Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229 A Kiss and a Storm

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At Duskmoor Manor, Cassian brushed a loose strand of hair from Elowen’s temple and let his fingers linger. He looked at her, voice low and easy. “What about you, Ella, do you want me around more?”

Elowen nodded without hesitation. “I do.”

A hint of amusement warmed his eyes as he traced her cheek. “I heard you had the guards running errands these past couple days, buying Azure’s new release over and over.”

She had known he would find out. It was never something she meant to hide anyway. Elowen lowered her gaze and gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

“I’ve read Tales of Luminara before,” she said, voice soft, “it was really good. But this new one feels… flat. It just doesn’t grab you.”

“Maybe it starts slow,” Cassian said, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his gaze, “maybe it picks up later.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and knowing. “Or maybe you’re trying to help this Azure build some buzz.”

Elowen looked away, the tips of her ears warming.

He really was impossible.

He always saw right through her.

“Is it because Azure is Daphne,” Cassian went on, his thumb brushing lightly across her flushed cheek, “or is there something else?”

She gave a vague answer, but unease stirred under her ribs. If he kept asking, he might actually figure it out, that Tales of Luminara had been hers all along.

Elowen took a breath, heat rising in her face, and before he could press further, she tilted her head up and leaned closer, her voice soft and almost coaxing. “Your Grace… kiss me.”

Cassian’s brow lifted. She was usually reserved, never this forward, never the one to ask.

Which made it all the more impossible to resist.

A low chuckle slipped from him before he closed the distance and kissed her.

The kiss deepened quickly, pulling her under. Elowen’s breathing turned uneven, her head light, the world blurring at the edges.

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Chapter 229 A Kiss and a Storm

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Only when she could barely catch her breath did she press a hand weakly against his chest and pull back a little, voice soft and broken. “Your Grace… I… I should get cleaned up…”

He lingered, clearly unwilling to let go, brushing another light kiss against the corner of her lips. “Alright.”

She slipped away almost like she was fleeing.

By the time Elowen finished washing up and returned to bed, she had already curled beneath the covers. Not long after, Cassian came back as well, fresh from his bath, the faint chill of water still clinging to him.

He reached out without thinking and drew her into his arms.

She breathed in quietly. The faint chrysanthemum scent that had lingered on him earlier was gone.

Cassian’s voice came low by her ear, picking up where he had left off. “We weren’t done talking.”

“Hm?” She looked up.

“I don’t care about Azure, or Daphne, or anything else,” he said calmly, steady as ever, “as long as you’re happy.”

There was no hesitation in his tone.

“No matter what happens,” he said, voice steady. I’ve got it handled. Just do whatever you

want.”

Her chest tightened suddenly, warmth rushing through her like a tide.

Elowen leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

That single touch was enough.

Cassian’s interest sparked instantly, and in the next moment, he pushed her gently back into the covers and kissed her again, deeper this time.

At the Garrett residence, the bookshop owner handed a heavy pouch of coins to Daphne, her face lit with excitement. “I was worried at first. The man who handled your printing and illustrations quit, so I thought this new release might not sell well. But who would’ve guessed, it’s even hotter than Tales of Luminara was when it first came out. People have been coming in every day asking for it. We can’t keep up with demand.”

Daphne weighed the pouch in her hand, a smug smile curling at her lips. “Of course it’s selling. I wrote it.”

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Chapter 229 A Kiss and a Storm

That old Azure had never stood a chance.

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She glanced at the woman again. “Keep pushing it hard every day until my wedding. Do it right, and you’ll be rewarded.”

The owner beamed, nodding eagerly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everything’s handled perfectly.”

With that, she left, satisfied, her steps light.

Silence returned to the room.

Seline looked at her daughter and couldn’t help but mutter, “Honestly, why put so much effort into these books? Sure, they make money, but not that much. You’d be better off focusing on becoming the Crown Prince’s consort. Once you’re in that position, your father can move up, your brother can get a good post, and people will be lining up at our door with gifts and gold. Why bother with all this?”

Daphne scoffed. “Mother, you really don’t see it. Right now, Her Majesty and His Highness don’t think much of our family. Only if I build a name for myself will they start taking us seriously.”

Seline frowned, still doubtful. “You mean to tell me writing a few books can give you kind of reputation?”

that

“Of course.” Daphne turned, pride clear on her face. “You’ve been shut inside too long, you don’t know how things work out there. Even Maerwyn and Lady Aveline are following my work, waiting for my new release. Doesn’t that say enough?”

Seline paused, something clicking in her mind. “But… isn’t this your first book? Why do people keep saying you wrote something before”

Daphne’s expression flickered for just a moment before smoothing out. She spoke lightly, as if it meant nothing. “Mother, keep that to yourself. Don’t mention it to anyone. I just didn’t tell you before.”

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