Janessa was going to give birth any day. She could feel it. Even getting out of bed was difficult. But she forced herself out and waddled downstairs to begin her tasks. As she did, she heard two familiar voices. One was Mikhail. The other was Anya!
Janessa waddled towards them as quickly as she could. She entered the living room just as Mikhail was telling Anya about her.
"Janessa?" Anya said, sounding confused. Janessa cleared her throat. Anya looked over. Her gaze landed on the amulet. Her eyes widened. "Oh, yes, my beloved harem sister Janessa!" She got up, revealing her own enormous baby bump. The two pregnant women hugged as best they could, their bellies getting in the way.
"It is so good to see you," Janessa said. Mikhail got up from the couch and gestured for Janessa to take his spot.
"I will leave the two of you to catch up," he said. The two sat down. Mikhail left the room.
"You have been through quite a lot, it seems," Anya remarked. Janessa sighed.
"Yes." She told Anya everything. Anya's eyes grew wider the more she spoke. When she finished, Anya shook her head.
"How devastating. But you remain strong. You will be a wonderful King someday." Anya sighed. "I have unfortunate news. Many of the safe houses and places with our allies have fallen. That is why it took me so long to get here. I suspect soon even Wind's Grove will be unsafe for us."
"What are we to do?" Janessa asked nervously.
"Once we give birth and heal a bit, we will go to Estrellia and seek asylum there. I know the Queen well. She will protect and house us, and convince her husband to help us form a force with which we can take back Karagot."
"I cannot bear to leave my kingdom like this..."
"Do it not for you, but for your children." Anya placed Janessa's hand on her baby bump, smaller than Janessa's but still large. "All three." Janessa nodded.
"Very well. If that what it takes to keep them safe, I will do it." A sharp pain suddenly tore through her body. She let out a yell. Anya gasped.
"Call the witch midwife!" she shouted. "Janessa is in labor!" She grunted in pain. "As am I!"