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

commendable how much you’ve accomplished with nothing to start with.”
    As he considered her for a long, silent moment, she refused to let her nerves show. “Commendable? My lady might not think so if she were at all acquainted with the darker parts of my earlier years. I wasn’t always the hero of the stories they tell about me.”
    His tone was borderline hostile, which was mildly frustrating. Perhaps she was going about it the wrong way. Her first attempts at conversation with him were light and inconsequential, meek and mild, as she’d do with any typical member of the court. But Prince Darius was not typical in the slightest, so taking a risk might give her an edge her softer side lacked.
    Turning slightly, she met his stare with an unfaltering one of her own. “So acquaint me.”
    He jerked back a little, seemingly unprepared for that response. “I don’t think—”
    “If you’re about to make some silly comment on what you think my delicate sensibilities can or cannot handle, I’d strongly advise you otherwise, Highness.” She squared her shoulders. “Who you were is not who you are now, but it’s certainly not inconsequential. I’ve spent my entire life surrounded by whispered secrets, and maintained several of my own. I’ve spent inordinate amounts of time in sweltering, filthy structures for the sole purpose of melting a bit of metal to prove I had far more sense than anyone gave me credit for. And were you aware that I helped tend the sick and wounded Aerenhall took in when people were fleeing for their lives? I spent more nights than I care to remember sharpening blades until they could split hairs dropped upon them so they would be quick to sever infected limbs from bodies already in horrific pain. I’m quite adept at fooling people into thinking I’m a fine, highborn lady, when all I’ve wanted most of my life is to be elbows deep in caustic chemicals to make my next discovery that might help a person or two.”
    When she fully realized how stunned he was at her diatribe, she took a deep breath and smoothed her skirt. “I’m terribly sorry. I interrupted you. What were you going to say, Highness?”
    Almost afraid to look at him, she watched as his face shifted from disbelief, to what could only be described as respectful amusement. “Am I allowed to speak now?”
    She grimaced. “Don’t be flip. I was trying to make a point.”
    “And you most certainly did, but I wonder if my takeaway isn’t what you intended.”
    She sighed. Perhaps the direct approach wasn’t correct, either, but as she was already far into highly inappropriate territory, there was little sense in dancing around the thing neither of them had spoken of since she arrived at Castle Dulaine. “My point is this: we all wear masks of one kind or another, but…” She swallowed, praying for courage. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if her instincts steered her completely wrong. “I hope that since neither of us are what society would have us be, perhaps at least with each other we can be the people we truly are. You’ve not mentioned it at all, but there’s a wedding that gets closer to us with every passing moment. I’d like to know the hands that will lift the veil from my face that day, regardless of what they’ve done in the past.” She uncurled the fists formed in her lap, revealing her open palms. When she spoke again, her voice felt very small in her throat, struggling to find words. What started as a fierce charge turned to doubt as the situation caught up to her. If he refused her, what would become of her then? “I’d not hide myself from you, and all I’ll ever ask of you is the same in return. Perhaps my secrets aren’t so horrific or violent, but they are precious, and I don’t give them to just anyone.”
    The silence stretched out before her. All she could do was stare at her empty hands and wonder if she ruined in moments what her parents had worked for her entire life. It was true she