Heart Fortune (Celta) (22 page)

Jace knew right then that things had taken a turn for the worse, and his hunch was confirmed a septhour later when the two were led to the hole.

He’d never seen such a fuss as when the Comosums realized they had to descend into a
hole
, either by actually walking down a girder for
three whole stories
or being lowered by harness. Their protestations were only cut short by Raz T’Elecampane silkily reminding them they’d been paid and if they wanted to cancel their contract, they could . . . and pay the penalty and the airship fare to and from the camp. And the more they fretted, the longer the whole thing would take.

The women layered themselves in great Flair spellshields and were lowered by harness, but refused to carry viz recordingspheres or cameras.

They went into
Lugh’s Spear,
their shrill voices rising behind them, and stayed down what Jace figured was the shortest amount of time they could get away with and not be called lazy slackers or cowards, less than a half septhour.

When they returned topside, they both looked pasty with fear and announced the ship was
NOT SAFE AT ALL!!!

Raz T’Elecampane dealt with them with extreme and deadly courtesy, wishing an oral report of their findings, and gently reminding them that he would expect a lengthy report within the eightday, and then led them back to Glyssa’s pavilion for tea and goodies.

Jace shared a look with Sanicle, who rolled his eyes and shrugged. “They were terrible.”

Looking around at the crowd who’d gathered for amusement or the confirmation of their fears, Jace said, “This just made it easier for people to complain and leave.”

“Yup, that’s right,” Sanicle said, looking as wistfully as Jace back down into the hole. “The Elecampanes will probably close this up again, have us all digging or studying the few items we
were
allowed to bring up.”

“Maybe we’re tapering off for this year, but I’ll bet my next paycheck that Raz and Del will have other experts out first thing in the spring,” Jace said.

Sanicle snorted. “No bet there.” He cast a sideways glance at Jace. “But you could take that little break with your lover in Druida, if you like.”

Jace’s gut squeezed and he said the same thing he did every time the subject came up. “No.” He was torn. He wanted the sex, to stay with Glyssa, and Druida City might be fun. But not with her Family and the Hawthorns and every other person he’d have to meet.

But his insides got a real workout as he strolled toward the Elecampanes’ and Glyssa’s tents and heard more carrying on by the ladies Comosums.

They wanted to leave immediately, but even they were smart enough to see the airship that had brought them had already departed while they were throwing their fits. Flatly refusing to remain a week, they used the communications tent to arrange for another airship to come and pick them up late morning the next day, the soonest possible time for the fastest airship. And they positively preened with lifted snobby noses that Glyssa Licorice was supposed to accompany them back.

Glyssa’s jaw had flexed, her brows lowered and she’d tromped off to the communications tent herself.

Jace kept an eye out for her as she returned and noted her high color and very stiff spine and knew things had not gone well for her.

And suddenly the import of the whole thing struck him. She was leaving in the morning. He’d really have to decide what to do.

Twenty-two

T
hat evening, as Jace ambled while Zem and Carolinia and Lepid
hunted—banned from Glyssa’s tent since the two snotty noblewomen were there—he noticed an odd glow at one corner of the Elecampanes’ tent, a golden glow. One he hadn’t seen earlier. In fact, one that he hadn’t noted the day before. The more he stared at it, the more he felt a small tug toward it. He strolled near until shock rooted him and his pulse pounded in realization.

This corner of the Elecampanes’ tent was where they kept a spellshielded storage no-time for the crew’s valuables. Most of his pay stayed there until it was banked.

His pay wasn’t glowing. It was that other thing.

That other one valuable item he carried around always, nearly forgotten in the small, heavily shielded pouch. His HeartGift, imbued with the energy of his Third Passage that could still glow to his and his HeartMate’s sight. Especially if the HeartMates were in the vicinity.

He couldn’t deny it anymore. Glyssa Licorice was his HeartMate. Queasiness washed through his gut. Sex was fine, but he didn’t want anything more. Didn’t want to be tied down. Made to follow other people’s rules, forced to fit into someone else’s life. Other peoples’ expectations.

Most of all he didn’t want to be linked to someone who could break him, as his mother had broken his father. Or someone
he
might break, if ever he gave in to his mother’s influence and bad blood inside him.

Glyssa was leaving tomorrow. He could let her go without speaking of this, of the heavy fear that had thudded through his mind at the discovery and rippled all the way through his body.

If he really wanted to be a coward, he didn’t have to see her again. No, that wouldn’t work. She would no doubt hunt him down. Hadn’t she already done that?

Pulse throbbing hard and hurtful in his temples, his eyes already dilated with shock, he swiveled his head to her pavilion. She had a safe no-time. If she’d brought the HeartGift she’d made for him, and she had great Flair so she would have done that during her Second Passage, and maybe even connected with him in her Third, and didn’t he recall the previous incredible sex dreams he’d had, yes, he did, and he was babbling in his own mind.

No glow in her tent where she kept the secure no-time. He rocked back on his heels. She didn’t have the HeartGift she made him with her?

Before he could figure out what that meant, Zem swooped down to land on his shoulder. The hawkcel’s breath was warm and smelled blood laden, but he moved like the king of the sky.

We were invited to the city with FamWoman?
he asked.

“Yes.”

But we are staying here.

Reluctantly, Jace asked—as he’d forgotten to ask before—
Did you want to go to the city?

Zem tugged at a piece of Jace’s hair, not hard enough to hurt.
You are my FamMan, I will go with you, but seeing a city once might be interesting. You will not stay here during the winter?

“No.”

Then I will go with you to wherever you go. But first I will show you my nest. It is very well constructed.

“Yeah, that would be good.” Jace understood his Fam, had bonded greatly with the hawkcel, and yeah, it had changed him, but he’d welcomed that change into his life.

He didn’t welcome being a HeartMate.

“Jace! Jace, wait up!” Maxima Elecampane joined him. She smiled up at him brilliantly. “I haven’t seen you very often to talk with you lately, and my parents and Glyssa and those gluttonous noblewomen are eating courses and courses of
food,
gorging on a
feast
tonight.” She wrinkled her nose. “Rather have been at the mess tent, looking at the new Holly guards.”

“Uh—”

“Let’s walk,” Maxima said.

Soon they were at the edge of camp and headed toward the outline of the stubby wing of the ship. Farther than Jace had anticipated going. “I’d rather stay in camp,” he said and turned to stroll between the tents and the spellshield surrounding the encampment. In this area, the personal tents faced the opposite direction.

“I am
so glad
your reputation has been restored,” Maxima said. “I told my parents over and over that you couldn’t be the thief. The Hollys will find the culprit!”

He looked down and though he kept a steady pace, his insides stilled when he saw what could only be called her dewy gaze. “I believe in you. I will
always
believe in you.” Her chin lifted, and she gripped his hand. “I understand how you feel.”

He sincerely doubted a pampered teenaged girl had any idea of his worries, the foremost of which was a sexual need for a woman his body wanted and his heart feared. Not to mention the simple fact that he had very little gilt, and no gilt meant no damn options.

No. She couldn’t possibly understand him, and irritation at her rose.

“I will always be loyal to you.” Another hand squeeze and he jolted as his brain caught up to his emotions signaling alarm . . . and horror. The girl definitely had a crush on him!

Dammit. He’d hoped to avoid this situation. He walked a little faster, back toward the main tents.

He had to handle this smoothly and right. And worse was the fact that her father, the actor, was the smoothest man Jace had ever known and Maxima would definitely expect all the other men in her life to be equally sensitive. Urgh.

Touchy, touchy subject. They’d reached a common area and he stopped. His turn to squeeze her fingers, then take a long step from her as he drew Zem down from his shoulder to cradle him, keeping his hands busy and the Fam between them. “I thank you for that, GrandMistrys Elecampane.” He stroked Zem’s head with a forefinger. The bird chirred in contentment.

Maxima frowned, a little confused. He didn’t often call her by her title. More fool he for forgetting how high above him she was, with clear descent from one of the colonists on her father’s side, and a noble name on her mother’s, along with great wealth.

Even Glyssa was closer to Jace in rank than Maxima, if he’d been foolish enough to think of her in any sort of terms other than a sister. He suppressed a shudder. He had no doubt that her father would make him disappear in the wilderness if he hurt Maxima—if her mother didn’t do that first.

Zem turned his head toward Maxima, lifted his wings a little and snicked his beak.
Pretty girl!

Maxima smiled and Jace laughed, too, even as he calculated how to handle this. “You are a pretty girl . . . Maxima.” He ducked his head a little and tried for a shy smile, hoping he was a smidgeon of the actor her father was, and that she wouldn’t see through him. “You know, I don’t have any family, and it’s nice to hear that you believe in me . . . like a younger sister would.”

She bridled, stepped back, hurt and confusion on her face.

He couldn’t be brutal, but he had to be clear, so he went on as if he hadn’t noticed her shock. “I always wanted a younger sister, and though most folk in the camp are friendly, you’re special, almost a mascot. Everyone likes you, and I’m honored that you let me be your friend.”

Maxima gasped then hurried into speech, plunged forward to close the distance between them. “Jace . . . that’s not what . . . Jace, I lo—”

“Maxima, there you are!” Raz Cherry T’Elecampane’s mellow tones rolled easily over his daughter’s stammer.

Keeping his Fam in his arms so no girl could throw herself into them, Jace let out a sigh of relief. He’d never been happier in his life to see an employer. He angled his body toward the man whose stride looked casual but was very fast. Again he ducked his head, inclined his torso. “GrandLord T’Elecampane, good evening to you.”

The man’s quick but intense stare took in the situation. In fact, Jace sensed Raz had come to protect his daughter from Jace. He sent a narrowed gaze to the actor.

Raz eased. “Greetyou, Bayrum. Dear Daughter, we missed you at the table.” Cheer lilted in his tone.

Zem squawked, demanding attention. Excellent BirdFam.
Greetyou!

Raz came near to stroke the bird. “Greetyou, Zem.” He met Jace’s eyes, his own calm. Maybe he wouldn’t misinterpret the circumstances. Maxima gave a couple of choked sobs in the background, but Jace could only ignore her hurt. To do anything else would either hurt her more or get him killed.

Raz said, “Zem’s looking better, and his feathers seem less brittle.”

“His wing is as good as new.” Jace couldn’t bear the stifled sounds any longer. “Would you care to hold Zem, Maxima?” He didn’t actually meet her damp eyes, kept a smile on his face.

“Th-thanks, not now, J-Jace.”

“Anytime, Maxima,” Jace said softly. “I appreciate your help with him, and your friendship.”

The girl’s face worked, she gulped, and Jace looked hastily away.

“Hey, baby,” Raz said. “Your own FamCat is whining for you.”

“S-she returned to our pavilion before me. Oh, Papa!”

Raz scooped up his daughter, swung her around to his hunched back. “Been a while since I’ve given you a ride. Let’s head on back. We’re having one of your favorite desserts, crème brûlée.”

Good for them. Jace thought of the same old stuff the mess tent served or the jerky sticks he kept in his tent. The other no-time had been returned to Glyssa’s pavilion. He wouldn’t be welcome in Glyssa’s tent tomorrow morning, either.

A horrible thought intruded. Would they have
no
time to have sex between now and when she left? He had to get her alone.

“Maxima, your mother and I want to talk to you about a new project we have in mind for you,” Raz said, jogging in place as if his daughter was a baby to be distracted and amused by the movement.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, T’Elecampane,” Jace said, “and Maxima.”

Raz nodded. “Tomorrow. And, ah, Bayrum? Unless you want to dig, you can continue working with the plans and our copies of Hoku’s journals.”

Not great, but better than the hard labor. “Fine. Good night, you two.”

Good night!
Zem echoed.

“Good night, Bayrum,” Raz said. Maxima waved a limp hand at them.

“You’ll be well compensated for the study work,” Raz said, jogging away.

So Jace was being rewarded for being an honorable man and not seducing a girl? The thought tightened his stomach. He didn’t like to think anyone would believe that of him. His relationship with the older Elecampanes had sure gotten tangled lately.

He set Zem back on his shoulder, watching Raz run with his daughter on his back. Jace thought he heard a giggle from the girl. Good. The sooner she got over her infatuation—hopefully shallow—the better. It was touching that she’d chosen him for her first puppy love, but would continue to be so very difficult and complicated.

Zem sighed.
Danger averted.

“You’re telling me,” Jace said. “Women.”

Females,
Zem huffed.

Jace’s thoughts went to the lovely Glyssa. His body ached in anticipation of a drought of sex.

Zem tilted his head and caught Jace’s eye.
Glyssa will have new food, too.

Yeah, her friends—one of whom was a damn good cook—would have sent . . .

“Treats.”

Treats,
Zem and he said together.

Still, as Jace walked into the camp and encountered a sleepy Funa, who standing in the opening of her new tent gave him a sexy look that lingered on his body, then glanced back at the tent in invitation, he felt he had a target on his back that females were aiming arrows of emotion at.

But when Glyssa slipped into his tent during the darkest part of the night, he welcomed her, body, mind, and heart. Yeah, she was very, very dangerous.

Luckily, he saw no HeartBond that rumor said showed up during sex—at least when he could think again after the great orgasm.

She left just before dawn while he pretended to be asleep, still conflicted about so much. Her being his HeartMate.

Not wanting to go to the city with her. Knowing he’d miss the sex. Not wanting a future with her. Really.

Lepid the FoxFam bit his big toe.

Jace jerked up. “What!”

The Elecampanes summoned FamWoman to their pavilion. You go, too!

Examining the dent in his toe, Jace said, “Why?”

Because she wants you with her.

“But I don’t—”

Lepid snapped his teeth.
You should do things she wants, sometimes. That is only fair and kind and loving.

“I don’t love her,” Jace said. Didn’t want to love her, be bound closely to her.

Zem snorted behind Jace, then glided down to his Fam no-time, pecked at it and it opened. Lepid joined the bird, and a silent shadow padded into the tent, Carolinia. Zem opened one of his drawers, snapped up a mouse that Jace thought he still saw twitch, and crunched it. Then the Fam laid out a portion of skirl for Carolinia and some mocyn for Lepid.

Zem said,
I am giving these pieces of food to my friends because it is kind.

Zem and Carolinia and I will all have treats I just got before we go,
Lepid sent Jace mentally as if to emphasize the sentiment.

Jace grunted, said a quick scrub spell, and pulled on his clothes. “Better to travel alone. You can always count on yourself, and nobody else.”