Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Awakening

So she saw it anyway.

It was daylight, and everything was painfully clear.

Finished

Elowen was drowning in shame, stunned to her core. She muttered under her breath, “It… it really won’t burst?”

Before the words fully left her lips, she was startled by a low, hoarse chuckle.

It sounded as if someone had been holding it back for a long, long time and finally failed.

That voice…

Elowen’s heart already knew the answer, but she didn’t dare turn to confirm it. Shame consumed her.

From Cassian’s perspective, the entire side of Elowen’s face was flushed a deep crimson, the rosy inde spreading down her pale neck.

If one glimpse scares her this bad, how’s she going to handle the wedding night?

Not that he was faring much better. Being stared at like that, he felt like he might blow.

He swallowed, his throat dry. “Thirsty,” he rasped.

“I… I’ll get you water.”

Elowen scrambled to her feet, flustered, and hurried to the table to pour a cup.

When she returned to the bedside, Cassian had propped himself up. His clothing was now decently arranged, the covers drawn over him.

The worst of Elowen’s blush had receded somewhat. She silently handed him the cup.

Cassian took it, his tone carefully neutral. “Were you about to wash me?”

His voice gave nothing away.

Elowen clutched the damp cloth still in her hand, her eyes fixed on a point on the wall as she nodded.

Cassian noted, “I recall Bran usually handles that.”

A faint pink returned to Elowen’s cheeks. “I discussed it with Bran,” she murmured. “The royal physician said you needed stimulation. That it might help you wake. I thought if I did it, maybe it would work.”

A lucky guess, but it did.

Cassian inclined his head. “Thoughtful of you.”

Elowen secretly let out a breath of relief.

11:20 am

Chapter 33 Awakening

Cassian took a sip of water, then seemed to remember something. “But what’s with my clothes?”

Elowen’s face burned anew!

She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole!

She wanted to pack her bags this instant and flee this manor, never to return!

But…

She remembered Cassian saying last time that he couldn’t hear anything while unconscious.

That meant he’d had no awareness.

R

Finished

Right. Inspiration, born of sheer desperation, struck. She bit her lip and flatly denied it. “I don’t know.”

She dared a quick glance at him. He was watching her, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Summoning every ounce of audacity, she ventured, “Could… could it have been Bran?”

Cassian was stunned.

Elowen adopted an expression of understanding. “Though it was rather rude of him, I’m sure he meant well, my lord. Perhaps it’s best not to question him. It might… make things awkward for everyone.”

Cassian studied her for a long moment. “You’re exceptionally… considerate.”

Elowen forced a laugh. “Just… just doing my duty.”

She gathered her courage. “My lord, more water?” She gestured to his cup. “Shall I fetch another?”

Cassian didn’t call her bluff. He simply nodded.

“Then, may I have your cup?”

As she spoke, Elowen took two steps closer.

He was sitting up, holding the cup in his lap, not offering it up. She had to lean in to take it.

Cassian’s gaze settled on her face.

The proximity granted him a clearer view.

Her skin, usually pale and translucent like a peeled hard–boiled egg, was now flushed. A warm, thick blush, like the glow of dawn upon snow.

Quite lovely.

So he suddenly asked, “When I first woke, I thought I heard you say something about… bursting…”

Elowen’s fingers twitched.

Cassian’s lips quirked in a faint, teasing smile as he looked at her. “What did you mean?”

2/3

11:20 am

Chapter 33 Awakening

Finished

Elowen’s shame returned tenfold. She flushed from head to toe, resembling a lobster tossed onto a fire.

Cassian’s smile grew more pronounced.

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