With Raven’s arms wrapped around her waist, Azzmi took a moment to process his quick reaction. When it finally registered that she was holding onto his veiny arms, she slowly looked up at him, and their eyes met.

“Looks like you’re not able to walk on your own,” he said.

Seeing him from this angle, looking down at her so dominantly after catching her from falling, made Azzmi feel flustered. The silence between them, with her unable to speak, made her heartbeat seem so loud in her ...