Chapter A Soul of Ash and Blood: MEETING WITH THE DUKE

“So, this is the Hawke Flynn I’ve been hearing about,” Dorian Teerman, the Duke of Masadonia, observed from where he sat upon a settee of crimson velvet.

“I hope you’ve heard only good things,” I replied as I eyed the vampry before me.

With the heavy curtains drawn over the windows to block out the fading afternoon sun and the chamber lit by only a few scattered oil lamps, Teerman looked about as bloodless as one could get. Even his hair, so blond that it was nearly white, was devoid of color—of life.

I didn’t like the man.

It wasn’t just because he was an Ascended—an old one that must have been created shortly after the war.

The predator in me recognized the predator in him.

And it wanted at Teerman.

I didn’t show it as I stood in a chamber connected to the Teermans’ private quarters, which seemed to have been constructed entirely of mahogany. The walls. The desk. The credenza stocked with decanters of liquor. There were several canes propped against one wall, all but one made of mahogany. The other was a deep, dark red and appeared to have been fashioned from the wood of a Blood Forest tree.

“Glowing recommendations from both the capital and the Commander,” he said, his obsidian gaze briefly flicking to where Jansen stood beside me. “And my dear wife.”

I tilted my head to the side, thinking of the family in the tenements. The babe. Did the Duke even know that one of his vamprys was leaving infants to turn Craven? If so, I doubted the bastard cared.

“She likes to look at you,” he added, sipping from his glass of whiskey. How alcohol affected the Ascended always amused me. Despite no longer needing food or water for their bodies to survive, the Ascended had to enjoy libations carefully as they were far more susceptible to the effects of liquor. “Though I imagine that’s something you’re not entirely surprised to hear.”

I wondered how careful he was being with that whiskey today, especially ahead of the City Council session that would be held shortly. “It is not.”

Teerman chuckled, the smooth skin at his eyes not even crinkling. The sound was as cold as the close-lipped smile I was sure he believed was warm and friendly. Instead, the curve of his lips reminded me of a pit viper. I half-expected a forked tongue to appear.

“No false modesty? Refreshing. I approve.” He inclined his chin. “I’m of the opinion that those who deny what is obvious to all around are most disingenuous.”

I could give two fucks about his opinions.

“And that takes assertiveness and confidence,” he continued. “Two things needed if you are to join the Royal Guard as one of the Maiden’s personal guards. But one needs more than just that.”

I doubted he knew what it took to protect a newborn hare, let alone an actual person, but that didn’t stop him from detailing what he believed. One thing most Ascended had in common—they so enjoyed hearing themselves speak.

“One needs not only mastery of a weapon and strength but also the skill to foresee any possible threats. The latter was something Ryan Keal, unfortunately, did not possess.”

Wait. My brows knitted. Keal’s first name was Rylan. Not Ryan. However, I was not even remotely surprised to hear that Teerman didn’t know the man’s first name.

“But more is needed if one is to take on the duty of protecting one of the most valuable assets to the kingdom. Nothing you have accomplished or will is as important as what the Maiden will do for our kingdom. She will usher in a new era,” he went on, and of course, he didn’t elaborate on exactly what this was or how it would be accomplished. “Any who guard the Maiden must be willing to forsake their lives for hers without hesitation. They must have no fear of death.”

“I disagree with that,” I said. The pathetic excuse of a smile froze as Jansen tensed beside me. “With all due respect, Your Grace,” I added, holding his dark, bottomless stare, “if one does not fear death, then they do not fear failure. They rely too heavily on being rewarded with a hero’s welcome upon that death. I fear death, as it means I have failed.”

Teerman’s head cocked to the right.

“I also believe that the duty of guarding the Maiden does not require one to sacrifice their life,” I said. “As those who guard her should be skilled enough to defend their life as well as hers.”

“Interesting,” Teerman murmured, falling quiet as he took a short drink of his whiskey. “And how would you have handled what occurred in the gardens?”

The irony that it wouldn’t have even happened if I’d been there didn’t pass me by. “The attempt to take the Maiden occurred where the night roses bloom, correct?” I already knew the answer but waited for his nod. “That is also where the jacaranda trees have damaged the inner curtain wall of Castle Teerman, a location in the garden that is particularly dangerous.”

“So, you would not allow her to view the roses, then,” Teerman surmised.

“Restricting her access to where she would like to go in the garden is unnecessary,” I said. “I would simply position her so that she remained out of sight of anyone seeking to exploit that weakness.”

“You would then take the arrow in place of her, as Keal did?” Teerman smirked. “Did you not just say sacrifice was unnecessary?”

“Positioning her so she cannot be struck from afar does not equate to me being felled by an arrow,” I countered. “There are ways to view those roses that require neither of us to be in danger.”

Teerman’s stare shifted to Jansen.

“He is correct, Your Grace,” Jansen spoke. “There are several natural barriers that would’ve made any attack difficult. Unfortunately, Keal may have grown…too at ease guarding the Maiden since no attempts have been made against her.”

“And that is why he is dead,” Teerman stated. “He forgot that the threat of the Dark One has not lessened and paid that price in blood.” His attention returned to me. “And you believe that’s not a price you will inevitably pay?”

“Yes,” I answered without so much as a hint of amusement.

Teerman shifted, resting an ankle on the opposite knee. “With the upcoming Rite, there are already heightened concerns regarding the Descenters and the Dark One. And as she nears her Ascension, there will likely be more attempts.”

“There most definitely will be,” I agreed. “After all, if what people believe is true, and the Dark One wishes to stop her Ascension, then what occurred in the garden is only the beginning.”

“It is true,” the Duke confirmed. “The arrow used was engraved with their…” His lip curled. “With their rally cry. Or, more accurately, their dying whimper.”

I smiled. “From blood and ash?”

“We will rise,” the Duke finished for me, much to my amusement. He was silent as his fingers tapped the calf of his boot. “With the recent attempt to take the Maiden and the growing…unrest here, it is likely that King Jalara and Queen Ileana will request the Maiden be brought back to the capital. Which means, you could be required to leave and make the journey to Carsodonia at any time.”

It would be a damn blessing if such a thing occurred. Being granted permission to leave with the Maiden was a hell of a lot easier than absconding with her through the city. But I wouldn’t be traveling alone. There’d be a team of guards, which would present an issue.

“Would that be a problem?” the Duke asked.

“I have no ties here,” I answered.

“You say all the right things, Hawke,” he said after a moment. “And Commander Jansen believes you’re not only qualified but also ready for such an enormous duty. However, I admittedly have concerns. You would be considered young for such a position, and I find it hard to believe that none older are better suited. Though I do recognize that is not necessarily a detriment. Younger, fresher eyes carry different experiences. But you are also handsome.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

A faint smile appeared. “The Maiden is no child. She is a young woman with very little experience and knowledge of the world.”

I laughed at how incorrect he was.

His fingers continued tapping. “Nor has she interacted closely with a man of her age.”

“I have no interest in seducing the Maiden if that is what concerns you, Your Grace.”

Teerman laughed with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I’m not concerned about that,” he said, leaving me to wonder exactly why he was so confident. “I am more concerned with her getting infatuated and therefore becoming a distraction. She does have a…habit of not setting boundaries between her and others.”

What he said and what he hadn’t stoked my curiosity. “I also have no intention of becoming a companion or friend to her.”

He raised a brow. “She can be surprisingly charming—her innocence, that is.”

While he was correct about her being charming, it had nothing to do with her innocence. “She and I would have absolutely nothing in common to bond over or even speak of.” That was the truth. “She is a job. A duty. One I would be honored to have, but nothing more.”

“All right, then,” Teerman drawled. “I have some things I need to discuss with the Commander. He will let you know my decision.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” I bowed, then straightened and turned for the door.

“One more thing,” Teerman called out.

I faced him. “Yes, Your Grace?”

“If you do become the Maiden’s guard, you need to know that if she were to become harmed while under your care…” The lamplight reflected off his black eyes. “You would be flayed alive and hung so the entire city could bear witness to your failure.”

I nodded. “I would expect nothing less.”