Heart Fortune

So FoxFams could lie, too. But were damn clever. As Lepid no doubt expected, Glyssa’s attention focused on the hawkcel on the table. “Oh, poor thing.” She used almost the same coo as the female Healer, Symphyta, had.

The man stalked from behind the table. “Too crowded in this one-table, backwoods, forsaken clinic. I’m getting breakfast, maybe hear some more about those boxes you discovered.” He nodded to Jace. “Much more interesting and lucrative than treating some stupid hawkcel.”

“I’ll join you,” Jace said, turning for the door opening.

A screech came from the bird. NO! My FamMan stays!

Catching his breath, Jace pivoted back. “FamMan, bird?”

He clicked his beak. Yes. I like you. You have nice hands. You are my FamMan. Another small click. I need a human to help me.

Warmth settled around Jace’s heart. Fams were still uncommon and prized and went to nobles first. Usually. He inclined his torso a little. “Honored.”

The male Healer, Trago, snorted and left.

“BirdFam, Jace will grasp your wing and hold it out so I can look at the bones that need setting, then place them correctly. You will not bite or claw me,” Symphyta said, gesturing to Jace for him to take the two steps to the table. Glyssa faded back near the stool where her own Fam sat and rubbed his head. Lepid blinked slyly at Jace. Yeah, they’d gotten around the sexy librarian.

Tentatively, Jace found the bones at the end of his new Fam’s wing, gently stretched it out as the female Healer moved the hawkcel onto its back.

My name is Zem, the bird said, fixing his eyes on Jace.

“Thank you,” Jace said.

Humming tunelessly and working quickly the Healer examined the wing Jace held. He didn’t break his gaze with his Fam . . . a connection was spinning between them and he realized the bird gained strength and calm from him. So he lowered into his balance and concentrated on keeping steady.

The bird flinched. Both women murmured soothing words louder. Lepid hummed nasally. Jace sent calm and energy to Zem.

A few minutes later, the female Healer said, “Done. The bones are set and I gave them a little Healing boost.” Her smile curved her lips and faded fast. “I’m not an animal Healer.”

“Thank you,” Jace said. “How much do I owe—”

“I’m not an animal Healer,” she said as if affronted, but her eyes were kind. “No charge.”

Zem hopped to his feet, looking much better, and walked over to Jace. Keeping an eye on sharp talons, Jace folded his left arm across his body for a perch, then lifted his Fam, who settled against him with a tiny exhalation. FamMan.

“Yes,” Jace said, petting the bird’s head. Such soft feathers. He thought that was why the women cooed. Despite beak and claws, the bird’s body looked soft.

Symphyta briskly cleansed the table with a spell couplet, looking in the direction of the dining tent where the other Healer was. “I think I need to acquire a personal tent of my own, and my judgment in men is not as good as I’d believed. Being a Healer doesn’t automatically mean you’re a good person.” She sounded as if she scolded herself, then glanced at Glyssa, who had an arm around Lepid. The FoxFam leaned against her.

“I’m here for the adventure like most of us, sure,” Symphyta said. “But I’m a Healer, first and always, not a treasure hunter.” She switched her gaze to study Jace. “You’re not still sleeping with Funa, are you?”

Glyssa jolted.

Jace kept a smile on his face. “No.” He didn’t look at Glyssa, and unlike the other males in the room, didn’t want to lie. “But I’m not available.” He wasn’t sure of his feelings, especially for Glyssa. She seemed to want to get closer, but the remote camp wasn’t like an anonymous social club in Druida City you could just walk away from. Sexing with someone always sent ripples through the community. He didn’t want that.

Symphyta said, “Pity you’re unavailable. I heard you’re a better lover than Healer Trago.”

Why did women talk about these things?

“Well, when they get the communications thing going, I’ll order a tent from Druida and have the pilot bring it the next time a flight comes.”

“I wish you well,” Jace said.

She offered a hand and a smile. “We haven’t spoken much or gotten to know each other, yet. Friends?”

He clasped her fingers, released them. “Friends.”

Symphyta turned to Glyssa and Lepid. “Welcome to the camp, GrandMistrys Licorice.”

“Call me Glyssa.” She offered her own hand and it looked as if she squeezed warmly. Her smile was genuine, too. “This is Lepid.” She stroked the FoxFam, her eyes warm and tender with a gaze Jace wouldn’t mind seeing aimed at him.

“Lepid, eh?” Symphyta said.

Yes.

“You went down in the hole to Lugh’s Spear yesterday and discovered the boxes,” the Healer said.

Lepid’s small chest expanded. Yes!

“With Jace. And walked with Jace this morning and found Zem.”

Yes!

“And are a young fox.” Symphyta met Glyssa’s gaze. “I’m not an animal Healer but I do my best to help as a Healer for the camp Fams.”

“Thank you,” Glyssa said, then added firmly, “And we need to key Lepid’s collar retrieval spell to this clinic.” Glyssa frowned. “Though I’m not sure I trust Trago.”

The Healer shrugged. “Maybe when I order that tent, I’ll put out the word that the camp could use another Healer, see if we pick up anyone.”

“That sounds good,” Glyssa said. She dug into her trous pocket and pulled out a piece of gilt. “Will that cover the fee?”

“For sure. C’mere, fox.” Symphyta patted the table.

Lepid whined.

Not sure I like a wimpy foxkit in my territory, said a loud telepathic voice.

Jace and Glyssa turned toward the scruffy FoxFam sitting on the threshold of the door. He was Del D’Elecampane’s Fam, who’d traveled continents with her one step at a time as she mapped Celta.

Lepid snapped his teeth. I am a HERO!

“Lepid!” Glyssa scolded, sounding horrified. Jace settled back on his heels, stroking Zem and suppressing a smile. The interaction between the reckless foxkit and strict Glyssa would be entertaining.

I am Shunuk, this is my FamWoman’s camp, the other fox asserted. So far you have fallen down a hole and dragged back a sick bird.

“Hey!” Jace protested, recalled who he spoke to, and moderated his tones. “Most excellent FoxFam Shunuk, may I introduce you to my new HawkcelFam, Zem?”

Zem clicked his beak once. FoxFam, he said. His mental voice sounded deep, manly, though Jace wouldn’t say that aloud. Better than any of the other Fams in camp.

Shunuk rumbled. May I sniff?

“I don’t know,” Jace answered. “Are you going to hurt my Fam?”

Of course not! But I have not seen a BirdFam before. Does it smell different?

“I don’t know.” Jace kept a smile on his face. “Zem?”

He may sniff, Zem said in a quiet mental voice that Jace knew only he could hear. The notion of a private telepathic channel with his Fam warmed him with affection, too.

Lowering into a crouch, Jace watched keenly as Shunuk sniffed Zem.

He is an acceptable Fam, Shunuk said, then whirled and snapped at Lepid, who leapt to the bedsponge and was restrained by the Healer.

Shunuk chortled. You are only provisionally accepted, foxkit. The older fox swaggered out, tail gently waving.