Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 261

"But—" Elowen tried again, searching for any excuse she could grab onto. "Your leg hasn't healed yet."

Cassian nodded immediately, far too quickly.

"Right," he said easily. "Still injured."

Relief washed over Elowen. Good. He understood.

"Exactly," she said, letting out a breath. "So let's get some rest. We can always—"

Cassian laughed under his breath.

The sound alone made Elowen's heart sink.

Then he leaned closer and murmured, "My leg's injured. Which means you'll have to take care of me."

Elowen blinked at him. "...What?"

By the time everything finally ended, Elowen was draped across Cassian's chest like a limp rag, completely spent.

She didn't have the strength to move so much as a finger. Cassian sounded thoroughly pleased with himself.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Sleepy?"

Elowen made a faint, drowsy sound with her eyes closed. Cassian brushed a kiss over her lips.

"Then let's get you to bed."

He rose to his feet, lifting her effortlessly out of the hot spring and stepping onto the stone edge.

Elowen was too exhausted to think clearly. Something about the situation felt slightly off, but her mind refused to cooperate.

She let him carry her however he liked. Her eyes closed.

Sleep claimed her almost instantly.

She had no idea how long she slept.

When she woke again, it felt like someone had taken her body apart overnight and reassembled it wrong.

Warmth lay beside her.

She turned her head slightly. Cassian was still asleep, his breathing slow and even.

The memories from the night before crashed back into her mind all at once.

Elowen's face burned. She quickly turned away and looked toward the window.

It was still early. Thick clouds blanketed the sky, leaving the hour difficult to judge. A pale gray light filtered through the gauzy curtains, faint and colorless.

Elowen felt completely awake.

Her throat was dry, yet she had no desire to summon a servant. The small table was only a short distance away, so she decided she could pour herself something to drink.

However, the moment she pushed herself upright, a deep soreness swept through her body so suddenly that she couldn't help letting out a quiet hiss of pain.

She remained seated for a moment, waiting for the discomfort to ease, before cautiously lowering her legs over the edge of the bed and placing her feet on the cool floor.

She was dressed in a soft nightgown with its ribbons neatly tied, which meant Cassian must have washed her and changed her clothes after everything last night.

At the table stood a cool pot.

Elowen poured herself a cup of chilled water.

Instead of returning to bed right away, she sat down on the small stool beside the table, holding the cup in both hands and sipping slowly.

Behind her, Cassian's voice drifted from the bed, still rough with sleep.

"You're up early."