why the Lord found such great entertainment in harassing me. Why he found such enjoyment in making me uncomfortable, but he’d been this way the last several years. He was worse toward the servants, though. I’d heard the whispered warnings to new staff. Avoid gaining his attention or his displeasure. No matter what, there was a limit to how far he could go with me. With the servants, I didn’t believe he felt there was even a line to cross.
I lifted my chin. “What would you like to discuss with me, Lord Mazeen?”
A hint of a cold smile appeared. “I realized it had been a while since I last saw you.”
It had been sixteen days since he’d last cornered me. So, not long enough.
“I’ve missed you,” he added.
Doubtful.
“My Lord, I must be on my way—” I sucked in a sharp breath as he rose. One second, he was stretched out on the chaise. The next, he was directly in front of me.
“I’m insulted,” he said. “I told you I missed you, and your only response was to say you must leave? You wound me.”
The fact that he’d said nearly the same words Hawke had uttered no more than two nights ago didn’t go unnoticed. Neither did the vastly different reactions I had to them. While Hawke had come across teasing, Lord Mazeen spoke the words as a warning. I wasn’t charmed. I was revolted.
“It wasn’t my intention,” I forced out.
“You sure?” he asked, and I felt his finger against my jaw before I even saw him move his hand. “I have the distinct impression that was exactly your intent.”
“It wasn’t.” I leaned back—
He curled his fingers around my chin, holding my head in place. When I took my next breath, I thought his fingers smelled like…a flower, musky and sweet. “You should try to be more convincing if you wish me to believe that.”
“I’m sorry if I’m not as convincing as I should be.” It took great effort to keep my voice steady. “You shouldn’t be touching me.”
He smirked as he trailed his cool thumb along my lower lip. The sensation of thousands of tiny insects skittering over my skin followed. “And why is that?”
The Lord knew exactly why.
“I’m the Maiden,” I said, nonetheless.
“That you are.” He trailed his fingers down my chin over the scratchy lace that covered my throat. His hand continued, brushing over my collarbone.
My palm practically burned with the need to feel the hilt of the dagger against it, and my muscles tensed with the knowledge and skill to react—to make him stop. A tremor coursed through me as I fought the desire to fight back. It wouldn’t be worth what would happen. I kept telling myself that as his fingers slid down the center of my gown. It wasn’t just the fear of punishment. If I showed what I was capable of, the Duke would learn that I had been trained, and I doubted it would take any large leap of logic to determine that Vikter was responsible. Yet again, whatever I faced would be nothing compared to what Vikter would.
But I could only tolerate so much.
I took a step back, putting distance between us.
Lord Mazeen tilted his head and then chuckled softly. Instinct sparked, and I moved to step out from the curtain, but I hadn’t been fast enough. He caught me by the hip and turned me. There wasn’t even a second to react as his arm clamped around my waist, and he hauled me back against him. His other hand remained where it was, between my breasts. The contact of his body against mine, the feel of it, sent a wave of revulsion through me.
“Do you remember your last lesson?” His breath was icy against my skin just below the veil. “I can’t imagine you’ve forgotten.”
I hadn’t forgotten a single one.
“You didn’t make a sound, and I know it had to hurt.” His grip tightened on my waist, and even in my all-too-limited knowledge of things, I knew what I felt against me. “Admittedly, you’ve impressed.”
“Thrilled to hear that,” I gritted out.
“Ah, there it is,” he murmured. “There’s that tone unbecoming of the Maiden. The very same one that has gotten you into trouble a time or two—or a dozen. I was wondering when it would make an appearance. I’m sure you also remember what happened the last time it came out.”
Of course, I remembered that, too.
My temper had gotten the best of me. I’d snapped back at the Duke, and he’d
<<Previous page From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 1 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 2 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 3 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 4 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 5 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 6 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 7 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 8 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 9 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 10 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 11 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 12 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 13 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 14 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 15 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 16 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 17 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 18 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 19 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 20 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 21 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 22 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 23 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 24 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 25 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 26 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 27 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 28 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 29 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 30 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 31 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 32 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 33 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 34 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 35 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 36 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 37 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 38 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 39 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 40 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 41 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 42 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 43 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 44 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 45 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 46 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 47 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 48 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 49 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 50 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 51 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 52 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 53 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 54 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 55 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 56 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 57 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 58 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 59 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 60 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 61 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 62 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 63 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 64 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 65 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 66 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 67 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 68 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 69 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 70 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 71 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 72 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 73 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 74 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 75 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 76 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 77 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 78 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 79 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 80 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 81 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 82 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 83 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 84 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 85 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 86 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 87 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 88 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 89 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 90 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 91 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 92 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 93 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 94 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 95 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 96 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 97 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 98 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 99 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 100 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 101 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 102 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 103 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 104 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 105 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 106 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 107 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 108 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 109 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 110 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 111 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 112 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 113 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 114 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 115 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 116 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 117 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 118 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 119 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 120 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 121 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 122 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 123 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 124 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 125 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 126 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 127 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 128 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 129 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 130 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 131 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 132 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 133 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 134 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 135 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 136 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 137 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 138 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 139 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 140 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 141 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 142 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 143 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 144 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 145 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 146 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 147 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 148 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 149 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 150 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 151 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 152 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 153 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 154 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 155 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 156 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 157 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 158 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 159 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 160 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 161 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 162 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 163 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 164 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 165 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 166 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 167 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 168 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 169 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 170 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 171 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 172 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 173 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 174 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 175 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 176 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 177 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 178 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 179 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 180 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 181 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 182 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 183 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 184 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 185 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 186 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 187 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 188 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 189 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 190 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 191 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 192 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 193 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 194 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 195 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 196 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 197 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 198 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 199 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 200 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 201 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 202 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 203 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 204 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 205 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 206 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 207 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 208 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 209 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 210 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 211 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 212 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 213 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 214 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 215 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 216 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 217 From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1) - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Page 218
Next page>>