Janessa knew the ring had worked. She had watched it disintegrate before her eyes. But she had no other confirmation until two months later. She suddenly fell ill, unable to keep much food down. After she missed three council meetings in a row, Antyny summoned the Palace doctor, a witch who specialized in medical magic. The examination took place in the private room of the harem. When the doctor finished, he was silent.
“Well?” Antyny demanded. The doctor smiled at him.
“Congratulations, my king. Your attempts to sire have succeeded,” the doctor said. Janessa’s heart leapt into her throat. “And not just that, you have exceeded mere success. She is carrying not one, not two, but three children. Two boys and one girl. All are witches like yourself.”
“Oh!” Antyny gasped in delight. “Oh, my beauty, my lovely Janessa, you have done more than just conceive. You are giving me two heirs and a darling daughter to spoil. And they will all have my magic.” Antyny stroked Janessa’s cheek. “With my magic and your beauty, our children will be unstoppable.”
Janessa forced a smile, but felt her stomach churning again. With anxiety this time, rather than morning sickness. What Yevgeny had warned had come to pass. She was pregnant, yes, but at the cost of carrying triplets. Some part of her was happy to hear she bore both genders. Perhaps she could name her daughter after her mother, the former Queen. During the coup, the former Queen had thrown herself from the Palace wall rather than be captured. Janessa missed her mother deeply.
And she also agreed with Antyny. While she was a beauty beyond compare, Antyny was strikingly handsome as well. Their children were going to be gorgeous.
Janessa dressed herself as Antyny and the doctor talked. She gently placed a hand on her still flat stomach, imagining it swelling with life. Her concubine’s uniform would look most strange with a large, pregnant belly. But soon she would be out of those skimpy garments, and instead in gowns befitting a Queen.
The doctor left. Antyny took Janessa in his arms, kissing her tenderly on her neck and cheek, making her sigh happily.
“My King, I am so relieved I have finally done as you asked,” she whispered. Antyny kissed her forehead.
“You have done more than I asked,” he said sweetly.
“What now?”
“Now, we…”