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.

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

They weren’t ashamed or afraid to be seen. Whoever they were, they had freedom I deeply coveted.

But she might also be a Seer. I didn’t think there were any of them left.

“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. It’s neither the first nor the last time she’ll pay a visit, but that doesn’t make any death less harsh or unforgiving.”

“Have you been excited for me? Happy?” she asked. “Even though you’re worried for yourself?” I nodded. “Of course.” “Then you have done what a friend does.”

He would become one of them. A Craven. Driven by an insatiable hunger for blood, he would slaughter everyone in sight. And if anyone were to survive his attack, they would eventually become just like him. Well, not everyone. I hadn’t.

His dry lips parted. “Are you…are you Rhain? Have you come to take me at my end?” He thought I was the God of the Common Man and Endings, a god of death.

starting where wisps of burnt copper hair curled against my forehead, then the right side of my face, followed by my left. His stare lingered there, over the evidence of what a Craven’s claws could do.

“May Rhain escort you to paradise,”

“And may you find eternal peace with those who have passed before you.”

“Because no matter what you do, you’re not going to be found unworthy,” Vikter said. “You will Ascend.”

You’re the child of the gods.

In the Queen’s Garden, I was simply…present instead of being caught up in the past or the future full of what-ifs.

“You’re incredibly lucky, young Maiden.” I wasn’t lucky. I had been prepared.

“No matter how or when it happens, it will not be your fault, Poppy. And you will not waste one moment on guilt.”

the memories of my mother and father, their faces and the sound of their voices, had faded with the passing of time. They were forever captured in the past, mere ghosts of who they once were, and Vikter was in the now, bright and in vivid detail.

and even I could admit that the Duke cut a rather dashing figure in his black trousers and tailcoat. He always reminded me of the pale snake I’d once stumbled upon near the beach as a little girl. Beautiful to look upon, but its bite dangerous and often deadly.

wholly aware of Hawke’s gaze tracking my every step. I didn’t need to look to know that he watched. His gaze was always that intense.

Hawke’s golden gaze roamed my face, his stare so potent that it felt like a caress along the scars, my cheeks, and then my lips. A shiver danced across my shoulders as his eyes came back to mine. Our gazes locked. Held. The air seemed to be sucked from the room,

Hawke’s gaze remained fastened on mine as he stepped forward. “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.”

“Poppy,” he repeated in a way that made it sound as if my name was wrapped in chocolate and would roll off his tongue. “I like it.”

I cared about what the Queen thought and felt. Not because I was her favorite, but because it had been she who had taken care of me as a wounded, terrified child. Her hands had changed my bandages and held me when I screamed and cried for my mother and father. And it was Queen Ileana who had sat with me when I could not sleep, terrified of the dark. She’d done things no Queen needed to do.

“The risk is worth it, knowing you can protect yourself. I would gladly take whatever punishment I received, and I wouldn’t regret what I’ve done.”

“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.” Pausing, he glanced down. “Nice weapon. Bloodstone and wolven bone. Very interesting…” His gaze flicked up. “Princess.”

“You’re so incredibly violent.” He paused. “I think I like it.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

Hawke chuckled. “I really do like her.” “I’m sure she’d love to hear that.” “Would you love to hear that I really like you?” he asked.

“Would you like to go out there instead?” “You think it would be safe?” “Between you and me, I would think so.” The corners of my lips lifted. I liked that he’d included me, acknowledging that I could hold my own.

“I prefer the version of you that wears no mask or veil.”

Standing here, allowing this, was possibly the sweetest torture I’d ever put myself through.

“You are so violent,” Hawke all but purred.

He opened the book. Maybe he couldn’t read. Please, let it be that he could not read.

This…this was what I’d been looking forward to—when I could just be Poppy. And that made this moment, this night, a little magical.

“And you won’t be alone. I’ll be there with you, and not just watching over you.”

“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.”

He wasn’t holding my hand any longer. We were holding hands. To a lot of people, that would be nothing. Some would probably even find it silly, but it was huge to me, and I cherished it.

Before I knew it, I was sitting in his lap—his lap. “Comfortable?” he asked, and he sounded like he was smiling.

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.”

His words had touched the deepest part of me, and it was thrilling. I felt alive, like I was finally waking up.

“I’m a bad Maiden.” “No.” He kissed my other temple. “You’re a perfectly normal girl. What is expected of you is what’s bad.” He paused. “And, yes, you’re also a very bad Maiden.”

Some truths do nothing but destroy and decay what they do not obliterate. Truths do not always set one free. Only a fool who has spent their entire life being fed lies believes that.”

His gaze flickered across my face. “I much prefer this version.”

Castle Teerman reached high above the Lower Ward and the Citadel, a sprawling structure of stone and glass, of beautiful memories and haunting nightmares.

I turned to the Rise. Somewhere out there, my future awaited.

“Is that why you were at the Red Pearl? Looking for love?” “I don’t think someone goes looking for love there.” “You never know what you’ll find there.” He was quiet for a moment. “What did you find, Poppy?”

“When you listen to me, I think the stars will fall.”