Heart Fortune (Celta) (31 page)

She and her friends reached the Elecampanes, and Laev swept the couple a deep bow, smiling what Glyssa considered to be his least calculating and most charming smile. She wondered if he’d forgotten just how good an observer and actor Raz Cherry was.

“Thank you for allowing us to see the excavation, and to stay here tonight,” Laev said.

“You’re welcome.” Raz was just as gracious. He looked over at the transport and raised his brows. “I’m glad to get my hands on the controls of that airship.”

“If you want to refresh yourself after the trip—” Del Elecampane began.

“No need,” Camellia interrupted. “The airship contains all the luxuries.” She’d put her basket down, opened it and took out only a slightly smaller basket, offering it to Del. “I know that we are imposing, and we thank you for your hospitality. Please take these foodstuffs as a gift.”

“From your tearooms?” Raz asked as Del took the basket.

“No, I cooked them this morning.” Camellia smiled. She dipped her hands into her long-sleeved pockets and drew out a large envelope. From that, she pulled out huge flatsweets that wafted delicious smells as she offered them to Raz and Del, Glyssa and Jace.

“Thank you,” Raz mumbled around a bite. “Wonderful.”

Del bit into hers, closed her eyes. “Wonderful,” she echoed. “So fresh.”

Camellia said, “I’ll be going along with you, Del, on our stridebeast excursion to the Deep Blue Sea. I’ve packed enough food for us all for the trip there.”

Chuckling, Del said, “Good thing we have a limited amount of stridebeasts, otherwise the whole camp would ride with us just for the food.” She looked at Laev. “You have quite an asset in your HeartMate.”

Laev flung his arm around Camellia. “Don’t I know it.”

Raz said, “We’ve cleared an area for your pavilion.” He glanced at Laev. “I anticipated that you would bring a pavilion.”

“Three,” Laev said. He waved toward the airship. “One is quite large and will remain in the airship until we arrive at the Deep Blue Sea. Designed especially for me. For us.” He sent a look to Jace. “There’s a secondary bedroom for Glyssa . . . and you, if you care to come along.”

“Sounds fine,” Jace said. Then he began to eat his flatsweet, which seemed to take both hands.

Laev shot him a considering glance, but went on with his spiel. “We also brought two smaller ones for travel. One for Camellia and one for Glyssa and Jace. I’ll stay in Camellia’s tonight.” He stepped toward a shallow rectangular area on the far side of Glyssa’s pavilion, set between the main pathway and a row of bushes—she’d sent him the dimensions earlier.

From an end pocket on the duffle, he pulled out four sticks. She didn’t see any transparent gauze like what made up her pavilion. With quick steps he set up the stakes, then waved his hand. The onlookers “oohed” as purple-tinted, transparent, Flaired walls sprang up . . . in two stories, one cantilevered out over the bushes. Before the walls of the “tent” turned solid, Glyssa saw a solid-looking wooden staircase up to a sleeping loft, the floor of which included a bedsponge.

More gasps sounded and the crowd grew. Laev took a bow, grinned at Glyssa, and whirled his wife in his arms to applause.

Then someone huffed, “Thank you, GrandLady D’Elecampane, GrandLord T’Elecampane, for welcoming us to your encampment. Since time is so short and we leave for the Deep Blue Sea tomorrow morning, can we be shown the excavation of
Lugh’s Spear
?” The woman wore the colors of T’Reed’s household and had the thin features of the banking Family.

Del D’Elecampane shoved the last of her flatsweet into her mouth, chomped down and nodded, then wiped her mouth with a softleaf she plucked from her trous pocket. “We are pleased to show you our endeavors.” She raised a hand and the head Holly guard strode from between the Elecampanes’ and Glyssa’s pavilions.

“Cornuta, Laev T’Hawthorn—”

But Laev stepped forward and offered his arm to clasp and the Holly guard did, too. “We know each other,” the guard said. “I worked at The Green Knight Fencing and Fighting Salon for some years.”

“Ah,” Raz said. “Cornuta will show you around.”

Laev put a sad expression on. “Not you or the lovely D’Elecampane?”

“He’s afraid he’ll spill more about our project plans and the excavation than we want you to know,” Del said.

With a smile, Laev shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

Del made pushing motions with her hands. “Go on the tour. You’ll see the hole we found where
Lugh’s Spear
broke open when it landed—”

“My poor ancestor, those deaths hurt him so.” Camellia twisted her hands.

D’Elecampane snorted. “The Captain was too sensitive, then. The deaths were those who didn’t follow the proper landing procedures. Weren’t where they were supposed to be. I’ve read enough of Hoku’s journal and Raz’s ancestress’ diary to know that.

“Anyway, we’ve covered the hole and access is forbidden, got that?”

“Yes,” Laev and Camellia said together.

“You can follow the pegged outline of the ship to the excavation where we believe one of the main entrances lies. Both areas are now guarded, and that’s about all there is to see of our main project. You’re welcome to look around the camp, enter our new Community Hall and eat with us in the mess. Personal tents of our staff are off-limits, though we’ll make the sitting room of our pavilion available to you, Laev and Camellia. Any of the others will have to ask for permission.”

“Of course my pavilion is your pavilion,” said Glyssa. She laughed. “Especially since you bought it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Laev said, glancing over at Jace. “You want to come along, Jace, and tell me about the camp and the land around here . . . and the new town?”

Jace shrugged. “Sure. Zem wants a good flight.”

“Glyssa?” asked Camellia.

“I have to work, and to continue to prepare for the trip tomorrow,” Glyssa said, and Jace knew that, but he preferred not to stay with her. That hurt.

Feeling a little stiff, Glyssa waved to her friends, then headed back into her pavilion and moved some of the furniture around to accommodate Laev and Camellia if they wanted to spend the evening talking with her in her tent.

With a little difficulty, she buried herself in her work, struggled through some of Hoku’s more technical entries about the status of the ship after landing, and while the colonists set up their own camp. She made one-sentence notes about events that she and Jace could spin into the story.

At dinner in the mess tent, Camellia studied the gray-tinged noodles on her fork before she took a bite. “Interesting.”

“Not really,” Glyssa said. “Too bad Myrtus Stopper was a villain, he
was
a good cook.”

Jace rose from the table with an absent wave at Glyssa. “Zem calls. He wants some help with his nest. Later.”

“I’d like to see that,” Laev said.

I can show you!
Lepid put in, and the two men and the fox left the tent.

Camellia frowned after them. “We need to talk.”

Thirty-three

G
lyssa and Camellia sat in the best chairs in Glyssa’s pavilion, the
basket at their feet.

“You’re staying here,” Camellia said quietly.

“Ye-es.”

“What’s the problem?” Camellia’s tone remained soft.

She could tell her friend anything. But she grimaced and looked down at her hands. “I’m afraid of the wilderness.”

Camellia snorted. “Sounds wise to me.”

Glyssa met her friend’s eyes. “I haven’t gotten the nerve to go out of the shelter of the camp by myself. Not even to a nearby hill.”

“Hmm.” Camellia passed her a flatsweet.

They ate instead of talked.

Then Camellia nodded. “If you’re going to stay, you should overcome that fear.”

Glyssa frowned. “Yes.”

Tilting her head, Camellia said, “And Jace hasn’t discovered this about you, yet? After four and a half weeks?”

“No.”

“I watched you quite a bit today,” Camellia said. “I’m sorry, but I think he takes you for granted. That he doesn’t give you the respect you deserve. Glyssa, you aren’t getting what you need from him. You have to tell him that.”

“I’m hesitant to.”

“I understand.”

“He’s not accustomed to listening to anyone but himself.”

“And because of circumstances, he’s gotten to do that most of his life. But not if he wants to be part of a couple. He has to change, Glyssa, want more for the both of you.”

“Yes.” Glyssa sighed, then took a long, long breath. “Two birds with one stone. I’ll ask him to meet me to watch the twinmoons rise at the top of the hill. I’ll go by myself.”

“In the dark?”

“It’s not that far, and there really aren’t any dangerous animals out there so close to the camp.” She was pretty sure. “We can talk then, and I’ll tell him I have this problem, too.”

“All right,” Camellia said. This time when she reached into her basket, she pulled out a sphere and handed it to Glyssa. “Not much background on Jace, but you might want to take a look. Laev and your father hunted for it, of course. But I think this might ease matters between you.”

Yes, that got her interested. But she could look at it later.

Kissing her friend on the cheek, she said, “They’ll be finished building the bonfire shortly, I’ll take you there. You’ll like it, snuggling with Laev.”

“Yes, I always like that. And that new Community Hall of yours is wonderful, very impressive.”

“Just the reaction the Elecampanes expected. We’re very proud of it.” Glyssa changed into heavier clothing and led her friend to the bonfire where Laev and Jace and Raz T’Elecampane were talking, with a couple of other people listening.

Glyssa slipped her arm in Jace’s. “A moment, please.” She smiled at the rest.

“Sure,” Jace said.

She walked with him to an open area on the other side of the bonfire. Glancing toward the edge of the camp, from here all she could see was big trees. Scary trees that could hide anything.

“Jace,” she said, her love for him making her lilt it.

He bent down and brushed her lips with his own, then said, “You’re serious. Yes?”

She swallowed, gestured in the direction of the hill, kept her eyes on his. The whoosh of the bonfire catching sounded, along with a cheer, and more light let her see the gray of his eyes. “I’d like to meet you atop View Hill to watch the twinmoons rise.” She paused for four heartbeats. “It’s very important to me.”

“Sure.” He looked at the sky. “That will be in about twenty minutes?”

“Yes.” Just short enough that she wouldn’t have to wait and lose courage, long enough that even walking slowly, she’d get there in good time.

Again he kissed her. “See you there.”

She sighed. “Yes.” She made herself turn from him and walk away. Knew from the lack of heat in their bond that he didn’t watch her.

Yes, they were a couple, but she wasn’t quite satisfied with that. Camellia was right. Time for a frank conversation and to ask for what she needed, to know exactly where they stood. What he saw in the future for them so she could make solid plans.

Summoning all her courage, she walked out of camp with only a weathershield around her. Next year she’d bring a blazer—and over the winter she’d learn to use it. Learn wilderness survival skills, too. A small spell glow helped her watch her step, and as she walked, the noise of the camp diminished and the small light pollution from humans vanished.

She was left alone in the wilderness under a galaxy-laden sky bright with stars. Anxiety quieted inside her, allowing room for awe at the beauty.

The night scents were different from those she’d smelled that one morning when she’d gone out with Lepid at dawn. She walked steadily and reached the top of the hill with more acceptance of the wilderness, and more faith in herself.

In the distance, the edge of the auras of the twinmoons showed above the horizon.

* * *

J
ace lingered by the bonfire, talking to a couple of the noble advisors who
wanted to quiz him on the building and the prospective town. Minutes ticked off in his mind, but he was flattered enough to wait for the last second so he could run to the hill.

He nodded a good evening to them, and turned to lope away, when the Clover guy caught his arm.

“Jace Bayrum? My cuz Walker told me to talk to you. About Myrtus Stopper.”

“Myrtus?” Jace asked.

The Clover whispered. “We have more contacts with the Merchants’ Guild than the FirstFamilies. We think we have a lead on him, the real amount he got for those artifacts, and some of the people he sold them to.”

Intrigued, Jace faded to a deep shadow to talk.

* * *

A
t first Glyssa just enjoyed the beauty of the night, looking out at various directions from the top of the rise. The wind from the south brought
humidity from the Deep Blue Sea—at least that’s what she told herself. And she imagined she could smell more water, fresh-water, in the air of the northwest and Fish Story Lake.

Blinking hard, she could see the faint outline that delineated the shape of
Lugh’s Spear.
Then she turned east again and jolted. The rims of the twinmoons were definitely over the horizon. With a whirl back to the camp, she strained to see movement. Nothing.

Through her bond with Lepid, she found him playing with the camp Fams—no Fams had come on the ship—in the forest. Zem dozed in Jace’s tent.

And Jace . . . she would
not
check her link with him, nudge him.

Tears rose, trickled. She was being oversensitive, shouldn’t think anything about his failure to show.

But she’d made a point to tell him this was very important to her. And it was. Her first foray outside of the camp completely alone. She’d wanted to show herself—and him—her courage.

When was the last time she’d asked him to do something for her, something that was very important to her?

Never.

Well, of
course
he’d been there for her during the hearing on her fieldwork.

She should definitely not be hurt by this.

But she was. Deeply. If he had asked her for something, that would have been
the
priority for her, no matter what.

And she wasn’t a priority for him.

Not enough of a priority for him, as his HeartMate, that he would instinctively think of her first, as she would him.

She was so very tired of bending to make this relationship work—without actually knowing what he thought of her.

So a lot of her hurt was because she’d not been herself, had been afraid she’d lose him. Instead it felt like even as she was growing in one direction, she was intentionally cramping herself in another, and she’d lost a part of herself for doing that.

She wept all the way back to camp and asleep.

* * *

D
ammit! He’d gotten sidetracked, distracted. And Glyssa had made
a point of asking him to meet her, something she didn’t often do. Guilt crept through Jace and he ran from the camp. He didn’t see her silhouetted on the hill, but jogged up it anyway. The twinmoons weren’t high in the sky but they’d definitely risen. Hell. He returned to the camp and her tent, saw her already abed, no doubt resting for their trip tomorrow.

There’d be plenty of time to make up this lapse in romance on his part when he walked with Glyssa along the shores of the Deep Blue Sea.

He slipped into bed with her and when she reached for him, loved her tenderly.

* * *

Y
ou are wrong!
Lepid said.

He was sitting on her chest before she got out of bed. Jace was already gone . . . and Glyssa had decided what to do.

It was going to hurt, a lot.

And obviously Lepid had discovered her plan through their bond.

She stared into her Fam’s eyes and replied. “I am not wrong. I can’t go on loving Jace and not getting what I need.”

Lepid snorted, looked away.
I don’t mean that. But I love my FamMan.

She did, too. But the man had never said anything about loving her. That was the problem. Maybe he couldn’t change or compromise. But she wouldn’t let that circle forever in her mind again, she had to confront him, and today was the day. She’d had it all planned.

You are thinking that we will return with Camellia and Laev to the Druida City! That is wrong, us going back to Druida City. We belong here.

Glyssa sat up, held Lepid as he started to tumble backward. He wasn’t a small fox anymore, and she wondered how she’d missed that, too.

“We don’t have to go . . . well, maybe for this winter, since I’m not sure how the pavilion would handle cold and I don’t think there will be any more permanent buildings. No doubt the Elecampanes will go back to their home in Verde Valley. I thought Raz mentioned a winter theater season.”

Lepid’s ears flickered.
We could go see them?

“Yes, and not in a glider. Teleporting to Verde Valley from D’Licorice Residence is exhausting, but I can do it,” she admitted proudly. She was the only one of her Family who could—though they shared their Flair and energy with her so she could ’port them all.

Where is FamMan staying?

The question made her breath catch in her throat, pitched a bit of acid in her stomach. She had to harden her nerves. Wasn’t she tired of going on like this, not having his love and support? Having no words from him? Watching her step with him, not being pushy. Not being herself.

How could she live with a man and not be herself?

Was she asking him to change? She didn’t know, especially since
she
had changed.

Lepid nipped her. She’d been silent too long. “I don’t know where he stays during the winter.” She
wouldn’t
think that he’d stayed with a woman these last years. That was past and done and none of her business . . . unless he returned to the lady.

And if she broke up with him, and he did stay with a woman, that would be none of her business, either. HeartMate or no.

Misery transformed to jealousy mutated to anger.
She
had changed. Because of her career, yes. Because of being at camp, of course. Because of interacting with him, her lover, her HeartMate, indubitably.

Just how much had
he
changed? How much had he tried?

WHERE WILL FAMMAN STAY?
Lepid demanded.

“Not at D’Licorice Residence. If he doesn’t stay with the Elecampanes at Verde Valley, Jace could come to Druida City. He made friends there.”

Lepid nodded.
So did Zem.

Glyssa managed a chuckle with a clenched jaw. “So did Zem.”

* * *

J
ace checked on his bond with Glyssa, he found her angry and very tense.

He should have apologized last night with words instead of actions.

I’d like to talk to you privately,
she sent him mentally.

Uh-oh.

The camp was full of activity, everywhere. On the landing field with the visitors there and preparing the airship to take off in a while. Near the stables where Del D’Elecampane lined up the stridebeasts for the trip. At the mess tent where folk ate.

Swarming people everywhere. And he didn’t think it was wise to suggest the hill where he’d failed to meet her the night before.

What about the far side of
Lugh’s Spear
? That little dip in the land behind the wing?

Fine, I’m leaving now.

Jace decided it would be better if he reached there first. As far as he could recall, there were a couple of boulders they could perch on.

May as well grit his teeth and let her steam at him. Though, dammit, there’d be little time for makeup sex.

He was sitting on a flat-topped rock big enough for two when she came striding up. Neither Lepid nor Zem was around. Zem had felt the turmoil of Jace’s mind and said he wanted to stock his no-time. Lepid was with the Hawthorns for some reason that also probably involved food.

Jace’s gaze was attracted to her head and her wonderfully wild hair that she hadn’t tucked up into a tight braid or bun or coronet like she usually did, and which he disliked.