Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 277

Elowen froze.

Vanelle? Something happened?

She looked at Cassian. She couldn't bring herself to refuse him. "Okay. Let's go."

Cassian looked pleased. He kissed the back of her hand. "Good."

So they climbed back into the carriage in the night and headed for Serenity Church again.

Elowen was exhausted. The carriage rocked, and she fell asleep hard.

Even when they arrived, she didn't wake.

Cassian touched his knee. It didn't hurt much.

He glanced toward the horizon. A few thin streaks of light had already started to break through the clouds. Sunrise was close.

He left the chair behind, lifted Elowen onto his back, and carried her step by step toward the viewing platform.

Elowen woke to the feeling of being draped over a broad, steady back. Her cheek pressed against cool fabric, and beneath it was warmth, heat and the firm lines of a body she knew.

The scent was his: clean, grounded.

She opened her eyes, still hazy.

It was still dark. Everything sat in that deep blue just before dawn. The mountains and trees were only shapes. A faint scatter of light, maybe lingering stars, maybe the first edge of morning, outlined part of Cassian's profile.

She shifted her numb body and whispered, hoarse with sleep, "Cassian."

His voice was lower than usual, but calm. "You awake?"

"Yeah."

Her mind cleared. "Put me down. Your leg isn't healed. You can't do this."

She tried to get down, but the arm hooked under her legs held firm. He even adjusted her higher, like he was making sure she was comfortable.

"I'm fine," Cassian said. "Not tired."

Then, just as simply, "I want to carry you."

Something inside Elowen tightened, like she'd been tapped in the center of her chest. Heat rose, spreading without permission. She could feel her ears warming.

A cool dawn breeze swept through, tugging loose strands of her hair.

Elowen didn't argue again. She let her cheek settle back against him.

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