Swamped

The title is Dreamers of Alexandria: Forbidden Love at Port. You smile a little - you've always enjoyed a good romance, and the Dreamers brand is some of the best. Even if the titles are a little formulaic. And potentially confusing, if anyone ever writes one of these set in the desert city of Alexandra.

Of course, the settings are part of the appeal. Most of the authors are scholars of history and they strive to bring it to life in the pages. They can't possibly recreate the full experience of living under the Aedran Empire, of course, but damned if they don't try.

And if that wasn't enough of a treat on its own, Alexandria is a city that has long fascinated you. Sarvakken is a major point of commerce, but it's never had the level of influence Alexandria did. As far as you've seen, the Royal Council in Gardebell only cares about the port, not the town that's attached to it. So perhaps there's some good to this situation after all.

You get so deeply absorbed in the story of a high-society woman and the merchant captain she loved that you have no idea how much later it is when a young priest taps you on the shoulder.

And it's definitely the man you remember. Looks like you were right that the temple would take any excuse to be rid of him for a little while.

"I've brought clothes for you," he says, leaving a pouch of them on the table. "And I understand you are looking for spiritual guidance, as well?"

Hmm. It's a bit unfortunate you were so deep into the book. You didn't really get any time to think about what you were going to say to him.