Free Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson

such a forlorn look that the Healer couldn't help but chuckle.
    “You did it to yourself,” she chided gently. “Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be kept so busy that the time will pass before you know it.”
    Kalla watched as Aleister followed Ari out of the room, then turned a questioning look on the Khan. Nobunaga had a faint grin on his face.
    “Shukke said he needed occupying for a few days. I didn't think he'd make it that easy. Speaking of which, Shukke would like to see you soon. The two of you have much to discuss,” he said in response to her look. Puzzlement filtered to her from Vander, but the War Mage kept silent.
    Kalla guessed Shukke had told the Khan of her request. She touched fist to heart again, bowing slightly. “My thanks, Lord Khan. I had wondered how to keep him out from underfoot. By your leave?” she asked. The Khan's grin broadened and he whistled sharply, a sound that rose and fell in an odd rhythm. Within seconds one of the hidden Harriers appeared, cautiously poking his head through the door.
    “Yes, my Khan?” the Harrier asked, with a deep bow.
    “Escort the magi to the central courtyard. Shukke and Koumugi should still be within,” the Khan said. The hawk bowed again and turned his attention to Kalla and Vander.
    “Follow me, if you please.”
    As the pair followed the Harrier through the corridors of the Palace, Vander finally lost the battle with his curiosity.
    “
Dashkele, what are you planning that you don't want the Fox to know about?
” the War Mage asked. Kalla gave him a sidelong look.
    “
I trust you can keep a secret?
” she replied, earning a wounded look from the Dashmari. “
Hah, very well. Even though I accepted the Sky Fox as my Consort, he
is
Arkaddian. I don't think he would be truly comfortable in that role unless it were made more 'official'. I've asked Shukke to perform a handfasting for us, but I want it to be a surprise, hence the need to have him otherwise occupied,
” Kalla said. “
It is important to me, too. It would help make things seem more…
real.”
    She stopped speaking as they came to a halt at the entrance to a beautiful garden. The Harrier gestured for the magi to go into the courtyard. Through the entrance, Kalla could see Shukke and Koumugi, seated on benches in silent communion with the beauty around them.
    “Thank you…?”
    “Kiba, milady. My name is Kiba,” the young Harrier said with a blush.
    “Thank you, Kiba.”
    “You are welcome, milady. When you are ready to leave, just call. I can take you wherever you need to go,” he replied with a bow. The Healer grinned. She wondered if their watch-hawk had been Nobunaga's doing or the Harriers' themselves. Some might have been offended, but she didn't mind. She understood the Arkaddians' reluctance to leave them unattended after all that had happened.
    * * *
    Koumugi watched as the Harriers practiced on the open fields outside the Mews. More specifically, he watched Aleister as the magister deftly fired arrows at targets from the back of a galloping vykr, guiding it with nothing more than subtle movements of his knees. Of the eight targets on the course, he hit the center of seven and came close on the last.
    The young shaman was impressed. Under the Harriers' second in command, Khasar, skills that had lain dormant in the magister all the years since he left flourished once more. This was the third day he'd been with them and not one among them could say he wasn't a skilled warrior. As Aleister guided the vykr back, Khasar called him over and directed him to where the shaman stood waiting. With a bow to the senior Harrier, he made his way over to Koumugi.
    “You wished to see me?” Aleister asked as he stopped before the shaman and dipped a slight bow.
    “Walk with me, hawk. I'd like to hear more of your adventures in Xibalba. The mage says that you managed to get through,” Koumugi said.
    “As you wish.”
    Aleister followed the shaman along a meandering path, answering questions