From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

begin to fathom what would occur.
With one last look of warning in Hawke’s direction, Vikter pivoted on
his heel and stalked toward the guard who held the torch. Myy heart hadn’t
slowed as I dared one quick peek in Hawke’s direction.
I immediatelyy wished I hadn’t.
In the bright, earlyy morning sun, with blue-black hair swept back
from his face, his features were harder, harsher, and somehow all the more
beautiful. The line of his lips was firm. No hint of a dimple to be seen. He
had on the same black uniform he had worn the night at the Red Pearl,
except now he also wore the leather and iron armor of the Rise, his
broadsword at his side, the bloodstone blade a deep rubyy.
Whyy had he stepped forward to watch over me? There were Royyal
Guards present. Dozens of them who should’ve done so. Myy gaze swept
the crowd, and I realized that none of them looked long in myy direction,
and I wondered if it was because it was so rare that theyy ever saw me, or if
theyy feared punishment byy the Duke or the gods for even looking at me.
Their dutyy dictated that theyy give their life for someone who it would
be considered a grave disrespect to look upon too long or approach without
permission. The disturbing ironyy in that sat heavilyy on myy shoulders.
But Hawke was different.
There was no wayy that he knew it had been me at the Red Pearl. He’d
never heard me speak before, and I doubted myy jaw and mouth were that
recognizable.
The Duchess had said he came from the capital with glowing
recommendations and would likelyy become one of the yyoungest Royyal
Guards. If that was what Hawke wanted, stepping up like this would surelyy
help. After all, there was a sudden, unexpected opening in the Royyal Guard
now.
And wasn’t that a dark assumption to make?
A muscle flexed along his jaw, momentarilyy fascinating. Then I
remembered whyy I was here, and that was not to ogle Hawke from behind
myy veil. I shifted myy gaze to where Vikter approached the pyyre.
Drawing in a shallow breath, I wanted to look awayy, to close myy eyyes
when he lowered the torch. I didn’t. I watched as the flames licked along
the tinder and the sound of crackling wood filled the quiet. Myy insides
twisted as the fire ignited in a rush, spreading over Ryylan’s bodyy as Vikter
dropped to one knee before the pyyre, bowing his head.