"May I ask the identity of the child?" Iris asked as they waited for Mikhail to return.
"He was known as Prince Jet," Olga said. "With Crown Prince Jasper missing, presumed dead, he was the heir presumptive. King Antyny wished to keep him from causing issues with succession and sent him here with us. At the last minute, we received a messenger just now telling us to treat him as Jaelynn was."
"So he is now a Horse Witch?"
"Yes. A rather weak one, I am afraid. Even non-Witches can have some aptitude for magic, but Jet had none, so he will pale in comparison to even the average Witch's ability. In addition, he was turned into a girl. To properly keep him out of the way," Olga said. Iris nodded. Her heart was racing. She couldn't let her younger brother leave her grasp!
"I will take her," she said. Olga sighed in relief.
"I was hoping you would say that, Lady Iris. You are truly generous and considerate."
"Please make her appear like Mikhail," Iris requested. "If she will be weak, I wish for her Copperstone heritage to not be questioned visually."
"I will gladly do so." Olga waved her fingers over the light. It flared, then went into Iris, just as Jaelynn had. Iris groaned as her belly expanded even further. Mikhail returned. Alone.
"I was unable to-" He stared at Iris, now even bigger than before. "You took the child."
"I had no choice."
"You-" Mikhail sighed and shook his head. "Very well. We will hire an additional nanny to help with the children, I suppose." Iris beamed at him. She opened her mouth, then doubled over in pain, crying out. "Iris?!"
"I- I-" Iris croaked. Liquid suddenly dripped below her. She groaned.
"My love, you are in labor!" Mikhail gasped. "We need to get help!"