Heart Search Read Online Free PDF Page A

hands from her sleeves to rub them. “An afternoon at D’Ash’s and the Salvage Ball tonight.” She grinned. “Life is good.”
    For the moment. Camellia wouldn’t be able to get out of visiting the starship for long. She and Glyssa disagreed on this, too. Glyssa loved visiting the Ship.
    At first, Camellia had been thrilled. She and the Ship had discussed growing a tea crop and experimented with some ancient strains. Camellia’s Flair—psi power—was for blending tea, and she’d chosen species that could be adapted for Celtan tastes. So now some of the teas served and for sale in her places were grown in the starship’s great greensward. A good selling point.
    But lately Camellia sensed that someday Nuada’s Sword would realize she kept secrets it wanted.
    She didn’t know what she’d do then, but at least that day wouldn’t be today.
     
     
    L aev had just returned to his desk after a solitary lunch in the formal dining room when a yowl jolted him from his work. He stared at the FamCat, Black Pierre, progressing toward him with a very young cat—maybe seven months—walking behind him, staring at the room.
    Jasmine erupted from her office, nearly stumbled over the cats, and hopped back. Black Pierre hissed. “Sorry,” she said, choking a laugh.
    They both watched as the old cat trod across the thick carpet until he—and the sleek cat—circled Laev’s desk to his feet.
    Your Fam, Black Pierre said telepathically.
    The cat tilted its head to stare up at Laev coolly. Its slinky tail twitched. He will do.
    With a flick of a paw, Black Pierre knocked its head. Quiet, you. This is GreatLord T’Hawthorn. You should be honored.
    The youngling moved to pounce on its elder, but Jasmine, used to animals, caught it and brought it up to rub against her face. “Aren’t you pretty,” she cooed. The animal calmed.
    I am, it said.
    Black Pierre sniffed. My son. Not as beautiful as I was at that age.
    Laev was almost afraid to ask, “Where did you get him?”
    Turning his back and walking toward the door, tail high, the older cat said, My get.
    Laev choked. “Yours? You’re ol—” he stopped before he insulted the cat.
    I am not as old as your FatherSire when he died in the bed of his lady.
    Jasmine snickered. Laev rubbed his temples with thumb and forefinger. Another scandal that he’d had to live down, how he’d come into his title three months before. The back of his neck heated.
    You are too alone, Black Pierre said. But you do not deserve such a wonderful Fam as I.
    “Uh-huh,” Laev said.
    But you can have him. An indiscretion. The cat gave a tiny cough. And you may name him. Now I return to My FamMan, the chef.
    Sure showed where Laev ranked in the cat’s priorities. Black Pierre teleported to the kitchen.
    Jasmine stroked the cat she held along his back. His purr filled the room.
    “Maybe you should take him home—” Laev began.
    “Did you forget who you’re talking to?” Jasmine arched her brows. “I am not allowed to bring home Fams for my mother to place. Father’s rules, and I don’t want to alienate him before you speak to him and a quarter of my Family’s funds are in my hands.” Jasmine placed the cat on Laev’s desk, where he deigned to bat a crumpled piece of papyrus, sending sheets to the floor. Turning around, he knocked over the basket of invitations.
    He hadn’t quite come into his full growth, but he looked to be a good hunter. His fur was long and black. When Laev reached out to pet him between the ears, the cat bit his fingers. “Ouch!” Laev shook his hand. Droplets of blood welled from tiny holes. “Keep that up and you’re gone to the gardening shed. Have you been vetted by D’Ash?” he asked the tom.
    The cat lifted its nose, sat like a proud cat statue No. But I will be pleased to see D’Ash. She will recognize My worth .
    “Of course she will,” Jasmine said cheerfully. “Mother loves all cats.”
    The tom inclined his head and his tail gave another