Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 341: In Each Other's Arms

She looped her arms around Cassian's neck, and her soft warmth instantly filled his arms.

She was so close their noses nearly brushed, and her voice came low and teasing. "What's wrong? You look upset."

Her face was only inches away, pale and delicate, her eyes bright enough to steal the breath from him.

Cassian felt his mood give way at once. The last of his irritation melted. He sighed, tightened his hold on her, and let his chin brush her hair. "A little."

Elowen traced a finger over his brow. "Want to tell me why?"

He hesitated, then frowned. "Too many people want you."

Elowen blinked, then laughed. "What do you mean? Flowira? She's a Nordian princess. She can't possibly be your rival."

She really couldn't help it—Cassian's jealousy was a little adorable.

"Men have instincts," he said quietly. "And women can fall in love too."

Especially Flowira. He couldn't explain it, but something about her put him on edge.

Elowen leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Don't brood over that. Even if she did want me, it wouldn't matter. My heart only has room for you."

She took his hand and pressed it over the gentle curve of her belly. "And now there's a part of you inside me too. No one's taking me away."

Looking down at her, Cassian couldn't stop the smile that touched his mouth. It softened his whole face.

Elowen finally relaxed and leaned against his chest. "Still, I don't get it. Why is Zachary being so nice? Why am I supposed to be special? I've never even met him before."

"I can have someone look into it," Cassian murmured, rubbing slow circles along her back.

Elowen nodded at once. "Please. I'd rather know than keep guessing."

Then she tipped her face up, eyes bright with mischief. "I'm so lucky to have you, Cassian. If I didn't, what would I ever do..."

She let the words trail off on purpose, her tone sweet enough to be obviously fake.

Cassian laughed. "Where do you get these lines?"

She winked. "You don't like them?"

His answer came without pause. "I love them."

"Then I'll save them just for you," Elowen said with a smile.

Before long, the late hour started to catch up to her, and she covered a tiny yawn. "I want to nap in your arms."

Cassian brushed her hair back from her face. "Of course."

But Elowen still wasn't done. She softened her voice and pouted a little. "And I want you to sing me to sleep."

He agreed easily. One arm held her close while the other gently patted her back, and then he began to hum a lullaby in that deep, magnetic voice of his.

Elowen nestled closer, her voice muffled against him. "You sing so well. Did someone teach you?"

"My mother used to sing to me," Cassian said gently. "Do you like it?"

She nodded. "I love it."

"Then I'll sing whenever you want," he promised.

"Mhm."

Elowen closed her eyes. Cassian's mention of his late mother stirred thoughts of her own.

Her mother had died years ago, and even the memory of her face had begun to fade.

Half-awake, drifting somewhere between thought and sleep, Elowen suddenly felt that memory sharpen. Vivid. Strange. Why did it feel like she'd seen someone with a face like hers not long ago?

But she was too sleepy to chase the thought. Before she could think any further, she drifted off.

That night, Cassian sent someone to investigate Nordia.

He knew it would take time for news to travel there and back. But before any answer returned, Warren came to visit.

Before this, with relations between Nordia and Avenlor so strained, Warren had been closely watched at an estate outside the city and rarely allowed out. The last time he'd come to Duskmoor Manor, he'd done it in secret.

Now, though, with the Nordian envoys in Vanelle, his position was less delicate. For the first time in a while, he could breathe a little easier.

Still, he had been gone from Avenlor for years. His old friends had either died in battle or were posted far away, and he had never cared much for city life. Most days, he kept to himself.

But just before the Christmas, he finally gathered the courage to visit Duskmoor Manor.