"Come. We're going outside."
His cool fingers wrapped around her wrist and pulled her gently from the bed.
The way he held her… it wasn't possessive.
It wasn't forceful.
It was simply a silent declaration:
**You belong by my side.**
She followed him out of the room, their hands brushing occasionally—small touches that sent a spark up her arm every time.
When they stepped outside, the morning air was crisp, the forest around them glowing with soft sunlight. It was peaceful enough to forget the dangers lurking in the world.
Until Lucian spoke.
"I need you to learn how to defend yourself."
Isha blinked.
"You want to teach me to fight?"
Lucian turned, a faint smile touching his lips.
"No. I want to teach you to survive."
She swallowed.
"Because of the prophecy?"
"Because of everything," Lucian whispered.
His voice held something deeper—fear. For her. Only her.
He stepped back a little, motioning her forward.
"Start with your stance. Show me how you hold yourself when you're afraid."
Isha tried to mimic a defensive posture she'd seen in movies.
Lucian stared for two seconds.
"No," he said softly. "That's how you ask to be killed."
Isha groaned. "Okay, rude."
Lucian chuckled—an actual laugh. Rare. Stunning.
"Come here," he murmured.
She stepped closer.
"Closer," he repeated.
She hesitated.
He reached out, gripping her waist and pulling her gently until she was standing almost against his chest.
Her breath stopped.
His voice dropped, low and magnetic.
"When danger is near, your center of gravity must be steady."
He placed one hand on her lower back, the other on her wrist, guiding her arms up.
Almost an embrace.
Almost a dance.
Isha could feel his breath on her cheek.
"Lucian…" she whispered, not trusting her voice.
He adjusted her posture slowly, deliberately, his hands moving along her arms, her waist, her shoulders.
Every touch was soft… yet electrifying.
"Better," he murmured. "Now again."
Isha followed his instructions, copying his stance.
Lucian circled behind her, placing his hands over hers.
His chest brushed her back.
His lips hovered near her ear.
"You learn fast," he whispered.
Her entire body warmed.
She made the mistake of glancing up at him.
Lucian's face was closer than expected.
Too close.
Their breaths mingled.
His hand slid down her arm—slow, intentional.
Their lips were an inch apart.
Isha's heart raced so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
Lucian leaned in.
Her eyes fluttered shut—
"Ahem."
Both froze.
A familiar, unwanted voice cut through the air.
Liorra.
Of course.
Isha's entire body stiffened, jealousy stabbing her heart before she even looked.
Liorra stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, expression sharp and cold.
"I wasn't aware training sessions required… this level of proximity," she said bitterly.
Lucian's expression darkened instantly.
"This is none of your concern."
Liorra ignored him and approached, her gaze dropping to the way Lucian's hand still rested on Isha's waist.
A fact she clearly hated.
"You call that training?" Liorra scoffed. "It looks more like—"
"It *is* training," Lucian snapped.
Isha stepped slightly away from him, cheeks burning.
Liorra smirked.
"Of course. How… educational."
Lucian inhaled sharply.
"State your purpose and leave."
Liorra's eyes flicked to Isha.
"A warning," she said coldly. "Your human girl is drawing attention. Dangerous attention."
Lucian's expression sharpened.
"From whom?"
Liorra hesitated.
"…The Council knows she's here. And they're not pleased."
Isha's stomach dropped.
"The Council?" she whispered.
Lucian turned to her immediately, voice softening.
"Don't worry about them."
But Liorra laughed.
"Oh, she definitely should."
Lucian's eyes turned icy.
"Liorra. Enough."
Liorra's smile faded, replaced by something bitter.
"You're choosing her over your people," she whispered. "Over your clan. Over everything we've built."
Lucian took a slow, threatening step toward her.
"Isha is not the threat," he murmured. "But I will become one if anyone tries to harm her."
Liorra's jaw clenched.
"Then I hope you're ready," she said quietly. "Because the Council has already sent someone after her."
Lucian froze.
Isha's blood ran cold.
"Sent… someone?" she whispered.
Liorra nodded. "A hunter."
Lucian growled—a low, fury-filled sound that made the ground tremble.
"No one touches her," he said, voice dangerously low.
Liorra's gaze softened for a split second, sadness flickering in her eyes.
"You're going to start a war, Lucian."
Lucian didn't blink.
"I would burn the world before I let them take her."
Liorra's expression broke for the first time, as though those words wounded her deeply.
She turned and disappeared into the trees without another word.
Silence settled.
Isha felt Lucian's anger like heat radiating from his body.
"Lucian…" she whispered cautiously.
He turned to her, eyes still burning.
"It's my fault," he said softly. "I should have protected you better. I should have anticipated this."
Isha shook her head.
"Lucian, you've done everything for me. I'm the one risking your world, your position—"
"I don't care about any of that," he cut in.
His voice broke slightly.
"Isha, I only care about you."
Her breath caught.
He closed the distance between them, lifting her chin gently.
"No hunter will touch you," he whispered.
"No Council member will threaten you."
His thumb brushed her cheek, tender and protective.
"I'll stay with you every second if I must."
Isha's hand rose instinctively, resting on his chest where his heartbeat thudded fiercely.
"Lucian… what if this is too much for you?"
He leaned in, forehead resting against hers.
"It's too much only when you're not near me."
Her cheeks flushed.
His lips brushed her nose—soft, affectionate, devastatingly intimate.
"Isha," he breathed, voice trembling.
"I—"
A sound interrupted them.
A whisper.
A branch snapping.
Lucian's arm shot around her instantly, pulling her against his chest.
Silver eyes blazing.
The hunter had arrived.
**EPISODE 22 COMPLETE**