Tempered Hearts (Hearts of Valentia Book 1) by Starla Huchton, S. A. Huchton Page B

unlike screams of women and children. Honestly, it was quite horrible to hear at first, but once you understand the context, and the internal force required to produce that sound, you come to appreciate it in an odd sort of way.”
    “Fascinating,” she murmured. “I’d dearly like to see that for myself. Perhaps after the…” A blush crept up her neck and she looked away. “If they were repatriated, I suppose it would be more likely that I’d get to see them firsthand.”
    “Summon Madame LeVallier to see me as soon as she’s able,” he said to Ingram. “If anyone can arrange such a meeting, it would be her.”
    “May I go on record first as disagreeing with this course of action?”
    He shrugged. “Certainly you may, but I’ve made up my mind to pursue it. We need all the help we can get to restore those lands, and the Prasta are the finest mercenaries in the world. It won’t hurt anything to ask for their services in trade for return of their homeland.” For the first time in months he felt like he found some direction in the chaos of the reconstruction process. Even more, he knew how correct he’d been in telling Arden how valuable she’d be to the kingdom. He caught himself grinning over it, and immediately faltered. Would ruling well be enough to satisfy her in life, or would she fall asleep every night wondering what more she could have had?
    Three short, loud raps on the door preceded the immediate entrance of the Duchess Tanarien, her expression a mask of displeasure, and Arden’s handmaiden, Elena, in tow.
    “I’m so sorry if my daughter’s inconvenienced you this afternoon, Your Highness.” She curtsied, but didn’t pause to let him speak. “The damp has made me very tired of late, and I didn’t keep her occupied as I should. If you’ll forgive my lapse, I’ll collect her and see she doesn’t intrude further on your business.”
    Darius frowned, irritated she thought Arden such a burden. “It was hardly an intrusion if she was an invited guest, Your Grace. If anyone is guilty of disruption, it would be me for taking her from her reading in the garden.”
    Tight-lipped and patient, Arden set aside her teacup and rose from her chair. “A welcome disruption, Your Highness.” Her curtsy was brief, but a show for her mother rather than his benefit. “Thank you so very much for the tea this afternoon.”
    “ Your insight is greatly appreciated ,” Darius said in elvish, hoping to rattle the duchess with their shared secret. “ I’ll not forget your words today, asahana. ”
    She bit back a smile and nodded. “And a good afternoon to you as well, Duke Ingram. Thank you for the company.”
    “Of course, my lady.”
    With that, the highly ruffled Duchess Tanarien herded her daughter out, the door closing rather loudly behind them.
    Ingram chuckled. “Well, I believe you won much ground with the lady today, but perhaps lost a bit with her mother.”
    Darius took his seat behind the desk once more, still irritated by the duchess’s dismissal of Arden’s abilities. “I suppose it’s a good thing I’m not marrying the duchess then, isn’t it?”
    Arden
    By the time Arden’s mother finished lecturing her on exactly how shameful and inappropriate it was to spend so much time with Prince Darius without her watchful eye present, it was nearly dinner. It was a huge relief when she finally left to freshen up for the meal, but Elena took up where she left off.
    “I’m so sorry I told on you, my lady, but I didn’t have a choice,” she said as she fussed with Arden’s hair. “I wasn’t gone from you that long, but by the time I came back, I saw you were already on your way with Prince Darius, and then what could I do? I followed to see where you went, but she caught me waiting in the hall outside the study and demanded to know where you were. She’s a scary woman, your mother.”
    “It’s all right, Elena.” She shooed her away from her hair. “I don’t blame you at all. I