It had been 3 weeks since Anya's change of role before she came clean to Jess about her magic deserting her. For the last week she had consciously made sure she was never alone with her former lover. Instead of taking "Jess" to her private room for the occasional breastfeed and chat she had taken to bringing baby Jaspar with her, consequently "Jess" was compelled to act as the toddler girl she appeared due to the compulsion put on the former prince.
Anya had avoided telling the former prince of her problem until she was certain. She tried all the simplest of magic tricks, things like making a ribbon change colour, something she had been able to do since she was first taught magic when she was a small girl herself. Nothing worked. What really worried her more than anything was that she was no longer even able to detect magic. The amulet around "Jess's" neck, was one of the most powerful magical items Anya had ever produced. Now she could not even tell it apart from a simple piece of costume jewellery that it appeared to be. That worried her as even if her magic stockpile was just exhausted she should be able to detect magic.
She suspected it was due to the amulet Jess still wore. She feared that when the then Jaspar had urged the amulet to protect him (he was a toddler boy at the time) when they were hiding in the storeroom at the palace, it had somehow robbed Anya of her magic. The amulet had protected Jaspar sure enough. The first time Crown Prince Jaspar had used those words he had changed from a 25 year old man to a toddler boy. That second time in the storeroom had changed him from a red headed toddler boy to a crawling baby girl with hair of a similar colour to her "Mother". Unfortunately it seems it had also changed Anya so that she fit the role of "Jess's" mother. A brown haired baby girl could not have a witch as her mother. Had those words and Anya's own magic rebounded on her to rob her of her magic? She feared they had.
It had been 3 weeks now and Anya still had no magic whatsoever. Her magical stockpile was not regenerating. Close examination of her hair roots showed they were the same dark brown colour she had magically changed her hair to. She had hoped that in time her hair would once more become blonde but sadly Anya came to the conclusion that she was no longer a witch.
Her magic she had cast still worked. "Jess" was still under the compulsion to behave as she appeared to be. She had little doubt that the amulet would continue to protect the former prince. All he had to do was say "Protect me" and the amulet would do exactly what was necessary to protect the former Crown Prince. It was dangerously powerful, not just for the Princes enemies but so it seemed also for the emasculated Prince and his former concubine.
For the first time in a week Anya left newborn Jaspar in his crib and took Jess/Jaspar alone to her room. She told the toddler 'We need to talk'
Once they were in Anya's room with the door closed, Jaspar/Jess finally out of the compulsion angrily said to Anya 'What are you doing? For the last week you have not allowed me to talk to you. What progress have you made? When do we leave? When will you make me adult again?'
'I have a problem my Prince. My magic is gone. I cannot even do the simplest magic. I fear I will not be able to remove your disguise'
'What? What are you saying? This cannot be!'
'Do not speak so loudly. It is still not safe. Mary is still in the house'
'What do you mean that you can't do magic? You are one of the most powerful witches in the land'
'My hair is now dark, my magic is no longer rejuvenating. There is one thing I need to try. I need to see if I can remove the amulet from you'
'Please do so. I have been begging that of you for weeks'
Anya touched the necklace around the small girls neck. To her horror she found she could not remove it. 'I cannot!' The amulet no longer recognises me as it's creator'
'What does that mean?'
'It is not good. No you must try to see if you can remove the necklace yourself. You should be able to'
'I have tried often. My arms are too clumsy. I do not have the coordination'
'Perhaps together we can' They found they could. Jaspar/Jess had to hold the amulet but Anya could guide her arms so they lifted the necklace from her head.
'Now try to change me back'
'Alas I cannot. I cannot summon magic'
'Well we must find someone who can. Is there another witch you might be able to consult?'