Page 2 of The Bookworm and the Pegasus Tamer

When Phoebe petted the creature’s back, Aurelia relaxed. Having caught the movement from the side of her eye, she had thought for one moment that they were being attacked by a wild animal. But the creature in Phoebe’s lap clearly wasn’t aggressive.

“Is that your pet?” She leaned closer for a better look at the small animal.

“Fable isn’t a pet,” Phoebe said shortly.

A small dark face peeked over the edge of Phoebe’s lap, the white muzzle and ears giving the creature an inquisitive look. The long neck joined with a golden-brown body and tail, both curled in the folds of Phoebe’s dress, the whole thing no more than sixteen inches.

The creature cocked its head to the side, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

Aurelia gasped, finally recognizing it as a polecat. And if it was a polecat, that was one of the possible animal varieties of an⁠—

“Is that an oncaryx?” she whispered.

Phoebe nodded, gently stroking the furry back. “His name is Fable.”

“And he belongs to you?” Aurelia regarded her with wide eyes.

Since oncaryx could transform at will into an inanimate weapon, they almost always bonded with guards, which Phoebe couldn’t possibly be. She didn’t even have the look of a brawny young lady who spent the majority of her time in a sparring hall. Did Fable turn into a small dagger, then? The type Phoebe could wear at her waist, although Aurelia could see no scabbard anywhere visible.

She certainly couldn’t imagine what Phoebe would do with a longbow or a double-headed axe—although she had read that it was the larger breeds such as wolverines, martens, or badgers who usually transformed into the bigger inanimate forms.

Phoebe’s brow creased. “Fable doesn’t belong to anyone. But if you mean to ask if we’re bonded, then yes.”

Aurelia flushed. She knew that none of the intelligent creatures of Wynkara were owned by humans—any more than humans would own each other. While many of them chose to bond with a human, it was a bond of choice and friendship.

She had just forgotten in her excitement. Growing up, she had known a few people who had vendrillon companions—her own grandmama among them. Vendrillons were known to be good judges of character, so it was the best thing she knew about her grandmother. It had always given her reassurance that the intimidating woman couldn’t be as bad as she appeared to an unsatisfactory young bookworm.

But Aurelia had almost no experience with oncaryxes or pegasi. It gave strength to her mother’s insistence that they come to the capital for the social season. Wynvale seemed to be bursting with far more interesting creatures than Aurelia’s hometown had ever attracted.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean anything by it. He’s a very handsome fellow, and I can tell he understands everything we’re saying.” She gave a seated bow in his direction. “My sincere apologies, Master Fable.”

Phoebe laughed, her brief irritation forgotten. “There’s no need to be so formal with him. No one else is.”

Aurelia longed to ask how Phoebe had possibly come to bond with an oncaryx, but she didn’t like to be rude. Instead, she asked if it was true that they didn’t eat.

“They don’t have to eat,” Phoebe said. “But they can. Not in their inanimate form, obviously, but when he’s in his polecat form he often does.” She quickly warmed to her topic. “You wouldn’t believe the things he’ll steal if he can get his hands on them. He’s the cheekiest thing, and Cook has banned him from the kitchen too many times to count.” She laughed. “But he always finds his way back in.”

“How fascinating!” Aurelia stared at the creature curiously. “I read a book about them once, but it was very vague on some matters.”

“Probably because we don’t really understand how such a creature can exist.” Phoebe gave Fable an affectionate smile. “If he doesn’t need to eat, what’s the source of his energy?”

“That’s just what I wondered when I read the book!” Aurelia exclaimed. “And how are they indestructible when in their inanimate form?”

Phoebe nodded eagerly. “It’s incredible, isn’t it! I’ve experimented, you know, and Fable can’t be so much as scuffed. But the histories all agree that oncaryxes have always existed in Wynkara, just as humans have and the other creatures of intelligence. Whatever mechanism he uses to gain energy must simply be one we don’t yet understand.”

Aurelia shook her head in wonder. “We are fortunate in Wynkara to share our kingdom with so many fantastical creatures of intelligence.” She looked down at her book. “And truly, there are plants hiding in the mountains that are no less fantastic. Our kingdom holds so many wonders. It makes me glad I’m finally getting the chance to see more of it.”

“That’s a nice way to think of it.” Phoebe smiled at her. “I’ll confess I was a little reluctant to come to Wynvale, but you’re putting me to shame.”

Aurelia laughed. “In truth, I was a little reluctant myself.”

The two girls grinned at each other until Aurelia’s eyes dropped to Fable once more. “But at least you had a friend to bring with you. Does he go with you everywhere?”

“Aunt Ophelia is always scolding me about it,” Phoebe said. “But she might as well save her breath. It’s not as if I could get him to stay behind, even if I wanted to!”

“She sounds like my grandmama. She and my younger sister are always telling me I shouldn’t bring a book with me everywhere I go.” Aurelia nodded toward the book in her lap.

“Do you really carry one with you always?”