“This is my assigned section,” she rushes out. “All librarians are given research areas, and we become experts in that field. Assignments only change once every hundred years or so. I’ve been studying Eastern Velmara for the last eighty years.”

“Is it an interesting topic for you?”

“Oh yes! Eastern Velmara is fascinating. It’s so different from Western Velmara and the capital. And since the Andomers—the previous ruling family—hail from there, it’s filled with important Velmaran history. I was thrilled to receive the assignment.” Her joyful demeanor is contagious, and I find myself feeling more at home than I have in weeks. I give her a genuine smile, and she blushes, her eyes dropping to the floor. “Sorry. I get too excited about my research. My mentor is always telling me patrons don’t want to hear about it,” she admits.

I take a step towards her. “Your mentor is an idiot,” I assert. “And so is anyone who doesn’t want to hear about your passion for your job.” Her blush only deepens, prompting me to close the distance between us even more. There’s a moment, so quick I could have imagined it, where I think she leans into me, lips parted. But that can’t be correct, and weeks with no companionship of any kind has made me see things that aren’t there. Velmaran females are known for being traditional, boring prudes, and same-sex relationships are taboo here.

“Genevieve,” a harsh male voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “What are you doing? The Delsar scholar has been looking for you for an hour.” She steps away from me, and I turn to see Dern, his black beady eyes narrowed in ire. “Get back to that scholar, or your uncle will hear that you’re shirking your responsibilities.” Genevieve shuffles past me, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped. A fierce protectiveness ignites in me at the sight.

“Excuse me, but this librarian was assisting me with something,” I retort coldly.

“I don’t care what she was doing. Her job today is to assist the Delsar scholar with whatever he needs, not run off with Thayarian scum,” Dern leers. I scoff at the insult. I’m about to give him a piece of my mind when Genevieve places her hand softly on my arm.

“It’s okay,” she murmurs so only I can hear, squeezing my arm gently. Then she adds loudly, I assume for Dern’s benefit, “I will assist you with your query tomorrow, once the Delsar scholar departs.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say firmly, narrowing my own eyes at Dern. He only sneers at me, then turns on his heel to follow Genevieve away.