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."

So sitting over there is comfortable, but sitting beside me isn't?

The night before, after the second time, Cassian had carried her straight out of the hot spring.

At the time she had been far too dazed to think about it. Now that she replayed the scene, however, something was obviously wrong.

He wasn't supposed to be able to do that with an injured leg. A wave of guilt swept over her.

She could no longer remain seated. Rising quickly, she hurried back to the bed.

"Did you strain it last night?" she asked anxiously. "Should we call Doctor Dray to take a look? If something worsens—"

Before she could finish the sentence, a warm, steady hand closed around her wrist.

The grip was firm enough that she couldn't pull free, yet careful enough not to hurt her.

Cassian gave a single tug.

Caught completely off guard, Elowen let out a startled cry as the sudden movement threw her balance. In the next instant she had already fallen forward onto the bed, landing squarely in Cassian's arms.

His familiar clean scent surrounded her at once, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

Still preoccupied with his supposed injury, Elowen twisted slightly, trying to check his leg.

"Cassian, you said it hurt last night too. Maybe we really should send for Doctor Dray, because if—"

Cassian silenced her by capturing her lips in a kiss.

Elowen's breathing faltered, and the truth struck her all at once.

There had never been any pain in his leg. He had tricked her.

Flushed with embarrassment, Elowen pushed hard against his chest and finally managed to force out a warning, her face burning red.

"Cecilia told me that married couples are supposed to pace themselves."