"The Lost Heart of Ice Across the Realms".

If you enjoy mystery and supernatural powers, you might also like my other novel."

(Shackles of shadow)

Albert's fingers twitched, as if resisting the urge to hold on. Then, suddenly, he let go, stepping back. His expression remained unreadable, but I knew him. The more he pushed, the more I resisted.

So instead, he smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

Calm on the surface, but carrying something beneath—something unreadable.

His voice turned soft, coaxing. "Fine, as you wish, my angel. But at least... don't get too close to him. And don't hug him again." His eyes gleamed with something sharp. "Tell me, how would you feel if he hugged another girl?"

The question caught me off guard. I hadn't considered it. But the answer came before I could stop it, raw and unfiltered.

"I'd make him wish for death... and he wouldn't get it."

The air between us burned.

Albert's smirk widened, laced with amusement—and something darker, something primal. He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a husky whisper that sent another shiver down my spine.

"Well, my fierce little cat... I won't do anything to make you angry. That's a promise."

His fingers brushed against mine again, slow and deliberate. "Now, let's go."

His grip, though firm, had softened. I didn't resist, but something stirred inside me. Sparks crackled beneath my skin, an invisible energy rushing through my veins.

It wasn't just attraction.

It was something deeper. Innate. Unexplainable.

But then—

A whisper.

Faint. Distant.

My name.

I froze, my pulse faltering. I turned sharply, scanning the empty surroundings.

Nothing.

Albert's brows drew together. "What's wrong?"

I hesitated. "Don't you hear that?"

His eyes narrowed. "Hear what?"

I swallowed. "The whispers."

Albert's expression hardened slightly. "Lara... there's no sound. If there was, I'd have heard it before you."

But I knew what I heard.

And something deep inside me whispered back...

Not everything can be heard.

I shook my head, pushing the unease aside as we made our way back. The moment we arrived, Veena rushed toward me, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, concern laced in her voice.

I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere, lingering on the faint echo I couldn't quite grasp.

Before I could dwell on it, another voice broke through the haze.

Luke.

His gaze locked onto Albert, sharp and challenging. "Don't even think about taking her away from me again."

Albert's expression turned to ice, his voice a blade. "She's my companion. I can take her anywhere, anytime, as long as she's okay with it."

Luke didn't flinch. "And I'm her brother. I'll keep her away from you if you don't respect her boundaries."

Tension crackled in the air, thick and suffocating.

Until—

"Enough!"

My voice cut through their standoff like lightning. "Are you two children fighting over a piece of candy? I am not a toy for either of you!"

Spinning on my heel, I stormed off, frustration burning in my veins. Veena, barely suppressing a giggle, hurried after me.

Once inside my room, I slammed the door shut, exhaling sharply. My thoughts churned, but Veena's presence only fueled my irritation.

I frowned. "Did you see their childish behavior? They act like I'm some prize to be won!"

Veena hummed, her lips curving into a mysterious smile.

I narrowed my eyes. "What is it with you? Every time I talk, you just hum! Speak up!"

Before she could answer, she pounced onto the bed, mischief dancing in her gaze.

"Tell me..." she grinned, far too eagerly. "How did you feel when you first met Albert? And that first touch?"

Lara froze.

Her breath hitched as her mind flickered back to that moment—his presence, his touch, the way something inside her had stirred before she even understood why. A warmth she had never felt before, like a quiet ember suddenly brought to life.

She whispered, almost afraid to say it aloud.

"I don't know how to describe it... But it was different. Beautiful. Like butterflies taking flight inside me. Like something deep within me finally waking up."

She trailed off, realizing where this was going. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Wait... You followed me just to ask this?"

Veena grinned sheepishly, nodding with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Lara's expression darkened. "You little—!"

She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Veena, launching into a chase around the room. Veena shrieked with laughter, effortlessly dodging every attack until Lara finally collapsed onto the bed, breathless and exhausted.

Veena plopped down beside her, resting her head on Lara's shoulder.

In a sly whisper, "Oh, Lara... I think love is finally finding its way to you."

Heat crept up Lara's cheeks, but she didn't reply. Instead, she gazed out the window as the night pulled its dark curtain over the world.

Veena watched her quietly, a flicker of worry passing through her eyes as she fought to steady a slight tremor in her hand.

Softly, she asked, "Are you okay now?"

Lara exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the weight pressing against her chest. She turned to Veena with a small smile.

"I'm glad you're with me, Veena..."

The moment of peace shattered when pain suddenly struck.

A sharp, agonizing sensation shot through Lara's skull, so intense it felt like something—or someone—was trying to claw into her mind. Her vision blurred, the world tilting as if the ground beneath her had cracked open.

Fina gasped as Lara clutched her head, her face draining of color, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

"Lara!" Fina's voice wavered with panic. "What's wrong?"

Lara tried to speak, but all that came out was a strangled whisper. "No... I'm not... My head—it hurts so much..."

Her body trembled violently before her legs buckled. A piercing scream tore from her lips as she collapsed.

Veena's heart pounded. "No! Lara, hold on! I'm taking you to the doctor!"

Before she could move, the door slammed open.

1. Do you think Albert's jealousy is justified, or should he trust his companion more?

2. If you were in Lara's place, how would you handle the conflict between Albert and Luke?

Share your thoughts on this scene! Do you think Lara will be able to maintain her friendship with Black, or will Albert's anger complicate things further? Let me know in the comments!