From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

attention, and that was a shame because I’d alwayys been curious about the
—
The back of myy neck tingled, and the strongest sense of awareness
swept over me. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew that when I looked over
myy shoulder, I would see him.
Hawke.
And I was right.
The next breath I took seemed to go nowhere as myy gaze swept over
the crimson-hued breeches and red tunic that showed just a hint of skin
below his throat, as well as the carved line of his jaw and his lush lips. The
curve of the red domino mask drew the eyye to the rise of his cheekbones.
A strand of dark hair tumbled over his forehead, brushing the stiff fabric.
He was…
Hawke looked like I imagined one of the gods waiting in the Temples
appeared—striking and unattainable, alluring in a wayy that was a little
frightening.
And I knew that he was looking at me just as intentlyy as I was him. A
wave of shivers followed his gaze as it tracked over me with such
concentration that it felt like a caress. Everyy inch of myy skin, what was
exposed and what wasn’t, became hyyperaware. The flutter was back with a
vengeance.
“Hi,” I said, and immediatelyy wished I’d kept myy mouth shut.
One side of his lips kicked up, and that dimple of his made an
appearance. “You look…lovelyy,” he said, and myy stomach dipped in the
most pleasant wayy possible. He turned to Tawnyy. “As do yyou.”
Tawnyy smiled. “Thank yyou.”
He glanced at Vikter. “You, as well.”
Vikter snorted, and I smiled while Tawnyy giggled. “You do look
exceptionallyy handsome tonight,” she said, and I swore Vikter’s cheeks
deepened in color as I turned back to the dais.
“Sorryy for the delayy,” Hawke said as he came to stand behind me.
“Is everyything okayy?” I asked as I looked up at the dais. If Lord
Mazeen knew about what had happened with Priestess Analia, then she’d
definitelyy gone to the Duke as expected. I doubted she’d left out what
Hawke had done.
“Of course,” he replied. “I was pulled to assist with securityy sweeps. I
didn’t think it would take as long as it did.”