Savant and Sunder are in the witch-lands searching for a wife they can share—a woman who will please them both and yet not object to the pleasure they find in each other. After six months of travel, it seems like they’re on a fool’s errand—until Savant’s snow leopard familiar catches her scent and chooses their mate for them.

For Aysa Douay it’s time to claim a familiar and seek a husband. While most women stay close to the village and take cats or songbirds as familiars, Aysa believes a falcon’s sudden appearance is a sign she’ll find her familiar in the mountains. Little does she know how right she is—and how wrong.

Please note: A previous version of this story was published by Ellora’s Cave.