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

about a thrown shoe, but thank you for the concern Master Veyrun.”
    The man had a positively infectious grin, even more so when a corner of his mouth turned up wryly. “Friend or no, he’d be very cross with me for potentially putting you in harm’s way. But, if you please, I prefer Vennic. Needless ceremony wastes time better spent working.”
    “Vennic, then. And you may call me Arden so long as it’s not within earshot of my mother.” She nodded, glad to find someone so amiable as a companion to the prince. “May I ask if you’ve discovered the source of the thrown shoes? I might be of some help, if not.”
    He shrugged and showed her into the stall where he’d been working, lifting the opposite hoof she’d first seen him with. “It’s almost like they’re cursed, though I can’t see any mage I know wasting time on such a petty trick. The nails and shoes come from the same place they always have, so I wonder if it isn’t the weather causing the problems. All this rain has made the ground rather treacherous.”
    She looked a little closer at the shoed hoof, but nothing immediately presented itself. Curious, she picked up the shoe he left on the shelf and hefted it in the palm of her right hand. “Feels the right weight.” She scratched her thumbnail along the metal. “And while it could be a bit stronger, that’s not the problem.”
    She returned the horseshoe and picked up one of the nails, examining it closer to the light of the window. “It’s a little long, but not terribly so. I wonder…”
    Collecting his hammer and the shoe, Arden left the stall and placed the metal U on the ground. Balancing the nail on the long, flat side, she took a good swing, bringing the hammer down on the length of the small spike. The nail instantly split, the damaged ends shorn off clean where she struck.
    “The nails are too brittle,” she said, presenting Vennic with the evidence. “Likely the smith tried to stretch his supplies by using inferior cast iron, which has more slag in it, thus more material to go around. These nails would break fairly easily if a horse was running on frozen or rocky ground, but I imagine the mud of late has been pulling at the weakened metal as well.”
    Vennic stared at the broken nail, shaking his head. “I never had such problems with elven smiths. Though it’s curious the nails would be such poor quality with the war over. The greed of men returns now that the battle’s won, I suppose.”
    “If all the nails you have are from the same batch, you should send out for new ones and have them tested immediately.” She looked around the stable, wistful. “A shame that’s the cause. It appears I won’t be able to ride for a while then.”
    “I could send word when it’s done, if you like,” Vennic said. “I’ll be sure the first horses I shoe are those you could ride.”
    “That’s very kind of you, but don’t put yourself out for it. I’ll not be an inconvenience.”
    “ An suin, mai dona ra’dethori, ” he said with a flourishing bow.
    For those of grace, I give effort willingly. She laughed. “If you’d ever seen me as a child, grace is something you’d likely not accuse me of having. Though I’m glad you think that of me.”
    “It would take a great amount of grace to make my friend smile as you have,” he said, his gaze suddenly earnest. “For that alone I’d happily repay you.”
    Her eyes widened in surprise, not expecting such a statement from him. “Prince Darius? Is it so rare that he smiles?”
    Vennic grimaced, adding a serious nod. “He’s seen much darkness, and lost more than most. When he speaks of you, it’s like sun breaking through the clouds during a harsh storm. It’s only for a moment, but it gives me hope for better days to come for him.”
    She swallowed, flustered to be complimented so highly. “You know him well, then?”
    “Better than almost anyone does,” he said.
    She bit her lip, hesitant to press the matter, but Elena