"Regardless of the form he takes, Roan will become a Witch at two," Ellany informed the princess. Jessamine frowned.
"Even if he is given the Royal red hair, as my heir would possess?" she asked. Ellany nodded. "But...he is my firstborn son and as such will be the Crown Prince."
"Yes."
"The kingdom has never had a Witch ruler before."
"That is not completely true," Ellany said quietly. "The throne usurper is a Witch." Jessamine seemed unamused by the technicality. "Would it be such a bad thing for us to have a Witch King?" Ellany said, moving on quickly.
"Tradition states-"
"Tradition was what kept you from marrying Anya, the love of your life," Ellany pointed out. Jessamine frowned. "She is my sister-in-law. She has told me of your close connection, how you told her you longed to make her your wife, were it not for your father's strict adherence to tradition. Tradition is also the reason your close friend Antyny was banished for hiding his status as a Witch. That same man was so soured by the treatment that he led the coup upon the Capitol and now sits upon your rightful throne."
"Antyny is the rebel leader?" Jessamine asked. She sighed. "I should have known he would cause trouble." She looked down at Roan, suckling eagerly from his mother's breast. "I will think on what you have said, Ellany." Her voice took a regal tone. Ellany knew better than to argue with her further. "I...I would like to marry Anya. Once this is all over. She deserves to be my Queen." There was a knock on the door. Dmitri entered. He kissed Ellany on the cheek.
"My love," he whispered. Ellany kissed him back. Jessamine cleared her throat.
"Did you need something, Dmitri?" she asked tartly.
"Yes." Dmitri smiled at the women. "We are ready to begin our journey."
"Finally," Jessamine sighed. She switched the breast Roan was suckling from. "Let us depart now. Before another fit of misfortune takes us."
In a matter of minutes, they were ready to go. Jessamine carried Roan and rode Anya, Dmitri rode Ellany in horse form, and Yevgeney rode Gelvin. Thunder, carrying their supplies, was tied to Ellany to keep him from wandering off. Yevgeney led the way and Dmitri brought up the rear, keeping their most valuable and vulnerable party members - Anya, Jessamine, and Roan - in the safest position in the middle of the caravan. Jessamine's heart swelled with excitement to be traveling again, and this time, as the rider, not the one ridden.