With a satisfied grin, she settled it onto her head.
His jaw was open in surprise, then he pinched his lips together. “Fine. I see how it is.”
Pulling the long feather down in front of her face, she admired its vibrant color. She refocused her eyes from the feather to its actual owner.
“Actually, it looks rather good on you,” he said.
She grinned in response.
He turned to leave, but she grabbed the new clothes from his hand as well.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
He returned to his side of the fire. “If I find you another feather as good as this one, can I have my hat back?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
Chapter 27
As Erich helped her to the ground four days later, Aizel didn’t release her grip on him. Instead, she squeezed her hand on his arm to let him know she wanted to try something new.
He paused while she slowly pulled herself onto her feet, using his arm to steady herself.
Her ankle had felt much better for the last two days, but she hadn’t tried to put any weight on it.
“Careful,” Erich said upon realizing what she was attempting.
She nodded and slowly pressed the toes of her hurt foot into the ground. It was not the same as putting weight on it; she was just testing out her pain threshold without going too far. Her ankle felt stiff but otherwise fine.
Pressing down with her knee, she tried putting some weight on it.
It held up.
She inhaled in relief and removed her hand from Erich’s arm.
He remained exactly where he was, right next to her, and held his arms out, ready to catch her if she fell.
His concern was endearing, but she pushed his hands away. She wasn’t going to break. Taking a tentative step forward, she slowly rolled her weight across her bad foot.
That caused a little pain. However, if she lifted her foot without bending her ankle, perhaps she could support her weight with the bones of her ankle instead of the hurting muscle.
Hobbling forward, she tested out her theory. She could only walk forward a few steps since dense undergrowth surrounded the open patch of moss they had stopped in.
By her fifth step, she was facing a wall of ferns, so she turned back to Erich. She had her mobility again and it felt as if a piece of herself was back under control. She held up her arms in triumph.
Erich smiled at her, his boyish face looking innocent and happy with the biggest grin she had ever seen.
His joy fueled her own and she smiled back.
“Finally.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “I was getting tired of carting you around everywhere.” His words were clearly meant as a jest. His smile remained and his eyes sparkled, even in the dimming light.
Aizel raised her eyebrows. She used her hand to mimic a person speaking then pointed to Constance. “Tell that to the horse.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Fine, you’re right. Poor Constance has done most of the carting around here, hasn’t she?”
Aizel grinned back at him. She felt so... light. Their conversing was nearly effortless.
Hobbling around the small clearing, she helped Erich prepare the fire and roast some dried meat.
