Janessa awoke in the middle of the night, what Antyny had said to her ringing in her ears. She had no doubt in her mind that he was correct. Her hand slid down to rest on her bare, flat stomach. Antyny had planted his seed in her womb and she was now growing a son for him. A strange maternal rage suddenly filled Janessa. No! This child would not be for Antyny. This child would be hers. And hers alone. But the only way to ensure that would be to escape.
Thankfully, the harem was empty aside from Janessa. She checked the entry to the harem quarters. No guards had been placed to keep watch. Strange. Did Antyny not care about the woman he had impregnated with his son? Or perhaps, in his characteristic hubris, he had assumed she would not attempt to escape him.
Janessa crept through the hallways, ducking behind corners whenever she heard footsteps. During one such instance, she felt sure that she was safe and prepared to leave her hiding space when someone clamped their hand over her mouth. She screamed instinctively, the sound dampened.
“Be quiet, my Prince,” Anya’s voice hissed. Janessa turned around. Anya’s form slowly faded into view.
“You were invisible?” Janessa whispered. Anya nodded.
“I determined it would be the safest way to find and rescue you.” Anya looked Janessa up and down. “A strange form you took.”
“I had no control over it.”
“No, I know.” Anya frowned at Janessa’s bright red hair. “Let me change your hair. It marks you as noble or royal.” She waved her hand. “There. Light brown is far more common. Now, let us go. I have horses waiting for us.”
“Anya, I have no clothes!” Janessa hissed. Anya sighed impatiently. She waved her hand again. Janessa now wore a Palace Maid’s uniform.
“Any other complaints or can we leave?” Anya snapped. When Janessa said nothing, Anya grabbed her hand and began to pull her through the halls. They snuck into the Royal Stable, where, sure enough, a stablehand stood with two readied horses. Both were of a lesser caliber than Janessa was used to, though she supposed they were better to avoid attention. The stablehand helped Janessa and Anya mount their horses, then the two set off.
“Where are we headed?” Janessa asked Anya once they left the Capital.
“Somewhere safe,” Anya replied. “We are headed for…”