"I always liked the old wizard. Always knew more than he let on and always had wheels within wheels for plans," Robert said. Then the fool had to go and... well, he wouldn't ruin that part of the story for Nerium. No doubt she'd find aspects of the book enjoyable.

"I never could resist the lure of a beautiful woman," he said, flashing her a smile. Not that he expected his charm to work on her. Not that he'd be unhappy if it did. "But only a fool would come without a gift. And you don't have to come to me, I can swim over if you give permission. It feels wrong to be in human form here anyway, this is a place of magic. I feel like I'm offending it."