Assured she had her magic under control, she joined Evariste at the door just as he swung itopen.
Angelique’s smile threatened to fall when she saw the first woman, Madam Quarrellous. The teacher’s mouth was already pulled down in a disapprovingfrown.
Surprisingly, however, a second woman accompanied the academy instructor: a squat woman with a bright smile, gold-wire-rimmed spectacles, plump cheeks, and shiny salt-and-pepper-coloredhair.
“Welcome, Sybilla, Quarrellous! Come in!” He beckoned for the two ladies to enter thehouse.
Angelique lured the filly away from the door, letting the ladies enter inunhindered.
“Thank you, Enchanter Evariste. You said that so nicely, I’ll forgive you for being the reason I’ve been yanked from my responsibilities to be here.” The short woman stood on her tip toes and patted Evariste’s cheek with asmile.
“Sybilla,” Madam Quarrellous frowned. (It was unexpectedly pleasant to see her frowning at someone else for achange.)
“Don’t pretend otherwise, Quarrellous,” the other woman, Sybilla chided. “I’m a FAIRY Godmother—I should be out finding children with magical abilities, not checking on one who already has an apprenticeship!” Sybilla put her hands on her hips and appeared to be about five seconds away from wagging a finger in Madam Quarrellous’face.
“This is a serious matter, Sybilla, or the Council would not have asked you to come,” Madam Quarrelloussaid.
Sybilla snorted. “Fiddlesticks. They didn’t care if I put my dress on a bear and sent it in my place. You are the one who insisted on bringingme.”
“Believe me, I didnotrequest you. I’d rather have had anyone else.” Madam Quarrellousscowled.
“I’m afraid it reallyismy fault that you are here, Sybilla,” Evariste said. “When the Council sent word that a fairy godparent needed to attend as well, I requestedyou.”
The baby unicorn nosed Angelique’s hands before it sidled around Evariste and poked its head out from behind him incuriosity.
Sybilla reached out and tapped the filly on the tip of its horn. “Requested or not, I’m here. Now, let’s meet the girl so I can get this over with and get back to myjob!”
“Of course,” Evariste said. “Angel?”
Angelique moved to stand side-by-side with Enchanter Evariste and dipped into acurtsy.
“You already know Quarrellous, but Angel, this is Sybilla. She’s a fairygodmother.”
“Aren’t you a beautiful girl?” Sybilla glanced over at Angel, then did a double take and stared at her again, her eyes wideningslightly.
Perhaps the matching clothes are a little too over-the-top?
The fairy godmother—or First Appraised Isolator Rank Yellow, which was a fancy title to say she ranked just below enchanters and enchantresses in terms of power and was charged with childcare and development—slapped a smile back on her face without apause.
“And you have such lovely magic, too,” Sybillaadded.
Both Angelique and Quarrellous stared at Sybilla, as if she had just lost hermind.
But the cheerful lady didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she bustled over to an armchair and plopped down, propping her feet up on a footstool. “And what a charming home—you’ve grown domestic on us, Evariste. I remember as if it were yesterday how the Council was forever begging you to pick up after yourself when you first made enchanter as a weeboy.”
I am absolutely going to adore Sybilla. Angelique hid her interest behind a mask of attentiveness as she fetched a tea-tray that had been waiting on a sideboard and brought it over to the fairygodmother.
Quarrellous picked a stiff, wooden chair and waved Angelique off when she offered hertea.
Evariste laughed and caressed the baby unicorn’s head. “If you keep recalling my boyhood, Sybilla, my apprentice is going to lose all respect forme.”
Angelique grinned at her master as she poured a cup of lavender tea forSybilla.
Quarrellous sniffed. “If she does, it will be to herdetriment.”
Evariste shrugged. “Perhaps we should begin?” hesuggested.
“Yes, yes, let’s get on with it—thank you, dear.” Sybilla took the teacup and saucer—decorated with brightly painted sunflowers—and squinted at Madam Quarrellous over her steaming drink. “Quarrellous, ask yourquestions.”
