Aurora quickly averted her gaze, breaking the silence. She added, "Well, my foot still hurts. I doubt I can walk properly to Mary's cottage," she admitted.
Azrael grinned. "Is that your way of asking me to carry you again?" he teased, his tone playful.
"Don't get too comfortable with the idea. It is just that I don't want to risk tripping over something again," she said.
"Oh, the sacrifices I have to make," Azrael sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Carrying such a lovely maiden like yourself may leave me forever changed."
"You are joking, but I am not as light as you think," she said, her gaze momentarily shifting to the river, watching the waves gently lapping against the shores.
Azrael chuckled, stood up, and offered her a hand, causing her attention to shift back to him. "No, it's the honest truth. You are a bit heavier than you give yourself credit for." He winked, awaiting her response.
