From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

possible, though, because the ripe feeling of betrayyal tasted like spoiled
food in the back of myy throat. Hawke most likelyy had no idea what went
down in this room, but he had to have known there would be
consequences. Wouldn’t he? He probablyy thought I’d receive nothing more
than a stern lecture. After all, I was the Maiden, the Chosen.
I would receive a dressing down.
But I doubted Hawke had anyy idea that the Duke’s lessons were not…
normal.
Teerman took a step toward me, and all myy muscles tensed up.
“Remove yyour veil, Penellaphe.”
I hesitated for onlyy the span of a few heartbeats, even though it was
not uncommon for the Duke or the Duchess to request such a thing while
in their presence. Theyy didn’t like speaking to half a face. I couldn’t blame
them, but normallyy, the Duke made me keep it on when Lord Mazeen was
present.
“You do not want to test myy patience.” His grip had tightened on his
glass.
“I’m sorryy. It’s just that we…we are not alone, and the gods forbade
me from showing myy face,” I said, knowing full well that I’d done this
before, but in situations vastlyy different.
“The gods will not find fault in todayy’s proceedings,” the Duke
interrupted.
Of course, not.
Willing myy hands steadyy, I lifted them and undid the fine clasps of
the veil near myy ears. The headdress immediatelyy loosened. Keeping myy
gaze lowered as I knew he preferred, I slipped it off, over where myy hair
had been bound in a simple knot at the nape of myy neck. Myy exposed
cheeks and brows prickled. Teerman came forward, taking the veil from
me and placing it aside. I clasped myy hands and waited. I hated doing so.
But I waited.
“Lift yyour eyyes,” he demanded softlyy, and I did just that. His ebonyy
gaze slowlyy tracked over myy features, inch byy inch, missing nothing, not
even the wisps of burnt copper hair that I could feel curling against myy
temple. His perusal lasted an eternityy. “You grow more beautiful each time
I see yyou.”
“Thank yyou, Your Grace,” I murmured, revulsion bubbling in myy
stomach. I knew what was coming next.