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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

As the Maiden, the Chosen, a veil usually covered my face and hair at all times, all except for my lips and jaw.

Death always found a way in.

And I…I was Penellaphe of Castle Teerman, Kin of the Balfours, and the Queen’s favorite. I was the Maiden.

Chosen.

Vikter was like a father to me.

girllllll

Still, it was hard to imagine how one could go to sleep healthy and whole and never wake up again.

“Why would you help me?” She opened the door. “Because everyone should be able to live a little, even for a few hours.”

i dont trust youuuuu

and he had this way of looking at you that left you feeling stripped bare.

eekkk

Hawke was always in pain.

“I’m willing to wager you don’t know much about these sorts of things.”

hehe

“I know that. Bravery and strength do not equal goodness.”

facts

“The loss of a parent or a family member lingers long after they’re gone, the pain lessening but never fading. Years later, you’ll still find yourself thinking that you’d do anything to get them back.”

understood … <3

Death was constant.

“I doubt the need for conversation led you to this room. You didn’t come here to talk about sad things that cannot be changed, Princess.”

you right you right lmbo

“You’re the Chosen, ‘born in the shroud of the gods, protected even inside the womb, veiled from birth.’”

I opened my eyes and saw nothing but darkness.

Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it’s least expected and other times when you’re waiting for her. Death had indeed paid an unexpected visit.

“The arrow used on Rylan was marked,” Vikter answered. “It carried the Dark One’s promise.” His promise.

From Blood and Ash We Shall Rise.

“The Dark One has come for you, Penellaphe.”

But Hawke was different. There was no way that he knew it had been me at the Red Pearl. He’d never heard me speak before, and I doubted my jaw and mouth were that recognizable.

girl he knowssssss

The Descenters and the Dark One are not the only things to fear out there, as you know.”

she fears you DUKE

The gods hated me.

“You are about to bear witness to what only a select few have seen, an unveiled Maiden,” Teerman announced to Hawke, but his gaze was centered on me, to where my hands trembled in my lap. A real smile appeared on his face, turning my stomach. “Penellaphe, please, reveal yourself.”

ahhhh shittttttt

“Both halves are as beautiful as the whole.”

“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe,” he spoke, voice deep and smooth, reminding me of rich, decadent chocolate. “From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

I AM YOURS

With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Maiden, the Chosen. From this moment, until the last moment, I am yours.

<3

“He could’ve just ignored it and proceeded on to the Royal Guard oath, which, by the way, he made sound like…sex.”

indeed it did ha

Beside her, Loren, the second daughter of a successful trader, had all but given up on sewing the tiny crystals onto her mask that was to be worn during the upcoming Rite, and had fully committed herself to watching every move the dark-haired Royal Guard made. I was confident she knew just how many breaths Hawke took in a minute.

lmbo

My head snapped in her direction in shock. I had no idea what she was talking about or how the subject had come up, but I couldn’t believe she had actually spoken his name aloud. My lips parted. No one other than the Descenters would dare utter his actual name, and I doubted that any of them would even speak it in the castle. It was treasonous to call him a prince. He was the Dark One.

he is HAWKE, i feel it in my bones.

Toward the center stood Vikter. I expected to see him where death now gathered, but a knot of fear still gathered in my breast. Vikter was the bravest man I knew.

frick....im nervous!

The Craven were here.

“Once your fingers take hold of the string, the world around you must cease to exist.” Vikter’s instructions echoed in my mind. “It’s just you, the pull of the string, and your aim. Nothing else matters.” And that was all it could be.

Grinning, I readied another arrow and…and for what felt like a small eternity, I lost myself to the killing, taking down one Craven after another.

yessssssss

“You are…” His stare was intense and unblinking as he sheathed his sword at his side. “You’re absolutely magnificent. Beautiful.”

Satin and silk? They’re as finely tailored as your leg. The kind of slipper no guard of the Rise would wear.” How astute of him. “Unless they are being outfitted differently than I am.”

hehe

“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.”

His gaze flicked up. “Princess.”

mannnn

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Princess.” “Don’t call me that!” I stomped my foot. Hawke lifted an eyebrow. “Did that make you feel good?”

“I have a feeling that if you don’t leave, he’s just going to stand there and drain precious air from my room—”

lmbo

“I won’t…I refuse to be helpless.”

“Fear and bravery are often one and the same. It either makes you a warrior or a coward. The only difference is the person it resides inside.”

100%

me. “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.”

oOpp

Vikter sighed heavily as he looked away. “He hasn’t given us any reason to doubt him. I know that. It’s just that we don’t know him, and you’re important to me, Poppy. Not because you’re the Maiden, but because you’re…you.”

awe

“You know I’ll never replace your father, nor would I ever try to, but you’re like a daughter to me.” I hugged him tighter.

His chuckle was rough as he dropped his chin to the top of my head. “Your punches are weak when you’re not doing them correctly.” He pulled back, clasping my cheeks. “But, girl, your aim is deadly. Don’t ever forget that.”

“You have a choice now.” “I do.” But it was hard to explain that the veil also served as a barrier. With it, I remembered what I was, and the importance of that. Without it, well, it was easy to want…to simply want.

I didn’t say that. Instead, I took a deep, long breath and tried to ignore the almost overwhelming urge to throw the book at her face. It would do some damage. Probably break her nose. The image of her clasping her bloodied face brought forth a disturbing amount of glee.

“Only the bad can be influenced, Princess.”

“I’m the Maiden, Hawke,” I reminded him—or myself, I wasn’t sure. “And I don’t care.” My eyes flew open in shock. “I can’t believe you just said that.” “I did. And I’ll say it again. I don’t care what you are.” Hawke’s hand slid off my back. A moment later, I felt his palm flatten against my cheek with unerring accuracy. “I care about who you are.”

sounds good, but this is SUSS