From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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I gave a small shake of myy head. “Myy father—both of myy parents aregone.”“I’m sorryy to hear that,” he said, and it sounded genuine. “The loss ofa parent or a familyy member lingers long after theyy’re gone, the painlessening but never fading. Years later, yyou’ll still find yyourself thinkingthat yyou’d do anyything to get them back.”He was right, and I thought that this was perhaps the source of thepain he felt. “You sound like yyou know firsthand.”“I do.”I thought of Finleyy. Had Hawke known him well? Most of the guardswere close, developing a bond thicker than blood, but even if he hadn’tknown Finleyy, there were surelyy others he knew that had been lost. “I’msorryy,” I said. “I’m sorryy for whoever it is that yyou’ve lost. Death is…”Death was constant.And I saw a lot of it. I wasn’t supposed to, as sheltered as I was, but Isaw death all too frequentlyy.His head tilted, sending a tumble of dark locks over his forehead.“Death is like an old friend who payys a visit, sometimes when it’s leastexpected and other times when yyou’re waiting for her. It’s neither the firstnor the last time she’ll payy a visit, but that doesn’t make anyy death lessharsh or unforgiving.”Sadness threatened to take up residence in myy chest, crowding out thewarmth. “That it is.”He dipped his head suddenlyy, his lips nearing mine. “I doubt the needfor conversation led yyou to this room. You didn’t come here to talk aboutsad things that cannot be changed, Princess.”I knew whyy I came here tonight, and Hawke was right, yyet again. Itwasn’t to talk. I came here to live. To experience. To choose. To be anyyoneother than who I was. None of those things included talking.But I’d had myy first kiss tonight. I could stop there or tonight couldbe a night of manyy firsts, all of myy choosing.Was I…? Was I reallyy considering this, whatever this was? Gods, Itrulyy was. Tinyy tremors rocked me. Could he feel them? Theyy piled in myystomach, forming little knots of anticipation and fear.I was the Maiden. The Chosen. Myy earlier convictions about what thegods concerned themselves with weakened. Would theyy find me unworthyy?Panic didn’t seize me like it should. Instead, a spark of hope did, and that
unsettled me more than anyything. The tinyy glimmer of hope felt traitorousand whollyy concerning, given that being deemed unworthyy resulted in oneof the most serious consequences.If I were to be found unworthyy, I’d face certain death.I’d be exiled from the kingdom.
Page 3 and 4: From Blood and AshA Blood and Ash N
Page 5 and 6: About Jennifer L. Armentrout# 1 New
Page 7 and 8: Stone Cold TouchEveryy Last BreathT
Page 9 and 10: Acknowledgmentss from the AuthorLau
Page 11 and 12: Sign up for the Blue Box Press/1001
Page 13 and 14: Chapter Twentyy-NineChapter Thirtyy
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 1“Theyy found Finleyy thi
Page 17 and 18: Onlyy the Ascended were called Ladi
Page 19 and 20: Moving between the tables, I took t
Page 21 and 22: spoke with masked women, men, and a
Page 23 and 24: There was even a part of me that wo
Page 25 and 26: “Just dancing?” Her gaze drifte
Page 27 and 28: Myy gaze sharpened and zeroed in on
Page 29 and 30: “That’s enough,” I cut her of
Page 31 and 32: Chapter 2Caught off guard, I looked
Page 33 and 34: anguish that seemed to follow him l
Page 35 and 36: Hawke stepped toward me, and myy mu
Page 37 and 38: “How did yyou know?” I blurted
Page 39 and 40: Another short, surprised-sounding l
Page 41: reallyy bad at making conversation
Page 45 and 46: the swell of myy breast. A riot of
Page 47 and 48: If I removed the facial covering, w
Page 49 and 50: pulled the tunic over his head and
Page 51 and 52: Myy heart skipped a beat. Had somet
Page 53 and 54: Loren, another Ladyy in Wait, claim
Page 55 and 56: Myy gaze lifted to the windows that
Page 57 and 58: But it wasn’t a certaintyy. I had
Page 59 and 60: Chapter 4Without wasting one unnece
Page 61 and 62: wasn’t exactlyy surprising to see
Page 63 and 64: Vikter didn’t. Out of the corner
Page 65 and 66: “Of course,” I said, turning ba
Page 67 and 68: Driven byy an insatiable hunger for
Page 69 and 70: Forcing a smile, I tightened myy gr
Page 71 and 72: I eased the blade out as I rose fro
Page 73 and 74: more or less as a border between th
Page 75 and 76: or not, wouldn’t the gods already
Page 77 and 78: It wasn’t myy choice.I had been b
Page 79 and 80: You’re the child of the gods.Agne
Page 81 and 82: Ryylan. And while myy punishment wa
Page 83 and 84: “I’ve missed yyou,” he added.
Page 85 and 86: “You didn’t ask nicelyy enough.
Page 87 and 88: Chapter 6Ryylan promptlyy escorted
Page 89 and 90: But was he capable of what was done
Page 91 and 92: Ryylan asked Vikter to step outside
Page 93 and 94:
A Descenter moving freelyy through
Page 95 and 96:
gods.I couldn’t even fathom livin
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I’d made it back myy room that mo
Page 99 and 100:
reaching over fiftyy feet, and in M
Page 101 and 102:
stopped trembling. The grip of pani
Page 103 and 104:
A sharp, piercing whistle came from
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“The others are scouting the inne
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Her bottomless eyyes searched mine.
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belong, we believed that the perpet
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The Ascended, as well as the Lords
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appeared in myy mind, the look of s
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bouquet of flowers. It’s like…I
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shocked glances, no one had demande
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begin to fathom what would occur.Wi
Page 121 and 122:
Chapter 9Sweat dampened myy skin as
Page 123 and 124:
I considered lyying. “Do I look l
Page 125 and 126:
cityy would be a better fit.”“A
Page 127 and 128:
It had started after I’d left Vik
Page 129 and 130:
Dressed in simple but clean clothin
Page 131 and 132:
“I understand that.” The tone o
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remember. Serving the gods in the T
Page 135 and 136:
was beginning to feel unnatural whe
Page 137 and 138:
blooming roses. Air catching in myy
Page 139 and 140:
“Again,” the Duke added after a
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whollyy pleased and not at all forc
Page 143 and 144:
I wasn’t sure what it was about m
Page 145 and 146:
With my sword and with my life, I v
Page 147 and 148:
“I know. I know. It’s forbidden
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“Although, he might not have reco
Page 151 and 152:
Hawke.It was strange to glance over
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Or do yyou…?” Pressing a hand t
Page 155 and 156:
He stood with feet shoulder-width a
Page 157 and 158:
Surprise flickered across both her
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involved, but I would have to know
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about the Red Pearl? Myy stomach dr
Page 163 and 164:
Myy breath hitched, and onlyy byy t
Page 165 and 166:
Chapter 13Cold to myy veryy core, I
Page 167 and 168:
The tips of his fingers pressed int
Page 169 and 170:
I opened myy mouth and then closed
Page 171 and 172:
Ascension. Apparentlyy, I’ve been
Page 173:
He almost sounded like he believed
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“Did he break yyour skin?” he d
Page 178 and 179:
Three dozen torches blazed beyyond
Page 180 and 181:
I pulled myy hand awayy. I wasn’t
Page 182 and 183:
Dozens of fieryy arrows shot into t
Page 184 and 185:
pillows—”“Please tell me yyou
Page 186 and 187:
exaggerated the killing me part, I
Page 188 and 189:
Chapter 15And now, theyy swarmed th
Page 190 and 191:
A round of fieryy arrows lifted onc
Page 192 and 193:
I glanced behind him, searching for
Page 194 and 195:
How had he…? Myy gaze flicked to
Page 196 and 197:
Chapter 16The dagger. Damn it. I’
Page 198 and 199:
“Well, besides what we went over
Page 200 and 201:
A small measure of unease crawled a
Page 202 and 203:
Slipping through the old servants
Page 204 and 205:
Chapter 17The blood had been wiped
Page 206 and 207:
“Seriouslyy,” I confirmed. “I
Page 208 and 209:
“Of course.” I shifted myy gaze
Page 210 and 211:
He tipped forward again, lowering h
Page 212 and 213:
room, but I hadn’t wanted to leav
Page 214 and 215:
against the Crown.”His gaze flick
Page 216 and 217:
inch. Myy opening appeared, and I s
Page 218 and 219:
I hugged him tighter.He patted me a
Page 220 and 221:
their decisions and are turning to
Page 222 and 223:
“This is perhaps the least calmin
Page 224:
His and Her Grace stepped back from
Page 227 and 228:
often, beliefs like that could easi
Page 229 and 230:
I made a mental note to remember ex
Page 231 and 232:
rather know now if it was myy gift
Page 233 and 234:
and connect with nothing but vast e
Page 235 and 236:
Chapter 20“‘After years of dest
Page 237 and 238:
realize I asked for yyour thoughts,
Page 239 and 240:
almost as if it wanted to be used.
Page 241 and 242:
I started to tell him that he was b
Page 243 and 244:
I frowned, not even sure I wanted t
Page 245 and 246:
lush greeneryy or because it was so
Page 247 and 248:
his brother to cause that kind of r
Page 249 and 250:
thinking I was inside. Vikter was
Page 251 and 252:
something for me. If so, that would
Page 253 and 254:
The meaning was clear. If there was
Page 255 and 256:
I flushed as I tried to pull awayy.
Page 257 and 258:
Chapter 22Myy heart was pounding so
Page 259 and 260:
“And that was how yyou escaped ab
Page 261 and 262:
“I will if yyou read it for me. I
Page 263 and 264:
“‘The things the man did with h
Page 265 and 266:
“Come on.” Tawnyy caught myy ha
Page 267 and 268:
curious to see me. Didn’t that me
Page 269 and 270:
The hairs on the back of myy neck r
Page 271 and 272:
“It’s nothing.” Myy thoughts
Page 273 and 274:
“It’s not,” I said. “Whatev
Page 275 and 276:
attention, and that was a shame bec
Page 277 and 278:
Myy attention shifted as the Duches
Page 279 and 280:
I felt Hawke step closer before he
Page 281 and 282:
“It used to be a place of refuge,
Page 283 and 284:
Chapter 24“That sounds like fault
Page 285 and 286:
I nodded.“It took me a veryy long
Page 287 and 288:
He nodded. “Never saw one until I
Page 289 and 290:
I had no words. He was still holdin
Page 291 and 292:
Tawnyy had once said about not bein
Page 293 and 294:
The corners of myy lips started to
Page 295 and 296:
Chapter 25Hawke had gone so still a
Page 297 and 298:
That thought threatened to dampen t
Page 299 and 300:
I almost asked whyy we had to, but
Page 301 and 302:
said, his voice so soft it sent a c
Page 303 and 304:
experience anyything without being
Page 305 and 306:
I knew what had made the cracking s
Page 307 and 308:
heavyy, stickyy shame. Myy gaze shi
Page 309 and 310:
We were about to be overrun.I didn
Page 311 and 312:
weight pulling at the tender skin a
Page 313 and 314:
closed the door behind her and then
Page 315 and 316:
their swords.Wood cracked and splin
Page 317 and 318:
The Descenter hesitated.Hand tighte
Page 319 and 320:
Hawke knelt at Vikter’s side, pla
Page 321 and 322:
severing the hand that had held min
Page 323 and 324:
to use myy voice. The screaming…i
Page 325 and 326:
Maiden or not, there had to be some
Page 327 and 328:
lifted myy gaze to his. “You’re
Page 329 and 330:
tapped one long finger on the parch
Page 331 and 332:
Chapter 28“I am not leaving Tawny
Page 333 and 334:
going with yyou cannot be focused o
Page 335 and 336:
weather, as was the fur-lined cloak
Page 337 and 338:
Kieran. He came from the capital wi
Page 339 and 340:
And so close to the Blood Forest.I
Page 341 and 342:
“Craven and Descenters don’t sc
Page 343 and 344:
A tremor coursed through me.“I to
Page 345 and 346:
Chapter 30I didn’t think I’d ev
Page 347 and 348:
In the darkness, his gaze found min
Page 349 and 350:
uncover the front of myy bodyy, rev
Page 351 and 352:
“Do yyou? Reallyy?” I didn’t
Page 353 and 354:
“Doubtful,” I said, wishing tha
Page 355 and 356:
feel half of what Hawke alwayys see
Page 357 and 358:
between his hand and the hard, unyy
Page 359 and 360:
was prettyy sure that what Hawke an
Page 361 and 362:
I shouldn’t be comforted. If anyy
Page 363 and 364:
Phillips turned in his seat, bow in
Page 365 and 366:
“So inappropriate,” I muttered,
Page 367 and 368:
“I did,” I told him, glancing a
Page 369 and 370:
Chapter 32Our group rode hard, the
Page 371 and 372:
Kieran slid him a long, sidewayys l
Page 373 and 374:
She drew closer, and I noted that h
Page 375 and 376:
The large tub had to be the second-
Page 377 and 378:
“For the most part?”“Yes, for
Page 379 and 380:
“Well, now I understand whyy I fe
Page 381 and 382:
“But yyou took Airrick’s. You h
Page 383 and 384:
Chapter 33Hawke didn’t respond, a
Page 385 and 386:
Because those marks on myy legs wer
Page 387 and 388:
he’d done with his fingers in the
Page 389 and 390:
his large, powerful bodyy trembled.
Page 391 and 392:
Myy choice.I took a deep breath, an
Page 393 and 394:
Chapter 34Some hours later, a noise
Page 395 and 396:
what had happened here would travel
Page 397 and 398:
“You know who we don’t know? Th
Page 399 and 400:
harm yyou, but I will incapacitate
Page 401 and 402:
The wolven leapt, twisting in midai
Page 403 and 404:
It was him.The man who’d killed R
Page 405 and 406:
I cranked myy head awayy at the wet
Page 407 and 408:
“I’m good at what I do.”“An
Page 409 and 410:
trick? You were sent here to get cl
Page 411 and 412:
violent.” He dipped his chin and
Page 413 and 414:
sometimes sounded as if he’d live
Page 415 and 416:
humans had rose up against. Theyy w
Page 417 and 418:
The Prince. Just because the Descen
Page 419 and 420:
“Did yyou think I wouldn’t find
Page 421 and 422:
what he said was soul-shattering.
Page 423 and 424:
mattress as if he just realized the
Page 425 and 426:
believing what he’d said. He’d
Page 427 and 428:
Gods…“King Malec created the fi
Page 429 and 430:
is what triggered the War of Two Ki
Page 431 and 432:
I didn’t stop to think about what
Page 433 and 434:
get even closer as his fingers spre
Page 435 and 436:
No. It couldn’t be. Gods, it coul
Page 437 and 438:
Chapter 37Not everyything was a lie
Page 439 and 440:
Hawke was…he was just messing wit
Page 441 and 442:
Delano sent me a look that said I w
Page 443 and 444:
ago.The cave cat that Hawke alwayys
Page 445 and 446:
“Bathe in myy blood.” I wheezed
Page 447 and 448:
Chapter 38Gentle arms lifted me fro
Page 449 and 450:
Almost as if I had no control over
Page 451 and 452:
And it was. Myy mind sluggishlyy de
Page 453 and 454:
Hawke’s nostrils flared as he inh
Page 455 and 456:
Hawke shook his head, but when I tu
Page 457 and 458:
gotten anyy wiser after I learned t
Page 459 and 460:
Heart dropping, I looked down at th
Page 461 and 462:
knew I wasn’t prepared to make an
Page 463 and 464:
I was devoured. I tasted myy blood
Page 465 and 466:
Myy lips parted on a sharp inhale.H
Page 467 and 468:
don’t understand. Unless I comple
Page 469 and 470:
kind of pain underneath it. It was
Page 471 and 472:
Chapter 40I was deposited in the sa
Page 473 and 474:
“That’s yyour choice,” he rep
Page 475 and 476:
But if theyy were feeding on childr
Page 477 and 478:
“Because of Cas?” he said, and
Page 479 and 480:
the Ascended mayy veryy well be tru
Page 481 and 482:
“Do yyou not like this room?”
Page 483 and 484:
have myy protection if yyou have an
Page 485 and 486:
Delano and Naill, oddlyy relieved t
Page 487 and 488:
His gaze drifted over myy face. The
Page 489 and 490:
The Prince slid him a bland look.
Page 491 and 492:
Disscover More Jennifer L. Armentro
Page 493 and 494:
Disscover 1001 Dark Nightss Collect
Page 495 and 496:
Disscover the World of Blue Box Pre
Page 497 and 498:
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From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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