Tempered Hearts (Hearts of Valentia Book 1) (25 page)

She nearly choked she was so excited. “We’re going straight there!”

He nodded, smiling at her.

“How long before we reach them? Is it very far?”

Darius passed her his handkerchief, laughing as she wiped the water from her chin. “If we leave today and camp overnight, we should be there by lunch tomorrow. Well, pending the Ansere’th haven’t moved farther out. I’m glad you’re excited about it.”

“I’ve wanted to see them since Paitra first told me stories about how they reclaim the land. Is it really like that? The dancing, the magic… have you ever seen it?”

His expression faltered a little, and she remembered what ties he had to the elven tribe. It wasn’t only Vennic that linked him to the Ansere’th, it was also Naya.

“I… yes, I’ve seen the way they work. It’s truly beautiful.”

Pretending as though nothing was wrong, she smiled and dug into the food that was waiting for them on arrival. She focused all of her attention on the roasted root vegetables and tried not to think about what the meat used to be when it was a living animal, anything to avoid addressing the issue she knew would have to be confronted eventually.

But what if Naya was amongst the tribe? What sort of reunion would Arden witness? Darius might have married her, but nobility had done far worse to unwanted spouses than annulling marriages before. And she knew next to nothing about the elven woman. How cold would her reception be? How much was Naya going to hate her? Would she smile like a fox sizing up its prey, or would she simply try to slit her throat on sight? Maybe she was more like Vennic, and she’d end up with an arrow in her chest before she knew the other woman was there. Elves also had a vast knowledge of poisons, so perhaps she’d be more subtle in—

“Are you all right, asahana?”

His question made her jump, and she realized how deep she’d sunk into contemplation, even though she tried to avoid it. “What? Yes. Fine. Just thinking. Sorry. What?”

He let out a long exhale and smiled patiently. “We’ll talk about it later?”

Arden waved it off. “I was just thinking about the compounds I wanted to use on those broken shards first. The reactions some of them can produce are really quite startling if you’re not adequately prepared. Most of my equipment is at the castle, so attempting some of the tests while traveling will be problematic. Still, I can probably work out a few—”

When his hand wrapped around hers, she immediately stopped rambling. “It’ll be fine, Arden. I promise.”

She wanted to believe him. Desperately so. But her worries poked at her, prodding her thoughts down paths of what-ifs she wished would cease to be.

Rather than voice her concerns, she smiled as genuinely as she could and nodded.

“So are you staying here, or coming along with us, Ehlren?”

The dwarf shrugged. “The yar has seen fit to send me out with you and keep you focused, so it seems I’ve got one more adventure in store with you lot.”

“Well, there go the ale stores,” Vennic said with a smirk.

“Bah, don’t pretend you don’t miss my charming company around the campfire, Horsefeathers.” Ehlren slapped him on the back. “Keeps your dull life interesting.”

“Yes, it does get rather boring without someone around to cheat at dice games. You’re absolutely correct.”

Ehlren huffed. “It’s not cheating. The dice speak to me.”

“And I suppose the moon is made of bread and swims in a sky of wine, too.”

Watching their playful banter did wonders for her spirit, taking her mind off of the burdens she carried. She was glad the dwarf would be going with them, as it was another opportunity to learn a little more of the language and culture. She’d begun a list of dwarven characters and their phonetic sounds, so she was already on her way to better understanding it.

The meal wrapped up and they headed out to collect their things. Her pack felt heavier than before, though she’d not added all that much weight to it during their stay in Ogtern. As she set her brush atop her nightdress, Arden felt his eyes on her, following her movements, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.

“I know what worries you, asahana,” Darius said, placing a hand over hers as she reached for her notebook.

She stared at his fingers, trying to push away her feelings. “You said yourself it would be all right.”

“But you don’t believe me.”

Rather than answer, she bit her lip. He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“I took a vow, Arden. She’ll understand and respect that.”

“Words matter little to hearts,” she said softly. “Don’t make promises on behalf of others.”

He winced. “It isn’t only her you doubt, then.”

She pulled away and stuffed the last of her things in her pack. “I’ve been partial to science since I can remember, kendala. I believe in evidence.” She shouldered her bag and headed for the door. “There isn’t time for this now. We need to go.”

“Arden—”

Waving off the conversation, she opened the door. “People are dying, Darius, and you’ve sworn to help them. Everything else can wait.”

With a sigh of frustration, he capitulated and donned his pack. She was certain he’d bring it up again later, but what would be the use in it? Until she saw with her own eyes what he claimed as truth, there was little he could do to convince her. Glimpses of possibility were scattered amongst her doubts, and though she wasn’t giving up, resignation was less painful at that moment.

Vennic met them in the hall, and Ehlren joined them as they left the ambassador’s house. Arden set her mind to memorizing as much of the city as she could on their way out, but every time she came to a place she’d already been, something new caught her attention. No matter how hard she tried, she doubted she would ever know Ogtern in the depths she wished to. Perhaps if her spirit were granted another life, she’d have the chance to know the place as a dwarf would. To live inside the very heart of the world… Could there be anything greater?

As they passed over the final bridge before the exit, her chest tightened with anxiety. She’d always wanted to visit the Ansere’th, but it never occurred to her she’d have a good reason not to. The uncertainty of what awaited amongst the tribe of elves made her palms sweat, and before she could blink, they were at the door leading to the outside.

Another step, and she’d be back under an open sky.

She turned and took her last look at the hidden city.

“Timeless…” she murmured to herself.

“I promise we’ll be back soon.” His breath was warm against her skin as he leaned in to whisper, a direct contrast to the cold wind rushing through the doorway behind them.

Arden nodded, took a deep breath, and left the magnificence of Ogtern Mountain, rejoining the surface for the next leg of their journey.

Chapter 25

Darius

The deserted Ogtern market was an hour behind them before she spoke to Darius, and then it was only to ask him how long they’d be riding before they made camp. Arden spent the entirety of the trip pouring over her notes and making new ones, flipping back and forth between pages, and only barely looked up when they reached the edge of the forest past the mountains. How she managed to read and scribble in her book while on horseback was anyone’s guess, but she was singularly focused on it. It wasn’t until a stray branch grazed the top of her head that she looked up, and by then, the sun was already descending over the horizon.

Rather than speak to Darius, however, she dropped back to ride beside Ehlren, and the soldier between them all but guaranteed he couldn’t overhear their conversation. Judging by her expression, she was asking him questions about dwarves, occasionally repeating things back to him. Language lessons perhaps.

Camp was already set up when they arrived, thanks to the quick work of Vennic and their scouts. While Darius suspected Arden was avoiding him before, her fast dismount and non-stop conversation with Ehlren confirmed it. Resigning himself to wait, he took his time in seeing to the horses, assuming he’d catch her at dinner, or, at the very least, bedtime. As the four of them hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before, Darius was sure that would be soon. Yet she thwarted him again, eating in record time and falling asleep before he returned with his own meal. He considered waking her, but given the conversation they needed to have, it wasn’t ideal to do so when exhaustion limited the ability to control tempers.

He watched her sleep as he ate, again trying to sort out everything rolling through his head. A beautiful woman had lain in his bed every night for weeks, but he refused to take advantage of that because he cared for her too much. How utterly stupid was he? Any number of times his body tried to convince him otherwise, and then his heart chimed in with memories of Naya, confusing him so completely he was unable to commit to anything at all.

By the time he finished eating, he was utterly infuriated with himself. Perhaps he should wake her, have her, and get it over with. Maybe once it was out of the way, he could move past the ridiculous internal struggle he fought daily. He tossed his plate aside, downed the rest of his ale, and stood.

But when he looked down at her, notebook still clutched in one hand, he knew he could never do that. Not to Arden. He refused to use her that way, especially not the first time they were together. No woman deserved that, and especially not the one he’d married.

With a sigh, he climbed into bed, nestled in close beside her, and shut his eyes. He breathed in the scent of her hair, still miraculously holding a touch of lavender. He drifted into slumber making a mental note to ask her how she managed it without the benefit of palace pampering.

The clang of a spoon on a metal pan rousted them out of bed the next morning, the call for breakfast. Arden sat up with a startled gasp, clutching one of the blankets to her chest.

“Good morning,” he said with a yawn and stretch. “Sleep well?”

She took a deep breath and shrugged. “Mostly. What time is it?”

“Likely around seven. Breakfast is ready.” When she moved to get up, he stopped her with a hand on her arm and sat up. “Wait, a moment, please?”

She rubbed at her eyes, still looking tired. “I’ve barely woken up. Must we do this now?”

“As you avoided me all of yesterday, this might be my last chance.”

Looking at him for a moment, she nodded a little before laying back down, staring up at the ceiling. “Go ahead.”

“You don’t need to look so happy about it.”

“I don’t know why I would be. Are you going to tell me something I don’t already know?”

He propped himself up beside her, studying her face. “More likely than not, Naya won’t be there, Arden. And even if she were, she isn’t the type to seek vengeance on you for marrying me.”

“You say that, but I think anyone could be that type of person given the right circumstances.” She sighed and draped an arm over her eyes. “But it isn’t just that, is it? That tribe, you know them. You’ve been there, with her, I’m assuming. If you tell me those memories won’t affect you at all, let me save you the trouble and call you a liar now. Even mentioning the Ansere’th at the castle sent you into a brooding silence. You think that will be lessened in being among them again?”

He took a deep breath, then pulled her hand away to look into her eyes. “It will be different because you’re with me.”

“Darius—”

“I know you don’t believe me. I’ve not given you any reason to. All I ask is that you give me the benefit of the doubt. Let me try. I need to get past this, and I need to know it won’t be for nothing. Will you grant me that?”

She searched his gaze for several moments, the wheels in her head spinning with indecision. While he didn’t blame her for her hesitation, he needed her faith in him. Leaning down, he kissed away the abuse as she bit her lip.

“Please, asahana. Let me try to be better for you.”

Her lashes fluttered open as she sucked in a long breath. Slowly, she nodded once.

Bringing her fingers to his lips, he brushed a kiss of gratitude across her skin. “Thank you.”

“Oi, you two,” Ehlren called from outside. “Get a move on already. I’ve got loads of derisive looks from elves to look forward to today. Time to get to it.”

“Honestly, dwarf. We’re up already. And who made you leader? I don’t recall anyone putting you in charge.” Darius hollered back.

At Arden’s small laugh, a weight lifted from his shoulders. He looked down at her again, allowing himself a grin. “Shall we make him wait? I think I still have a bit of that salve if the riding yesterday left you—”

Her face flushed crimson and she giggled, pushing him away. “Oh, stop. We’d never hear the end of it.”

He laughed and kissed her forehead, releasing her as he pried himself out of bed. “Another time, then.” He offered her a hand and helped her up, then rounded up his shirt and boots from the pile he’d tossed them into. Leaving her to her privacy, he tossed her a wink before heading out into the cool morning air, hoping he looked more confident than he felt.

Nothing about the day would be easy, but it would be easier knowing she was with him.

Arden

She’d wanted to see Ansere’th lands for years. It was a cruel joke that when she finally got there all she wanted was to be away. The forest was already full of greenery, well into the rhythm of spring, but it was a battle to make herself enjoy it. She kept a brave face, however, as she promised Darius she’d do her best for him.

Two hours out of camp, she requested a stop, needing to relieve herself. Darius and Vennic were oddly hesitant to let her go off alone, but she wasn’t about to tend to bodily functions with an audience present. Promising not to go far, she slipped away into the woods until she found a fairly secluded spot and took care of her business.

As she adjusted her tunic to return, she froze at the feel of cold metal against the skin of her neck.

“You are trespassing,”
a female voice hissed in elvish.
“State your purpose or my blade will be the last thing you know in this life.”

Drawing in a shaky breath, she tried to keep calm.
“I mean no harm, ata lamorah. I come with the king’s party, seeking the Ansere’th.”

The knife eased back a little at her sharp, hissing breath. “Darius is here?”

Arden’s eyes pinched shut as she winced, praying her suspicions were wrong, but there was so much familiarity in her voice when she said his name… “Just on the path ahead.”

“Naya, stop!” Darius shouted as he crashed through the underbrush, Vennic on his heels. He held out a tentative hand to the person she’d yet to see. “She’s with us.”

He said “us,” not “me.”

She refused to show the sting of a single cutting word.

The weapon fully retracted, and she heard her back away. Still too shaken to move, she couldn’t force herself to turn, her heart hammering in her ears. Darius approached her and guided her a few steps away, pausing long enough to examine the nick on her throat, but not to meet her eyes.

“I thought perhaps we were being followed,” he said when he looked back. “You could have made yourself known.”

When there was no response, Arden finally worked up the courage to face her, steeling herself to see the legend made real.

Naya was tall and slender, her arms powerful even through her simple tunic. A long, auburn braid cascaded over her right shoulder, but it was her eyes that struck Arden the most. Her deep violet gaze was fixed on Darius, as though no one else existed, though anything else in her expression was completely unreadable.

“We only just caught up to you. Had I known…”

The silence between statements was deafening, but she couldn’t think of what she should do or say. Should she introduce herself? Quietly slip away? Whatever was passing between them felt far too intimate for her to be present for, and it was already hard enough not to cry.

“It’s good to see you again, riyah,” Vennic stepped forward with a small smile. “But I heard you’d taken the guardian’s path and weren’t among the Ansere’th anymore. Did you change your mind?”

Naya stirred from her hypnotic, silent conversation with Darius, her expression easing at last. “No, I didn’t. It was time for me to return.”

“Guardian?” Darius asked. “You chose to become
elata’hem
?”

She nodded once before her gaze drifted away from him, resting on Arden, though her words were for him. “And I see you’ve a new path as well,
masareh
.”

The brightest flame. That’s what he was to her. She swallowed, but refused to look away.

“This…” He took a deep breath. “This is Arden. My wife.”

His words were so quiet and hesitant, they nearly broke her. She curtsied a little, as much a show of respect as she could muster. “You’re well met,
ata lamorah
.”

Shaking herself, she gathered her wits and dredged up her best pleasant mask, turning to Darius and Vennic. “I suppose we’re close to the tribe, then. Shall we continue?”

Without waiting for a response, Arden spun on her heel and hurried back to the horses, focused intently on her steps to avoid her thoughts. In her absence, their company had grown from ten soldiers to include four elf hunters as well. Her performance forced to its fullest, she smiled brightly at each of them, introducing herself and saying how glad she was to make their acquaintance. There was Davi Ba’lem, Ara Yu’afrit, Kei In’shahari, and a surly looking one by the name of Corma Elon’ti. She paused when he gave his name.

“Elon’ti. Are you, by chance, related to Calla?”

He lifted a dark eyebrow, a shadowy slash against his pale skin. “She’s my wife, lady.”

Immediately energized by the prospect of a distraction, she seized the opportunity. “Her sister, Paitra, is my dearest friend. I’ve a gift I’m to deliver, if you’ll introduce us.”

His expression immediately shifted from doubt to incredulity. “You’re that Arden?”

She laughed. “Is that bad?”

A happy grin spread across his face and his arms opened wide, enveloping her in a warm embrace. “Then you are well met, riyah. I’m glad to finally know you.”

Sister? What had Paitra told them about her to earn her such an instant honor?

Corma held her out at arms’ length, still grinning. “Calla will be most excited to meet you, gift or no. Our master craftsmen will be keen to speak with you as well, as they adopted some of the techniques of yours that Paitra shared with us. There will be many questions for you, if you’ll have them.”

“Have them?” She stared at him. “I’d be honored, royo. There’s little I enjoy more than discussing that particular topic. Is it much farther?”

“Perhaps another ten minutes. Shall we go?”

She paused, wanting to agree, but unsure if she should wait for the others. Glancing around Corma, she looked at Ehlren. “Vennic and Darius are still…” She swallowed. “Tell them I’ve gone ahead, would you?”

“Gone ahead?” He puffed up his chest, blustering. “Not without me you don’t. Darius would have my head.”

Arden blew out a breath of frustration. “Fine, but let’s get going, then.”

He frowned, but didn’t argue. She turned her attention back to Corma, smiling again. She had no desire to endure any more awkward Naya time than she had to. “Lead the way.”