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

long?”
    At last, Elena relaxed, grinning at Paitra. “It’s been rather up and down, to be honest, but the prince’s asahana has good reason to be happy. It’s been a nice change waiting on someone who’s not dour and distant all the time.”
    Paitra’s eyes popped open, and she gaped. “He called you asahana?”
    Arden giggled. “Yes, but only after I lectured him and told him how to run the kingdom.”
    “You did what?”
    Elena started laughing, and Arden was so thoroughly happy in that moment, she succumbed to it immediately. Eventually they got most of the story out, every small disaster and success, and she took Paitra’s hands, grinning from ear to ear by the time it was done.
    “It’s better than I ever dared hope, honestly.” Arden squeezed Paitra’s fingers, glad she was there to share the moment. “He’s a good man, and I think I can do great things here.”
    She beamed. “I never doubted you, Arden. I’m sorry I missed all the fun.”
    “But you’re here now, and we’ve got Elena with us, too. There’s not a thing I can see that could ruin this. When I’m done here, the entire kingdom will be transformed. I just know it.”
    Paitra shook her head, smiling at Elena. “Sunshine and rainbows, riyah. Did you hear? She’ll be promising unicorns next.”
    Elena snorted. “If anyone could make that happen, she could on pure will alone, I think.”
    Arden bounced up off the bed, beelining for the trunks that arrived with Paitra. “I think I’ll wear the pale blue dress tonight. Did you bring it? It always sets off my eyes so well…”
    The elven women laughed, but set in to help look.

Chapter 9
    Darius
    Between guest arrivals and business meetings and preparing for the spectacle that was the engagement party, Darius barely had time to think. But as he stood outside the ballroom, waiting to be announced, one thought echoed in his head over and over.
    Arden needed to know the truth.
    If it were him, he would want to know. Marriages were difficult enough, but entering into such a relationship without knowing the risks would only make it more so. Both of them had been stripped of the majority of their choices in life. If he could give her back the one, if she decided for herself the heartache would be too great to bear, he would find a way to get her out of the impending ceremony. Arden deserved at least that much.
    The herald announced him, and the doors opened, revealing the crowd of nobles and wealthy merchants come to gawk and gossip. It wasn’t as many as would be there for the coronation and wedding, but it was at least a hundred of the most influential people in the world gathered in one place. He didn’t stop to acknowledge anyone as he strode from the entrance to the head table, but he caught a glimpse of dwarves he’d not expected to see, as well as representatives of the Moth’hari and Ansere’th tribes. Seeing them caused him to think about things he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t stop himself from wondering if any of them had news of Naya.
    In that moment, he desperately wished he’d never met her. Perhaps he might’ve been happy with Arden then.
    He had to tell his fiancée at the earliest possible convenience, but how to separate her from her mother and ever-present handmaidens? With the addition of the second elf from Aerenhall by her side, it was impossible to find Arden alone.
    The gleaming stone tiles and high shine on every surface did nothing to lift his spirits. He’d have given all the gold in the castle to change his fate. The warm smiles and colorful attire of the guests were not the ones he thought he’d be surrounded by if he ever took a wife. Those people were strangers to him.
    He reached his seat at the raised table at the front of the grand hall, but remained standing as Ingram and the seven Chancellors entered behind him with their own introductions. When all but the two seats to his left were spoken for, he held his breath and waited, gaze fixed firmly