From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“You’re talking about Hawke?” Vikter asked, securing his other sword. “Oh, is that his name?” He lifted his gaze to mine. “You’re a terrible liar.”

“From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

“You don’t? You’ve watched him train in the yard—” “I have not!” I totally had.

“It’s weird, isn’t it?” “What is?” His gaze met mine again, and I felt a hitch in my chest. I couldn’t look away. I felt…ensnared. “How it feels like I’ve known you longer. You feel that, too.”

“The next time you go out, wear better shoes and thicker clothing. Those slippers are likely to be the death of you, and that dress…the death of me.”

“You’re such a bad influence,” I murmured as I placed my hand in his. Hawke curled his fingers around mine. The weight and warmth of his hand was a pleasant shock. “Only the bad can be influenced, Princess.”

“Boy, I may have been born at night, but I wasn’t born last night.”

“If I thought I was delivering you for punishment, I wouldn’t be taking you there.”

“Duke Teerman was a cunt,” he said. “And I’m glad he’s dead.”