Greta woke up in the harem to a soft chime coming from her anklet. It was the jewelry that Anya had given Gareth to keep him from becoming a mindless sex kitten like the other concubines. And, to a certain extent, like the former Prince. Greta sat up, carefully sliding off the bed she'd been on. With Antyny distracted, the concubines had decided on a massive orgy with the guards. Which meant she was still naked.
Greta quickly slipped on her concubine uniform, then ducked into the powder room. It was empty. She twisted the heart-shaped charm on her anklet.
"Anya?" she whispered.
"Gareth," Anya's voice said from the anklet.
"Call me Greta to avoid blowing my cover," Greta said firmly. Anya's voice sighed.
"Fine. Where is Janessa?"
"According to the gossip from the guards, in the royal suite with Antyny."
"That is not where a concubine goes."
"I know."
"She's earning his trust. This is good." Anya paused. "I need to speak with both of you."
"Ugh. Fine." Greta tied her hair back and snuck out of the harem quarters, completely silent. As Gareth, he'd undergone years of training in fighting, which included being able to get places quietly so as to sneak up on enemies. While Greta's ability to fight was no doubt hampered by her lack of muscles, she was even better at sneaking around than before. She didn't make a sound as she made her way to the royal suite. She opened the door. With her eyes adjusted to the dark, she could make out Antyny and Janessa on the bed, both naked.
"Janessa!" Greta hissed. Janessa stirred. She sat up. Antyny, who had been looking very rundown lately, snored. "Can you leave without waking him?"
"He is like a rock," Janessa said with a light laugh. "Not even my kisses will wake him." She got out of the bed and walked over to Greta. After their time in the harem together, seeing each other get fucked, neither batted an eye at Janessa's nudity. "I suspect he is exhausted to the bone."
"Good. Come with me." Greta grabbed Janessa's arm and pulled her out of the royal suite, down the hall, and into a small closet. "Anya. We can talk."
"Excellent," Anya's voice said. Janessa's eyes widened. Greta gestured to her anklet, which was glowing slightly. Janessa nodded. "As I am sure you have heard, the war is going well. On our side, at least. The information you have been providing us is turning the tide in our favor." Janessa and Greta sighed in relief. "But we heard from one of our contacts in another kingdom that Antyny is trying to curry help outside of Karagot."
"Yes," Janessa said in her maddeningly sexy voice. "He brought me to the diplomatic meeting."
"He brought a concubine?"
"It turned some kingdoms off of providing him support."
"Good. We need to get all the kingdoms to refuse to support him. Myself and some other former concubines are trying to get assistance from other kingdoms for our side, but it is going poorly. If Antyny convinces any of them to help him, we are as good as done."
"If that happens, are we stuck here?" Greta asked.
"No. We have a backup plan ready in case the worst happens. Rest assured, we will get the two of you to safety. No matter what."
"Good."
"I need to go now. Continue your work spying and please, please prevent Antyny from forming alliances." Greta's anklet went dark.
"But...how do I do that?" Janessa asked. Greta laughed.
"You took lessons on diplomacy for how many years?"
"But-"
"We do not have time. I must get you back to the royal suite." Greta took Janessa's hand and led her out of the closet. "While you fall asleep, think of ways to prevent Antyny's alliances from happening. Then, in the morning, take action." Janessa nodded, still looking worried. Greta opened the door to the royal suite. Janessa crawled back into bed with Antyny. Antyny rolled over and grabbed her hips, spooning her as though nothing had happened.
As she fell asleep, Janessa thought. And when she woke in the morning, she knew what to do.