Free Heart Fortune (Celta) by Robin D. Owens Page A

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