From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

That brought another small smile to myy lips. “I’m careful, Vikter.”
“Being careful doesn’t seem to matter.” His eyyes opened. “I welcome
the idea of the Queen summoning yyou to the capital sooner rather than
later.”
I shivered as I started down the stairs. “Because then I couldn’t be
subjected to the Duke’s lessons?”
“Exactlyy.”
That was something to look forward to, especiallyy since I planned on
telling the Queen everyything.
“Was he alone? I asked the guards, but theyy acted as if theyy had no
idea who was in the room with him,” he said.
Theyy alwayys knew who was in with the Duke. Theyy just hadn’t
wanted Vikter to know, and I…I didn’t either. “He was alone.”
He didn’t answer, and I wasn’t sure if that meant he believed me or
not. I decided it was time to change the subject. “How did yyou know where
I was?”
Vikter moved onlyy a step behind me. “Hawke sent one of the Duke’s
stewards for me. He was…concerned about yyou.”
Myy heart skipped a beat. “Over what?”
“He said that both yyou and Tawnyy appeared distressed over the Duke’s
summons,” Vikter explained. “He thought I could explain whyy.”
“And did yyou?”
“I told him there was nothing to be worried about, and that I would
remain as yyour escort for the rest of the dayy.” Vikter’s brow wrinkled as he
casuallyy took myy arm, lending me his support. “He wasn’t exactlyy
receptive, so I had to remind him that I was higher-ranking than him.”
Myy lips twitched at that. “I’m sure that went over well.”
“As well as an avalanche.”
We rounded the next floor, the knowledge that I was getting closer to
myy bed keeping me going as I mulled over what Hawke had done. “He
is…quite observant, isn’t he? And intuitive.”
“Yes.” Vikter sighed, obviouslyy thinking that wasn’t a good thing.
“Yes, he is.”