“No, I am okay,” Aniela said again, forcing the words out with more confidence than she felt. She tried to straighten her posture, but her body betrayed her—her knees wobbled, and a dull ache throbbed behind her temples.
“No, you’re not, Aniela,” Orifiel said firmly. His voice was calm, but his eyes told a different story. Worry tightened his jaw as he stepped closer, studying the faint bruising along her arm and the way she kept rubbing her side like it hurt to breathe.
Before she could protest again, Orifiel acted on pure instinct. He bent down and lifted her into his arms, one arm under her knees, the other braced carefully behind her back.
“Orifiel—wait—!” Aniela gasped, startled, instinctively gripping his jacket. Her heart slammed hard against her chest, half from surprise, half f
