Not to mention, Basil held quite a bit of sway with Head Librarian Marco. His disapproval of Benedict would make his pursuit of the assistant librarian opening more of a stretch as well.
The sinking feeling twisted in his chest. The Court and the Library had to come first. If he lost out on the assistant librarian job and on keeping the mate bond with Beatrice, then so be it. Stopping Claudius was more important.
“Apprentice Librarian Benedict, you have been assigned to me today.” Master Librarian Basil’s voice was more clipped and flat than it was usually, and he spun on his heel with a sharp movement.
Benedict followed, clamping his jaws shut to stop himself from explaining or apologizing or otherwise ruining everything.
Basil led the way around the base of the Great Tree, winding past roots and cutting through lines of those waiting to be helped by one of the librarians on duty.
Eventually, they circled the Tree to the nook between two large roots where Basil’s desk was set. Even here at the far side of the Tree, a long line of patrons stretched outward, waiting to be helped.
To one side of his desk, Beatrice stood, tapping her foot on a patch of moss. Her back was to them, her bright yellow skirt swishing as she swayed slightly with her tapping.
Benedict’s heart thrummed in his ears, and he had to resist tugging at his collar. Was it growing hotter in here? He swallowed and clasped his hands behind his back.
As they neared, Beatrice turned, revealing that she had a yellow bookwyrm in her arms. The sight sent his pulse pounding harder. There was just something irresistible about Beatrice with one of the bookwyrms. She loved the Library and its bookwyrms with a wholeheartedness rarely seen, even among the fae that were supposed to love them.
Yet as soon as her gaze rested on Benedict, her soft smile dropped into a scowl, her blue eyes sparking as if actual flames danced in those clear cerulean depths.
Why did that draw him in just as much as the smile had?
Master Librarian Basil halted before reaching his desk, turning so that he was facing both Benedict and Beatrice. “The two of you have been assigned to me today. I was hoping we’d have a chance to continue our research, but we will need to take care of the patrons first.”
Benedict nodded. The Library came first, of course, as did their duty as librarians.
One of the green-coated assistant librarians ran up, huffing and puffing. She skidded to a halt beside the table. “Reporting for duty, Master Librarian.”
Benedict wasn’t sure if he wanted to smile or shake his head. The coming promotions had everyone competing, from the lowliest apprentice librarian to the best of the master librarians.
Beatrice set down the bookwyrm before she turned to Benedict, a hand planted on her hip as her chin jutted in that angry, determined way of hers. “Want to make it a competition? Whoever helps the most patrons is declared the better apprentice librarian.”
“You’re on.” Benedict smirked at her before he leaned closer. “You know I’m going to win.”
“Not a chance.” Beatrice whirled away from him, her skirt swishing around her.
For a moment, he could only stand there, his breath catching, his palms a little sweaty.
Then he hurried after her, his look softening. No matter what, today would be fun.
Beatrice huffedand puffed as she raced through the shelves, dodging patrons and other librarians. Reaching the atrium, she skidded to a halt before Basil’s desk. The line before the desk was shorter, thankfully, but plenty of patrons still waited.
At the front, a donkey-headed goblin man waved a small book in emphatic, angry movements. “This is unacceptable! I’m not performing this tripe!”
The fox-headed goblin man next to him winced and cowered. “But…but…Nick! That’s the one you picked out before you were captured! We’ve been practicing it for a month!”
Beatrice stared between Nick Bottom, the donkey-headed man who led the goblin acting troupe, and his right-hand actor. She’d never seen Nick angry before. He was always so cheerfully empty-headed. And he certainly had never realized before that the plays he chose to perform were rubbish.
Then again, his troupe’s acting skills were terrible, so it didn’t matter what play he picked. It would be horrible.
“I understand, Nick. We’ll see about getting you a new play.” Basil gestured as the green-coated assistant librarian raced up and halted next to Beatrice, also panting. “Poppy will help you find a play more suitable for your tastes.”
“Come right this way.” Poppy managed to get her panting under control enough to sound somewhat normal and smile.
As she led the goblin men deeper into the Library, Basil stared after them, a furrow across his brows.
Beatrice edged a little closer, lowering her voice. “That was weird, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Basil blinked, shaking his head as Nick and the others disappeared between the shelves. “I’ve never seen Nick Bottom act quite like that before.”
