“If I’d wanted the bastard dead, he’d already be in the ground. I only wanted to punish him for his bad manners. He’ll knock before battering down someone’s bedroom door in the future. Now…” He trailed off, his attention slipping back to me. “This is a most fascinating turn of events. Yes, most fascinating. A human, walking the hallowed halls of the Winter Palace for the first time in an age. I never thought I’d live to see the day. I am Rusarius, librarian, newly reappointed master of this domain. Who are you, and what name do you go by? I wasn’t told much before I was ordered back to work.”
