As Ellany predicted, Sassy went into labor roughly two hours after the discovery that her pregnancy had been accelerated. Ellany brought Sassy to the stable and instructed her to lay on her side, as that would ease the labor. Sassy neighed in pain as contractions hit her over and over. Anya watched from outside, guilt on her face. She had apologized profusely after Sassy told her what the breed change had done. Honestly, Sassy was relieved. She would be free of this mare's body soon.
"Push!" Ellany instructed. With Anya, Dmitri, and Yevgeney watching, Sassy pushed. Something slid out of her. Ellany quickly fetched the foal and brought it to Sassy. Following instinct, Sassy licked the foal clean. It was a pure white colt. Her son whinnied weakly at her. Sassy felt a surge of motherly love and protection for her child. Not just any child. Once she took the throne as King, her son would be the Crown Prince. He was the most valuable foal in the entire kingdom right now. The newest Royal Heir.
"A name for him?" Anya whinnied. "Something that befits a Prince, not a horse, of course."
"Roan," Sassy replied. Ellany smiled. She passed along the colt's name to Dmitri and Yevgeney, who nodded in approval. "Now, how can I turn human?"
"Have Roan against your skin and use the amulet," Anya instructed. "It should change you both. And if it does not, well, we can easily cast a shape change spell upon Roan." Sassy nodded. Ellany pressed Roan against her. Sassy took a deep breath, then spoke the magic words.
"Protect me!"