Mailah turned on her heel, intending to march back down the corridor with absolute authority.
Instead, a sharp spike of pain shot straight up her right knee. Her injured leg, still stiff and far from healed, gave out beneath her.
"Woah!" Mailah gasped, her hands flailing as she began to fall forward.
Before she could hit the stone floor, a pair of strong arms caught her. Grayson moved so fast he was practically a blur. He scooped her up effortlessly, bringing her close against his chest before her foot even brushed the ground.
Mailah's heart pounded against her ribs. She gripped his shoulders, her face inches from his. "Put me down! I can walk!"
"Mailah, you can barely stand," Grayson said, his voice dropping into that quiet, firm tone that brooked no argument. His brow was furrowed, his eyes filled with a sudden, intense concern as he looked down at her bandaged leg. "You're still hurt."
