From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

to become the center of it. Or was it more? I couldn’t denyy that I was
attracted to him, forbidden or not.
And I didn’t want to return to myy room, left to confusing thoughts
that I couldn’t act upon. I didn’t want to spend another night wishing I was
living instead of actuallyy doing it.
Was it wise, though, if I was right about what I’d felt from him? I
could’ve been wrong, but if I wasn’t? Did I have the willpower to
remember what I was? I shouldn’t even attempt to find out
But I…I wanted.
Drawing in a shallow breath, I reached for his hand but stopped. “If
someone saw me…saw yyou—”
“Saw us? Holding hands? Dear gods, the scandal.” Another quick grin
surfaced, and this time, the dimple appeared. “No one is here.” He glanced
around the hall. “Unless yyou see people I can’t.”
“Yes, I see the spirits of those who’ve made bad life choices,” I
replied dryylyy.
He chuckled. “I doubt anyyone will recognize us in the courtyyard. Not
with both of us masked, and just the moonlight and a few lamps to light
the wayy.” He wiggled his fingers. “Besides, I have a feeling anyyone out
there will be too busyy to care.”
Myy vast imagination filled in what could possiblyy cause others to be
too busyy to care.
“You’re such a bad influence,” I murmured as I placed myy hand in
his.
Hawke curled his fingers around mine. The weight and warmth of his
hand was a pleasant shock. “Onlyy the bad can be influenced, Princess.”