“Oh my, you are in luck!” Patricia said softly. “This is the Copperstone family crest. Mine own sister married a Copperstone.”
“Really?” Jasmine asked. Patricia nodded.
“It will be easy for me to find an excuse to visit my sister and her family, particularly with you needing to meet them.”
“When can we leave?” Jasmine asked eagerly. Patricia tutted at her.
“Girl, do not be a fool! My husband told me the state of things on the road here. It will not be safe for us to travel for some time.” Patricia sighed. “We will wait until it is safe for us to leave.”
“When will that be?” Jasmine asked.
“I know not. Now, come. If you are to be my son’s wet nurse until we bring you to the Copperstones, we must make sure he will suckle from you.” Patricia led Jasmine back downstairs. Pyotr had awoken and was fussing in the crib. His whines in turn made Bry cry as well. “Time to put your nursing skills to the test, dear girl. Comfort the babes while I speak to my husband about what we discussed.”
With that, Patricia walked away. Jasmine walked over to the crib. She picked up both Bry and Pyotr, then sat on a nearby rocking chair. She unbuttoned the top of her gown. Her nipples were already dripping with milk. Hearing the babes’ cries had been enough to make her engorged breasts overflow. Pyotr latched to her left breast immediately, while Bry suckled upon her right. Jasmine let out a sigh of relief, not just from her breasts being emptied, but also from the knowledge that she had a way out.
“You nurse like one born for it,” Patricia declared. At some point, she had come back into the room. “I have spoken with my husband. You will be wet nurse and nursemaid for Pyotr and Bry. Tend to their every needs. And when you have time from them, such as when they nap, you are to help me with chores as needed.” Patricia lowered her voice. “I understand one of your royal birth will not know how to do common chores. I will guide you. But I still expect them to be done. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Jasmine said. Patricia smiled.
“Excellent. I will fetch you for dinner.”
As Jasmine sat, nursing two babes, neither of which were hers, she couldn’t help but daydream about Anya returning her to normal. That day couldn’t come soon enough. But it would come much later than she wished, as it would not be safe to travel for…