Heart Fortune

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, creme brulee.”

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.