Tempered Hearts (Hearts of Valentia Book 1) Read Online Free

like to. I certainly won’t order you to it.”
    Fidgeting with the lacy cuff of her dress, Arden waited for a response. Elena’s dark eyes darted between her and the door three times before she finally took a seat. Even then, she only perched on the edge of the chair and didn’t reach for anything on the tray. As it didn’t appear she’d be helping herself, Arden flipped both cups upright and reached for the sugar, adding three lumps to her own before pausing to look at her. “Do you take sugar?”
    She swallowed. “Two, please, my lady.”
    Though her nervous tone was frustrating, Arden was determined to set her at ease. As she prepared their drinks, she decided to begin the conversation. “Tell me, which tribe is your family from?”
    “Ansere’th, my lady. In the far west.”
    She smiled and handed her the cup and saucer. “I guessed as much. You’re very similar to Paitra’s brother-in-law, and he’s Ansere’th as well. She’s told me a bit about them, but elven genealogy is one of my interests, so I’ve studied the old families as extensively as I’ve been able without going there myself. Is the Ta’Mareth still Garethell, or has he passed the title on to Malora already?”
    If her eyes widened any more, they would’ve fallen out of her head. “My lady knows the Ta’Mareth?”
    She took a sip of tea, then shook her head. “I’ve not had the pleasure in person, no, but I try to keep track of the tribes in as much as I can. I’d very much like to see the land they’ve reclaimed from the Blighted Sands, though. I’ve heard such wonderful stories from Paitra I’d scarcely believe them if I didn’t know how skilled the elvish are with agriculture.”
    Elena’s expression shifted from shock to beaming pride. “The stories are true, my lady. My father works those lands himself. Now that the war’s ended, the haegaroi can be cleared out and they’ll make progress a thousand times faster.”
    At her use of an unfamiliar word, Arden tilted her head to one side, curious. “Haegaroi? You’ll have to forgive me. My elvish is only a little better than average, and I’ve not heard that term before.”
    “My lady speaks elvish as well?” Her jaw went slack.
    Laughing, she set down her cup and picked up one of the tiny red fruit tarts. “ Masaral ath ananni, te qi’haren tho deya? ”
    “Surprised isn’t the word I’d use, my lady,” she said with a giggle. “And no, most nobles don’t speak any elvish at all outside of common greetings or titles. How is it you do?”
    She bit into the pastry, immediately closing her eyes with a soft groan. “You must try one of these, Elena. They’re positively blissful!”
    More relaxed, Elena didn’t hesitate to try one for herself, and her reaction was much the same as Arden’s had been. She grinned to herself, confident she won her first ally at Castle Dulaine.
    “Paitra, my handmaiden, is Moth’hari. She’s been with me since I was seven, and is my closest friend. She’s taught me much over the years. But, that word, haegaroi, what does it mean?”
    “Haegaroi is what we call the demons that spring from the rift in the darkness, the Danahoi . They’ve finally begun to dwindle in numbers since the war ended.”
    She nodded, storing the knowledge away for future reference, then shifted in her chair, leaning towards her. “Would you mind… May I ask you something?”
    “Anything you like, my lady.”
    Arden picked her cup up again, trying not to frown. “First, I’d rather not be addressed so formally if it’s only you and I. There’s no need for honorifics tacked on to everything. But, my question. Are you treated well here?”
    Her teacup rattled against the saucer. “Treated well? I…”
    “Honestly, please,” she said when Elena didn’t immediately answer. “If there’s unpleasantness here, I’d like to know about it now, so I can correct it once I’m in a position to do so. But also…”
    “Yes?”
    Taking a deep breath,