Everything within her seemed to stop as she stared with unbelievable eyes at Cassian, if he truly meant it…
Her eyes widened at that declaration.
No!
Not that!
Anything but That!
She tried to protest, but her ruined throat would not permit her to speak. Her lips parted uselessly, but no sound followed after that.
Cassian raised a finger and pressed his warm finger across her lips, silencing her thoughts and effort with his gentle touch. "Shhh. Do not strain yourself."
Without breaking eye contact and warning, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.
The movement drew a startled breath from her. Instinctively, she clutched at the front of his coat, her fingers curling into the fabric before she could think better of it.
He cradled her body in such a way, making sure Cixi's head rested against his chest. And rose to his feet, holding her as though she weighed nothing.
