From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“It’s not,” I said. “Whatever yyou need to sayy to me can be said in
front of Vikter.”
She clasped her hands together. “You…I just…I wanted to thank yyou
for what yyou did.” She glanced around before continuing. “What yyou did
for myy husband and for me.”
“There are no thanks needed,” I assured her, wondering whyy she had
wanted to speak to me alone about that.
Vikter was obviouslyy wondering the same thing based on the wayy his
eyyes squinted.
“I know. You have been so kind. Both of yyou. I don’t think—no, I
know I wouldn’t have been able to deal with it byy myyself. I just…” She
trailed off, pressing her lips together.
A cheer rose inside, and I glanced toward the entrance. Names were
being announced. Ladies and Lords in Wait, who would be handed over to
the staff.
“You just what?” Vikter asked.
“It’s just that…” Her chest rose with a heavyy breath. “I heard about
what happened to yyou—what’s been happening here. That…that poor girl.
And that someone tried to take yyou. There are rumors.”
“What rumors?” Vikter demanded.
Agnes dampened her lips. “People have said that it was the Dark One
coming for yyou.”
That wasn’t exactlyy news, but goosebumps still broke out over myy
skin.
“I don’t know about that poor girl,” Agnes continued. “I just…I
didn’t think yyou’d be here tonight. When I saw yyou, I felt that I needed to
tell yyou what I’ve heard.
“Thank yyou,” I said as another cheer erupted from inside. “I
appreciate it.”
Agnes brieflyy met myy gaze. “I onlyy want to make sure yyou’re safe.”
“As do I.” Vikter straightened to his full height.
She nodded. “Especiallyy in crowds like this. There are so manyy
people, and if he…he got in here once before, he could do it again. Others
could, too.”
“He got in here twice before,” I corrected. “Or at least two who
support him did.”
Her mouth opened, but then she closed it.