Decline to meet with MacTavish

“I don’t think so, Mayweather,” decides Stewart. “As much as I appreciate your concern for our safety, I believe we will be fine. Althesire’s letter suggested great hospitality, and it would be most inhospitable to go into such a meeting preparing for ****. Besides, what can MacTavish do to prepare us for magic in a few days that would compete with beings who have had magical abilities all their lives? No.... We will go straight away. I shall have the princess assist with a response to Althesire, and then we shall make arrangements to depart.”

Mayweather does not look at all convinced, but bows at his king’s words and departs.

Once they are alone, Adella rushes to her brother and embraces him tightly.

“Thank you, Stewart! Going with you and having a central role in such an important venture is more than I could have hoped for! How can I ever thank you?”

The sudden embrace from Adella takes Stewart by surprise, and as she clutches at him, he looks down and finds himself staring at her cleavage, tightly pressed against his chest. In the days since becoming king, he has been unable to see Chantelle, and he is suddenly keenly aware of how much he misses having a beautiful woman wrap her arms around him.

As he realizes where his thoughts are going, he shakes his head roughly, reminding himself that this is not just any woman — this is his sister! He attempts to clear his head of carnal thoughts and considers how to answer her offer of gratitude.