From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Ryylan. And while myy punishment wasn’t something to take lightlyy, it
would be nothing compared to what Ryylan would face.
He could be removed from the Royyal Guard, and the Duke would
ensure that it was known that he had fallen out of the Duke’s favor. Ryylan
would soon be unemployyed and therefore dishonored. It wouldn’t be the
same as being exiled, but his life would become measurablyy more
difficult.
I squared myy shoulders. “I would love nothing more than to speak
with yyou.”
A look of smugness settled on his handsome features, and I wanted
nothing more than to kick him in the face. “Come.” He reached out,
curling his arm over myy shoulders. “I wish to speak in private.”
Ryylan stepped forward—
“It’s okayy,” I told him, although it reallyy wasn’t. Looking over at him,
I willed him to listen. “Trulyy, it is fine.”
Ryylan’s jaw hardened as he stared at the Lord, and I could tell he
wasn’t remotelyy happyy about this, but he nodded curtlyy. “I’ll be right
here.”
“Yes, yyou will,” the Lord replied.
Gods.
Not all Ascended were like the Lord, who wielded his power and
station like a poison-tipped sword, but Lord Mazeen wasn’t even the worst
example.
He steered me to the left, nearlyy causing a servant to drop the basket
she carried. He seemed completelyy unaware of her as he strode forward.
Whatever hope I had that he planned to speak to me a few steps awayy
ended quicklyy as he took us into one of the shadowyy alcoves between the
doors.
I should’ve known.
He swept aside thick, white curtains and all but pulled me into the
narrow space where the onlyy source of light was a small sconce above a
thicklyy cushioned chaise. I had no idea what the purpose of these halfhidden
rooms was, but on more than one occasion, I’d found myyself
trapped in them.
I stepped back, a little surprised that the Lord allowed it. He watched
me, the smirk returning as I positioned myyself so I was close to one of the