"Ladybug, how could you do this to me?" Leksea whinnied angrily. She had awoken that morning mentally unchanged and furious.
"It was an accident," Ladybug replied. She tried to nudge Leksea underneath her body. "Please, have some breakfast."
"Nurse from you? No!" Leksea kicked her back legs in frustration. "I thought you were fine giving up your foals!"
"I thought so too. I supposed that I was not truly so," Ladybug said sadly. "Believe me, this was not my intention." Leksea sighed.
"I believe you," she said. "But that does not fix the problem! Do you know what would? Turn me back!" Ladybug shook her head.
"My magic is all over the place right now. I am out of practice and pregnant. Both things influence the efficacy and strength of my spells. And I was never very capable in the first place, to be honest. If we wish to return you to normal, we must seek out a powerful Witch family."
"What family?" Leksea asked warily.
"The Copperstones."
"They are against the King!"
"They are your best chance at returning to your true self before I give birth," Ladybug neighed. She shifted. "And...they would help me best with my triplet birth."
"Right. You will need assistance for that," Leksea said. Ladybug nodded. The filly whinnied impatiently. "Fine! We will seek help from the traitors!"
"But first, please, drink," Ladybug begged. "You are too young to graze!" Leksea groaned, but finally ducked her head under Ladybug. Ladybug sighed in relief as the filly began to empty her swollen udder.
While Leksea nursed, Ladybug thought about the journey ahead of them. It was good she couldn't remember her true name. Her previous self had done a great disservice to Anya. An act that, now she had been on the other side, Ladybug recognized was out of bounds.
In addition, while traveling alone would be helpful in terms of their speed, it was more dangerous. Hopefully they could find fellow travelers going the same way. She sent a silent prayer to the gods that no stallion would find them. If she was mounted, she didn't know if she would avoid being claimed.