Janessa should have known that what she told Lilia would get back to Antyny. In the middle of the night, he had taken her from the harem quarters, covering her mouth so that she couldn’t cry out or, worse, use the amulet. The guards in the hall averted their eyes as Antyny abused her.
She gasped, not from pleasure, but pain, as Antyny thrust into her viciously. His hands gripped her shoulders, nails digging into her skin, drawing blood. He came into her and then pulled out. He grabbed her hair and dragged her through the halls of the palace. Then, he shoved her onto the ground outside the castle gates, fully nude.
That was how Lilia found her half an hour later.
“Oh, poor Janessa,” Lilia whispered, sitting on the ground so Janessa’s head could rest in her lap. “I am so sorry for making you speak.” She turned to glare at her husband, who had followed her outside. “Now do you agree why a concubine’s opinion is important?” she snapped. Her husband, who had been so hesitant about his wife befriending a concubine, looked horrified. He took off his jacket and placed it over Janessa’s beaten body.
“This is- yesterday he was parading her around like the future Queen. To turn so quickly on one he supposedly cared for…” The Prince sighed. “I will tell the servants to begin packing our things and bring an extra dress for Janessa.”
“I doubt it will fit her well. She is taller than I.” Lilia smiled weakly at Janessa. “And has the bosom of a mother of twins.” Despite herself, Janessa couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Mother of quadruplets, perhaps. A thought passed briefly through her mind, wondering how much bigger her bust would get after she became pregnant, an inevitable task for women.
Janessa laid on the ground, her head in Lilia’s lap, until Lilia’s husband returned. He turned away while Lilia helped Janessa into the gown, which did indeed not fit well. The hem was many inches off the ground on her taller frame, and her significant bust threatened to escape from the dress. Lilia gave her a shawl, which provided some coverage.
They went to the carriagehouse, where the Northfjord carriage was ready and waiting for them. Janessa turned to Lilia.
“May I have a paper and writing utensil?” she asked quietly.
“You know how to write?” Lilia’s husband said, surprised.
“I told you, she is a wonderful girl,” Lilia said. She dug around in her purse, eventually pulling out some paper and a charcoal stick. “I draw. This is the best I have.”
“It is perfect.” Janessa hurriedly scribbled out everything that had happened and her current destination. Then she gave it to a nearby stablehand. One that Greta had informed her was a Royalist spy. “Give this to Greta.” The stablehand nodded and hurried away.
Lilia’s husband helped Lilia and Janessa into the carriage. The carriage began to move.
“Rest,” Lilia said gently to Janessa. “I will wake you when we get to the port.”
“Port?”
“Able to write, but poor in geography?” Lilia said with a smile. “Janessa, dear, Northfjord is an archipelago, up in the northern icy regions. We have no choice but to travel by boat.”
“Ah.” Janessa closed her eyes, the movement of the carriage lulling her to sleep. As she slept, Lilia and her husband discussed what would happen with Janessa, namely…