Anya was returning from another trip to get cream from Lucille when a man approached her. Anya’s heart stopped. She silently cast a sleeping spell on Jess, who was being carried in a sling, so that she would sleep through this encounter.
“Hello, Anya,” the man said. Anya glared at him.
“Antyny,” she said shortly. Antyny Brightstone was a rebel with a vengeful streak towards Prince Jasper, after being cast out for hiding his witch heritage to earn a place amongst the Royal Family. Thankfully, he was far from a powerful witch. At least, in comparison to Anya. Already, she was mentally preparing a spell to incapacitate him.
“Tell me, where is the Prince?” Antyny demanded.
“I do not know. I fled the Palace alone.”
“Really? Because the word in town is that the babe slung against your chest is your own.”
“Jess is but a rebel I transformed while I fled, to improve my disguise as a wet nurse,” Anya lied. Antyny approached her. “Do not come any closer, Antyny. You do not wish to face my wrath.”
“I am a far stronger witch than the last time we met,” Antyny boasted. “In fact, I would say I am now stronger than you.”
“Oh, really?” Anya said, raising an eyebrow. Antyny nodded, smirking. No doubt he had studied extensively during the years since they last crossed paths. But study couldn’t increase power. As long as Anya struck first, Antyny had no chance. With Antyny off-guard, Anya cast her spell. She raised her hands and muttered the words under her breath. Antyny’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to cast a counter-spell, but it was too late.
Antyny began to shrink, years shedding from his body. He became a teenager, then a child, then a toddler, then a baby. Anya spread her legs wide and pulled up the skirt of her dress. Antyny continued to shrink. An umbilical cord formed, connecting Antyny to Anya. Anya let out a soft grunt as Antyny, now a fetus a mere week old, went up into her womb through her womanhood. She let down her skirt, frustrated.
Given that Antyny had spent the years studying, her options for putting him out of commission were limited. Even if she turned him into a baby or animal, he would regain his mind and magic, then return to his former self. Now, however, he was stuck gestating in her womb for months, which would keep him from regaining his mind. By the time he was born, any chances of returning to himself would be gone.
Anya muttered another spell, this time transforming Antyny’s features, making him into a girl that would look like the child of Anya and Conrad. Conrad would believe the baby was his daughter when she was born. Jess stirred in her sling.
“Momma, why we not home?” she asked sleepily. Anya kissed her forehead.
“Momma ran into a problem. Do not worry, we are going home now,” she said. Jess smiled.
“I love you, Momma.”
“I love you, too, Jess.” Anya began to head back to Conrad’s home, trying to decide upon her next move. If Antyny had found them, others would not be far behind. She and Jess would have to leave.