Page 10 of The Bookworm and the Pegasus Tamer

“Aurelia!” Her mother said disapprovingly, and she lowered her voice.

“Seriously? Fable is an oncaryx who turns into a book instead of an awful sword or axe or…” She grasped Phoebe’s arm. “But where did you find him?” Her voice turned pitiful. “And why can’t I have one?”

Phoebe laughed. “He found me, of course. And don’t ask me why he turns into a book. He just always has. Apparently it’s rare for an oncaryx to take an inanimate form that isn’t a weapon, but it’s always been possible.” She shrugged.

In yet another blink, the furry polecat was back. Phoebe stroked his back, her eyes shining with affection.

“He is the best oncaryx ever,” Aurelia declared with feeling. “But what does his book form say?”

Phoebe grinned. “That’s the best bit. It changes. When I’m interested in something or need information, Fable becomes whatever book I want.”

Aurelia drew in a long breath, her eyes lighting up with the possibilities. “That’s even better than I imagined! But how is that possible?”

Her mother laughed. “He’s an oncaryx. How is any of it possible?”

“Perhaps he has a connection with a vast library somewhere?” Alanna suggested. “And he can mimic any of the books within it.”

“That’s actually a good suggestion.” Phoebe looked impressed.

Alanna narrowed her eyes. “There’s no need to sound so astonished.”

“But I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before now!” Aurelia directed a hurt look at Phoebe.

“Sorry. It honestly didn’t occur to me. I’m used to being on my family’s estate where everyone knows Fable.”

“And where is your home, Phoebe?” From her tone of voice, Aurelia’s mother was trying to guide the conversation back to calmer and more socially acceptable topics.

Phoebe gave a small grimace. “It’s quite remote, I’m afraid. So this is my first visit to the capital. But actually, I came today to ask if you would permit Aurelia to come on a visit to my home.”

Aurelia brightened at the suggestion, but the look she threw at her mother was uncertain. Her mother would probably see it as running away from the capital.

“You would want to accompany her, of course,” Phoebe added quickly. “It will just be a small house party, but I’m sure we could all do with a break from the endless festivities of this season.”

She gave Aurelia’s mother a hopeful look, and to Aurelia’s delighted astonishment, her mother beamed back at Phoebe.

“A small house party would be quite unexceptional. It will be hosted by…?”

“My aunt,” Phoebe said quickly, and Aurelia realized she had only ever heard Phoebe refer to an aunt, never her mother.

She sat on the sofa beside her, wishing she could think of something supportive to say or do. Now she knew why Phoebe had been so quick to assume Aurelia didn’t have a mother when she had first spoken of her grandmother.

“How lovely,” Aurelia’s mother said with satisfaction. “When are we expected?”

Phoebe’s hands gripped Fable a little too tightly, and he popped back into his book form. She blinked and looked down at the book in her hand with a murmured apology.

“Actually, it’s starting tomorrow.” She sounded awkward, and Aurelia’s mother blinked.

“We don’t mind in the least,” Aurelia said quickly, giving her mother a significant look. Her friend had obviously asked to have Aurelia included in the house party as a last-minute addition, and she didn’t want Phoebe embarrassed.

“We have no important engagements scheduled for more than a week, so that should be no problem.” Her mother looked at Alanna, who was already looking rebellious. “Alanna can stay here with her father.”

“I want to go to the house party!” Alanna said quickly. “It will be hideously boring here without either of you.”

“You’re too young,” her mother said firmly. “But I’m sure your father can extract his nose from his books long enough to take you to see some of the city. There are many places of interest here in the capital.”

“You should go to see the palace gardens on the next public day,” Aurelia said, her mind already busy considering what she would pack for the unexpected trip. Was she supposed to take all her nicest outfits to a house party? Or should she pack something harder wearing?

She threw Phoebe an uncertain look, but the sight of her friend’s face reassured her. Phoebe hovered on the fringes of society just like Aurelia, so she wouldn’t have any of the more fashionable and intimidating members of high society at her home.