**EPISODE 24 — "The Price of Loving a Vampire Prince"**
The forest glowed silver as the Council stepped out of the portal—three ancient vampires, their aura heavier than the night air itself.
Lucian stood in front of Isha immediately.
Fangs out.
Muscles tight.
Eyes burning dangerously.
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
The Council Leader, a tall vampire with moon-white hair, looked at Lucian with cold disapproval.
"Prince Lucian," he said, voice echoing like steel. "You were ordered to cut ties with the human."
Lucian's jaw tightened.
His grip on Isha's hand tightened too.
"I refuse," he said quietly—but with the kind of deadly conviction that made even ancient vampires pause.
The woman beside the leader, Lady Corvina, stepped forward. Her eyes flickered to Isha with disgust.
"She is a threat to our world. A human girl with unstable power? She shouldn't even be alive."
At that, Isha instinctively clutched Lucian's shirt from behind, fingers trembling.
Lucian snarled.
"Say another word about her," he growled, "and I will make you regret it."
Lady Corvina lifted a brow.
"How charming. The prince is willing to betray his entire kind for a mortal child."
Isha flinched—"child?"
Her annoyance flared before fear could take over.
"I'm not a child," Isha snapped.
Lucian's head tilted slightly—he loved that she spoke up, but he subtly pulled her closer behind him again.
The Council Leader's gaze hardened.
"The girl has awakened a forbidden power. A human carrying vampire energy is a threat to the balance. She must be contained."
Contained?
Isha's heart dropped.
"Over my dead body," Lucian said, voice low and deadly.
Corvina smiled cruelly.
"That can be arranged."
Lucian moved before she finished speaking.
He blurred forward—one second by Isha's side, the next gripping Corvina by the throat and slamming her against a tree, cracking the bark.
"Lucian!" Isha gasped.
But his voice was ice.
"You don't get to threaten her."
Corvina choked but smirked.
"She is jealous of a vampire prince caring for a mortal," she mocked. "How pathetic."
Isha stiffened.
Lucian growled, "Say her name with respect. Isha is worth more than all of you combined."
Isha's chest tightened at his words.
Corvina hissed, pushing out a burst of power that threw Lucian back several feet.
He landed on his feet instantly, eyes glowing silver.
Before the fight escalated, the Council Leader raised his hand.
"That is enough. We did not come for war."
Lucian scoffed.
"Then go back."
"We can't."
The leader's gaze shifted to Isha.
"She must come with us. Her power is unstable. Dangerous. If it remains uncontrolled, she will destroy herself—and you."
Isha's heart pounded.
Lucian instantly stepped in front of her again.
"You're not touching her," he growled.
Corvina snapped, "Lucian, your attachment to her is unacceptable."
"Then deal with it," he spat back.
Tension crackled.
The portal still glowed behind the Council.
"We're giving you one chance," the leader said.
"Bring her to the castle. Voluntarily."
"And if I don't?" Lucian asked.
The leader's tone became deadly calm.
"Then we will take her by force."
Isha gasped—but Lucian didn't give the Council a chance.
He grabbed Isha's waist, pulled her close—
And vanished.
A burst of wind swirled where they had been.
He teleported them.
—
### **Deep in the caverns**
Isha stumbled as they reappeared inside an ancient underground cavern. Lucian braced her instantly, hands steady on her waist.
She looked up at him—breathless, shaken, but safe.
Lucian cupped her cheeks softly.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"No… but you're bleeding."
His side wound had opened again. Blood soaked into his shirt.
"Lucian—sit down!"
He didn't.
"I'm fine."
"You're not." She glared. "Sit."
Lucian stared at her for several seconds—then sighed and obeyed, lowering himself onto a smooth rock.
She knelt in front of him, tearing cloth from her own sleeve to press against his wound.
He flinched slightly but stayed still.
Isha whispered, "Why are you risking everything for me?"
Lucian's eyes softened.
"Because you are worth everything."
Her heart squeezed painfully.
"But I'm human," she whispered. "And your own kind is turning against you because of me."
Lucian gently took her hands away from the wound and held them.
"You are not 'just human,' Isha. You awakened power that hasn't been seen in centuries. And more importantly—"
He leaned closer, voice softening.
"You changed me."
Her breath caught.
"You make me feel alive in a way immortality never did. I'm not letting them take you."
Isha swallowed, overwhelmed.
"Lucian… I'm scared."
He leaned his forehead against hers.
"I know," he whispered. "But I'll protect you with everything I am."
She blinked back tears.
"Lucian… what happens if the council finds us again? They were serious."
"They can try," he whispered fiercely. "But they won't touch you. Not while I breathe."
Her chest tightened.
"Lucian… your world hates me."
"Let them," he murmured. "I love you."
The words froze Isha's breath.
Her lips parted.
"Lucian…"
He cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek.
"You don't have to say it back," he whispered. "Not until you're ready."
She shook her head, tears falling.
"No… I am ready."
Lucian looked startled.
"I love you, Lucian."
He inhaled sharply.
Then he kissed her.
Deeply.
Emotion poured into that kiss—fear, longing, devotion, desperation. His hands slid into her hair, pulling her closer; hers held his shirt tight, afraid he might disappear.
Lucian kissed her again, slower this time, as if memorizing her.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless, Lucian rested his forehead against hers.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he whispered.
Isha smiled softly through her tears.
"And you have no idea how jealous I was when that Corvina woman looked at you like she owned you."
Lucian froze.
Then smirked.
"You were jealous?"
She glared lightly. "Obviously."
He kissed her cheek, then her jaw.
"You have no reason to be. I only want you."
Her heart fluttered wildly.
—
Before they could say more, the cavern trembled.
Lucian stiffened.
Isha's pulse spiked.
"Lucian… what was that?"
He pulled her behind him, eyes sharpening.
"They found us."
The portal light flared at the mouth of the cave.
Corvina stepped out first, eyes blazing.
And behind her—
Someone Isha didn't expect.
Adrian.
Lucian's own brother.
Isha's blood ran cold.
Lucian growled.
"Adrian. Not you."
Adrian's expression held guilt—but also resolve.
"Forgive me, brother," Adrian said softly.
"But the Council ordered it."
Lucian stepped in front of Isha protectively.
"I won't let you have her."
Adrian sighed.
"You might not have a choice."
And behind him…
Hundreds of vampire soldiers appeared.
Isha's breath stopped.
The Council didn't send a warning.
They sent an army.
**EPISODE 24 COMPLETE**