Jasmine and Damon waited in the warehouse until Simon came to find them.
"Is the Mistress all right?" asked Damon. Simon nodded.
"As is Pyotr." He looked at Jasmine. "My son. The one you will be nursing until you are able to go East." Jasmine nodded to show she understood. "Both of you may come inside. Patricia has a uniform for you, Jasmine, and while you clothe yourself, Damon and I will make a meal."
Jasmine, still carrying Bry, followed Simon and Damon into the house. Her jaw dropped when she saw Simon's wife, Patricia. Patricia was beautiful, but what astounded Jasmine was her yellow hair. She was a witch.
"Jasmine, you may lay Bry with Pyotr while I help you clean up," Patricia said, gesturing to a crib in which a newborn slept. Jasmine gently placed Bry in the crib, then followed Patricia upstairs and into a washroom. Patricia handed Jasmine worn but soft brown folded clothes. She then closed the door, but didn't leave. She instead turned away from Jasmine.
"Are you not leaving?" Jasmine asked.
"I have things to say to you in private, so no. But rest assured, I will keep my gaze off you." Reluctantly, Jasmine disrobed. She began to wash herself with water from a pitcher and basin, as well as a bar of soap much harsher than she was used to. But she would take anything that would make her clean.
"What do you have to say to me?" she asked.
"A few...things I have noticed and been told by my husband. The first is that you came from the palace. The second is that you used to have red hair. Specifically, royally red. The third is that Prince Jasper somehow managed to escape despite the innumerable rebels swarming the palace." Jasmine dried herself, dread building in her gut. "The fourth and final is that you and your child positively reek of transformative magic."
"You know who I truly am," Jasmine said softly.
"I have concluded who you used to be, and know who you are now. Right now, you are my son's wet nurse, a young widow named Jasmine with a daughter named Bry. Who you were a few days ago... I will not say, but we both know."
"What do you want?" Jasmine asked as she struggled to clothe herself. After a few minutes of struggling and swearing, Patricia turned around to help. She assisted Jasmine in putting her new uniform on. It was plain and dark to hide stains, but Jasmine was relieved to have something other than what she'd had.
"I want to help you, dear," Patricia said softly. She braided Jasmine's hair. "You know I am witch stock. I cannot remove your spell or your child's, but perhaps I can help in some other way. I might even know the family who bespelled you, in which case, I can help you get to them."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Does your husband know any of this?"
"He knows I am witch stock and suspects you have some magical tie." Patricia finished braiding Jasmine's hair. "Tell me the name of those you transformed you, and I will tell my husband you are a relative of theirs. Depending upon the family, I may even be able to claim you as my own relative."
"I know not her surname," Jasmine said softly. "But I have her family crest." She turned and showed the amulet to Patricia. Patricia inspected it closely. "Well?"