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

she went all in on the truth. Elena’s eyes held the same trusting gaze she always saw in Paitra’s. “The measure of a man can only be judged by how he treats those of lesser standing. I’d like to know about the man I’m pledged to, as I can’t trust the endless praise the nobility heaps upon him. Will you tell me, then? Are you treated well here?”
    “Better than most places,” she said, staring into her tea. “Some here still harbor prejudices, but I wouldn’t say that of Prince Darius. He’s very fair, and pays us the same wage as humans, so for that I’m very grateful.”
    If she said it wasn’t a relief to hear as much, it would be a lie. Elena looked to be holding something back, however.
    “I feel like you’ve more to say on the subject,” she said. “I’d not get you in trouble for taking me in confidence, if that’s what worries you. Corith majan, corith daenaan .”
    “Trust given, trust returned,” Elena murmured. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve heard that said.”
    “Ask me anything, and I’ll tell you honestly,” she said. “Paitra made me promise long ago that no matter where we ended up on life, we’d always do our best to make it better than it was before we got there. It’s funny, though, I never imagined it would be here. Some small estate in the country, perhaps married to an earl or duke, but this?” She sighed and pushed her tea to the side, popping a small, leaf-shaped shortbread into her mouth. “I’ve no idea where to begin making the entire kingdom a better place. It seemed prudent to begin with the staff and work up to the rest as I go.”
    She stared a moment, then burst into giggles.
    “What? I’m serious about that.”
    “Oh, I know, my lady, I’m sorry, it’s just…” She giggled again. “You and His Highness will surely be the oddest pair the court has seen in a very long time.”
    “And why is that?”
    She grinned. “Well, for two people who are destined for crowns, I don’t think there’s ever been two less likely to get them.”
    Arden frowned. “And why do you think so?”
    “Well…” Elena sat back in her chair, considering her. “From what I hear, His Highness never wanted the throne, argued against it with the duke, even. I wasn’t there, though, just repeating rumors.”
    “And me?”
    She shrugged and sipped her tea again. “You seem too nice for it. Can I give you a little advice?”
    “I’d appreciate it.”
    “Be careful at court. If you don’t learn to hide your soft side, there are always people around who’d stick a knife in it.”
    Picking up a biscuit covered in rich ganache, Arden weighed her words. “That’s good advice for sure, but I’m not without my own defenses. I’ve been around enough nobility to know better than to trust without question. I might not have gone seeking a crown, but I know how to take an advantage when presented with one. I’m not a warrior or a revolutionary, but I will fight for the things I believe in, and they won’t find me an easy target.”
    Elena nibbled on a biscuit. “You know, I’ve never been sure about Duke Ingram, but I might be revising my opinion now.”
    “Oh, to what?”
    Staring up at the ceiling, she gave a slight shrug. “As I see it, any man that puts you and the prince together is either very stupid, or exceedingly brilliant.”
    Taking up her tea again, Arden smiled into her cup. Perhaps she wouldn’t be completely terrible at politics after all.
    Darius
    The days he skulked about passages trying to avoid guards served him well. Utilizing those old skills, Darius successfully tracked and followed Duke Ingram and the Tanarien ladies all through the castle, listening in on their conversation. None of it was particularly interesting, however, and the one person he was curious to hear from spoke barely at all. That further soured his esteem of her. To be so timid when others spoke of events that clearly affected her, such as her own wedding, she was