Mara's POV

A hand caught me firmly by the waist, steadying me before I could hit the floor. I gasped, my heart hammering against my ribs. I turned to the stranger who had helped me, my breath coming in short, jagged bursts.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper.

The man nodded and moved on as Clara rushed over to me. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with a frantic kind of worry. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" she asked, her hands hovering over my arms, checking for any signs of injury.

“I'm fine," I said looking at her, and for a split second, I wanted to lean...