Filed to story: Elowen Hale and Duke Cassian Valebourne Book PDF Free
Elowen forced a laugh. “Ha, yeah.”
The matter settled, Bran placed the basin and cloth on the bedside table. As he left, he very tactfully closed the door behind him.
Silence descended upon the room. A nervous tension slowly seeped into every part of Elowen.
She took several deep breaths, steeling herself, then stood and walked to Cassian’s bedside.
The basin and cloth were ready. Elowen knelt, dipping the cloth into the water and wringing it out.
Clutching the damp cloth, she sat on the edge of the bed.
The light had been dim last night. After that one fleeting glance, she had whipped her head away.
But the sight had been so arresting that the impression was seared into her memory.
Now, up close, the memory flooded back.
Elowen’s cheeks burned. Her heart pounded like a war drum. With a trembling hand, she reached to pull back the covers over Cassian.
Too timid to look, she squeezed her eyes shut, groping blindly.
But seeing nothing meant she couldn’t tell if the covers were pulled back or where exactly they were.
She huffed and slitted her eyes open to the thinnest line.
So she saw it anyway.
It was daylight, and everything was painfully clear.
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 hue 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.
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.
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?”
Elowen’s shame returned tenfold. She flushed from head to toe, resembling a lobster tossed onto a fire.
Cassian’s smile grew more pronounced.
Even prettier.
This time, Elowen’s mind went completely blank. No plausible explanation surfaced. She fumbled for words, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
Cassian enjoyed the sight for a satisfyingly long moment before finally showing mercy. “Perhaps I misheard.”
He placed the cup in her hand, his voice softening, gentle as one speaking to a child. “Go on, fetch some more water.”
Elowen felt as if she’d been granted a pardon. She snatched the cup and practically fled.
While pouring the water, she pressed the cool back of her hand against her cheek, willing her temperature to drop.
Returning to the bedside with the fresh cup, her eyes lingered on the washbasin on the floor.
He still hadn’t been washed…
“Have them bring hot water. I’m going to bathe,” Cassian said.
“Alright,” Elowen agreed, relieved.
She remembered something else. “Shall I send for the royal physician?”
Cassian shook his head. “Not yet.”
