Janessa was awoken by light falling upon her as Antyny opened the door to the harem quarters. She sat up. Antyny stood in the doorway, a vicious smirk upon his face.
“Hello, Janessa.” He closed the door. “Or should I say Jasper?”
“How did you know?” Janessa whispered in her melodic voice. Antyny approached her. He tilted her chin up so her face looked into his.
“Please. You reek of magic and look like a female version of the man I once considered my best friend.” Antyny’s gaze dipped south. “A very comely female version.”
“Leave me alone!” Janessa snapped, recoiling from him. “I have no qualms about using the same magic that transformed me upon you!”
“Not yet. But you will.”
“What do you-” Janessa started. Antyny covered her mouth with his hand. Frantically, Janessa tried to use the amulet, but without the voice command, nothing happened. Antyny traced a symbol of some sort on Janessa’s forehead. He took his hand away. Janessa tried to use the amulet. No sound came out.
“A simple sigil to prevent you from harming me,” Antyny said with a shrug. He sat next to her on the bed. “After all, I cannot have my consort bespelling me.”
“Consort?” Janessa squeaked.
“At first, I considered wedding one of your sisters. But I now see that a much better alternative has fallen into my lap.” Antyny ran his fingers down Janessa’s arm. “With the former heir as my bride, even the most loyal of royalists cannot dispute my rule.”
“I will never wed you,” Janessa spat.
“You have no choice. It is already done.”
“…What?”
“When I took you in front of the court, I took you as my wife. It is how we marry in my culture. Or did you forget the lessons from your tutors?” Antyny smiled. “You were always so thick in the head, dear friend. At least it is now acceptable for you to be slow.”
“You- you will not get away with this,” Janessa stammered.
“I already have. In fact…” Antyny placed a hand upon Janessa’s stomach. Underneath his hand, her stomach glowed, then expanded. Janessa gaped. “I sense…three children within you. A son from me and two daughters from the soldiers that took advantage of you before bringing you to me. Now, you will be able to give me my heir shortly.”
“You bastard,” Janessa spat. Antyny laughed.
“No, you carry within you two bastards. Not to worry. I have already transformed them into women so they may tend to their spawn. After all, I refuse to raise the child of someone else.” Antyny got off the bed. He grabbed Janessa and pulled her up as well. “Princess Janessa, formerly Prince Jasper, wife of King Antyny the First, come with me. I have to show you off.”
“To whom?” Janessa asked weakly. Antyny smiled viciously.
“You will see, my beautiful. You will see.”