Page 29 of Phixmery

“Alright, this is everything we have on bonds. You should be able to find something in there,” she says firmly, tapping the cover. “If you can’t, then I can send word out and see if any of the other military academies might.” She turns away before spinning back. “Oh and please don’t try to take anything off the shelves. I will be alerted immediately if you do, and you won’t be welcome back, no matter what kind of permissions you get. Not even I can override magick like that, and you don’t want to discover the repercussions. I’ll come check on you in an hour’s time.” And with that, she disappears out the door and locks me in the room.

Nero hops off my shoulder onto the table in front of me, getting a closer look at the text. Its hard, black cover is simple with the title ‘Bonds of Damorleia’ by: Alfredick Nuton. It’s about two fingers thick, and I’m careful as I crack it open to the first page. Yellowed parchment and dark grey ink—that was most likely once black—greets me.

I slowly sift through the pages, looking for anything on familiar bonds. I see information about bonds with golems;,clay creatures brought to life to do your bidding. Bonds with fae and other beings based on blood, promises and destiny.

My eye catches on a whole section regarding mate bonds. They’re rare and snap together in the light of great peril or danger. A precious and revered bond, a love like no other connecting a group of fae together for life.

I scoff. Maybe this book is just full of fairy-tales and fledgling stories.

With a sigh, I keep going.

Then it has the connections between Dragon and Gryphon Riders, who bond for life, similar to but different from familiar bonds, which is then followed by words in quotations:‘See page ninety-seven’. With quick work of my fingers, I open it to the suggested page and notice the heading:Bonds with Familiars.

Familiar bonds are the ultimate friendship between beast, fae and the fates themselves. Like dragons and gryphons, familiars can speak to their chosen fae or being. Both these types of bonds are to the death, and while a gryphon or dragon may be able to survive without their rider if the bond is newer, the moment a familiar bonds to their fae or being, both of them are eternally tied to each other. One cannot live without the other. Familiars are able to share aether with their bonded and give them a boost in healing and their magick with practice.

The rest goes on to list how eventually we could see what each other sees, but warns against doing it in unsafe environments because the one viewing won’t be aware of anything going on around them.

I continue to read through the section, informing Nero of my discoveries, and the excitement between our bond grows. We are capable of so much more than just speaking to each other, and sensing each other.

“So what do you think? Should we do it?” I ask Nero nervously, wanting his opinion.

He hops closer to me, taking a moment to think about my answer. “I don’t see the harm in it. I say we do it. We just need to mention not to bring up the part where if one of us dies, we both do. I don’t want a target put on our backs.”

Nodding in agreement, I close the book, and as I rise from my chair, the librarian opens the door. “Did you find everything you were looking for?” she inquires.

“Yes, thank you. Did you want me to just leave this here?” I gesture towards the text.

She nods. “Yes please, I’ll put it back in its proper place shortly. You better get moving though. Dinner is almost finished. If you hurry you may still be able to get something to eat.”

I thank her again and hurry out of the library towards the dining hall, not realizing that so much time had already passed. When I arrive, the hall is mostly cleared out and no one from my squad is here. They’re most likely in the kitchens getting started on dish duty that Evera managed to score us. At least it wasn’t me.

Grabbing a tray, I manage to snag some roast and carrots before sitting at the nearest empty table and eating as quickly as I can, sharing my food with Nero.

My skin prickles with awareness and instantly I raise my gaze to see Sergeant Verlice watching me, none of the rest of his squad in sight. He picks up a carrot on his plate and slowly places it in his mouth, his gaze never leaving mine, and I can’t seem to look away.

He leans back in his chair, a coy and snide smirk playing on his lush lips. I lick mine, and he watches the movement.

Suddenly he’s up and out of his seat, storming out of the dining hall.

What in the fates was that about? I rub my sternum, putting that strange encounter to the back of my mind and hurrying through the rest of my meal, wrapping a few pieces of dried meat in a cloth to add to the stash I’ve been compiling within an abandoned part of the tunnels, at least until I can find a more permanent place to hide stuff for our escape.

This being my second time helping in the kitchen, I find my way into the hidden entrance and navigate the dimly lit tunnel, hoping I don’t miss the exit. Thankfully someone comes through and I’m able to slip in.

It’s bustling in here as they prep for the morning meal and clean up from dinner. I make my way over to Ember and Rozen, slipping my hands into the warm soapy water to help wash the enormous pile of dishes waiting for us.

It’s never-ending.

As I suppose it would be, as they feed about eight thousand soldiers-in-training.

“Where were you?” Ember hisses.

I raise my brow at her. “At the library. I thought we didn’t need to be here until the end-of-dinner bell rings?” Just as I finish the sentence, said bell tolls, making me grin victoriously.

Rozen chimes in, shaking his head with disapproving mirth. “Evera is on a warpath. You were the only one not here at dinner with us and she thought you were trying to skip out. She’s blaming you for this.”

My hands still, and I rest them on the edge of the sink, suds and water dripping off of them. “How in the fates is she blaming this on me? She’s the one who pissed off Sergeant Craven yesterday morning. Everyone heard that!”

His shoulders rise to his elongated ears and drop. “I have no idea. We just wanted to give you a heads up.”

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