As they approached, Gareth noticed that Janessa's younger siblings stood by Anya as part of the greeting party. Princess Jade and Prince Jet. They were both born from concubines, so they were not to inherit the throne unless something happened to Janessa. Gareth worried about what would happen when the children saw their older sister, instead of an older brother.
"Janessa!" the children shouted, rushing over to Janessa's horse. Janessa dismounted and hugged her siblings.
"Oh, I am so glad you are safe!" she gushed. She kissed the tops of their heads. Gareth looked at Anya, who winked. Gareth shook his head to hide his smile. Anya was a powerful sorceress. No doubt she had used a spell to confuse the children. It would work in the short term, but long term it wouldn't work. They needed to return Janessa to Jasper immediately.
"How was the journey?" Anya asked Gareth.
"Fine. Except for one thing..." Gareth explained how Janessa had kissed him and was under the impression they were in a relationship. Anya sighed.
"I had worried of something like this. Jasper, for all his womanizing ways, has always been a romantic. Janessa would not cease to be such." Anya smiled at Gareth. "Do not worry. I will remove the amulet once the children go inside and we can return Janessa to Jasper."
Jade and Jet hugged their older sister for a few more minutes, before going back inside. Anya turned to Janessa.
"May I have the amulet?" she said. "We both need to remove it at the same time." Janessa nodded. She reached for the amulet, as did Anya. When their hands touched the chain of the necklace, the amulet, which had gone dim, suddenly blazed with light. And the women could not remove it.
"Is that bad?" Janessa asked, her voice quivering. She grabbed Gareth's arm, clinging to him for comfort. Anya smiled, though Gareth could see panic in her eyes.
"No. I will just have to talk to my brothers about this." Janessa nodded shakily. "Dear Janessa, go lay down. Rest. You have been through much lately."
"Okay." Janessa looked up at Gareth expectantly. He patted her arm.
"I will come with you," he said warmly. Janessa's doe-like eyes filled with relief.
They went inside, where they were brought to a room with a large bed in it. Janessa laid down, but begged for Gareth to cuddle her. Uncomfortable, but determined to do his job to take care of her, Gareth laid on the bed and spooned her until she fell asleep.
Once she was asleep, Gareth got out of bed. On an impulse, he kissed the princess's cheek before leaving the room. He found Anya sitting in front of a fireplace, reading a thick tome.
"How are you?" he asked. Anya sighed. She's looked up.
"I am trying to figure out what went wrong with removing the amulet."
"I worry that you have not had much luck, given your expression," Gareth said. Anya smiled wryly.
"Well..."