Moonstone

Chapters

(2) Some Unexpected Help
(3) Down and Dirty
(4) Baby Steps
(5) The First Rule
(6) Good Vibrations
(7) Boundaries
(8) Tightrope
(9) Speechless
(10) With A Bang
(11) A Brief Respite - Part 1
Interlude I - Luna
(12) Behind the Times
(13) Wedding Bells and Broken Spells - Part 1
Interlude II - Luna
(13) Wedding Bells and Broken Spells - Part 2
(14) Expo(sed)
(15) Exhibit(ion)
Interlude III - Luna
(18) Solar Eclipse
(19) Pillow Talk
(20) Memories Made
(Epilogue) Memories Kept
Moving Forward
(1) No big surprise
(11) A Brief Respite - Part 2
(16) Ex
(17) Putting the Hoof down
Afterword

(2) Some Unexpected Help

Moonstone – Chapter 2: Some Unexpected help

Fleur’s chest heaved in the aftermath of the heated chase, as she frantically looked around her for the source of the voice, the shadowy figure that had continued to elude her. She saw nothing at first, which almost made her think the whole thing had been a dream. But just as she was about to dismiss the shadowy figure as another flight of fancy, the dark figure returned, casting a tall, pitch black shadow directly over her. Crying out again, Fleur began to scramble away, her hooves flailing as she tried to stand.

“Please, relax.” The voice was calm and even toned, but what struck Fleur immediately was the almost melodic quality that seemed to permeate. Only when the clouds parted to reveal the face of the moon did she get a good look at the figure. Fleur’s violet eyes rose to meet the face of her shadowy target, and her heart nearly froze.

“Princess Luna??”

“Fleur De Lis, I presume?” The princess smiled down at her, offering a hoof. Fleur tentatively took it, standing up with a sheepish look. “What are you doing out in the hedge maze?”

“I… I don’t know, to be honest.” Fleur whimpered. Then the memories came flooding back - the revelation of her ex-husband’s cheating, Fancy Pants’ friends and their incorrigible teasing; and the shame that came with it all. Fleur felt tears well up in her eyes, some of them slipping free to slide down her cheeks, despite her efforts to hold them back in the presence of the Princess. She knew she should be angry at learning such things, but instead she felt saddened. Heartbroken, even. What had she done to deserve such treatment? Why did the other ponies have to be so rude about it? Did they endorse his unfaithful behavior? All those questions and more overwhelmed her, and Fleur began to sob.

“Hey, stop that.” Luna’s voice interjected between the tears. Fleur felt a ginger pressure lift her eyes up, looking directly into Luna’s own. “I’ll not have one of my subjects crying so. Come now, tell me.” Luna released her chin, the princess’ lips spread in a warm and gentle smile. “Why are you so sad?”

Fleur struggled to find words. She honestly, truthfully didn’t know where to begin. Should she really be telling Princess Luna of her marital troubles? Her naiveté? And why was the princess out here in the first place? In all her years, Fleur had only ever seen either of the princesses in passing, when they were making customary appearances at social gatherings. She had never had the pleasure of speaking with them directly. Now, her makeup in shambles, and her dress all but tatters around her legs, Fleur wanted nothing more than to run home and cry some more. Speaking with Luna was the last thing on her mind.

“It’s nothing, princess.” Fleur whimpered, shuddering slightly. ’Why is it so cold? It’s mid-august, so why am I shivering?’ “I’m sorry to trouble you. Please, excuse me-“

“I’ll not stop you if you wish to leave,” Luna stepped forward, her lips turned into a slight frown. Not one of discomfort or disapproval, merely one of confusion and concern. “But I’m honestly interested in why you’re so distraught, Ms. De Lis.” Luna’s mysterious gaze swept over Fleur’s body, taking in her makeup, her grass-stained, tattered dress, and all-round frumpiness. Fleur withered under Luna’s gaze, trying desperately to hide her disposition from the Princess.

“It’s… Nothing, really.” Fleur felt the tears come on once more. “Just… Some personal issues. My husband… Well, he…” Fleur struggled to find the words. Luna stood by patiently, her expression drawn as if she was content to wait for Fleur to elaborate. After a few moments, Fleur swallowed past the lump in her throat. “He cheated on me… Has been for several years now. Or at least, I think so… He left me, and moved to Trottingham to be with one of his… his… mistresses.”

“Oh, I see…” Luna didn’t smile, but her expression conveyed understanding and sympathy. “That’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear about that. I always figured Fancy Pants to be the loyal sort, too. He always put on a good show at the charity dinners.” Luna slowly lowered herself to her haunches, smiling faintly at Fleur. “I’m assuming that’s not all that is troubling you, though.”

“No…” Fleur admitted with a sigh. Despite her instinct to run home and clean herself up, Fleur felt herself relaxing. “It’s his friends, and business partners. They were teasing me, saying I was blind to it… I couldn’t handle them anymore.”

“Perfectly understandable. And Celestia wonders why I almost never go to charity functions.” Luna chuckled. “I find their endless prattling unbearable. N-not to assume you’re the same, of course!” Luna waved her hooves frantically just as Fleur felt another wave of tears come forth. “Quite the opposite, in fact. You see, I might not attend any charity functions or fundraisers, but I do have to deal with the bureaucratic side of them, and I’ve seen your signature on more than a few checks made out to charities across Equestria. You must work hard to raise that much money for so many honorable causes.”

“Th-thank you.” Fleur muttered. So somepony had noticed her hard work. And not just anypony, but the Princess! The mere thought made Fleur’s lips spread in a warm smile. “It means much to hear you say that.”

“I’m still perplexed, though.” Luna tapped her lower lip with a hoof. “How you managed to end up out here in the hedge maze?”

“Oh, I uh…well, I ran. I remember finding myself here in the maze, and I was… I was chasing somepony. A dark figure. That wasn’t you, was it?”

“Hmm? A dark figure, you say?” Luna’s frown intensified as she chewed on Fleur’s words. “I don’t think so. I was out enjoying a late-night flight when I saw you asleep in the hedge maze. When I landed, you woke suddenly. What did this dark figure look like?”

“Oh, they were… Uum…” Fleur wracked her brain, trying to recall details about the figure from her dream. But much like her other dreams, the details began to fall through her hooves like grains of sand. “I can’t remember… It’s slipping my mind.”

“Perplexing.” Luna furrowed her brow, seemingly in thought. “Well, that’s unfortunate. But pardon my saying, you do look like you’ve seen better days. It won’t do to run into one of your ‘friends’ on your way home. Would you like to freshen up a little before leaving?” Luna tilted her head back towards the castle with a warm smile. Fleur tensed a little at the mention of ‘friends,’ but in the end found herself smiling. She would at least like to clean her makeup and see about mending her dress before she left for home.

“I would like that very much, Princess. Thank you.”

“Please,” Luna smiled at her. “Call me Luna.”

“Oh, wow.” Fleur gasped as Luna ushered her into the door. They had left the hedge maze and entered the castle’s extensive system of back hallways and service corridors. ‘To avoid running into one of the guilty parties,’ Luna had said. After a short walk and a few flights of stairs, Luna had led Fleur into what she assumed was the princess’s private quarters. The room was large, but not forbidding or dark. Candles glowed in their places along the walls, and on one of the many warm wooden tables. All along three of the four walls were bookshelves stacked high with dusty, important-looking books of magic, law, and a myriad of other subjects. The far wall was dominated by a massive four-poster bed, and to the left and right, several dressers and vanities. The cool floor had several rugs spread across it, and in front of the room’s one fireplace sat a series of three comfortable-looking couches. There were two sets of double glass doors leading out to a joined balcony, and aside from them, three other doors. One, she assumed, led into the princess’s wardrobe, while the other had to lead into the bathroom. The third, of course, they had just come through.

Luna smiled over her shoulder as Fleur appraised the warm room with wonder in her eyes. Almost immediately, she picked out the section of books devoted to fantasy and romance novels. Luna didn’t miss her longing gaze.

“Do you like romance?” Luna asked, her horn glowing with a dim light as she hovered a small selection of books off of the shelf. Fleur found herself blushing.

“I do… It’s a nice escape from the boring ledgers and charters I normally have to read.”

“Then you and I are alike in that regard.” Luna hovered one book forward, which Fleur peered at curiously. “Are you familiar with his work?” Fleur glanced at the author’s name with a frown.

“I can’t say I am.” She looked over the cover, and noticed it looked like any other trashy romance novel marketed to lonely mares. Then again, she was a lonely mare herself.

“Here, then. Take it with you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” Fleur smiled up at Luna as she accepted the book, her own field of magic wrapping around the well-worn cover. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“Thank you, princess…” Fleur held the book close to her chest, her blush intensifying. “I’ll be sure to return it to you as soon as I finish.”

“Keep it as long as you like, Fleur. There’s no rush. But, alas, I didn’t bring you here to throw books at you. The bathroom is through there. Please, feel free to freshen up. You’re welcome to draw a bath or take a shower, if you feel the need to.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly…” Fleur muttered, the blush not quite done heating her cheeks just yet. “I just need to use the sink is all…”

“Suit yourself.” Luna shrugged. “I’ll tell you now, though, you’re missing out.” Fleur glanced over her shoulder before slipping into the bathroom. Was it just her, or was Luna’s smile somehow more meaningful than it ought to be? Silently berating herself for even thinking such things about the Princess, she shook her head as she closed the door behind her and surveyed the bathroom.

It was almost as luxurious as the room she had just left. There was a massive, sunken-in tub that took up almost half of the floor. Fleur almost mistook it for a small swimming pool. The edge was lined with bottles of lotions, shampoo, conditioner, oils, and all sorts of beautification products. To take a soak in that tub would have been divine, and Fleur was seriously considering indulging. She put the thought aside for a moment, as she inspected the rest of the luxurious bathroom. The other half was occupied by a walled-off stall where she assumed the princess kept her toilet. There was also a large shower encased in clear glass, which sported several shelves also lined with mane care products. Opposite that was a well-lit sink, the counter for which was filled with makeup and brushes and a vast array of bottles, the contents of which Fleur could only guess at.

Continuing her slow walk around the room, she stopped to survey herself in the reflection of a massive floor-to-ceiling mirror located next to the sink. The hem of her dress was sodden with dew, stained from the grass, and had even ripped in several places. With a soft sigh, Fleur threw the clasps and slipped out of the all but ruined garment. It had been one of her favorites, too, and she highly doubted that there was a seamstress in Canterlot who could repair the damage.

After shedding her clothes, she moved on to her face. Her makeup was a mess, leaving her face a series of dingy streaks and baggy eyes. Her coat was beyond repair without partaking in a bath or a shower, but she could at least run damage control on her ruined makeup. After poking through the bottles and products on the counter, Fleur found makeup remover and a cleansing agent, along with a few fresh towels and soap. It took some scrubbing and a few stung eyes, but Fleur removed what was left of her makeup and returned her face to some semblance of normalcy. The hot water and scrubbing were invigorating. Her impromptu nap in the hedge maze was all but forgotten when she dried herself off, admiring her face in the mirror.

She took one last longing look about the bathroom. She had a very nice one back at home, with a wide white tub and a very wonderful shower, but it paled in comparison to the massive tub and sleek-looking shower Luna had, not to mention all of the beauty products lining the tub that would have done wonders on her coat. All the odd circumstances aside, Fleur was happy to be here. She exited the bathroom back into Luna’s bedroom, where she was greeted with a warm smile.

“That’s much better. Oh, was your dress ripped?”

“I’m afraid so.” Fleur frowned as she held the tattered dress up. “It was one of my favorites, as well.”

“Here, let me see.” Luna gingerly took the dress from Fleur’s grasp, hovering it into the air in front of her with a focused look. “Hmm. This should be easy to fix. I’ll need a book, though… Fleur, could you be a dear and find ‘Tailoring Troubles’ from that shelf over there?” Luna gestured with a hoof to a nearby book shelf, where Fleur turned to next. After scanning the titles, Fleur found the book and hovered it over to Luna. “Thank you. This shouldn’t take more than a moment.”

“O-okay…” Fleur stood back and watched as Luna opened the book, flipping pages until she arrived where she needed to be. Then her horn began to glow densely, wrapping the dress in a tight embrace. Fleur watched as the magnificent white fabric was almost completely obscured by the princess’ magical field. When Luna was finished, the green stains and rips were completely gone. In fact, the fabric appeared to be whole again, fresh as the day it had been made. Luna hovered it back to Fleur, smiling at the wide-eyed wonder.

“Good as new, no?”

“Yeah, it is.” Fleur breathed, completely shocked. The dress had been ruined just two minutes ago. And now, it looked more radiant than ever. She looked over each little bit of fabric, marveling at the wholeness Luna had returned to it. “That’s amazing.”

“Oh, it’s nothing major.” Luna waved her off with a warm smile. “Anything for a friend.”

That word nearly stopped Fleur’s heart.

“F-friend?”

“Well…” Luna blushed a little, looking away. “I’ve really only just met you, but you strike me as somepony who’s not quite as insufferable as the other socialites.” Luna looked back at her, her lips spread in an apprehensive smile. “I don’t have many friends, and I hoped, maybe, you might indulge me?”

“Pr… Princess, I’d be honored.” Fleur breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. The book, the dress… Letting her use her own private bathroom… Luna was certainly being kind. And she was very beautiful. The other high-brow socialites had their own opinion of Luna, that she was somewhat aloof, and still evil to a certain extent. But Fleur was seeing Luna in an entirely different light after the night’s events. The princess was very warm and welcoming, and while she might have seemed to have prodded for information earlier, Fleur now understood it was only because she had the best of intentions. Indeed, without Luna’s interjection, Fleur’s night might have ended much worse than it had.

“You don’t need to call me princess, Fleur.” Luna smiled as she extended a hoof towards her. “Luna suits me just fine.”

“Okay, Luna.” Fleur wrapped her hoof around Luna’s, smiling up at her new-found friend.

As the weeks went on, Fleur found Luna to be a surprisingly supportive and active friend to her. The princess almost always had time for a lunch date, or to come over for dinner, or even to spend the day shopping with Fleur. Rumor spread around Canterlot about how the princess had found a new friend, and how Fleur had made a miraculous recovery from her divorce with Fancy Pants.

The latter, of course, she owed to Luna. Following the break-up, Fleur initially had some trouble acclimating to not only organizing and coordinating the charity events, but attending and headlining them as well. Luna had offered some assistance in booking venues, or providing a small bit of financial support when necessary. Fleur was more than grateful to receive the help, as it allowed her to downsize her agenda. She attended fewer functions per week than she had when she was with Fancy Pants, but Luna’s increased attendance at these events drew larger crowds, which of course meant more funds for the many charities and organizations that benefited from these events.

In the end, Fleur found that she had more-or-less broken even, while freeing more time in her schedule to actually relax and enjoy herself. She might have managed to do so without Luna, of course, but having the princess’ assistance was reassuring nevertheless. Fleur was glad to have found a new friend in the mysterious, normally secluded princess of the night.

It wasn’t until summer was over and fall was upon them that Fleur re-discovered the book Luna had lent her. She found it on the desk in her study, buried underneath a stack of neglected party invitations. A warm smile played across her lips as she lifted the well-worn book from its place and surveyed the title. The synopsis on the inside cover made her smile grow even more.

’Two colts, two mares, two marriages, one relationship. A web of lies, deceit, and passion…’ It went on to hint at a friendly relationship between a group of four ponies who agreed to try wife-swapping, and found out their friends’ spouses were markedly more enjoyable than their own. There was a hint of mystery and intrigue, and flared passions when the two husbands clashed over some new developments. Fleur found her heart racing already. This was going to be a very good read. She didn’t have anything planned that weekend, so she poured a full glass of wine, started a fire, and curled up with the book that had been given to her by Luna.

Little did she know just how risqué the book would turn out to be. She was hardly through three chapters when she encountered the first sex scene, and what a racy one it was. Fleur squirmed on the couch as she read through the scene, which vividly described a wife screaming with passion, and a husband grunting with the force of each thrust…

“Oh dear...” Fleur glanced down at her hoof, which had idly begun to find its way between her thighs. “What have you given me, Luna?” The book was having quite the effect on her. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the fact she hadn’t had a mate since her divorce, but Fleur was flushed and eager. She at least had to finish this scene, though. She owed the author that much. As it went on, though, Fleur found she couldn’t resist the needs of her all too neglected body. Her hoof traced lower and lower along her stomach, circling around and around as she neared her pubis.

She found herself spread out beneath him, completely and utterly exposed. ‘Take me, Dashing. Take me hard.’ She panted, positively open for him. Her husband mounted her once more, his glistening stallionhood poised at her entrance. She needed him. She wanted him. And as he-

“Uuhn…” Fleur’s hoof had found her core, and wasted no time eliciting a deep, throaty groan from her. The scene went on, going into some very intimate and blush-inducing details. Not that it mattered, Fleur’s hoof was busy grinding against her marehood hard enough to elicit a steady flow of wet, erotic noises. Fleur knew she should have moved to the shower, or at least to her bedroom, but she couldn’t tear her eyes off of the book. Each new sentence sent a fresh wave of pleasure shooting into her system. Why was she so sensitive? Why was this book turning her on so much? Was it the author, or the fact that she hadn’t had a satisfactory orgasm in almost eight weeks?

Nevertheless, her release came upon her well before she could get somewhere decent. Thankfully, it wasn’t very wet, but it did rob her strength and make her eyes flutter closed. Her hoof remained pressed against the delicate, flared lips of her marehood, grinding into the flesh as she whimpered and shook.

“Uuh… Wow…” Fleur sagged into the couch, basking in the warmth of the fire and her post-orgasmic bliss. Her wine sat completely forgotten on the coffee table, and the book lay face-down on her chest. She was content to lay there, letting the details of the book and her most recent exploit play back through her mind. It was a wonderful book, but above all else, Fleur began to wonder…

Why would Luna give her such a book? Let alone when she knew Fleur’s husband had been cheating on her, and she was so obviously distraught? Not that she was complaining, the book was amazing and she had every intention of finding more titles by the same author, but the question still plagued her thoughts. Fleur stood up from the couch and went to go clean up after herself. She had some questions to ask Luna come Monday.

But not until she finished this book. As she stood to move back to her bedroom, she stopped at the linen closet. She was going to need some new sheets before this book was finished.

“Good evening, Luna.” Fleur smiled as she opened her door for the princess. Luna’s own smile was radiant in its own dark, mysterious way. Fleur stepped aside as Luna slipped inside, moving just as gracefully and smoothly as always. Fleur had wondered about the princesses and their mysterious traits, or how they could possess wings and horns. Whatever the reasons though, it was obvious that Luna possessed the strength of an Earth Pony, the grace of a Pegasus, and the poise of a Unicorn.

“It’s good to see you again, Fleur. Did you have a nice weekend?” Luna’s hushed sentence shook Fleur out of her reverie. She offered a warm smile at the princess.

“I did indeed. I read a very good book… You may remember it. The one you gave me the first night we officially met?”

“Oh! Oh, why, yes I do remember that book.” Luna’s cheeks were suddenly aflame with a positively radiant blush, and her smile became markedly wider - and much more meaningful. “I’m surprised you read it at all. I’ll admit, that might not have been the best book to start you out on…”

“No kidding,” Fleur rolled her eyes as she shut the door behind the princess. “I’m not upset or anything, but I had to ask myself more than once why you had seen fit to give me such a book in the state I was that night.” Fleur disarmed the princess with a light-hearted laugh, which Luna joined in on hesitantly. They retreated further into Fleur’s home, to the small lounge Fleur normally entertained in. Luna took her customary place opposite the fireplace while Fleur made drinks. “Do you still take one whiskey with no ice?”

“Indeed, I do.” Luna smiled at her while Fleur manipulated bottles, glasses, and ice. She poured the amber-colored liquid for the princess, and threw together a quick martini for herself. Fleur hated to admit it, but she was a featherweight when it came to alcohol. She could handle a champagne brunch, sure, but she never could keep up with her ex-husband and his friends on their all-night drinking escapades. She had learned that the hard way. This one martini would be enough for the night. Luna nodded gratefully as Fleur handed her drink off, both of them clinking their glasses together before taking hearty sips.

“I swear,” Luna moaned. “The castle bar has nothing on you.”

“You’re flattering me.” Fleur blushed, swirling her drink around. “It’s a common whiskey…certainly not good enough to occupy a shelf in the castle bar...”

“Aah, but served properly, it’s divine.” Luna set her glass on the coffee table, her smile just as warm as ever. “Then again, I didn’t exactly come for drinks and idle banter…”

“Dinner will be ready soon.” Fleur returned. “It’s finishing cooking now.” She had prepared her crumb bake, the same dish Luna had enjoyed the first time she came over for dinner. It was the princess’ favorite. Fleur almost stopped herself when she realized how much she had come to learn about the princess over the past two months. In all fairness, it was probably more than anypony else knew about her.

She was a fastidious study, and of course a powerful magician. While matters of state were primarily left to her sister, Luna handled a lot of the kingdom’s paperwork regarding laws, procedures, policies, and the running of Equestria as a whole. It seemed a taxing process, but Luna had assured Fleur up and down it was the least she could do for her thousand-year absence and all the trouble she had caused. When she wasn’t signing papers or reviewing budgets, though, Luna was a gifted harpist and an avid reader. She enjoyed all subjects and genres, though she claimed her favorite was romance.

Which led Fleur to her next series of questions; and these she voiced out-loud. “Luna,”

“Hmm?”

“That book you lent me…”

“What of it…” Luna proceeded cautiously. Fleur gnawed on her lower lip as she gingerly lifted the book from behind her couch, handing it back to her.

“Do you… Have any others?”

Luna smiled deviously.

“Oh, wow.” Fleur was growing accustomed to muttering those words. Luna never ceased to amaze her. She was standing in the princess’ bedroom once more, her eyes wide as she watched the princess levitate a healthy portion of her personal library onto the table they stood at. “I never expected you to have this many.”

“I’m… A very big fan of their work.” Luna admitted. Her blush never faded, even throughout dinner and the short walk back to the palace. Fleur had to remind herself that, even though she was the princess’ friend for the past two months, she still had much to learn about Luna. As she glanced over the titles, she was beginning to wonder if she wanted to learn anything more about Luna. Some of the cover art for these novels was downright scandalous. Fleur froze, however, as she moved from one portion of the books onto the next. Hesitantly, she picked up a novel from the pile.

“Really?” She asked, her eyes wide at what she saw. “You read books like this?”

“Well…” Luna squirmed slightly, her cheeks flushed. “Yes, I guess you could say I do…”

“Wow.” Fleur let her gaze slide over the cover art several times, the blush on her cheeks intensifying all the more. It depicted a colt and a mare, though instead of wrapped up in a passionate embrace or sharing a deep kiss, like many of the other novels Luna had presented, these two were… Well, they were doing something. What that something was, Fleur could only guess at. But it involved rope, some hoof-cuffs, and a riding crop. And the mare certainly seemed to be enjoying herself.

“I… I guess I gave that one to you by accident…” Luna moved to take the book back, but almost instinctively, Fleur recoiled, clutching the book to her chest.

“Aah.” She teased, her lips spread in a devious smile. “Not so fast, now… I want to see what this is about.”

“Fleur,” Luna pleaded, but she didn’t move to take the book again. Fleur grinned and flipped the cover open to read the synopsis.

What she read very nearly had her dripping on Luna’s bedroom floor in a matter of seconds.

“I… Wow.” Fleur breathed, enraptured with what she was seeing.

“Fleur, please…”

“Not done yet.” Fleur raised a hoof, cutting Luna off as she continued to read. The synopsis alone was enough to make Fleur shudder with pent-up desire. She began to wonder if the book itself was going to be as good as this… Or maybe it was even better. She finished the synopsis, her cheeks flushed as she looked back up at Luna. “And this is the same author as the last book?”

“All of these are.” Luna admitted, waving a hoof out over the selection. At a glance, Fleur could guess they ranged anywhere from passionate and dramatic romances, much more tame than the last book she had read, all the way to aggressive and very obviously erotic books, like the one she still held. “I… Discovered the author upon my return to Equestria. Unfortunately, they passed away before my return, but they left these…”

“I must say,” Fleur looked over the array of books. There were probably close to thirty of them. “They were awfully prolific.”

“Oh you haven’t the slightest…” Luna’s coy tone made Fleur grin.

“Don’t tell me-“

“These are the tame ones.”

“Well.” Fleur still held the one book close to her chest, which was throbbing with her intense heartbeat. “I hope it isn’t too much trouble if I…”

“Oh, by all means,” Luna waved her hoof. “Borrow any one you like. Just don’t hold it against me if you don’t like what you read.”

“I doubt that I could ever hold anything against you, Luna.” Fleur smiled, clutching her book tight. “Reader beware, right?”

“I think that goes double for these books.” Luna chuckled, looking over the titles once more. The look on her face said it all. Fleur knew Luna cared very much for these books and what they held, and the mention of the less-tame titles made her squirm with anticipation. What could be more drastic than ropes and riding crops? She was certain she was about to find out.

“I think I’ll call it an evening,” Fleur looked over the books one last time, her heart still racing.

“Good night, Fleur.” Luna smiled warmly. “I’ll see you Thursday?”

“Dinner at Hoity Toity’s. How could I forget?” Fleur deadpanned. She was actually dreading the dinner appointment, but following her recovery from the divorce, Fleur hadn’t spoken with Hoity at all. It was about time she touched base with him regarding some of the charity drives he and Fancy Pants had co-founded. One of which was drawing closer and closer with the approach of the fall season.

Fleur gave Luna a warm smile and excused herself from the princess’ chambers, intent on making it home as soon as possible. She had until Thursday to enjoy the book, though if she read it any faster than she had the previous one, she’d need a new one by tomorrow. Still, the cool night air helped assuage her recently-awoken desires, and she briskly walked home.

This time, she’d make sure to aim for the sheets instead of the carpet around her bed.

(3) Down and Dirty

Moonstone – Chapter 3: Down and Dirty

It started innocently. Well, as innocently as reading a book about BDSM could start, anyway. Fleur didn’t know exactly what to expect from the new book she had borrowed from Luna, and much like her growing addiction to the genre, the book had started innocently as well. It was about a small-town farm mare who had recently moved to a big city and had to take up work as a receptionist for a law firm. The main lawyer began to draw an eye for her, and the two soon found themselves dating.

She had always been a rough-and-tumble sort of lover, preferring a roll in the hay to fancy sheets and pretentious schmoozing, and in that regard, her new lover did not disappoint. She had enjoyed her first foray with the lawyer, and the second even more, During their third meeting, however, he revealed some of his 'darker' addictions, and she was hooked instantly. Before she knew it, they were discussing plans for tying her up, causing orgasm after orgasm without any control from her side, and dozens of other deviant ways to draw pleasure from each other.

Thankfully, Fleur had plenty of time to soak up - and soak herself in - every detail of this latest book. She attended the Thursday dinner with Luna and Hoity Toity, and despite a few heated words, managed to arrange plans for their joined charities. Luna lent some considerable help, and in the end, the evening had actually been quite enjoyable. Fleur took Friday to relax, and with no plans for the weekend, she had plenty of time to dive into the book. She was halfway through now, and while her mind wanted to nothing more than continue, her already sore marehood was asking quite pointedly for a break.

Perhaps I should take a break, she thought as she stole a glance at her sweat-dampened coat and her thoroughly frayed mane. But the book had really begun to heat up, and was just getting into some truly remarkable territory. Fleur had never even heard of vibrators before now, but she had already made a mental note to buy one of them...or maybe ten. The author described them in vivid detail, and the way that he used them on his characters made Fleur positively drip with anticipation.

Still staring at the sultry words on the page in front of her, she stole a glance at her still swollen lips, and her primal urges quickly overtook her soreness, and her sense of decency.

I will take a break....right after I finish this chapter.

’Rosy was begging for it before her master had even begun. She had been two whole weeks without an orgasm, on threat of severe punishment, and her reward was imminent. Why did he have to be so incorrigible about it? There she was, wrapped up in yet another intricate rope harness, her legs splayed wide for him to see her glistening marehood. His cock dangled in front of her face, oozing pre-cum and looking almost too good to be true. She wanted him, and she wanted him now.

“Please,” Rosy whimpered. “Please, master… Fuck me?”

“Aah… Not just yet, my little pet.” He waved a hoof in front of her face, his thick rod bobbing up and down. She could see he was lathered already, still oozing the musky, thick fluid she had come to crave. “I want to watch you squirm a little longer…”

“Ooh, yessss…” Fleur let her breath hiss out past her teeth, moaning and clenching her eyes as her hooves brought her closer and closer to orgasm. She whimpered and arched her hips up into the air. Through the fog of pleasure, her mind barely focused enough to keep the book levitated above her. She continued reading, grinding her hoof against her dripping hole, and panting as loud as she could.

’His shaft was like cool relief bursting through her. She cried out in ecstasy as he slid in, her voice echoing back off of the cold stone walls. The vibrators on her nipples buzzed more insistently, and she flexed against the hard ropes holding her back-‘

Fleur arched her hips higher, her hooves a blur of motion as she spun her clit in rapid circles.

”Harder!” Rosy cried out, her voice raised to a near-scream. “Fuck me harder!”

“Ooh…”

”Beg for it.” The low growl of his voice sent a shiver down her spine, and Rosy had to oblige.

“Please! Fuck me harder!”

“Aaaahhn!”

’She could feel him twitch inside of her. She was filled to the brim with his delicious cock, her legs bound, her nipples numb with pleasure. Rosy was going to cum, but she knew she couldn’t without the permission from her master-‘

“Uuh! Uuhn! Yes!”

”Not yet, Rosy. Don’t you dare cum without my permission.”

“Please!”

”Not yet…”

“PLEASE!”

’He drove in one last time, and Rosy felt him pump inside of her. A warmth flooded her middle, oozing into all the warm, moist spots inside of her aching cunt. She couldn’t hold back anymore. Flexing around his rod once, twice, she-‘

“CUM!” Fleur collapsed as wave after wave of intense energy coursed through her body, shaking her to her core.. She was only idly aware of the wet, spattering sound reaching her ears, but she was acutely aware of how badly her legs were shaking. Pleasure, thick and fast, thundered through her veins. She drooled helplessly, all the while trying to keep herself from passing out.

She regained muscle control maybe a minute later. Slowly, she sat up, looking around at the devastation wrought by her latest, and perhaps strongest orgasm yet. Fleur had always been wet downstairs, and even Fancy had managed to make her squirt now and then… But this was something else. She felt famished, and after looking at the small puddles dotting the sheets – and the floor – she groaned.

“Okay… No more tonight.” She was now about three-quarters through the book, but she didn’t know if she could handle another orgasm. She dog-eared the page and set it on her nightstand before limping into the bathroom. She drank straight from the faucet to replenish what she lost and moved directly to the shower to cool off. The water remained cold to avoid any more arousal, and she tried her hardest to stay away from her still-tender center. As she cleaned herself up, a deep blush colored her face as she thought back on the day of furious masturbation, the mental images from the book, and her own ecstasy, still fresh in her mind.

Coat cleaned, and pulse lowered, Fleur stepped out of the shower to dry off, then made her way back into her bedroom, where the air still smelled faintly of her arousal. “Honestly, Luna…” Fleur shook her head at the book on the nightstand before turning her attention to the ruined sheets. “I ought to make you pay my utility bill.” She used her magic to strip the soiled linens from the bed and shove them into the wash before covering the mattress with all-new ones. She only had two pairs, one to be used while the other was being washed. In hindsight, she should have invested in new ones. Just in case one of these little forays ruined one set or another.

The rest of the day she spent in bed, reading something other than a trashy romance. It was an adventure tale, of dashing heroes fighting evil to save their land. She didn’t really pay much attention to it though, as these sorts of books had never really interested her. However, they were a nice distraction for the mind, especially at times like this when she felt too tired to pay attention to any meaningful books.

And so started her addiction. She tried to be reasonable about it, but after the first book, she couldn’t help but indulge in the others. Luna provided her with the publisher’s name, and she bought the entire collection of the author’s work. It was awfully pricey, but Fleur would sometimes finish an entire book in a day, and she couldn’t pester Luna with them all the time.

Yet, there was still another side to Fleur's new addiction - discussing the books with Luna. While Fleur enjoyed the main character’s development into establishing a dom/sub relationship or an acquired taste for chains and hoof-cuffs, Luna enjoyed the act itself. Fleur wasn’t entirely surprised to find herself discussing such things like orgasm denial, piercings, or even rope bondage with the princess. They did so nonchalantly at first, keeping discussions based solely around the books and the author’s works…

But soon enough, Fleur began to share some things with Luna. Things she would never dream of sharing with anypony else.

“I don’t know, Luna, I just…” Fleur gnawed on her lower lip. “I kind of want to try some of the things in these books.” She lifted her most recent read, a racy novel about the pleasures of a full-time dom/sub relationship.

“Oh trust me,” Luna waved a hoof nonchalantly. “It’s an experience once you do.”

“Have you ever?” Fleur asked, her cheeks already flushed. She seemed to be constantly afflicted with red cheeks whenever she discussed these sorts of things with the Princess. It had been three months since she had started reading these books, and at least two since she and Luna had begun discussing them in detail. She shouldn’t be this shy about these sorts of things anymore.

“Ever what? Done these things?” Luna’s devious smile spoke volumes to Fleur’s searching eyes. “Of course. Now and then, I manage to find somepony who’s… Shall I say, willing.”

“Oh.” Fleur didn’t exactly know how to feel about that. She and Gem had, of course, shared their passionate exploits in the past. Fleur was always jealous that Diamond Cutter was a passionate lover and very intimate in bed, as opposed to Fancy Pants. But whenever they touched on the subject of specific happenings, Fleur seemed to shut down.

Not so with Luna. Maybe it was because Luna was to blame for her addiction, or maybe she just trusted the princess more than she did Gemstone. Whatever the reason, curiosity took over. She leaned in, her tone hushed as she asked the question that had been nagging her since she arrived.

“What’s it like?”

“What? A dom/sub relationship?” Luna have a soft ‘hmm’ of thought and tapped her lower lip. “It’s difficult to describe, and I prefer to kind of take things away from the author’s interpretation of a typical dom/sub relationship…”

“How so?”

“Well, you know in ’Captured’ he described how the sub, what’s her name…”

“Inkwell?”

“Right. Her. You know how he describes her as being almost fearful of her dom?”

“Well, yes, but… Isn’t that the point?”

“No!” Luna seemed offended. “Not at all! Quite the opposite, in fact.” Luna leaned in, beckoning Fleur closer. “You see, to me… A dom/sub relationship is all about one thing.” She lifted her hoof up, smiling at Fleur. “Trust.”

“Trust?”

“Trust. You see…” Luna sat back up with a warm smile as she began to explain. “The sub’s main role in the relationship is to be pleased. It’s the dom’s job to make the sub’s wildest dreams come true-“ Luna was explaining something way out of left field. Fleur had never even imagined it was something like this, and she listened with rapt attention as Luna continued. “The dom, in my mind, gets their greatest sexual thrill from fulfilling the sub’s desires. When a sub says ‘I’ve never done that before’ and they like it, when it’s exactly what they wanted… That. That’s what I think a dom/sub relationship is all about.” Luna finished by pointing at Fleur.

“Most ponies think relationships like that are based around self-gratification. That the dom’s the one who’s having all the fun, and it’s the sub who’s forced to endure it, or to grant her ‘master’s’ every wish. It’s the exact opposite. The dom’s the one doing all the fulfilling, and it’s the sub who’s having all the fun.” Luna’s smile was radiant as she sat back a little. “You might ask my justification for all this, well…” She looked Fleur up and down very pointedly. Her half-lidded expression spoke volumes. Fleur felt herself heat up all the more as Luna spoke the next words.

“Who’s really in control? Who decides when to start, when to stop? Who decides the boundaries, and what’s safe and what isn’t?” Luna leaned in once more, this time punctuating her point with a low, husky question.

”If the dom is in control, then why does the sub have a safe word?”

The normal books didn’t do it for her after that. Fleur could read them, could enjoy the scenarios and rough play they indulged in, but she saw them in an entirely different light. She began to get an appreciation for both ends of the spectrum. On one end, the dom enjoyed fulfilling somepony else’s fantasy. Indeed, that was their ultimate fantasy. They wanted nothing more than to make the sub’s wildest dreams come true, to grant them pure bliss in any form they desired.

BDSM, to Fleur, became less about whips, chains, and cuffs and more about trust, about forming an unshakable bond between two ponies who trusted one another implicitly. That the sub would set parameters and trust the dom to not step past them, and the dom would do everything in their power to fulfill the sub’s wildest dreams.

She continued to read the books, and get more than a little excited over the subject material, but she began to long for something more meaningful than words on a page, or exposition and character development.

She began to yearn for a dom.

Someone she trusted. Someone who knew her boundaries, or would at least respect what she said her boundaries were. But at the same time, someone who wasn’t afraid to push her limits, to test her strength and endurance, and to give her the most blissful time of her life.

Was she being selfish?

Probably.

Was she desperate?

Maybe a little.

Was she eager?

“Yes. Heavens, yes.” Fleur sighed, sagging back down into her abused sheets once more. Evidence of her most recent session remain dotted on the fabric around her thighs and under her tail, filling the air with the slightly musky, delightfully feminine smell of release. Rather than roll off of her bed and cleaning up, Fleur lay there for a while, stewing in more than one way. She began an inner dialogue with herself.

’Look at that… You’ve made a mess again.’

‘I’m sorry, master… Please, forgive me.’

‘Maybe. I might forgive you if you beg me to.’

Fleur gnawed on her lower lip.

’Please, master… Forgive me. I’ve been very bad…’

‘Ooh, yes you have… What did you do?’

‘I… I made a mess again…’

Her hoof began to trail lower along her stomach.

’What kind of mess, my little pet?’

‘I… I squirted everywhere. Please forgive me.’

‘Look at all of it. You squirted a lot… Did you enjoy yourself?’

‘Yes I did, master. I’m sorry-‘

‘You will be, my sweet. You will be.’

She was whimpering again.

’Please, master, forgive me- I’ll do anything! Anything for your forgiveness!’

‘Anything?’

‘Anything.’

‘Good… Now, let’s see you-‘

Fleur inhaled through her nose as a flash of pain shot through her. Her hoof had brushed her overly-sensitive clit, sending a shock into her system. She whimpered and squirmed for a few seconds, slowly sagging back down onto the sheets.

“No more today.” She decided, letting her hooves fall into the sheets on either side of her bed. As much as she wanted to, she didn’t dare risk hurting herself. She couldn’t afford to, with Hearth’s Warming Eve around the corner. Fleur was both apprehensive and excited for the holiday season, since she knew all the best formal balls were held during this time of year. This would be her first Hearth-Warming season without Fancy Pants, but it would also be her first major holiday with her newest friend, and friends always exchanged gifts on Hearth's Warming Eve.

But her's was no ordinary friend, and no ordinary gift would do. After all, how many other ponies got to buy a personal gift for one of the immortal regents of Equestria, and who just happened to have a deep love of BDSM?

No ordinary gift, indeed Fleur thought as she cast a wicked smile at the already-wrapped gift that sat on her bedside dresser.

After a few minutes and more than a few pleasant thoughts, Fleur finally slipped off of her bed and began to clean up.

Hearth’s Warming Eve approached much more rapidly than Fleur cared to think about. She became rather bogged down with several requests and formal invitations, and actually had managed to fill her schedule up for the first time in the past four months. Not that she minded; all of her spare time was beginning to wreak havoc on her bedroom linens. But for the next week and a half, Fleur’s days were spent preparing, and her evenings were spent at charity dinners, private functions, and silent auctions.

Before she knew it, the day before Hearth’s Warming Eve was upon her. A thin dusting of snow was on the ground outside, and there was a chill to the air. Fleur dreaded the cold, and almost denied herself going outside, but she did have an errand to run that day. She put on boots and a thick scarf to make the short hike to the castle.

She arrived flustered and slightly sweaty, but not unhappy. Luna was waiting for her just inside the main entry. “I saw you coming.” Luna smiled at her.

“Thank you for meeting me. I don’t have much to say, but I was going to ask... If you’re going… To the Hearth’s Warming Eve ball?” Fleur drew her question out with plenty of pausing and stammering, silently hoping Luna was attending after all. The only reason the princess really attended any function was for Fleur’s benefit. Attending one this large would put some stress on her for certain.

“I am indeed, but only if you are.” Luna’s acquiescence confirmed Fleur’s suspicions. She thought back to the present she had at home, and blushed a little bit. She hoped this time Luna might attribute it to the cold air.

“I’ll be happy to meet you there.” Fleur knew all of her ex-husbands old friends would be attending. She had actively avoided meeting them all together, since one-on-one, she could handle them well. But all together, she was rather apprehensive about meeting them. She managed to shake it off, however, since Luna would be attending as well. “I suppose that’s all I had to ask…”

“Well, it’d be a shame to send you home after such a short time. Would you like a drink? Maybe lunch?” Luna offered, sweeping her hoof out. Fleur smiled up at her.

“That’d be divine.”

The night of, Fleur pulled out all the stops. This was likely one of the most important social events of the entire season, and she had to look her best. She wore sheer leggings that hugged her tight beneath a high-cut and rather revealing black dress, and a delicate, intricately-designed necklace. The ensemble was provocative to say the least, but it was incredibly fashionable, and would make Fleur the talk of the ball - and the subject of many pairs of wandering eyes. Some small part of her wondered if she really wanted the attention. Maybe not from some ponies she knew would be attending, but she certainly wanted it from one pony in particular.

Her mane she spent close to an hour on, styling and fretting over each delicate strand until it fell into the perfect place. As night descended and the time came to attend the ball, Fleur called her usual carriage driver and asked him to deliver her. Arriving at these sorts of things was an affair in and of itself, but not one she was unfamiliar with. Fleur shrugged into a heavy black coat and gripped Luna’s gift as her ride arrived.

The red carpet was, quite literally, rolled out for everypony’s arrival. When her carriage pulled up, she gracefully stepped down onto the lush carpet, drawing eyes and whispers from all the others gathered inside. A smattering of cold reporters shivered on the short drive to the palace, and they all began snapping photos as Fleur made her way to the entrance. Inside, she swiftly became the center of attention.

Even Luna watched as she shrugged out of her coat, revealing the alluring dress and sheer leggings, the graceful necklace, and her brilliant mane. Fleur had gone all-out in her preparations for this evening. Mostly to shut the mouths of everypony who doubted her capability without Fancy Pants, but mostly to impress the only pony in the room she really cared about. There were murmurs of appreciation, envy, and even a few of lust that she managed to snag. The palace’s main throne room had been decorated for the event, and ponies stood in small groups in and around the columns. Near where the throne normally sat, Luna had been greeting a small, steady group of admirers. It was there that Fleur went to first, drawing looks the entire way.

“Fleur.” Luna smiled as she advanced. “You look radiant tonight…” Luna’s gaze swept over Fleur’s ensemble, taking in each sweep and curve of the dress, her flowing mane, the gleaming necklace, everything…

“Thank you.” Fleur’s blush wasn’t entirely attributed to the makeup. “I… Got you a gift.” She meekly handed the package off, which Luna accepted graciously. “It’s personal, so I’d consider opening it privately.”

“Of course.” Luna nodded her head with a sly wink, tucking the package away behind the other gifts she had received. “I… Have one for you as well,” Luna added in a low whisper, barely loud enough to be heard by anypony nearby. “Perhaps we could open them together?”

Fleur could have fainted. She had intended her gift to be a discreet sort of thing. To have Luna open it in her presence would be implying much… Then again, that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Fleur shuddered a little and nodded. “Yes, that’d be nice.”

“But not right now.” Luna straightened up with a smile. “I do believe the festivities are about to begin.” Almost as if on cue, the assembled quartet struck up a tune, and ponies began to make their way into the middle of the floor. Fleur spotted Hoity Toity, and in the absence of her own husband, figured her most prominent business partner would be the best start.

“May I?” Fleur asked, offering a hoof to the ever-pretentious pony.

“Fleur.” Hoity smiled at her, taking her hoof with a gentle touch. “I’d be honored.” They made their way onto the floor, among every other high-brow couple in attendance, and as the first waltz began, the two swung into the rhythm with ease. “I’m glad to see you here, darling. I think I may have been mistaken about you.”

“Oh?” Fleur arched her eyebrow at him. “Humility from the infamous Hoity Toity?”

“Oh, shush.” Hoity teased, spinning her once before they slipped back into the waltz. “I meant to say I underestimated you. Good ol’ Fancy Pants never spoke highly of you, that’s no lie, so I’m afraid his opinion somewhat rubbed off on us.”

“Hmm.” Fleur nodded, her expression drawn as they continued to dance.

“Myself, Filthy, all the others… Well, we were wrong about you. You’re perfectly capable on your own, darling.”

“Thank you.” Fleur managed to choke out at least that. She wasn’t sure if Hoity was being facetious or sincere, but the sympathy was too little, too late. She wondered how many other ponies would come groveling for her implied forgiveness before the night was up. She thought Hoity might have settled for silence after his apology, but she was mistaken. The song was nearly over when Hoity began again.

“I know it must have been hard on you these past few months-“

’Not as much as you think.’

“What between how horribly we’ve all been acting-“

’More than you think.’

“And Fancy Pants’ leaving you…”

’Still not as much as you think.’ Fleur was beginning to frown now. She thought she caught a glimpse of Luna making her way across the floor, but the dance turned her away and Hoity kept talking, his tone much lower now.

“But, my dear, we both know… We’re just ponies at the end of the day. And ponies have certain, ah… needs.”

’Oh no. Don’t you dare-‘

“So, I was hoping, if you weren’t opposed, we could… Cut out early? Maybe go back to my home?”

“Pardon me.” Luna’s low voice cut Hoity off in more ways than one. The song ended as Luna stepped forward. “May I have the next dance?” Hoity flustered for a moment, looking between Fleur and Luna several times.

“O-of course, princess! I’d be honored.” Hoity released Fleur and stepped forward, his hooves raised.

“Thank you.” Luna slipped past smooth as water, sweeping Fleur up in her forelegs as another song began. She and Fleur spun away, cutting a wide circle away from Hoity and the others. Fleur was flushed, half with thanks for being away from him, and half because she was dancing with Luna! Blushing brighter now, she managed to whisper to Luna.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” Luna returned, smiling as she turned with Fleur. Ponies all around were dancing, spinning, laughing, having a good time. Fleur almost didn’t realize it when Luna cut harder towards the edge of the dance floor, aiming for a small gap between two dark pillars. Nopony even realized it when they slipped away from the floor, darting a short distance to a service door. They stopped just inside while Luna looked back out onto the floor.

“Ha.” She breathed, turning to Fleur with a smile. “The only one who saw us was that fat banker, and he’s probably too drunk to even realize who we were. Come on!” Luna ushered Fleur down the hallway, laughing like a schoolfilly. Fleur was too, mostly out of nervousness for being missed at such an important social event, but also because she was running with Luna.

What was it about the princess that struck her so? Was it her beauty, her inclination to BDSM? Their friendship? Whatever it was, Fleur couldn’t stop her heart from pounding against her ribcage as they ran headlong down the hallway.

Two wings and four floors later, Luna swept them into her bedroom once more. They were slightly winded, but thankfully not sweaty. Fleur didn’t want to be caught frumpy, especially at a moment like this. The conversation and music from the party had died down long ago, and now the only sound Fleur could make out was the pounding of her own heart and the crackling of a fire in Luna’s hearth.

“I’m glad I could get you away from them.” Luna breathed, smiling back at Fleur. “I don’t think you wanted to be there any longer.”

“Well, that’s no lie.” Fleur waved her off, her expression slightly drawn. “But what do you mean you don’t think I’d want to be there?”

“You should have heard what Hoity and his friends had planned for you.” Luna’s expression turned down slightly. “Being a princess comes with some perks… One of them being a foolproof eavesdropping spell. They were planning on trying to seduce you. One by one.”

“Eew!” Fleur scrunched her nose up at the revelation. “I mean, I halfway expected Hoity to, but all of them? Really?”

“It seems,” Luna sighed, setting Fleur’s present on one of her tables. Fleur hadn’t even noticed Luna carrying it away from the party. “They were planning on embarrassing you, one way or another. If you would have gone home with one of them, I’m sure it would have been in the headlines tomorrow morning. ‘Estranged ex-wife of charity board caught in infidelity scandal.’ Could you imagine?”

“Egh.” Fleur groaned, shaking her head. “I don’t know what’s worse, that they’d ever even think of doing something like that, or that I can actually see that headline.” Fleur normally didn’t touch the princess, mostly out of respect of her. But at the moment, it seemed rather fitting. She reached out and gently laid a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Thank you, Luna. Not just for tonight, but everything. I don’t think I’d have gotten through the divorce half as well as I did without your help.”

“Don’t worry about it, Fleur.” Luna stepped forward, wrapping her in a gentle hug. It wasn’t the first they had shared, but it was the most meaningful. Before, they had embraced as a greeting or a farewell, but this one was born out of thanks and gratitude. “I’m glad to have a friend like you.”

“You mean a friend who brings you presents?” Fleur teased. Luna gave a soft chuckle as she pulled away from the hug.

“I had nearly forgotten. Let me get yours.” Luna padded away towards the vanity next to her bed, retrieving a small black box from the top-most shelf. Fleur wondered what could be inside, since it was relatively smaller than the box she had given Luna. Then again, her present was meant to be opened in private. Well away from even Fleur herself. That much was forgotten, though, as Luna passed the box off to her. It had weight to it, and something rattled around inside when she gave it a gentle shake.

“Go ahead, open it.” Luna smiled, going to stand by her own present.

“No, you open yours first.” Fleur blushed, afraid yet excited at how Luna might react. Luna narrowed a playfully suspicious glare at her before nodding.

“Very well, Fleur.” Luna’s horn glowed as she stripped the paper off of her box and pulled the lid open. “Oh.” She gasped slightly at what lay inside.

And then she smiled.

“Fleur, you devil you.” Luna grinned as she pulled a moderately-sized vibrator from the box. Fleur’s cheeks were aflame as she looked down at the ground.

“I… Wanted to thank you for all the pleasure your books have given me… By giving you a little pleasure yourself. You know, for personal use…” She risked a glance up at Luna, kicking the carpet a little, instantly realizing how silly that must seem. Luna likely had one herself. Being the princess, she might have a hundred of them. Getting another from Fleur might have been not only inappropriate, but unnecessary.

“I love it.” Luna smiled as she hefted the toy, waving it teasingly at Fleur. “And I’m sure I’ll put it to good use. Now open yours.”

“R-right.” Fleur mumbled as she fumbled with her own gift. Hers wasn’t wrapped, it was a simple box fixed with a neat lace bow.

But what lay inside the box nearly stopped her heart.

A shiny red ball gag rested inside, glimmering in the faint light of the fire. Fleur’s heart thundered at the implications. She looked back up to Luna, and was greeted by a look that was nothing short of smoldering.

It was going to be a long night.

(4) Baby Steps

Moonstone - Chapter 4: Baby Steps

“I… Luna, I… I don’t-“

“Shh.” Luna’s soft breath hushed Fleur’s plaintive complaint, deepening her blush even more. “I gave this to you for several reasons. Would you like to hear them?” Fleur looked between Luna and the shiny ball gag a few more times, her cheeks heating up more and more by the second. After nearly a minute, she managed a slight nod.

“Y-yes…” she said, her voice hardly above a whisper. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t help but watch as Luna crossed the carpet towards her, wielding the vibrator as if it were some sort of weapon.

“First and foremost is this: You’re expressing a very healthy interest in BDSM, but with the purchase of those books and your attendance of social functions declining, I assumed you don’t have much money to be spending on… Equipment. A ball gag is a very simple and symbolic tool, and a very good starting point. This is for your use, however you see fit. You can use it on your own sub, or pick your dom to have them use it on you, or use it on yourself.” Luna stopped directly in front of her, smiling warmly.

“Or you can try it with me.”

Those few words, and the implications that came with them, sent a fiery shudder racing through Fleur's body. Did Princess Luna, the all-powerful co-ruler of Equestria and sister to Princess Celestia, just offer to demonstrate the proper use of a ball gag, and possibly expose all of her dirtiest, darkest fantasies?

Fleur had to know. Her mind was still reeling from Luna's sultry offer, yet her inner voice screamed at her for affirmation; for assurance that she wasn't just dreaming all of this up like a love-struck schoolfilly. Swallowing past the growing lump in her throat, she squeaked out just two small words.

“Are you…”

“Offering to be your dom? Yes I am, Fleur. And judging by your gift,” Luna smiled as she hefted the vibrator slightly, “-you’d like that as well, wouldn’t you?”

“I… I…” Fleur hadn’t entirely been thinking of that when she had bought the vibrator, but she wasn’t opposed to the thought, either. In fact, she felt her muscles twitching at the mere prospect. But she also didn’t mean to imply anything major when she gave Luna the gift. She had intended it to be used as a point of gossip, or even as a joke. But now, Luna was offering something much more meaningful.

An intimate relationship with the Princess, BDSM-related or not, had not been part of Fleur's original plans, but the idea had certainly crossed her mind a few times. After all, she had Luna to thank for all of her books, the fantastic fantasies she’d been having, and all of the stained bed sheets that resulted. If she was being honest with herself, Fleur owed every orgasm she’d had in the past four months to the princess.

Still, the gravity of the situation was weighing on Fleur's mind as she struggled to formulate a response to Luna's question. Her body, and more than a little part of her mind, wanted nothing more than to jump into the shadows and drown herself in whatever dark passions lived in the mind of the Lunar Princess. But could she really do it? Could she willingly enter into an intimate relationship with royalty? And even then, could she seriously ask this pony, this immortal, beautiful, wanton creature, to fulfill all of her wildest desires?

A million possibilities swirled in her head like a tornado as her mind waged war against her marehood to determine the fate of her and Luna's dalliance. After what seemed like hours to Fleur, the battle was won, and her mind was cowed into submission by her desire; her lust for even a taste of the experience that Princess Luna was offering to her. Decision made, she rushed to speak before her mind could even try to second guess her decision

“Yes.” Fleur managed to choke. The admission sent a wave of relief through her, one that she didn’t try to suppress in the slightest. It was almost like shrugging out of saddlebags that had been packed to the brim with bricks. She felt lighter, giddier, and much more energetic. The lump in her throat vanished, and she smiled up at Luna. “I… I would like that very much.”

“Well then.” Luna smiled as she turned around and went back to the table that held the box she had pulled the vibrator from. Fleur watched with a small amount of disappointment as Luna tucked the vibrator away and left the box there. “We’ll start with the basics. Come, have a seat.” Luna plodded across the thick rugs towards the fireplace and took a seat. Fleur followed, hesitantly setting the box and her ball gag next to the vibrator. When she took her seat, Luna leaned forward.

“Let me explain a few things for you.” Luna began, “About how a dom/sub relationship works. BDSM is, by nature, rough. And I’m assuming you are aware of the risks to your health involved with such things like multiple orgasms, being tied up, or subjected to any amount of pain or pleasure with no control over the input.”

“O-of course…” Fleur looked down at her hooves, trying not to look at Luna. Here they were, discussing a BDSM relationship as nonchalantly as two friends talking about the weather. At least, that’s the way Luna seemed to be approaching it. Fleur’s heart was galloping a trillion miles an hour, and she felt as if she were about to pass out. Her mind was giving her heart a run for its money, as well. So many different thoughts about what was happening flew through her mind. Luna drew her back to reality with a gentle touch.

“Relax.” She whispered, laying her hoof on Fleur’s shoulder. “There’s no need to be so worked up over something like this.”

“S-sorry,” Fleur blushed, though she offered Luna a brave smile. “First time.”

“Understandable.” Luna replied with a smile of her own. “But just try to take it easy. There’s no need for you to be so stressed… Yet.” Luna’s smile turned from ‘brave’ to ‘devious.’ She felt a nervous flutter take the place of the rampaging gallop her heart had previously been stuck in. Luna resumed her explanation promptly.

“I was saying that there are some health risks involved with undertaking a relationship such as this. You could be dehydrated, cut, or suffer from severe cramps if you’re held in one place for too long. Not to mention there’s a risk of asphyxiation, drowning, or muscle atrophy.”

“Drowning?” Fleur arched an eyebrow. “Really?”

“In spit.” Luna responded, shrugging nonchalantly. “You can work up enough to drown in your own spit easier than you might think.”

“Huh.” Fleur had never heard of anypony drowning in their own spit before, but then again, she never knew Princess Luna had a taste for BDSM either. ’You learn something new every day.’ She grimaced, but nodded to let Luna know she was ready to continue.

“Should you be seriously injured, there may not be anything I can do to heal you; at least not completely, and not immediately. While pain and excitement go hand in hand, so too does injury. Are you well aware of the risks we take doing these sorts of things, and are you willing to accept those risks?”

“Of course.” Fleur smiled bravely. ’Anything for you,’ She added as an afterthought. Instead, she waved a hoof dismissively. “I’m a pretty tough pony. Don’t forget, I had to be to deal with Fancy Pants.”

“You speak the truth.” Luna chuckled slightly, shaking her head as she moved on to the next point. “We’ll cover anything you want, Fleur. I’ve told you before my interpretation of a dom/sub relationship, so you know what to expect. My greatest sexual thrill lies in fulfilling my sub’s wildest dreams. I live to serve, Fleur. You tell me what you want, and I’ll make it happen. That being said,” Luna smoothly transitioned from her couch to Fleur’s, sitting right next to her. Fleur nearly jumped. Luna had moved with hardly a sound, and she was so close now, Fleur could almost feel her warmth.

“I think we should pace ourselves. You’ve been a good friend to me, and I’d hate for us to rush into doing new and exciting things only to burn out and find ourselves growing tired of one another after a few short weeks or months.”

“Where would you suggest we… Start?” Fleur asked quietly, still acutely aware of just how close Princess Luna was. She could even smell her. She caught the scent of roses and fresh water, of earth and the slight metallic smell of magic. They all blended together into a sultry, faint musk that Fleur couldn’t quite get enough of. She leaned a little closer, her nostrils flaring wide as she tried to smell more.

“Simple, Fleur.” Luna smiled as she suddenly filled the space next to Fleur. “With a kiss.” Fleur’s heart leapt up into her throat at those words. It happened almost as quickly as she looked up at the princess. Their lips met smooth and easy, pressing close for a few tense, heart-pounding moments. When the kiss was over, Fleur could hardly believe it. She blinked several times, trying hard to reconcile what had just transpired. That had been her first kiss in six months. Maybe even more. When had she kissed anypony last? Then another thought struck her. That had been her first kiss with another mare! Lesbian and Gay relationships were no issue in Equestria, and Fleur held a certain appreciation for the feminine body, but she could never see herself making love to another mare. At least, not before Luna.

Not before that kiss.

“Was that so bad?” Luna teased, her half-lidded gaze igniting a fire inside Fleur she hadn’t felt in quite some time.

“N-no.” Fleur breathed, her chest rising and falling deeply. She felt like she was on the brink of passing out; and she was loving every second of it.

“Would you like another?”

“Yes.” Fleur answered almost immediately. The first kiss had ignited the fire, and now Fleur wanted to stoke it. She leaned in almost a little bit too anxiously, her lips plastering tight against Luna’s with an eager moan. Luna returned her attention readily, her hoof rising from Fleur’s shoulder up into her mane. She wasn’t sure when or how, but Luna’s tongue had entered the mix, and the introduction was just as exciting and pulse-pounding as anything Fleur had ever felt. She whimpered thinly, praying for more, hoping this wouldn’t end…

When it did. Luna pulled away, her hot breath washing over Fleur’s face in the aftermath of what was arguably the best kiss of her life. Fleur was trembling in Luna’s embrace, her head swimming with the pulse-pounding sensation of actually kissing another mare. And not just any mare; she had kissed Princess Luna! Fleur looked back up at Luna, her mouth slowly closing.

“That was… Incredible.”

“Oh darling,” Luna chuckled. “We’ve only just begun. Come with me.” Luna slid off of the couch and onto her hooves. Fleur felt almost barren in her absence, but at Luna’s insistent nod, she slipped off behind the princess, following her around the edge of the couch towards the one door Fleur hadn’t yet explored.

Luna’s room had five doors total: the one leading into the hall, the one into the bathroom, and two out onto the balcony. The door Luna walked towards now was still a mystery to Fleur. Her curiosity won a temporary victory over her arousal, and she followed Luna wordlessly. What she previously thought was a wardrobe or a closet for clothing turned out instead to be a lift. Luna smiled as she lifted a vertical gate with her magic and ushered Fleur inside. The quarters were tight, and Fleur felt Luna’s side brush her own more than once. The lift was lit by a single solitary candle that guttered and flickered in some unseen breeze, and as the lift lurched downwards, it flickered almost as if it intended to go out. Luna’s horn lit what the candle didn’t, and as Fleur looked up, she saw a very utilitarian end of the shaft. The only way for them to go was down. Fleur felt her excitement grow as the lift continued to descend, carrying them further and further away from the landing.

The old but well-cared-for lift moved slowly, taking about three minutes to reach the bottom of the shaft. When the floor came to a jarring halt, before them sat another door. Luna opened it smoothly, and ushered Fleur out with a gentle nudge. This hallway was well-appointed and had several warm candles lighting the way down a hall filled with doors to the left and right. If Fleur had to guess, she’d say they were two or three stories beneath the castle grounds.

“Wow,” She breathed. “I never suspected this would be in here. I always thought you had just some sort of wardrobe behind that door.”

“No, I’m afraid not.” Luna chuckled as she lifted one candle from its sconce and carried it down the hall. “My hobbies range far beyond the scope of a single room. In fact, I seldom spend any time in that bedroom at all, save to read…”

“So what’s down here, then?” Fleur asked, curious what lay behind the numerous doors Luna led her past.

“Rooms… Of various utility.” Luna’s elusive answer only intrigued Fleur more. “If you must know, some of them are extra bedrooms fitted with… Equipment. Others are relatively utilitarian rooms that serve one or two purposes. Or more, if you can be imaginative.” Fleur didn’t miss the pointed glance Luna shot her way. “And others still are storage for clothing, other belongings of mine, or even magical artifacts. You see,” Luna stopped at one door and opened it with a small glimmer of magic. “This one holds all of my formal dresses. If you’ll excuse me, I do believe I need to change. You’re welcome to store your own dress here, if you’d like.”

“Um… Okay.” Fleur swallowed her doubt and followed Luna inside. The room appeared to be much bigger than she had originally thought, with racks of dresses stretching on well past where she thought the walls would be in relation to the next few doors over. These rooms had to have been enchanted, then. That was the only explanation. Luna could probably fit an entire castle’s worth of space down here with some very key enchantments.

The last thing on her mind, though, was magic. She watched intently as Luna began to extricate herself from her alluring dress, emerging from the fabric like some cocooned goddess. Fleur quickly found herself staring at Luna’s magnificent curves rather than undressing herself. Only when Luna hovered a few hangars towards her did she snap out of her reverie. After fumbling around in the small of her back for the zipper, Fleur drew the tricky thing down and shrugged out of her own dress. The fabric fell to the floor in a heap, leaving her in just the necklace and leggings. Luna gathered the dress and hung it on a hangar, though her eyes never left Fleur for even a moment.

“I’m sorry, I should have worn something a little bit more practical-“

“Nonsense.” Luna smiled as she leaned forward to kiss Fleur’s cheek. “You look beautiful. I can keep the necklace with the dress if you’d like. And the leggings… Although.” Luna’s eyes slid down to Fleur’s clad legs, drinking in the sight of the sheer black leggings that stood in stark contrast to her white coat. “They do look rather alluring… You could keep them on, should you so wish…”

“Would you… Like that?” Fleur asked, her blush returning in force.

“I would like that very much.” Luna’s smile made Fleur’s heart do flips inside of her chest. She nodded and threw the clasp on her necklace, passing it off to Luna smoothly. The princess hung her dress and the necklace up on a nearby empty rack, and together they left the room for the hallway once more. Fleur took a moment to count the doors here. There were twelve that she could see, and an intersection at the far end. Luna led her there next, and as she looked left and right, she noted even more dark, polished wood doors. Fleur never got to count them though, as Luna led her into the first door on the left-hoof hallway. Fleur breathed a sigh of wonderment at what was inside.

The entire room was bedecked in dark, earthy colors. Lavender and crimson and mahogany were in abundance, lending the whole room a very dark, but welcoming light. The middle of the lushly-carpeted floor was dominated by an absolutely massive four-poster bed, the canopy draped with see-through lavender drapes. The comforter looked so large and fluffy, Fleur felt like she would get lost if she tried to lay on it. The rest of the room was relatively bare, although along one wall was a series of pictures. These drew Fleur’s attention the most, and as she slowly approached them, the tingle that had been ignited from Luna’s kiss steadily grew into a blaze inside of her.

“These are some of my favorites.” Luna walked up behind her, the two of them standing side-by-side in front of the wall. Each picture was an incredibly detailed rendition of various BDSM techniques and positions. The first mare was suspended from the ceiling, her rear legs spread so far that Fleur wondered how they had possibly managed. Her face was screwed upwards in an expression of pure bliss, her flared lips glistening and oozing liquid.

The second showed another mare, her throat distended around a stallion’s cock. The artist had gone to great lengths to put detail into the saliva and sperm, shot through in lines along the stallion’s shaft. The mare’s eyes were screwed up, and her tongue hung loosely out of her mouth. She too looked to be in bliss.

It went on for another twelve pictures, each just as lewd and arousing as the last. “Are they the same artist?” Fleur asked, her thighs tingling with excitement.

“They are, most of them, anyways. This one here,” She pointed at the most recent – a racy picture of forced cunnilingus – with a warm smile. “Is from a different author. And the first one was as well.”

“Incredible. They’re so detailed…” The closer Fleur looked, the more she realized the artist had even drawn the individual hairs on each mare’s coat. If somepony told her these were photographs, or even ponies trapped in frames, she would be inclined to believe them.

“That’s why they’re my favorite.” Luna’s voice sounded much closer to her now. Fleur had previously been wrapped up looking at the pictures to even notice the princess’ closeness, but now she was acutely aware of it. And unless she was mistaken, the scent was back. She inhaled a deep breath, mainly to calm her nerves, but also to catch a whiff of that elusive, addictive smell. “I’m glad I could share this with you, Fleur.” Luna was very close now. Fleur could have leaned into her easily. “It’s my favorite room for… Firsts.”

“Th-thank you.” Fleur was trembling again. Her deep breathing was only stoking the growing fire inside her stomach.

“What are you thanking me for?” Luna teased, drawing closer still. Fleur could feel the hot pulse of the Princess’ breath washing over her ear, and another shudder raced through her body. “We haven’t even begun.”

“I-I meant thanks for… Showing me this place.” Fleur looked over the pictures once more, as a single drop of arousal traced its way down her thigh. “And… And being my dom.”

“Well, for that you’re welcome.” Luna hardly had to breathe the words for Fleur to hear them. Her breath washed over all of Fleur’s neck, sending a shock through her system. Fleur felt like she was overloaded. She could feel everything. The carpet beneath her hooves, the puff of air from Luna’s breath, the-

“Aah!” Fleur gasped as Luna’s lips pressed against her upper neck, close to where it met her jaw. Relief flowed through her like a wave, washing over her sides, her flanks, and down to her hooves. Her eyes fluttered closed with the sweet sensation as the trembling slowly abated. The combined effect was so liberating, she could have cried. But while Fleur was able to hold back the tears, she could do nothing to hold back a different sort of liquid. Luna must have smelled her arousal, because she leaned into the hot kiss with a deep, throaty moan. Fleur could feel the vibrations in her neck, and they seemed to resonate in her head. She felt her knees grow weak as Luna pulled away.

“Join me on the bed?” Luna’s husky tone could not be disobeyed. Fleur nodded and turned towards the princess, following her towards the massive, fluffy-looking bed. True to her suspicions, the comforter was massive and as soon as Luna put a hoof up onto the bed, she sunk into it a good six inches. Fleur followed after her, amazed at how soft and cushiony the comforter was. As the air began to vacate the fibers, the whole thing seemed to deflate a little. Fleur felt as if she could lay down without being swallowed up by the blanket. Luna slowly lowered herself, patting the area next to where she lay.

Fleur was no big pony, not by any stretch of imagination. Her slender, long legs gave the appearance of size to her otherwise slight frame. Fancy Pants was on the far side of heavy, and bearing his weight was troublesome at times. But now, Fleur found her long and lean frame to be a blessing rather than a curse. She tucked her legs up against herself and curled against Luna’s side almost perfectly. Luna smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her neck once more.

The flames leapt to life again, this time kept at bay by the cool relief from Luna’s lips, but still there. But as time went on, the hot kisses were doing less and less to quench the flames and more and more to stoke them. Fleur wanted to return the kiss, and to feel Luna’s lips elsewhere on her body. While she didn’t exactly get the former, the latter came within a few short moments. Luna planted one last kiss on the crook of Fleur’s neck before plunging much lower, hitting all the spots along her collarbone that made Fleur gasp and groan even louder. The soft bed underneath her suddenly felt much more like an ocean that she was bound to plunge into at any moment than a simple mattress and covers.

Luna moaned into the next few kisses, her vocalization sending enough vibrations into Fleur’s chest to make her start panting. Her mouth hung open listlessly, but she didn’t want to stop Luna at all. If anything, she willed the princess’ lips lower and lower. Her wish was fulfilled, but Luna took her sweet time getting around to it. The kisses became more and more wet, varying from light little flecks of moisture to wide damp spots on Fleur’s coat that began to cool in the air of the bedroom. Luna moaned now and then, and whenever she did so into Fleur’s stomach, the sensation made her writhe with indomitable pleasure.

At long last, Luna arrived between Fleur’s thighs. Fleur could hardly believe this was happening. She was here in what could arguably be called the basement of the castle, her every nerve on fire under the tender ministrations of another mare for the first time in her life. But the velvety lips that were now mere inches away from her glistening marehood belonged to no ordinary mare. No, Fleur's most sacred of places was about to be beset upon by none other than Princess Luna. How many years - how many centuries - of experience did Luna have?

Luna inhaled deeply, taking in the delicate, very feminine scent of Fleur's arousal. With a smoldering look in her eyes, Luna exhaled, letting her burning-hot breath wash over Fleur's midsection, as if to ask her body for one final confirmation before proceeding. Fleur's response was loud and unequivocal.

“F-fuck me!” She panted, her stomach twitching. Luna’s long, flat tongue pressed against her dripping slit, dragging along the entire fleshy length in one smooth motion. Fleur could feel Luna’s saliva mix with her own arousal, turning the entire area into a slippery, wet mess - and she loved every last second of it. The pleasure coursed through her veins like a firestorm, building in intensity the faster and harder Luna licked. Fleur could keep up with each lick and the new sensations it brought at first, but hardly thirty seconds in, she couldn’t handle it anymore. Luna wasn’t just good, she was unbelievably good.

“Luna!” She panted, her hooves digging into the blankets. “I’m cumming!”

“So soon?” Luna pulled her mouth away from Fleur, the fine hairs around her muzzle matted down with arousal. Fleur moaned in the absence of pleasure, especially when she was so close to reaching her climax. She looked down the length of her body at Luna with a half-lidded, plaintive look. Luna just kissed her twitching stomach with a smile. “I think you can hold out a little bit longer.”

“Lunaaaaaa…” Fleur groaned and writhed on the bed, her hips swaying back and forth seductively. “Please?”

“Oh, since you insist.” Luna rolled her eyes and grinned up at Fleur, kissing her stomach once more. “But don’t make a habit of it… It’s going to take a lot more begging to get me to do anything in the future.”

“O-okay… Hnn!” Fleur gasped as the pleasure rocked through her, harder and faster than ever before. She shuddered atop the sheets, and downstairs her muscles twitched and quivered like mad. When Luna slid her tongue in, Fleur cried out and arched up from the bed.

“Pwah! Woah!” Luna pulled back, her mouth open in a wide, giddy grin as Fleur came. Her liquid release spurted forth, gushing up onto Luna’s face in prodigious amounts. Luna grinned down at the slack-jawed, twitching Fleur with a warm, devious smile. “You never told me you squirted, Fleur.”

“N-never… Used to be… Any reason… Hnnnn…” Fleur shuddered. The bed was less like an ocean and more like a cloud now, and she was floating away on a blissful wave. Luna’s tongue beat her hooves and the vibrator by a million miles and then some. The orgasm she had just received was unlike any other she had ever felt. She couldn’t feel her legs, or more accurately, she couldn’t coordinate them at all. But as she looked up at Luna’s beautiful, cum-flecked face, she smiled warmly. “That was… That was… So…”

“Good?” Luna teased, slowly rising to her hooves. “I know it was. Now relax, Fleur. There’s no need to rush things.” She slowly lowered herself down to Fleur’s side, nuzzling into her neck gingerly. Fleur sighed and returned the nuzzle into Luna’s mane, inhaling her intoxicating scent deeply. Between the dancing, their flight from the ball, the revelation of Fleur’s desire to have Luna as her dom, and the unbelievably good orgasm, Fleur was tapped. She felt consciousness slipping away from her, fading into a warm haze filled with nothing but Luna’s scent, the fluffy blanket, and the wet feeling of leftover cum between her thighs.

“Baby steps.”

(5) The First Rule

Moonstone – Chapter 5 “The First Rule”

Fleur woke with a soft moan, feeling much warmer and more comfortable than recent memory served. The warm haze of sleep was lovely, and she didn’t quite feel like stirring just yet. ’I don’t remember my bed being so warm and comfy… What happened?’ Fleur’s mind did its best to shuffle through the memories of the previous evening. She had gone to the ball, given Luna her gift, and then the dancing had started. She danced with Hoity Toity, who had made passes at her. Then she had danced with…

“Luna!” Fleur’s eyes snapped open suddenly, and she inhaled through her nose as a moment of panic quickly overtook her.

“Yes, Fleur?” The princess’ low, sultry tone calmed her, and all of the memories of last night flooded back in an instant. The dance, the gifting, the kisses…

The sex.

“Good… Good morning.” Fleur slowly settled down into the sheets, sighing gently. Luna lay next to her, a soft smile on her face.

“Good morning to you as well. Bad dream?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Fleur moaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She nearly gasped when Luna pressed close, nuzzling into her neck. “Just… Pleasant memories.”

“I’ll say,” Luna’s husky tone sent a breath over Fleur’s neck, causing her to tremble slightly. Luna accompanied it with a soft kiss and a slight moan. “Last night was incredibly enjoyable.”

“But…” Fleur muttered, her hooves inadvertently falling into Luna’s mane. “You didn’t even… You know…”

“Cum?” She offered, raising her head with a sly grin. “I told you, Fleur. My greatest sexual fulfillment comes not from my own orgasms, but that of others.” She leaned in again, this time pressing her lips directly against Fleur’s. The soft touch made her melt, and she slowly sagged down into the sheets. Her eyes fluttered closed as Fleur pressed into the kiss, inhaling through her nose to deepen the sensation all the more. After a few more seconds of pure bliss, Luna reluctantly pulled away. Fleur took another deep breath to steady herself, and in doing so smelled the remnant of last night.

“Oh… I guess we should wash up.”

“Fear not,” Luna chuckled, slowly drawing away. The room felt cold in her absence, so Fleur had no choice but to get up and follow. “Follow me. I have a… Rather luxurious bathing room down here.” The prospect of a hot bath or even a shower was enough to make Fleur not regret leaving the room, though she did hope they would return here again sometime soon. The pictures on the walls were rather fun to look at, if Fleur could handle the debilitating arousal that boiled inside of her if she stared for too long. Luna led her back out into the warmly-lit hallway, following the other side of the intersection to a whole new series of rooms. Fleur wanted to peek into them, to see what wonders the held, but Luna ushered her along with a soft nudge here and there. Luna went maybe halfway down the hallway before leading them into another room that was even more breathtaking than the last.

Fleur could make out four distinct sections. The first and most prominent was the entryway, which boasted two full-counter sinks, a dresser filled with what Fleur assumed were clothes or robes, a cupboard stacked high with fluffy white towels, and perhaps twice as many mane-care products as Luna had in her upstairs bathroom. Fleur could have spent hours in this section alone, applying makeup, tending her mane, or brushing her coat.

The next section was a little bit more intimidating. It was a grey concrete slab, sunk into the floor about four inches. Fleur noticed several hard iron rungs set into the walls, and even a few on the ceiling. Several water spouts were set into the wall as well, and a few of them hung down lower than the rungs. Fleur guessed this was for more intense water-based sessions, or maybe heavy-duty cleanup. Luna gave a soft ‘ahem’ and drew her attention away to the third section of the grand room.

Now this is more my speed. Fleur thought. Well-separated from the hard grey concrete of the last one, the third section was dominated by a bathtub that could easily have been called a pool. Luna’s bathtub up in her room was maybe half the size of this one. The exquisitely-designed tub looked deep enough for Fleur to easily sink in up to her neck, and with a bit more depth, she probably could have gone for a swim instead of a bath. Luna approached a series of levers on the wall, her horn glowing as she pulled one of them all the way down, and another of the four about halfway. Fleur was about to ask how the tub filled when, to her amazement, a grid of holes opened in the floor and walls. Water flowed in through those holes, filling the tub from the bottom-up. Steam began to fill the room as Luna stepped away from the levers to go fetch an array of shampoos, conditioners, lotions, oils, and other bath accessories. Fleur watched the bath fill for a few more seconds, anxiously awaiting the chance to slip into its steamy embrace.

Luna padded away to gather bath products, leaving her alone with the half-full bath. Instead of watching the water rise, Fleur went to explore the fourth and last section of the cavernous bathroom. This one consisted of a series of showerheads set against the wall, and a long wooden bench sitting underneath them. She wondered why Luna would have so many – eight in total – in the same place. With a blush, she realized Luna may or may not have indulged in some group activities in the past. Afterwards, all parties involved likely convened here for a communal shower and bath. A blush rose to her cheeks, and Fleur found herself wondering if she could open herself up in such a way to multiple partners…

“It’s ready.” Luna drew her out of her reverie, and when Fleur turned, she saw the bath was filled to the brim with oil and water. Luna finished dumping a healthy amount of amber-colored oil into the bath, and the tendrils floated away on the steam-shrouded water.

“This looks amazing.” Fleur slowly began to peel her leggings off, which she still wore after last night’s foray. Luna took them from her, levitating the four sheer leggings towards a nearby bar set in the wall. She draped them there before leading Fleur into the water. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. The water almost seemed silky against her coat, like satin sheets or the sweet embrace of a lover. Fleur felt the soreness from last night evaporate almost immediately, replaced by the hot sensation of pure and utter relaxation. Luna settled into the water next to her, sighing contentedly.

“A worthy investment any day.” She groaned, smiling at Fleur. The heat from the bath seeped deep into Fleur's bones, relaxing her beyond measure. I could melt into this tub here and now, and I'd be a happy pony. she thought as she closed her eyes, further savoring the feeling of utter relaxation.

A sudden shift in the water caused Fleur to open her eyes, and she could only stare in awe as Luna waded towards her and nuzzled directly into her neck, kissing the wet flesh softly. That small touch sent a shudder through Fleur, her mouth opening in a breathless pant. “About last night,” Luna whispered, kissing her neck again on her way up towards Fleur’s face. “Allow me to explain why I did what I did.”

“N-no need to explain,” Fleur breathed, her cheeks flushed from something other than the hot bath. “I loved every moment of it.”

“Aah, but I still had my reasons.” Luna pulled away, leaving Fleur with a teasing nip. “You see, it’s best to start these things off at a normal pace; almost as if we were in a ‘normal’ relationship.”

“I see.” Fleur’s cheeks darkened further at the mention of a relationship with the princess. She cared for Luna, that much was certain, but she didn’t know if she loved her. They were good friends, and they both held a certain interest for BDSM, but to Fleur their interest in bedroom exploits and their friendship were almost two completely separate things. She wanted Luna to be her dom, to give her an untold number of orgasms and help her explore all the nasty little kinks she had developed in the past few months, but she didn’t want to be in a relationship with her.

Did she?

“I hope that’s not too much…” Luna seemed to catch onto her apprehension, her brow slowly drawing downwards.

“It’s… Well, we have some things to talk about, that much is certain.” Fleur glanced away, her cheeks still dark with embarrassment.

“I understand.” Luna nudged her gently, drawing her attention back to the matter at-hoof. “But please don’t be put off when I say that. I mean that, as far as sex is concerned, we’ll partake at first as if it were a normal relationship. Again, only relating to sex. Soon enough, though, we’ll begin taking steps into things you want to explore. Communication is key here, Fleur, so I’m going to need you to tell me everything you want to try.” At that, Fleur shuddered once more. She had trouble telling Luna simple phrases like ‘okay’ or ‘that feels good.’ Telling the princess about her deepest, darkest desires was another matter entirely. Still, she nodded. What Luna said made sense if nothing else. Baby steps. She smiled bravely up at Luna.

“Okay….So what’s next?”

“Next?” Luna chuckled as she pulled Fleur’s ear between her teeth. “We fuck.”

“L-Luna!” Fleur gasped, her flanks quivering in the water. “Haah, that’s- what are you…”

“Hmm, relax…” Luna moaned, her lips gingerly tugging on Fleur’s ear. “I promise you, I’ve done worse things in this tub.”

“Aah… Luna, please…” Fleur found herself stepping closer, her muzzle gently brushing the side of Luna’s neck. “Don’t stop… That feels incredible.”

“Hmm,” Luna moaned into her ear, her lips steadily growing more and more wet with saliva. Luna continued to toy with her ear, giving the inside edge a small lick whenever it was inside of her mouth. What was it about the princess’ touch that had her so aroused? Her eyes fluttered closed as Luna moved her lips away from Fleur’s ear and down to her cheek. She would precede each kiss with a short, teasing lick, and whenever her lips pulled away it was with a delightfully arousing smacking sound, not unlike whenever they kissed. There was a heat in Fleur now, and it definitely wasn’t from the water. She was thankful her haunches were underneath the surface of the silky, oil-filled bath; else she’d be dripping by now.

“What would you like me to do?” Luna moaned between two particularly hot kisses. Fleur’s head was swimming too much to give her a proper answer, so she settled for two clipped, breathy words.

“Lick me.” Luna grinned at that, her lips still pressed into Fleur’s cheek.

“Where?”

“Anywhere.” Fleur gasped. She was seriously considering turning around and exposing herself to Luna, in hopes the princess would take her then and there. She resisted - for now - but her thighs still squirmed together fretfully. “I don’t care where….Please, just lick me.”

“Hmm, I like it when you breathe like that.” Luna teased, her lips travelling a little bit lower down Fleur’s neck. She was kissing close to the water’s surface now, where Fleur sat submerged. “But you’re going to have to be more specific if you want me to do anything with my tongue… Tell me, Fleur…” Luna pulled a small portion of Fleur’s neck between her teeth, biting her gingerly. “Tell me where you want me to lick you.”

“Aahn…” Fleur let her breath out with a sigh, her flanks trembling even more now. She inhaled Luna’s addictive scent eagerly, her head feeling remarkably fuzzy. She wanted nothing more than to let Luna lick her core again. But she also wanted to make sure Luna was pleased as well. Then a thought struck her, and it came with a devious smile.Luna enjoys pleasing somepony else more than anything. For her to get the most out of this, all I have to do is enjoy myself. It was a comforting thought, and one that made Fleur’s heart hammer against her ribcage furiously

“I want you… To…” Fleur drew the words out, leaning closer to Luna’s ear with each breathy utterance. “Lick… My… Pussy.” She drew the last syllable out to a low groan, finishing with a full-bodied lick to Luna’s cheek.

A deep shudder raced through Luna's entire body, and she sagged a bit deeper into the water. Fleur's heart nearly stopped when she realized what she had just done. She had made Luna, the indomitable princess of the night, ruler of Equestria, and dominatrix extraordinaire, shudder.

“Sit on the edge.” Luna moaned, her kissing and licking over, if only for a moment. She stood to her full height, looking down at Fleur with a half-lidded, lusty look. “And spread your legs.”

“Yes, Princess.” Fleur’s blush intensified all the more as she waded through the tub towards the far edge.

“Not that one,” Luna stopped her before she could get far. “That one.” Luna lifted a hoof, dripping a waterfall of oily water as she pointed towards the edge of the tub that sat closer to the wall. There was hardly a shelf a foot wide between the edge of the tub and the tiled wall for Fleur to sit on, but she did. The water ran down her flanks in sheets, leaving her coat slick and shiny. She spread her legs wide with a small bit of hesitation, but at the smile she got from Luna, she continued until her hooves were on the edge of the tub as well. Her tail still draped down into the water, the long, luxurious strands swirling lazily. A very enthusiastic smile crossed Luna's lips as her eyes slowly took in every inch of Fleur's fully exposed body. Fleur's heart throbbed against her chest as she watched Luna's appraising eyes. Luna clearly liked what she saw; Just the thought of the Princess enjoying her body sent another wave of arousal through her already soaked core. She leaned her head back against the wall, resisting the urge to let one of her hooves slide down between her legs.

“You follow orders well,” Luna approached Fleur slowly, moving at an almost agonizing pace. “That’s good. You’re going to have to get used to following orders with me.” Fleur felt another chill pass through her body. The tile was cold in comparison to the bath, and made her shiver slightly. Her mouth hung open, letting a soft breath pass by her lips. She wanted Luna to touch her, to lick her, to make her scream. No more hooves. No more pathetic little fantasies. Fleur had a dom now. A dom who was going to show her the wildest, most erotic fantasies she could possibly dream up. She was wound up like a top right now; the slightest touch could send her over the edge.

“But,” Luna had only advanced a single step. She was still a few feet away from where Fleur needed her to be just then. “We’re going to go ahead and give you your first rule.”

“Okay.” Fleur whimpered, her thighs quivering with pent-up desire.

“Whenever we engage in a session, not unlike we are now,” Luna stepped forward once more. She was maybe two steps away. “You are to refer to me as either ‘Mistress,’ ‘Master,’ or ‘Ma’am.’ Do you understand?” Fleur had to swallow as she listened to Luna speak. In her books, the title had been implied more often than not. She also knew that calling someone by those names had perquisites - and consequences.

“I understand.” Fleur gasped, still quivering with excitement. Last night's orgasm was incredible, but the hot bath and Luna's teasing had Fleur riled up higher than she had ever before experienced, and she was dying for Luna's tongue to give her the release that she craved.

“There will be consequences,” Luna didn’t have to speak very loudly. Fleur could hear her in the tiled bathroom, even if she spoke at a low whisper. “Should you forget to address me by my proper title, I will be forced to discipline you. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Fleur whimpered, her eyes opening to glance at Luna. The princess retreated a full step, her lips curled in a devious smile. Fleur’s heart leapt; She needed Luna to come closer, not pull away. She remembered in a flash. “Yes ma’am!” She corrected herself, perhaps blurting out the title a little too loudly. Luna smiled and stepped forwards again, and immediately, Fleur recognized that they were playing a game of sorts. If Fleur behaved, she’d get Luna to lick her. Forget the rules – or rule, as it were – and Luna would leave her.

“Your punishment,” Luna continued, slowly inching forward again. “Could range anywhere from spanking, to forced orgasm, or denial of said orgasm. Depending on how far along we are, it may also lead to isolation, or being forbidden to masturbate for a set amount of time. More severe punishments might include suspension, enemas, or even whipping.” Luna stepped forward again. Fleur could feel the tension in the water change as Luna brushed her tail. The things she spoke of made her drip with excitement, and her heart raced faster still.

“I understand, mistress.” Fleur whispered. Her first time saying the word sent another shiver through her body. It felt… Right, and very fitting. Fleur almost said it again, just to test it out, but she managed to hold back. Luna was so close now, she could almost smell her over the fragrant oil. She couldn’t risk upsetting her again.

"Very good, Fleur." came Luna's reply, her muzzle now mere inches away from Fleur. "You understand the first rule, and you've already demonstrated that you can correctly address your master, so I think I'll give you your first reward. Tell me what you want, Fleur."

“Please,” Fleur whimpered. “Please lick my pussy… Mistress?”

Luna’s hoof cupped her cheek, moving to stroke her mane.

“Good job, Fleur. You’re learning quickly.”

Praise. Fleur could have died. Instead, she cried out.

Luna’s tongue pressed immediately to her core, dragging over the damp flesh with ease. Fleur cried out as every nerve in her body exploded at once, the tiled walls of the bathroom reflecting the first of her many screams of ecstasy in every direction. Luna’s tongue dragged up and down her entire vagina several times, eliciting quite a bit of arousal. Her licks became audible after a short while, but even that noise was lost as Fleur continued to groan and cry out. Her hooves, all four of them, stayed on the small ledge between the tub and the wall, allowing Luna to fully explore her marehood.

Luna’s tongue slid between her drenched lips, stretching her walls apart. Fleur gasped out loud, the shaky breaths coming desperately into her body. Sex with Fancy Pants was a ruthless experience. His stallionhood was hard and unforgiving; It would push into her, and nothing could dissuade it. Luna’s tongue, however, was an experience in and of itself. It was thick and muscular, but it was incredibly flexible. If Fleur flexed, the tongue moved with the movements of her walls. It seemed almost elusive, so unlike what she was used to. She found herself flexing each time Luna pushed her tongue in, trying to get something solid enough to flex around. Luna would pull out before Fleur got a good grip on anything, though, only to return in an instant. Luna was tormenting Fleur, and she loved every moment of it.

“Mistress,” Fleur panted, her half-lidded gaze sliding down the length of her pale, twitching body. “That feels so good. Please don’t stop… Please…”

“Hmm,” Luna lapped at Fleur’s lips several times, the tip of her tongue adding a flick to her clitoris now and then. Each contact with her sensitive nub made Fleur jerk and gasp, her mind growing fuzzier and fuzzier as the session continued. Her body felt like it was on fire, as the once cold tiles around her absorbed and reflected her body heat right back into her. In fact, Fleur was feeling rather hot just then. Luna continued to lap and suck at her pussy, making Fleur whimper with the sense of her approaching orgasm.

“Master!” Fleur gasped, feeling a hard spike of pleasure shoot into her. “I’m going to cum!”

“Aah....” Luna pulled away, grinning up at Fleur. “Not yet.”

“But, m-master…” Fleur squirmed on the tile, her heart thundering in her own ears. “I’m so close… I want to cum…”

“Not until I say so.”

“O… Okay…” Fleur whimpered, but didn’t miss the dangerous look in Luna’s eyes. “Okay, master! Master! I’m sorry!”

“Too late, Fleur.” Luna’s sultry tone was low and seductive, making Fleur whimper again. “You forgot the rule. You must always call me one of those three names while we’re doing this. Your punishment this time is one minute. You’re not allowed to touch or please yourself in any way. Understood?”

“Y-yes, mistress.” Fleur groaned with disappointment, her head falling back against the tile. One whole minute without stimulation. She grit her teeth to endure it. She had gone days, even weeks without release before. One minute would be nothing, right? She could handle one minute. One minute was easy. One minute was nothing.

If she weren’t already teetering on the brink of bliss, that is. Fleur had legitimately been one touch, one brush of her clit, one last tender lick from reaching orgasm. Now though, one minute seemed like an eternity. She had nopony to blame but herself, of course, but in a weak bid for mercy, she whimpered thinly as she looked to Luna, her gaze smoldering with need. Luna just grinned at her, slowly lowering her haunches until she sat in the water. Fleur began to squirm as the need radiated through her abdomen. Luna was right there. Why couldn’t she give her this one release? Just one tiny orgasm, among the dozens they were destined to share. Just this once, she could be forgiven. Just. One. Orgasm.

“Thirty seconds.” Luna’s soft voice made Fleur’s eyes snap open. It had only been thirty seconds? She groaned and let her head fall back against the wall so hard it made a thump-ing noise. Luna chuckled, but didn’t move. She was a few feet away, seated in the water as she watched Fleur struggle with the desire to finish the job with her hooves. Fleur was beginning to grow desperate. She needed to cum. Just one release, and she’d be happy. She was considering begging when another thought struck her. No. Not this time. I won’t beg for this. Luna owes me this one. After all the teasing and showcasing this wonderful bath, Fleur deserved to cum just this once. Thirty seconds was nothing. She could handle thirty seconds.

She closed her eyes and began to steady her breathing. In… And out. Breathe in… Breathe out. Her time would come, and with it, the release she craved. Breathe in… Breathe out. She just had to wait. Breathe in… Breathe out.

Breathe in...

She heard the water slosh a little.

Breathe out...

Luna gave a soft moan from her throat.

Breathe in…

Her crotch was on fire in an instant, and she breathed out.

Luna had to step back as Fleur squirted into the bath, her release impacting the water, almost like some sort of fountain. Fleur’s tongue lolled out of her mouth and she jerked as each new spurt of fluid came with a mind-wracking jolt of pleasure. Luna stood off to the side, marveling at the display. Fleur was completely lost in ecstasy. If she thought last night’s orgasm was incredible, then this one was fit for the gods themselves. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before - She had been teased, brought to the very edge of release, teased some more, and then completely and utterly assaulted.

She was only vaguely aware as a gentle magical pressure lifted her from the shelf and set her in the water. She was submerged up to her face, everything else from her mane to the last strand of her tail relaxing in the hot bath. Luna held her there gently, coaxing her muscles back to some semblance of coordination.

“Oh my stars,” Fleur groaned, her head swimming from the heat and the intense aftermath. “That was… That was incredible.”

“You had me worried,” Luna chuckled, standing close to Fleur’s side. “I thought I had hurt you.”

“N-no! Not at all! Eer, Mistress.”

“We’re done, Fleur.” Luna chuckled, kissing her cheek. “You don’t have to call me that anymore. Not until next time, which, I think, won’t be for a while…” Luna sat back down, her face hovering over Fleur kindly. Fleur didn’t want to wait long until their next time. The past two days had been phenomenal for her. If it were up to her, she’d have gone for another right then and there. Instead, she could only lie in the water and soak up the heat and attention. The latter came in abundance as Luna began to gingerly scrub Fleur down with a soapy cloth.

After that came the mane-care products, and soon enough the water was filled with suds from the various soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. Fleur felt strength return to her muscles before long, but she had never been pampered like this before, so she was more than content to let Luna pay a little more attention to her. If anyone found out she and the princess were doing this…

She’d rather not think about the consequences just now. Instead, Fleur happily resigned herself to another round of shampoo and conditioner. When they were both finished, Luna drained the tub and led them both towards the wall with the fluffy towels and robes. Fleur dried herself off, relishing the soft embrace of the luxurious towels. Luna handed her a robe as well, which Fleur shrugged into thankfully. Feeling warm and fuzzy, both in her body and her head, Fleur followed Luna out of the bathroom and up from the basement. They returned to her normal bedroom, where they were greeted by both the ball gag and the vibrator, which still sat open on the bedside table. These, Luna scooped off of the table and into their respective boxes.

“Ahem,” She blushed, tucking them away in the nearest dresser. “Probably shouldn’t have left those out. I wonder what the cleaning staff would think.”

“Good thing they had the day off.” Fleur chuckled, smiling at Luna warmly.

“At least there’s that. Oh, I almost forgot your dress… And your leggings.”

“You can… Keep them here for now.” Fleur blushed. “I know you like me wearing them. Maybe I could wear them next time we… Do this?”

“Speaking of,” Luna turned to her, the princess’ expression relatively serious. “When do you want to do this again?” Fleur could tell that Luna's meaning was more serious than seductive. Clearly, their session in the bathtub had bothered Luna in some way, and she was concerned for Fleur's health. Fleur thought for a few long moments before answering.

“It’s Monday today. Does the weekend work well for you?”

Luna grinned as she stepped forwards, leaning in to whisper into Fleur’s ear.

“Pack an overnight bag.”

(6) Good Vibrations

Moonstone – Chapter 6 “Good Vibrations”

Waiting for the weekend was torture. Fleur normally dreaded this time of year, particularly the week between Hearth’s Warming Eve and the new year. On any other year, Fleur would have returned from the ball to her home with Fancy Pants. Everypony else would be spending the holidays with their families, making this one of the rare times when Fleur could enjoy a few days off from any social obligations. Unfortunately, she’d have to spend them with Fancy Pants, who tended to be incorrigible if he went more than a few days without sex.

Fleur was thankful she was alone this year, since she hit her flow almost the instant she arrived home. She spent the next five days reading fantasy novels about old-time princes and princesses battling ancient and dead magics, saving kingdoms, and performing feats of strength nopony – save perhaps the princesses themselves – could ever dream of accomplishing. They were a pleasant distraction for her mind from the flurry of events that led to the revelation that she had shared with Princess Luna.

She continued to waste time through the week, and when Saturday came, it did so with perfect timing. Her flow had stopped, her body had recuperated, and she was eager to see what Luna had in store for her next. Finally, she allowed herself to re-visit the memories of all that had happened between the two of them so far. After all, thinking about such things whilst on her flow only defeated the purpose of arousal, since handling the issue was usually a messy affair. Now, Fleur looked over her wardrobe with a slight frown. All of the clothes she had were for formal affairs, not a casual weekend with the princess. Then again, this might be anything but casual. Fleur padded down the two rows of dresses, looking over each one with an ever-intensifying frown.

What should she wear to such an event? What would Princess Luna want? Fleur knew Luna liked her in leggings, but her one good pair was still at the castle, along with the dress she had worn to the ball. If anything, Fleur might have worn that again, as it was probably the most revealing and alluring dress she owned. As she continued to debate dress selection in her mind, she recalled one particular scene from the last book she had read where the mare had worn a rope harness underneath a coat, and had revealed herself to her master wearing the intricate device. It sounded tempting, but Fleur wasn’t nearly skilled – or courageous – enough to attempt such a thing, so that was out of the question.

In the end, she settled for just wearing a heavy coat. The city was cold this late in December, and Fleur’s skinny figure did not agree with the bitter cold very much. She did, however, take a moment to pack a bag with toiletries. Luna certainly had plenty of mane-care products and makeup to spare for Fleur, but there were certain things - like toothbrushes - that ought not to be shared. All Fleur carried with her was a miniscule toiletry bag. According to Luna’s note, she would be staying the duration of the weekend, and as such the new year, at the castle.

This meant Fleur would likely miss out on the new year’s party, and Fleur wasn’t so sure if she was thankful for this or not. That particular social engagement was probably the most enjoyable event of the year for her, even if she was used to being burdened with Fancy Pants for the entire evening. Everypony was drunk, and everypony had a good time. The food was always incredible, the drinks went down like they were water, and the usually-insufferable company was actually bearable for once. It was a day for celebration, where nopony had to worry about posturing or presenting themselves. They weren’t obsessed with making impressions or exchanging gossip; They would cut loose, laugh, and enjoy themselves for once, like any normal pony would do.

She might be missing a party with the Canterlot elite, but she could think of a few other places she’d like to be instead… Like laying spread-eagle on Luna’s bed, pleading for another orgasm. Instead of trotting back to the bar for another round, she’d rather be begging her mistress for another orgasm. And another one after that. And another. Fleur was getting more and more excited for what Luna may or may not have planned for her.

Noon came much sooner than Fleur would have willed it, and she slipped on her heavy coat before stepping out into the chill December air. The brisk walk to the castle was windy, but thankfully, short-lived. She noted with mild interest that only one guard was posted at the castle doors, instead of the normal four. He smiled at her, holding the door open as Fleur slipped inside.

“Princess Luna has been expecting you, Ms. De Lis. Would you like an escort?”

“No, thank you.” Fleur smiled at the guard warmly. “I can manage on my own. Happy New Year’s.”

“Happy New Year to you as well, ma’am.” The guard saluted with his spear as Fleur crossed the expansive entryway into a service corridor. Luna had advised her that running into palace staff sometimes raised more questions than necessary, so avoidance was preferable. Thankfully, even the service staff seemed to be absent today. Normally, Fleur would have run into a cleaner or perhaps another guard or two, all of whom tended to turn a blind eye to her presence in the service corridor. Yet not a single pony was in sight today, giving her one less thing to worry about. With a slight skip to her step, Fleur made her way to Luna’s bedroom.

“Come in,” Luna’s beautiful voice responded to Fleur’s timid knock. She slowly slipped inside, flushed from the brisk walk, but still rather excited to be here. Luna was standing at a nearby table, with an array of books open in front of her. Fleur shrugged out of her coat as she approached Luna. “It’s good to see you again, Fleur.” Luna glanced over her shoulder before returning her attention to the books. “Give me just a moment, and I’ll be finished here.”

“Don’t rush on my account.” Fleur peeked at the text in the books, saw complex magical diagrams, and turned away out of respect for the Princess’ privacy. Not that she was disinterested, but it was clearly above her level of magical understanding. “We have all weekend.”

“True.” Luna chuckled, her horn glimmering as she turned a page and took Fleur’s coat in the same motion. “How was your week?”

“Thoroughly boring.” Fleur responded with a nonchalant shrug. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Did you rest well?” Luna asked, flipping another page. There was a hint of concern in her voice. Fleur knew it was because of her little episode in the bathtub last weekend, and she blushed slightly.

“Very well. A-about last week,” Fleur looked down at the carpet with a little blush. “I’m sorry if I worried you with my… Eer, sensitivity.” She knew that Luna was worried about how Fleur seemed to lose muscle coordination whenever she was in the throes of a particularly wonderful orgasm. Truth be told, Fleur was a little worried about it herself. She had really only experienced that sort of muscle-robbing inundation during one particularly good masturbation session or another. But never to that extent, and certainly never twice in two days.

“It’s only mildly concerning,” Luna slowly closed the three books she had open, turning to Fleur with a serious expression. “But nothing to apologize for. We simply need to be cautious about how much stimulus you can handle at any given time. And, with any luck, repetition might deaden your nerves.” She smiled then, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Hopefully just a little.” Fleur smiled warmly as she slowly walked forward. Luna met her halfway, and they shared a gentle, tender kiss.

“Did you think about what you wanted this weekend?” Luna asked breathlessly as soon as the kiss was over. Fleur herself was feeling a little flushed. She nodded up at Luna, her lips parted in a breathless moan. Fleur could feel herself shrink away as she considered Luna’s question. She had already done some incredibly erotic things with the Princess, but something about confessing such naughty things still made her apprehensive, and prone to stammering. Her next sentence came with plenty of pauses, and a very pronounced blush.

“I… W-wanted to try using… V-vibrators…”

“Excellent choice.” Luna leaned in to nip Fleur’s ear before slowly padding away towards the door leading into the lift. Fleur followed with a slight shudder, knowing the wonders that the basement held. As the lift began its slow journey to the basement, Fleur looked intently at Luna's mane. It's physical appearance alone was breathtaking, with seemingly every shade of blue and purple spread throughout each luxurious strand. Moving slowly so as not to alarm the Princess, Fleur turned her head slightly and drew a deep breath, flooding her nose with Luna's scent. It was an earthy smell, reminiscent of fresh flowers, or the sky immediately after a rainstorm. She couldn't yet put a hoof on it, but there was something about that scent that was incredibly calming for Fleur. Whatever it was, she enjoyed every second in its presence, and she greedily inhaled deeply again, relishing in the scent of the night itself.

Luna must have noticed Fleur's attempts at subtlety, as she innocently leaned closer to Fleur. Sensing the unspoken invitation, Fleur leaned in further to nuzzle into Luna's mane, and when she opened her eyes, she literally saw stars. Luna's mane wasn't just beautiful - it was enchanted. Each time the silky strands met, the blues and purples combined to intimately paint the night sky. Fleur could pick out twinkling stars and entire constellations in the frame of Luna’s ethereal mane, and all of it was accentuated with the musky, slightly metallic smell of magic. Fleur inhaled again, flooding her senses with Luna's scent, her mind blown away by the sights, the smells, and the sheer power that coursed through every strand of hair.

Fleur was nearly in a trance when the lift jolted to a stop, snapping her back to reality. Luna led them back down the long, warmly lit hallway, the excitement and tension rising in Fleur with each step. She wasn’t quite as flustered as she was last weekend, but she was still a little out-of-sorts. She began to wonder if her coat was satisfactory, or if she had brushed her mane properly, or if she was wearing too much makeup or perfume. Luna, of course, looked magnificent, but that was to be expected of a Princess. Fleur was just a normal unicorn; She had to work at her beauty, and it came at the price of sore muscles, exorbitant makeup costs, and time spent fretting over uncooperative coat hair. She knew in the back of her mind that Luna would accept her no matter what condition she was in, but still… That didn’t give her an excuse to slip up. She wanted Luna to give pleasure to a beautiful mare. She wanted to be perfect for the princess; her princess…

Her dom.

Much to her surprise, Luna led her back into the bathroom. She drew a bath immediately, smiling over her shoulder at Fleur. “I figured we could start by freshening up. I don’t doubt that you’re clean, but it’s been almost a full day since I’ve had a bath. Will you join me?”

“Gladly.” Fleur smiled and nodded, her fears momentarily put to rest. Luna skipped the oil this time, but she did lay out several bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and lotion. When the bath was full, both of them stepped in, and Fleur groaned audibly as she sank once again into the water's warm embrace. Something about this bath had an effect on her; She felt her muscles relax immediately, and her stress simply melt away. It was simply divine.

“Would you mind?” Luna asked, turning her back to Fleur. “I can’t quite reach between my shoulder blades.”

“Not at all.” Fleur smiled and gripped the shampoo, pouring a healthy amount onto her hoof. Luna leaned back into the gentle touch, lightly moaning as Fleur began to lather her up. She spread the shampoo all over Luna’s back, moving from the Princess’ collarbone all the way down to the base of her tail. Luna smiled over her shoulder a few times, encouraging Fleur to keep up the good work. Fleur continued her ministrations, moving next to the base of Luna's wings. The Princess moaned at Fleur's gentle touch, and as she rolled her head back in a slow circle, her wings began to slowly spread apart. Fleur's movement nearly stopped as she watched a pair of gorgeous wings unfurl in front of her, but her amazement quickly turned into a furious blush when she remembered that Luna had just displayed a traditional pegasus mating sign that was reserved for only the most intimate of occasions. Re-focusing her mind, she continued rubbing the Princess down, relishing the luxurious feel of Luna’s coat beneath her hooves.

“Thank you, Fleur.” Luna smiled back at her, slowly lowering herself into the water. Fleur watched as her horn began to glow, and the shampoo began to sluice off of Luna’s back in rivulets. She was controlling the water to rinse herself off. Fleur knew a little about manipulating water with telekinesis, but not nearly enough to rinse herself off like this. She smiled in awe at the Princess’ skill, something she found herself doing quite often, it seemed. “I can return the favor if you’d like?” Luna asked, her back now free of the soapy lather.

“That’d be lovely.” Fleur turned her back to Luna this time, letting the princess scrub her down thoroughly. Rather than focus on the arousing ministrations, Fleur asked a question. “Is there anything else you need to know about me?”

“How do you mean?” Luna countered, her hooves hardly slowing.

“As in… Anything about my sensitivity, or what I want in a dom, or anything like that…”

“Well, there were a few things.” Luna muttered, slowing her pace a little so they could chat. “You see, drawing the line between sessions can sometimes be difficult. Some couples manage with simple verbal or physical cues, while others need to set timers or even have to wear certain articles of clothing that signify their submission or dominance.” Luna continued rubbing, the water around them steadily growing cloudy with the runoff from Fleur’s shampooing. “I was wondering if there was anything specific you wanted to do to signify when our little sessions began or ended.”

“Interesting,” Fleur muttered. She had read about the boundaries between sessions in passing before, and if she were perfectly honest with herself, she didn’t care much for them. She was more engrossed with the juicier bits of the text. Now that she was in the midst of a dom/sub relationship though, she seriously wondered what they would do. “I take it this isn’t the sort of thing that can be… Aah… Read into, by any chance, is it?”

“Well,” Luna sighed softly. “It’s not impossible to read your partner. But establishing a set of rules or guidelines helps keep the boundaries clear-cut and defined. For instance, you seemed to tense at the mention of a ‘normal’ relationship. If we establish a beginning point and an end point, the boundaries of what our sessions are and what our friendship is will remain very well-defined.”

“I see.” Fleur muttered softly. Luna made a good point. Fleur was still unconvinced that she loved the Princess, but she also knew that sex could make one feel as if they did love somepony - a mistake that she had made a few times in her school days. Establishing a boundary between their sessions and their friendship might just make the whole thing last longer and go better for all parties involved. Her mind made up, Fleur began to brainstorm options.

“Well… Truth be told, I rather enjoy the thought of using that ball gag… It’d be kind of tough to say anything when it’s in my mouth, right?”

“It’s impossible.” Luna affirmed with a slight chuckle. Fleur smiled and leaned back as the Princess rubbed a little lower on her back.

“So, that whole clothing thing. Maybe there could be something I could wear to signify that we’re, you know, doing a session.”

“I was going to suggest that myself.” Luna’s soft breath washed over Fleur’s ear, eliciting a shudder. When did she move so close? “You’re handling this quite well so far, Fleur. I’m proud of you.”

“Th-thanks,” Fleur’s blush could have heated the water around them. “I… I owe it all to those books, to be perfectly honest.”

“You’re being too modest.” Luna breathed, her hooves sliding lower still. Fleur began to wonder who was getting the lines blurred between what was a session and what wasn’t. Still, they were new to this, and hadn’t done anything major just yet. She didn’t see the need for anything to signify the difference between what was a session and wasn’t; Not yet, anyways. Luna leaned a little closer, her lips brushing the edge of Fleur’s ear.

“What do you say we finish up here, and I can introduce you to those vibrators you’re so curious about.”

“Th-… Yes, please.” Fleur whimpered, her legs steadily growing weaker.

“Hmm. Good. Now rinse.” Luna’s hooves fell away shortly before they reached the base of Fleur’s tail, and her horn glowed as she rinsed Fleur off the same way she had herself. The jets of water running over her back felt divine, and Fleur was thankful for the distraction from the ruthless teasing. Something about Luna’s approach seemed to always debilitate Fleur - Not that she minded, of course. To be perfectly honest, she absolutely loved it.

’Besides,’ she mused. ’I’m going to have to get used to being helpless in Luna’s hooves anyways.’

Once her coat was clean of all the shampoo, Luna threw a lever on the wall and the bathtub began to drain around them. They dried off thoroughly with the assistance of a well-concealed vent set in the floor beneath their hooves. The warm air shot upwards, drying Fleur’s underside thoroughly. Once all traces of dampness had been eliminated, Luna led Fleur back into the familiar hallway, only this time, Luna led Fleur towards the side of the hallway that the pair had not yet explored. The room Fleur was led into this time wasn’t all that different from the first one. There were several new pictures framed on the far wall, and there was still a massive four-poster bed that dominated the middle of the floor. The carpet here wasn’t quite as lush, and she didn’t sink down into the large comforter as she had in the other room. So far as she could tell, the only major difference was the addition of several small tables along the walls. It was towards one of these that Luna moved now, her horn glowing as she began extracting several alien objects.

Fleur had read about vibrators in-depth, but had really only seen the one she had bought for Luna. She was thoroughly intrigued by them, and the prospect of having one used on her already had her core glistening and wet. At Luna’s insistence, she slipped up onto the bed, her gaze sliding over the pictures on the far wall. These were just as risqué and daring as the others had been, maybe even more so. One of them was of a mare wrapped up in such an intricate harness of ropes, leather, and chains that Fleur began to wonder where the mare ended and the bonds began. Another, just next to it, was of a mare clad in a black, shiny latex suit, her mouth open and panting eagerly. Just like the pictures in the other room, these too had Fleur dripping wet in a matter of moments.

Luna turned from the small table she had been standing at, carrying several curious articles towards the bed. Fleur recognized one vibrator as a similar model to the one she had purchased for Luna, just a different color. There were two ‘egg’ vibrators with consoles dangling from the ends of their slender wires, a long dildo with a complex-looking mechanism at its base, and another curious-looking egg that didn’t have any wires attached to it. Luna arrayed them on the covers, smiling at Fleur.

“We’re beginning a session now, so you must adhere to your rules.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur whispered softly. She got a smile in return.

“Your punishment, should you neglect to follow any rules that we’ve already made or will make, will be to lay with a vibrator inside of you for five minutes. Is that clear?”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur’s hips swayed on the bed, and she swallowed. She was anxious to begin, and her glistening marehood made it clear that her body was more than ready to begin.

“Very good, Fleur. Now, do you know what this one does?” Luna held up one of the ‘egg’ vibrators. The console at the end of the wire had a strap affixed to the backside, which Fleur guessed was designed to be wrapped around one of her haunches.

“Yes, Mistress. It’s an ‘egg’ vibrator, and the console can be used to adjust the speed that it vibrates at.”

“Very good, my little pet.” Fleur had never heard this new title before, and hearing it in Luna's sultry voice sent a smile across Fleur's face - and a shudder down her spine. “You’ve been doing your research. We’ll start slow, and work our way up to the others. Now, lay back and spread your legs.” Fleur obeyed immediately, rolling onto her back and opening wide. She was utterly exposed to Luna, her glistening core pulsating as she flexed her muscles. Luna obviously liked what she saw, as her cheeks immediately darkened with a slight blush. Her horn glowed as she levitated the vibrator closer, sinking out-of-view between Fleur’s thighs.

“Hnn… Aah.” Fleur moaned as she felt the first contact. Luna hadn’t turned it on yet, but she rubbed the hard egg up and down, accumulating liquid arousal. Fleur felt her walls spread apart just a bit, the egg peeking inside slightly before pulling back once more. Luna continued this for some time, poking and prodding experimentally. Soon enough, Fleur was writhing on the sheets, her mouth hanging open as Luna slowly drove her wild, one breathless pant at a time.

“You’re sopping down here,” Luna mused. She was close enough that her warm breath wafted past Fleur’s exposed vagina, sending a shudder up her spine. “And I haven’t even turned it to the lowest setting yet. My, my, how are you going to handle it when I put it in?”

“Aahn… Please… Please, Mistress…” Fleur’s face was screwed up with anticipation.

“Please what?” Luna teased, holding the egg against her entrance.

“Please… Please put it in, Mistress…” Fleur’s stomach twitched and she dug her hooves into the covers.

“Hmm… I suppose,” Luna exhaled a hot breath against Fleur’s center just as it hit.

“HAAAAHH!” Fleur inhaled a deep breath as she felt the egg slide into her, feeling almost as if it popped inside of her. There was a build-up of tension before the whole thing was in, resting firmly inside her core. She could feel the slender wire trailing out of her hole, and leading to the console, which Luna was waving seductively in the air. Fleur flexed around the egg, but in doing so only pulled it further into herself. Luna hummed softly, almost out of amusement.

“I’m going to turn it on now, Fleur.” Luna’s breathy tone made Fleur automatically nod. She knew what this device did, what it was supposed to do. She braced for it, flexing hard to keep it clamped down. She was prepared for this. She could handle this.

She had never been more wrong in her life.

It was like a lightning strike. The vibrations shot through her body, flooding every corner of her mind with sharp, intense sensations. It wasn’t painful, but bless it all, Fleur couldn’t handle it. With a full-bodied scream, Fleur squirted all over the bed.

“My goodness,” Luna mused as she flicked the vibrator off. Like a cool drink on a hot summer day, relief flooded back into Fleur's nerves. But it wasn’t what Fleur wanted. Fleur wanted to feel the vibrator again; She wanted to be struck by lightning. “That was only the first setting. There are four more to go.”

“Guuh,” Fleur sagged into the sodden sheets, her half-lidded gaze fixed lazily on the canopy of the bed above her.

“That good, hmm?” Luna kissed the inside of Fleur’s thigh, her soft breath making Fleur shudder. Her lips were dangerously close to Fleur’s twitching cunt, and steadily growing nearer. “I do love watching you cum, my little pet… Shall we do it again?”

“Yes, Mistress!” Fleur practically screamed it. She wanted to cum again and again and again, without end. Luna was the pony to do that for her, and that meant Fleur had to keep Luna happy. Luna was happy when Fleur followed the rules.

So for Fleur to cum, she had to follow the rules. And so far, the rules only consisted of her addressing Luna as ‘Mistress,’ ‘Ma’am,’ or ‘Master.’

Simple, right?

Once more, Fleur had proven herself wrong. Luna flicked the knob on the console, and the egg's vibrations delivered the second lightning strike that Fleur had been wishing for. She jerked up off of the bed, screaming long and loud. Her approaching orgasm came with a torrent of words, and none of them were the ones Luna wanted to hear. “I’m cumming! I’m cumming! Oh, fuck me, I’m cumming! AHN!” This time, Fleur forced the vibrator out of her gushing hole, shaking atop the bed as her orgasm thundered through her veins. The sheets were likely soaked by now, and Luna had to have caught at least a small bit of her wild cum. Lost in the throes of her orgasm though, Fleur had forgotten something - and she was about to pay for it too.

“Excuse me,” Luna’s humorless tone grounded Fleur back into reality, her swimming head barely able to lift up to look at the disappointed princess. “You forgot something, Fleur.”

“M-mistress,” Fleur groaned, her head falling back into the sheets. “I’m sorry, I forgot to call you Mistress…”

“Yes you did, Fleur.” Luna slowly crawled up onto the bed, looming over Fleur’s prone body threateningly. “You have to take your punishment now. Five minutes, Fleur. And as an addendum, if you cum and the vibrator slips out of you, I’ll add another two minutes. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered. Luna was actually kind of threatening just then. Fleur legitimately felt bad for neglecting to call her by her title. She knew the only way to make it up to Luna was to take her punishment. She swallowed and looked up into Luna’s eyes, her own half-lidded with the still-present aftermath of the intense orgasm.

“Hmm. You know, there are five settings, and you have five minutes. Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Fleur?” Luna’s breathy tone made Fleur squirm.

“You’re going to change the setting every minute, Mistress?”

“Indeed I am, Fleur.” Luna grinned down at her, hovering the egg up in front of Fleur’s face. “You’ve only felt the first one so far, so try not to kill yourself when I change them, okay?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur’s gaze flicked between the egg and Luna’s face, her heart beating ever-faster. When was she going to put it back in? Fleur found herself squirming again. Luna pushed the vibrator against her lips.

“Suck on it, Fleur.”

“Ahn, yes Mistress…” Fleur opened her mouth to accept the egg, moaning at the musky taste of her own cum on the toy. Her tongue swirled around the miniscule egg, even as she pulled it deeper into her mouth. The wire slid over her teeth, and she cupped it with her tongue. The taste of plastic and cum mingled together wonderfully, making her slit ooze even more delicious arousal. Luna gingerly pulled the now thoroughly-lathered vibrator out, slowly directing it back down Fleur’s body.

“Good girl, Fleur. Now, spread your legs wide, and see if you can last five minutes.” The vibrator buzzed audibly as she lowered it to Fleur’s slick petals. The lightning came slower this time, probably because the bud wasn’t inside of her. It was as intense as ever, but she was able to brace for it. Thankfully, she didn’t cum immediately. Her walls yielded with ease, and she felt the egg wriggle its way deep inside of her. Luna stood over her, grinning mischievously.

The first minute was fun. Fleur enjoyed flexing and squirming with the buzzing toy inside of her. Luna seemed to be enjoying herself as well, if the flush on her cheeks was any indication. Fleur got off all the more knowing Luna was pleased with her punishment.

The second minute was torture. The buzzing intensified to new levels, and Fleur could have sworn she heard the thing inside of her. ’Bzzzzzzzzzz.’ Like some incessant bee flying about just outside of the reach of a flyswatter. She writhed on top of the sheets, feeling her orgasm build to a head. She let it go with a sharp gasp, her juices spattering onto the sheets lewdly.

By the third minute, Fleur was in agony. A delicious agony, but agony nevertheless. The buzzing was clearly audible by now, and she had to make a conscious effort to not expel the tiny egg with her spasmodic flexing. She came close several times, but when she forced herself to relax, the egg managed to buzz its way deep enough to not slip out with her next orgasm.

She wasn’t nearly prepared for what came next. Five settings meant Fleur was expecting five different intensities. She was bracing for a harder vibration, to make her entire body shake with intensity. She nearly cried out when the buzzing stopped altogether.

“Wha-“ BZZ. “AUGH!” This orgasm was ruthless. Fleur flexed every muscle in her body as the short burst rocked her. It stopped in the middle of her orgasm, only to come back half a second later. Each new burst of vibration was short and oh so sweet. It lasted long enough to make her cry out, and the pause was just long enough for her muscles to start relaxing when it hit her again. Her stomach began to cramp up, and her mind began to dull over into a useless haze of delight. Bzz… Bzz… Bzz… Bzz… For a full minute, Fleur’s core was subject to periodic, quick shocks of pleasure. She came again, dribbling pathetically onto the abused sheets. Luna still stood over her, a devious expression plastered across her face; She was clearly enjoying watching Fleur struggle.

But all of that dulled in comparison to the next setting. Fleur heard the console as it clicked into the last setting. For half a second, she thought it had been turned off.

Bzz. BZZ. BZZ! Three progressively intense bursts shot into her core in rapid succession. She screamed as loud as she ever had, her vocalization hurting even her own ears.

Bzz. BZZ. BZZ!

“AHN!” It came again, more insistent this time. Fleur hadn’t realized that Luna had slid further down her body, and was now holding the vibrator in with her hoof. She had to, else Fleur’s twitching cunt would have pushed it out by now. Somewhere in the back of her pleasure-wracked brain, Fleur thanked her for that; She didn’t know if she could handle any more of this.

Two orgasms and fifty seconds later, Luna switched the console off. Fleur’s core was sore beyond belief, but the reassuring static feeling of the egg inside of her was actually rather pleasant. She knew this devilish thing could elicit the worst kind of reaction from her should Luna turn it on, but at the moment, the pressure wasn’t entirely unwanted.

“I think we’re done.” Luna teased, gingerly pulling the egg out. Fleur nodded her acquiescence, sighing as it finally slipped out of her dripping lips. She looked down at the devastation wrought on the sheets around her hips, flushing brightly at the scene. Her legs felt like rubber, but at least she could feel them. Better still, she had avoided passing out, or losing control of her muscles, an improvement that she hoped would relieve some of Luna's worries about her health. Luna smiled and kissed her stomach, which was so sore from flexing around the vibrator, she felt like she had just done a million sit-ups.

“You did well, Fleur. Our session is over.”

“Ouf,” Fleur groaned as her head fell back into the sheets. “That was intense.”

“Did you like it?” Luna kissed her stomach again, higher this time.

“I loved it.” Fleur couldn’t help it as her lips spread in a giddy grin. “I’d do it again in an instant.”

“Well, we have all day tomorrow.” Luna teased, kissing Fleur’s ribcage now. “Let’s not push ourselves.”

“Agreed.” Fleur sighed as Luna’s lips met her own, adding an underlying sense of fulfillment to the whole session. She was filthy and exhausted, but Fleur was happy for what had just transpired. Vibrators were incredible, and she looked forward to having them used on her in the future. Fleur made a note to follow through on her earlier idea to buy herself a vibrator... Or ten.

“Let’s wash up again, and get some food.” Luna helped Fleur off of the bed and onto wobbly legs. They left the bedroom and the toys as they were and slowly padded into the bathroom. Fleur sighed as she sunk into yet another hot bath, the water doing wonders to relieve the tension in her abdomen and legs. Relaxation flowed through her veins, and she sunk down until just her head remained above the water. Luna mirrored her, both of them happily soaking in the heat in silence.

After the bath, Luna led Fleur up into her room. A meal of delicious crumb-bake and fresh salad was served to them while they chatted about their most recent session. Fleur was nearly giddy after her first experience with a vibrator, and confessed that she might wish to try holding one inside of her, but left in the dark as to when - or if - it would turn on or off. Luna seemed quite taken with the idea, and promised to see about arranging something along that line in the future. Eventually, though, the conversation left the bounds of their previous session and moved into what the future held for them. Luna sat back with a glass of whiskey held in her magical grip and she began to speak casually about her plans.

“So, you see,” She began, smiling at Fleur. “We’ve discussed several small things about how our sessions are to progress… But we haven’t had a talk about the overall scope of what you want to accomplish with this dom/sub relationship. I suggest we do so now, before any more sessions come to the fore.”

“I agree.” Fleur wiped her lips with a napkin and sat back with her own glass of wine. Dining with the princess meant Fleur was privy to all sorts of wonderful alcohols. One of her favorites was a delicious vintage out of Appleoosa that made her tongue dance with each new sip. ’Friends in high places, I suppose…’ Fleur thought to herself with a sly smile. She looked back up at Luna, who was grinning over the rim of her glass.

“Tell me, Fleur,” Her husky breath made Fleur shudder. “What dirty little kinks can I help you explore?”

(7) Boundaries

Moonstone – Chapter 7 “Boundaries”

Fleur tried to speak, but her tongue chose this of all moments to stop listening to her mental commands. Re-gaining the will to speak, she managed a soft smile, and another stutter. “I-I-I’m not s-sure wh-where to begin.”

“It’s rather simple, actually…” Luna smiled back, sipping at her whiskey for a moment. “You tell me a specific kink you want to explore, and I tell you the proper way to go about it. If we have any questions of one another, we simply ask them. It’s as easy as that. Communication is key in these relationships, Fleur, and I’m going to need you to be completely open and fair, so I can fully understand what you want to accomplish going forward.”

“I see…” Fleur gave a soft ‘hmm’ of thought as she sipped at her wine again. The way Luna was making it sound, all Fleur had to do was tell the princess what she wanted, and she’d make it happen. All of her devious little kinks were about to come to bear - All she had to do was open her mouth and say them.

“S-submission?”

“Easy,” Luna chuckled. “In fact, submission is integrated into almost every session. Making the sub feel as if they’re no longer in control of the situation makes it that much more enjoyable. We'll take one whole session to introduce the principles of proper submission, and after that, we'll integrate it into future sessions.”

“Perfect.” Fleur was already flushed. She rather enjoyed calling Luna ‘mistress’ and ‘master,’ but she never really understood the how or why… She knew ‘Submission’ as a whole denoted a certain acquiescence to whatever the Dom wanted. Up to now, Fleur assumed that submitting to another pony meant they could do whatever they wanted to her. But with Luna, it seemed submission was going to come before whatever it was she wanted. Fleur smiled at the delightful implications.

“What about… Ropes?”

“Depends,” Luna gestured vaguely with her hoof. “Do you want to be harnessed, suspended, restrained…” Luna's eyes narrowed into a teasing glare. "Or were you considering more than one at a time?”

“Eer… Well, I suppose all of those…” Fleur’s imagination quickly set to work on painting each possibility in her mind. She envisioned herself tied down, with no way to move or interfere. Her minds eye showed her suspended in the air, her entire body wrapped in an intricate harness of ropes and leather. She was unable to move. Unable to run.

“That’s where things get a little trickier.” Luna sighed, tapping her lower lip as if in thought. “I think we'll introduce you to this in stages, though remember that even these stages come with their own set of kinks. For instance, being restrained with ropes isn’t always the best way to go. You can be restrained with chains, hoof-cuffs, or even magic. Which reminds me, we need to talk about magic soon. Don’t let me forget.”

“I won’t.” Fleur nodded, leaning in to encourage Luna to continue on her talk of ropes.

“As I was saying,” Luna cleared her throat. “You can be restrained any number of ways. Rope is useful if there isn’t a bedpost or anything else nearby to cuff you with, but it comes with other physical limitations. They usually restrict circulation, and can hurt if left too tight for too long. Some rope sessions might even require hospitalization.” The mere mention of the hospital sent a shudder down Fleur's spine. She certainly didn’t want to go to a hospital, and most definitely not the one here in Canterlot. There were too many charity board members who worked at the hospital; word of any injury would spread like wildfire, giving her no chance to protect herself, or the Princess.

“Now, as for harnessing and suspending, those are risky in and of themselves. Restraint is actually the mildest form of rope bondage, though it can be quite tricky at times. However, this is something that we must work our way into. Were I to harness or suspend you now, you would almost certainly be wounded.”

“But… Restraint isn’t out of the question?”

“Not at all.” Luna shook her head. “I could restrain you tomorrow, or even later tonight, if you so desired.” Fleur lightly shuddered again, her pulse quickening at the thought of being tied up, and unable to intervene with her own hooves. She fidgeted in her seat as a not-unwelcome warmth began to spread through her body.

“You said something about magic…?” Fleur asked, hoping to distract herself a bit.

“Aah, right. You see, in certain scenarios, you might be inclined to defend yourself against a baser desire with magic. While I’m most certainly more powerful than you, such actions could be problematic for our equipment, or even for yourself. Ergo,” Luna stood from her chair and padded towards the dresser next to her bed. She withdrew a small ring – not unlike Fleur’s wedding ring – and returned to her with it.

“What is this?” Fleur asked, holding out a hoof as Luna levitated the device closer.

“Well, for lack of a better word, it's a lock that is meant to be worn around your horn. Why don’t you try it on now? Don’t worry, I’ll help you take it off.” Luna’s smile was both warm and devious. Fleur wasn't sure where this was going, but since they hadn’t agreed on a session, she knew she wasn’t going to be assaulted or anything of the sort just then. Cautiously, she lifted the ring up to her horn and slid it down to the base…

Or she would have, if her magic didn’t fizzle the moment the ring passed the tip. The ring fell on its own, coming to rest with a light thud at the base of her horn. Fleur's eyes went wide with shock, and she let out a slightly panicked yelp as her hooves flew immediately to her forehead. Fleur's magic had never been cut off like this before, and while painless, the foreign sensation set off dozens of alarm bells in her head.

“Relax,” Luna cautioned, her own horn glowing as she pulled Fleur’s hooves down. “It’s okay... Just breathe.”

“R-right.” Fleur muttered, calming herself with a few breaths. She had felt a shock – almost like electricity – through her system as soon as the ring cut her magic off. But now that it was in place, she didn’t feel all that much different. “C-can I try to levitate something?”

“You can try, yes. Don’t worry though, you won’t hurt yourself.” Luna nodded, her horn ceasing its glow. Fleur frowned at the table as she focused on her own magic, trying in vain to lift her wine glass. She grit her teeth and focused more, but still, the glass didn’t even move. Her magic wasn't just cut off, it was like there was no horn on her head at all. Fleur's frown deepened into a scowl at the thought.

“It’s different, no?” Luna chuckled as she lifted the ring off of Fleur’s horn. Once the ring was clear, Fleur immediately turned back to the wine glass that had previously defied her attempts to move it. She had not felt anything specific when the ring was lifted from her horn, but her magic had returned instantly, as she lifted the glass to her with ease - as if the ring had never been there at all.

“That....That was really strange, and I must admit, a bit disconcerting for a second… But I can see where we’d have to use it.” Fleur rubbed the base of her horn with a hoof, still frowning a little. She wasn’t sure how she felt about not having magic. Then again, the only time she’d have to use it was around Luna, and there was nothing to worry about with the Princess. A slight smile replaced her frown.

“This is only in extreme measures, to be used if we indulge in some ‘heavier’ sessions… But, that won’t happen for some time. There are some things, like whipping and piercing, that I won’t indulge in with you until I’m certain you’re prepared for them.”

“Eew.” Fleur scrunched her nose. “Piercing?” Luna shrugged nonchalantly.

“I’ve done it before. While I must say it’s never been terribly arousing for me, some ponies rather like being filled with holes. Small ones, but holes nevertheless.”

“That’s bizzare.” Fleur shook her head. “I don’t think I’d ever get into that.”

“You’d surprise yourself.” Luna chuckled, sipping at her whiskey once more. “Anything else? I know that’s not the only dirty kink hiding in that pretty head of yours.”

“N-no! Not at all!” Fleur felt her heart gallop as she nearly blurted it out. She had so much more she wanted to do… Where to begin? “Eer… Pet play?”

“Depends on the animal,” Luna shrugged. “But it’s completely within the realm of possibility. I can make you a cat, a dog, a fox… Anything.”

“Magically?”

“Oh, no… It’s impossible to change a pony into an animal. Well, maybe not impossible, but it’s certainly difficult - and imperfect. I’m saying we could dress you up as one. Make you wear ears, give you some whiskers… And make you act like a kitty all day. Sound good?”

“Actually, yeah…” Fleur flushed a little. Earlier, Luna had called her ‘my pet,’ and she nearly came at the mere sound of it. That, and she recalled one particular book where the mare had been forced to act like a dog for three whole days. She leaped into her master’s lap on command, licked at his face, even ate her food from a bowl. Fleur wondered what it would be like to act like a cat for Luna for even an hour, much less days at a time. Maybe some time later into their little relationship…

“Anything else?”

“Erm… Spanking?”

“Aah, now we’re getting into something rather serious…” Luna smiled as she quaffed the last of the whiskey and set the glass down. “You’re talking about pain and tolerance. Unicorns are, traditionally, a little more frail than the other two races, but that just means they’re more sensitive. In other words, it’ll take less pain to achieve greater heights of orgasmic delight. Follow?”

“Perfectly.” Fleur shuddered yet again, her flanks positively quivering with anticipation. This had been one facet of the relationship she was both apprehensive and eager to explore. Despite her demure personality, Fleur rather enjoyed an occasional rough roll in the hay. She had even come close to actually enjoying herself with Fancy's fast and rough style, but she was usually short-changed by his less-than-phenomenal stamina. Being whipped, spanked, and pleasured was probably one of the highest items on Fleur’s ‘must have done to me’ list.

“What about whipping?”

“Much the same as spanking, I’m afraid. Though if you respond well to it, I’ll use whipping or spanking as ‘punishment’ for your failure to follow directions.”

“You say that like I’ll fail you.” Fleur gave her a teasing grin, and got one in return.

“Fleur, sometimes I give directives that you’re supposed to fail. Simply so I can punish you.” The way Luna’s low, husky voice came to her had Fleur positively writhing in her chair, but she couldn’t give in just yet. She cleared her throat and nodded to Luna once more.

“What about orgasm denial?”

“Now that,” Luna pointed at her with a serious expression. “Is going to take some time. Truth be told, Fleur, I’ve already tried to do orgasm denial with you, and right now, you’re far too sensitive to the tiny touches and minute shifts in pleasure intake for orgasm denial to work. What I’m saying is, there’s no stimulation small enough to put you on the line without going over it - Not yet, anyways. I have a few ideas in mind, but they’re going to have to come with other kinks, should you want to explore them.”

“Other kinks?” Fleur perked up. She had read a lot of material on the subject of kinks and their exploration, but there were things she likely didn’t know of in her books that were going to take time and experience to discover.

“Well, aphrodisiacs, for one.” Luna waved her hoof. “There are certain drugs that are both legal and openly available for use, should you want to partake. They come with side-effects, naturally, but I’m good enough of a magician to help heal you through any of the detrimental ones.”

“Aphrodisiacs…” Fleur’s cheeks darkened even more as she wondered what it’d be like to be under the effects of one of those drugs. She didn’t know what they did, that much was certain, but she was excited to find out. “Wh… What do they do?”

“It depends,” Luna shrugged. “Some of them deaden your nerves so you can go hours without even a single orgasm, while others heighten your senses, making you cum several times within a minute. The latter are the more dangerous ones, mind you – they tend to lead to exhaustion and dehydration more often than not. Other products can induce temporary blindness, for those times when a blindfold is either not available, or not desired. Some of them will even paralyze you, or make you lose control of your muscles, effectively rending you a helpless lump of flesh.” Luna smiled then, a devious sort of grin that sent a shiver up Fleur’s spine. “Those are my favorite.”

“I see…” Fleur looked down at the table, her mind considering the risks - and the potential rewards - of indulging in these products. Losing her magic for even a few seconds was a bit alarming; She could barely imagine losing her sight, or control of her muscles.

’Then again,’ she thought, ’Luna suggested it, and she wouldn't suggest something that she knew would harm either of us. I can trust Luna...With her amount of experience, surely she knows her limits.’ Mind made up, she glanced up at Luna. “I’d like to… Do that. Sometime.”

“Consider it done.” Luna smiled at her. “We’ll discuss the how and when later. For now, is there anything else?”

“What about exhibitionism?” Fleur admitted this tiny kink with a slight blush. Luna’s expression went through several changes, from shock, to confusion, and finally to apprehension.

“That’s going to be awfully tricky, Fleur. I know from experience some of your ‘inner circle’ attend the functions we ourselves would be going to.”

“Really? Who?”

“Aah…” Luna lifted a hoof. “If I told you, I’d be violating a certain policy of said functions. When you step into those doors, you become a different pony; A different entity altogether. What you do inside of those doors holds no bearing to what you do outside… Aside from legal implications, of course. A BDSM ball is one thing, but partaking in other illegal activity has certain ramifications outside.”

“Oh... I think I know who you’re talking about…” Fleur flushed a little. The previous head of the Education Board had been accused of abusing cocaine, and was sentenced to prison for quite some time. It had been a scandal in Canterlot a few years ago, one that Fleur actively engaged in with gossip and rumor. She never knew the root had been exposed in a BDSM club. “But… I mean… Don’t you think they would be able to hold their tongues… Outside?”

“There have been slip-ups in the past.” Luna frowned. “Some very recently, unfortunately. Fleur, if we do engage in that particular fantasy, I suggest we do so in the utmost of privacy, with as little influence from the outside world as possible. I know it defeats the purpose, but like it or not, some of those ponies aren’t known for their discretion. For you to expose yourself to so many, so suddenly… It’d be scandalous to say the least.”

“Oh.” Fleur seemed downtrodden, her frown coming slowly. Fleur recalled reading one particular book that went very in-depth into the world of exhibitionism. She quickly found herself wanting to be put on display, maybe even fondled or touched, for a group of ponies. With Luna as her dom though, she was entertaining the thought of going far beyond fondling, and letting Luna fuck her senseless in front of everypony.

“Well,” Luna drew her out of her minute reverie with a soft mutter. She was tapping her lower lip in thought once more. “There is a function in Baltimare I’ve wanted to go to for the past few years…”

“Do you think we could?” Fleur asked timidly.

“I think you’re going to need a little more training, and perhaps a small introduction with a few closely-guarded friends of mine, but we’ll consider it, okay?” Luna smiled at her, her wings shuffling a little. “No promises.”

“Okay.” Fleur nodded. She hadn’t really thought about doing exhibitionism in Canterlot. Odd, all things considered… But now that the mention of Baltimare was on the table, Fleur found herself getting kind of excited. Exposing herself to everypony in Canterlot would be risky, not just to her personal life, but her professional engagements as well.

A thought made her pause, however. "Wait...you have friends that do this too?"

“Other Doms, yes.” Luna nodded affirmatively. “You may actually know one or two of them.”

“Really? Who?”

“Banner.”

“The General?” Fleur was shocked. “Really? He always seemed so friendly…”

“Trust me, he is… To your face. But when he’s alone with his sub, or the center of attention as it were, he’s actually kind of brutal. Forgiving, but rough.”

“Interesting…” Fleur flushed. “Anypony else?”

“Prose.”

“The columnist for the Canterlot Observer? That’s shocking…”

“He’s very skilled with suspension and orgasm denial. Watching him work made me envious.” Now it was Luna’s turn to blush. Fleur was shocked to see that, more than anything.

“You? Jealous?”

“I’m allowed, am I not?” Luna shot Fleur an accusatory glare, which she returned with a sly grin. Fleur knew there was a good chance that she'd end up paying for that remark later that evening - hopefully with another vibrator or two. “But yes. You’d be surprised to see many ponies attending these functions you’d never even have dreamed of.” Luna sat back up with a warm smile. “The one here in Canterlot is somewhat of a national event… We get ponies from all over who come out to enjoy themselves. It isn’t for another five months, but I’ll see about setting up a rendezvous with some of my fellow doms. Maybe we can have a private affair, if you think you’re ready.”

“O-of course.” Fleur nodded, the heat in her core building. Fleur was used to posturing for social events, so to her mind, being an exhibitionist was much the same. Only she’d be preparing for the event with whips and chains, not mane care products and makeup. And if Luna were the one to display her… Fleur had to wipe a hoof across her marehood to stem the flow of arousal.

“Getting excited?” Luna asked, noting Fleur’s shining hoof.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.” Fleur smiled up at Luna as she displayed her juices.

“Come here.” Luna gestured, beckoning her over. Fleur padded across the carpet, holding her hoof out for the princess. While they might not be in the middle of a session, Fleur didn’t want to test Luna’s patience. At least, not yet. Luna gingerly licked Fleur's hoof, letting out a soft moan as her tongue wiped the hoof clean. Fleur felt herself wishing that tongue travel elsewhere, but the intense vibrator session was still fresh in her mind. ’Best to wait and not push myself,’ she thought. ’After all, we have the rest of the weekend to indulge in one another.’

“Hmm... Delicious.” Luna licked her lips, releasing Fleur’s hoof momentarily. “But we shouldn’t get sidetracked. Plenty of time to fix that issue later. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

“Eer, yes…” Fleur flushed again, returning to her seat. She made sure her haunches were poised on the edge, so she didn’t drip onto the upholstery. “What about sensory deprivation?”

“There are several ways to partake in that.” Luna smiled and began to explain. “The first and most prominent is teasing. For instance, you’d either be drugged, or disabled in some other way, so that you either couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, or couldn’t smell. But touch is the most important, so we usually don’t disable that. Taste can be utilized as well, but is pretty negligible in the long run. That said, here’s how these things normally go: You’ll be disabled in one or all of those ways, and then I’d pleasure you out of nowhere. You’d have no warning - You couldn’t hear me coming, can’t see what I’m doing, and maybe won’t even be able to smell me. This makes your sense of touch – and your sensitivity – that much greater. Why, I remember one time, I made my charge cum just by breathing on her ear.”

“Wow, really?” Fleur’s jaw dropped in wonder. Orgasm just from a breath? That sounded impossible… But oh so incredible.

“Oh, yes. It’s very easy to make a sub cum when all they can do is feel.” Luna gave Fleur a devious grin, the same grin that made her shiver every time. Maybe it was because she was riled up, or maybe Luna just had that effect on her… Whatever it was, Fleur was eager to have another go with the vibrators. “Sensory deprivation sometimes goes hoof-in-hoof with orgasm denial. A skilled dom, such as myself, would combine sensory deprivation with aphrodisiacs or magical binds for the full effect. We’ll see about indulging in those things later on.”

“Okay.” Fleur nodded, her smile wide and warm. She was getting even more excited as they continued to talk about her kinks. “What about waterworks?”

“Are you talking about urination, or water stimulation?”

“Eew.” Fleur scrunched her nose. “Just water stimulation…”

“Good.” Luna breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m… Not a fan of most bodily functions. Some are, but not me.”

“Agreed. That's one 'kink' I'd be very happy to stay away from."

“You and me both, Fleur.” Luna nodded. “But, to answer your question, yes. I can do water stimulation rather easily. That bathroom has several spouts specifically designed for the hoses I have in mind, so it should be no issue. We won’t go into oxygen deprivation though, since you already have issues with muscle control and orgasms.”

“Thank you.” Fleur blushed self-consciously. “I… I don’t know if I’d like to be choked or anything like that…”

“I’m not a fan.” Luna shrugged. “But should you want to indulge, we certainly could.”

“We’ll… We’ll see.” Fleur waved her off, moving onto the next topic. “I think that covers most of everything, but I’m sure we could discuss more topics as they come up…?”

“But of course, Fleur.” Luna grinned at her. “Additionally, we should talk about rules, or more specifically, boundaries. Also, we must decide on a safe word before we continue any further.” Fleur swallowed as Luna’s words sunk in. She knew having a safe word was the pivotal part of any dom/sub relationship, but she wanted to focus on one thing at a time.

“You’re right. You mentioned earlier, when we were in the tub, how we’d signify when a session starts or ends.”

“And you suggested clothing, which is exactly what I was hoping you'd recommend. Come,” Luna slipped off of her chair, leaving the remnants of their early dinner on the table. Fleur followed excitedly, eager for another session. She was certainly aroused enough for one, at least. They entered the lift, and Fleur couldn’t help but lean close to inhale Luna’s addictive scent again.

“Once we have chosen an article of clothing,” Luna distracted her on the ride down. “You do realize what wearing it entails, right?”

“I do,” Fleur nodded, her breath calm and steady - for now. “It means I have to follow the rules, whatever they might be.”

“Correct, though I think it’d be best if we discuss what we’ll be doing in the session; the rules and the punishment, before you ever put it on. Do you agree?”

“Sounds good to me.” Fleur nodded. She could see it now… They would sit in Luna’s bedroom, discuss what it was that Fleur wanted to explore that day, take a ride down the lift, go into one of the rooms Luna had, and then put the clothes on. Fleur felt her heart beat against her ribcage, as her excitement intensified all the more.

“Good. Here we go…” The lift jerked to a halt and they stepped off into the warmly-lit hallway. Fleur rather liked walking down this hall, wondering which door Luna would lead her to next, and what new and exciting place she'd have her next orgasm in. Apprehension, doubt, and lust swirled in her mind, and she felt a small bead of arousal trickle down her thigh as they continued.

“In here.” Luna opened a door and ushered Fleur inside. This one was yet another clone to the previous two, but it lacked the bed in the middle of the floor. Instead, there were iron bars set in the floor and wall, and even the ceiling, at regular intervals. And instead of pictures, the far wall was adorned with a multitude of hooks. And on those hooks hung the widest assortment of ropes Fleur had ever seen. There were thick ropes, skinny ropes, long ropes, colored ropes, and even ropes that glowed. What sort of enchantment would a rope require, and what would those enchantments do to her? Maybe something to enhance her pleasure, or deaden her senses so she could enjoy a longer session? Or maybe just for strength?

They ranged in category from hemp to silk, linen, and unless she was mistaken, a long cord of pure latex. There were even bungee cords with hooks on either end, and a few chains here and there. Luna swept around Fleur to go and fetch one modest length of rope, colored a mysterious shade of purple, and wound up with a simple knot. It couldn’t have been longer than twenty feet or so. Luna lifted the coiled rope from its hook and carried it back towards Fleur.

“That’s all we needed from here. We’ll come back here at a later date, but I just needed this for your next session.”

“O-of course…” Fleur was actually kind of relieved. This room made her squirm, and not entirely from anticipation. There were so many bonds in this room, she couldn’t wrap her mind around it all. She felt something smooth rub against her side, and she jumped slightly.

“Come on,” Luna teased, waggling the rope; she had just rubbed her with it. Fleur blushed and followed after the Princess, casting one last sidelong look at the wall hung with enough rope to secure an Ursa Major. They re-entered the hallway and returned to the room where they had recently used the vibrators. Only this time, the room was completely cleaned up - the vibrators were put away, fresh sheets adorned the bed, and even the carpet had been cleaned of Fleur's juices.

“That’s incredible.” Fleur remarked, approaching the bed in awe. “It’s like we were never here. Did… Did somepony come and clean this…?”

“No, it’s just a spell I know.” Luna waved her hoof dismissively. “It’s integrated into the temporal spell I use to fit all these rooms in the same space. When we leave, the room reverts to its natural state. Any of the waste is deposited in a different room, which I then dispose of. But we’re not here to discuss waste disposal - we’re here to go over two very important things. First:” Luna’s horn glowed, and Fleur heard a nearby drawer open. She turned to look, but her chin was grasped and re-directed to look back at Luna. ’When did she get close enough to turn my head?’ Fleur thought, amazed at Luna's ability to be dead-silent when she needed to be. She stared up into Luna's beautiful eyes, and immediately, a shudder raced down Fleur's spine like a lightning bolt.

“Close your eyes.” Luna said quietly. “I want this to be a surprise.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…”

“Aah.” Luna’s hoof moved to her lips. “We haven’t started, remember? Not until I put this on you. Then, my dear… Then we’ve begun… Now, close.” Fleur swallowed hard and nodded, her eyes closing immediately. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, almost like it was trying to break free. Fleur wondered what it was Luna was going to make her wear. Was it a bracelet? A garter belt? A ring around her horn? What-

“Hmm!” Luna’s hoof pressed against Fleur’s lips, silencing her. She felt it, then, wrapping around her. It was heavy, and fairly tight. She wasn’t choked, but each breath now came faster and harder.

“You can open your eyes.” Fleur was standing in front of a mirror. A mirror that hadn’t been there before. She was looking at herself, and at Luna looming in the frame behind her. But she wasn’t focusing on her dom.

Fleur’s eyes were on her neck. And the collar that she now wore.

It was a wide band of what she guessed was faux leather, black and shiny. A heavy ring of what she guessed was iron or steel hung in the hollow of her throat, dangling down towards her sternum. She couldn’t see the back, but a metallic clinking noise told her it was secured with a buckle, not unlike a belt to be worn around the waist. Fleur felt the material cinch around her neck, secured nice and tight. She felt constricted… Suppressed.

Branded.

Owned.

“The second part of any BDSM relationship,” Luna’s soft words nearly made her jump. Her wide eyes snapped from the collar to Luna, back to the collar, and again to her dom. “Is very important. You know what it is?”

“Th-the safe word, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered, her heart trying very actively to escape her chest just then. She was wearing a collar, and they were now in a session. The rules were in force, and they must be obeyed.

“Correct.” That single word shivered through Fleur. She was being praised. “I had something in mind, Fleur… Something I have used many, many times in the past. I guess you could say it’s… Well, it’s dear to me.” Luna’s expression was serious, but passionate. “Would you like to hear it?”

“Y-yes, please, Mistress…”

Luna’s lips brushed the edge of her ear, even as she lifted the uncoiled length of rope up in front of Fleur’s face. Somewhere, Fleur heard a vibrator turn on. Luna’s whisper was barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

”The safe word is ‘Moonstone.’”

(8) Tightrope

Moonstone – Chapter 8 “Tightrope”

Fleur’s breath caught in her throat as she felt the rope wind around her forelegs, each loop pulling tighter than the one before it. In less than a minute, Fleur's fore legs were wound tightly together, putting her into a fairly unbalanced posture. She meekly whimpered as Luna's hot breath washed over her ear, nearly turning her already-wobbly legs into mush.

“Your punishment,” Luna whispered, her soft words wafting over Fleur’s ear. “Should you fail to follow any of my rules, is two orgasms, delivered in any manner I deem fit. Do you understand?”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered. The session had barely begun, and she was already dripping with anticipation.

“Rules,” Luna continued, her hot breath still teasing Fleur’s ear. “Number one should be a constant through all of our sessions. If you tell me what it is, I’ll give you a treat.” Fleur shuddered again, a jolt of excitement shooting down her spine. Her dom was asking her a question! Fleur had a chance to prove herself! To earn a reward! To make Luna happy! But she had to work quickly - Luna couldn't be kept waiting for an answer. Fleur opened and closed her mouth a few times, rushing to formulate a response.

“T-to call you ‘Master,’ ‘Mistress,’ or ‘Ma’am’ at all times… Master.”

“Correct.” Fleur could feel the pleased tone in Luna’s voice. It vibrated into her ear, sending another jolt of pleasure through her entire body. “Your reward, my dear pet…” Luna’s lips transitioned to her neck. “Is five licks… Anywhere I please.”

“Y-yes, Mistress… Thank you!” Fleur panted, her eyes fixed on the mirror. Luna leaned over her back, her lips still right next to Fleur’s ear. She could lick anywhere she pleased, but Fleur was begging her to lick her ear. Or her neck. Or her pussy. Or anywhere, for that matter. Luna could have licked her hoof and Fleur would have been the most grateful pony in all of Equestria.

“Hmm, where to lick, I wonder…?” Luna’s teasing made Fleur seep even more wetness, the fresh drops of arousal snaking down her thighs, and nearly to her knees, before soaking into her coat. She wanted this, and she was more than ready for it. Before the night was out, she silently prayed that she'd be wet enough to drench the carpet beneath her bound hooves. The rope around her forelegs began to wind tighter and tighter, glimmering with Luna’s magic. Other ponies would likely be frightened or angry at being bound like this, but not Fleur. She wasn't frightened at all.

She was excited.

Luna cinched the rope tight around her forelegs, effectively rending Fleur immobile. The ropes were tight, hugging her coat as intimately as a pair of leggings. She couldn’t move, or defend herself in any meaningful way. She couldn’t even use her hooves to pleasure herself. It was up to Luna to quench this fire in her core; It was up to her dom to please her, however she saw fit.

For this to work, for her to feel satisfied, happy, and fulfilled…

She had to trust Luna.

And Luna had to trust her; not just to be open and honest about her kinks, but to use the safe word if things got too intense, or if she felt wrong in any way.

’Moonstone.’

A single, easy to remember word, and it was Fleur's alone to use. One word from her would end it all; Luna would stop, the collar would come off, and the session would end. It was that simple.

Fleur prayed that she never had to use it, because she never wanted this to end.

Luna’s tongue pressed against the base of her ear, right where it met her skull. The pressure was hot, like an open flame, and Fleur's knees nearly buckled. It was a struggle to remain standing – even more so now that her legs were bound together. Luna's hot breath caressed Fleur's ear as she finished her lick, further melting Fleur's already-weakened knees. She whimpered and clenched her eyes, praying for an end to this debilitating teasing.

Her prayers were answered, and the teasing stopped - for the moment. Fleur’s core muscles were clenched tight, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. She whimpered thinly, wondering where Luna’s tongue was going to travel to next.

Luna answered her unspoken question by laying the flat of her tongue on the base of Fleur's spine, and dragging it all the way up to her mane. The lick was long and fast, and when Luna pulled away, Fleur could feel the cool trail of saliva the princess left behind. She wanted another lick, just like that. Heavens help her, she wanted a million more just like it. She swallowed hard, stifling the urge to whimper, to plead, to beg for more.

’No begging, not yet.’ Fleur thought. ’Luna will give it to me; I just have to be patient. Besides, we have the rest of the day, and all day tomorrow, in front of us.’

They had the rest of the day, and all day tomorrow.

The next lick was completely unexpected. It started near the bottom of her rear left hoof, and began tracing up towards her rump. Luna took her sweet time, and each inch she covered with the lick, Fleur felt another coil of rope wind its way round her leg. When Luna reached the back of her knee, Fleur almost collapsed, and when she dragged her tongue up over the meaty flesh of Fleur’s backside, she gave a soft cry of pleasure. Luna did the same for Fleur’s other leg, licking long and slow from her hoof up to the base of her tail.

“Hmm,” Luna moaned, her soft breath washing over Fleur’s marehood. “I have one lick left, and so much of you to lick… I wonder, where should I put my tongue next? Hmm?” She was asking her a question. Fleur’s mind raced, trying to think of a satisfactory answer.

“A-anywhere, mistress… Please… Please, lick me anywhere!”

“Oh? Anywhere?” Luna teased, her breath still making Fleur wetter than anypony should have a right to be. “What about here?” Luna’s hoof pressed into Fleur’s flank, right on her cutie mark. Fleur shuddered, but didn’t respond. “Here?” She touched the base of her tail, close to where she had started the lick along Fleur’s spine. Fleur stifled another whimper as yet another shudder raced through her. “Ooh, what about here?” Luna pressed her hoof into Fleur’s neck, eliciting a soft gasp and a twitch from her. The thick metal ring against her throat thumped into her, making Fleur whimper and writhe some more. “Or what about…” Her touch left completely, and Fleur watched in the mirror as Luna went around to her backside, disappearing behind her frame.

”Here?”

“AHN!” Fleur cried out as Luna’s last lick landed directly on her clitoris. She dragged her flat tongue in a slow, purposeful motion directly up the length of Fleur’s dripping cunt, adding just enough pressure at the exact right moment to slip the tip of her tongue inside. That one lick, that teasing touch to her clit, had her juices flowing in abundance, and was nearly enough to send her over the edge. She looked over her shoulder at the Princess, panting audibly as a long shudder raced through her body.

“Hmm, that was delicious.” Luna lifted her head, licking her lips seductively. “I must say, my little pet, your pussy is the best I’ve ever tasted. Why, if I didn’t have all these vibrators to use on you, I might just have to use my tongue on you…” She leaned closer. Fleur stared directly into her eyes, her entire body quivering with anticipation, excitement, and-

“HNN!”

Fear. The ropes around her hind legs cinched tight. Her hooves slid together with an audible sound, and her knees ground against one another. Luna filled her vision just then, even as her now-glowing horn went to work tying knots in the rope

“Again,” tighter. “And again,” Tighter still. “And again.”

That was it; Fleur was tied up completely, all four of her legs bound tightly together. She couldn't run, or touch herself, or do anything, for that matter. Luna had free reign over her body now, Fleur was just going to have to trust her. That, or stop her...

Moonstone.

'No... I'm not going to say it.' she thought. 'Not until I've had my fill.'

“Hmm… Fleur?”

“Y-yes, mistress?!” Her tone was thin and eager as she nearly spat the words out in a rush.

“You’re awfully wet back here. Would you like me to clean you up?”

“Y-yes, mistress! Please! Clean me up!” Fleur panted, her eyes clenched closed. She felt herself wobble a little, but she flexed every muscle in her legs, barely keeping herself from falling.

“Very well, then…” Luna smiled up the length of her body, allowing Fleur one last fleeting glance into her beautiful eyes before she disappeared behind her tail…

“Ahn!” Fleur’s wildest wishes came true just then. The way her legs were bound, she couldn’t spread herself open, but that didn’t dissuade Luna at all. She buried her muzzle in-between Fleur’s thighs, her tongue digging ferociously through the long, luxurious strands of her tail to assault her pussy directly. Fleur was wondering if Luna was cleaning her, or making more of a mess. But at the moment, she could care less - she was lost in a state of pure bliss.

“Hnn… AHN! Mistress!” Fleur gasped, her chest heaving with each breath now. “I’m going to cum! Mistress, please!”

“Go ahead, Fleur.” Luna’s approval was short and clipped, and she returned to licking right away. Fleur whimpered, her entire body shuddering as an orgasm approached…

“GUH!”

“Pwah!” Fleur felt her release burst forth, spattering the carpet and Luna in equal measure. Luna lapped up what she could, but Fleur was squirting too much fluid for any one pony to ever catch all of it. It dribbled down her thighs, arced through the air, and landed on the carpet in streams.

“My, my,” Luna teased, both of her fore hooves rising to massage Fleur’s twitching ass cheeks. “That was an awfully big squirt, my pet… Are you okay?”

“Y-yes, mistress…” Fleur panted. Despite how inundated she felt just then, Fleur could still stand. She couldn’t feel her legs at all, but she could stand. ’That has to count for something, right?’ Shaking, whimpering, and generally just feeling pleasured, Fleur managed to glance over her shoulder and give Luna an approving smile. “I-I’m okay… You can keep going, if you want…”

“Of course I can,” Luna teased, kissing Fleur’s rump warmly. “I can do whatever I want with you. But I think you’ve had enough pleasure, Fleur. I think it’s about time you get some punishment.”

“P-punishment?” Fleur whimpered, her heart going back into overdrive. “What have I done wrong, Mistress?”

“Well for one thing,” Luna wiped a hoof along her neck, showcasing the darker spots on her coat Fleur had made with her juices. “I never gave you permission to cum on me; Or to make such a mess. If this weren’t carpet, I’d have you clean the whole thing up. Instead, I guess I’ll just have to punish you. Do you remember what your punishment was?”

“T-two orgasms, Mistress…” Fleur whimpered, her blush so red her entire coat must have changed. “A-any way you deem fit.”

“That’s right, my pet. You’re learning. Come now.”

“Aah!” Fleur gasped as she was suddenly lifted off of the ground, hovering through the air helplessly. The spare rope that Luna hadn’t used to tie her up dragged along the ground as she was levitated towards the bed, where Luna unceremoniously dropped her.

“There we go,” Luna teased, looming over Fleur as she made her own way up onto the bed. “That’s much better. Why, from here, I think I might just be able to punish you properly. What do you think, hmm?”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered, her eyes wide as she looked up at Luna. She was an awfully intimidating figure, but Fleur knew more than anypony else how much pleasure this pony could grant her. Luna really was kind, in her own rough and unforgiving way. She had already done so much for Fleur, and if that devious smile indicated anything, she had much more planned for her before the night was over.

“So… Two orgasms, any way I see fit. Hmm, I wonder…” Luna's eyes set into a lusty, half-lidded gaze as she looked over Fleur's entire body. As she watched Luna's eyes, Fleur wondered what those eyes saw in that moment; How they would react to seeing a beautiful mare laid out in a blatantly provocative fashion, her legs tied tight, her dripping marehood barely concealed behind a slick, cum-covered pink tail, and her eyes wide with equal parts fear, wonder, and lust. Fleur's eyes flickered to the wall, and all of the paintings of mares in arousing positions, exposed, bound, panting, covered in cum and sweat and saliva…

“I think I’ll give you your first with this.” Luna’s horn glowed as she opened a far-away bedside table and withdrew a rather large-looking dildo. Fleur had seen it earlier, laid out with the others. She had barely been able to handle one small egg vibrator. What was Luna thinking, giving her something so big and intimidating? “Hmm… Tell me something, my pet. And you had better be honest. Whose saliva do you want on this? Mine? Or yours?” Luna waved the dildo back and forth, still looming over Fleur threateningly.

“M-mine, Mistress…” Fleur whimpered. She worked her tongue in her mouth, hoping she had enough saliva, and thankfully, she did. Luna’s horn glowed as she shoved the dildo between Fleur’s lips, pushing it as deep as it would go. Fleur felt it hit the back of her throat, but she wasn’t unused to the sensation. She accepted it willingly, her eyes closing as she worked her tongue along the plastic shaft. She had expected it to be hard and unforgiving, but she found it to be rather soft and pliable; Similar to a stallion's cock, only much smaller. Fleur groaned into the plastic shaft, feeling her spit begin to lather the dildo. She wasn’t a stranger to fellatio, and had often used it on Fancy Pants when she didn’t feel like taking him inside. She enjoyed it to an extent, but not nearly as much as she did a good, rough fucking. That is, until the dildo again hit the back of her mouth, giving Fleur a stark reminder that in this case, the fellatio was hers to take, not give; She had no choice in the matter now, but that same lack of choice that was quickly changing her opinions on the matter.

When Luna shoved the dildo into her mouth, willingly or not, she felt tendrils of pleasure stem from the invasion. Her hips began to writhe atop the sheets, and she felt her arousal drip down her thighs and onto the bed. She wanted nothing more than to be filled with this thing, to be fucked with it. Front and back, from wall to wall… She wanted it. And she wanted it now.

“Pluh! Haah! Haah!” Luna pulled the dildo out of her mouth, leaving several long, shiny strands of saliva stretching between her mouth and the toy. Panting, Fleur looked up at Luna with half-lidded, heavy eyes. She was eager for more, and she'd do anything for it. She knew she didn't have to, but a small part of her mind wanted to literally beg Luna for more.

“Are you ready?” Luna asked, slowly trailing the dildo down Fleur’s front.

“Yes, mistress!” Fleur gasped outright, her hips writhing. With her legs tied up, laying down would be nearly impossible. She was about to ask for help when Luna stepped over to assist. In one fluid motion, she lifted Fleur's rear legs up and smoothly laid her down onto her back. Luna next pushed Fleur's rear legs up and back, bringing them nearly level with her forelegs, and fully exposing her glistening slit to the Princess. Fleur could not see too well at this angle, but she knew what was coming, and she made a mental note to try and contain her squirting if at all possible.

“Brace yourself.” Luna clicked the vibrator on. Fleur could hear it from where she lay. “This is going to be… Intense.”

“Yes, mistr-RRAUGH!” If the egg had been a lightning strike, this was a cataclysm. The combination of the buzzing vibrator and the hard shaft delving into her aching core instantly drove Fleur over the edge into an all-consuming orgasm. Raw, unfiltered pleasure rocked every inch of her body, flooding her mind and her very being with a kind of ecstasy that she had never before thought possible. She whimpered lustily as her inner muscles flexed, but instead of squirting, her walls clamped down on the dildo like a vice, driving Fleur to even higher levels of pleasure. It felt like it was vibrating her whole body. She clenched it tight, but no amount of abdominal strength could have held the toy in place. With Fleur’s own juices and saliva, Luna slid the toy in and out, pressing the head in all of the right places inside of her.

“Mistress! Mistress! Mistress!” Fleur panted with each new thrust. The dildo glided over her slick walls, filling and voiding her hungry pussy with smooth, easy motions. “Mistress! It feels so good! Ahn! Yes! Please, mistress! More!”

“As you wish.” Luna grinned down at her, the smooth toy pausing for half a second. Fleur wondered what it was she was planning…

And then her world exploded.

Luna drove the toy down into her, spearing Fleur’s fully-exposed marehood with the hard shaft. The buzzing intensified to all-new levels, rending her completely silent; Fleur couldn’t have formed a coherent thought if she tried. With a final twisting motion, Luna pressed the toy directly onto her g-spot, the one part of her sexuality that Fleur had never been able to explore. If Fleur's world exploded when the toy entered her moments before, the reaction from her g-spot melted whatever was still left.

If she were a pane of glass, she would have shattered into a million pieces. Her mind, her body… her soul became the very definition of pleasure. Giving nothing more than the wayward twitch, Fleur felt her tongue spill out of her mouth, and her muscles go slack. She drooled helplessly on the sheets, her eyes fluttering in time with the waves of pleasure that rolled through her body. Luna didn’t pause, either, repeating the same twisting motion to hit Fleur's g-spot again and again and again. Four times, five times... Or was it six... Ten maybe? Fleur lost track of that, and everything else around her, as she continued to bask in the glow of the most pleasure she had ever known in her life. She only knew that when the dildo was pulled out, it took her strength with it. She collapsed, her body flopping sideways onto the sheets.

“What do you know,” Luna teased, flicking the vibrator off. “You didn’t even squirt.”

“Thowwy, mithtweth…” Fleur whimpered, her words completely garbled by her slackened tongue, which still drooped lazily out of her mouth. She slurped her saliva down, pulling her tongue in. Had she bit it at all? No, no pain. That was a good sign. With another deep sigh, Fleur raised her heavy head to smile at Luna. “I can clean it up, if my mistress would let me?”

“Maybe later, Fleur.” Luna filled the space before her, pressing a soft kiss into her lips. “For now, why don’t we untie you? I think we’re done.” The pressure around Fleur’s neck released, and she watched the thick collar glide away to rest on the bedside table. Part of her was sad to see it go; The other part of her was too lost in a haze to comment at the moment.

“By the stars…” Fleur groaned, her eyes closing as she rested her head on the bed. “That was incredible.”

“Good?” Luna asked, focusing on the knot she had tied.

“The best yet. I… I loved it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Luna, that was… That was perfect.” Fleur felt the pressure around her forelegs loosen, and she could move them again. She flexed experimentally, smiling as she felt her muscles respond properly. Aside from the wooziness, it seemed, Fleur had recuperated from this orgasm in good shape; ’I’m getting better at this already.’

“Can you walk?”

“I think so,” Fleur stretched her hind legs as Luna untied them, and felt them full of energy as well. “Yes, I can walk.” She slowly rolled out of the bed and onto her hooves, glad that she didn’t wobble or sway under her own weight. Her core was sore, wet, and completely done, but she could at least walk.

“Let’s take a bath.” Luna took the collar with them as they left the room, heading a short way down the hallway to the bathroom. Fleur smiled at the familiar sight of the large tub and shower-head set into the wall, and she looked at the concrete slab across the room with a little more interest than previously. She hoped they’d come here some time, where Luna could make a mess of her with water and who-knew-what-other liquids. As Luna drew them a bath, Fleur looked herself over. Her coat was matted in places where the rope had been, the fine strands kinked and sticking up in odd directions. It’d take her some time to return them to normal.

The water was blissfully hot, and Fleur felt what little tension there was leave her muscles. The first contact with her aching core was a little painful, but not unwelcome. After easing her haunches in, she found even that soreness began to quickly fade away. Luna sat by her side, already scrubbing her own chest with a washcloth and soap. Fleur must have made a mess with that one orgasm, but the Princess didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she set to her task with a very satisfied smile on her face.

“So, how did you like it?” Luna asked quietly, still focused on scrubbing herself. Fleur was content to soak for a little while, and she contemplated her answer for a few moments.

“There probably wasn’t a thing I’d have changed about that session.” She admitted with a blush. “Everything was ideal. The foreplay, the teasing, tying me up… And the vibrator… The vibrator was incredible.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear I haven’t lost my old touch.” Luna shot her a quick, teasing grin before focusing on her individual hooves. Fleur sunk down into the bath water until her mane wafted about her face and her tail clouded the water behind her. She heaved a slight sigh, her eyes closing from relaxation.

“Want me to scrub you down?” Luna asked, pulling Fleur out of her reverie.

“Yes, please.” Fleur admitted with a slight blush. Luna nodded towards the showers set in the nearby wall, as her glowing horn turned the water on ahead of them. Fleur followed, the both of them already streaming a waterfall of hot water off of their bodies. At the princess’ insistence, Fleur slipped up onto one of the wooden benches, spreading wide for Luna to wield soap and washcloth.

A stark contrast to ‘mistress’ Luna, this facet of the Princess was very kind and caring. When they were doing a session, Fleur felt helpless and dominated. From the collar to the ropes, the vibrators to her tongue, Luna was insistent and ever-present. But with the session now complete, Fleur found herself smiling in a warm, friendly sort of way. Luna guided the soap against her coat carefully, being delicate around her core, but rough along her thighs, back, stomach, and neck. Fleur knew once she was rinsed off, her coat would be all but normal again, not matted and kinked where the rope had dug into her skin. When she was completely lathered, Luna cranked on one of the showers and guided her under it. The soap sluiced off of her coat, leaving her whole once more. Soaking wet, they returned to the bath to stew for a little bit longer.

“Was there anything you’d want to change or add next time?” Luna asked quietly, her eyes closed as she leaned against the wall of the tub.

“Hmm…” Fleur contemplated the question carefully. In retrospect, there was one thing… “Yes… I’m… Well, I’m still a Unicorn, but I’m not as fragile as others. If anything, could I ask that maybe… Next time… You be just a little bit more rough?”

Luna flashed Fleur a smile so devious, Discord himself would have been impressed.

“Our next session, Fleur, I think you’re going to like very much. Now come on; Let’s dry off and get some sleep.” Luna popped the drain in the bottom of the tub and nuzzled Fleur’s neck.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

(9) Speechless

Moonstone – Chapter 9 “Speechless”

Bath complete, Fleur and Luna retired to Luna’s extravagant bedroom upstairs. In the aftermath of what could arguably be described as her first true BDSM session, Fleur almost felt too giddy to sleep. But exhaustion soon took her, and she dozed off peacefully, her back pressed warmly against Luna’s. The night passed without incident, and Fleur awoke in the early hours of the morning. Luna was mysteriously absent, but that did not surprise Fleur in the least. Luna was one half of the Equestrian diarchy, after all, and likely had many duties to attend to. Musing on this for a second, Fleur wondered if Luna even slept at all.

Despite the somewhat early hour, Fleur felt surprisingly well-rested. 'Hmm... get tied up and ravished by the Princess of the Night, and still sleep like a foal?' she asked herself, a small smile crossing her lips as her mind replayed last night's sultry escapades. 'Yes, I could definitely get used to this.'

Stretching her legs as she slipped out of bed, Fleur padded across the room and stole a look out of the large, gold-framed window. A crisp, clear morning welcomed Celestia's sun, which had just risen fully above the horizon. Fleur had admired the view from the royal castle before, but never from this vantage point. Luna's upper bedroom was situated more than halfway up the massive tower that capped the Western wing of the castle, and from here, Fleur could only stare slack-jawed as her eyes took in the entirety of Canterlot laid out before her. With crystal-clear skies, she could literally see for miles and miles in nearly every direction. For just a moment, Fleur's mind was lost in fantasy, trying to imagine this magnificent view from behind Luna's ageless eyes.

A slight tightness in her leg muscles broke her reverie, and reminded her that she was in need of some normal exercise. Fleur slipped out of the bedroom and down the extravagant hall to Luna's personal exercise suite. It was separate from her bedroom, and relatively utilitarian in comparison to the warm furnishings and candlelit comfort of the bedroom. Fleur noticed that the workout space was outfitted with equipment very similar to her own, so she could get started with minimal need to familiarize herself. Fleur felt just as comfortable here as anywhere else. And with it being New Year’s Eve, nopony was around to check on her or share the room.

Nopony except Luna, that is.

“Good morning, Fleur.” The princess arrived about halfway through Fleur’s normal routine, and received a warm smile in return.

“Good morning, Luna. Did you sleep well?”

“To be perfectly honest, Fleur,” Luna stepped up beside the treadmill Fleur was jogging on. “I don’t sleep that much. An hour or two each night is enough for me.”

“Consider yourself lucky.” Fleur grumbled, her coat starting to lather with sweat. Sore muscles notwithstanding, she felt compelled to burn off the extra calories from yesterday's extravagant lunch. The torrid pace of last night's session likely did the trick, but better to be safe than sorry. Fleur enjoyed feeling slender and fit; whip-tight and sexy. Luna, it seemed, appreciated it as well - Fleur caught the Princess’ eyes roaming perhaps a little bit more than they ought to have in this type of setting. Fleur's inner filly relished the attention though, and she couldn't resist putting just a bit more swing in her hips as she increased her pace on the treadmill.

“Oh I do,” Luna mused, walking around the treadmill slowly. Fleur was acutely aware of the Princess’ eyes on her every move. She swallowed hard, panting from more than just physical exertion now. “Very lucky indeed…” Luna was already talking in a low, husky voice. Fleur hated to admit it, but she wasn’t entirely opposed to being this aroused this early in the morning. After all, how long had she been looking forward to this weekend? Six days? Seven? No sense in letting her long-awaited fulfillment go to waste. Whenever Luna passed behind her, Fleur made a point to flick her tail aside, giving the Princess teasing peaks of what she was doing to the poor unicorn.

“Hmm. I’ll be in my room when you’re finished. I dare say you’re going to need a shower.” Luna stopped in front of the treadmill, smiling deviously at Fleur.

“As long as my master joins me.” Fleur returned, her smile equally provocative. Luna just gave a soft ‘hmm’ of acknowledgement before she left. Fleur let a breath out as the door closed behind Luna. As much as Fleur loved the extra attention, she needed to finish this workout, a task that was becoming increasingly difficult with Luna's wandering eyes all over her body.

About fifteen minutes and a few cool down stretches later, Fleur returned to Luna’s bedroom. As promised, Luna was inside, and she was reading another book. Now that she thought about it, Fleur had seldom seen Luna do anything else in her free time. Arousal forgotten for the moment, Fleur tentatively peeked over Luna’s shoulder at the book. Once more, she was surveying complex magical diagrams and archaic text, and once again, she couldn’t understand what the book said at all.

“Why…” Fleur began with a slight frown. “Do you always read these books?”

“Well…” Luna flipped the page, her tone halfway distracted. She spared Fleur a glance over her shoulder, though. “It’s a little complicated, but it has to deal with my banishment. Would you care to hear?”

“If it isn’t any trouble…” Fleur offered, glancing between Luna and the book curiously.

“A thousand years is a long, long time to be absent.” Luna began, slowly closing the book she was reading. She continued speaking, though the distant expression in her eyes showed that her mind was somewhere else at the moment. “My return was less-than-friendly, to put it mildly. The Elements of Harmony came together once more to show me their power, although thankfully, I wasn’t returned to my prison. I was shown the error of my ways, and was able to join my sister in ruling Equestria once more. But, like I said, one thousand years is a long time to be absent.” Luna gestured at the book she had been reading as she continued.

“Magical theory and its applications had advanced by leaps and bounds in my absence, not to mention the massive changes to the manner in which Equestria was run. Back in my prime, Equestria was a diarchy, with Celestia and I at the fore. Now, the two of us are more advisors than anything else; We give our input on major decisions, but for the most part, we stay back and let ponies do what ponies do. We’re a reactionary force now. We come to the assistance of Equestria when it’s most needed, not before problems develop.” Luna sighed, shaking her head.

“I miss the days when I could act on problems before they came to bear. Why Celestia keeps us from using our full potential, I’ll never know. Still, though…” Luna looked out of the nearby window, past the balcony and out towards the rest of Equestria. “Our citizens are becoming stronger and stronger with each lesson they learn, solving the problems that Celestia and I would normally handle.” A faint smile crossed the Princess’ lips then, and Fleur felt her own mirror the effect; seeing Luna smile made Fleur genuinely happy.

“But as for the books,” Luna continued after a short pause. “I’ve tasked myself with catching up on all of the magical developments that have transpired in my absence, and so far, I’m maybe a tenth of the way through. There was much speculation and research done when the Elements of Harmony were introduced into the world, and all of this,” She gestured to the stacks of books on the tables around the room. “Is the result.”

“All of this?” Fleur looked around the room as her mind tried to digest what it had just heard. Of the five tables in the room, nearly all of them were jam-packed with books. Only the table nearest to them had any space left on it, though even that could not hold more than another book or two. 'Still, a thousand years is a long time.' Fleur thought. 'Surely, a millennium of magical development had to lead to more books than this, right?' Fleur frowned as she looked over them all once more. “It doesn’t seem like that much.”

“Well,” Luna chuckled. “Let’s go downstairs. I'm sure you want to shower after your workout, and the room I want to show you is on the way." A shower sounded divine indeed. Fleur followed Luna to the lift, and they began their descent to the basement in silence. The cramped confines of the lift made that fact increasingly apparent to Fleur's nose. Thankfully, Luna didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she betrayed no reaction to it.

They arrived in the warm hallway that Fleur was becoming comfortably familiar with, and she followed Luna only a short way down it. They hadn’t even reached the first intersection when Luna ushered her into a door. Fleur entered the room behind Luna, and her breath caught in her throat.

“Okay,” she whispered in wide-eyed wonder. “This is impressive.” The room Fleur had just entered was the greatest feat of spatial manipulation she had ever seen. It was likely the size of the entire Canterlot castle, including the palace grounds. The walls soared upwards to impossible heights, and Fleur couldn't tell if the room had a ceiling, or simply stretched into infinity. The same set of walls stretched on and on, the edge of the room looking like a miniscule speck in the distance. Fleur could barely imagine how long it might take to reach even one corner of this room - if it had corners at all.

“This isn’t what I’m researching…” Luna nudged Fleur’s side and led her down a small staircase into the library proper. From atop the staircase, Fleur gazed out on the intricate maze of shelves. To the untrained eye, the seemingly endless rows could easily be mistaken for an immaculate carpet or tapestry. “But it is all of the books I own. Celestia and I make it a point to collect as many as we can, in the hopes of preserving knowledge for the ages. As you can see, we’ve had to resort to rather drastic measures to keep them all in one place.”

“This is amazing.” Fleur breathed, following Luna along.

“This,” Luna pulled up near the bottom of the staircase. Fleur paused for a moment to take a better look at her surroundings, and saw there was a large section that had been roped off with stanchions. Luna swept a hoof out towards it. “Is what I’ve missed in my absence.” The section was easily half of the floor, but it didn’t appear to stretch up onto the walls. Still, Fleur had to appreciate such a vast collection of knowledge.

Reading was always one of Fleur's favorite hobbies, but her love of reading was more recreational, not intellectual. She was an above-average student when she was in school, and received good grades, but she never felt a drive to engage herself in a lifetime of study or research. Some of her friends had, and she didn’t blame them. But Fleur’s calling had been to social works and charity. She was a prominent member of the Social Club, and had even met Fancy Pants through one of their higher functions after graduation. Nevertheless, the room was astounding to say the least. Fleur knew that just six feet to the left of this room was the same one Luna had stored her Hearth’s Warming Eve ball dress in, but the very walls of this room were probably miles wide.

“You’ve got to catch up on all of this?” Fleur asked skeptically, peering down the long rows of books.

“I’m afraid so.” Luna sighed, her gaze following Fleur’s. “Some of it is very dry and hard to follow, but others are absolutely fascinating.” She smiled at Fleur then, drawing her attention with a gentle touch. “Let’s move on. I’m sure you don’t want to spend your time looking at dusty old books. Come, we have to get you clean.” Fleur cast one last sideways look at the massive collection of books in the room before following Luna back up the staircase. Once back in the hallway, Fleur felt an odd sense of vertigo. Going from such an immense space into the tiny hallway, and vice-versa, had left her a little bit dizzy. She slowed her pace a bit, taking slow, measured breaths to steady herself as she continued down the hall.

Thankfully, the bathroom was only a few doors down from their previous location, and once they entered, she moved to turn on the showers while Luna fetched towels, robes, and mane-care products for both of them. Fleur stepped into the shower immediately, letting out a contended sigh as the hot water relaxed her nerves once more. She glanced to her side to see Luna had entered as well, and was already busy fretting over her own coat. Part of her mind wanted to just sit and stare at Luna's every move, but her nose reminded her once more that her coat needed some fretting of its own. Hoping Luna wouldn’t make things more complicated, Fleur began to scrub her nether parts.

She wasn’t very sore, which was surprising, and the scrubbing didn’t do much in the way of arousal. Fleur was happy for that much; any other day, she’d have been dripping from the first contact against her marehood. 'I guess I'm getting more accustomed to this sort of pleasure,' she thought to herself. 'Good... That means I can handle longer,more intense sessions with Luna. Sure, it's only been a week, but if it's this good already...'

“Enjoying yourself over there?” Luna shot a teasing quip. Fleur glanced up with a flush as she grasped the removable shower head and rinsed off her nether region.

“Yes, thank you.” Fleur returned, her back slowly turning to the Princess.

“Would you like some help?” This time, Luna’s voice came from right beside Fleur’s ear. She stiffened, her heart leaping up into her throat. ’How does she do that?!’

“I-I’m fine, thanks.” She managed to whisper. Luna gave a soft chuckle from her throat, her hooves laying on Fleur’s spine.

“Are you sure?” Luna teased, her hooves slowly sliding upwards. Fleur shuddered at the soothing motion, her thighs squirming already. “Somepony might have to scrub your back.”

“I-I can manage.” Fleur returned, still holding the shower head against her thigh, where it had been spraying last. ’I’m not going to get to finish this shower, am I?’

“I’m not so sure about that…” Luna’s hooves slid higher up Fleur’s back, riding high enough to put tension on her neck muscles. Fleur shuddered and moaned, her eyes fluttering closed for half a moment. Luna persisted, now dragging her hooves down the length of her spine.

“Aah…” Luna's expert touch gently slid over each vertebrae, eliciting more moans, and an occasional wince, from Fleur. It was a strange sensation, but definitely not unwanted. If anything, it made Fleur’s heart flutter even more. Her eyes closed fully now, enjoying the sensation of being massaged by Luna.

“You’re enjoying this, Fleur.” Luna breathed into her ear.

“I’d be lying if… Ngh… I said I didn’t…” Fleur drew her lower lip between her teeth. The shower head had slowly begun to inch higher, back to where it had just rinsed off between her thighs. Combined with Luna’s tender ministrations, the shower head was beginning to become a devious tool.

“I think we ought to move.” Luna drew away, and once again, Fleur was left weak-kneed and panting. She still couldn't put a hoof on why Luna's mere presence set her off like a firework, but she was more than willing to conduct further research into the matter. She drew a deep breath and turned the shower off. Maybe later she could enjoy the unique water-based sensations a detachable shower head could bring her. Right now though, she had a much more powerful - and incredibly more skilled - way of fulfilling her desire. As quickly as she could manage, Fleur dried herself off and slipped into one of the big, fluffy robes Luna had set out for them.

“This way,” Luna ushered her down the hall, towards the side of the hallway that Fleur had yet to explore in any great detail. She wasn't sure what was waiting for her in these new rooms, and already, Fleur could feel the anticipation building in her body. She and the Princess were undoubtedly going to engage in another BDSM session momentarily. The thought of wearing the collar again, of having to follow rules in order to orgasm, and of calling Luna ‘mistress’ was making Fleur positively giddy with excitement. About halfway down the hall, Luna turned into one of the doors, smiling as she led Fleur inside.

“Oh… Oh wow.” Fleur paused on the threshold, her eyes locked in a disbelieving stare. This room was unlike any of the others she had been in with Luna previously. Those rooms had been tame in comparison to this one. Those rooms were warm and welcoming, and helped arouse Fleur and put her in the mood for their sessions.

This room was…

It was something else.

While Fleur continued to stare wide-eyes at the room, Luna shed her robe, her body sliding out of the garment's embrace like a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon. Her wings spread wide, and her still-damp tail hung down her backside, clinging to her legs like a pair of ephemeral stockings. Her mane didn’t shift and change as it normally did, but hung straight down her neck, further accentuating her brilliant curves. Luna was the picture of beauty and arousal just then, and as she turned towards Fleur, very dominating.

“I’d suggest putting your collar on, Fleur.” Luna’s husky request might as well have been a mandate from the moon itself. Fleur felt her throat tighten and her heart throb as she nodded, looking around for the device. She found it sitting on a table next to the door, and as she proceeded to wrap the thick band around her throat, she got a good, long look at the room.

The walls and floor were a bright white, and were it not for the subdued lighting provided by tall lamps in each corner of the room, the brightness would have been hard to stand for more than a few minutes. But the lighting is where the similarities between this room and the previous two came to an end. Where the previous rooms were warm and inviting, this room seemed austere, perhaps cold in a way, and to Fleur's mind, more than a little bit intimidating. Set against the far wall was a low bed, coming no higher than Fleur’s knees. The headboard was a strange contraption of metal and plastic and straps that seemed so complex, it was nearly impossible to decipher what went where. One glance to her side though, and her eyes locked onto what was by far the most intriguing thing in the room.

A few feet away, Luna stood in front of a dresser, her still-damp hair framing her beautiful form perfectly. Fleur's mouth ran dry as she watched Luna begin to slip into an outfit that her mind could only hope to describe as 'tight'. It squeaked and creaked as Luna wriggled her way into the chestpiece and pants, and when she finished, she might as well have been nude. The shiny black material, whatever it was, hugged Luna so intricately that Fleur could still see the gentle mound of Luna’s marehood through the sheer pants. The chestpiece crossed Luna’s breast, leaving several slits open for her dark blue coat to poke through. This was capped by an intricate neckpiece that flowed perfectly into the top of the chestpiece, giving the entire ensemble a unified look, as if it had been cut from a single bolt of material. It took nearly all of Fleur's concentration to finish buckling her collar. Task completed, she stood in silence, her eyes never leaving Luna's form as the princess began pulling her mane into a tight braid. Fleur would have been content to simply watch Luna for the rest of the day, but she didn't want to be rude either. Reluctantly, she forced her eyes away from Luna, and focused on the wall opposite her.

The wall was covered with hooks and pegs, and from these hung some of the strangest and intriguing pieces of BDSM equipment she had ever laid eyes upon. There were several body harnesses, a whole section of strap-on dildos, a few coiled lengths of rope, a riding crop, cat-o-ninetails, paddle, a small case with a selection of vibrators and other dildos, gags, chains, cuffs… This wall was everything Fleur had ever fantasized about, and then some.

“Fleur,” Luna drew her attention. “Don’t focus on the wall. Focus on me.”

“Yes… Mistress.” Fleur had to add the title as an afterthought; the collar was on, and the session had begun. Luna began to slide a set of sheer leggings up her forelegs, but her eyes were fixed on Fleur.

“Do you remember last week, Fleur? The gifts we gave one another?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur swallowed. She had bought Luna a dildo; a foolish thought in hindsight, seeing how Luna had plenty of them to go around. But Luna’s gift to her… “Aah.” She gave a soft breath as Luna pulled the ball gag seemingly from nowhere. Fleur automatically felt her throat tighten up and her legs flex. Luna grinned deviously as she began her slow approach towards Fleur.

“You said that our last session could have been a little harder. Were you telling the truth, Fleur?” Luna’s husky tone made Fleur quiver. Fleur couldn't tell if she was quivering out of fear, anticipation, or both, but she had no time to debate the matter with herself. Her dom had asked a question, and Fleur had to answer.

“Y-yes, Mistress. I-I asked you if you could be a little more rough with- ah!“

Luna was suddenly in front of her. It happened in the blink of an eye, without sound or any sort of indication she was going to move. Fleur tensed immediately, her eyes wide as the ball gag hovered barely an inch away from her mouth. It was so close, she could feel her breath wash over the shiny red ball. “Enough talking, Fleur. Open your mouth.”

“Haah…” Fleur had no choice but to obey. She opened her mouth tentatively.

“Wider.” Luna commanded. The ball gag pressed against her teeth. Fleur opened her jaw a little more, almost to the point of tension. “Wider.” Luna stepped closer, looming up in Fleur’s vision. She swallowed hard and opened more…

“There we go… That’s a good pony.” Luna smiled as the ball gag slipped past Fleur’s teeth. She felt the buckle wind around her head and cinch tightly into her mane. The gag wasn't painful, but was just tight enough to set her nerves on edge, eliciting a small whimper from her throat - and a new wave of wetness down her thighs. “Bite down on it.” Each short sentence Luna said, Fleur had to obey. She didn’t know what the punishment was, and she wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to find out. Her teeth clenched onto the ball gag, and she found it was surprisingly solid. Her saliva was already beginning to build up, but without the ability to fully close her mouth, she couldn’t swallow it properly. “Look at that…” Luna teased, her hoof rising to wipe across Fleur’s lips and the gag. “You’re already drooling.” Fleur began to squirm helplessly as she watched Luna pull her hoof away, the sheer fabric of her leggings glistening with Fleur's saliva.

“Hmm, you look simply delicious, Fleur…” Luna continued, her tongue peeking out to lick at the saliva on her hoof. "Hmm... I'm not certain that I will be able to control myself tonight... Not with you looking like that, Fleur. Now, follow me... And we'll see if I'm wrong or not." Luna turned abruptly, ushering Fleur across the floor towards the bed. Fleur followed, her eyes darting from the wall of equipment, to the bed, to Luna and back again. She swallowed as best she could, but only managed a strange, guttural sound as her mouth filled with saliva once more. It began to drip a little, and she watched the slimy strands fall onto her chest, and then down to the floor.

“Get up on the bed.” Luna commanded, laying one hoof on the surface. Fleur leapt up, and discovered the bed wasn’t fitted with a mattress and sheets and a blanket, but was instead hard plastic. She felt her heart beat faster, even as she turned around to face her Master. “Lie down.” Luna gestured towards her, and Fleur slowly lowered herself onto her stomach. Luna’s face was set in stone as she looked Fleur over. She was still drooling, the long strands now landing on her forelegs.

“The rules for this session,” Luna turned from Fleur, padding towards the far wall. “Are as follows: as always, you must address me as one of my three appropriate titles. That is, if you can.” She glanced over her shoulder at Fleur, and the small puddle of spit she was beginning to accumulate. “The second rule is this: spit the gag out, earn two orgasms. Drool too much, or drool anywhere on me, earn two orgasms. If you squirt and get any of it anywhere other than the bed, that’s another two orgasms, and I’ll make you clean it with your tongue. Understood?” Luna hoisted one length of rope from the wall and carried the entire case of vibrators over. All Fleur could do to signal her acquiescence was nod.

“Good.” Luna smiled as she uncoiled the rope. Fleur could hear the coils impact the floor, and her heart began pounding in her ears. “Since you can’t say the safe word, we’ll have a signal. If ever you want this session to end, I want you to blink once, pause, and then blink three times. Can you do that?” Fleur gave a noise from her throat and nodded. “Demonstrate.” Relishing another chance to please her master, Fleur did as she was instructed, blinking once, pausing, and then blinking three more times in quick succession. The entire time, Luna looked into her eyes, never once averting her gaze.

“Good.” Luna smiled at her, pulling away slowly. She flipped her braided mane over her shoulder and went to stand opposite Fleur. Clad in a shiny black-and-blue ensemble, Luna was a picture of sultry domination; the contrast with Fleur, who was collared, gagged, and covered in drool, could not be sharper. The plastic bed was bound to get a workout, considering she was already drooling and dripping wetness. She slurped around the gag once more, making a delightfully wet, almost guttural sound that Luna couldn't help but chuckle at. Seeing another smile cross her Master's face sent another wave of joy through Fleur's mind, and even more wetness through her already-soaked marehood. Fleur was dripping from both ends - and she was relishing every delicious second of it.

“You look awfully yummy like that, Fleur,” Luna stood away from the bed by a decent distance, her eyes wandering over Fleur’s form. “But I think we can sweeten the dish further… What do you say we…”

“HMMN!” Fleur gave a short, clipped cry; at least, the best she could give with a ball gag in her mouth. Luna’s magic gripped her entire body, sliding her up against the intimidating headboard.

“Keep those hooves out of the way.” Fleur’s forelegs were stretched above her head, almost to the point of being uncomfortable. But there seemed to a rounded joint where the headboard met the bed, keeping her shoulder blades elevated. She felt wide shackles close around her hooves, pinning them in place. Fleur barely had time to adjust herself before Luna appeared next to the bed and reached across the expanse of textured plastic to lift her hind legs into the air, fastening them into their own set of cuffs. Soon enough, Fleur’s hips were propped up, her legs spread wide open, and her tail splayed out on the bed beneath her. The way she was laying, her hind legs were almost on level with her head, and her center was very obviously exposed. Her glistening slit pulsed in the air, and it was there that Luna turned her attention next.

“My, my…” Luna teased, slowly lifting herself onto the bed. “Look at this… You’re already wet. Why, my dear pet, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were enjoying this…” Heavens damn it all, Fleur was enjoying this. She could hardly move, and the way her legs were bent over made breathing difficult, to say nothing of the ball gag in her mouth. She dribbled more drool and more arousal, her chest rising and falling in smooth motions. She looked up at Luna with a half-lidded expression, a plaintive moan escaping from her throat. She felt as if she were a powder keg – one touch, and she’d explode.

“Hmm, you smell divine, Fleur.” Luna continued to tease her in the most delightful way possible. Fleur watched intently as Luna padded around in a half-circle, her hips swaying enough to make even Photo Finish blush. The half-lidded, smoldering gaze in Luna's aqua eyes made it perfectly clear to Fleur that she was being stalked by the Princess - and she would not be denied her quarry. The effect was immediate and pronounced as Fleur’s core emitted a fair bit more arousal, dripping down onto her sodden tail. Luna gave a small chuckle and leaned in, her nose hardly six inches from Fleur’s vagina.

“Hmmn.” Fleur moaned, drooling even more. She could feel Luna’s hot breath against her. Her hips swayed back and forth as best she could manage, given the restraints on her legs. She was dying for release, but the way Luna paced and hovered, never really touching her, made Fleur shudder with even more anticipation. She wanted release, to cum and scream and moan and squirt; yet she didn’t want this teasing to end, either. Luna hovered over her crotch, her hot breath washing over Fleur’s dripping slit, and her entire midsection, like a slow-moving tidal wave.

“Look at it drip.” Luna teased. Each new word sent a pulse of breath over Fleur’s center, eliciting yet another wave of arousal. "My, aren't you a naughty mare? You're so wet, you're going to make a puddle." Luna’s half-lidded gaze was fixed solely on Fleur’s twitching walls, though she spared an occasional glance up the length of Fleur’s pale body to look into her eyes. Fleur never blinked during those stares. She wouldn’t give the sign - she was enjoying herself far too much to stop now.

'This is going to beat our last session by a mile,' Fleur thought. 'The ropes were great, but a bed like this... A bed meant solely to restrain a pony so much that they can barely move? It's borderline oppressive.'

'… And I love it.'

“I bet you want me to lick you, hmm?” Luna continued to talk, her muzzle mere inches from Fleur’s core; she was so close, and yet so far. Fleur could have sworn each breathy sentence was sliding into her, penetrating her with hot air. “I bet it’d feel so good to have my tongue against you... In fact, I bet you’re just dying to be pleased right now.”

’Yes, oh fuck me, yes I am.’ Fleur couldn’t say it, but she could close her eyes and think it.

“Do you want me to lick you?” Luna was incorrigible. Fleur looked up at her with half-lidded, desperate eyes. She nodded firmly, her legs squirming in their bonds. “I can’t hear you, Fleur. I asked if you wanted me to lick you.”

“Hmm-mm.” Fleur moaned, trying hard to work her tongue against the gag. She couldn’t, of course, and the anticipation was killing her. Luna continued to tease her, her lips hovering just above Fleur's pulsing marehood.

“I can’t hear you, Fleur… You’re going to have to speak up. Do you want me to lick you?”

“Hmm-mm!”

“Oh, stop that animal-like grunting, Fleur. You’re a pony. Speak properly, like the refined mare that you are. Now, tell me if you want me to lick you… And no grunting this time.” Luna was hovering just above her core now.

“Hmm! Hmm!” Each new moan coaxed another thin trail of drool from her mouth. It had lathered her lips and chin by now, and was working on coating her neck from top to bottom.

“Beg for it.” Luna commanded, her sultry tone low and eager. Her lips brushed the mound of Fleur’s marehood, giving her the first tantalizing touch of pleasure. It wasn’t enough, though. Fleur wanted more. No, she needed more.

“HMMMMN!” She closed her eyes and screamed it. The guttural sound came with even more drool, and her pulsing walls flexed visibly. Luna stood over her, surveying the display, a wide grin across her lips.

“Good.” She leaned in, kissing Fleur’s twitching stomach. "Now, let's see if we can't find other ways to make you scream..." The kiss was only the beginning. Even without the ball gag, she couldn't properly vocalize what happened next.

Fleur's mind exploded in ecstasy as Luna's tongue lanced into her core, delving deep between her soaked walls. It writhed about, pressing against all the right spots that sent Fleur careening over the edge of decency and into the depths of a wild, wet, and strength-robbing orgasm. Jerking and panting atop the bed, Fleur felt her squirt impact her stomach, and seemingly everything around her. She hoped against hope that she hadn't broken the rule and squirted on Luna, but a quick glance at Luna's partially-soaked chest and face told her that she most definitely had. Luna stopped to lick some of Fleur's juices from her lips, the princess' face a mixture of amusement and anger. “Hmm, well that was impressive.” She teased, her smile turning more devious by the second. “But I did tell you that if you squirted anywhere other than on the bed, I’d make you clean it with your tongue. Not only that, but you’d owe me two orgasms as well. Tell me, my delicious little pet, which would you like to do first? Do you want to clean your mistress, or pay her what she is owed?”

Fleur couldn’t respond, of course. The best she could do was flex her walls and look pleadingly up at Luna. Her last orgasm had only just faded away, and heavens help her, she wanted another one. Luna had said her punishment was two orgasms, right? Didn’t she? Her mind was a haze… She couldn’t remember. But Fleur would do just about anything to have another one just then. She didn’t care what it took. She would beg, plead, scream… She just needed to cum again.

“I think I’ll make you pay first.” Luna said after a long, pulse-pounding pause. “No sense in getting all cleaned up only to make another mess. Although…” Luna raised her hoof, dragging it across Fleur’s mouth. “There’s fun to be had either way.” She pulled her hoof back to her own lips, licking the shining spot of saliva. “Hmm, delicious. Stay right there, Fleur, and don’t move.” She gave a soft chuckle of amusement before turning around and slipping off of the bed. Fleur watched her go, craning her neck to follow the Princess. Luna retreated to the far wall, picking up the box of assorted vibrators and dildos she had left there previously. Fleur watched with ever-growing anticipation as Luna came back, carrying the case and a small bottle with her.

Luna mounted the bed once more and opened the case. She gave a small ‘hmm’ of thought as she looked over her choices, the added delay making Fleur whimper and squirm all the more. She couldn’t quite see what lay inside the case, and she was dying to discover what it was. She knew the vibrators and dildos could grant her untold amounts of pleasure, but seeing what she was going to be subject to was rather important.

Thankfully, Luna settled on a slender dildo, not too long or too thick. She lifted it from the box with her magic, hovering it forwards until it pressed against Fleur’s gag. She mopped up the spare drool, rubbing the toy until it was lathered with spit. Fleur jumped at the chance to help her Master, forcing more out of her mouth; a difficult task that required many moans, a sore tongue, and perhaps a bit too much guttural grunting. Luna chuckled at her, displaying the glistening dildo for Fleur to see clearly.

The dildo dripped a little on its way down her body, the slight impacts making Fleur pant and writhe all the more. When it reached its destination, Luna held it there for a few long moments, hovering over Fleur like the dom she was. “Two orgasms, Fleur… And you had better not squirt on me this time.”

“Hmm-hmm.” Fleur moaned into the gag. Her jaw was beginning to ache, but it was a dull and pleasurable sort of feeling; the kind that would make her slur her words and drool after the gag was removed. Coupled with the collar around her throat and the binds around her legs, Fleur was in no position to argue Luna’s authority. Not that she wanted to; doing so might just lead to more punishments.

’Then again,’ she thought, ’that might not be such a bad thing...’

Luna held the vibrator over Fleur’s pulsing hole for a few tense moments before smoothly and easily guiding it inside of her. Fleur gasped as she felt the toy delve deep into her, pressing into spots that sent shockwaves through her body. She whimpered and moaned, but couldn’t do anything other than flex around the toy. Then again, with how wet she was, and how much drool had been on the slender shaft, even that couldn’t stop Luna from fucking her with it.

And fuck her she did.

The toy glided deep and easy, hilting itself inside Fleur’s pulsing vagina. She whimpered and moaned, her muscles tensing over and over. Her vision began to blur as unfettered pleasure flooded her body, but Fleur wasn't worried in the slightest. In fact, she loved the sensation, and she wanted more and more of it. She looked down at Luna with half-lidded eyes, begging the princess to continue. The vibrator began buzzing then, sending the pleasure into a whole new dimension. Fleur gave a short, clipped moan and arched her back from the plastic bed. She could feel her juices stream down her rear, dampening her coat at the small of her back, just above her tail. She was soaked downstairs, and thankfully, Luna wasn’t going to stop any time soon.

Her orgasm approached suddenly, and Fleur had no control of the speed of the vibrator inside of her. The buzzing and the expert way the slender toy pressed into her pleasure points drove her well over the edge of another blissful squirt. Thankfully, this squirt was much less pronounced, with only a small stream of her juices dripping onto her tail, avoiding the Princess entirely. Fleur was reduced to a barely coherent puddle, but Luna continued unabated, plunging the soaked toy deeper still into her inner walls again and again. It was beginning to make erotic wet noises now, the kind that only helped burn this memory more firmly into Fleur’s mind.

The second orgasm was just as blissful as the first, and came with a fair bit more liquid as well. Fleur twitched and grunted as she came all over her own tail, positively drenching the luxurious pink strands. Luna held the dripping toy above her spurting hole, smiling down at Fleur as she came long and hard. When the whole ordeal was over, Fleur slumped onto the plastic surface of the bed, whimpering and moaning thinly.

“Our session isn’t over yet,” Luna mused, licking the toy with a soft moan. “But you may spit out your gag. Additionally, the rules about drooling no longer apply. You nearly broke them, but I don’t think you deserve any more punishment.” Fleur nodded slowly and worked her jaw, willing her muscles to respond properly. With a little work, she managed to slide the strap of the ball gag a little further down her neck, and after a few more moments of struggle, was able to get it over her bottom jaw.

“Uehh…” She released the gag with a large bit of drool, her mouth not quite working properly. She lay there for a few more moments, feeling the ball gag rest loosely on top of the collar she already wore. The excess drool slowly ran down her neck, further adding to the mess she had made. It wasn’t just her jaw, either; the rest of her muscles struggled to comply with her commands to move in some semblance of order. Luna just smiled and continued to lick the dildo, swirling her tongue around the toy as if it were an obscene lollipop. She continued for a few moments before her horn lit up with a mysterious, ephemeral glow. Fleur felt the tension release around her legs and hooves. Lacking any sort of muscle coordination, Fleur’s hooves flopped onto the bed. She lay there for a few moments, relishing the tingling sensation of blood returning to her extremities and the wonderful post-coital glow of several brilliant orgasms.

Cumming in the midst of regular sex was one thing, but cumming while being truly subjected to pleasure... While being tied up, with no muscle control, and no way to speak... That was a new deal entirely. Fleur had never felt like that before. No simple masturbation session, no dildo, no one vibrator could ever make her feel like that. She was drunk on the sensation, and as Luna straddled her, it was all she could do to woodenly open her mouth further.

“Now clean me, Fleur.” Luna lowered herself until her cum-flecked chest smothered her face. Fleur moaned and dragged her tongue over the intricate chestpiece Luna wore, catching random expanses of the princess’ coat between licks. She tasted plastic and cum and flesh and a multitude of other tastes, each of them just as exciting and arousing as the last.

In the end, it was Luna’s kiss that drew her out of her love-drunk reverie. A pressure released from around her neck, and Fleur took a deep breath as Luna pulled away. “The session is over, Fleur.”

“Thah wath increhibuh…”

(10) With A Bang

Moonstone – Chapter 10 “With a Bang”

“Are you feeling okay?” Luna asked quietly. Fleur swallowed past the soreness in her throat and managed a brave nod. Her voice cracked a little as she summoned the will to speak, though her words were still badly slurred.

“Yeth, I’m fine.”

“Keep drinking.” Luna gestured towards the hot mug of honey-and-lemon tea she was drinking, and Fleur dutifully took another sip. Their session concluded, the two had taken their leave of the imposing but very fun room, and were now back in the warm embrace of Luna's upstairs bedroom. Getting there had been a bit of a challenge, as Fleur's body was as weak and helpless as her voice after their last session. Luna had cast several spells on Fleur to return some strength and coordination to her muscles, but Fleur’s cramped jaw and exhausted tongue were another matter entirely. For that, Luna had concocted a mixture from tea leaves, lemon, honey, and a few other choice spells. The drink was scalding hot and tingled in Fleur's throat as she swallowed, making speech all the more difficult.

But as Fleur sipped her way through the steaming drink, she could feel her body returning to a somewhat normal state; tension melted away from her jaw, and real feeling began to return to her tongue. Her tongue felt a bit fuzzy as she worked it around her mouth, as if she hadn't brushed in a day or so, but at least the pain and soreness were gone. Indeed, the same tingling sensation in her mouth and throat began to radiate from her stomach. She grinned at the strange and not unwelcome feeling.

“Better?”

“Much, thank you.” Fleur was able to speak regularly now. 'This is just amazing!' Fleur thought to herself. 'We finished barely half an hour ago, yet I feel rested and energized, as if I had slept eight hours.'

Fleur stole a glance at Luna over the edge of her mug as she continued to marvel at the many talents that her master possessed. 'Look at her... She's absolutely perfect; caring and tender, ruthless and indomitable, and everything in between. She can be exactly what I want - exactly what I need - at any time. She really is the perfect dom... And she's all mine.'

“Good. That last session was likely the hardest we’ve indulged in yet, but it seems you recuperated magnificently.” Luna visibly relaxed as she spoke, and Fleur cocked an eyebrow at the obvious change in the Princess' expression. “I’m relieved to hear that.”

“Any… Particular reason why…?” Fleur led into the question with a soft inflection, but she didn’t miss the dark look that crossed the Princess’ eyes before Luna gave a brave smile.

“I’ll tell you some other time, Fleur. I promise. But for now, let’s just say I’m glad we can do sessions like that without having to worry about you pushing yourself too far.”

“Hmm.” Fleur frowned a little at Luna’s disinclination to share, but didn’t pressure her further. Instead, she made a mental note to ask the Princess about it later, when they shared a little bit more trust with one another. Her thoughts were quickly distracted, however, when Luna’s smile turned from concerned to devious.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Thoroughly.” Fleur admitted with a blush. "I've never felt like that before in my life. It was... It was just perfect." Luna's eyes closed as Fleur spoke, and a soft 'hmm' escaped her lips as Fleur described her feelings during their last session. Fleur noticed the contented look on Luna's face, and a sly grin crept across her muzzle.

'She's enjoying this that much? Well then, I best not leave out any of the details...'

Putting on her best bedroom voice, Fleur continued her recollections of the previous session. "Having a ball gag in your mouth is simply amazing... It's like you're nothing more than an animal with its mouth gagged to keep from biting, or as it turns out, from even breathing properly."

Luna began to squirm as Fleur continued.

“Your tongue starts to go numb…”

The Princess began to pant.

“And oh my gosh, the amount of saliva you can produce…”

“Ex-excuse me!” Luna gasped, dashing away suddenly. Fleur blinked in surprise, watching as Luna snatched something from her bedside drawer before disappearing into the bathroom. She heard the lock click home and a faucet turn on.

'Did... Did I do something wrong?' Fleur thought as she tried to process the nature of the Princess' hasty departure. 'Was it something I said? Did I push too many buttons... Or the wrong buttons entirely?' A worried sensation was quickly building inside of Fleur, and as she looked around, Luna's bedroom seemed ten times larger without the Princess next to her. Just as she was about to go and politely knock, Luna poked her head out and smiled at Fleur.

“Sorry, Fleur.” She simpered. “I, uh… Had to handle some business, as it were… Would you like to join me for a bath?”

“Oh, uuh… Sure…” Fleur frowned a little, but followed Luna into the bathroom. The tub here was markedly smaller than the one downstairs, but still large enough to fit the both of them easily. With a blush, Fleur noticed the object Luna had snatched from the drawer was a vibrator, and it rested on a folded rag next to the sink. Luna had already entered the bath and appeared to be settling down for a prolonged soak. Fleur followed after, albeit with a bit more trepidation. Luna appeared to be waiting for her, and as soon as Fleur settled down into the hot water, Luna began to speak.

“Pardon me for the hasty departure, Fleur, but… Well, you see…” Luna’s polite smile had evolved to a worried frown, and she stared down at the surface of the water as if she were contemplating the best way to explain a delicate situation. “I told you before that my greatest sexual desire comes, not from my own orgasmic fulfillment, but from that of others… It’s safe to say that there are periods of time where I go without a certain amount of… Ahem… Release.”

“Oh… I see.” Fleur chuckled, her cheeks darkening a little. “I’m sure my teasing just set you over the edge.”

“To say the least.” Luna affirmed, glancing back at the vibrator next to the sink. “Sorry for running off like that, but it isn’t the most productive thing for the sub to see the dom… Incapacitated.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Since shortly after the session that Hearths Warming Eve.” Luna nodded stoically. “We… Tend to get a little busy around the holidays.”

“You don’t say…” Fleur didn’t know if knowing this about Luna was a good thing or not… She understood a little more about the Princess now, but she also had a weapon now; something to use against her dom. As a sub, Fleur knew that she wasn’t supposed to know – or use – those sorts of things. “But you’re okay now?” Fleur leaned in, her expression concerned. Luna nodded slowly.

“I haven't exactly relieved all of the tension, but yes, I assure you I’m fine now.” A sly grin crossed Fleur's face at that moment, and Luna returned it with a mild frown of her own. “What’s that look for?”

“Don’t let me stop you, Princess.” Fleur teased, slowly backing away. “If you want to continue your little relief session, you’re more than welcome to.”

“Fleur my dear,” Luna drew Fleur closer with a firm field of magic. “Fortunately for you, we don’t have any collars nearby, or I’d punish you for ever insinuating that your master masturbates.” Fleur silently cursed the sudden lack of apparel, as she wanted nothing more than that.

“I could… Ngh… Go fetch one…?” Fleur drew her sentence out, a breathy groan escaping her lips as Luna began to kiss the nape of her neck.

“Hmm…” Luna appeared to seriously consider it, but shook her head after a short pause. She leaned in to nuzzle Fleur’s neck. “No, not right now… Besides, I want you nice and rested for tonight.”

“T-tonight?” Luna's lips felt divine against Fleur's coat, and she was quickly losing control of her voice. "Wh-what's happening tonight...?"

“Why, my dear Fleur, have all the orgasms addled your brain?” Luna drew away from the kiss with another devious grin.

“It’s New Years. And we have a party to attend.”

Even though the New Year’s party was one of the most relaxed and informal events on the calendar, wearing the same dress that one wore to the Hearths Warming Eve ball was scandalous, to say the least, and was sure to set off a lot of gossip and posturing among the other guests. Nevertheless, Fleur was left with nothing else to wear. Luna mentioned something about bringing in a seamstress to help fit one of Luna’s own dresses to Fleur’s slender stature, but Fleur respectfully declined.

'Even if it is the same dress, it's still the best one in my entire wardrobe.' Fleur thought to herself. 'Besides, the last time I wore this dress, I had a fantastic evening.' The tantalizing memories of the Hearth's Warming Eve ball brought a smile to Fleur's face as she joined Luna to begin their preparations. Luna’s downstairs bathroom had a whole range of beautification products, and as the two of them settled before the mirror, Fleur made use of almost every one of them.

They primped, preened, pulled, and prodded until both mares were absolutely stunning. Fleur’s mane shimmered in the low light, and hung down her neck in its signature wave, while Luna’s wafted about her head just as mysteriously as it had been since Fleur knew her, albeit with a little bit more life than usual. If Fleur watched closely, she could see the galaxies and constellations winking and swirling in a slow, graceful dance.

About an hour later, both of them were as primped as they could be, and together, they headed back to Luna's expansive wardrobe room, where their dresses awaited them. While Fleur busied herself changing into her outfit, Luna disappeared between the racks of her own clothes. It was then Fleur noticed something about her own dress.

’Is my dress a little more… Snug?’ A few tentative steps confirmed for Fleur that the dress was indeed a bit tighter than before. Last time she had worn it, the dress fit perfectly around her hips and flanks; loose enough for her to breathe in it, but still form-fitting. Now though, she felt the fabric hug her cutie mark intimately with each movement. ’I haven’t put on weight, have I?’ Fleur's mind was quickly building into a mini-panic attack when Luna emerged from the maze of clothing racks.

And what an emergence it was. Fleur’s dress was alluring and revealing, and was designed to turn heads and draw stares with ease. But Luna’s dress was something else entirely. It wasn't overly revealing, and was miles away from being even remotely scandalous in any way; but it was mysterious from head-to-hoof, and very well-fit.

From Luna’s neck, the wide loop of what appeared to be a silk sash wound around her collarbone, hugging her form intimately. The sash wound around the back of her neck and crossed her chest, sweeping down under her forelegs and along the length of her stomach to the skirt. Here, the fabric seemed to mold onto Luna’s coat like a second skin, hugging her ever so close. Fleur could make out each gentle curve and rise of Luna’s flanks through the dress, though the dark fabric concealed as many physical details as it accentuated.

Up and over her haunches, the fabric flowed like water, cascading down her legs into a graceful and elegant display of mystery and intrigue. Fleur found herself guessing what lay beyond the delicate folds, but wasn’t left without an appreciation for the Princess’ femininity. In some spots, the deep purple fabric was so dark, it appeared to be black; yet on the hemline, where the skirt gave way to Luna's flawless coat, the purple hues shown like a deep, shining amethyst. The combined effect of the fabric contrasted perfectly with Luna's sparkling turquoise eyes, leaving them gleaming like a pair of miniature moons. Even in the dim light of this wardrobe room, the fabric had a brilliant sheen to it, and Fleur knew that under the bright lights of the party, Luna would glow like the moon - her very own, very personal moon.

Her dom.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Luna teased, drawing Fleur out of her reverie.

“S-sorry,” Fleur flustered. “You just look so… So…”

“Beautiful? Awe-inspiring?” Luna’s teasing smile made Fleur blush.

“Both.” Fleur whispered shyly, trying to hide behind her bangs. Fleur felt totally relaxed around Luna, yet there was still something about the Princess made her feel… Inadequate. And when she thought of all the intimate things she did with this mysterious, brilliant being, it made her feel even more so.

“Fleur,” Luna reached her hoof out, gingerly cupping Fleur’s chin. “None of that. I’ll not have my sub moping about all night because she thinks her dom looks better than her.” Luna’s tone was a mixture of playful teasing and seriousness, the sort she took on whenever they were engaged in a session. Despite herself, Fleur couldn’t help but give a giddy smile.

“S-sorry, you just look so incredible… I feel ugly next to you.”

“You shouldn’t, Fleur.” Luna moved her hoof to stroke Fleur’s mane. “You look absolutely stunning… I can think of nopony else I’d rather have by my side this evening. Come now,” Luna gave Fleur a smile and a gentle nudge with her hip. “No need to mope like this. Let’s go to the party. Everything will be fine, you’ll see.”

“It’s hardly eight… We’ll be there far too early.” Fleur’s plaintive complaint fell short, as Luna fixed her with a devious grin.

“A good reason for us to cut out and retire back here, then, don’t you think?” Luna’s half-lidded glance spoke volumes to Fleur, and despite her feelings of inadequacy, she found herself blushing and squirming already.

“R-right…” Fleur followed the Princess out into the luxurious hallway and back up into the castle proper. As she walked through the central part of the castle, Fleur realized that she hadn’t left the Princess’ chambers in two days now. She did go exercise once, but even that was just one door down from Luna’s bedroom as it was. She really hadn’t been outside in two days.

As they made their way out of the castle’s main entryway and onto the drive, the night air held December’s chill well, but the gentle breeze was soothing to Fleur. The bracing air burned away her feelings of inadequacy, and made her skin prickle with gooseflesh. Thankfully enough, they didn’t have far to go, as the New Year’s party was held in the castle’s Garden House, a building typically reserved for luncheons and other important social engagements. The gardens radiated outwards from the building, and at any other time of the year, they would be a wonderful place to take a short walk, breathe the night air, and get away from the stressors of posturing and social obligation, if only for a moment. Tonight though, the chilly night air would keep the gardens more-or-less off-limits. Still, the party itself was a fairly intimate affair, open only to the cream of the crop - the highest of Equestrian High Society.

Tonight, no more than fifty of Equestria’s well-to-do would celebrate the new year with good music, good drinks, and pleasant conversation. Luna was in attendance as well, meaning this year’s party was bound to be the best yet. As they crossed the chilly castle grounds towards the well-lit and warm-looking Garden House, Fleur found her apprehension and dissatisfaction giving way to anticipation and excitement. By the time they arrived at the front door, she was quivering from something other than the cold night air.

"Ah, here we are. Are you ready, Fleur?"

Fleur looked to her left, raising her eyes to meet Luna's. "To ring in the new year with the Princess of the Night as my escort? Pardon my language, Luna, but you bet your royal flank I am."

Fleur gave one last glance to the door, the band's melody softly wafting through to the outside, beckoning them inside. Taking a deep breath, she again turned to Luna. "Now, let's show these ponies how to make an entrance. After you, Princess."

A sly grin tugged at the corner of Luna's mouth as her magic sprung to life and threw the front door open in one fluid motion. As the light from inside spilled out into the night, Fleur and Luna stepped forward as one into the Garden House.

And what an entrance it was.

The entire room stopped at once as they strode through the doors. Conversations fell silent, eyes grew wider than dinner plates, and jaws hit the floor left-and-right. Somepony even dropped their drink, and the sound of the shattering glass even brought the band to a halt. As they made their way towards the bar, Fleur could feel the intense stares of nearly everypony in the room on her and the Princess. From the mares, Fleur saw smoldering looks of jealousy. From the stallions, she saw lust, envy, appreciation, and unabashed staring.

“You see?” Luna whispered into Fleur’s ear as they sidled up to the rich mahogany bar. “It wasn’t just me they were looking at.”

“I noticed.” Fleur panted, a slight flush already creeping up her cheeks. Maybe it was the warm interior after being outside in the chill December air, but this warm feeling wasn’t fading at all. “You were right… I guess I don’t have anything to worry about.”

“You say that...” Luna’s husky breath washed over her ear, making her tense up immediately. She glanced over her shoulder to respond, but was shocked to see Luna standing a good four feet away from her. ’Now, hold on - there’s no possible way she could be whispering in my ear!’

“Relax. It’s a spell.” The same, breathy tone pulsed over the fine hairs of her ear, making Fleur repress a shudder. "I hardly ever attend these functions, Fleur, so it's a very rare occasion for me to be here tonight. I usually don't enjoy myself at all at these events, but now that I'm here with you, I have something to look forward to..." Luna’s lips didn’t even move, but her voice was as clear as day in Fleur’s ear. It was an awfully disorienting experience, and Fleur felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up each time Luna spoke… It was almost as if Luna was hovering behind her at every moment. Fleur swallowed hard and gestured towards the bartender.

“S-sparkling water for now, please…”

“Are you sure, Ms. De Lis?” The bartender arched an eyebrow. “It’s New Years.”

“I don’t want to drink too much and not enjoy myself later. Sparkling water, please…” Fleur re-asserted herself even as Luna continued to talk to her through the spell.

“I’ll be watching you all night, Fleur… You might not be wearing a collar, but we’ll consider those leggings to be the sign of your submission for the evening. Do you agree to this session?”

A session? Here? Now?' Fleur had to stop and seriously consider Luna’s words. 'What sort of session could we possibly indulge in with so many ponies around? How would we even pull that off? Is Luna going to cast more spells on me, or spike my drink with something? Or, maybe she'll drag me off to one of the Garden House’s multiple smaller rooms? Well, ok, that one might not be so bad, but still...' All these questions and more plagued Fleur’s mind, even as she absently took the sparkling water from the bartender and sipped at it with quivering lips.

'If I agree to this, I'd be Luna’s toy for the night. She would have free reign over my every move, and could command me to do anything and everything she wanted.' Fleur took another sip from her drink, forcing it past the growing lump in her throat as she swallowed. 'The only problem is, I have no idea what Luna has in mind here. She could ask me to strip nude and masturbate in front of everypony, or take somepony into one of those rooms and do something naughty.'

Images of these scenarios and more flash in Fleur's mind, and she had to repress a shudder. If Luna so desired, she could impress upon Fleur social embarrassment and degradation the likes of which she had never known… Or she could do something that Fleur would actually enjoy.

Fleur just had to trust Luna.

If all else failed, there would be the safe word.

’Moonstone.’

“… I agree.”

Nopony dared approach either of them. Luna and Fleur stood at the bar for nearly an hour before Hoity Toity showed his greasy face. Given their past professional relationship, it’d be unseemly if he was too bashful to approach Fleur. Still, as he slid across the ballroom floor like the snake he was, he approached with caution, and a very pronounced blush.

“My goodness, Fleur, you look incredible.” He stammered upon reaching her. Fleur gave a dainty smile and offered her hoof.

“Thank you, Hoity. It’s nice to know I can count on somepony here to be straightforward.” His lips pressing into her hoof nearly made her stomach churn; if she had been drinking anything other than sparkling water for the past hour, it most certainly would have.

“My dear, I can’t possibly see how anypony else could ever think of approaching you. Why, it’d be like trying to court a dragon for a spin on the dance floor.”

“Are you saying I’m intimidating?” Fleur teased, her smile actually turning genuine for half a moment.

“Perhaps a little… Though not nearly as much as a dragon would be…” Hoity’s aloof smile nearly made her cringe.

“Well I’m glad to hear I’m more approachable than a scaly behemoth.” Luna appeared over Hoity’s shoulder, a worrisome look on her face. Fleur gave her a surreptitious shake of the head. She could handle him this time, unlike Hearths Warming Eve. For a moment, she wondered if she could use the knowledge of Hoity’s plans that evening one week ago against him somehow… Luna must have seen the thoughts in her head though, as she quickly gave her a brief, dark look in return. Quickly dismissing the idea, Fleur raised her hoof to the bartender.

“Two martinis, please.”

“Right away, miss.” The bartender began constructing their drinks hastily, and she passed one off to Hoity once they were finished.

“To the new year, Hoity.”

“To the new year.” Hoity smiled and clinked their glasses together before taking a tentative sip. Thankfully enough, that seemed to satisfy the greasy pony, and he slid off to darken somepony else’s night. But his brief conversation with Fleur opened up a whole new batch of ponies, many of whom wanted to compliment her on her attire. It seemed Hoity had broken the proverbial ice.

She lost track of Luna just then. Somewhere in the press of ponies, she would catch a small glimpse of the princess, but she was too wrapped up with her own visitors and socialization to spare Fleur more than a passing glance. Not that Fleur minded, she was having the time of her life. Without Fancy Pants here making raucous remarks, getting drunk, and slurring his speech, she could actually unwind and enjoy herself. The previous years at this particular little engagement were suddenly thrown into stark relief as she talked, joked, laughed, and mingled.

“Over here.”

The whisper again. Fleur instinctively flinched and glanced over her shoulder, expecting Luna to be standing right behind her. Instead, the Princess was half the room away, standing in stark relief against the opening of a hallway. She had a look about her, a half-lidded, dangerous sort of expression. Fleur knew better than to disobey, so she politely excused herself from the group of ponies she was currently chatting with and went to go see what it was Luna wanted.

In the process of doing so, she lost the Princess. One moment, Luna was standing in the hallway, and the next she was gone. Fleur furrowed her brow and approached the hallway slowly. The whisper came again, setting the hairs on the back of her neck on end.

“Bathroom.”

Swallowing hard, Fleur followed the hallway, searching for a vaguely-familiar door. She found what she was looking for and quietly slipped inside. Luna was waiting for her, wearing that stunning dress and a very devious smile.

“Mistress.” Fleur whispered, lowering her gaze to the floor. “I came when you called.”

“Indeed you did, Fleur. You did well. But I have a question for you. Do you remember the types of vibrators we’ve used thus far?” Fleur could feel her throat pulse as she swallowed, her cheeks heating up immediately.

“Y-yes, mistress.”

“Do you remember one that looked like this?” At Luna’s insistence, she looked up. Luna held in her magic one of the egg vibrators with an attached console. The console itself didn’t seem to have any switches or levers on it, but instead appeared to be a slender, miniscule box. Attached to that box, however, was a black strap.

Not unlike a strap to be worn around one’s thigh.

“Y-yes, mistress… I remember that vibrator.”

“So you know what this strap is for, then?” Luna drew one step closer. Almost on instinct, Fleur felt herself take a half-step back.

“I-it’s so the console can be worn on the thigh, mistress…” Fleur whimpered. She knew what Luna had in mind, and it was devious indeed - in the most erotic way possible.

She was dripping already.

“Good job, Fleur.” Luna praised her, an appreciative smile crossing both of their faces. “You’re going to wear this now. I will turn it on when I see fit, but if the sensation ever becomes too much for you, I want you to bring up the topic of tennis.”

“T-tennis…? Mistress?” Fleur had to add the title as an afterthought.

"As intriguing as it sounds, we can’t have you beg me for mercy in the middle of a party, can we?” Luna teased, waving the console suggestively. “Turn around, lift up your skirt.”

Fleur obeyed, her deepening blush betraying the steadily rising temperature in her body. She made a note to stick to water for the rest of the night, as she was likely going to be losing a lot of fluid. Her magic gingerly lifted the hem of her skirt high enough that Luna could see everything. Her tail flipped up over her rump, giving the Princess unrestricted access to her behind, and everything nestled between her creamy thighs. She bit her lower lip as the miniature bud slipped into her already-wet marehood, feeling delightfully static and reassuring. She knew at any moment, though, the lightning would strike.

She would be walking on eggshells all night long.

“There we are. Well done, my pet. Now, lift your leg for me.” Luna’s husky voice came from right next to her ear, but this time, no spell was needed for Fleur to feel her presence; she could feel Luna press against her side, her lips brushing the soft flesh of Fleur’s ear. With a slight whimper, Fleur lifted her leg up. She could feel tension in the wire as Luna pulled the console and the strap down and around her hoof. The tension soon released as the strap slid higher along her thigh, gliding over her leggings with remarkable ease. By the time Luna tightened the console around her upper thigh, Fleur was nearly panting from the mixture of arousal and adrenaline running through her veins. The extra wire dangled between her legs, feeling strange and alien in contrast to the silky-smooth fabric of her skirt. Luna unceremoniously pulled her skirt back down just then, bringing her tail with it. When her tail fell back around her haunches, it felt almost like the key turning in the lock, securing the vibrator inside of her.

"Now, rules. Tonight, there are no rules, and therefore, no punishments. Call me mistress if we’re alone, but you can speak with me normally outside of those times.” Luna lifted her chin, pulling Fleur’s eyes around to meet her own. “Enjoy yourself, Fleur. Forget about the vibrator… If you can.”

And then she was gone, leaving Fleur very much alone in the bathroom. 'Well, as alone as I can be with a vibrator resting inside of me.' Fleur mused. She rubbed her thighs together, giving a thin, plaintive moan at the tight feeling of the strap, the static vibrator, and the dangling wire.

Bzz!

”Get going to the party, Fleur.”

“Aahn! Yes, Mistress!” Fleur jumped and scrambled out of the door, praying nopony would call attention to the musky cloud that was bound to be following her the rest of the night.

Luna was merciless. Fleur would be in the middle of a sentence when the vibrator would switch on, making her stutter and gasp.

“So, you see, when the chancellor- AH!”

“Haha! I remember when Hoity was dancing wi- OH!”

“Oh my goodness, those pearls are magnificent! Did you get them from- MEEP!”

It went on for the remainder of the night, and Fleur quickly became an expert in passing off her random outbursts as a severe case of the hiccups. All the while, Luna would whisper in her ear, making Fleur’s thoughts turn downright naughty in the midst of Equestria’s most influential socialites.

”Look at that stallion… Goodness, his wife must be a happy mare…”

“Hmm, imagine what she tastes like… What I’d give to see you lick her…”

“Look at that dress, Fleur… I should get one for you… Then again, I’d just have to rip it off the moment I saw you in it…”

It was non-stop. The innuendos were anywhere from corny to downright distracting. It was in the midst of staring at one particularly curvy mare’s shapely hindquarters that a hoof lay on her shoulder. She jumped and turned to the intrusion on her fantasy with a blush.

“Are you okay, Fleur? You’ve been acting awfully strange this evening…” Hoity Toity wore a genuine look of concern on his face. She shrugged out of his hoof as respectably as she could, given the vibrator was currently buzzing on its lowest intensity inside of her. She was sopping wet downstairs, and had caught tendrils of her own musk wafting past her nose now and then. She glanced furtively about for Luna, hoping she could beg the princess to stop the vibrator with a look, but she was nowhere to be found. Fleur took a deep breath, doing her best to compose herself again.

“I’m fine, thanks, Hoity… Just a bit too much to drink.” Her voice wavered, but thankfully Luna didn’t flicker the vibrator, making her stutter and squeak. “Curse these infernal hiccups.”

“Well, I’d be lying if I said they weren’t livening up the party quite a bit, but you seemed distracted, perhaps a bit tired, even. Now, I came to tell you that midnight’s almost upon us. I know you’ve had a bit much to drink, but here.” He handed a martini off to her, smiling his trademark greasy smile. Fleur accepted the drink and cursed herself for losing track of the time. This was her favorite part of the party, counting down and hollering with everypony else as the new year rolled in.

“May I?” Hoity offered his hoof to her. She took the drink and his hoof graciously, making her way with him back towards the main group of ponies. They had all gathered around a large clock in the center of the ballroom, chatting excitedly as the seconds counted down. It was 11:57; only three minutes to go.

”Hmm… This is going to be fun.” The whisper made her skin crawl. The vibrator stopped its incessant buzzing. These moments were the worst, since she didn’t know if or when it would turn on again. Hoity released her, but remained at her side. Thankfully, he engaged in conversation with some other banker stallion to his left, leaving her free to stand there and stew with her drink.

”Prepare yourself, Fleur… And do try to be quiet?”

“What is she- HNN!” The vibrator blasted to full intensity in a flash, making every muscle in Fleur’s body go rigid. Her eyes snapped wide open, and she stood quivering on the spot as it buzzed away inside of her. She could almost hear it over the din of conversation. Fleur anxiously looked up at the clock just as the second hand ticked over to 11:58. Only two minutes to go, but at the moment, it may as well have been two hours.

Just as Fleur was sure she couldn’t hold back her orgasm any longer, the vibrator died off, leaving her standing with weak knees.

”Aah, aah, aah… Not yet, Fleur.”

Hoity was still chatting with his friend. She slipped away, praying she could find solace in the bathroom. She was about to burst. But before she could make it three steps, a firm pressure wound around her chest. She could hear the magic as it gripped her, holding her in place.

”Don’t think you can leave, either… Stand right there as the countdown goes.”

“Fuck you, Luna.” Fleur grit her teeth and breathed a silent curse to her dom, her muscles shaking.

”Ooh, that was delightfully naughty, my little pet…”

’Fuck, she heard me!’ Fleur cursed herself now, her heart thundering against her ribcage.

She glanced again at the clock; 11:59. Ponies were starting to grow silent now, waiting for the second hand to inch towards the mark where they would start counting down.

Thirty seconds to go. Fleur sipped her drink to try to calm her nerves.

Twenty seconds to go. She inhaled deeply, watching the second hand inch on.

Fifteen seconds.

“Everypony ready? Here we go!”

”Ten!”

The vibrator turned on.

”Nine!”

Fleur’s breath caught in her throat.

”Eight!”

Her muscles quivered.

”Seven!”

The buzzing intensified. Level two

’ How many levels were there again?’

”Six!”

The excitement in the air began to rise. The countdown chant was getting louder and louder. Ponies were pressing closer to her, and Fleur was halfway to orgasm.

”Five!”

“T-t…”

”Four!”

The vibrator hit level three.

”Three!”

“Ten… Tenni-HNN!”

”TWO!”

Time could have stopped. Fleur looked up just as it hit.

”HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

“AAAAAHN!”

Fleur started the new year with a bang… And a puddle.

(11) A Brief Respite - Part 1

Moonstone – Chapter 11 “A Brief Respite” - Part 1

'Oh no... Not here, not now!'

Fleur didn't have to even look to realize that she had squirted - a lot. The back of her dress and the inside of her thighs were soaked, and judging by the rapidly-expanding puddle at her hooves, the floor wasn't far behind. Anxiety and a healthy amount of fear quickly overtook Fleur, and she began quivering on the spot.

’Did anypony notice? Can I get away?’

A firm pressure ripped her martini glass out of her magic. She gasped as the glass tumbled to the floor, shattering on impact. The sound of broken glass rang out all around her, and she reflexively jumped back as some of the contents of her drink splashed back onto her leggings. Her face was a mixture of confusion and horror as she looked down to see the contents of her drink now mixing with her release. Then, like a match against flint, a thought struck Fleur. She looked around and saw that at least four other ponies had dropped their own drinks at nearly the same time. All of the dropped drinks just so happened to dump their contents in just the right places to thoroughly obscure the more personalized puddle that she had just left behind.

At least now she had a viable reason to run to the bathroom. The ponies around her were too busy calling for waiters to bring towels over and sop up the mess to ask why she was leaving, much less why they had all very inexplicably dropped their drinks at the same time.

Cutting through the crowd as quickly as she could, Fleur let out a heavy sigh as she finally slipped into the bathroom.

“You made quite the mess out there, my pet.”

“Gah!” Fleur gasped as Luna materialized right in front of her, setting her heart to galloping as fast as a track pony. Luna just smiled at her and passed off a towel.

“Clean yourself up and take off your leggings.”

“Y-yes, mistress.” Fleur obeyed, stripping the alcohol-and-cum sodden leggings from her slender legs. As she did so, she held her breath a bit at the rather unpleasant scent of her release mixed with alcohol.

'Well, these are definitely ruined' she mused, but the thought had barely crossed her mind when Luna levitated them away and began enveloping them in a magical aura. As she pulled the vibrator out of her dripping slit and dabbed the area with the towel, Luna buffed all of the stains out of the sheer leggings, leaving them as clean and pristine as the day they were made.

“That was fun, was it not?” Luna teased, passing the leggings back to Fleur, who carefully folded them and tucked them into the waistline of her dress.

“I’m just lucky everypony dropped their drinks just then…” Fleur blushed, looking down at the ground.

“That’s one way to put it...” Luna's words may have been opaque, but the teasing smile on her face spoke volumes. Fleur gave her an appraising stare for a second, and then it all clicked in her head; the feeling of magic around her, nearly a half dozen drinks spilling at once, and all right on top of her own release...

“You did that…” Fleur mused, breathing up at Luna.

“Indeed I did. I had a contingency, just in case you happened to make a mess; and like I said, there was no punishment for doing so. To be honest, I think your self-shame would have sufficed anyways. Most importantly, Fleur…” Luna hoisted the glistening vibrator into the air with a very pointed grin.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

Fleur’s thighs squirmed as she grinned up at Luna.

“Actually, I was going to ask… Maybe I could keep it in me… On the way out?”

Luna looked at her for a few long moments before breaking into a devious grin.

“… Put your leggings back on, my pet.”

For Fleur, leaving the party at Luna’s side with the vibrator still buzzing inside of her had been a blush-inducing experience, to say nothing of the chilly and muscle-straining walk back to the castle.

Much to her dismay, she and Luna did not engage in another full-blown session upon their return to the castle. However, she was not left totally unfulfilled; upon reaching her bedroom, the Princess pulled Fleur up onto her bed and engaged in some delightful cunnilingus. Fleur was hoping for more hoof-cuffs, or perhaps another rope or two, but she certainly didn't mind the four mind-blowing orgasms that Luna's magnificently skilled tongue drove her to, or the very unexpected opportunity to return the favor. Luna’s taste lingered on her tongue like a medicine - a very delicious, arousal-inducing medicine.

Their unofficial 'session' over, they indulged in a luxurious bath, then retired to Luna's bedroom. Fleur was all smiles in the aftermath of what was arguably her best New Years party yet. But Luna seemed a touch withdrawn… Or maybe that was just Fleur’s exhausted mind playing tricks on her. Whatever the case, Fleur's eyes closed as soon as her head hit the pillow. In her dreams, Fleur went on a flight of fancy the likes of which she’d never even imagined was possible before meeting Luna. She imagined being caught at the party with the vibrator inside of her, and then showcased for everypony there. The dream persisted all through the night; as did the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

She awoke well into the morning, blinking away the sleep with a soft, contended groan. Luna was missing, but the bedroom didn’t seem large or imposing. The cool grey January light filtered through the windows, but was softened by the candles glowing about the room. ’This is a perfect day to sleep in’ she thought to herself. She was about to tuck herself back into the warm sheets when a hoofservant suddenly stepped into the bedchamber. Caught totally by surprise, Fleur jumped a bit and scrambled to cover herself. As she hurriedly grabbed the sheets around her upper body, she silently prayed that the vibrator from last night was lost somewhere in the tangle of fabric; and not exposed for this poor, unwitting hoofservant to see.

“Eer, pardon me, Ms. De Lis…” The hoofservant blushed and tried to look anywhere but at the bed. “B-but the Princess has tasked me to come… Eer, escort you from the castle.”

“Oh.” Fleur’s voice fell, her heart returning to its normal pace. “I, uuh… Give me a few moments to prepare?” Fleur requested meekly. Somehow, she couldn’t help but get the feeling she was being forcibly excused. The hoofservant responded with a curt nod of his head and a low, well-practiced bow.

“She instructed me to let you take as long as you needed. It’s just that the Princess is awfully busy today, and won’t have time to tend to you herself until late tomorrow. She apologizes immensely, and has sent a gift for you.”

“Oh. Well then.” Fleur’s hopes were lifted when she discovered it wasn’t Luna dismissing her, just that her dom was busy. With a slight smirk, she realized the new year likely meant a lot of paperwork for the throne. The hoofservant bowed out of the room, leaving her to gather her thoughts and meager possessions. She left her dress and leggings on the bedstand; it seemed Luna rather enjoyed them both. After grabbing her toiletry bag from the bathroom, Fleur exited the bedchamber, using her magic to lift her heavy coat from the adjacent coat rack as she passed.

She had just stepped out into the hallway when she came to a sudden stop.

“Eer, what is this?” She asked, looking the rather large pile over.

“Your gift, Ms. De Lis. From Princess Luna.” There was a small mountain of packages, each individually wrapped and sporting a frilly bow. They ranged in size from small boxes that were no larger than her hoof to one particularly intimidating parcel that was easily as large as a well-endowed pony’s torso.

“There is this, as well.” Fleur furrowed her brow a bit as the hoofservant passed a plain white envelope to her. “For your eyes only.” He muttered courteously. Looking at the otherwise unassuming envelope, Fleur immediately recognized the presence of an enhanced security spell. Such spells were very difficult to cast, and could only be broken by the pony to whom the spell was specifically tailored. Focusing on the contours of the spell, she quickly recognized the texture of Luna's magic over the envelope. It was immensely powerful, yet constructed with as much precision and care as the finest silks in the kingdom.

'Raw power honed to an incredible degree of balance... Just like the goddess that cast the spell.' She mused to herself. Whatever was in the letter, Fleur knew she couldn't risk opening it in front of the hoofservant; she needed to get home first.

“Thank you for all of your help today, but I’m afraid I must ask another favor… Could you help me get all of this home?”

“It’d be my pleasure, ma’am.” The hoofservant beamed as his horn blazed to life, and he hoisted all of the packages with ease. Gesturing with his hoof, he invited Fleur to lead them.

The pony, whose name she discovered to be a very literal iteration of his coat color, was Charcoal; a hoofservant to Princess Luna herself. He was a very skilled unicorn, and didn't even break a sweat as he kept the parcels held in his magic through the entire journey from the castle to her home, including a rather bumpy carriage ride. He was relatively quiet, but Fleur had been able to pry his name and occupation from him with a few warm smiles and a sly wink or two.

'Well, I suppose I haven't totally lost my feminine charm.' she thought, suppressing a small chuckle at her own humor. 'Then again, I was never that charming to begin with. I certainly don't expect to be charming the crown right off of Luna's gorgeous head, that's for sure...' She had just begun to brood on why that was when the cart arrived in front of her home. The hoofservant very respectfully deposited Fleur’s ‘gifts’ and excused himself. As the carriage retreated in her field of vision, a slow realization passed over Fleur; for the first time in the past two days, she was utterly, totally, and completely alone.

Her home suddenly seemed much larger than it had ever before. Even immediately following her divorce, Fleur’s home was seldom unfilled; there was usually the friendly maid who kept the place clean, or one of Fleur’s fellow socialites, or a new business partner to entertain, or something! Now, the house was totally empty, save for Fleur, her increasingly swirling thoughts, and a rather large pile of presents from Luna.

Reaching out with her magic, Fleur lifted all of the items and levitated them upstairs to her bedroom, a smile growing on her muzzle with every step. They were all relatively dense, and in the case of one of them, extremely heavy; Fleur was panting with exertion by the time she reached the upstairs bedroom. She wiped a line of sweat from her brow as she set the array of packages down, leaning up against the nearby wall to catch her breath. As she looked again at the sheer volume of stuff in front of her, she realized a much deeper appreciation for Charcoal's magical prowess. Despite her tired condition, Fleur decided to open the gifts before taking a shower.

'After I shower, I'm going to bed, so I might as well unwrap these and dispose of the paper trash first.' she thought to herself as she padded over to the pile of gifts

As she opened the first box, Fleur quickly discovered that in addition to discarded wrapping paper, she was likely going to be cleaning up sweat as well as some... Other fluids. Her core muscles contracted immediately, as if on reflex, as she looked down at a mirror replica of the vibrator Luna had tormented her with just last night. Swallowing, Fleur decided it was time to open that letter Luna had given her.

Fleur-

Happy New Year! I’m very excited – and moderately anxious – to rein in the new year with you by my side. I’m writing this a few days in advance, but provided my plans go as I predicted, last night’s party was truly one to remember. As it stands, I’m afraid the beginning of the new year is a dreadfully busy time for both myself and Princess Celestia. There are many matters of state that we must attend to, and much work to be done.

Have heart, my little pet… For the packages this letter has been sent with contain some very helpful and time-occupying devices. (Not implying your schedule won’t keep you busy as well.) I have an exercise for you, to be taken at your leisure (Should you choose to accept it at all) while we work through this busy period.

I’ve included further directions in the related packages. Again, no pressure here, but it’s almost commonplace for us to indulge in some extra activities as this little arrangement progresses. The boxes marked with the silver bow I would save for last; all the others are my gifts to you, from an appreciative dom to a brilliant sub… And from one friend to another.

Enjoy, and remember! Silver-bow-boxes last.

Yours,

-Princess Luna

’Assignment?’ Fleur found herself wondering as she began to note that a number of the boxes were adorned with a silver, lacy bow. Furrowing her brow slightly, she began to separate the silver-bowed boxes from the regular ones, which she happily noted were adorned with white and pink bows. Fleur smiled warmly at the attention to detail in the bows; Luna was full of mystery and intrigue, but she also seemed to have a very girlish charm about her. Still, Fleur couldn’t contain her excitement as she opened the first few boxes. She looked inside of the first box and her breath caught in her throat.

She was definitely going to need a shower after this.

Luna’s presents were definitely of a 'personal' nature, but they were just as magnificent as anything Fleur had ever received, and they handily beat the fancy diamonds and over-wrought dresses that Fancy Pants had been wont to throw at her.

Inside the ‘normal’ boxes, Fleur had received a plethora of BDSM gear, all of which was designed to (or at least could be re-appropriated to) be used by herself. There were two different dildos, a set of four vibrators in various sizes to go with the single console-based one she had first unwrapped, a mirror to the collar that she wore whenever she and Luna engaged in a session, another ball gag, and a full-body harness. 'Hmm... I'll figure that out later.' She thought to herself as she pushed the opened gifts off to one side.

The final ‘normal’ box contained a full set of bundled and knotted rope, chains, hoof-cuffs and and many other devices that were clearly designed to render a pony immobile. Digging to the bottom of the box, Fleur was rewarded with two fairly thick books; one offering invaluable advice on tying, improving, and escaping from all manner of knots, ropes, and harnesses, and another detailing the proper care and maintenance of all of the equipment she had just been given.

But nothing could have prepared her for what lie in the silver-bow boxes.

The first box opened with a glimmer of magic, and another envelope materialized in the air before her. Fleur chuckled and cracked it open, reading the contents with interest. Her interest, however, quickly turned to something else.

Fleur,

Be forewarned – anal intercourse is not for everypony. For some, it is incredibly uncomfortable and even a little bit painful. But for those of us who know and understand prostate stimulation - and hygiene - it’s incredibly enjoyable. In these packages you’re going to find what could best be described as an introduction kit of sorts.

Your assignment, as I mentioned in the letter before this, is as such: Clean your anus, and follow the exercise booklet contained in one of these boxes. Then, should you feel ready, try masturbating while using one of the included sets of anal beads. If you follow the guidance and instruction, I think you will find the experience to be very pleasurable.

Again, this is only to be indulged in at your discretion. Should you so choose, the two of us will resign ourselves to engaging solely in vaginal stimulation and nothing else.

However, I must recommend, both as a practitioner and an active user of anal stimulation, you try it at least once.

Sincerely yours,

-Princess Luna

Fleur frowned at the silver-bow boxes now, her heart thundering in her ears.

’Anal? As in, tail-hole anal? Like, the place that we… Eew!’

Fleur felt her abdominal muscles tighten at the mere thought. She re-read Luna’s second letter before looking tentatively at the miniature assortment of boxes. Granted, they were the minority of the ones provided to her already, but that didn’t change her feelings at whatever their contents might be. Shuddering, she lifted the first one…

Thankfully, it was just a book on proper hygiene and personal care. 'A book? Well, this seems like a good, safe place to start.' Fleur thought to herself. Leaving the rest of the boxes unopened for now, Fleur began to leaf through the short book, and quickly became enraptured with the surprisingly informative and eye-opening contents. Swallowing past her apprehension, Fleur retired to her den and began to read.

Interlude I - Luna

Interlude I – Luna

Luna watched the sun peak over the horizon, shedding its light on all of Equestria. Her sacred night withdrew over the mountains, though she knew it would soon return to say hello again this evening. Luna tried to make a point of staying out of direct sunlight. Not that it hurt her; it just wasn’t her element. And, at times such as this almost overly bright morning, a painful reminder of the things she had done in her past.

'Bitter recriminations can wait until tomorrow,' Luna thought to herself. She scanned the horizon with a smile on her lips, as her excitement over her guest's arrival grew inside of her.

'How long has it been since we last saw each other?' Luna mused as she continued to watch the morning sky. Today's guest had been the talk of Canterlot for months; Luna herself had spoken much of them since her return and yet they had not had chance to really talk like they used to.

A small dark dot appeared on the edges of Luna's vision, and a grin immediately spread across her lips. Luna fixed her gaze on the incoming figure, her heart beating faster and faster as the guest drew near.

The winged pony had barely touched down onto the balcony when Luna rushed forward and threw her forelegs around Princess Cadance, tears of joy running down her cheeks.

“I missed you so much.” Luna sobbed happily, clutching Cadance tight.

“I missed you, too, Luna.” Cadance was shedding a few tears of her own, holding onto Luna with as much intensity as she could muster. The two princesses remained stationary for a few moments, basking in the rising sun and the warmth of each other's company. When they finally released from the mutual embrace, they looked at each other with watery eyes and giddy smiles.

“We have so much to catch up on.” Cadance bubbled, the tears done for the moment. Luna nodded happily, her mind filled with foalish delight at having been reunited with her long-lost sister. Being separated from Celestia was a torture in and of itself, but having returned from her thousand-year sojourn to the moon only to discover that Cadance was no longer in Canterlot - or Equestria for that matter - was yet another painful thorn in her side.

“How was your trip to the Gryphons? And Saddle Arabia?” Luna asked warmly, ushering Cadance back into the castle proper. Cadance rolled her eyes with a playfully exasperated sigh, nudging Luna with her hip as they plodded along.

“Long, arduous, and lonely. I missed Celestia and Canterlot.”

“And somepony else, unless I’m mistaken.” Luna had heard the news, of course. Cadance was set to wed Shining Armor come the springtime.

“Yes, him too…” Cadance blushed furiously, looking down at her hooves like a lovestruck filly who was just called out on their secret crush. Luna envied Cadance’s simple, beautiful charm, but she knew her younger sister to be anything but innocent.

“I wanted to talk to you about him… Among a few other things.” Luna alluded mysteriously, trying to sound as if she were disinterested.

“We have many, many things to talk about, Luna.” Cadance beamed, albeit with a slightly sultry undertone. “My engagement among them, I assure you.”

“Of course.” Luna blushed a little as they departed the balcony. A well-appointed lounge and a light breakfast awaited them. Cadance moved immediately to one of the overstuffed chairs, settling down into it with a pronounced sigh of relief. 'A bit unusual for Cadance to seem tired...' Luna thought as she circled around to her own chair. 'After all, muscle strain and lack of sleep mean little to us. Then again, she did just fly in from who-knew-where, so I'm sure some rest is due to her.'

“So,” Cadance beamed mischievously as Luna settled into the chair across from her. “Where to begin…”

They covered many topics, from the everyday affairs of Equestria as a nation, to Cadance’s trip to the Gryphons and Saddle Arabia, all the way to the minute details of Luna’s everyday life on the moon. It was a sobering conversation at times, but at others the two laughed and giggled like schoolfillies. Luna was just happy to finally be reunited with Cadance, and Cadance appeared to feel the same way.

Eventually, however, the topic came around to Shining Armor and Cadance’s engagement.

“How?” Luna asked, setting her coffee down. “Since when does the throne condone marriage among the Princesses?”

“True, I had nearly forgotten about that…” Cadance mused, tapping her lower lip thoughtfully. “Last you were in Equestria, none of us married… Well, think about it logically.” Cadance beamed over her shoulder at her crystal-heart-shaped cutie mark. “I’m the Princess of Love. It’s only natural I fall in love at some point in my life.”

“Hmm.” Luna mulled that over. Truthfully enough, Cadance’s domain was that of marriage and love in relation to the throne. She handled many of the betrothals in Canterlot, and held major influence in the laws concerning domestic partnerships. While she had never truly ascended to the place Celestia and Luna occupied - effectively making Equestria a triarchy - she was still a very prominent figure in Equestrian politics, and in her own way, she remained just as influential as either of her elder sisters. She had stepped up to handle a lot over the years of Luna’s banishment, but still respectfully refused to take her place; for that, Luna was truly thankful.

Still, this business of a marriage had her concerned. Cadance’s domain was love, and it was natural that she would fall in love with somepony, but marrying them? 'Wouldn't that technically make Shining Armor, a mere unicorn, my brother-in-law?' Luna was not spiciest or elitist by any means, especially since she had effectively taken on a unicorn lover of her own, but the implications were frightening. Should he marry Cadance, Shining Armor would have more political sway than even Blueblood, whose claim to royalty was tenuous as it was. Luna approached the topic cautiously.

“What reasoning do you have?”

“Hmm?” Cadance cocked her head inquisitively. “I don’t understand. Reasoning?”

Luna gently cleared her throat as she re-organized her thoughts. "Exactly. What purpose does marrying Shining Armor serve, either for yourself, or for Equestria as a whole?"

“Come now, Luna.” Cadance flashed her an incredibly disarming smile. “My marriage changes nothing. I assure you, the balance of power between you and Celestia will remain uninterrupted. Shining’s devoted to the Guard, and he has neither the time nor the inclination to be squabbling about in the affairs of politics. Even I have no interest in interfering with the way you two run Equestria.” She looked out of a nearby window with a warm smile. “Things have been nice since your return. Even as far away as Saddle Arabia, the echoes of your return were heard, and everypony rejoiced. I don’t want to change a thing.” She looked back at Luna with tears in her eyes. “Not now.”

“Thank you, Cadance…” Luna reached her hoof out to rest on her sister’s. “Your words mean a lot to me.” Something still nagged Luna, though, and she wasn’t entirely sure how to approach it. Opening and closing her mouth a few times, Luna finally put words to her worry.

“What about… I mean, Shining is… He’s… Not going to be around forever…”

A dark look crossed Cadance’s face and Luna immediately regretted bringing up what was clearly a sensitive subject for Cadance. She was about to wave the notion off in the hopes of salvaging what remained of their friendly conversation when Cadance smiled warmly.

“Let’s put it this way, Luna… While you, Celestia and I may be immortal, the ponies around us are not. But do we feel any less attached to them because of their mortality? I don’t think so. Their lives are like brief, fleeting shadows across the face of the marble that is our own life, but what is the light without the dark?” Cadance leaned in, her smile staying as she explained.

“Without them, Luna, our own lives lack definition. It’s like a blank sheet of paper. Think back on all the friends we’ve had, even before your banishment. Starswirl, Comet, Orion, oh my goodness, Capricorn! Do you remember her?” Cadance and Luna both broke into laughter at the memory of an old and long-gone friend. Cadance re-asserted herself after a brief bout of laughter.

“Just because we live forever and they do not, doesn’t mean we cannot grow attached to them. Granted, our attachment manifests in different forms. Take for instance, my feelings for Shining Armor versus Celestia’s student.”

“Twilight Sparkle?” Luna scrunched her nose. “You don’t think Celestia-“

“Oh, no! By the heavens, no!” Cadance waved her hooves frantically. “That’s what I’m saying! I grow attached to ponies by falling in love with them, and them with me. Celestia, on the other hoof, seems to grow attached by mentoring and tutoring them. Eew.” She scrunched her nose, almost as if she were trying to purge some very peculiar images from her mind. “Thinking about Twily like that… Egh.”

“Twily?” Luna arched an eyebrow. “You speak as if you know her personally.”

Cadance blinked at her.

“Luna, I used to foalsit her. How do you think I met Shining Armor?”

“Oooooohh…” Luna connected the dots, and a smile spread across her lips. She couldn’t have known Cadance had been Twilight Sparkle’s foalsitter. As visually stunning as it was, the view from the moon did not afford her a detailed look at Equestria's residents. “I bet she was a hoof-full as a foal.”

“You haven’t the slightest.” Cadance rolled her eyes playfully. “Shining and I hardly ever got any alone time.”

“You sly little minx you.” Luna chuckled into her hoof as Cadance blushed furiously.

“I won’t deny it… But my goodness, that stallion… He really knows how to please a mare.” Cadance fanned herself. “It’s been far, far too long since I’ve seen him… A year is too long to be absent.” She flustered for a moment at the dark look that crossed Luna’s face. “N-not to! Oh, no, I’ve said something bad, haven’t I…?” Cadance wilted as Luna’s expression turned down.

Luna wasn't normally bothered by discussion of her banishment, but the sudden throb in her chest reminded her that even old wounds can remain sensitive long after they have healed. She clamped her eyes closed, barely holding back a wave of tears.

“Luna,” Now it was Cadance’s turn to reach out to her sister. Luna felt the younger alicorn’s hoof wind around hers, drawing her out of her dark reverie. “Please tell me you’ve found somepony?”

A pair of violet eyes flashed in the back of Luna's mind as she struggled to respond. "H... How do you mean?"

“Well… Back, you know, before, you would often have brief… Ahem… ‘Relationships’ with ponies.” At Cadance’s insistence, Luna averted her gaze, stalling for as much time as she could. Such relationships were not foreign concepts to either of them, but Luna knew that something had changed inside of her. She stared intently at her hooves as her mind replayed the centuries worth of dalliances with dozens of paramours. Yet even the memories were different; instead of the ponies that she expected, she saw flashes of luxurious tails and flowing manes, long legs and silken coats... And all of them were shades of white and pink. The same pair of violet eyes flashed across her mind, and Luna's breath hitched in her throat.

The sound of Cadance over-doing a cough snapped Luna's mind back to the present. "Well, have you?"

“I have…” Luna eased into the statement, smiling faintly. It had been only three days since she last saw Fleur, and already, Luna was anxious to meet her again. Still, the presents would keep her pet busy. For the most part.

“That’s good.” Cadance smiled warmly. “I’m happy for you.”

“Why.” Luna narrowed her eyes at Cadance, talking low. “What interest do you have in it?”

“Well, not in the deed itself.” Cadance scrunched her nose again. “A little rough for my tastes, but it’s good that you’re indulging,” She waved her hoof to re-assert her point. “Like I said, the way we attach ourselves to ponies manifests in different ways.” She laid a hoof on her breast. “I have Shining...” She gestured vaguely towards the door. “Celestia has Twilight...”

Cadance pointed at Luna.

“And you have Fleur.”

Whatever response Luna had prepared died in her throat as her mind froze in place. Her eyes went wide as dinner plates. "...How do you know her name."

Cadance blushed and raised her hoof to her lips.

“Oops.”

“Cadance…” Luna rose to her hooves, her tone playfully dangerous. “Tell me, how do you know her name?”

“I, eerm… I…” Cadance squirmed a little, obviously flagging. She glanced about furtively. “Well…” She seemed to hover on the cusp of saying something, something obviously incriminating. Defeatedly, she sagged into her chair.

“Celestia told me.”

“Oh.” Luna sat down again, her frown gone. “That’s fine, then.”

“Really? You don’t mind Celestia, keeping tabs on you?” Cadance spoke cautiously.

“She means well.” Luna alluded with a wave of her hoof. “I’ve learned not to question what my sister does, but I do know that she does it out of her love for me, and only has the best of intentions.” Luna sighed then, shaking her head slowly. “I just wish she’d tell me before she divulges certain facts to other ponies. Then again, it’s just you-”

“What do you mean just me?!” Cadance pouted playfully, puffing up a little in her seat. Luna chuckled and reached across the space between them to ruffle her mane playfully. “Hey! Stoppit!”

“You’re still a little filly, Cadance.”

“Yeah, well, this ‘filly’ needs to go see her fiancé.” Cadance grumbled, rubbing her hooves into her head to sort her mane back out. “It’s been far too long. What about you?” Cadance asked, nudging Luna as she stood. “Been a few weeks? Months?”

“Days,” Luna chuckled warmly. “Three, to be exact.”

“Th… Three days?” Luna watched Cadance tick them off in her head. She arrived at the date with a fiery, sultry grin. “So, sister, what did you do on New Years?”

“All due respect, Cadance.” Luna lifted her coffee for a sip. “None of your damn business.” She grinned at her little sister over the rim of her mug.

“Aah, I see.” Cadance grinned back at her deviously. “Well, all for the best, I suppose… But I’m not about to let you out-do me. I need to go see my fiancé.” She nuzzled Luna’s neck lovingly, and Luna returned the affection readily. Cadance pulled away, intent on leaving, but Luna heard her stop on the threshold.

“Luna?”

“Hmm?”

“… She won’t be around forever. But don’t let that get in the way of your feelings for her. If you care for her, tell her. You never know when it might be too late.” With that, Cadance left. Luna stared down into her coffee for a few long, thoughtful moments.

’Feelings?’ Luna thought. ’A dom doesn’t have feelings for her sub…

Does she?’

(12) Behind the Times

Moonstone – Chapter 12 “Behind the Times”

To date, the only toys Fleur had utilized from the gifts Luna had given her after the New Years Ball were the anal beads. Her 'exercises', if she could rightly call them that, consisted only of inserting the beads and masturbating. The pressure in her tailhole alone was enough to add a new level of pleasure to the experience, but she hadn't gone any further than that.

The others - the vibrators, dildos, and even the plug - had been left alone. They intimidated Fleur.

Scared her, even.

But now, her fears were gone, replaced by a heady mixture of anticipation and arousal. She had missed Luna for far, far too long. Now, wearing her collar, with her tailhole presented to the princess, she was very, very excited.

And incredibly wet.

“I’m proud of you, Fleur.” Luna's breath washed over her anus again, causing Fleur to flex and whimper meekly. They hadn't even begun, and Fleur's face was already flushed.

“Th-thank you, mistress…”

“So tell me, Fleur…” Luna continued to let her breath wash over her backside, making the poor white unicorn shudder and give thin whimpers from her throat. “What all have you done with this… Delightful little hole? Don’t hold back any details.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…” Fleur glanced over her shoulder and was immediately taken in by Luna's lust-filled stare. A slight grin passed her lips as a very naughty plan coalesced in her mind. She tested her idea with a sway of her hips, pushing rear out enough to flick the end of her tail past Luna's muzzle; Luna's only response was to stare all the more. 'Heh... Now we'll see if Luna can take teasing as well as she can give it.'

“I’ve been enjoying myself, Mistress. I’ve been putting many naughty things in my ass…” That was a lie, of course, but Luna didn’t need to know that. She wiggled more, watching Luna’s reaction. Her heart thundered in her chest; she knew at any moment her mistress might punish her.

She didn’t care.

“Just like you told me, I’ve been enjoying anal stimulation, mistress. I’ve had many good orgasms with the toys you gave me.” Luna’s throat pulsed as Fleur continued her teasing. She was glistening wet, a single droplet of liquid running down her thigh. “Putting beads in my ass and touching myself makes me squirt so hard…”

“Does it now?” Luna forced. Fleur could tell she was having difficulty forming a thought. "When you squirt... Does it make a mess?"

“Oh yes, Mistress.” Fleur panted, closing her eyes slowly. "When an orgasm hits me that hard, I completely lose control... I squirt all over the place."

“Hmm… How do you… Clean those messes up?”

“Hmm, good question, mistress…” Fleur flexed her core muscles, adding another dribble of arousal to the already-growing dark spot on Luna's bedroom floor. “It depends… If I’m on my bed, the sheets get so damp and musky… Sometimes all I can do is lie there and soak in the smell.” Her own lips curled as Luna let out an exasperated pant. The hot breath washed over her anus, making her flex and emit even more liquid arousal.

“Other times,” Fleur went all in now, pouring as much seduction into her voice as she could muster. "I do it in the shower. Oh, the hot water, the steam, the oils... They just make me incredibly wet. And the orgasms I get are so strong... Oh mistress, I squirt so hard, I coat the shower floor... And when that happens, I get very excited, because I get to lick it up. Every... Single... Drop. Can you picture it, mistress? Me, your obedient sub, crawling across the shower floor, lapping up her own cum like it was the last drink she'd ever have?" She watched as Luna swallowed once more, her chest heaving with each shaky breath. The pulsing sensation against her rear was delightful, and Fleur would have been content merely watching Luna pant all over her, possibly adding a hoof into the equation for a little more fun. But still, this little session had to continue, and she wasn’t the one in control. Like it or not, she had to sit there and let Luna ogle her ass.

“D… Did you clean?” Luna finally asked after what felt like an eternity. Fleur let out a girlish giggle and nodded enthusiastically.

“Oh, yes, mistress… I cleaned very thoroughly, inside and out. I haven't even eaten anything in a whole day, just so I could be with you that much sooner.” She wiggled again, her tail brushing Luna’s cheek teasingly. The princess smiled up at her, her own lips curled in a devious grin.

“Nothing at all?”

“No, mistress.” Fleur shook her head slowly.

“I see. You must be hungry, then.”

“I… Y-yes, mistress, I am…” Fleur gasped as Luna’s hooves left her flanks, and the steady hoof-falls preceded the princess looming up in her periphery.

“Well, we’ll just have to feed you, then, won’t we?” Luna grinned at her. Fleur swallowed, looking inquisitively up at Luna.

“F-feed me…? Mistress?” She whimpered thinly.

“Yes, my delightful little pet…” Luna reached her hoof out, tenderly cupping Fleur’s chin. She leaned close, her hot breath washing over Fleur’s ear, eliciting another spine-shaking shudder. “Feed you.”

“Aah-HRK!” Fleur gasped as a sudden pressure around her throat thrust her forward. She stumbled, fell, and sprawled onto her face. Fleur panicked for a moment as the floor came rushing into her vision, but the glimmering sound of magic told her that Luna had cushioned her fall. She went to pick herself up when a hoof planted itself firmly on her back, just below her mane.

“Stay on the floor, pet.”Luna's voice had shifted entirely, from shaky and lustful to one of clear and concise dominance.

'Luna's never been this rough with me before,' Fleur thought as another shudder ran down her spine, oozing more of her juices onto the carpet. 'And I love it.'

“Roll onto your back, and spread your legs.” Fleur quickly rolled onto her back and spread her legs as wide as she could. Her tail fanned out on the floor beneath her, further framing her hindquarters. Now fully exposed, Fleur's cheeks flushed as she looked up at Luna, who was now resting a hood firmly on the unicorn's sternum.

She had changed outfits, and was now wearing the same ensemble that she had used the first time Fleur had been strapped down to the bed and gagged. The criss-crossing belts of faux leather sheathed her torso, and the pants hugged every curve of her magisterial posterior intimately. The only difference between this outfit and the last was the missing crotch. As Luna began to walk over Fleur, she was treated to the sight of Luna’s beautiful, petite pink marehood nestled between her thighs. Fleur's mind was so lost in a lusty haze, she didn't realize that Luna had walked forward far enough to bring her rear hooves to rest on either side of her face.

“Now, my pet,” Luna growled. “Eat.”

“Yes, mistr-HMMF!” Fleur’s vision was completely obscured as Luna dropped her hips. With perfect precision, the princess’ vagina fell directly on Fleur’s open mouth, assaulting her with the delightfully wet, fleshy goodness nestled between her thighs. Fleur groaned from her throat as she did what her dom commanded her to do – she ate.

And she didn’t stop until she had her fill.

With her face buried in Luna's haunches, it was difficult to tell if or when she came. The only clue Fleur had was the wave of juices that would periodically flood her mouth. The taste was delightfully vile, yet Fleur craved more of it, no matter the amount. Her tongue was restless, spreading saliva and cum all over her face and Luna’s thighs. The honeypot of delight her tongue drove into never ceased to yield a steady stream of musky, delicious fem-cum. Fleur licked long and hard, alternating between shoving her tongue deep inside of Luna to flicking the princess’ clitoris rapidly.

“Good.” The vagina left her mouth, hovering above her face now. Fleur’s tongue pulsed mid-air, as if beseeching the delight to return, but it never came. It just hovered above her, dripping leftover spit and cum onto her face and still-heaving chest. She lapped up every drop that she could, knowing that there was a price to pay if she didn't stay clean.

'Well, as clean as I can be,' she thought, realizing that her marehood had become completely soaked, along with her tail.

“Eat your fill, my pet?”

“Yeth, mithweth.” Fleur panted, her tongue refusing to listen to her brain for the moment. Luna just chuckled and swayed her hips. The delicate pink lips of her vagina were entrancing to watch, making Fleur squirm with the need for release.

’I’m the sub, I deserve to cum, right? It’s about my fantasy, isn’t it?’

Oh. Right. Not the fantasy I might want just now. I have to let Luna decide when I cum… Even better, I’d have to beg for it.’

Fleur chided herself for being so selfish. ’Trust your dom. She will deliver. Just be patient and have trust.’

“Enjoying the show, Fleur?”

“Yes, mistress!” Fleur panted. She worked her tongue in her mouth, the renewed blood flow restoring her normal voice.

“Would you like to eat again?”

“If it would please you, Mistress!”

“Hmm, it just might… Then again,” Luna disappeared in a flash, making Fleur gasp and jump from shock. A pressure hit her crotch an instant later, grinding hard enough to hit her hip-bone. “I think I’d rather please you.”

“M-Mistress!” Fleur gasped, her legs twitching at the contact. Luna’s hoof ground against her marehood, eliciting a delightfully naughty, wet noise from her soaked petals. Luna was relentless; the hard surface of her hoof trapping the tender flesh of Fleur's soaked cunt between it and her hip.

Whatever discomfort Fleur might have been feeling was washed away by the thunderous waves of pleasure that raced through her body. Her eyes screwed up as she flexed her stomach, trying hard to keep from crying out. Another twitch from Luna brought her hoof into direct contact with Fleur's clit, and her resistance evaporated in an instant.

“Aauughn!” The throaty vocalization was soon followed by another, and another after that. Luna’s hoof continued to grind a rough circle against her, keeping up a constant, unchanging level of pressure and pleasure.

'She's like a machine,' the thought barely broke through the pleasure in her mind. 'Keeping me constantly on the edge of cumming. She's grinding so hard, I'm practically sliding across the floor...'

“That was a delightful little noise, my pet.” Luna cooed, still grinding against Fleur.

“Uh… Uuhhnn…” Fleur looked up at Luna with a half-lidded gaze, her tongue dancing inside her open lips. She wanted to lick, or be licked, to cum and make somepony else cum. Instead, she was subject to an even more rough grinding. “UUGHN!”

“There we are,” Luna teased, her hoof picking up in intensity. “I like it when you grunt like that. Just like an animal. Look at you.” Luna pulled her hoof away from Fleur’s crotch, taking with it all of her strength. She sagged into the carpet, her head rolling to the side. Luna raised her still-glistening hoof for Fleur to see, and slowly licked her juices from it. Luna's eyes closed blissfully as she cleaned her hoof; Fleur nearly melted at the sight.

"Hmm... You taste divine Fleur..."

“Uuhn…”

“Hee hee…” Luna chuckled down at her, her lips spreading into a devious grin. “I’m very fortunate to have such a delicious little pet all to myself. You even surprise me with gifts.” Her horn leapt to life, and Fleur felt a sudden pressure build in her posterior. Her mouth clamped closed and her muscles tensed up, her breath coming up short.

The princess was hovering just above her now, a dark glow surrounding her horn, and her eyes staring straight down into her sub’s. Fleur's own eyes went wide as she locked onto Luna's piercing cyan gaze; she recognized the change in her dom’s stare immediately.

'She's not looking into my eyes, she's looking through them!' Fleur's heart nearly stopped mid-beat. 'Dear goddess, Luna's staring straight into my SOUL; my very essence. She's ravishing me from the inside-out... The realization sent her emotions into overdrive. 'Heavens help me, I'm going to cum buckets.'

“You know, Fleur,” Luna mused quietly, still staring at her. “I’m very lucky to have you. None of my other pets ever did this for me…” A ghost passed across Luna’s face then, a shadow of some emotion. A very important, and very deep emotion; an emotion that she'd never expected to see coming from Luna.

'Is that... Does she—'

In the blink of an eye, it happened. Fleur’s eyes went wide as Luna leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was deep and passionate, and like the pressure on her backside, made her heart thunder in her chest. She tensed at first, not entirely expecting this brilliant and commanding dom to have been so rough in one moment, and then surprisingly passionate and tender in the next.The touch of Luna's perfect lips banished the tension immediately and Fleur melted into the kiss, running her hooves through Luna's mane.

The kiss was so divine, Fleur could have died on the spot and been a happy pony. Thankfully, the heavenly moment continued, and Fleur relished every second of it. They pressed together tenderly, her lower lip curling brilliantly under Fleur’s own. Luna inhaled deeply, seemingly stealing the breath straight from Fleur’s lungs.

’Why the sudden kiss?’ Fleur’s thoughts began to wander as the kiss stretched on, her head beginning to swim both mentally and physically. She whimpered softly as Luna wrapped her forelegs around Fleur and drew her tight, their bodies pressed as tight as could be. In one fluid motion, Luna lowered herself to lay atop her, sandwiching Fleur between the princess and the floor.

’She was so rough and hard just a moment ago… Then she says something about… About being lucky to have me?’ It came to her then, and she groaned more from exasperation then than anything else.

’Luna’s falling for me… She feels the exact same way I do. That’s the only thing this kiss could possibly mean. She loves me… And I’m beginning to love her too.

… Is that such a bad thing?’

The kiss slowly ended with a final soft caress of Luna's lips on her own. She kept her hooves entwined in Luna's mane, holding the Princess's face mere inches from her own. Fleur's eyes glowed like pools of violet-colored lava as she stared at Luna, the words fighting to escape past her lips.

“Luna, I… I…”

“Aah,” Luna pressed a hoof against her lips. “You forgot.” Her eyes danced with mischief, and she suddenly shifted from the tender and passionate princess into the brilliant dom once more. “You didn’t call me ‘mistress.’ Now for your punishment.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…” Fleur’s eyes were wide with wonder. As she watched, Luna’s horn lit up once more, and a very obvious pressure suddenly snapped her back to reality. “HNN!”

“You nearly forgot these too, didn’t you?” Luna’s magic gingerly gripped the small metallic ring attached to the string of anal beads, putting the slightest bit of pressure on Fleur’s back door. Fleur could feel her sphincter muscles shifting the beads, and she dribbled even more wetness. Passionate kiss all but forgotten, the princess began Fleur’s punishment.

“I’m going to make you cum now, Fleur.” Luna said, her lusty eyes boring into Fleur once more. “And you’re going to count how many times you do. Understood?”

“Yes mistress!” Fleur panted, writhing her hips. She looked pleadingly up at Luna, her own half-lidded gaze beseeching the princess to deliver on her promise.

“Very good, Fleur.”

“AAAAAAAAHHHN~!” Fleur arched her back and screamed long and loud. She didn’t know what just happened to her; her mind couldn’t possibly have comprehended it. Something had been done to her. Something significant; something so intense a lesser pony might have succumbed to unconsciousness.

Something involving her ass and her clitoris.

“Count it.” Luna barked down at her.

“O-ONE!” Fleur panted, her stomach twitching as she jerked on the carpet.

“Keep going.”

“GUHGH!” Another wave of sensation ripped through her, robbing Fleur of all but the most basic and primal thought processes. Her entire body went rigid for half a second, her teeth gritting together firmly. She was only idly aware of the liquid sound of her release as it pattered into the carpet beneath her hips.

When it passed, Fleur just lay on the ground, her mouth and eyes wide open as she fought to regain control of her mind.

“T-two…”

“Hmm… Good.” Luna leaned in, smiling down at Fleur suggestively. “I didn’t hurt you… Yet.”

“Y-yes, mistress…” Fleur whimpered, her throat pulsing as she swallowed out of fear.

“And look at that… You only have three beads left in your ass.”

’… Only three? I… I came from just two beads?

… Holy ever-loving fuck, Luna knows what she’s doing.’

“Aaahhn!” Fleur gave another soft gasp as Luna pulled the third of five beads out. This time, she felt it through every last inch of her body. Gone was the sudden and forceful invasion of pleasure that ripped her own heartbeat away from her control, replaced instead with a hazy sort of sensitivity that Fleur was never going to tire of. “Th-that feels incredible, mistress!”

“I know it does, my pet.” Luna cooed, stroking a hoof through Fleur’s mane. “And trust me, by the time this night’s over, I’ll have made you pay for this mess, and forgetting to call me by title… But for now,”

“AUGH!” Fleur arched her back so hard her head thumped into the floor with enough force to make her see stars.

“Let’s see if you can count past five.”

They found their way to the bathroom shortly after the set of beads were removed. Fleur had surpassed five orgasms, reaching a grand total of seven by the time Luna had finally allowed her up. “We’re not done yet,” her dom had said. “But we do need to move. There are places better suited for mess-making than my personal bedroom.”

And so Fleur found herself soaking in the luxurious hotness that was Luna’s downstairs bathroom, with the princess lording attention over her mane. Something nagged at Fleur, though. She still wore the collar, and it was incredibly irregular for her to question her mistress during these sorts of things, but she had to know.

“Mistress?”

“Hmm?” Luna moaned, still running her hooves through Fleur’s soaked mane.

“Wh… Why did you kiss me, mistress?”

Luna stopped at that. Fleur tensed, expecting retribution or punishment for breaking etiquette. Instead, Luna continued to stroke her mane.

“Let’s discuss that later, Fleur.”

“Discuss it later? Why?” Fleur whimpered thinly. “Did I displease you, mistress? Was the kiss not okay? Did I make a mistake, mistress…?”

“No, it was nice, but-”

“Are you certain?” Fleur’s lips curled into a devious smile. “If she wishes, mistress could kiss me again to make sure…”

Luna looked down at her then, and Fleur recognized the look that crossed her eyes. It was the same look she had given her just before the all-important kiss. Fleur couldn’t quite tell what it was, but she could certainly guess; and given the context of all that was happening, Fleur could guess that Luna was, most definitely, falling for her much the same way she was falling for the princess. Luna opened her mouth, almost as if she were about to explain herself…

And then she frowned. The look of her stern mistress returned, and Luna’s hooves resumed their tender movements through her mane.

“We’ll discuss it later, Fleur.” She practically growled it. Fleur swallowed and nodded, trying hard to avoid pressing the matter. Luna clearly wasn’t in the mood to be trifled with.

“Y-yes, mistress…”

“Are you rested?” Luna asked quietly.

“Yes, mistress. I feel fine now.”

“Very good. Now, lift your tail.” Luna’s command came with a blush, and Fleur obligingly lifted her sodden tail out of the water, draping the silky strands over her own back. Luna waded through the steamy bath to stand behind her, appraising her backside with a warm smile.

“You have a very well-structured tailhole, Fleur.” Luna lifted her hoof, cascading a miniature waterfall of oily water back into the bath. Fleur gave a thin whimper as Luna pressed her hoof into her anus, teasing the ridged flesh gently. “I think with training, you can experience some very intense sensations with this delightful little hole.”

“Y-yes, mistress…” Fleur panted, her legs quivering under the water. She hissed a soft breath through clenched teeth as Luna began to rub her hoof in a miniature circle, further spreading and teasing Fleur’s ass. “Hnn…” She whimpered, closing her eyes.

“I do love anal stimulation, Fleur…” Luna continued to speak, even as she slowly massaged Fleur’s anus. “It’s very enjoyable when done properly, and you’ve made me a very happy dom by agreeing to open yourself to this particular branch.”

’Is… Is she getting closer?’ Fleur’s thoughts ran rampant, but she dare not open her eyes to look at what Luna was doing behind her. She flexed often, but that didn’t dissuade the princess. Luna’s hoof continued to massage in slow circles, relaxing the muscles in and around her butt. Fleur had no choice but to relax.

“Hmm, there we are…” The very edge of Luna’s hoof opened Fleur up, getting a breathy vocalization in response. She hadn’t moved her whole hoof in; that would take a lot of time and training, but she did open Fleur up a bit. She felt a second hoof settle on her rump and spread her tailhole further, The edge of Luna’s hoof receded, but the pressure on her backside kept her loosened sphincter open. Fleur shuddered again at the sensation, seeping more wetness into the warm oily water.

“I can see inside of your asshole, Fleur.” Luna teased. Fleur whimpered and nodded, not ashamed to admit that she was actually turned on by that thought. Luna’s hot breath washed over her wet flanks.

’She IS getting close. Oh, please, don’t tell me- AH!’

“Haah-ohh.” Luna’s hot breath spilled into Fleur’s anus, followed almost immediately by her tongue. With a shudder, Fleur felt Luna lick her spread rosebud, lathering her back door with slippery, wonderful saliva. If she weren’t in the bath, she’d have collapsed. Instead, the water bore what weight her legs wouldn’t, keeping her rump above the water and within range of Luna’s oral ministrations. The sensation was entirely different and a little weird.

’But damn it all… It feels so good!’ Fleur shuddered and steeled herself, letting Luna tongue her butt.

“M-mistress, I’m… aah…”

“Hmm?” Luna moaned, sending vibrations directly into her rosebud. Fleur whimpered and looked over her shoulder at the display.

“That feels incredible, mistress… I’m sorry, but I’m… I’m about to cum.”

“Oh?” Luna pulled away, a string of saliva stretching from her mouth to Fleur’s anus. “Just from me licking back here? Naughty, naughty girl.”

“S-sorry, mistress…” Fleur whimpered, blushing even deeper. “I… I can’t help myself… It…”

“Spit it out, Fleur.” Luna teased, her hooves now rubbing slow circles against Fleur’s rump “If you talk dirty enough, I might even let you cum.”

“M-mistress, I… I…” Fleur panted, her head briefly falling into the water. She grit her teeth for a few seconds before rising up once more, sending water cascading down her face and mane.

“It feels so good when you lick my asshole, mistress… I feel so dirty for loving it, but heavens help me, I want you to keep licking me… I’m gonna cum any second from your slippery tongue, and I fucking love it… Please, mistress, don’t stop. I’ll do anything you want, I’ll say anything you want, but please… Please…” Fleur pushed her rear out to Luna, lifting her drenched pussy out of the water along with her pulsating back door.

“Tongue my ass.”

“… As you wish, Fleur.”

The session regrettably ended after that. The discovery of Fleur’s anal sensitivity sparked a new interest in Luna, though; one that she very eagerly explored over the course of the next few sessions. If Fleur had thought the beads were delightful, she was sorely mistaken when she encountered her first anal vibrator. That particular encounter had completely soaked a full set of sheets, the mattress pad, and even the mattress underneath.

Before long, Luna began to integrate anal play into their other sessions. Fleur was gagged, bound, filled with vibrators, licked, fucked, left hanging, and denied time and time again. One of Luna’s favorite things was to tie Fleur face-down on the floor, but loop a tight rope around the base of her tail, lifting her up so she had to stand on her hind legs. From there, she’d subject Fleur to all sorts of teasing. She did everything from breathing on her vagina heavily to roughly fucking her with strap-ons.

The next three months passed Fleur by in a blur. Business with her charities was booming, and she was beginning to turn a healthy profit besides. Her savings swelled, even with the lack of Fancy Pants’ assistance. She heard nothing of her fiance and his mistress, and was beginning to become a powerhouse in the Canterlot social light. Undoubtedly, some of her success was due to Princess Luna; her personal donations would often spur other ponies to follow in her generous hoof prints, which of course greatly benefited the charities that Fleur was working with. Of course, Luna helped her in other ways as well, namely exploring more kinks in increasingly intimate fashion.

Things changed, though, when the shield went up. It took most everypony in Canterlot by surprise, and nearly incited a panic. Luna and Celestia themselves explained the reasoning behind it, though.

“Fear not, our little ponies,” they announced to the entire city shortly after the shield went up. “The shield is in place to protect us. A nameless threat has been issued against the Royal Pony Sisters. We don't know what the threat is, or what it means, but the shield is our best defense against it.. The shield will remain in place until such a time we deem fit.”

Fleur had caught up with Luna that same evening, which was surprising in and of itself. After such a revelation, and in the face of the nameless threat, Luna should have been difficult to get a hold of, so Fleur was surprised to hear that Luna was expecting her when she visited the palace that evening.

“Luna, is everything okay?” Fleur asked fearfully, pushing her way into the princess’ bedroom. Luna turned immediately and gave Fleur a warm smile.

“Everything is fine, Fleur. I assure you, we have this matter well in-hoof. The shield will keep us safe while Shining Armor and the rest of the guard investigate this threat.” The princess beckoned Fleur forward, who leaned into the hug with a soft sigh of thanks.

“That’s a relief… I thought we were facing a serious threat.”

“Well, I won’t down-play it and say it isn’t serious, but…” Luna stroked Fleur’s mane as she pulled back to smile down into the white unicorn’s eyes. “We’re safe here in Canterlot. I’m more worried about everypony else outside of the shield. If only we could fit all of Equestria in here… Oh, listen to me drivel on about the worries of a princess and her kingdom.” Luna teased, rolling her eyes as she pulled away from the embrace.

“I’m glad you made it here before I had to send for you.” Luna padded towards her fireplace, and Fleur joined her cautiously.

“Send for me? What for?”

“To offer an invitation, of course.” Luna beamed, reclining in her chair. Fleur paused, arching an eyebrow.

“To what?”

“To stay here for the duration of the threat.” Luna smiled. “And, to attend the wedding at my behest.”

“Wedding?” Fleur blinked. ’What wedding?’ The pieces clicked together in her mind a second later.

’Shining Armor! The Captain of the Guard! Princess Cadance!’ A flush rose to Fleur’s cheeks and she found herself stammering helplessly for a few moments.

“I-I-I-I D-don’t know what to… to say!” She bumbled, her eyes going wide. “I didn’t bring anything to wear, and I don’t have my makeup from home, oh and my contact book so I can tell the others what I’m doing, and- oh! By the heavens, my entire wardrobe is at home! I can’t st-“

One look from Luna silenced her. The princess had a plan; not just for the wedding, but to keep Fleur safe. She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling that the princesses knew much less about this threat than they were letting on.

’Luna’s trying to protect the ponies close to her.’ She thought with a grimace.

’Does this mean I’m close to her, then? Is that even what she’s trying to accomplish? I know that I’M worried about this threat, as are a great many other ponies… If Luna were rational, which she surely is, then she’d be worried about it as well.

… So why is she asking me to stay? Is it to protect me, or just have somepony at-hoof to vent her frustration to?

… Do I care either way?’

Fleur decided she didn’t. She forced herself to take a steadying breath before looking at Luna confidently.

“I’d love to stay here, Luna.”

The princess grinned.

“Go put on your collar, Fleur.”

(13) Wedding Bells and Broken Spells - Part 1

Moonstone – Chapter 13 “Wedding Bells and Broken Spells” - Part 1

Staying with the princess, it turned out, was a double-edged sword. Fleur could have all of the debauched, delightful sex she could ever ask for, but her professional engagements suffered for her dalliances. The very first night staying with the princess was spent wrapped up in a rather intricate rope harness performing fellatio on a relatively sturdy strap-on. After she fell asleep, she was woken by a very insistent vibrator, which in hindsight, was a very exhilarating - and wet - way to start her day.

Day two wasn’t much different, save for the addition of a spider gag and a very tastefully-erected wooden contraption that made her stand on the very edge of her hooves to relieve pressure on her crotch. The day after that was even more intense, and so was the fourth… Fleur relished every second of it, but she was falling further and further behind on her more real-world obligations. She began to wonder if staying with the princess for the duration of the crisis was a mistake or not.

Soon enough though, everypony appeared to grow accustomed to the shield, or they found something more important to distract them. It was in the aftermath of one particularly passionate session that Luna brought it up to Fleur. They rested in her massive bathtub, soaking up the heat and minerals in the luscious water.

“Are you getting excited for the wedding?”

“I am indeed.” Fleur smiled. “Shining Armor has served the guard well, and Princess Cadance is a perfect match for him. I’m looking forward to their ceremony.”

“Hmm… I do hope everything goes well. I’m beginning to wonder if this wedding might draw some unwanted attention.”

“From whoever made the threat?” Fleur gave a soft ‘hmm’ of thought and lowered herself to her haunches in the water. “Perhaps… But that’s what the shield is for, right? To keep us safe…”

“You’re forgetting,” Luna countered, smiling coyly at Fleur. “Shining Armor is just a unicorn, and only one at that. He can only shield the city for so long.”

“Is he fading?” Fleur asked, suddenly a little more fearful than she ought to be. She hadn’t thought of Shining Armor’s fallibility as a pony. Shielding an entire city had to be incredibly difficult. If ever Fleur cursed herself for a sub-par understanding of magic, it’d be then. “I hope he lasts…”

“He’ll be fine, I’m sure.” Luna sighed, a ghost of a smile crossing her lips. “He’s a very resourceful captain, and we believe we’re getting close to finding the culprit.”

“That’s very good news!” Fleur bubbled over, beaming from ear-to-ear. “I’m sure he’ll find out whoever threatened you.”

“Indeed. Just yesterday, in fact, he sent Cadance down into the caverns beneath the castle to investigate a lead.” Luna nodded. “Shining Armor believes there’s something down there. He wanted to go himself, but Cadance didn’t want him being hurt or captured, thus breaking the shield.”

“That’s a very good idea. Cadance is a princess. She can handle herself against whatever’s down there.” Fleur felt much more confident in the safety of Canterlot. It seemed like Shining Armor had discovered an important lead, and if anypony could confirm or deny his suspicions, it’d be Cadance. Still, Fleur couldn't fully suppress the small bit of doubt in her mind. 'She's a princess, but how much can she really take? Do the Princesses even have limits? What if Cadance is ambushed?' These and other questions swirled in her mind, and Fleur couldn't help the frown that crossed her lips.

“What if she can’t, though?”

“Hmm?”

“What if whatever’s down there, whatever Shining sensed, is more than she can handle?”

“Well…” Luna frowned in thought. “Cadance is very skilled at evasion tactics, if nothing else. I’m sure she’ll either solve the problem - if there even is one - or seek help from the guard, myself, or Celestia.”

“Hmm.” Fleur sunk down into the water, just her nose resting above the silky, oily surface. Her mane wafted about her face, curling and undulating lazily in the water. 'Luna's probably right... I really should stop fretting about this. Cadance will be just fine down there, and this will all be over soon.' Fleur smiled a bit as her mind moved on to happier topics. “What about you? Are you excited for the wedding?”

“Not as much as you might think.” Luna shrugged indifferently. “You know me, I’m not terribly fond of large social engagements. Parties and dinners and such I can handle in small doses, but large events, I tend to shy away from. Still, I’m sure I’ll be required to attend… Or it’ll at least be expected of me. I’ll show up, give them my blessing, and smile for the ponies, but I don’t think I’ll enjoy it nearly as much as somepony like you would.” 'Well, she sounds surprisingly melancholy...' Fleur thought as she processed Luna's words. 'I know she isn't the biggest fan of large gatherings, and much preferred to spend her time in solitude or with a friend or two. But she shouldn't be that sad.'

Rather than address it, Fleur waded through the tub to press against Luna’s side. “Did you enjoy the last session?” She asked, nudging the princess.

“Hey now, that’s my question.” Luna chuckled, nipping Fleur’s ear. These were the moments that Fleur was most thankful for. The repeated orgasms and almost animalistic hunger she felt during their rough sessions were all fine and dandy, but Fleur almost liked the tenderness and passion they shared afterwards just as much.

Almost.

Before Fleur could believe it, the day of the wedding was upon them. Fleur woke in Luna’s bedroom, feeling slightly groggy and a little hot. She kicked the covers off and lay flat on her back, staring up at the canopy for a few long moments. Memories of sweaty sessions and dozens of sticky, wet orgasms flitted through her mind, bringing a flush to her cheeks and a bit of arousal to her core.

She felt rested and relaxed, but overall, Fleur began to wonder how much longer the feeling would last. As it stood, they had pretty much done anything and everything Fleur could ever have wanted in the past week alone.

’How much more is there to bondage? Have we really run out of toys to use and kinks to explore?’ Not that Fleur was dissatisfied, but she knew in the future she very well might be. There was only so much Luna could do to her with ropes, vibrators, cuffs, harnesses, dildos, strap-ons, and all the other gear they had used. Drawing her lip between her teeth, Fleur rolled her head one side, looking at the bedroom door.

Still, there were things to do today. With a soft sigh, Fleur slipped out of Luna’s bed and leisurely made her way to the basement-level bathroom. She drew an extravagant bath, filled to the brim with oils and minerals, until the air was inundated with the heady scent of pure and utter relaxation. Her stress seemed to melt away as she slid into the bath, her worries for the future carried away by perfumed wisps of steam.

’I’m still really blessed to have a Princess for a dom. And with any luck, we’ll continue doing this for a long while.’ Fleur closed her eyes and allowed the tension to melt away, leaving nothing but utter relaxation in its wake. Worry over the state of their relationship gone, Fleur instead began preparing herself for the day.

And what a day it was going to be.

Fleur emerged from Luna’s bedroom almost three hours later. The princess had seen fit to have a new dress custom-made for Fleur on this momentous occasion, and Fleur was moderately surprised to discover the dress came with a negligee as well. Fleur blushed as she examined the stunning crimson gown and coordinating black panties, wondering what Luna was getting at making her wear something typically reserved for steamy bedroom sessions. Except for important social events, ponies didn't typically wear clothes, relying on their tails to cover their more private areas. So, the presence of lingerie on top of an already stunning dress meant that Luna had something truly devious planned. Fleur had no idea what those plans might be, but she knew that the day of a royal wedding was not the best day to re-enact their experience at the New Year's Eve ball.

'On the other hoof, crimson is one of my favorite colors...'Now fully dressed, Fleur gently walked the halls of the castle, making her way towards the banquet hall, where the reception was to be held - or at least part of it. The event was so large the castle’s event planners had seen fit to open the reception out onto the castle grounds. But she needed to find Luna and ask about her clothing before doing anything else, and there was no better place to start than with the ever-helpful palace staff.

After a bit of asking around, Fleur had it from one of the party planners that the Princess hadn’t shown herself anywhere that morning. Disheartened, Fleur left the banquet hall and began to wander a little. 'Well, it's still relatively early; the ceremony won't be starting for hours, Fleur mused. 'And I haven’t seen any of my professional contacts in almost two weeks. Perhaps I should try to catch up with old friends and acquain—'

Fleur's thoughts were cut off as she rounded a corner and bumped into another pony. She blushed and started to apologize profusely before she realized that she had ran into the exact pony that she would have sought out first.

"Gemstone! How are you?" she squealed.

“It’s so good to see you again, Fleur.” Gemstone fell into step beside her, smiling warmly. “Feels like it’s been ages…”

“I know, at least six months… When was the last Public Education Drive?”

“Five months ago, but I didn’t attend. Diamond Cutter and I had a jeweler’s expo in Manehattan to attend. Last time I saw you was at Hoity Toity’s birthday.”

“Ugh,” Fleur rolled her eyes. “If ever I met a pony who was more self-centered-“

“You’d be talking to your ex-husband.” Gemstone laughed with Fleur, the two of them making their way to the castle grounds. They usurped one of the tables still in preparation, but the ponies bustling around didn’t pay any attention to two beautiful mares using their arrangement. Besides, Fleur was thankful she could talk to her friend again.

“How are you and Diamond doing, by the way?” Fleur asked, smiling as she rested her chin on her hoof and leaned in.

“Oh, you know… Same-old, same-old. I feel odd saying nothing major’s really happened, but it really hasn’t. We’ve just been getting by day to day. How about you? You and Luna have been awfully close as of late.” Gemstone leaned across the table to grin knowingly at Fleur, making the poor white unicorn blush softly.

“She’s a very nice pony to get to know. I really think you two would get along.”

“Why don’t you introduce us sometime?” Gemstone asked, waving a hoof slightly. “I promise, I won’t embarrass you.”

“Easier said than done.” Fleur grinned at her friend teasingly. “I’ll ask her how she feels about it. You know how the Princesses can be… It’s a pain getting them to attend anything that doesn’t affect Equestria directly.”

“Speaking of,” Gemstone glanced up at the ever-present pink bubble of magic surrounding the city, her voice dropping a little. “What’s going on with this shield?”

“Oh, that…” Fleur followed Gemstone’s gaze up to the dome of magic, sighing softly. “All I know is that there was a threat made against the Princesses. Princess Cadance went to investigate a claim down in the caverns, but from what I could gather, it was a false lead. Since then, everypony’s been too busy with the wedding to try and discover what in the name of the stars is happening.” Fleur shrugged it off with a warm smile. “After the wedding, the guard and the Princesses are likely going to devote everything they have to finding the culprit.”

“Here’s hoping they find whoever it is.” Gemstone sighed softly. “I tell you, getting in and out of the city is a real hassle… You have to pass through these checkpoints, and they ask so many questions… You should be lucky you don’t have to leave any time soon.”

“True,” Fleur sighed and hung her head. 'She's right - I haven't left the city in quite a while now. Then again, I don't have to leave, either. Everything, and everypony, that I need is right here, safe inside this protective pink bubble.'

Fleur wasn't sure if she should be happy or sad about that. Either way, she smiled at Gemstone. “Everything will be fine. We ought to focus on today.”

“Oh, my goodness! Did you see Photo Finish? And that ghastly dress she’s wearing?”

“I didn’t want to say anything!” Fleur tittered, covering her giggle with a hoof. The two of them fell right back into old habits, gossiping and laughing with one another. They began to draw a crowd of acquaintances and socialites, all of them laughing, talking, and lounging on the castle grounds. Fleur received many more compliments on her dress than she ever had in the past. She wasn’t sure if it was due to the perfect fit of the deep red cloth, or her sexy confidence in knowing that underneath the silky-smooth fabric, she wore a pair of skimpy panties that would probably label her a deviant should anypony else find out.

'Given the things I've indulged in with Luna, I probably am a deviant,' she thought as her mind wandered to a more secluded and sultry place. With each new session, she grew more and more inclined to the rough brand of lovemaking Luna had introduced her to. Going back to the ‘traditional’ way Fancy Pants used to take part in seemed boorish to her. She had to stifle a yawn at the thought of typical intercourse.

Grinning softly to herself, Fleur turned her attention back to the other socialites, albeit with a slight flush.

“Fleur? You alright, darling?”

“Just fine, Gem.” She beamed at her friend. “It’s just the heat.”

“Oh tell me about it! It’s so hot and muggy-“

Interlude II - Luna

Interlude II – Luna

The day began much like any other day would. Fleur slumbered peacefully after their most recent session, looking absolutely divine with her frumpy coat and fanned-out mane. 'She truly is beautiful, in every sense of the word,' she thought as she continued to gaze over Fleur's sleeping form. Luna could sit and watch her brilliant sub for hours on end, but this was a big day, and there were things to be done. Luna caught up on some additional reading, finished some paperwork, and was ready to handle the wedding preparations come morning.

“Good morning, Celestia.” She beamed at her sister as they met for breakfast. “Are you excited for today?”

“Exhausted,” Celestia confessed. “Watching for this threat has me so stressed… I honestly feel like I could sleep for a full day.”

“After the wedding, we can devote more resources to the investigation,” Luna patted the back of Celestia’s hoof tenderly. “and get some much needed rest, too.”

Over the last few weeks, she and Celestia had been spending almost all of their time investigating the threat posed to them by some nameless ‘Queen.’ There were so many powers in the world outside of Equestria, neither Luna nor Celestia had any clue who this queen was, or what the nature of their threat was. Luna had devoted a large part of her private guard to the task of infiltrating the surrounding lands and determining where those threats were coming from, while Celestia’s sway over the guard had them protecting borders and major cities, and searching for threats within.

But with the wedding now hours away, both of them were wearing thin. Luna had divulged a few nights ago and actually slept two hours. But that short rest had worn down soon enough, and both she and Celestia found themselves struggling to keep up with both the wedding preparations and investigating the threat to Equestria’s well-being.

“Today should be a happy day.” Celestia lifted her head defiantly, a smile forcing its way onto her lips. “The shield is strong and we’re watching our beloved Cadance get married.”

“That’s the spirit.” Luna beamed and gave Celestia a quick hug. “What are you having for breakfast?”

“Coffee.” Celestia waved a nearby waiter over. “And lots of it.”

The preparations began immediately. After their breakfast, Celestia was adamant about returning to her solemn watch. She perched atop the highest observatory tower with a telescope, watching over the area as the preparations began. Luna sequestered herself in the midst of the throne room, letting problems come to her and sending solutions on their way out.

The day was soon in full swing; ponies coming and going with design choices, security issues, reports, and the affairs of a regular day in their wonderful nation. Luna was the catch-all manager for them, tirelessly speaking and debating with the guard, wedding planners, caterers, suitors, petitioners, lawmakers, complainers, and a whole slew of schoolfillies visiting the capitol for the day.

Eventually, things began to wind down on her end as the rehearsal got underway, though she had to handle a last-second issue with the bouquet. Celestia agreed to preside over the ceremony, so she left the watch over the city to several of her best guards while she made her way to the ceremony.

After rescuing the bouquet from what she had been assured was a 'dire emergency,’ there was only one thing left to handle - the bride herself. Luna excused herself and went to go find Cadance. Being as good as her bigger sister, Luna thought it fitting to speak with the bride the day of her wedding. She made her way towards the meeting room turned bridal chamber for the day, smiling as she rehearsed her speech in her head. The guards stationed in the preparation chamber’s hallway let her pass without incident, and she made her way towards the inner room.

Just as she was about to lift a hoof to knock, voices drifted out of the room.

“Can we talk?” Luna paused, listening to whoever it was. 'Hmm... That sounds like Shining Armor. What's he doing here?' Luna lowered her hoof and pressed an ear to the door.

“Of course, darling… You know you can always talk to me.” 'Cadance is here too?!' Luna's thoughts whirled into a near panic. 'Why are they together now? Don't they know that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony?' She held her breath as if that would help keep her anonymous.

“It’s about you… And me too. Us.” Shining continued.

“Hmm? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you… These eyeliner brushes can be so fussy…”

“I need to talk to you seriously, Cadance.” Shining re-asserted himself. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“Oh? Very well then… No need to be grouchy about it. I know your headaches have been keeping you fussy these past few weeks.”

“It’s not just the headaches, Cadance, it’s you. You’ve been acting differently. Ever since I sent you down to the caverns in my stead, you haven’t been the same.”

“What do you mean?” Cadance mewled innocently. “I’m the same pony you fell in love with all those years ago… Can’t you see it, Shining?”

“No, quite frankly, I can’t.” It sounded like Shining stomped his hoof onto the floor. Luna re-adjusted, peering through the keyhole in the door to get a better view inside the room. Cadance, halfway prepared for her wedding, and a still-undressed Shining Armor were squared off, a small table topped with a vase of roses the only thing between them. Shining looked determined, while Cadance was doing her best to appear coy and sultry. Luna furrowed her brow and continued to watch.

“Shining?”

“You’re different, Cadance.” Shining continued. “Ever since you went to investigate whatever was going on underneath the caverns, you haven’t been the same. You’re fussy, moody, and downright rude sometimes. You hardly acted like you recognized Twilight. And speaking of, I haven’t seen her since that disastrous rehearsal! What’s wrong with you?!”

“Nothing’s wrong with me, Shining!” Cadance looked offended; Luna could see tears welling up in her eyes. “You talk about ponies not acting normally, yet you're being so cruel! You’re… You’re scaring me.” Cadance buried her face in her hooves, but Luna could tell. Those tears were fake - as fake as any she’d ever seen.

“Cadance…” Shining lowered his voice, lifting a hoof slowly. “Look, I-I’m sorry… The investigation, and these damn headaches, I… I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“It’s the damn shield,” Cadance sniffled, wiping her eyes… Which were still flawless. “It’s wearing on you, making you less than who you are. You… You should drop it. Just this once, just for me?” Luna immediately froze. 'Something is most definitely wrong. Cadance would never dream of doing such a thing, especially if it put us or Canterlot in jeopardy!'

“You know I can’t do that.” Shining shook his head. “Not yet, anyways. Celestia promises me they’ll devote more resources to the effort after the wedding. I’m sorry, Cadance… I’d normally be able to handle this wedding and the investigation separately. But together, you know it’s wearing on me.”

“I know, darling, I know.” Cadance cooed, slipping around the table like a snake. Luna watched as Cadance took his head in her hooves, smiling warmly. “At least let me help your headache once more?”

“Of course.” Shining smiled, closing his eyes. “I love you, Cadance.”

“I know you do, Shining…” Cadance stroked his mane. “I know you do…”

What Luna saw next froze her in place. A bright flash of neon-green magic filled the room, the scintillating power echoing off of the walls and reflecting in Cadance’s eyes. 'What?! Her magic is blue, not green! And the way Shining is looking at her... That can only mean...'

Luna gasped as she arrived at the only possible conclusion for what she saw

’Cadance is a changeling!

“Did you hear something?” Cadance’s voice caused Luna to flee. Using her wings to propel her down the hallway, she ducked around the corner, chest heaving as she heard the door open just where she had been standing a few moments sooner. “Odd… Must have been the guards. Speaking of, you have to go change into your uniform…”

Luna fled.

’Twilight and the elements! That’s our best bet. If there’s a changeling inside Canterlot, the only way to expose her will be with the elements. I need to find Twilight!’ Luna dashed down several halls and down into the main entryway, thankfully running into a sergeant.

“Sergeant!” She gasped, panting. “There’s an emergency. Call my bodyguards, and have them meet me in my quarters. Meanwhile, I need you to begin searching for Twilight Sparkle.”

“Y-yes, Princess! Of course!” The guard immediately jumped to, barking orders left and right. Luna teetered on the edge of panic before finding the nearest balcony and winging off into the sky.

In the back of her mind, though, only one thing took precedence:

’I need to protect Fleur.’

Closing her eyes, Luna focused and cast a spell.

(13) Wedding Bells and Broken Spells - Part 2

Moonstone – Chapter 13 “Wedding Bells and Broken Spells” - Part 2

”Fleur,” The whisper could just as easily have come from somepony else in their little group. But just then, they were listening to Rarity bubble on about some dress or another she was making. Everypony was listening to her, none of them were paying attention to Fleur. She turned her head about, but saw no eyes searching her out. ”It’s me. Luna.”

’Oh goodness,’ Fleur stifled a groan as she realized Luna was speaking to her with magic.

”Something’s wrong. I need you to come to my room immediately.”

Fleur froze. There was a sense of urgency in Luna’s magical voice, something that made her eyes go wide and her heart thunder against her ribcage. She glanced around at the small gathering of ponies, wondering if Luna was speaking to any of them or if it was just her.

’What do I do? What’s going on? Should I go, or should I stay? No… Being closer to Luna would be the safest thing to do.’ Suddenly, the dome of magic above them didn’t seem so safe anymore. She swallowed her apprehension and leaned in to Gemstone.

“I need to use the mare’s room… I’ll see you at the ceremony?” She got nothing more than a glance from Gemstone, who smiled and nodded before turning her attention back to Rarity, who was busy explaining the intricacies of embroidery. Fleur slipped away all but unnoticed and was able to nonchalantly trot back to the castle.

Once inside, she surreptitiously slipped past all of the designers and guards, nodding wordlessly to the one stationed by the service entrance she usually used. She had become intimately familiar with the path to Luna’s room over the past several months, and while there was more traffic in the halls today than there had been previously, nopony questioned her presence among the caterers, wait staff, and gardeners bustling about.

She arrived at Luna’s room promptly, and the door swung open before she could knock. Fleur froze at what she saw. Luna stood surrounded by her elite guard - intimidating ponies that, long ago, had been a herald for Nightmare Moon’s arrival. Now, they were Luna’s personal bodyguards, and were involved in shadowy matters of national security. Luna looked up from an intense conversation with what she guessed was the guard, and a wave of relief passed over her features before her expression became stone once more.

“Check her.” She said gruffly. Fleur gasped as two of the guards swept up to her, their horns glowing already. Before she could protest, their magic gripped her firmly, lifting her off of her hooves. She felt a field of energy shiver over her entire body, probing, seeking out every nuance of her form.

“H-hey!” She gasped, writhing against the iron grip of the ponies’ magic. “Let me go! Luna! What’s the meaning of this?!”

“She’s clear; she’s the original.” One of the unicorns set her down and shut the door behind her, standing with his back to it protectively. Luna’s face changed once more as she beckoned Fleur closer.

“You mind telling me why your bodyguards are frisking me?!” Fleur spat as she crossed the floor, feeling rather violated all of a sudden. Luna gave her a look that commanded silence, but implied that an explanation would be forthcoming. She didn't want for a response before turning back to her guards, speaking quickly and quietly.

“Protection is our main priority. If they seem like they’re just capturing, let them be. Search instead for any of them intent on causing harm. They are to be stopped first - by any means necessary.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Good. You have your orders. Two of you, in here. Two of you down the lift with me. Fleur, come now.”

“O-okay…” Fleur had barely begun to move when she was shepherded up against Luna’s side, the two of them winged by burly-looking guards, both of them with spears. Fleur gave a soft whimper and clung to Luna, suddenly feeling very much out-of-place. Most of the other guards – there were easily twenty of them – filed out of the door she had been ushered in just a moment ago. Two remained behind, flanking those doors, while the two escorting Luna and herself made for the lift going into the basement.

“Luna…?” Fleur asked quietly, whispering in fear of the two guards escorting them. “What’s happening?”

“Shh,” Luna urged, sparing her a quick glance. “I’ll explain in a moment.” The lift descended into darkness, the candles that normally lit the shaft having been snuffed out. Even the warm wood-paneled hallway was rather intimidating at that particular moment. The guards led them out, glancing furtively around the hall before nodding to Luna.

“You two remain here. I will barricade us inside one of the rooms. To protect ourselves, we won’t tell you which.”

“Yes, princess!” The two guards saluted crisply before turning to face the lift. Luna ushered Fleur down the hall, half-trotting, half-walking. Fleur swallowed her apprehension and pressed closer to Luna. The whole ordeal, from the sudden shift of chatting with socialites to being frisked by bodyguards, had her feeling very nervous and uncomfortable. Only once Luna turned a corner and picked a door at random for them to enter did Fleur speak again.

“What’s going on?”

“Something bad,” Luna frowned as she focused on the closed door behind them. Her horn began to glow, sending a dense hum through the room. Fleur shuddered as she backed away from the powerful display of magic. The door seemed to waver in the air, like a very hot gust of superheated air was passing over it. Then it began to darken until the whole thing was as black as a starless night.

“Luna…?” Fleur stepped away with a frown on her lips.

“Allow me to explain,” Luna finished casting the shield spell before turning to face Fleur, who instantly recognized the look of relief on Luna's face.

'Was this all just for me? The guards scanning me, putting four of them between me and the rest of the world, locking me away behind a dense field of princess magic?'

A spark flashed in her mind as she put the pieces together. 'She's not just concerned about my safety... She's protecting me, and me alone.'

“I witnessed something just a few minutes ago. Something that made all of our efforts thus far futile.”

“Wh… What happened?” Fleur whimpered. Luna looked at her seriously, her face both intimidating and concerned. Fleur suddenly found it hard to swallow, or breathe.

“Cadance is a changeling, and Twilight Sparkle is missing.”

It took Fleur a minute to process that information. She blinked several times, trying hard to reconcile her thoughts. Nevermind that Luna had pulled her into one of the bedrooms they had utilized in a previous session, or that she was wearing skimpy panties, or that the neckline of the dress could very easily be argued to be a collar.

Luna had just exposed something very worrisome to Fleur, and had taken a rather peculiar course of action in response. Fleur found her heart beating faster.

’If Cadance is a… Whatever a ‘changeling’ is, and Twilight’s gone missing… I… I don’t know why Luna would possibly bring me here, or shield us in. I mean, I know she’s protecting me, but couldn’t she have sent me somewhere else with a guard or two? Couldn’t she have shielded me in alone and left to go handle the threat? Why does she feel the need to be here with me? Locked in with me?

… Does she care for me that much?’

“Luna, I… I don’t know how to react to this.” Fleur admitted, blushing as her heart tried its hardest to escape her chest. “You drag me away from the wedding, shield us in here, post guards… I… I don’t understand… Why? Why all the protection? Why are you here with me? Shouldn’t you be out handling this? What even is a changeling, I don’t-“

“Fleur,” Luna’s soft voice cut her off as effectively as a door slamming shut in her face. “I’ve brought you here and kept you with me for my own reasons. What those reasons are don’t need to be said. Just know that I care enough about your protection to see to it personally. My guards and Celestia can handle one changeling inside Canterlot.”

“If it’s just one changeling,” Fleur questioned her immediately. “Then why all this protection? It’s just one, and you know where it is. Can’t you just… I don’t know… Stop Cadance? Get that changeling to tell us where the others are-“

Fleur was cut off with a soft ‘eep’ as the floor shook. Dust sifted down from the ceiling, as the reverberating sound of whatever had caused the shake reached their ears. It sounded like breaking glass; a very large pane of breaking glass.

Large enough to cover a city.

Fleur found herself tucked up against Luna, the princess’ legs and wings wrapped tight around her. Fleur could tell immediately that Luna was crying - she could feel each heave of Luna's chest as she sobbed, tears falling into her mane as if another star had thrown itself from the heavens. Fleur cried too, though she wasn’t entirely certain why.

’Luna’s hugging me so tight. I… I don’t know what to think of all this. The kiss a few sessions ago, now this… She’s here protecting me when she ought to be out there protecting everypony against whatever this 'Changeling' thing is. She should be out there investigating whatever made that horrible sound just now… Instead, she’s here, and she’s crying, and I…’

“Luna,” Fleur pushed away from the princess’ embrace, frowning up at her intensely. Luna looked down at her, her tear-stained eyes welling with unshed fears. Fleur stared into those magnificent orbs for a few long moments before speaking quietly.

“I think it’s about time you tell me why we’re down here.”

Fleur emerged to the sound of joyous cheering. She managed a quick smile at Luna before the Princess vanished from her side. She watched her dom wing off into the sky, landing somewhere else on the castle grounds. Fleur slunk away slowly, her lips curled into a permanent smile. Her heart continued to beat against her chest, and she greeted everypony who came up to her with a grin.

The reception appeared to be in full swing. Somewhere off in the budding night, she heard the strains of upbeat music rising up. Ponies all over began dancing and cheering, and Fleur felt herself swept up in the emotion. Both her own and those of the ponies all around her.

’Love is in bloom!’ The music shouted, making Fleur shake and laugh with the beat. ’A beautiful bride, a handsome groom! Two hearts, becoming one!’ Fleur laughed to the night sky at the irony,

At Luna’s last words to her.

”I’ve brought you here because I can’t stand the thought of losing you, Fleur. Because you being hurt scares me more than anything…

“Because I love you, Fleur.”

(14) Expo(sed)

Moonstone – Chapter 14 “Expo(sed)”

Fleur slouched in her seat a bit, looking out of the window as their train pulled out of Canterlot, destined for Trottingham and what was allegedly the largest and most prominent BDSM expo in all of Equestria. Bigger even than the one in Canterlot. She didn’t quite feel like herself at the moment; then again, she didn’t look it either. “Remind me again,” Fleur grimaced down at her petite hooves and short, stubby-feeling legs. “Why we have to wear disguises.”

"Come on, Fleur. Or, should I say Cerulean..." Luna – or Aurora, as she had taken to calling herself – rolled her eyes patronizingly. “Do you really think we can go to a BDSM expo without being recognized?”

“You, I understand… But why me? Why do I have to be disguised?” She disliked being short; except when it was around Luna. Granted, she was normally shorter than Luna, but now she was shorter than everypony else as well.

“I think you’re going to be surprised how many from your ‘inner circle’ attend this event.” Luna whispered cryptically. Fleur shuddered, as it felt almost like Luna had whispered right into her ear, even though she was seated across the short aisle from her. Despite the unassuming disguise, Luna was still as mysterious and powerful as she had ever been. 'I still don't like being this short though.' Fleur grumbled a bit as she took a more careful look at their disguises, seemingly resigning herself to the temporary new look.

Luna wore the guise of a slender, tall white unicorn mare, not unlike Fleur used to look. Instead of a magnificent, long mane, though, Luna’s raven-black hair hung in a whip-tight braid down the side of her neck. Her tail was relatively short, and Fleur was certain it would eventually be braided as well. What’s more, ‘Aurora’s’ cutie mark was a very distinct picture of a leather riding crop. 'Hmm, never experienced one of those before, she thought as she gazed at the new mark adorning Luna's disguised flank. 'But I have a feeling that won't be the case before the end of this expo...'

Fleur - or Cerulean as she was now to be known - was on the opposite end of the spectrum. She had been filled out as compensation, but she was still short. ’Still too damn short.’ Her coat was a rather nice shade of sky blue to offset her platinum-blonde mane and tail, and her cutie mark resembled two metallic rings intertwined. Her cover was that she was a wedding planner, and also ‘Aurora’s’ sub.

There were maybe a dozen ponies she had passed on the street on their way to the train station that were as tall as she was, and the one pony that she found to be shorter than her didn’t have their cutie mark yet. Needless to say, Fleur didn’t quite feel happy with her disguise. Luna was tall and slender and very beautiful in her mysterious, domineering sort of way. Fleur, on the other hoof, felt rather ugly, and a little bit pudgy to boot.

Fleur felt rather heated under the gaze of Luna’s new form. The princess had dropped almost all of her previous demeanor, where she would be kind and compassionate up until the moment they started a session. Now, she seemed to always be hard and unforgiving. The walk to the train station had been rather eventful, and eye-opening as well. They seemed to be among a relatively large group of ponies bound for the expo as well, so Luna got the chance to chat it up about popular domineering tactics. It also gave her a chance to cow Fleur into submission in public. At least to an extent.

She may not have been wearing her collar, but simply being around Luna’s disguised self made Fleur feel rather intimidated. She fell silent and averted her gaze to the ground whenever a new pony approached Luna. She was even introduced as ‘my sub, Cerulean’ a few times. While the name felt nice, Fleur was more intrigued by the title preceding it. Luna had come straight out and announced her as her very own sub in front of other ponies! Each time, Fleur gave a dainty curtsy but remained silent otherwise. She was actually kind of enjoying the role of ‘quiet, obedient sub.’

“There are some things you want to talk about, huh?” Luna leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other as she peered at Fleur.

“A few, yeah…” Fleur admitted as her mind sifted through the rush of questions that had filled her mind in the last few days. The whole ordeal with the wedding had been a rather eye-opening experience, filled to the brim with some rather mysterious revelations and intriguing notions. It was hardly a week after the wedding when Luna had suddenly appeared in her home and commanded Fleur to pack her bags for a trip to a BDSM expo. Fleur, not being one to question her dom’s strict commands, packed immediately. But she still had a few serious questions; chiefly, ‘doesn’t Equestria need you right now?’

‘Equestria needs a princess who is better capable of handling this threat than I. I’m simply not cut out for this sort of debacle… Not right now.’ Luna had fallen silent after that, doing nothing but urging Fleur to pack with increasing urgency.

Then came the disguises. Luna had cast a pair of extremely powerful spells on both herself and Fleur, transforming them quickly and painlessly. Fleur had originally been very excited to wear a new skin, but it seemed Luna had ulterior motives for doing such a thing - she didn’t want either of them to be recognized. While that much was understandable, Fleur secretly yearned for the day when she could openly and unabashedly be Luna’s sub. A day that very likely might never come, but she could still wish for it.

After a long walk to the train station and some rather eye-opening conversations between Luna and several other doms and subs, they were now alone in their train car, rattling along uphill towards Trottingham.

“We have some time.” Luna mused, settling into her bench comfortably. “Why don’t we have that talk now?”

“Okay…” Fleur sighed and took a deep breath, wincing inwardly at the different tone to her voice. She paused for another moment before choosing a question at random from the dozens that were swirling around her mind. “What are changelings?”

“Changelings are creatures from lands beyond the long-lost Crystal Empire whose sole purpose is to thrive off of love.” Luna began, talking rather succinctly. “They impersonate ponies, sometimes incapacitating or even killing the ones they disguise themselves as. They then effectively take their place, feeding off of whoever loves the pony they’re disguised as.”

“So Cadance…”

“Was a changeling.” Luna nodded to affirm the point. “More so, the changeling impersonating Cadance was the queen of the changelings, Chrysalis. She used Shining Armor’s love for Cadance to become even more powerful than Celestia.”

“Now there’s a frightening thought.” Fleur shuddered. “Even more powerful than Celestia? Does that mean she could have… Overpowered you?”

“It’s very likely.” Luna nodded solemnly. “I had considered the possibility, so when I discovered her, I ran.” Luna’s cheeks darkened suddenly, though. Fleur got the impression there was something more to it than that. For once, she decided to press the point.

“I don’t think so,” Fleur looked straight into Luna’s eyes. “I think you could have handled Chrysalis. Was there another reason you ran?” Luna’s mouth opened for a brief moment, but she closed it again. 'Ha, I knew there was something else, some other reason why she ran.' Fleur remained silent, but kept up a steady, piercing gaze at Luna, who returned it with a dark expression that would have sent a lesser pony screaming in fright. The stoicism faded as quickly as it appeared though. Luna had been called out, and she knew it.

“There was.” Luna finally admitted. “I… Well, I wanted to protect… You.” Luna blushed, casting her gaze at the floor. “I knew it’d take a powerful changeling to take Cadance’s place, and where one powerful changeling is, there are several others. If… If failed, or if that changeling escaped, chances are they’d do so with the knowledge of who I… Who I cared for. Then their next target would have been you.” Luna met Fleur’s eyes once more, her own brimming with tears. “I couldn’t bear the thought of them getting their hooves on you. Or even worse, using you against me. So I ran, and I did what I could to protect you.” Luna looked back down at the floor, two tears dripping out of her eyes.

“To protect myself.”

Fleur watched Luna struggle with her tears before slipping out of her seat to curl up next to her.

“I’m sorry, Luna…” She whispered. “I didn’t know I meant so much to you… I didn’t know you were so worried about me.” ’I didn’t know I even COULD be used against her…’ Fleur added as an afterthought. Luna looped her hooves around Fleur, drawing them close together for a few moments. Luna’s words from the wedding came back to her.

”I’ve brought you here because I can’t stand the thought of losing you, Fleur. Because you being hurt scares me more than anything…

“Because I love you, Fleur.”

Luna had forcibly removed herself from a very important struggle just to protect Fleur. If that wasn’t love, Fleur didn’t know what was. She sighed into the simple embrace, a smile painted across her lips. Luna gingerly stroked her mane, humming her contentment. And Fleur had to admit, she did feel content.

’This is really nice. It’s just like how I felt when I first met Fancy… But we were not meant to be. Here, like this, even if we’re disguised, I can actually FEEL Luna…’ Fleur buried her nose into Luna’s chest, inhaling her scent deeply. 'Hmm, she even smells different too... Like leather and lotion. A mare could get used to this...'

“Fleur,” Luna pulled her head away tenderly. “Why don’t we go over our aliases?”

“Good idea.”

“Of course it’s a good idea,” Luna’s horn glowed as a leather collar materialized from nowhere and snapped around Fleur’s neck. She gasped as her eyes went wide. “All of my ideas are good.”

“M-mistress…?”

“Sit on the other bench, Cerulean.” Luna crossed her legs, looking rather poised and dignified just then. Fleur had no choice but to obey; she was wearing the collar, and like it or not, a session had begun. She knew the spells Luna had cast on their cabin kept sound from escaping, so she really didn’t have to worry if things got too noisy. She slipped up onto the bench, her cheeks heated up thoroughly. Luna – or rather, Aurora – looked her up and down in a very pointed fashion.

“What’s my name?” Aurora cooed.

“Aurora, mistress.” Fleur squeaked. Her voice was so high-pitched and thin. Fleur almost felt like a filly once more.

“And what’s your name?”

“Cerulean, Mistress.”

“Good… Now tell me, what are our professions?”

“I… I’m a wedding planner, mistress… And you own a BDSM boutique in Horseshoe Bay.”

“Hmm… I’m glad I got your disguise right.” Luna slid off of her seat to stand in front of Fleur. In the disguise, Aurora’s eyes were a brilliant, striking amber, seeming to blend well with both her coat and her raven hair. Fleur swallowed, wondering what it was Luna had in mind. “You’re awfully cute.”

“Y-yes, mistress…” Fleur panted.

“What do you think of me, my little slave? Hmm?” Luna turned a tight circle, showing her sleek body off. “Did I do well?”

“Y-yes, Mistress. Very well.” Fleur nodded readily, her eyes gliding over each inch of her master’s toned, lithe form. “I really like your look, mistress.”

“I’m sure you do, Cerulean.” Luna stopped and lifted a hoof to cup her chin. “I’m sure you do… Now, kiss me, Cerulean.”

“Yes, mistress.” She leaned in to her task with an eager moan, the two mare’s lips pressing together firmly. Luna’s tongue slid forth, filling her mouth very suddenly. Fleur whimpered at the feel, a heat already building in her core. Almost as soon as it began, though, the kiss seemed to stop. Fleur whimpered, a string of drool dangling from her lips.

“The expo we’re going to is a very important event, Cerulean.” Luna continued to speak quietly, her lips hovering a mere inch away from Fleur’s. “During the entirety of our time at the event, you’re going to be wearing that collar. It’s going to be an extended session, one that lasts three whole days.”

“Th-three days, mistress?” Fleur squirmed in her seat. She had been subject to extended sessions before, but never as long as three days.

“Yes indeed. We’ll be attending conferences, demonstrations, shows, and exhibitions that will fill up nearly every hour of the day. I’ll develop our schedule when we arrive, but there won’t be much opportunity for us to rest.” Luna grinned in her devious way, making Fleur whimper and squirm. “I’ll make sure to stay within your limits, Fleur, but remember this much:” She leaned in again, taking Fleur’s ear between her lips. She muttered her words, her teeth digging into the flesh now and then.

“Luna may not have a reputation in Trottingham, but Aurora does. I attend this expo at least once every other year. Ponies know me, and they know how my subs are expected to act. You’ve done well thus far, but embarrass me here, and I promise you your punishment will cost you in ways you can't possibly imagine.”

“Y-yes mistress!” Fleur panted, her vision swimming slightly. It had been over a week since their last session. She hated to admit it, but Fleur legitimately wanted one right about now. Perhaps denying her thus far had been done intentionally, to keep her ready for the expo. Fleur whimpered and leaned forwards to relieve pressure on her ear, her haunches squirming together all the more.

Luna responded by laying a hoof on her sternum, roughly forcing her back into the seat. At the same time, she pulled her own head back, dragging her teeth across Fleur’s ear. The hot flash of pain lanced into her head before slowly turning into a dull, radiating heat. She was still squirming when Luna planted both her hooves on the seat beside Fleur’s haunches. Luna loomed up in front of Fleur, completely filling her vision.

“Cerulean,” Luna breathed. “Lie down and get some rest. I dare say you’re going to need it.”

The train pulled into Trottingham five uphill hours later. The ancient mountain city looked as proud as ever, filled to capacity with stone castles and wooden buildings of various shapes and sizes. The city had been well-kept over the centuries and modernized to sport updated facilities. Yet the old architecture remained, its still imposing visage a nod to the city's previous status as the old Equestrian capital.

Since then, the old city had become the home of preservationists and history enthusiasts. There was a prestigious college here and quite a few museums as well. It was still a very active, if somewhat quiet city. This expo was held in an old hotel over the course of three days. It would be Fleur’s first rodeo, so to speak, so she didn’t exactly know what to expect.

But she certainly wasn’t expecting the leash. She was woken with a slightly metallic-sounding snap, followed by a gentle pressure around her throat. Blearily, she looked down at the collar, and the leash that Luna now held in her magic.

“Good morning, Cerulean.” Luna cooed. Fleur froze when she saw her mistress. She had changed into another form-fitting outfit of intricate leather straps and impossibly tight pants. With her tail braided as tightly as her mane, the pants took up the task of covering Luna's most intimate parts - though they left little to the imagination. A criss-crossed harness covered her chest, and her forelegs were clad in sheer fishnets. Where her creamy white coat poked through the leather blended well with the dark fabric, her raven hair, and her brilliant amber eyes.

“G-good morning, Mistress.” Fleur was very suddenly and very painfully awake, her entire body heated with arousal. All around, she could hear ponies bustling about the train, preparing to depart. The fact that she could hear them meant they could hear her. No more discussions or deliberations. They were in character and ready to go.

“Are you ready, Cerulean?”

She actually had to swallow and take a steadying breath. ’I can do this. I can trust Luna to respect my boundaries. Or even better…

‘To push them.’

When she looked back up at Luna, it was with a glimmer in her eye.

“Yes, Mistress. Your slave is ready.”

Luna gave her a wicked grin before they swept out of the cabin and into the hall. Almost immediately, everypony stopped and stared. Aurora’s head was held high as she walked, her horn glowing as she carried the end of Fleur’s leash. She seemed to be looking down her nose at them. She was aloof. Above them.

In all reality, Princess Luna likely was. Her name may be Aurora now, but she exuded the same air of confidence and command that was normally on display when Night Court was in session. Ponies were entranced as she parted the sea of bodies to walk untouched down the middle of the aisle. Fleur was getting plenty of looks herself, most of them dripping with envy. She thought she looked rather unassuming and plain in this guise, but she soon saw how her petite stature and full curves were actually drawing many looks.

She adjusted her perspective with this in mind, and suddenly, the differences became obvious to Fleur. Doms would let their gazes linger on Aurora before smoothly sliding onto her, analyzing every inch of her, from her posture to her facial expressions.. These ponies, she couldn’t look at for long. Not just because she was a sub, but because she was truly intimidated by them.

Then, there were the subs. They would do nothing but glance at Luna before shamefully lowering their gaze, staring at the floor or their own hooves. Whenever she met eyes with another sub, though, there was a connection there - a true understanding to be had. They would share a smile, or in some cases a surreptitious wink.

As they stepped off of the train and onto the platform, things were a little more busy with the unloading of many suitcases and chests, but the two of them were still given a wide berth. Anypony who lifted their gaze to meet theirs immediately stepped back, some of them with looks of awe on their face, others with looks of outright admiration. There were a few, however, whom Luna shared a solemn, almost imperceptible nod with. 'I guess those are other doms - ones that know Aurora.'

A carriage with two midnight-black stallions pulling it arrived at the station, almost in perfect time with Fleur’s leisurely pace. She mounted the cabin and jerked Fleur up behind her. She went with a soft gasp and a stumble, all but falling into the cabin. “Stay on the floor. Beneath my hooves.” Luna commanded. “I need a place to rest them.”

“Y-yes Mistress.” Fleur panted, laying out on the floor. Luna casually lifted her hooves to rest on Fleur’s back, smiling faintly as she nodded to the two stallions.

“To the hotel. And don’t make me wait.”

“Yes ma’am.” The stallions set off quickly, hardly jostling either of them as they dashed down the wide, open streets. Fleur couldn’t see much of anything, but Luna’s hooves gingerly massaged her back, hardly putting any of her weight on Fleur. Hmm, well, perhaps this isn't so bad...' she thought as Luna's hooves continued their slow dance over her back. She had closed her eyes to enjoy the soothing sensation when the carriage came to a stop.

“You first, Cerulean.” Luna growled, lifting her hooves. She scrambled to obey, slipping over the side to land on her hooves. “Help me down.” Luna’s next command came from above. Fleur lifted her forelegs, her head bowed as Luna gracefully stepped down and off of the carriage.

When Fleur finally lifted her gaze once more, she froze.

Luna had led them to the front of the hotel, where a lush red carpet split the path between two groups of photographers, interviewers, and eagerly-staring ponies. She didn’t get the chance to question what was happening or why, she had to obey. Her dom’s name rippled out through the crowd quietly. Most ponies seemed too stunned to do or say anything major though, opting instead to just stare slack-jawed at the two of them. Fleur could hear the strains of whispered conversations rippling outwards.

“That’s Aurora.”

“She’s the greatest Dom of our age…”

“Who’s her sub?”

“She looks so beautiful-“

“Fuck me, I’m jealous…”

“Woah. That’s the Aurora.”

Eventually, the pictures started. Luna continued to hold her head high, pulling Fleur along as they walked the carpet towards the hotel entrance. What started slowly eventually turned into a waterfall of shutters and flashing lights, nearly blinding Fleur.

Then, just as soon as it had started, it was done. They were inside a lavishly-appointed hotel lobby, the dull roar of shutters and flashing lights behind the tinted doors. The lobby was warm and well-appointed, the furniture dark leather. The floor beneath her hooves was the same color as the crimson carpet they had just crossed, and near the center of the room, a massive, circular fire pit crackled merrily.

The wooden-and-granite counter appeared to be rich mahogany, and it was there that Luna turned next. She hardly even spared the receptionist a glance, her horn’s glow intensifying as she accepted a slender folder from the busy-looking stallion there. She flipped it open and frowned at the contents before yanking Fleur along.

“Good. I’m glad to see the suite I requested wasn’t reserved yet. I sense Quill’s hooves in this matter…”

“Q-quill, Mistress?” Fleur whimpered. She just got a cursory glance before Luna smiled and ushered her along with another tug.

“You’ll meet him soon enough, my pet…” They departed the lavish lobby for an equally well-appointed hallway. To her left and right, Fleur could glimpse ponies bustling about in large conference-room-looking areas. While these rooms appeared to normally be walled-off into separate partitions, a large crew of ponies were busy removing those partitions to open the room up, while other crews worked to set up stages, sound equipment, and other materials. She didn’t get a very good look at any of them, since Luna set a quick and ruthless pace. With the ongoing preparations in these rooms, and the light hoof-traffic in the hallways, Fleur surmised that they were some of the first to arrive for the expo.

They ascended a wide stone stairwell, their hoof-falls echoing mysteriously among the stone columns and warm wood panels. Fleur hardly got to look at anything, but that was only because Luna’s long legs made her trot half the time to keep pace. She wasn’t sure if Luna was just normally this fast, or if her shorter stature was to blame. Either way, it felt like Luna wanted nothing more than to get her to the aforementioned suite.

On the second floor, Luna referenced the folder once more before pulling a slender-looking card and swiping it along the door jamb of a wide set of double doors. Fleur gasped as the doors glimmered and opened immediately, ushering them into one of the most grand and extravagant rooms Fleur had ever seen… And living most of her social life in and around Canterlot's palace, that was saying something.

A series of four floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the room let in the muted, overcast light from outside, casting the whole room in a pearly, low light. To the left and right, two additional rooms opened up, the first of which was a massive bedroom with a bed the could just as easily have slept a large family than just Fleur and Luna. The other seemed to be a combination of a kitchen, dining room, entertainment suite, exercise room, and full-blown bar. This was the sort of suite that only very important ponies checked out, and only when they expected a lot of company. Fleur swallowed as she struggled to take in the enormity and extravagance of the space around her.

Luna whirled on her and plastered their lips together, moaning deeply. The double doors slammed shut behind her, and Fleur sagged into the kiss with a return groan. They stayed like that for a few long moments, their tongues peeking forth to wrestle for a few moments. Luna broke the kiss suddenly, panting a little.

“You performed magnificently.”

“I-I hardly did anything!” Fleur objected, her cheeks flushed.

“Exactly. You didn’t speak to anyone, didn’t freeze up in front of the cameras… That was brilliant! Oh, this is going to be a very good expo. Still…” Luna’s stoic expression returned as she looked expectantly at the doors behind Fleur. “I smell a rat. Hah!” Her horn leapt to life, ripping the double doors open. Fleur gasped and side-stepped as a pony came stumbling through, sprawling onto the floor at their hooves.

“Well, well, well. At my hooves again, Quill? This is an awfully familiar sight…”

“I thought you’d be used to ponies groveling by now…” The stallion grunted as he stood and brushed his rather well-fit suit off in annoyance. “Being a Princess and all.”

Fleur’s heart could have stopped. She met the stallion’s gaze, and he met hers.

“Relax, my little pet.” Luna cooed, her horn glowing as the doors closed once more. “You ought to recognize him.”

The scary part was she actually did. Quill, as Luna called him, was actually known in Canterlot as Paper Prose, a columnist of moderate renown. He had been a prominent member of Fleur’s oh-so-familiar high society until scandal struck. He had published a bombshell article a while ago that had all but ostracized him from Canterlot outright. What the article had been about, nopony really knew outside of the Observer staff themselves. The Canterlot Observer had killed the article immediately. Only a few dozen papers had been printed by then, and none of them were ever distributed. But, given Fleur’s higher-up connections, she had been able to get her hooves on one of the printed copies.

Paper Prose’s career-ending article had been about the intricacies of a BDSM relationship, and more specifically, the implementation of a questionably-legal aphrodisiac. Back when the whole ordeal had happened, Fleur had been much too shy to read the whole thing, and she had been among the dozens of ponies who openly disowned Paper Prose for his deviances. And yet, here he was, standing right in front of her.

“Oh? Who is this, then?” Quill arched an eyebrow at her. “She’s new, that much I know… But she’s not from Canterlot, is she?”

“I…”

“Relax,” Aurora disappeared in a glimmer of magic, and the familiar form of Luna took her place. “Quill here is the best secret-keeper I know. He’s the only one here who knows my true identity, and he makes it possible for me to attend each year.”

“All I can do, Milady.” Quill bowed low to her before returning his gaze to Fleur. “I’m guessing you’re going to make me deduce who she is?”

“You guessed right.” Luna’s horn glowed as she began casting spells on the double doors, ensuring that their next words would be heard by nopony. “Now let’s see if you can guess who my most recent partner is.”

“Gosh, I don’t keep up with the crowd from Canterlot anymore… Do I get questions?” Quill began to walk a circle around her, as if that might help him determine who she was. On the outside, Cerulean stood confidently, but on the inside, Fleur was squirming with nervousness.

’Quill doesn’t have any sway in Canterlot anymore. Even if he did, Luna trusts him with her identity. I can trust him with mine, right?’

“Alright… Is she a socialite?” Quill paused his pacing, turning to address Luna directly. Luna smiled and nodded.

“A very prominent one, yes.”

“Is she a unicorn?”

“She is indeed.” Luna confirmed his second question.

“What color is her coat?”

“Now, Quill, you know's that would be cheating... You have to make it a yes or no question.” Luna shook her head. “I already made a mistake telling you she was a prominent socialite. If anything, I should penalize you a question and five spankings.”

“Anything but that.” Quill rolled his eyes and glanced back at Fleur before frowning intently. “Fine… Is her coat blue?”

“No.”

“Is she short?”

“No. Last question, Quill.”

“Hmm…” Quill began to circle Fleur once more, though the disguise was concrete. Looking at her would do no good. Luna watched with an interested expression, even while Fleur looked at her dom pleadingly.

“Does she have a pink mane?” Quill finally asked his last question. Luna smiled warmly and nodded at her friend.

“She does indeed.”

“Ah, then this must be Gemstone! How you ever managed to get her from Diamond Cutter, I’ll never guess-“

“*SNRK!*” Fleur snorted a laugh, unable to help it any more. Gemstone had a pink mane like hers, but while Fleur’s coat was white (not blue, as he had asked earlier) Gemstone’s coat was red. (Also not blue.) He had come so close, and was so far off she couldn’t possibly have held back the laugh any longer. Luna, it seemed, was in the same boat. The two of them devolved into a helpless fit of giggles as Quill looked on.

“Well, I obviously got it wrong." Quill grumbled in annoyance. "Come on, tell me who it is, then.”

“H-hang on,” Luna wiped a hoof across her eyes, her horn glowing for a brief moment. Fleur felt the changes revert and her old body become hers once more, the guise of Cerulean all but gone. A grin spread across her lips as Quill’s eyes went wide.

“Fleur De Lis… Never in a million years…”

“Oh come now, ‘Paper Prose.’” Fleur coyly covered her smile with a hoof. “Surely you can’t be too shocked?”

“Well, fuck me silly...” Quill shook his head, but just earned a dangerous look from Luna.

“That could be arranged.”

“Nope, not again. Not after last time.” Quill shuddered and turned towards the door. “I’ll take my leave, now. I just wanted to make sure you were settled in.”

“Thank you again, Quill.” Luna finally recovered from her giggles enough to smile warmly at the older unicorn. “I’m glad I got to come again this year. It sounds like it’s going to be an amazing show.”

“There’s a competition this time around.” Quill muttered, pausing at the door. He looked back at the two of them, frowning slightly. “I don’t know if you’re going to want to enter, though.”

“Why’s that?” Luna frowned.

“Just take my word on this one, Princess. Don’t sign up for any competition. There’s some new blood here now. Let’s just say that the game isn’t what it used to be.” Quill shook his head slowly, opening the door. “Just don’t do it. For your sub’s sake.”

“Wha-hey!” The door shut suddenly, leaving Luna and Fleur alone in the impressive bedroom. Quill had come and gone so quickly that Fleur almost couldn’t believe it. Even Luna seemed miffed at his sudden departure. She turned to Fleur with a slight frown. “What do you-“

“Please sign us up, Mistress.” Fleur blurted before she could stop herself. Luna stopped mid-sentence and blinked at her. Fleur’s cheeks began to heat up as she realized that not only was she still her old self, but the collar was no longer around her neck. 'Technically, this isn't a session, yet I called her Mistress anyway. The lines are definitely blurred now.' she thought. 'But, who needs to see straight when the fog is so much fun?'

“Fleur, do you even know what a BDSM competition entails?” Luna asked quietly. Fleur's breath caught in her throat. 'She has a point - I have no idea what these competitions entail. But this is my Luna. My dom. And I will do anything for her.'

“I don’t care what it takes, mistress. I know that proving myself a good sub, worthy enough to be yours, would make you happy. I’ll do whatever it takes, and I’ll do it well.” She puffed up with confidence. “I can win whatever competition they throw at us.”

“Fleur…” Luna closed her eyes with a sigh. “These competitions have judges. Judges who are going to watch a session of ours. And not just the judges… These are more-or-less open displays. Everypony attending this expo is going to watch us.” Luna opened them again to meet Fleur’s gaze head-on. “Everything we’ve done, everything we’ve covered will be tested to the fullest. What’s more, there’s going to be ponies watching your every move. And I’m going to have to play off of that as well. "The collar's off, Fleur, so be honest with me here."

Luna's stepped over and laid a gentle hoof on Fleur's withers, but the expression on the Princess's face was very serious.

"I'm not going to do any of this unless you're going to really enjoy other ponies watching us."

Fleur had to mull that over for a moment. Flashes of all of their sessions returned to her then, playing in her mind’s eye like a rapid-fire slideshow. All of the naughty, dirty, depraved things they had done to one another, from the tender and passionate to the sweaty and debauched. She’d have to do them all again, and not just alone with Luna…

On a stage. At the center of attention. No barriers, no walls, nothing but a clever disguise spell and whatever contrivances Luna could dream up keeping her identity from everypony in Trottingham.

“Hmm,” Fleur wiped a hoof across her marehood, bringing a fair amount of glistening arousal with her. “Does this prove it to you, mistress?”

The first day, it seemed, was more-or-less an amateur’s introduction. Fleur guessed that with the large scale of ponies attending the event, many of them would be first-timers, or casual partakers who didn’t know much or were seeking a sturdier base than whatever they had learned about BDSM thus far. Thankfully enough, Luna didn’t take her to the rather dull speeches about relationships between subs and masters. They skipped straight past those alongside what could roughly be described as the ‘veteran’ doms and subs.

Instead, Luna took her to a few social gatherings, where it seemed she was subject to as much poise and pomp as an undisguised Fleur might have been at a social dinner back in Canterlot. All of the ponies not in one of the seminars or demonstrations knew her by sight, if not by name. Aurora, it seemed, was a very popular pony. Fleur got plenty of attention as Cerulean, too; and after volunteering to enter the competition – whatever that entailed – Luna was determined to expose her to as many ponies as possible.

'I suppose this is Luna's way of showcasing the goods.' she thought. 'Luna's introducing me to as many ponies as possible, letting them know ‘this is my sub. This is who I’m going to be showing off for you all. Look at her.’' A small shudder raced down her spine at the thought. 'Yes, look at me, indeed.'

And Fleur was rather enjoying the attention. The arrival of most of the attendees had taken up much of the first day, leaving the late afternoon and evening free for everypony to settle in for the coming events. 'No sessions yet, but that's ok.' Fleur thought with a bit of relief. 'That just gives us plenty of time for warm-ups.'

As the night crept upon them, Luna’s approach began to get more and more heated. They were, of course, disguised once more. But it was during dinner when Luna began to get more restless. The dinner they had been invited to seemed to be a rather high-class affair, where Luna sat at the table with a group of other doms, while Fleur acted as her footrest once more. Luna was doing a very good job of keeping her relaxed with tender hoof motions though, and Fleur was rather enjoying being ‘put in her place.’ There were subs underneath the table whose masters didn’t seem to be as compassionate or caring as Luna. Or as concerned with decency.

Fleur watched with interest as one dom sitting opposite Luna at the head table forced her sub to roll onto her back, spread her legs, and submit herself to a very intimate and rough hoof-job. Her breathy moans and pleading didn’t go missed by a single sub at the table. Fleur almost felt ashamed for witnessing such a thing, but some small part of her subconscious reminded her that this was a BDSM expo. She was probably going to see much, much more than this before the weekend was over.

Luna chatted and ate above the table, where the conversation existed only in muffled whispers. But down below, the subs had to remain quiet. They could only look at one another and blush as their master’s hooves began to trail to different places. Some of them were set upon by their doms, panting and moaning as they were pleasured roughly. The spectacle included both male and female subs, the latter of which Fleur honestly didn’t care much for. Though she had to admit, watching a pair of hind legs massage a stallion’s twitching member was rather intriguing, if slightly arousing to watch.

And then it struck her. She realized there was a pattern to the hoof-jobs taking place beneath the table. And each sub was beginning to look at the next in line. 'I guess this is my cue then...' Fleur swallowed a lump in her throat as she tried to calm herself for what was about to happen.

Fleur swallowed as Luna’s left hoof suddenly dragged along her spine. A tingle of apprehension was soon washed away by pure excitement. Luna began alternating her hooves, rubbing them smoothly and roughly down her back. The shudders of pleasure shot over her coat, culminating between her heated thighs. It was their turn to perform, and Fleur felt like she was under a spotlight even under the table. After watching a half a dozen other mares and stallions orgasm underneath the table, though, Fleur was more than ready for it.

When Luna’s hooves began to roll her flanks side-to-side, she readily flopped onto her back and spread her legs open. Luna’s hooves lay flat on her stomach then, alternating between teasing bits of pressure. She could feel the eyes of every other sub underneath the table on her, watching Luna’s hooves steadily work their way towards her most intimate, wet parts. She closed her eyes, reminding herself this was just a hoof-full of the number of ponies that would be watching her during whatever competition they would be holding. 'Come on Fleur, you can handle this.'

And as soon as that thought crossed her mind, it happened. She arched her back with a gasp, even as pleasure ripped through her midsection. Something had just been done to her clitoris, and damn it all if she didn’t want it to happen again. She shoved a hoof into her mouth, trying hard to keep from crying out loud.

“Aurora, why is your horn glowing?” The strains of conversation met her ears. She realized Luna was probably using magic to cue her into the dom’s conversation above the thick table.

“You see, Spire, that’s why Aurora here is the best among us… She’s got this way of feeling out her subs. No matter who they are, she can use magic on them without directly looking at them.”

“That’s amazing! I can’t use spells or even telekinesis on my Scarlet unless I’m staring right at her, and even then, it takes so much focus to pull off”

“That’s why she’s the best.” Another voice chimed in, this one deep and rich. If Fleur weren’t in the midst of being touched by Luna in her most private of areas, she might have been able to equate the voice to a pair of hooves dangling down to their sub beneath the table. “She doesn’t have to be looking at her sub to use magic. Fuck, I’ve seen Aurora make her sub cum from three rooms away before.”

“Hey, whatever happened to Quill, anyways?”

“He was… Not a good fit.” Luna’s voice chimed in then. “We decided to go our separate ways is all.”

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. The things you did to that pony, Aurora… Color me green.”

“You are green, Malachite.” A soft chuckle rolled around the table, but it was quickly silenced as another glimmer of magic sounded out. Fleur grunted as her clitoris was tweaked side-to-side in a rapid manner, making her juices flow freely. Just that small motion, after so much winding up, nearly threw her over the edge.

She managed to hold on, if only barely. Luna pulled back again, keeping her teetering on the very edge of orgasm. 'I don't know how much longer I can hold out...’ The thoughts barely formed through the haze of lust in her Fleur's mind. ’If she keeps this up, I'll never make it.'

If Luna could indeed hear Fleur's thoughts, she certainly did at that moment, because that next touch never came. Fleur’s muscles were rigid and quivering from being flexed so hard, and she felt like she might cum with the next gentle brush to her nether-regions. That brush never came, though. At least, not when it would make her cum. Instead, it came after she took the one tentative step away from her limit, when she could handle just one more touch to her dripping hole.

“It’s always a pleasure watching Aurora work, isn’t it?”

“I’ll say… Just wait until later this weekend. You’re entering the competition, aren’t you?” Fleur hadn’t even realized it, but Luna’s hooves had trailed lower now. She was oozing wetness, her juices coating Luna’s hind hooves almost completely. But Luna was using a combination of magic and her hooves to pleasure Fleur. This was a completely new experience for her. Coupled with the other subs watching her, Fleur was on the very brink.

“Indeed we are.” Luna affirmed. Her hooves dug into Fleur’s snatch, squeezing her labia together with a wet, squelching noise. A few whimpers sounded from the ponies all around, watching her wetness gush forth lewdly. It took nearly all of her willpower to keep only a quiet whimper from escaping her lips.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to cum. But those decisions were outside of her control just then. Only Luna could grant her release.

Then it happened. Almost like an angel descending from the heavens to bestow a great favor on some unworthy pony. It just took one flick, one dismissive gesture, and that was it. Fleur’s eyes closed as she let herself go and fell blissfully over the edge.

“Oh,”

“Woah.”

“Neat.”

“Oh my…” The other subs watched in amazement as Fleur came in their midst. All of the other subs had reached orgasm, but none of them had squirted. Even the more enthusiastic male subs hadn't spilled their juices as much as Fleur, who quivered is ecstasy as she squirted against Luna’s rear hooves and all over the carpet beneath the table.

Afterwards, Luna smoothly slid her hooves up Fleur’s stomach, over her neck, and against her lips. She responded immediately to the unspoken command, and her tongue eagerly set to the task of licking Luna’s hooves clean. She lapped up each droplet she could find, moaning at the musky taste. It had been so long since she had last done anything like this, it seemed. She was already flared and eager for more. Sadly though, the dinner was over. Luna stood on her now-clean hooves, gripping the collar’s leash in her magic.

“Come now, Cerulean… We’ve had enough fun here.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…” Fleur cast one last half-lidded, lusty look at the other subs beneath the table, whose masters were all guiding them away as well. Luna had been offered dinner during the affair, and as such had eaten. But cum only satiated a certain kind of hunger in her. As they left the small hall set up almost specifically for that rather intriguing event, Fleur’s stomach growled audibly.

“Aah… I think it’s time I fed you.” Luna mused, steering Fleur through the ground-floor hallways. The hotel was massive on the inside, many of its lower levels having been carved into the mountainside itself. The tantalizing smell of food reached Fleur’s nose, and she found herself sniffing eagerly.

Luna led her into the main banquet hall, where Fleur was smitten with the sudden and intense wave of heat and smell that engulfed her. The banquet hall was massive, with more than twenty large, long tables stretching out under a warmly-lit stone roof. Ponies bustled among the tables, filling platters with plenty of savory dishes, or refilling the stocks with carts from the kitchens.

“I’m going to let you go here for a moment. I need to find Quill and discuss something with him.” Luna whispered into Fleur’s ear. “Eat plenty of protein and drink lots of water. The night isn’t nearly over yet, Fleur.”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur nodded and smiled at her dom. Luna grinned before laying the looped end of her leash against Fleur’s lips.

“Most doms know when a sub carries her own leash, they’re acting on direct orders from their master. If it isn’t food you’ve got in your mouth, it’s leather. Understood?”

“Yes mistress.” Fleur smiled and eagerly took the leather in her mouth, almost like a gag. She swallowed her saliva as Luna gave her one last long, pointed look.

“I will come for you when I’ve finished with Quill. As soon as you finish eating, you sit there by the door and wait for me, okay? Hold your leash in your mouth. Nopony will talk to you when you’re gagged in such a manner.”

“Yeh, mihwehss…” Fleur gnawed the leather eagerly, already enjoying the sensation of having something to chew on. Luna stared at her for a few long moments before nodding.

“Very well. Go and eat, my pet. And remember - protein and water.”

“Yeh, mihwehss.” Luna turned and left her then, but Fleur didn’t mind. She had already turned to the nearest salad bar, and was busy filling a bowl.

As instructed, Fleur ate plenty, drank as much water as she could fit without wetting herself on the floor, and waited patiently for Luna. It didn’t take long before Luna appeared in the sea of ponies making their way into the banquet hall, parting them like a well-crafted boat on a perfectly still lake. She truly did part the way, as it were; it seemed her reputation earned her the respect (or extreme envy) of every other dom. Not to mention every sub was scared to look at her, and only did so with a very pronounced blush.

When Luna stopped in front of her, Fleur lifted her head, flashing the best smile that she could without dropping the leash from her mouth.

“Did you do as I asked?” Luna cooed, pulling the leash out of Fleur’s mouth.

“Yes, mistress! I ate lots of protein as you asked, and drank a lot of water as well.”

“Very good, Cerulean… Now, do you need to relieve yourself?”

“I think that would be best, mistress…” Fleur’s eyes went wide as she realized the rather unpleasant implications her diet might have on this whole event. Luna just smiled and gave the leash a slight tug, spurring Fleur into a brisk trot to catch up on slack. Rather than go upstairs to their suite, Luna led Fleur directly towards the ground-floor restrooms. She unabashedly stepped in, spurring Fleur to follow close with a gentle tug.

“The bathrooms are somewhat of a free zone,” Luna muttered, shooting a glare at a couple of stallions peering into the female’s side. “If you’re not accompanied by your dom specifically, things tend to get a little bit… Sticky.”

“Oh. I see.” Fleur glanced back at the two stallions with a slight blush.

“It’s only because of the showers here.” Luna gestured vaguely to what appeared to be a walled-off section of the mare’s room. “It makes for easy clean up. Some mares stay here, halfway begging for somepony daring enough to make a move… The more daring ones just walk right into the stallion’s side.”

“Oh.” Fleur’s blush deepened as Luna led her towards the stalls.

“Go ahead, Cerulean.” Luna unclipped the leash at the door, giving Fleur a quick swat to her flank. “We’ll move to the showers to clean you up shortly after this. That’s something I’ve actually been looking forward to…”

“O-okay, Mistress…” Fleur hastily shuffled into the stall and handled her business. Afterwards, Luna clipped the leash back onto her collar and pulled her along towards the walled-off area from before. As soon as Fleur turned the corner, she was set upon by a flurry of wild white hair and questions.

“What did you eat? How much water did you drink? How trained is your anus?” Fleur jumped a bit as the rather obtrusive pony began to bustle about her, her hooves going places Fleur hated to admit weren’t the cleanest just then.

“Answer her, Cerulean.” Luna un-clipped the leash once more, smiling teasingly.

“You always bring me fine specimens, Aurora. I’ll have her back to you in no time.”

“Wh-what do you need from me…?” Fleur whimpered, this new and rather energetic pony pulling her away from Luna insistently, towards the back area of the showers.

“I need you to answer questions.” The pony suddenly stopped long enough for Fleur to get a good look at her. She was a little older than most other ponies attending this expo, but slender. She just seemed larger thanks to her impossibly large and fluffy pure-white mane. Fleur found herself swallowing her apprehension as she was ushered behind a partition.

“Eer… I don’t kno- oh...” All suddenly became clear as the white-maned old mare trotted over to a small table nearby and hoisted a syringe into the air. A large one. And very similar-looking to the one she had back home.

Luna had sent her to get cleaned.

Several syringe-loads of solution and a rather embarrassing toilet visit later, Fleur was feeling remarkably clean, if a touch… slippery. She was given a swift swat to her flank to get her jumping back Luna’s way, but when she looked back, the old mare was bustling around the partition to go handle something else. Fleur couldn’t quite make it out, but it involved some poor mare moaning like her whole world had ended… Or was just beginning.

“Did Gypsy do a good job?” Luna quickly snapped the leash onto Fleur’s collar, smiling at her warmly.

“Sh-she, uuh… yes, Mistress. I’m clean.”

“I’m sure you are… As good as I am at cleaning anuses, Gypsy puts everypony to shame.” Luna shook her head slowly and made for the exit, tugging Fleur along. “You’re going to get intimately familiar with her technique before this expo’s finished, I’m afraid.”

“M-mistress?”

“I told you before, Cerulean.” Luna yanked the leash, sending Fleur stumbling for a few steps. When she righted herself, Luna was facing her, towering well above her with an intimidating, dominating look on her face. It was somewhere between a devious grin and an angry glare. “I like my pets to be clean all the time.”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur shuddered underneath Luna’s imposing stare. 'She's so different like this, yet somehow, it still works so well...'

“We’re going to a show.” Luna tugged her along with a soft chuckle. “Then we will rest for the night. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day for both of us, Cerulean. But tonight… Tonight will be relaxing.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…” 'Do I even need to ask what the BDSM version of 'dinner and a show' entails?' she mused as she followed Luna's lead. Her question was answered as Luna led her into one of the larger conference rooms, this one bedecked with a series of lounge-type hubs. Each hub had a slightly raised dais with comfortable-looking booths, tables, and even swaths of lounge pillows piled together around them in a circle. Luna approached the one pony in the room with a clipboard and gave their names curtly. The pony bowed his head before leading them towards the far side of the open-ended conference room.

He deposited the two of them at a shadowy booth that didn’t have a table. It was three-quarters of a circle, with the open quarter facing the table. Fleur blushed as Luna slipped into the leather cushion of the booth, patting the spot next to her with a slight smile. “Come sit with me, Cerulean. We have some time before the show starts.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur slinked across the wide expanse of leather to sit beside Luna, who nuzzled her neck gently.

“The showponies switch stages at an interval, and they’ll cycle the room twice. Afterwards, most ponies tend to sleep here. Some rent out rooms. Others simply cannot move after… Exerting themselves.”

“Mistress?”

“You’ll see.” Luna smiled and nodded towards the doors leading into the converted conference room. More ponies were beginning to flow in, steadily filling up some of the booths and tables closer to the entrance. The area back here, it seemed, was reserved for the VIP’s. Indeed, this particular stage only had about four lounges surrounding it. The others had anywhere from eight to twenty tables, booths, and swaths of pillows. Luna lifted a hoof, and another pony slipped through the shadowy room towards them.

“Four pillows, bottled water, a bucket of ice, and a towel please.”

“Right away, Mistress Aurora.”

“Thank you.” The pony bustled off to go fetch what Luna requested, and returned before anypony else had joined them in their shadowy corner. In fact, nopony else even showed up until the already-dim lights lowered even further, and the stage lights came on. The way they were positioned, the seven stages were bathed in a warm, healthy light, but all of the lounges were shrouded in shadow. As if things weren’t perfect enough already, all around their own personal booth, a thin curtain rose on a thread-thin track. Fleur could see through it if she really focused, but anypony passing by with even a modicum of respect for their privacy wouldn’t be able to see much; even if they tried to snoop, they’d only get a rough picture. But the quarter that was open towards the stage remained uncovered, so they had full view of everything that would transpire.

'Booths covered in shadow and all but completely obscured by curtains?' she thought as the room grew quiet around them. 'Maybe we should have asked for more than one towel.'

“Here we go.” Luna whispered in her ear. She unclipped the leash, haphazardly tossing it elsewhere among the booth they lie on. “You have my permission to please yourself, or please me, as you see fit, Cerulean.”

“R-really, Mistress?!” Fleur almost squealed with delight. ’I actually get to touch her? To please her?’

“You’ll see what I mean when it begins… The show is very evocative. I may simply force you to please me before this whole ordeal is done.” Luna nipped Fleur’s neck, sending the first shock of pleasure into her system. “You may do what you wish, but remember, you’re still wearing the collar. If I tell you to, you do it. Understood?”

“Of course, mistress!” Fleur squirmed on the booth, fighting the urge to just go ahead and get down to it. This entire expo thus far had done nothing but arouse her. Even the cleaning from Gypsy had put her on-edge. Fleur was ready to fulfill some of the desires that had been slowly filling her mind since the moment they had stepped off of the train.

As she watched, ponies began to mount the stages. Soft music began to play, even as the solo performers and pairs began to move together. Fleur suddenly realized what this was…

It was an exhibition. The ponies on stage began to touch one another, kissing and licking without any shame. There was a certain grace to their movements, like the kisses and licks were made out of practice and not lustful need. But if it was practice, it was very convincing. As she watched, one of the mares on their stage smoothly climbed atop the other, who bore her weight with ease. Then, moving with grace, the bottom pony spread herself open, exposing her backside to their booth first. The mare on top, balancing precariously on her partner’s back, began to sensuously tongue the other’s anus. Fleur’s mouth opened as the bottom mare seeped wetness, her arousal dribbling down her thighs.

“Cerulean.” Luna whispered, her lips brushing Fleur’s ear. “I do hope you’d let me lick you like that…”

“P-please, Mistress?” Fleur whispered, her own core already throbbing with arousal. “I-I would like that very much, mistress…”

“Lift your tail.” Luna disappeared from her side for half a moment, her breath making a sudden resurgence as it pulsed against Fleur’s puckered asshole. Her tongue immediately entered the fray, drooling onto Fleur’s back door prodigiously. Fleur couldn’t stifle the moan that slipped out of her mouth. Then she heard another moan, not her own, not Luna’s. She realized why the stages were so well-lit, and why the lounges remained so shadowy.

And why Luna had asked for a towel.

“M-mistress, I’m gonna- I’m gonna cum.” Fleur whispered, her eyes still affixed on the entrancing display before them. Luna didn’t stop, though, so she took that as an open invitation. Flexing her core muscles, Fleur let her orgasm ride, flowing through her system like she had become so familiar with over the past few months. She shuddered and panted on the leather, letting Luna’s drool join her juices.

The performance changed after that. Fleur watched the two mares go with a soft sigh of disappointment, but the next act was just as good. Two exotic-looking zebra mares mounted the stage, both of them immediately setting in on one another with heated, tongue-filled kisses. Luna mirrored them by plastering her musky-tasting lips against Fleur’s, robbing her of the sight of the two beautiful zebras. Luna let her go just long enough to watch them descend into an intricately-arranged congress of the crow. After that, all Fleur could see was Luna’s creamy-white coat pressed into her face.

Even her vagina was different in their disguises. Fleur moaned as her eager tongue explored the new territory, sloppily lapping up every droplet of arousal Luna managed to emit. Meanwhile, her dom was doing something truly devious with her clitoris, making Fleur give muffled cries into Luna’s crotch. Shocks of pleasure sped through her system, making Fleur shudder and shake. She felt her cum dribble out onto the booth, but Luna didn’t stop. She continued licking ruthlessly, her tongue a flurry of movement.

She wasn’t sure when, but the act had changed once more. This time, a stallion and mare mounted the stage, and wasted no time in fucking one another ruthlessly. Fleur could hear the fleshy impacts of hip-on-hip, punctuated by her own clipped cries of orgasmic release and the mare’s low, throaty moans.

’If I wasn’t enjoying this so damn much, I’d be upset about missing such an amazing show…’

“Oh!” Fleur gasped as something frigid and wet pressed into her stomach, just above her pubis. Luna had rolled her onto her back, and was now guiding a chill icecube over the fine hairs of her stomach’s coat. Fleur shuddered and moaned as the cold ice melted against her, spreading chills through her system but slowly warming up. The ice did nothing to quench the fire in her core. If anything, it stoked those flames, adding a burning sensation to the already-hot need for release.

Then Luna licked her with the icecube in her mouth. Fleur cried out loud when the first searing sensation rocked through her, but shoved a hoof in her mouth to silence herself. Luna was emitting some rather delightful noises from down there, her tongue lapping and slurping recklessly against her already-dripping fuckhole.

Meanwhile, a solo performer mounted the stage, using her magic to keep herself suspended a few inches off the stage while she played with her clitoris. Her juices dripped through the air, landing with audible impacts on the stage. Fleur could hear them land between sloppy licks from Luna.

The performance in the booth and on the stage continued, and Fleur quickly lost track of the number of orgasms that she had experienced. 'Was it four? Seven? Eh, who cares, as long as they don't stop.' she thought as Luna continued to explore every inch of her 'new' marehood. 'Speaking of which, I think I've let myself get too far ahead of Luna on that account...' The way her dom was positioned, they both had equal view of the stage, so Luna had to be seeing what she was seeing. Eagerly, Fleur opened her mouth and wrapped it around Luna’s dripping cunt, her tongue spearing deep into her dom’s delightful love canal. Luna moaned in return, her tongue having already melted the ice cube into lukewarm water that dribbled all over the leather booth.

Fleur and Luna were coming down from another shared orgasm when the final performer took the stage. She was a statuesque mare, with looks that could break hearts with a single glance. Her svelte figure stood out even more to Fleur when she saw the performer produce a very large dildo that, as best as she could tell, was designed to represent a dragon's penis.

Fleur watched with equal parts shock and lust as the mare teased herself into a frenzy, then straddled the dildo and slowly lowered herself down onto it. The huge toy seemed far too large for any mare, much less one as petite as the one on stage; yet the performer took it all in stride, crying out lustily as she rode the shaft in one continuous motion.

A new fire quickly built in Fleur's core as she watched the mare's hips work over the dildo, raising off of the glistening dildo to the tip before dropping her haunches again, hilting the shaft deep in her gaping pussy. The fire in her core quickly grew to an inferno, and Fleur forced herself to tear her gaze away from the stage, and back to Luna's still-soaked haunches.

By the end of the show, the towel was completely soaked through, and there was still a small puddle somewhere in the vicinity of Fleur’s left thigh. Luna lay sprawled atop her, all of her weight centered atop her thankful slave. She was panting heavily, and the strands of her braid had somehow come undone, giving her a wild, crazy look. Luna looked like a disheveled mess, but to Fleur, even in her disguise, the Princess had never looked more real.

The lights all throughout the conference room went out, plunging them into total darkness. Fleur made a motion to get up and move towards the solitary square of dim light from the door but was stopped by Luna.

“We can sleep here tonight.” Luna moaned, pulling Fleur back down to the damp leather. “I don’t want to move…”

“O-okay…” Fleur didn’t exactly have the strength to object. Even if she did, she wouldn’t. This was too lovely. Too nice. She nuzzled into Luna’s chest, smiling as the princess stroked her platinum-blonde mane tenderly.

“Tomorrow’s a big day for us, Fleur…” Luna muttered. Fleur felt sleep creep up on her, but just before it took her, Luna whispered something into her ear.

“You’re going to be on one of those stages next.”

(15) Exhibit(ion)

Moonstone - Chapter 15 "Exhibit(ion)"

Fleur woke to the smell of sex and leather. Her nose noted emphatically that day-old sex and leather wasn't a particularly good combination, but she was too content to care at the moment. She gave a soft moan and nuzzled closer to the warmth at her side, and got a ginger kiss in response.

“Good morning, Cerulean.” Luna’s soft, changed voice sifted past her ear, further rousing her from a rather pleasant hash of dreams. Fleur opened her eyes, blinking at the sultry, low lighting of the expo room. Luna, still disguised as Aurora, smiled down at her warmly. “Did you sleep well, my little pet?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur admitted, blushing a little as she nuzzled into Luna’s neck. “I slept very well…”

“I’m sure you did. You wore me out so well last night, I might just have to reward you." Luna kissed the base of her ear gently, sending a shiver through Fleur’s body. The mere mention of a reward had Fleur squirming in an instant. 'If every morning started like this, I'd be one happy pony.' Luna continued lavishing attention on her ear, moaning and nibbling to her heart’s content. Fleur shuddered and groaned, her thighs squirming together. The memory of yesterday and all the things that had been promised came back readily, further heating her up.

“M-mistress,” Fleur whimpered, squirming on the leather. “A-are we going to…?”

“To what, Cerulean?” Luna growled, her mouth starting to spread a fair amount of saliva over Fleur’s ear.

“To do a session?” She sorely wanted to, even in the aftermath of yesterday’s amazing show. Luna gnawed on her ear a few more moments before giving a soft ‘hmm’ and pulling away.

“I think now might be a good time to explain a few things about exhibitionism.” Luna kissed her cheek, pulling away to look deep into Fleur’s eyes. “Roll onto your back, and spread your legs.” Fleur obeyed immediately, her core already beginning to glisten with arousal. Luna rolled onto her hooves and began walking a slow circle around Fleur.

“I’m watching you right now, Cerulean.” Luna began in a low, sultry voice. “Close your eyes. I want you to feel my eyes on you.”

“Yes, mistress.” Fleur immediately closed her eyes, excitement building inside of her by the second. The heated wake-up and the offer of a reward from Luna had Fleur riled-and-ready, but the prospect of stepping into more new territory set her heart racing inside her chest. The field of exhibitionism was a new and unexplored one, meaning Fleur was largely in the dark about what she was supposed to do, or how to do it. As darkness enveloped her eyes, Fleur felt Luna’s hooves indent the leather in a slow, purposeful circle around her.

“This is the main function of exhibitionism, Cerulean.” Luna continued, speaking low. “Ponies watching you. Right now it’s just me, my pet… But soon, it’ll be dozens. Hundreds, even. They’re going to watch us as we do a session, Fleur. Most of the time, you will not be able to see them. And even if you could, looking at them isn’t proper. They are there to watch you. Not the other way around. You only need to know that their eyes are on you.”

Luna stopped somewhere between Fleur’s spread legs. She felt a hoof brush over her core, sending a tantalizing shiver of pleasure through her stomach. It wasn’t much, but Fleur knew patience was key during these sorts of things. Before she knew it, she’d be wrapped up in some new intricate hold and brought to more orgasms than she could care to count.

’I just have to wait for it… Like a good pet.’

“This is good… It’s only me, and you’re already wet.” Luna resumed her pacing, still talking low and slow. “Normally, Cerulean, we’d start slow; with only one or two other ponies watching for the first session, maybe as many as a dozen within the first five sessions. But we’re going to move straight into dozens of ponies the very first session. This means you’re going to have to act like you know what you’re doing.”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered. She tried her hardest to focus on Luna’s words, but doing so was tricky with her current predicament. She managed, just barely, to remain focused.

“Exhibitionism is about putting on a show, Cerulean. The ponies here have seen everything we’ve done. To give them something new, something interesting, we’re going to have to push your boundaries - within reason. We’ll start slow, but where we’d normally stop or level off, we’re going to keep going. More importantly, Cerulean…” Luna’s voice came from right next to her ear, her lips brushing the very edge.

“I’m going to give you tasks that you’re going to fail. And when you do, I will punish you.”

Fleur could have died. ’Heavens help me, I’m going to cum right here and now.’ Fleur’s lips pressed into a thin line and she nodded her head, giving a soft whimper of acknowledgement. Luna pulled away, giving a soft puff of breath in her wake.

“Sit tight, Cerulean, I’ll be right back. Oh, and don’t open your eyes. Understood?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur managed to choke, nodding just in case Luna didn’t hear her.

“Oh, and lest I forget…” A glimmer of magic reached Fleur’s ears, and she felt the leash press against her lips. “Open your mouth.”

Fleur obeyed instantly, opening her mouth to accept the leash. She held it in her teeth, her eyes still closed. Nopony would bother her like this. Then again, if anypony had half a mind, they could stand there and look at her. A few ponies had stopped to look at her after her meal the other day, but none of them said or did anything. If anypony were there now, she wouldn’t have known. Nothing in the world could have made Fleur open her eyes just then.

’But what’s wrong with just one peek? Luna’s away… I could do it. just this once. I could open my eyes… Luna told me not to, but I could! She’d never know. It’d be the perfect opportunity to sneak one over her. just this once…’

A sliver of the world revealed itself to her. Fleur’s eyes fluttered as she stole a tiny, miniscule peek…

Right into Aurora’s disapproving glare.

’Heavens help me, how does she do that?’

“Tsk tsk, pet…” Luna cooed, her lips spreading in a devious grin. “I told you to keep your eyes closed…”

“M-Mistress!” Fleur gasped. “I-I’m sorry, I-“

“Oh, you will be, Cerulean.” Luna’s grin intensified as she grasped the leash, giving it a firm, slow pull. Fleur gasped as she was lifted up by her neck, the collar digging into her coat a bit. She was face-to-face with Luna, open-mouthed and panting from arousal. Luna leaned past her face, whispering into her ear.

“You will be.”

It was then Fleur saw the ponies around them. There were six that she could see, four mares and two stallions. She spared them no more than a cursory glance before blushing furiously and casting her eyes downwards.

“I-I-“

“Shh.” Luna pressed a hoof to her lips, smiling still. She whispered the next, hardly loud enough for Fleur to hear. “Relax and be a good pet, Cerulean… We have to entertain our audience.” When Luna pulled away, it was with a gentle kiss to her cheek. Just like that, the devious, playful smile was gone, replaced by the cold, business-like demeanor that could only come from her dom. Fleur swallowed as Luna’s horn began to glow brighter. A rope materialized before her eyes, growing longer and longer by the moment.

“Strapon, would you be a dear?” Luna mused, passing one of the ends off to a nearby pegasus stallion. “Anywhere on the ceiling works, love.”

“With pleasure, Aurora.” The pegasus grinned wickedly at Fleur before flapping up to the ceiling, where he began working on tying the rope to one of the rafters. The rest of the rope dangled down towards where Fleur sat, still held up on her hips by the collar. Luna’s magic continued to work on the rope, making it grow before her eyes. Before long, a fair amount of the rope dangled onto the leather upholstery, coiling as it continued to grow.

“On your hooves, Cerulean.”

“Yes, Mistress!” Fleur scrambled to obey, falling over once thanks to the precarious booth she stood upon. A quick glance around showed her even more ponies were watching than she had originally thought. There were closer to a dozen, or maybe even twenty. She looked to the entrance of the showroom, where another group of ponies were trickling in; some of them just looking around, others on their way to investigate whatever was happening with the rope hanging from the ceiling. Fleur felt her cheeks flush as Luna finished summoning the rope.

“I told you not to open your eyes, Cerulean… The first thing I’ve told you to do today and you’ve already disobeyed me…” She began to pace around Fleur, talking in a low and husky voice. “Eyes down, my pet.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur snapped her gaze to her hooves, still blushing. Luna’s words came back to her. ’They are here to watch you. Not the other way around. You need only to know that their eyes are on you.’

’By the heavens, everypony’s here to watch me do this… They aren’t even looking at her, they’re looking at me. Some of them have already seen me. Seen my… My pussy…’ Fleur gnawed on her lip, standing still and staring at her hooves. She was blushing so much, it felt like her face was on fire.

“First thing’s first, Cerulean…” Luna’s voice came from behind her. Fleur fought the urge to glance back, to see what it was Luna was doing. Instead, she gave a soft yelp as her tail was tugged, hard enough to lift her rear hooves from the booth. “Let’s get this pesky tail out of the way.”

“Yes Mist-ugh!” Fleur’s collar cinched tight around her throat as Luna pulled the looped end of her leash tight. She couldn’t quite see, but if the insistent tugs on her rear end were any indication, Luna was stuffing the strands of her tail through the end of the leash. Sure enough, whenever she tried to lean forwards, a gentle pressure built up on the base of her tail. Her leash was stretched tight, the looped end filled with her blonde tail. She tried to lean forward a few times, but only succeeded in pulling her tail even harder. It was getting increasingly difficult to look at the ground, as Luna had instructed.

“There we go.” Luna cooed as she finished with Fleur’s tail. “Now everypony can see what really matters, no? Here, why don’t you give them a look, Cerulean. Turn around. Slowly, now.”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur obeyed, slowly shuffling her hooves in a circle. Luna paced with her hindquarters, supposedly showcasing her to the gathered ponies. Fleur kept her eyes on the floor, but whenever she glanced up, she saw more and more ponies. There were easily more than twenty around now; maybe as many as forty, with even more coming every moment. They whispered among themselves, incomprehensible words of either praise or ljust. Fleur felt her blush intensify once again, heating her cheeks until the embarrassment radiated into her body, culminating in her dripping, exposed marehood.

Once she completed the turn, Luna cupped her chin, drawing her eyes up until she stared directly into her own. “You’re a naughty pet, Cerulean… Look at you, getting this wet over just a few ponies looking at you.” She curled the corner of her lip, leaning in to whisper in her ear yet again. “And this is just the beginning, Cerulean… I haven’t even started on you. What do you say we give these ponies a real show?”

Then the rope came. Fleur cried out as it wound around her hips, dipping in the gap between her thighs and her cunt, around the base of her tail, and one sturdy loop around her stomach. Her hind legs were lifted up and spread apart, the rope preventing her from resting any weight on them. Just the very edge of her hooves brushed the booth they stood on, and her forelegs trembled under the new weight they had to bear. Fleur was panting now, her mouth hanging open with each new exasperated breath.

“My, my, Cerulean.” Luna resumed her pacing, walking a slow circle around her. “You’ve just woken up and you’re already dripping. Look at this…” She swept around Fleur’s backside, wiping a hoof over Fleur’s dripping hole and holding it up for all to see. “Already this wet? Tsk, tsk…” The heat was beginning to be unbearable. Fleur could hardly look down like this, let alone keep from begging. 'Goddess, I want, no, need release.' she thought through the lusty haze. The heat in her cheeks was on-par with the fire in her core just then, begging to be quenched. 'But Luna won't give it to me just yet. She needs to punish me first...'

The tension was incredible. It made her feel tight and wound-up, like a spring ready to be released. The collar dug into her throat, not constricting her breathing, but making her struggle to pant each new breath. In a way, she felt drunk. So many eyes were on her; so many ponies talking and murmuring amongst themselves - and they were all talking about her. Luna continued to walk a circle around her, occasionally stopping to look into her face, or to brush a hoof over her flank. Fleur was dripping onto the upholstery now, each drop landing with an audible sound.

’Fuck me running, this is so GOOD.’ Fleur couldn’t help but think it. This was the most helpless she had felt since she started with Luna. This wasn’t even the most intricate harness they had done, not by a long shot. Fleur had been wrapped up and tied in many more different poses and much more debilitating ways, but the combination of her rampaging arousal and the audience had firmly put this simple harness on the top of her list of ‘favorite ways to be tied up.’

’There are so many ponies watching me… They can see me, see my pussy. I can FEEL their eyes on me.’

Something clicked in her head, and for a moment, the true meaning of Luna's description of 'exhibitionism' rang clear in her mind.

'They're watching us, but it's me that they want. They want to see, hear, and feel this session through me, as if they were in my place.' Like a dam bursting forth, she smiled inwardly as her very being was consumed by flames of unbridled lust and unadulterated love.

'Then I will show them what it means to love the night.'

Fleur lifted her head a little, closing her eyes to avoid looking at any of them. She didn’t need to look at them.

’THEY need to look at ME. Look at me, everypony.’ She flexed her core muscles, ushering a thin trickle of liquid.

’Look at my pussy.’ She swallowed against the tight collar.

’Look at me blush.’ Her tongue worked in her mouth, trying to muster the courage. The words…

’Watch me beg.’

“Mistress… C-can I cum?”

Luna stopped in front of her. Fleur dare not open her eyes. But she could tell what Luna’s face looked like now. Cold, stoic, with just a hint of amusement.

“What did you just say?” Luna growled.

“P-please, Mistress… May I cum?”

“I’m sorry, Cerulean, I couldn’t quite hear you… Say it again.”

“Please, Mistress. May I cum?” Fleur repeated herself. Her flanks quivered with anticipation. Her thighs were matted with arousal now.

“Again.” Luna growled, her lips right against Fleur’s cheek. “Louder.”

“Please, Mistress, may I cum?” Fleur repeated herself once more, louder this time.

“Oh I don’t know, Cerulean, you don’t seem to want it badly enough…”

“Please!” Fleur gasped, her voice quivering. “Please, Mistress, may I cum?!”

“Louder, Cerulean!”

“PLEASE!” Fleur cried out. “PLEASE MAY I CUM, MISTRESS?!”

”LOUDER!”

”PLEASE LET ME CUM, MISTRESS!”

Fleur’s world exploded. Her legs gave out, and she was idly aware of the booth smacking her in the face as she fell. Not that she cared, she was too busy being shredded to bits from the inside-out. If Fleur were a pane of glass, she had just been shattered into a trillion different pieces, each of them tinkling and falling down an endless spire of pure, undiluted orgasmic bliss.

“Stand up.” Luna’s words came to her through the haze, shearing through Fleur's distorted mind and slamming her back into reality. She was still dribbling cum when her forelegs scrambled to find purchase beneath her. The last tendrils of pleasure faded away, leaving her weak, hot, and completely insatiable. No single orgasm - even the one that was still echoing in her core - could satisfy her now. She planted her forelegs into the booth and forced herself up, using the rope harness for support on her hind legs.

It was the single most difficult thing she had ever done. Fleur’s muscles screamed in protest; she was at such an odd angle, she could hardly believe her back hadn’t broken. But she managed it. Somehow, some way, Fleur managed to stand up…

“Good.” The single word, short and low, whispered past Fleur’s ear, sending a shudder down her spine. “Good job, my little pet…” Luna’s hoof rose to stroke her cheek. Fleur could have died. She had just came and she was being praised.

’This.’ Fleur thought, nuzzling into Luna’s hoof lovingly. ’This right here. This is what I need… This is what I want. I don’t care if everypony sees this, or if it isn’t really us putting on the show…’ Fleur fought the urge to cry.

’This is Luna, and I love her.’

“Now let’s see if we can get you to beg like that again…”

“Yes, Mistress.”

When the rope came down and ponies began to shuffle away, Fleur had came a total of four times. A paltry amount for even a regular session, but Luna had made a short, clipped announcement to their audience.

“We’ll be performing like this all day today. Please consider us for the competition this evening. And thank you all.” She had turned to Fleur, glaring slightly. “Bow for them, Cerulean.”

“Thank you, everypony.” Fleur panted. She dipped low, her muzzle nearly touching the puddle of her own cum on the booth’s floor.

But now it was breakfast time. Fleur scarfed down everything she could manage, taking in plenty of protein, and drinking more than her fair share of water. “Eat up, Cerulean.” Luna encouraged her. “This is, unfortunately, the only meal we’re going to get today, so it must last you until tonight.”

“But Mistress,” Fleur managed between bites. “What about… Cleanliness?”

“Gypsy will be on standby, I assure you.” Luna gestured to her food. “We’re going to see her after this, and I have a spell in mind to further help you.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur returned to her meal, focusing on a rather delicious bed of hash browns with spicy sauce. When she had cleared her plate, she felt completely stuffed. And she had to use the bathroom something fierce. Luna seemed to anticipate that, and already had her leash in her magic when Fleur finished. Together, they made their way to the semi-busy restroom.

“Go ahead.” Luna unclipped her leash in front of an unoccupied stall. Fleur entered and handled her business, emerging with a blush. “Now we go see Gypsy.” Luna smiled and re-attached the leash, leading Fleur over towards the showers. She remembered the rather obtrusive older mare and her borderline magical way of cleaning a pony’s orifices, and just as soon as they arrived, she was set upon by the same mare.

“What did you eat? How much? When was the last time you went? Come, dear, come. Let’s get you cleaned up! I’m so glad to see you again, by the way.”

“Gypsy dear, I’ve a favor to ask.” Luna, rather than leaving her with the fluffy, white-maned old mare, followed them. “We’re in on this competition this evening, and my sub here had a rather large meal-“

“Say no more, Aurora my love.” Gypsy grinned. “I’ll get everything all set up.”

“Thank you, Gypsy.” Luna smiled at her as she ushered Fleur further into the showers, past the stall she had been in last. Fleur saw with a slight bit of apprehension that Luna was leading her towards a door simply marked ‘mud room.’

“Um… Mistress?”

“Relax, love.” Luna muttered quietly. “We’re just going to do some… Ahem… ‘Heavy duty’ cleaning, is all.”

“Oh… Okay.” Fleur followed, still feeling apprehensive. But she could trust Luna. ’And Gypsy, too, if yesterday’s cleaning was any indication.’ Fleur blushed a little at the memory of how clean and wonderful she had felt after that brilliant little visit. Without another word, Luna pushed the mudroom door open and ushered Fleur inside, flicking the light on.

What Fleur thought was a utility room actually turned out to be an extension of the showers. Instead of warm brown tile and neat little stalls, however, this was just one large concrete slab sunk into the ground a few inches. Several spouts and showerheads lined the walls, all of them leading down to large, industrial-sized drains set in the floor.

“You see, Trottingham has a very large Archeological society, and they host their own expo here at this hotel once a year. The expo involves a long hike to a nearby ruin, and a public excavation. This room was constructed per their request not too long ago, as the regular showers couldn’t handle the mud and dirt from the excavation.” Luna explained, unclipping Fleur’s leash and depositing her near one of the spouts. Her collar came off next, and Fleur opened her mouth to complain.

“Aah,” Luna shushed her with a hoof. “We’re not done, but I don’t want your collar getting dirty.” She grinned and set the collar and leash off to the side, out of the concrete slab. “You see, we’re going to… Well, for lack of a better word, purge you.”

“P-purge… Mistress?”

“Yes, purge. You see,” Luna glanced over her shoulder as Gypsy entered the mud room, pulling a small cart along with her. “The two of us will soon be getting very, very dirty, but since we won’t have the chance to visit our dear friend Gypsy here later on today, we’re going to preemptively empty you out, but without robbing you of the valuable energy you’re going to need. Ahem.” Luna’s horn began to glow, filling the concrete area with a scintillating, rushing sound. “The process can be a bit messy, Cerulean, so do me a favor?”

“Mistress?”

“Try to aim for the drain?”

Thirty minutes and a few rather gut-wrenching, eye-opening moments later, Fleur was arguably cleaner than she had ever been before in her life. Luna’s spell had rapidly processed the food in her system; what hadn’t been absorbed by her muscles was condensed by Luna’s spell, stripped of any waste, and then forcibly passed through her system, leaving behind a solid brick of pure energy and nutrition that would easily last the entire day. It was a rather messy affair, even with all of the showers in the mud room running on high. Afterwards, the three of them had vigorously scrubbed and cleaned the entire shower area.

Now, as Luna clipped her leash back onto the collar, Fleur felt energized, clean, and ready for the day. If their morning session was any indication, she was going to love every minute of it.

“First stop,” Luna bubbled as she led Fleur out of the restroom. “We need some equipment. So, we’re going back to our room.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur nodded warmly.

“Keep your head up, Cerulean. I needn’t remind you you’re on display today. Smile for the ponies.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur obeyed, lifting her head to smile at several passers-by. Luna was all smiles and warmth as well, stopping to chat with two other doms on their way upstairs. Fleur was brought to her side and instructed to sit quietly during the discussions, and one time had been rather thoroughly surveyed at Luna’s insistence. Having one other pony, a dom Luna apparently knew well, look her over so thoroughly was arousing, and her clean core was glistening and wet by the time the other dom had finished.

When they were finally done chatting, Luna led them upstairs to their massive suite. Luggage had been deposited there since their last visit, including Fleur’s suitcase. She realized now that the fancy dresses she had packed would probably see very little use, especially since she had been disguised as a pony much smaller than her usual self. Luna didn’t seem very interested in the luggage, though. She marched across the floor to a rather mysterious-looking crate, her magic already at work undoing the locks and enchantments that kept its contents secured.

“Here we are.” She sighed as she withdrew a rather familiar-looking outfit. Luna began shedding her current outfit, slipping out of the crotchless pants and criss-crossing belts on her chest with practiced ease. She tossed them all aside haphazardly, giggling now and then as Fleur watched her.

Fleur had only seen this outfit once before, hanging on a wall in one of Luna's basement-level rooms. In fact, she could not recall ever seeing Luna wear it. Clearly though, this piece was special to Luna, as she took great care in handling it.

“Come help me, love.” Luna beckoned her over as she began to peel it apart. The outfit was incredibly large, much bigger than anything Luna had worn previously. Fleur was about to ask why Luna would ever consider wearing such a large outfit when the princess stepped into the legs. As she drew them up, Fleur’s gasped audibly.

The leather shrunk around Luna’s legs, hugging her like a second coat. As she pulled it up and over her rump, the fabric split, giving her a slot to fit her braided tail. Fleur helped her shimmy the fabric up over her solid backside and fit her tail through the designated hole so it was out of the way. The fabric continually shrunk as Luna slid into it, smoothing out whatever miniscule wrinkles there was and pressing close into her form.

She then slipped her forelegs into their sleeves, the fabric hugging her intimately from her hooves up to her neck. Watching Luna slip into the black fabric was less like watching her change into an outfit and more like watching her take on a second skin. When she was completely encased, she grasped a small zipper by her neck and drew it down the spine of her outfit until it cinched against her tail.

“Oh, it’s been far too long…” Luna sighed, stretching languorously. “I had nearly forgotten…”

“You look incredible, Mistress…” Fleur breathed, her jaw hanging in shock. The only parts of Luna that weren’t completely encased in whatever magical material this outfit was made of were her head, mane, and tail. But the outfit didn’t quite conceal her as much as it did accentuate her. Luna was absolutely ravishing in her new outfit... Curvaceous and sensual beyond measure or description. 'Were there a goddess of beauty, even she would be envious.' just looking at her warmed Fleur in places she hated to admit were growing more and more wet by the moment.

“Why thank you, Cerulean.” Luna cooed, cupping Fleur’s chin gingerly. “I’d have a similar outfit for you, but I think that defeats the purpose. After all, ponies need to be able to see all those juicy bits of yours…” Luna released her chin and began to walk a slow circle around her. Much like in the group, Fleur could feel Luna’s eyes on her, caressing each inch of her own short, curvy form.

“Hmm,” she moaned, as if inspecting what she saw. Fleur flexed her core muscles, feeling a small bit of wetness seep from her hole. “I’ve decided.”

“Mistress?”

“I’ve decided what I’m going to have you wear.” Luna emerged in front of Fleur once more, smiling warmly. “Your tail, beautiful as it is, conceals my favorite little part of you. I think it’s about time we got it out of the way, so everypony can see you. Sit tight, love. I’ll be right back.” Luna kissed her cheek before swaggering over to the crate she had opened and rummaging around. Fleur waited patiently, her core tingling with anticipation.

“Here we are.” Luna emerged from the crate with what could effectively be called a tube. Fleur peered at it curiously, noting a slight protrusion from one of the openings of the device. Luna wiggled it teasingly at Fleur, her eyes dancing gleefully. “Have you seen this one yet?”

“I can’t say I have, Mistress.” Fleur shrugged, frowning at the strange new device.

“Well, here’s what we’re going to do with it…” Luna pulled her own braid up and passed it through one of the openings, pushing it through until the tube rested against her neck. Her braid poked out of the other end, dangling in the air. “See how my hair now hangs away from my body?”

“Oh. Oh!” Fleur saw it an instant, and the protrusion became even more clear. Luna grinned as Fleur connected the dots. Smoothly, she pulled the tube off, approaching Fleur with it.

“Turn around, Cerulean… I think it’s about time we get that pesky tail lifted away from you…”

Their arrival back among the ponies of the expo was one for the record books. Luna held her leash haughtily, her head high as she looked down at the ponies around her. She was every bit as intimidating and commanding as a Princess might be. Fleur was shocked to see how many ponies she drew looks from. Here she was, trussed up and ready for show, and playing second fiddle to the most beautiful pony at the entire expo.

The whispers were back in force. Luna hardly glanced at anypony else, even other doms Fleur recognized as past acquaintances of hers. Fleur smiled inwardly as she took in the scene. 'Of course she's not looking at any other ponies; Luna's here to give them a show - me.'

“Lead.” Luna quipped at her about halfway through the expo hall. “I want you first.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur jumped to obey, walking to the extent of her leash. She was now the center of attention, though she caught many ponies staring at Luna instead of her. Not that she minded, of course. Luna certainly was a worthy mare to stare at.

’But it’s MY pussy that’s exposed, MY body that’s on display for them… They really ought to be looking at me.’ Fleur tossed her mane over her neck and twitched her tail, a soft gasp escaping her lips as the tube’s protrusion shifted inside her anus. The tube itself kept her tail up and away from her marehood, but to keep it in place, a small protrusion was inserted into her anus, holding the whole thing in place. Whenever Fleur flexed her tail, that little round-tipped shaft pulsed inside of her, making her ooze more wetness.

And she really was oozing. It soon became apparent to the ponies they paraded in front of that she was the focus here, not Luna. Her cheeks heated as Luna pulled her to a stop, giving her a few short, clipped commands.

“Sit.” Luna barked. Fleur plopped down immediately, her gaze fixed straight ahead, not focused on any particular point. They had passed through just about the entire convention space by now, and were on their second lap. They were in the middle of a busy hall when other ponies began to form a ring around the two of them; it had enough space to move around and stretch out, but not much else. There was no buffer between Fleur and these ponies. No stanchions or walls or barriers of any sort. The only thing keeping their rampaging desires at bay was respect for Luna.

Or rather, respect for Aurora.

“We’re going to showcase you for everypony now, Cerulean. Be on your best behavior. Understood?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur could feel her chest tighten immediately. ’Right here? Right in the middle of the hallway?’ A short ways away, though, Fleur spotted another group of ponies gathering, their attention turned away from her and Luna. ’Oh, okay… I see. Everypony in the competition is in this hallway… I wonder how many of us there are?’ Fleur remained still, her eyes still straight forwards. Luna remained behind her, but issued no further commands for the moment. Fleur sat there, not looking at anypony, but getting many envious looks in return. Not to mention, the odd angle she was sitting at had the tail attachment pressing right into her prostate, making her entire nether region tingle pleasantly.

They sat there for maybe three or four minutes. Fleur was beginning to grow restless, her core dripping and twitching with anticipation. Luna stood and issued her first real command, other than to sit there and behave. “Stand up, Cerulean. And keep your eyes down.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur obeyed instantly, giving a soft sigh as the pressure on her prostate was relieved. It was beginning to get debilitating, sitting there like that with no way to be relieved. At least now they were making progress, even if it was only to stand there and be ogled. She felt the eyes on her again, that familiar heat of exposure and embarrassment rising in her cheeks and in her core. She felt a bead of arousal drip down her thighs as Luna began to speak.

“My name is Aurora of Horseshoe Bay, and this is Cerulean, of the same. We are here to compete for the title of best dom and sub at the Eighty-Seventh Annual Trottingham BDSM Expo. Please consider us when voting.” She sounded awfully official, and unless Fleur was mistaken, she had actually bowed to the audience. Before Fleur could get a concise look, though, Luna stepped up to her side. A firm tug pulled her head back, her scalp screaming in protest as her mane was yanked.

“Bow for the ponies, Cerulean.” She growled into Fleur’s ear. Fleur could do nothing but give a thin whimper, her mouth hanging open, on the cusp of screaming and staying quiet. She managed to win out against a scream, and forced her head down against the pressure on her scalp. The field of magic raked through her hair, probably tearing a few platinum-blonde strands out, but she managed to pull her head down low enough to nearly kiss the floor.

“I am unworthy,” She managed to croak. “Thank you for viewing me…”

“Hmm.” Luna gave a soft hum as the field of magic released from around her mane. From somewhere behind her, she thought she heard a pen click.

“Very good, Mistress Aurora, Cerulean… We look forward to seeing what you two have in store for us.” A rather official-looking pony swept around, just inside the ring of ponies. He handed Luna a small leaflet. “All the information you need is in there. Votes will be tallied this evening after ten.”

“Thank you.” Luna turned to Cerulean, smiling wickedly. “I know just where to put this… For safe-keeping.” Her horn glowed as the pamphlet levitated down to Fleur’s tail, wrapping around her until it could slide neatly inside the tube holding her tail away from her haunches. “There we go, my pet… Try not to get it wet, hmm?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered. Even the slight shifting had worked the bulb inside her anus, further eliciting more fluid from her marehood. Dear goddess, I hope I'm not on my back much; I really don't want to ruin that pamphlet.'

“You’re in room one, stage one.” The pony handed a small ticket to Luna next, smiling warmly at her. “Top pick, it seems. Enjoy yourself.”

“Oh we will.” Luna grinned wickedly at Fleur. “Because there’ll be hell to pay if we don’t.”

Fleur swallowed.

Room one, stage one was indeed the first and largest room in the expo, and their stage was located in the middle of the floor. Ponies were milling about in disorganized groups, chatting or looking around disinterestedly. Fleur felt a shiver of magic pass over her rump as Luna pulled the pamphlet free.

“Hmm… Seems we’re not expected to begin until five… That gives us five hours to impress, Cerulean. It’s three now, so we have two hours to prepare.” She rolled the pamphlet shut and replaced it in Fleur’s tail holder, arching an eyebrow teasingly at her. “What do you want to do, my little pet?”

“I don’t know, mistress…” Fleur looked about disinterestedly. “Perhaps we could get a look at our competition?”

“Not allowed.” Luna sighed. “They don’t want doms getting a look at other dom’s techniques… They might try something their sub isn’t prepared or trained for in an attempt to one-up the competition. It really isn’t that much of a competition, to be honest. There’s no prize other than bragging rights at next year’s expo.” Luna gestured around at the ponies gathered. “It’s a little loose, and there aren’t any real rules against peeking in on another session, but it’s more out of respect than anything else. Most of the day tomorrow is geared towards doms, and discussion of methods and practices. It’s a day to be open with one another. Tonight’s about tooting our horns, so to speak.” Luna smiled at Fleur.

“Pick something else to do, and I’ll gladly do it for you.”

“I’m just happy being here with you, mistress.” Fleur smiled back at Luna. “I can wait until we’re supposed to begin.”

“Socializing, then.” Luna settled with a slight smile. Fleur realized Luna had hit the nail on the head; she had no problems with standing here, talking with other subs and doms before the show began.

“You could say that.” Fleur muttered with a blush. She shot a glance to the moderately large group of ponies gathering in the main room, her heart picking up in her chest. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”

“Encouraged, even.” Luna chuckled. “Come, Cerulean. Let’s make ourselves available.”

The next two hours were spent standing in front of their stage, smiling and chatting with other ponies who approached them. Most of them were either moderate or experienced doms with very specific and technical questions for Luna. Some of them required a brief demonstration, which Fleur was only all too happy to offer her body for. There were even a few positions or knots that Luna told Fleur to give her own opinion on. Those moments were her favorites, along with the short discussions that she had with a few other subs who had questions of their own.

Through these conversations, Fleur was shocked to learn that many other relationships were based upon pleasure for the dom, rather than the sub. The vast majority of subs at this event were here at the behest of their dom, either having been strong-hoofed into coming, or attended simply because they were expected to. Dozens of other subs had approached her, and none of them were in a position nearly unique as her own... An observation which spun up some very personal - and very concerning - questions in her mind.

’Am I truly a deviant? It seems like I’m the only pony here who actually enjoys being tied up… Everypony else just seems to tank through it, just so their dom can enjoy themselves. It’s almost the other way around for Luna and I; she enjoys tying me up only because I enjoy it– Wait, does Luna enjoy being a dom…? Or does she like seeing me enjoy myself?’ Fleur cast a surreptitious glance to her beautiful dom, frowning just a bit.

’When I really get down to it, this relationship is all about me, isn’t it? I really ought to ask Luna what all she gets out of this… How much she’s actually enjoying herself.’

“Cerulean,” Luna drew Fleur out of her reverie with a soft utterance. Fleur started a bit as she was brought back to reality. Everypony was looking at her then, and she realized she had been- “You’re staring.”

“I-I’m sorry, Mistress!” Fleur stuttered, dipping her head. “I-It’s just that you’re so beautiful, I couldn’t help it… I… I’m just…”

“Being naughty, Cerulean.” Luna cooed, lifting her chin. “We start soon, my little pet… I’ll delegate your punishment then.”

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur sheepishly blushed up at Luna, feeling bad for having broken etiquette.

’Focus, girl… You’re here for a reason. And besides…’ She glanced down the length of Luna’s slender, disguised form, to where her cutie mark rested underneath the form-fitting outfit. ’Maybe this punishment will involve one of those crops…’

“Here,” Luna hovered two small pills towards Fleur, minutes before they stepped onto the stage.

“Headache medicine?” Fleur peered at the pills questioningly.

“To help with the pain… Taking them preemptively makes the session a little more… Bearable. We’re going to push some of your limits, ‘Cerulean.’ I want you to feel it, but not that much.”

Fleur was silent for a moment as she glanced again between the pills and Luna. She reached forward, took the pills from Luna...

And dropped them on the floor.

“Not today, mistress.”

Luna stared at her, jaw open.

“Oh my dear, sweet pet…” She groaned after a short while. “You’ve no idea the hell you’ve just condemned yourself to.”

“I think I’ve got an inkling.” Fleur teased, watching as Luna glared down at her. The lights in the room dimmed briefly; the show would begin in a few minutes. Luna stepped closer, her face now inches away from Fleur's.

“This is going to hurt, you know.”

Fleur stared deeply into Luna's eyes. "How long before showtime? And are we alone back here?"

"About two minutes." Luna said before raising an eyebrow at her. "And yes. But, why?"

"Mistress, can you remove my collar for a moment?"

Luna's eyes widened in near-shock. "Cerulean, this really isn't the tim—"

Fleur was undeterred. "Mistress, please? I must say something, but I have to say it as me, and nopony else.

After a moment, the soft hum of magic enveloped her neck, and Fleur felt the collar pop open. "Clock is ticking, so talk quickly."

Luna was wholly unprepared for what happened next.

“I know.” Fleur breathed, her heart hammering. “But I don’t care. It’s not the pain I’m in it for…” She looked up at Luna with tears in her eyes. Happy tears.

“It’s because I love you.”

The words had barely left her mouth when Fleur lunged forward, locking the Princess in a fiery kiss. Her tongue dove into Luna's mouth, immediately wrapping itself around Luna's own. The Princess could only moan as Fleur wrapped a hoof around her neck and pulled the kiss deeper still, as though she were pouring her heart out in a single motion.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the kiss was over. Fleur pulled back from Luna, lowering her hoof so that it came to rest on her cheek. The look in Luna's eyes at that moment could have melted the earth.

"...I love you too." Luna flashed her a brief smile, filled with warmth and appreciation. Fleur knew that smile, whether it be Aurora’s face or Luna’s that it graced. It was her smile.

A smile that could only belong to her lover.

She heard a faint click as the collar slipped back on.

A smile that could only belong to her dom.

The lights went up, and Fleur was airborne.

“OOF!” She grunted as the stage greeted her in a less-than-friendly fashion. She skidded about a foot along the smooth plastic surface before coming to a halt, her legs askew. Her mane flipped into her face, halfway blocking what she was seeing. But she did manage to see Luna mounting the stage behind her. Gone was that warm and compassionate look. It was replaced by a cold, stoic mistress. Unforgiving and hard.

'But that's okay. I'm not in the mood to be forgiven, or to be handled softly.'

She grinned as she flipped her mane out of her eyes and rose to her hooves.

'It's show time.'

Only to cry out as Luna gripped her mane in a tight field of magic.

“AAHN!” She closed her eyes as the pressure on her scalp ripped through her senses, sending waves of hot pain pulsing into her body. Sweet, blessed pain… It dulled instantly into waves of heat that radiated through her entire body. She was in it now, and there was no going back. Ponies were looking at her, and not just a dozen, or forty, or however many had been watching her before.

In this room alone, there were close to a thousand ponies. And after their dramatic entrance, all of their eyes were upon her. She could feel those eyes on her, boring into her; through her. Fleur was naked in every sense of the word. Her body was the audience's to behold - and Luna's to own. It was her body Luna was focused on just then, and if the pain in her head was any indication, she had just begun what was destined to be their hardest, longest session to date.

“You filthy little cunt.” Luna growled, her muzzle right next to Fleur’s. She hardly had to breathe a word to be heard, yet Fleur knew many of the ponies gathered around the stage were privy to this conversation. “You forgot your manners, Cerulean. I expected better from you.” Luna pulled hard enough to lift Fleur off of her forelegs, leaving only her hind hooves on the stage. Her mane was pulled taut, holding the rest of her weight up.

“Tell everypony what you did. Tell everypony why I have to punish you, Cerulean.”

“AHN! I- I- I was l-l-looking at you, Mistress!” Fleur panted, her chest heaving with each new breath. Her heart was thundering in her chest now. She could have sworn everypony would be able to see the lump of her heart pumping against her ribs.

“Not just looking, Cerulean.” Luna pulled back, but kept Fleur there by her hair. “You were staring at me.”

“AHH! Yes, Mistress! I was st-staring at you!” Luna was more domineering and forceful than she had ever seen her. Fleur closed her eyes, feeling another wave of arousal seep from her core. It felt like the first brush to her sensitive clit would rocket her over the edge. 'I hope she makes me cum soon.'

“My pets don’t get the pleasure of staring at me, Cerulean. They are meant to be stared at.” Luna lifted her up with a combination of her mane and a firm field of magic around her rump. Fleur gasped as she was lifted above the stage, spinning in a slow circle. “Let’s give these ponies a good look, huh? Oh, and lookie here…” Luna’s hoof rose to flick the tube around the base of her tail. The bulb in her anus twitched, making her jump and whimper thinly.

“Why, your pesky tail has already been taken care of. And you’re soaking wet, Cerulean.” A hoof ran over her dripping core, making Fleur open her mouth in shock. The hoof glided over her coat with ease. "Are you actually enjoying this, pet?"

“Y-yes, Mistress.” Fleur whimpered, squirming in Luna’s magic hold.

“What was that, Cerulean?” Luna rose a hoof to her ear, smiling thinly. “I didn’t quite hear you.”

“Y-yes, Mistress!” Fleur gasped once more, her entire body throbbing in time with her heartbeat by now.

“What are you enjoying, Cerulean?” Luna called her out, holding her open for everypony to see. The entire room was looking at her in that one moment. She closed her eyes, swallowed once, and let it go.

“I’m enjoying everypony watching me!” She gasped. Luna grinned and lowered her onto her back, legs splayed wide open.

“Good, Cerulean… Good. Now that you admit you’re a dirty little slut, we can get on to your punishment.” Luna’s horn glowed once more, gripping a small bundle off to the side of the stage. Fleur swallowed as Luna hovered it over, peeling it apart to reveal the contents. Somehow, she got the feeling she’d be on the business end of many of them before these three hours were up.

First and foremost in the group was Luna’s new cutie mark in corporeal form. Fleur gave a thin whimper of distress as Luna lifted the riding crop, dragging the flat tip over her twitching stomach. She was winding Fleur up, getting her ready for the blow. Fleur knew it was coming; it was inevitable. She had to be punished for staring at her dom whilst other ponies were around. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Fleur was excited for it. The other part of her was scared…

And rightfully so.

*THWA-CRACK!*

Fleur had never screamed so loudly in her life. The ear-wrenching exhalation pulsed from her in force, driven on a wave of searing agony like she had never felt before. She was detached; completely separated from herself. She had died, she was sure of it.

’Too much! Too much! The safeword! I need to say the safewo-oh!’ As soon as the pain came, so did the heat. It stung hard, but the pain dulled down just as quickly as it came on. just like it always did. Fleur knew it would. The panic was gone, replaced with trust.

It hurt…

But the pain soon made way for a kind of pleasure that Fleur had never before felt. The heat spread into her core, permeating every last muscle. She gasped as she released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding, looking up at Luna with a pleading expression. Luna tapped the flat end of the riding crop against Fleur’s body at intervals, along her stomach and chest, up her neck, on the tip of her horn, down her foreleg, on the inside of her thigh…

“My, my…” Luna teased, rubbing the flat tip against Fleur’s dripping marehood. “Look at this… You’re so wet, Cerulean… I do hope you didn’t get the pamphlet wet?”

“I-I’m sorry, Mistress…” Fleur feared to move her body where the crop had struck her, but Luna’s dangerously cold expression was enough to make her want to squirm. The pain intensified in waves, but turned to heat faster and faster. Fleur was quickly growing accustomed to it, but that wasn’t a good thing just then. She was dripping wet, enough to easily have soaked through to the pamphlet held in her tail’s tube.

“Let’s see, Cerulean… Oh, look…” Luna pulled the pamphlet out, the bottom half of it dark and warped with liquid. “You’ve gotten it all wet… And your precious tail, too… Well, this isn’t going to do us any more good…” Luna’s horn glowed gently, and Fleur felt the bulb inside of her shift a little. She gave a soft gasp, her eyes opening.

“M-mistress!” She panted, writhing underneath Luna.

“Ooh, yes, my love?” Luna teased, rotating the tube in a slow, purposeful circle. Fleur could have melted.

“Aah! Mistress, please, may I cum?” Fleur panted breathily, her chest shaking with each breath now. The heat from her whipping and the tube’s protrusion in her tailhole were proving to be a difficult combination to deal with. Fleur’s vagina hadn’t even been touched yet, and she was on the verge of letting it all go.

“No, Cerulean. You may not cum.” Luna teased, still rotating the tube inside of her. “Do not cum, Cerulean… Whatever you do.”

“M-mistress! Please!” Fleur cried out, her eyes clenched shut. “I-I can’t hold back anymore!”

“Don’t do it, Cerulean! Don’t you dare cum!”

“AAAAAAAAAHN~!” Fleur arched her back, spurting a thin stream of cum all over Luna’s hoof. She knew she was going to pay dearly for that, but damn it all she didn’t give a single fuck. The heat culminated in her cunt, blasted away in one cool wave of orgasmic release. Fleur could hear her cum splattering onto the plastic stage, and even onto Luna’s outfit. When her giddy smile came to bear on Luna, she was greeted with a glare, and a slowly tapping riding crop.

“I told you not to cum, Cerulean.” Luna began to pace a slow circle around her. One of her hooves was darkened with liquid, the other still dry save for the underside, where she stepped into the puddle of cum. “You didn’t have my permission, and yet you still came… You’re being exceptionally naughty tonight. You know what this means, don’t you?”

“Uuhn, yes Mistress…” Fleur closed her eyes, sighing as she resigned herself to her fate. “I’ll just-“

*THWA-CRACK!*

“AAAAAIIIIIIIEEE!” Fleur’s scream even hurt her own ears. The pain impaled her, shot straight into the core of her being, gripped her, and beat her soul with two iron-clad hooves. She was lost on a wave of pain, slowly sinking into a warm haven of heated arousal. That riding crop was excruciating, but the product was incredible. Every muscle in her body contracted again as the heat rolled over her, causing more arousal to seep out onto her already-soaked thighs

“You’re such a filthy little slut,” Luna dragged the tip of the crop over Fleur’s dripping gash once more, displaying the glistening whip for all to see. “I barely even took the tube out and freed your tail. Is your anus really that sensitive, my pet?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Fleur managed to grunt through gritted teeth.

“Let’s see, then…”

“Woah!” Fleur gasped as she was wrapped in Luna’s magic and lifted from her back, hovering in mid-air, though she maintained the same position. “M-mistress!” Fleur gasped, writhing in the air.

“Shush, my pet…” Luna hushed her with a hoof. “We’re going to see how much you like getting your tailhole plugged…” Luna beamed as she withdrew a long, slender dildo, separated into several sections of rounded beads. Fleur swallowed as Luna pressed the head against her anus, teasing her with gentle bits of pressure. “Ooh, I do love the look of this… Your ass is so tight and clean…” Luna leaned in, replacing the dildo with her tongue for a moment. “Hmm, and clean… So tasty. I might just lick you for the next three hours instead…”

“P-please, Mistress…” Fleur whimpered. “Do what you want with me…”

“I had planned on it.” Luna gave her ass another quick lick before pulling the dildo into her mouth. She kept Fleur there, but paced another slow circle. Fleur kept her legs spread wide open, giving the ponies in the audience a good, long look at her dripping core. She was certain there were marks from the whips, one on her thigh and the other on her ribcage. She didn’t care. If anything, the thought of her body bearing her dom's hoofwork made her wetter

’Look at me, everypony’ she thought, closing her eyes in bliss.

’Look at how wet I am. Look at the marks on my body. Look at my dripping pussy… Do you like them? Does this arouse you? Are you going to remember this? Will you touch yourself to this? Doms, will you tell your subs to remember me when you whip them? Subs, will you try to be like me for your doms? To truly enjoy yourself? To enjoy the pain, the embarrassment?

To truly, fully enjoy being a sub?’

“AUHHHN!” Fleur arched her back as the dildo slid smoothly into her anus, popping past her rosebud in a series of six round protrusions. It was much larger than her tail holder, and each bump that passed her pucker to massage her insides made Fleur writhe. “Mistress!” Fleur panted, her thighs twitching. “Mistress, it feels so good! Please, may I cum?!”

“Oh my, dear Cerulean…” Luna teased, bringing the dildo to a halt inside of her. “This is your punishment. You’re not supposed to cum from this.”

“AHN!” Fleur’s mane was yanked hard once more, igniting her scalp with an intense, hot fire.

“Don’t you dare cum this time, or so help me I will not show you mercy.”

“Yes, Mistress!” Fleur panted, her eyes clenched firmly. Luna released her mane again, this time flipping Fleur over and setting her on her hooves. The sudden shift of her rear made the toy swirl inside of her, eliciting a trickle of arousal from her abused cunt. She was ravenous; she wanted to cum, and to cum hard. Luna was winding her up again. She knew her deliverance would come; she just had to be patient.

“Hold this in your ass, Cerulean.” Luna quipped, standing behind Fleur. When she looked back, she saw something with a hook. When Luna maneuvered it closer to her anus, she felt it scrape the base of the dildo, pushing them a little further. “Don’t drop it,” Luna hung a weight on the dildo, grinning wickedly. “Hold it for as long as you can. And don’t cum, either. I see you using your hooves to pleasure yourself, I’ll double your punishment. Understood?”

“Yes Mistress!” Fleur gasped, flexing her core muscles as hard as she could. The weight on the dildo was moderate, but she had done this a few times before for conditioning. She could handle this. Indeed, the weight settled, and Fleur kept the dildo inside of her. Moaning softly, she rolled her head, looking around for a brief second.

Ponies everywhere were watching. Some more actively than others, but watching they were. The pros, doms all of them, kept the rest of the crowd at-bay while Luna did her work. But past that, it was mayhem. Ponies were either kissing, fucking, or indulging in their own sessions. Everypony in the crowd seemed to hinge on her ability to hold onto the dildo. They stared with rapt attention as the weight dangled slightly between her sodden haunches. Fleur closed her eyes at the sight, a smile gracing her lips.

'I will hold onto this dildo. For me. For the crowd.

For Luna.'

“Hmm, you’re doing well.” Luna noted, standing behind Fleur. “Let’s up the ante a bit, hmm?”

“Yes, Mistress-s-s-s…” Fleur drew the last breath out as Luna pressed a devious vibrator against the base of the dildo, right where it disappeared into her ass. The buzzing of plastic on plastic drove her insane, filling her entire mind with the sensation of it. Luna just chuckled and held the vibrator there, her lips kissing up and down Fleur’s neck. The effect was her entire body shook with the vibrations, nice and low.

“Mistress,” Fleur whimpered, flexing her muscles around the dildo. “I… I wanna cum…”

“I know you do.” Luna teased, rubbing the vibrator in a small circle. “Why don’t you go ahead, Cerulean? Give these ponies a show…”

“C-can I, Mistress?” Fleur asked, her eyes wide like a foal’s. When Luna smiled and nodded, Fleur could have cried. She surrendered to her baser urges, her mouth hanging open as another orgasm instantly ripped its way through her psyche. Her cum dribbled onto the plastic stage noisily, forming a small puddle with how much she was emitting. Her legs shook under her own weight, but she managed to stay standing, panting and grinning like a fool.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself, Cerulean.” Luna pulled away, speaking loudly so everypony could hear. What few ponies had turned away to focus on other groups or even their own ministrations returned their gaze to her, some of them cheering, others politely clapping. Apparently squirters as accomplished as her were a rarity in the BDSM field. One of the other doms that had spoke with Luna just before their show had asked how to get his sub to squirt. Luna had told him some ponies simply couldn't, while others were incredibly proficient at it.

'Well, I'm clearly in the latter category.' she thought. 'And I love it each and every time it happens.'

Squirting for Fleur was an amazing sense of release, similar to to finally finding a bathroom after an excessively long wait. The wave of release was physical and mental at the same time; but in those moments, she was completely at the mercy of her body. It either came out in a vicious spurt, arcing well into the air or shooting into the ground, or a nice, prolonged dribble of liquid.

The prolonged dribbles were her favorite, and that's just what she got just then as she continued to add to the growing puddle of cum beneath her. Some of it was legitimate squirt, the rest was pure arousal. The eyes of a thousand ponies were on her, and she was determined to give them a show. Her mouth hung open, freely drooling onto the floor, each new pulse of the vibrator against her pucker eliciting another long, throaty moan from her.

“Good… Good, Cerulean.” Luna cooed now and then, still working the vibrator. “You’re making such a show… Ooh, I think I’ve just about punished you enough… I think it’s time you got a reward.” Luna pulled the dildo from her butt, smiling at the fair amount of glistening arousal it had accumulated. But the vibrator remained, pressed against her pulsing pucker. “Here we go, darling…” Luna pushed the vibrator inside of her, sliding it over her rigid walls with perfect ease. The vibrations never ceased, but now they were inside of her…

“Oooohh,” Fleur moaned, rolling her neck in a circle. “Mistress, this is incredible…”

“Isn't it just?” Luna cupped her chin with a hoof, forcing her eyes upwards. “Look at them, Cerulean… Look at all those ponies. They’re all watching you. Their eyes are on you, looking at you. At your pussy. At your asshole…” She pulled her hoof away, glistening with Fleur’s spit. “At your drool. You’re such a fucking mess, Cerulean… I think before I reward you, you’re going to have to clean it up.”

“Yes, Mistress! Ahn!” Fleur gasped as Luna pushed her face down, collapsing her forelegs forcibly. She fell face-first into the puddle of cum on the stage, but her tongue was already at work. She knew what to do. She didn't even need Luna to tell her.

'It's not the floor of the shower, but I won't complain...'

She began lapping at the pockets of musky, feminine ejaculate she had deposited, slurping up the large ones, fully licking the smaller ones. It made her tongue sore, and the taste wasn't the most ideal, but she was completely wrapped up in it. Luna’s hoof remained on the back of her head, keeping her down, never giving her a moment’s rest. All the while, her anus quivered with the vibrator inside of it, even as Luna began to massage that tiny hole with her hoof.

“Uhnf…” Fleur panted against the ground, drooling onto the stage some more. She had to clean up what she spilled, even while forcing herself to move on to the next bit of cum to wipe up. Luna put her right on the cusp. It wouldn't do to add to the mess Fleur had to clean up, even though she was still helplessly oozing. She knew now why Luna had her hydrate so much. She was losing so much fluid… If this pace continued, she might just need to refuel before they were done.

But things seemed to be slowing down. Fleur had cleaned up most everything on the floor, and she lay there panting with Luna’s hoof planted on the base of her skull. Luna looked down at her for a few long moments before lifting her hoof from the back of her head, and pressing it to Fleur’s lips.

“You missed a spot, my pet.” She cooed, poking at Fleur’s tongue playfully. Fleur just grinned and gave Luna her tongue, dragging it numbly over the outfit she wore. It was warm and smooth, and clung to Luna intimately… It almost felt no different from licking her actual hoof. Fleur moaned, squirming her hips to shift the vibrator around inside of herself. She was panting between licks now, and her tongue had stopped responding to her demands. Luna quickly capitalized on that, toying with Fleur's tongue over and over again. Fleur began to drool uncontrollably, splattering her chin with spit.

“Alright, Cerulean.” Luna’s horn glowed as she pulled a length of rope from the bundle. “I think it’s time for your reward…”

“Yehth, Mithtweth…” Fleur slurped past her tongue, looking up at her beautiful, perfect dom with half-lidded, lusty eyes.

“Hooves up.” Luna beckoned. Fleur obeyed, lifting her forelegs to allow Luna to tie them together. She left a long length of rope at the end, which she wound up and out of sight towards the rafters. Fleur came up on her hind legs as Luna lifted her ever-higher until she was standing upright, her forelegs stretched above her, her hind legs supporting all of her weight. “Spread your legs.” Luna held the crop in her magic, and tapped it on the inside of her thighs until Fleur spread her legs. This put more weight on her bound hooves, but she adjusted to it seamlessly. This was one of Luna's favorite ties, and she put it to use often.

“There we are…” Luna smiled as Fleur was finally set in place. Her mane was frazzled and matted in places where she had dragged it through her cum, and her tail looked much the same. The vibrator was still in her anus, buzzing away happily, but not hard enough to make her cum. It was close, but not quite there. Fleur swayed her hips a little, trying to shift it, to squeeze just a little bit more pleasure from it, but to no avail. Luna watched her endeavor with a teasing smile, her horn still holding the crop.

“You look divine, Cerulean… I could just eat you up.” Luna stepped forward, running her tongue and the crop along Fleur’s stomach at equal speeds. “Hmm… So good…” She moaned, closing her eyes with a soft smile. “You’re delicious, my pet… Why, I almost feel guilty keeping you all to myself…” Luna turned and stalked away to the side of the stage, smiling down at a couple standing just beyond the ring of event ponies.

“You there, what’s your name?”

“E-er, Cuff… Mistress Aurora.”

“Cuff, are you here alone or with somepony?”

“M-my master, Mistress… He’s-“

“Right here, ma’am.”

“Aah, your name?”

“Whiplash.” The stallion grunted. Luna just smiled at him softly.

“Would you mind if I borrowed Cuff for a moment? I only need her for her tongue.”

“She’s all yours, Mistress Aurora… just don’t leave any marks. On her, I mean… You’re welcome to leave all the marks you want on Cerulean.”

“Done deal.” Luna grinned and beckoned Cuff up onto the stage. Apparently guests were somewhat of a common occurrence at these sorts of events. Ponies all around began to gather closer, watching as a blushing Cuff mounted the stage, standing right in front of Fleur. “Don’t be shy,” Luna urged Cuff forwards, smiling warmly. “She doesn’t bite. That’s my ob.”

“Eer, y-yes, M-mistress…” Cuff was a rather unassuming young pony, but she was fairly cute. A touch pudgy around the middle but with a beautiful face and a moderate-length mane styled only with a few gentle waves. But her tongue was divine. Fleur’s back arched with a cry as Cuff laid her tongue against Fleur’s dripping hole, giving it a long, sloppy lick. Fleur could hear droplets of spit and arousal impact the stage, but she didn’t care. She’d gladly clean it again if it meant cumming by Cuff’s tongue. She was incredible, paying equal attention to Fleur’s labia and her clitoris. She’d alternate between three slow thrusts with her tongue and a few rapid flicks, which served to devolve Fleur into something less than a pony; something closer to an ooze in fur. She melted against her ropes, resting fully on her hind legs as Cuff continued to lick.

Meanwhile, Luna had moved around to her back. The dildo returned, rubbing her pucker gently. Before, the vibrator had rested on the outside, buzzing against the plastic and the rim of her anus. Now, the vibrator was inside of her, and Luna seemed intent on poking it with the dildo. As the first bead slid in, Fleur gave a clipped cry, oozing more liquid onto Cuff’s skilled tongue as it continued massaging every inch of her soaked marehood. Ponies all around were enjoying the show, many more of them masturbating or fucking to get rid of the pent-up arousal. Fleur probably enjoyed that the most.

’These ponies are watching me do what I love, and it’s turning them on. So much so they can’t resist anymore. Oh, I love it… I never thought I’d like having another mare lick me, but damn it all. Luna pulled her out of the audience. If she’s okay with it, so am I.’ Fleur craned her neck backwards, giving several breathy pants as her limit drew nearer.

“M-mistress, may I cum?”

“You have my permission, my love.” Luna nodded, which was like giving the answer to open the floodgates. Cuff gave a soft gurgle of surprise before coughing up the cum Fleur spurted into her mouth, her chin dripping long, shiny strands of it even as Fleur continued to pour her orgasmic juices onto the stage.

“Thank you, dear Cuff.” Luna waved the other pony off with the dildo, still glistening with spit and release. “Do tell Whiplash he’s got a brilliant sub…”

“Y-yes, of course… Th-thank you, Mistress…” Cuff shuffled off, though Fleur saw her bow to Whiplash at the edge of the stage. She didn’t see much after that, though. Luna’s magic sounded as she draped a blindfold over Fleur’s eyes.

“I think you've seen enough, my pet.” She cooed, stroking Fleur’s mane gently. “No more seeing… Only feeling. What do you feel, my love? Tell me what you’re feeling right now. Every bit of it.”

“Y-yes, Mistress…” Fleur worked her still-numb tongue in her mouth, whimpering a little. ’Best to start from the top down…’

“I feel… The rope around my hooves. I feel the burn in my legs. I can… I can feel your hoof in my mane.” Fleur nuzzled into the touch lovingly, her lips spreading in a smile. “I can feel the strands of my mane matted together with my delicious cum. I can feel the energy in my muscles, the strain that’s been placed on them already. I’m a little hungry.” A chuckle rippled outwards, but silenced instantly. Fleur guessed that Luna had given them a single look to silence the masses. Fleur raised her head, closing her eyes behind the blindfold.

“I can feel the air around me, and… And… I can feel everypony’s eyes on me.” She dripped. “I can feel the vibrator in my ass. I can feel your sillage.” She sniffed slightly, inhaling the scents… “I can feel the sex in the air.”

“Good, Cerulean… Now tell me, what do you feel when I do this?”

“Oh!” Fleur gasped as two hooves dove between her thighs, playing with her dripping labia. “I f-feel your hooves playing with my pussy.” Fleur panted, her cheeks flushing.

“Yes, Cerulean…” Luna breathed into her ear. “Tell them what you feel.” Luna’s hooves began peeling her apart, pulling even more liquid from her. Fleur craned her neck, her muscles flexing for a few blissful moments.

“I can feel your hooves… You’re – hnn… You’re touching my clitoris.” Fleur was panting again, her chest rising and falling smoothly. Luna gave a soft ‘hmm’ of acknowledgement against her ear, even as her hoof singled out Fleur’s clitoris, spinning it in tight circles. Fleur opened her mouth in a full-bodied groan of fulfilled desire, letting it carry out to everypony there.

“AAHN!” Her eyes clenched shut, even as another wave of pleasure rocked through her body. The vibrator was working together with Luna to push her rapidly towards yet another orgasm. “Mistress!” Fleur gasped, her whole world devolving into yet another warm haze of pleasure.

“Go ahead, Cerulean.” Luna whispered into her ear. “Let it go.”

“Y-yes, Mistress! UHN!” Fleur flexed every muscle in her abdomen, feeling the pleasure build up to a wet, rushing head. When it peaked, Fleur was loosed into the river of bliss, completely lost to the world. Pinpoints of light exploded behind her eyelids, and she felt her muscles shake uncontrollably. She was lost. Completely gone.

And nothing could possibly have made her happier.

“Oh Cerulean,” Luna’s voice floated to her, sounding distant and mysterious. Fleur struggled to bring herself around, to pay attention to her dom. “And to think…” Something pressed against Fleur’s vagina; something thick and round.

“We’ve only just begun.”

The showers were packed to the brim. Not that Fleur minded, seeing so many ponies drenched through and through was actually kind of nice. Then again, given how sore she was, she didn’t quite feel like doing much of anything. Luna unclipped her leash and collar, leading her over to one of the only empty spaces in the packed shower floor.

“Here you go, Cerulean.” Luna bubbled, guiding her under the hot stream of water. “You feeling okay?”

“A little shaky,” Fleur admitted, closing her eyes under the water. “But perfectly fine otherwise.”

“How was it?” Luna asked, running her hooves through Fleur’s mane. “Too much? Too little?”

“Just right.” Fleur nuzzled Luna’s coat, now free of the clingy outfit. She had shed it halfway through the session for some forced cunnilingus, which might explain the tightness in Fleur’s jaw. Her muscles were regretting not taking the painkillers before their session, but the other part of her was still wet and rather thankful.

“We’ll get you some water after this, then the awards, and then we can sleep. Sound good?”

“Mmhmm.” Fleur buried her muzzle into Luna’s chest, sighing contentedly. The three-hour presentation they had done was just now over, and they had made a beeline for the showers to clean up. Fleur had been tied up, suspended, bound, whipped, spanked, and treated all manner of ways. Luna would alternate between caring and passionate, as she had been while Fleur was tied up, and rough, when they had begun their session.

The audience absolutely loved both of them. By the time they were done, almost everypony in their performance hall was watching, and when Fleur had been released from the final pair of hoofcuffs, it was to uproarious applause. The two of them bowed their way out, thanking everypony for watching them. Even now in the showers, Fleur was getting appreciative looks from members of the audience. They were sharing a stall with two other ponies, a couple of stallions who looked just about as exhausted as they did. Fleur paid them little mind, and got little in return. But anypony who peeked in on them – a common occurrence at such an event, she was sure – gave both herself and Luna a quick, appreciative smile, or at most a mumbled ‘thank you.’

Meanwhile, Luna had begun tenderly scrubbing Fleur’s body. She started with her mane, paying plenty of attention to the soaked strands of hair, rubbing and caressing each one, either with shampoo or conditioner, which was distributed from a roving cart tended by a rather cute earth pony mare. After that, she moved onto Fleur’s coat, moving slowly and carefully. There were places where the riding crop had kissed her that Fleur was still sensitive, and touching them made her draw a hissing breath between her teeth. At those places, Luna leaned in, her horn glowing, to heal her wound.

“I’m sorry.” Luna muttered after healing one particularly nasty welt. “I shouldn’t have gone that hard.”

“No, it’s fine.” Fleur clung to Luna, shaking a little as the healing spell finished its work. “Side-effects aside, I actually kind of liked it…”

“So that was right on, then?”

“Couldn’t have been better.” Fleur nodded. “A little harder would be too much, but it wasn’t too soft either. It was perfect.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Now sit still, your tail’s a mess.” Luna got a chuckle from her as Fleur stood with her haunches underneath the water. Luna combed through it thoroughly, using plenty more shampoo and conditioner to treat the frazzled bits of her tail. The pulling and tugging were not helping her core muscles, which had been pushed to their absolute limit during the performance. On top of the sore muscles was the near dehydration. Fleur knew she had lost more fluids than most ponies could handle. She needed water badly, but their next meal was likely not coming until after the awards ceremony. Not wanting to alarm Luna, she slowly tilted her head up to swallow a few small mouthfuls of water from the shower head.

'Even water feels like a magic tonic.' she mused as she opened her mouth for a bit more. 'If not for Luna's food-cleaning spell, I would never have made it through in one piece. Either way, at least nothing major had been injured.’

It had been an incredibly hard session, and not just for Fleur, either. She and Luna had put on a hell of a show, displaying positions and maneuvers that some of the ponies in attendance had never even imagined before. Even as Luna scrubbed her tail obsessively, ponies continued to say so as they slipped past to an empty corner of the showers.

But more than the hard session or the praise, Fleur felt closer to Luna than ever before. She had trusted her dom to stay within her limits, never once pushing her past them. The first shock of the riding crop impacting her coat had been intense, and for a split-second, she was tempted to use the safe word.

She needn't have worried though, because Luna never even came close after that first hit. Luna had fallen into a pattern that was as seductive as it was symphonic, stepping right up to the boundary of Fleur’s tolerance, then stepping back gracefully. She had played her body, her mind, her very soul like an instrument, and together, they created what she could only hope was their magnum opus.

'Perfect. Flawless. Just like my dom…

Just like my Luna.'

Fleur had never before felt so thankful to have somepony like this to call her own. And Luna really did give herself to Fleur. She could feel it in the tender motions of her caressing Fleur’s tail. She was diligent and careful, but respectful as well. Each new stroke of her hoof through Fleur’s flowing tail was like a renewed wave of relief, making her sigh happily. She couldn’t go a moment longer without saying those words once more.

“I love you, L-Aurora.” She blushed and caught herself, glancing back at Luna. The Princess glanced at Fleur, giving her a serious look that quickly morphed into a warm smile. She leaned in and whispered in Fleur's ear, the words almost lost in the hiss of water against coat and tile.

“I love you too, Fleur.”

At those words, Fleur's legs turned to jelly, and she melted into Luna's waiting embrace. Tears of pure joy ran down her cheeks, falling against Luna's milky-white coat. 'She used my name... Dear goddess, she used my name.' All of the long years spent married to Fancy Pants had been completely forgotten the past few months, washed away by Luna’s tender passion and rough lovemaking. Fleur had completely fallen for Luna, and she didn’t care. They would have to keep their dalliances secret, the truth of their love hidden from the public, her friends, perhaps even Celestia herself.

As long as she could have this. These warm, passionate moments spent wrapped up in her embrace. Disguise or not, Fleur knew this was Luna, and that Luna loved her. She wept tears of happiness, clutching Luna’s slender, whip-tight body until she stopped.

“Come on.” Luna drew her out of the hot water. “We have to be present for the announcement.”

“Right. And I need some water… Mistress.”

“Oh, you.” Luna teased, picking her leash and collar up from their place at the edge of the showers. Fleur eagerly presented her neck, smiling warmly as Luna fastened the collar. “Always so naughty. I might just have to punish you again after we’re done here.”

“Please no, Mistress.” Fleur pouted. “I’ll be a good girl.”

“Too right you will.” Luna teased, giving her a gentle pull on the leash. Fleur followed Luna out of the bathrooms, her mane and tail a little damp but drying rapidly. Luna, however, looked thoroughly dry already, her mane already back in the same braid as before. Her tail was left alone though, and now hung naturally in place, covering her own marehood.

'At least that tube is out of the way.' Fleur mused. 'It's a bit refreshing to be decent again, at least for a time...' She smiled contentedly as she recalled the effects that the tube had on her. 'Not that I'd miss another chance to expose myself again.'

She saw now how wide a berth ponies gave her and Luna. The two of them parted the sea of expo-goers, and Fleur heard just as many whispers about her as she did about Luna.

“Oh, that’s Cerulean, Aurora’s new pet!”

“She’s so beautiful…”

“And petite. Look at that figure! She’s perfect.”

“The things I saw her do, you wouldn’t believe! I swear, she-“

“Three times! I can’t even do it once!”

“And when Aurora was wearing that strap-on, you wouldn’t believe how much she could take. I swear, Aurora was hitting the back of her throat.”

“She really looked like she was enjoying herself. Almost like the whole thing wasn’t even for Aurora’s benefit. Call me crazy, but it seemed like Aurora was doing it for Cerulean.”

“Now THAT’S a true sub right there. What I would give…”

Fleur felt herself swelling with pride at the whispers all around her, and began blushing almost immediately. She shyly looked away from the many appreciative glances, though she couldn't help putting a bit of extra swing in her hips as she walked. Subs and doms both were paying her more attention, and that attention was not unwanted. Fleur could have lit a blaze with her cheeks by the time they arrived back at the main performance room. It was 9:55, just before the announcement was to be made. Many ponies were still here, though the five individual stages had been broken down in favor of one larger stage. As they crossed the threshold of the room, a smattering of applause broke out.

“Head up, Cerulean.” Luna commanded, tugging on her leash a little. “They’re clapping for you.”

“That’s Cerulean and Aurora!”

“Whoo!”

“Alright! You two rock!”

Ponies began stamping their hooves, louder and louder now. It swelled in intensity, drowning out the individual cheers. Whistles and cat-calls chased Fleur and Luna towards the stage. She held her head high, smiling like a helpless young filly. They waded through the audience, smiling and nodding to appreciative fans until they arrived at the far side of the stage. An official-looking pony with a clipboard was waiting there, and ushered them behind the stage.

“Glad you could make it back, Cerulean, Aurora. We’re just waiting on one more couple before we begin.”

“Very good. Get some water for my pet.” Luna quipped, and the pony bowed their acquiescence. Behind the stage was a roped-off section of couches, cushions, and even a full-service bar. A smaller, more appreciative round of applause greeted the two of them as they entered the lounge. These were ponies Fleur recognized as other doms and subs that had approached Aurora during the expo. Quill was here as well, and as soon as the applause died down, he stepped forwards to meet them.

“We need to talk, ‘Aurora.’” He drew Luna aside with a look, glancing at Fleur as well. Luna just frowned and followed him, towards the far, darker side of the bar. Something seemed off about him from what Fleur remembered. He seemed more drawn and reserved. 'He's far too quiet for this environment.' she thought. Something's wrong.' Quill glanced furtively about as they drew up in the shadows, leaning close to Luna.

“Go back to your room. I’ll accept your reward for you.”

“What?!” Luna leaned in her tone thin. “Quill, I’ve been trying to win this award for years! You can’t take this from me now!”

“I know, I know!” Quill flustered. “You’re in the running for first place, but so is somepony else!” He glanced at Fleur again. “Somepony you really don’t want to see. trust me, Luna. Leave now before-“

“Here they are!” Both Fleur and Luna looked up as the last couple arrived to another reserved round of applause. Quill gave a throaty groan of exasperation. Fleur looked through the lounge at the entrance…

Her blood ran ice-cold in an instant.

“Fancy Pants.”

Interlude III - Luna

The train hissed as it pulled into Canterlot station, and Luna smiled down at Fleur's peaceful face. She watched her partner and lover slumber for a few moments before leaning in and gingerly kissing her cheek. "Wake up, my love." She whispered softly, rousing Fleur from her slumber. The detour to Horseshoe Bay meant that the return trip to Canterlot would take a full six hours – twice the normal length. Thus, Luna had indulged and bought them a sleeper cabin. Despite her many entreaties, Fleur, refused to sleep on the tiny bed without her, so Luna had resigned to sitting near the end with Fleur's head on her legs.

'She really is cute when she starts pouting though.' Luna thought as she looked down upon the slowly-waking face of the one pony that was even half as close to her as her older sister. Fleur had fallen asleep as soon as her body hit the small bed, and she had slumbered peacefully through the entire trip. 'I'll tease her about her light snoring later...'

"Hmm," Fleur stirred, her eyes fluttering behind her lids. She finally opened them with a few bleary blinks, looking up at Luna groggily. "Are we here?"

"We are indeed," Luna nodded, kissing the tip of Fleur's horn gingerly. "Come now, it's time to go home."

"But I don't wanna," Fleur pouted cutely. Sensing that the pout would not work a second time, she gave a mighty yawn and pulled herself begrudgingly away from Luna's embrace. She stretched as best she could in the cramped sleeper car before nodding to Luna. "When can I see you again?"

"We just spent a full - and very tiring - weekend together," Luna teased, following her love as they stood. "You want to see me again so soon?"

"After the weekend we just had, can you blame me?" Fleur quipped, blushing a little. "I... I just don't want to go another month without seeing you."

"Trust me, Fleur, neither do I. Tell you what, since you're so adamant about seeing me again, how about dinner this Wednesday? It will give us both a chance to rest up, and I'm sure you have social obligations to fulfill between now and then.

"Ooh..." Fleur grimaced with realization. "I put off a meeting with the Acquisitions Committee's secretary to attend the expo, so she'll probably want to see me as soon as possible.”

"See?" Luna quipped, kissing Fleur's ear and eliciting a cute groan in return. "I have my own duties to tend to as well. I'll see you Wednesday."

"It's a date." Fleur giggled, leaning forward to gingerly press their lips together. Luna sighed into the sweet touch, feeling Fleur's passionate appreciation for her company. 'She seems thankful just to be near me.' Luna mused as her lips continued their delicate dance against Fleur's. 'Not that I mind the attention, but...' Her thoughts trailed off as her mind replayed the events of the previous weekend – from the hushed conversations in the showers to the scintillating sessions in full view of hundreds of ponies.

Luna had learned more than she expected to about Fleur's real feelings and motivations, and those of some of her subjects’ as well. Aurora's response to their passionate displays of affection was proof enough that the regular ponies of Equestria might not mind one of their Princesses being in a relationship.

Their lips parted, and for a second, they stared at each other. In that moment, they were neither socialite or Princess; they were simply two mares with a healthy taste for BDSM, and hearts yearning to close the only gap that seemed to exist between them.

"Goodbye, Luna."

"Goodbye, Fleur." Luna smiled as Fleur slipped out of their cabin and and began making her way towards the exit at the far end of the car, where her luggage would be waiting for her. 'Ten bits says she'll go home, have a glass of wine, and go right back to bed' Luna chuckled as she watched Fleur exit the car.

'I suppose I have things to attend to as well...' Luna's horn glimmered softly as she cast a cloaking spell on herself before quietly slipping out of the other door to the train car. The brief flight to the castle was invigorating, and she sighed contentedly as she stretched her wings out for the first time in what felt like weeks

"Aah, home at last..." Luna landed on her balcony, sighing as the cloaking spell dissipated. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scents of scented candles and age-old books that wafted from her tidy but welcoming room. 'I'll have to enjoy my room later...' she thought as she crossed the room to the bedroom door. 'Duty calls.'

Luna entered the hallway and immediately began looking for somepony to question; Celestia could be awfully sneaky when she wanted to be, and Luna did not feel like searching the castle all day for her elder sister. Thankfully, there was a guard patrolling the hallway who informed her her sister was currently taking lunch alone in her quarters. Luna smiled and made for her sister's room, greeting guards and servants alike on her way there. She was cheery and smiling, happy to be back.

It seemed she was the only one happy to be back, however. Everywhere she went, whispers of doubt and worry permeated the air. Everypony seemed to be worried about the changeling attack, and Luna was getting some very concerning looks from a few of the guards. She tried to shrug them off, but their disapproving glares remained in the back of her head, nagging at her. By the time she arrived at Celestia's quarters, her cheery smile had morphed into a fairly grumpy scowl.

"Enter," The door swung open before she could even knock. Luna sighed inwardly and crossed the threshold, spotting Celestia with a cup of tea at the lone table in her bedroom.

"Hello, sister."

"Hello to you, Luna, and welcome back. Please, join me?"

"Certainly." Luna took the seat opposite her sister, sparing a moment to glance around the room. Celestia's private quarters had always been rather... Utilitarian. Luna had really only been here a hoof-full of times over the years, and each time she noticed only one small change to the room from her previous visit. This time, that small change came in the form of a small but colorful rug that now sat at the entrance to the restroom. Celestia calmly sipped at her tea, the remnants of her breakfast still on the table before her. Luna continued to quietly observe the room, allowing Celestia time to finish her meal.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Celestia asked firstly. Luna smiled at the question. 'That she even bothered to ask means she at least cares... Unlike half of the ponies I've encountered so far today.' Still, Luna knew her sister's verbal quirks, and she could see immediately that this was a loaded question.

"I did, actually. Trottingham was beautiful, and both Fleur and I enjoyed ourselves.” She responded calmly, but carefully.

"That's good. I'm glad." Celestia smiled, though it quickly withered into a stoic look, one that Luna was unfortunately familiar with. It was the same face Celestia wore when first meeting somepony important, or when contemplating a very serious chain of events. Luna's expression mirrored hers as Celestia seemed to stare her down. A kind of tension that she hadn't felt in ages was quickly building between the two sisters. At long last, Celestia spoke once more. "I needed you, Luna."

"You said you'd be fine." Luna returned. "I came to you immediately after the Changeling attack to discuss the issue of my attendance at the expo. You were adamant that you, dear sister, were better suited for this sort of situation. And with Cadance and Shining Armor on standby, you could withstand any follow-up attacks." Luna softly waved a hoof to emphasize her point.

"I felt bad about leaving at such a time, but you seemed happy to let me go..." Her expression turned dour once again. "Now though, I'm not so sure. You seem almost angry that I left at all."

"I understand what I said, but it was a mistake… Just like your leaving was a mistake." Celestia frowned intently, setting her tea cup down. "Luna, do you understand what you've done?"

"Yes, I do. I left you to handle the bulk of the fallout from this heinous act of aggression." Luna countered. "Which as you made very clear, is something you seem better suited for, I might add."

"I sincerely doubt that." Celestia glanced to the side as a servant pony peeked her head inside. Seeing the empty plates, she bustled forwards and gathered them quickly, as if she sensed the tension in the air. Celestia and Luna remained quiet until she departed, their gazes never once wandering from the other. Luna spoke only once the servant pony had cleared the table and left.

"We discussed this, Celestia. I asked your permission to go, as you know I do every year. I even told you if you wanted me to remain, all you had to do was ask and I gladly would. Luna softened her expression just a bit. "We've just seen the first act of open aggression against Equestria since Sombra's reign, and I would have gladly stood by you to weather this storm, despite my personal feelings on the matter."

"No." Celestia shook her head immediately. "We will not eradicate the changelings. End of discussion."

"But if we just-"

"We will not!" Celestia snapped, her eyes flaring a little. Luna felt her hackles raise as Celestia stared her down. "Equestria has been victimized! We are the martyrs right now! It was our ponies who suffered, our capital city that was attacked! For the first time in as long as I can remember, we are on the receiving end of sympathy! The gryphons have even sent a large contingent of their best engineers and construction workers to help us rebuild! Tell me, Lulu, when was the last time a griffon offered us anything other than the end of their spears in our necks?!" Celestia's voice dropped considerably. "We will not retaliate, Luna. Not this time... Not again."

"Fine." Luna huffed. "But you see then why I requested to leave. I'd just as soon have followed Chrysalis out of the city and ended them once and for all. I will turn the other cheek as you have instructed, dear sister, but pray that I never catch sight or sound of a Changeling ever again." Luna's eyes brimmed with energy just then, a match for the underlying current of power between her and Celestia. "If I do, the only thing that will be turning will be their necks." Their eyes locked once more, the two of them staring at the other intently. Celestia spoke once more, her tone cautious but resolute.

"I still needed you here, Luna. Not running off with some recently-divorced, desperate hussy-"

"Watch it." Luna growled.

"Watch what? My sister run off with some unicorn to have a weekend of depraved sex?!" Celestia countered. She rose to her hooves, and Luna followed suit. Only the table stood between them now. "Leaving to remove yourself from the conflict I can understand, Luna, but this?! A... A conference on exhibitionism and submission?! Do you really think that's the most appropriate thing to be doing right now?"

"I advise you to choose your next words very carefully, Celestia..." Luna barely got the words out through her tightly-clenched jaw. Her entire body seemed to hum with barely restrained power.

"I do not mean to insult Fleur, that was a mistake." Celestia admitted huffily. "But I honestly don't think going to Trottingham - for any reason - was the best course of action. I thought that you would remain in Canterlot, perhaps in your room or even at Fleur's home. I had counted on you staying close at-hoof, so that I might request your input should I need it. And need it I did." Celestia lowered herself to a seated position in an attempt to ease the tension in the room, if only by a few degrees.

"With what?" Luna returned, lowering to her own haunches. Her outer expression softened a bit, but inside, Luna was still seething. 'How dare she bring Fleur into this?! And what help could she possibly want from me?'

"Well, regarding the Changelings, I suppose I already received my answer." Celestia sighed. "I wanted to know what your input on the situation was. The gryphons, it seems, share your sentiment; they were willing to provide their fastest outrunners to chase down Chrysalis and the remnants of her horde."

"Hhmph." Luna grunted. "It would seem that they have more sense than we give them credit for." Luna expected another pithy retort from her sister, but received nothing more than a quick scowl.

"Cadance and Shining had just married, though. They remained behind, refusing to take their honeymoon, just to help protect us." Celestia sighed. "And now, this..."

"This what?" Luna arched an eyebrow. Celestia looked up at her, her eyes glimmering faintly. What she said next nearly stopped Luna's heart.

"The Crystal Kingdom has returned."

"No..." Luna breathed. "That's impossible."

"I thought so myself at first, but it has been confirmed. Cadance and Shining Armor left as soon as I received the initial report, and sent this a few days after they arrived." Celestia's horn glowed as she hovered forth a small sheaf of paper. She shuffled through the sheets before removing a large envelope that had already been opened. Luna withdrew the letter within at Celestia's insistence, and began reading cautiously. Her eyebrows rose higher and higher the further she read down the page.

"That's... I never imagined."

"It appears Sombra's curse wasn't permanent.” Celestia replied. “We'll get more information from them as this develops."

"I'll leave immediately." Luna rose up, nodding to Celestia. "To make it up to you for the changeling attack."

"No." Celestia cut her off. Luna paused, feeling the tension return to her counterpart's voice. "You and I will remain here. There are some things we need to hash out ourselves before we're able to help anypony else."

"What do you mean?" Luna sat down once more, albeit cautiously. Celestia sighed and leaned forwards.

"I mean your attachment to Fleur."

Luna stared incredulously at her sister. "I fail to see how-"

"Hear me out." Celestia cut her off curtly, frowning at Luna. "You told me how it was you first came to the conclusion that Chrysalis had infiltrated the castle, captured Cadance, and was actively impersonating her, right?"

"Right… Well, I didn’t know it was Chrysalis specifically." Luna said cautiously.

"Tell me, Luna, how do you think things would have turned out had you confronted her as soon as you discovered her deception?" Luna's heart nearly jumped into her throat at Celestia's question. She knew why she did not act in that moment, but under hindsight's cruel gaze, her reasons quickly withered into flimsy excuses.

"I was afraid she might escape, or worse, harm Shining Armor to deter me from attacking."

"I sincerely doubt that." Celestia frowned. "Your tracking magic is better than even my own, and I've seen your defensive spells hold entire legions at bay... You could have easily shielded Shining Armor from harm and kept that overgrown bug from escaping the castle."

'Oh, back-hoofed compliments, is it?' Luna mused. 'Two can play that game, sister.

"That may be true, Tia, but you do realize that she completely fooled the most powerful unicorn in the entire Royal Guard, right? And you are the sun incarnate, the only pony to ever wield all of the Elements of Harmony at once. Surely, you should have been able to stop one single Changeling with an inferiority complex and a sick taste for playing dress-up."

"Luna..." Celestia sighed. "Did it ever occur to you exactly how our magic works in an encounter of that magnitude? Do you remember Saddle Arabia? The rebellion?"

"I remember." Luna said cautiously.

"And do you remember how we turned much of their kingdom into the same sand that it was built upon?"

"Right..."

"We did that together, Lulu. And do you remember when you went alone to look into the reports of zebra magic being used to bolster their forces? How difficult it was for you to defend yourself long enough to escape?"

"I remember." Luna's frown intensified. “Get to the point, Tia.”

"My point, Lulu, is that when we're separated, we're weaker." Celestia concluded. "Because you were skulking in the basement, I was not able to call upon the combined power that your presence would have afforded the both of us, and as a result, Chrysalis was able to defeat me. Had you been there, by my side, things might have ended in favor of your more... Barbaric tactics."

"Alright, so..." Luna sighed and closed her eyes. "You think we're weaker when we're separated?"

"I know it." Celestia nodded. "I put my all into subduing Chrysalis, and she beat me using only Shining Armor's love. Granted, his love for Cadance is powerful, but even the strongest of loves is nothing compared to our power to literally command the sun and the moon.” Celestia shook her head solemnly. "I should have been able to defeat her. COULD have been able to defeat her, were you by my side."

"Alright, so I may have made a mistake." Luna looked back at her sister. "Had I confronted Chrysalis immediately, I might have been able to get the jump on her and end the threat prematurely... But what of the other changelings?"

"Outside of the barrier.” Celestia quipped dismissively. “With Shining Armor's lucidity returned, we might have been able to take Chrysalis hostage and use her as leverage to make the changelings stand down and leave Equestria for good. Failing that, they'd still have lost their leader to a life sentence in the dungeons."

"How was I to know the rest of them were outside of the shield?” Luna replied defensively. “You know the saying, 'one-by-one, your families fall... Where there's one changeling, you've got them all.' For all I knew, Shining himself could have been a changeling, or the guards who permitted me down that corridor, or any number of ponies attending the ceremony."

"With Chrysalis subdued, they wouldn't have been able to do anything. Remember, Changelings exist as a hive-mind. We control their queen, we control the horde."

"But there was no way of telling if the one impersonating Cadance was even Chrysalis! That could have easily been a simple drone, while Chrysalis may have been impersonating the guard at the foot of your throne!" Luna complained. At that much, Celestia frowned.

"Well, you have a point. Still, I'd like to know what it was that made you hesitate in the first place. In any other circumstance, I'd have expected you to vaporize the changeling on the spot, then begin asking questions later." Celestia raised a hoof directly at Luna. "Yet you ran... You took Fleur and ran to the basement like a scared filly. What I want to know, dear sister,” Celestia leaned across the table, her eyes dancing with meaning. “Is why."

"I..." Luna faltered. Celestia had just found the chink in her armor, and she wasn't about to let this one go. With a sigh, Luna hung her head. "I was afraid the changeling would escape, or somehow capture and impersonate Fleur... Even though it'd be a fake, I couldn't... I couldn't have brought myself to-"

"She's a weakness, Luna." Celestia said simply. Anger, shame, and denial boiled in her blood instantly, and Luna had to grit her teeth to hold herself back.

Celestia gestured with a hoof. "Your attachment to Fleur is your weakness. I know for a fact you have very few weaknesses, Luna, but look… One threat where she might have been used against you, and you're incapacitated. While you were in the basement, I was subdued, and Canterlot was very nearly overrun!

“Shining Armor and Cadance won't be around forever.” Celestia continued, leaning back a little. “They can't; they've already been called away to handle this whole Crystal Kingdom ordeal. We cannot rely on them should the changelings bolster their forces and attack again. I need you here, Luna." Celestia's voice wavered slightly. "I can't handle another attack like that. Not alone."

Celestia's point hit Luna like a velvet-wrapped hammer; the words were not said in malice, but they shattered her heart just the same. Luna's eyes brimmed with tears, and despite her efforts to the contrary, a pair of tears escaped, tracing long streaks down her muzzle. 'She's not just my co-ruler, she's my sister too... The only other pony who's lived as long as I have...'

The tears reached the end of her muzzle and fell to the tile floor below, their landing sounding more like breaking crystals than a simple patter. 'I cannot alienate her again. Not like this. But what of my feelings? My own desires?'

"Celestia," Luna pleaded. "You know I cannot just leave her-"

"You can, Luna." Celestia sniffled, her voice cracking ever so slightly. "Trust me, Lulu, you can, and you must."

"No!" Luna cried, her voice barely together now. "You ask too much! I... I can't just leave Fleur. I care for her!" Luna's lower lip trembled. "I love her, Tia!"

"Luna," Celestia sighed, leaning in close. "I know this hurts, but you must not fall in love with anypony..."

"But why?!" Luna countered as she fought sobs with every word. "What part of the royal protocol forbids me from loving another pony? Or, do you wish me to be even more cold and heartless than I already am?!"

"That's just the way it is, Luna!” Celestia replied quickly. “Strong emotional attachments to anypony are a weakness for the both of us. They can interfere with our judgement, or make us easier to exploit. Say that Chrysalis had taken Fleur prisoner, and demanded her as ransom to avoid a war. What choice would you expect me to—"

"NO!" Luna surged to her hooves and dove over the table in a blind rage, pinning her sister to the ground beneath her hooves. Luna's eyes were white with fury, her coat crackling with raw energy.

"You will do no such thing!" she roared at Celestia, who merely stared up at her enraged younger sister, and the growing blackness that enveloped the air around her. Luna shifted her weight forward, peering down into Celestia's eyes with pure, unadulterated rage. "I will NOT allow her to be used in such a way! Not by Chrysalis, and certainly not by you!"

Wings flared and teeth bared, small arcs of lightning lit up Luna's mane as she leaned into Celestia's face, her voice growing as cold and unforgiving as the moon itself. "I will bring down the heavens themselves to destroy this entire city before a hair on her head is touched!"

"Will you?!" Celestia replied, using her magic to project her voice through the maelstrom around her. "Will you really do it, Luna? Destroy the entire city? All of Equestria?" She stared directly into Luna's white-hot eyes. "What if I had to choose between Fleur or a thousand dead innocents? Would you destroy me too?!"

"I... I... AHH!" Luna's magic stuttered for a second, then flickered out, and she collapsed on the ground next to Celestia. Silence overtook the small room, save for the gut-wrenching sobs from Luna. Celestia slowly shuffled to her hooves and wrapped her younger sister in her wings, speaking low and quiet.

"You cannot go on like this. Look at yourself. You attacked me at the mere mention of losing her." Celestia wrapped her forelegs around her, drawing a quivering Luna into her embrace. Luna stiffly leaned into it, still quivering with anger and rage. Celestia tenderly stroked her mane, speaking softly. "I hate to see you like this, Luna... And I know she's going to pass one way or another. You're going to be alone before you know it, Luna... What then? Will you react like this?" Celestia whispered the next, making Luna shudder. "Or will you let the Nightmare turn your grief and sorrow against you once more?"

Luna broke down into tears. She sobbed into her sister's mane, desperately clutching her as she cried. Celestia held her close, stroking her hair ever so softly. Luna cried until she had no more tears, until her eyes were red and she felt more exhausted than she had in millenia. Celestia spoke only after a long while.

"Do you understand why I ask these things?"

"But..." Luna whimpered. "I can't just leave her... I... I care so much for her. You see the state I'm in..."

"I do Luna, I do. Heavens help me, I've never seen you happier than you’ve been the past few months..." Celestia sighed. "But you don't want to be involved with her when she passes... Trust me-"

"Trust you? Celestia, you've never loved anypony the way I love Fleur... Y– You've just sat here alone for the past thousand years. How could you possibly know what I'm going through?"

"Haven't I?" Celestia arched an eyebrow. Luna swallowed a lump in her throat. 'Don't tell me... did she really?' Celestia pulled away with another soft sigh. "I've loved as you have, Luna... Several times, in fact. Believe me, I know the painful sting of loss."

"You mean..." Luna sniffled. "You've... Been intimate?"

"I wouldn't be the pony I am today without having done so." Celestia nodded solemnly. "Yes, I have. I won't say I'm as... Experienced as you are, but I am just as much a pony as you. I experience love, lust, and desire, just the same as anypony. I've had my dalliances in the past..." Her face fell, betraying a painful memory. Luna could feel her heart throb in her chest intensely.

"I too have loved as you have... I've known the intimate touch of another, how intensely you can care for them when they're in your hooves, so alive and eager, looking at you pleadingly, like you're the only thing in the world to them. They trust you, Luna. They trust you so implicitly to never leave them... And we never do. But they will leave us. Even if they never left our sides for even a second, they will one day leave us as alone as we were before we met them." Celestia shuddered as tears of her own fell from her muzzle and landed on Luna's shoulder.

Luna gazed up at her elder sister's tear-stained face and felt even the pieces of her heart break anew. "Who was it?"

"Her name was Ribbon. She was a talented dancer, and a magnificent spellcaster. She performed with the Canterlot Ballet… We met at a reception that the crown held to commemorate the ballet’s fiftieth season.” Celestia’s eyes took on a distant look, as if she were gazing back through time itself. In a way, she really was.

“I loved her dearly, and she filled a gap in my heart, one that I thought I wouldn't be able to fill until your return. She took my quiet suffering into her hooves and held it there, made it a part of herself... In that way, I wasn't alone. I had somepony to go to, somepony to hold and to whisper my fears and worries to..." Celestia shuddered again, her breath shaking as she drew it in. Luna thought she would break down, but Celestia swallowed and managed to compose herself...

If only for a moment.

"And then she died." Celestia choked, the tears flowing freely now. Her lip trembled, and Luna could feel her pain with each sob. "What happened?" Luna asked quietly.

"Over the millennia, we have lost so many ponies to war, famine, and disease, especially in the early days. Thankfully, Ribbon's end was peaceful and serene..." Celestia continued to sob, wiping a hoof over her swollen eyes. She only coaxed more tears, her face stained with them now.

"She just passed away of old age after a long life that was well-lived. I saw it coming, but when she left, I was... I..." Celestia broke down then, collapsing to the floor with a choked-off sob. She managed to stammer a few words.

"It felt worse than when I sent you away!"

Luna shifted out of her elder sister's grasp, and instead drew the larger alicorn into her own wings. In that moment, the moon eclipsed the sun as Celestia shrank into Luna's embrace, sobbing more than she had ever seen in all her years.

There the two sisters sat for a while, two hearts as broken and bare as the masks that lay in the wreckage of their emotions. One mourned anew a love already lost, while the other mourned a love whose time was quickly coming to its end.

Luna stared blankly around the room as she held onto her sister, their still unsteady breathing the only other sound in the room.

"Tragic, is it not?" Luna asked. "As Princesses, we are tasked with loving everything and everypony for eternity..."

A final tear ran down her cheek.

"Yet we cannot really love anything, can we?"

(18) Solar Eclipse

Moonstone – Chapter 18 “Solar Eclipse”

Fleur froze in place, unable to move, much less breathe. 'Surely, I must have just died in the midst of a dream, or somehow entered a new reality... Because I did not just hear Princess Luna propose to me.' The sound of her heart thumping in her ears brought Fleur back to reality. Luna stood just before her, cupping one of Fleur’s hooves in both of her own. Their eyes met, and she held that gaze for what felt like an eternity.

'Sweet heavens above, yes I did...' There was only one answer she possibly could have given.

“Yes, of course! By the sun and the moon and the stars, yes!” Fleur felt the tears start in earnest, pouring out of her eyes as she threw herself at Luna. “I’ll marry you, Luna.” She sobbed into her lover’s mane, as they clutched each other as tightly as they could manage. They stayed like that for minutes on end, exchanging nothing but soft sobs and whispered 'I love yous'. Finally, Luna gingerly rose and moved to the bed, gently lifting Fleur up in her magic. They lay side-by-side, their legs tangled with one another’s until Fleur lost track of whose was whose.

Luna’s kiss spread a calming effect through her, like a tidal wave of relaxation that touched every inch of her body. She inhaled deeply through her nose as the kiss stretched on; Fleur could still feel Luna's lips caressing her own when consciousness fled her mind. Even then, her dreams could never hope to surpass the reality that was now her life. She closed her eyes with Luna in her hooves, and a blissful smile on her face.

The sun glimmered brightly outside of the tall double windows in Luna’s room. It was going to be a beautiful, sunny day, but that mattered little to Fleur as her eyes fluttered open to see Luna wearing the same infectious grin that she was wearing when she fell asleep.

“Good morning, beautiful.” Luna whispered, kissing Fleur’s cheek tenderly.

“Good morning yourself.” Fleur returned, squeezing Luna a little tighter. The warmth of the morning air chased away her grogginess, but her mind was quickly enveloped in a different, and much more sultry haze. Luna’s gentle kisses spread a heat through Fleur’s head, fogging her mind over with thoughts of those lips travelling elsewhere…

“Hmm…” She moaned, silently urging Luna’s lips to continue. Blissfully, they did, following the line of her jaw down towards her throat. “Aah,” She gave a soft exhalation as Luna preceded the next kiss with a tender, minuscule lick.

“Aahn…” Luna mirrored her, a hot breath washing over Fleur’s neck. She felt her eyes flutter closed as Luna kissed further downwards, mixing quick, small kisses with and soft, teasing nibbles. The combined effect had her core muscles flexing rhythmically, and she could already feel the arousal dripping from her core. Fleur felt Luna’s hooves wind around her more intimately, and in an instant, she found herself nestled beneath Luna, their chests still pressed tightly together.

“Luna,” Fleur panted, her back arching a little.

“Hmm?” Luna hummed, her lips moving into the hollow of Fleur’s throat. She swallowed, feeling Luna’s lips depress against the sudden, slight swelling.

“Oh stars… That feels amazing…”

“Tell me when to stop.” Luna teased, nipping the side of Fleur’s neck. She jerked atop the sheets a little, her hooves shooting into the soft, rumpled fabric.

“D-don’t hold your breath.” Fleur managed to pant, her hips gyrating underneath Luna’s teasing ministrations. Luna just smiled, sending another hot wave of breath over Fleur’s coat. Her lips resumed their leisurely journey southwards, leaving wet spots that cooled in the morning air. Fleur found her haunches spreading as Luna began kissing up and onto her breast, her hooves indenting the sheets on either side of Fleur’s hips. The downward journey picked up in pace, kissing over Fleur’s twitching stomach with ever-increasing urgency.

She glanced to the side, and saw the collar laying forgotten on the floor, near the farthest bookshelf. ’Not today. Today, it’s Luna and I… Not Mistress Luna and her pet.’ The thought sent a wave of euphoria through her veins as she surrendered herself completely to Luna's... To her fiance's ministrations.

A star burst ignited inside of her a split-second later as Luna's hot tongue reached the epicenter of Fleur's desire.

Fleur gasped out as loud as she dared, her entire body shuddering as Luna’s divine tongue laid against her nearly-soaked lips. Fleur's insides felt like the surface of the sun as Luna continued to slowly drag her tongue through her now-molten core. She was delirious with pleasure, her every nerve on fire, her very soul consumed in a lust-fueled inferno.

And then Luna's tongue found Fleur's exposed clitoris. In one perfect motion, she wrapped her lips around the tender pink nub and gently sucked on it, her tongue gently swirling in circles as she went.

Fleur nearly shot off of the bed like a rocket, her back arching to an almost unbelievable degree. Her mouth hung wide open, but for a second, no sound came out... Her breath literally stolen from her lungs. Only the hoof that she hastily shoved in her mouth prevented everypony within the castle grounds from hearing her long cries of ecstasy. Luna didn’t pause for a moment, continuing to lap at Fleur's soaked core. Fleur could feel her juices dripping down her haunches and soaking her tail, but she could hardly care. 'These sheets can't be that expensive anyway.'

Luna’s hooves lay on the inside of her thighs, keeping her spread wide open while she lavished attention on Fleur’s dripping, pulsating pleasure hole. Fleur was reduced to a moaning, whimpering blob of goo, completely at Luna's mercy. But this was a different kind of mercy; she could sense it in Luna's every action, and in every shot of fire that raced through her heart. 'I'm not at the mercy of Luna the Mistress, or the collar that comes with her. No, I'm at the mercy of Luna the pony...'

Fleur arched her back again as Luna's tongue swept past her clitoris for a second time.

'...The pony that I love more than anything in this world. The pony that I'm going to marry.'

A throaty groan escaped her lips when she felt Luna's long tongue part her inner lips to explore the tender, soaked flesh beneath.

'And it's time that I return the favor.'

She dipped her hooves beneath Luna’s chin, eagerly pulling the princess up towards her face. Luna came with a hot breath, her mouth hanging open as their lips met with an animalistic sort of hunger. Fleur moaned desperately as she pulled Luna’s tongue into her mouth with an eager, breathy pant. Their tongues danced ferociously, spinning and curling around one another in an intricate, practiced display of unbridled, primal lust.

Their lips stayed locked together as Fleur rolled to one side, a move that Luna followed with practiced ease. Now straddling her lover, Fleur gently broke the kiss, only to immediately seek out the true object of her now insatiable desires. She swept her hips out above Luna, giving the princess access to her dripping slit while she sought the princess’ own. Luna willingly spread her hind legs, baring her glistening lips to Fleur’s eager tongue. As soon as Fleur assaulted Luna’s clitoris, she was given her own mind-numbing blast of pleasure.

The only sound from either of them was the breathy exchange of licks and moans, building to a hazy head. Fleur could feel Luna’s pleasure building up, a mirror to her own. Wordlessly, the two of them continued licking, moaning, and panting until they pushed each other over the edge, and into a deep ocean of unfettered pleasure. Both mares arched their backs, mouths hanging open blissfully as both of them were swept away on a river more intense and meaningful than simple, pitiful words.

“You got some on your tail.” Luna spoke softly over the hiss of water on tile. Fleur peeked over her shoulder as the princess gingerly lifted her tail, running her hooves through the sodden pink strands.

“That stuff gets everywhere.” Fleur sighed, returning her attention to shampooing her mane. Luna continued stroking and fretting over her tail, so she just closed her eyes and focused. It was moments like these that Fleur knew she’d come to miss whenever Luna wouldn’t be with her, so she tried her best to imprint them in her memory. Showering with the princess was a wonderful, blissful experience that she hoped she’d never have to give up. But there might be days Luna was busy, or she had something to handle herself, or any number of things. ’But it’s a small price to pay to love a mare such as Luna.’

She stepped under the cool stream of water with a sigh, enjoying the feeling of Luna’s hooves moving gingerly through her tail. “Thank you.” She smiled with closed eyes, knowing it didn’t take much for Luna to hear her.

“Your mane isn’t like mine,” Luna chuckled. “So I’m only all too glad to have my hooves in some real hair.”

“Well you can play with my hair any time you’d like.” Fleur teased, wiggling her rump a little. Luna chuckled and nudged her flank.

“Careful, I might take you up on that at the most inopportune time.”

“What, like in the presence of the Saddle Arabian dignitary?” Fleur opened an eye to glance over her back at Luna. “Be careful what you wish for, Princess.”

“You are so naughty.” Luna shook her head with a devious smile. “I should never have taken you to that expo.”

“Aww, you’re not upset your favorite little pet has gotten a taste for other ponies getting a look at her juicy plot, are you?” Fleur stepped out from under the shower and wrapped her hooves around Luna’s neck. “All of those other ponies may have eyes for me, but I only have eyes for you, my love.”

“Your sentiment falls short when I know Cerulean feels otherwise.” Luna teased, settling her hooves on the base of Fleur’s tail. “But I appreciate it nevertheless.” She leaned in and gently kissed Fleur, eliciting a soft moan from the both of them. Fleur slowly tucked the base of her horn against the princess’ as their lips parted. She could feel Luna’s heartbeat against her breast, sounding gentle and powerful in equal measure. They stayed like that for a few blissful moments, savoring one another’s closeness. However, when Luna spoke again, it was with a somber tone.

“We ought to speak to Celestia. Together.”

“Oh…” Fleur opened her eyes and pulled back a little, searching Luna’s eyes for justification. “I… I don’t know…”

“I can’t keep you a secret forever.” Luna returned, gingerly stroking Fleur’s back as she spoke. “And she deserves to know more than anypony else. She’s not just a co-ruler, or a friend… She’s my sister, and I love her in a way that I don’t think you’ll ever understand. We’ve lived side-by-side for thousands of years… Together, we've been through things that would utterly shatter any other pony, no matter how strong of body or mind.” Luna peered into Fleur’s eyes pleadingly.

“I love you with every fiber of my being, Fleur. And nothing Celestia says can sway me into feeling otherwise. I promise you, I’m not going to abandon my promise to marry you before my sister. But we need to make our stand. She wants us apart, no matter the cost.”

“What? Why is she doing this? I don’t understand… What she wants, that’s just insane…”

“She has her reasons…” Luna whispered softly, stroking Fleur’s mane tenderly. “And to an extent, I understand them. But I cannot follow her; not in this. This time, she asks too much of even me, and I intend on telling her just that. But, I would like you by my side, so we can make that point known to her together.”

“Okay...” Fleur whispered, feeling anxiety well up in the pit of her stomach. “I just… I don’t know, I feel nervous.”

“You love me, do you not?” Luna quipped, kissing her neck.

“Of course!” Fleur looked down at her incredulously. “With all my heart!”

“Then don’t fret.” Luna smiled up at her. “We’ll be fine, Fleur. Celestia may not like it, but I’m not going to leave you for the world. If need be, I’ll bring Princess Cadance out here to verify my devotion to our love.”

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t want to involve any more princesses in this than absolutely necessary. Besides, I can prove my love to you all on my own.” Fleur gave a warm smile, nuzzling into Luna’s ephemeral mane. “Alright. We’ll go speak with Celestia.” She pulled back to look into Luna’s eyes once more, smiling warmly. “I love you, Luna.”

“And I love you, Fleur.” Luna replied, returning her smile. The water of the shower turned off, and they stayed like that for a few moments, embracing one another in the quiet of the bathroom. Only when Fleur felt her coat begin to dry on its own did she release Luna and make her way out. As they began drying and preparing, Fleur tried to hold onto that feeling of love and determination she had.

She felt like she was going to need it.

It felt like ages before Luna and Fleur were allowed a private audience with Celestia. Apparently she was incredibly busy that day, and getting her to meet them was a hassle in and of itself. The whole affair had seemed to wear on Luna, who spent the next several hours alternating between impatiently pacing in her quarters and curling up beside Fleur. While she didn’t miss the attention, Fleur managed to keep herself distracted with a juicy novel. She finished the book around mid-afternoon, but still they had heard nothing from Celestia. 'Ok, now I'm getting worried,' she thought.

“Honestly,” Luna turned away from the balcony, stomping back into her room with a dark expression. “She’s never taken this long to at least get back to me, much less see me.”

“Relax,” Fleur cooed, going to press against Luna’s side. She could feel how tense the princess was, as if her entire body were a wound-up spring ready to explode at any moment. “I’m sure she’s just busy with a meeting or something. Or maybe she’s out of the castle?”

“Whatever it is, it had better be good.” Luna resigned herself to nuzzling Fleur tenderly. “It feels like we’ve been waiting for years.”

Even after that, it took well into the evening before a messenger told them Celestia would see them. Fleur followed Luna and the messenger in a daze, her mind caught somewhere between a dream and a potential nightmare. After a few minutes' walk, the messenger ushered them into what looked like a private study. Celestia spared them a quick smile as they entered, but it quickly faded as she saw Luna’s angry expression. Slowly, Fleur and Luna took their seats on the opposite side of the room's only table. The messenger hastily poured them all a cup of tea before excusing himself. Fleur couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of her tea, though she did spare a quick glance to both alicorns at the table.

Celestia appeared pensive and quiet, while Luna seemed to seethe with barely restrained anger. Fleur had never seen her like that; it looked as if she were clenching her jaw hard enough to hurt. The vein in the side of Luna’s neck stood out clearly, and her posture seemed tense.

Once the tea had cooled enough to take a tentative sip, Celestia spoke.

“How was your day, Luna?”

“Fine, thank you.” Luna managed to say, through tightly-clenched teeth. From her response alone, Fleur could see Celestia’s demeanor change. She stopped staring intently at her tea and instead met Luna’s eyes. The two of them stared at one another for almost an entire minute before Celestia spoke once more.

“I'm glad to hear that, but I assume you didn’t call me here with Fleur in attendance to exchange pleasantries. Let me guess,” Celestia finally tore her gaze away from Luna to look down her muzzle at Fleur. “You couldn’t bring yourself to do it, so you thought having a third party present would bolster your courage.”

“What?” Luna drew back, scrunching her nose indignantly. “No, that’s not it at all.”

“Ah, I see. So, Fleur’s requested this audience because she fails to understand.”

"With all due respect, Princess, what I fail to understand is why you would make such a request of Princess Luna." Fleur blushed under the intense gaze of Celestia. She was almost the direct counter to Luna in that her piercing gaze always seemed rock-hard, but in a glaring, bright sort of way. Looking at her for too long made Fleur uncomfortable, as if she were staring directly at the sun itself.

In the end, she had to settle for looking at the table. She felt ashamed that she couldn’t look at Celestia directly, and not the good kind of shame either. The kind that made her feel like a filly being scolded. Luna shifted position, scooting just a little closer to her side. That small gesture, inconsequential as it might have seemed to anypony else, meant the world to Fleur.

’With Luna at my side, I can do anything. I spent three days being visually ravaged by over a thousand ponies at her behest. I’ve accomplished more for myself in six months with her than I did in six years with Fancy. I can do this.’ Fleur smiled up at Luna before meeting Celestia’s gaze, her back straight as an arrow and her head held high. Her fear and trepidation evaporated like a morning mist with Luna’s radiance at her side.

Celestia looked at the two of them for a moment, and like the sun rising over the horizon, realization dawned on her face.

“You’ve decided to stay with her.”

“I have indeed.” Luna nodded. “I have my reasons, and it’s for those reasons I’ve asked to see you today.”

“I thought I made myself clear,” Celestia glanced to Fleur, causing her to blush even deeper than before. “Do, aah… Do we have to do this with her here?”

“I am here,” Fleur’s cheeks heated with indignation. “You don’t need to speak as if I’m not.”

“Forgive me, Fleur.” Celestia cleared her throat. “It’s just that the matter Luna and I speak of is rather sensitive and-“

“She knows.” Luna cut her sister off with a sigh. Celestia's expression wilted for a moment, before turning back to the nearly emotionless state that she had seen so many times before.

“Well my request stands, Fleur. I don’t expect you to understand why it is I’ve asked Luna to break off your relationship, but it must be done.” She waved a hoof between the two of them, frowning intently. “This will never work. And even if it does for a short while, it will end in disaster.”

“I don’t understand,” Fleur frowned at Celestia, shaking her head a little. “Why are you so opposed to Luna being happy?”

“That’s not it at all!” Celestia laid a hoof on her breast, looking shocked. “It’s because I want my sister to be happy that I’m asking her to do this.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Fleur sighed, hanging her head a little. Her bangs covered her eyes as she tried to rationalize Celestia’s feeble argument. “By asking her to give up on something she dearly wants, you’re making her happier?”

“It’s very complicated, Fleur.” Celestia smiled across the table at her. “As I said, I don’t expect you to understand.”

“Try me then. I may be a regular unicorn, but I'm not stupid.” Fleur glanced at Luna before straightening up once more, meeting Celestia’s gaze with her own. “Besides, I think I deserve to know, considering I’m the one she’s leaving.”

“I can’t do that, Fleur.” Celestia shook her head once more, sighing gently. “It’s a rather personal matter, one that exists solely between my sister and I. I’m sorry, but I’m not comfortable sharing my personal life with someone so… Socially inclined.”

’Surely she’s not that shallow, is she?’ “You’re afraid I’m going to blab your weakness to everypony.” Fleur surmised. She didn’t know whether she should be offended or understanding. She certainly did partake in gossip quite often, and her clique wasn’t the most secretive… But in light of how well she and Luna had kept their relationship a secret thus far, some credit was due. Celestia might not have known that, though, since Luna had already shared their relationship.

Celestia looked at her with a sympathetic expression, lifting her shoulder in a half-shrug. Fleur sighed as she looked to Luna. Her lover appeared to have grown more irritable over the course of their back-and-forth. When she spoke, it was with a very strained and thin tone.

“I can vouch for Fleur’s surreptitiousness. We've kept our relationship well concealed for over half a year. Besides yourself, nopony else knows of our relationship?”

“Oh really? And what of Aurora? Or Quill?” Celestia returned. Luna seemed to falter a bit, but she soon recovered.

“They are trusted friends; and like Fleur, their discretion in all matters - personal or otherwise - is unparalleled.”

“Small blessings,” Celestia muttered. “At least you made sure everything was covered somewhere.”

“You know how much those three days meant to me!” Luna looked shocked. “Celestia, we’ve already discussed this! You and I both know how much I needed that time!”

“I sincerely doubt you needed that time, Luna.” Celestia scowled at her before casting a quick glance Fleur’s way. “Just like I sincerely doubt either of you actually need one another in your lives! You’ve hardly known one another more than a year, and already you’re so close to one another. It’s absurd, and a little concerning to be frank. I know it’s easy for ponies to be smitten by us, but that’s all the more reason we need to keep an emotional distance between us!”

“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black,” Luna shot right back. “I seem to recall a rather impressionable young librarian hanging off your every word as you praised her for her accomplishment in the Crystal Kingdom just last week.” There was a moment of silence as Celestia struggled to connect the dots. It seemed as if she failed.

“I don’t see how Twilight is related to this discussion…”

“Oh don’t play coy, Celestia.” Luna sneered. “Twilight’s been spending more time around you than even I have, and that’s saying something. We do run a kingdom together, might I remind you. It seems any day she’s not in Ponyville, she’s here by your side - or at the very least, running off to do errands for you. If somepony else were to look at this situation, it wouldn’t be entirely outside of the realm of possibility that they’d assume that your dealings with this young mare are... Hmm, how should I put this... Not entirely academic in nature?”

“Are you implying Twilight and I are lovers?!” Celestia looked shocked. “That’s absurd! Twilight’s not a lover, she’s an intellectual! A… A student! And my student, nevertheless!”

“A student today, but what about tomorrow, Celestia?” Luna raised a hoof, pointing at her succinctly. “You said it yourself, it’s easy for ponies to be ‘smitten’ by us. Twilight might be your student today, but she could begin to develop feelings for you sooner or later. In your library today, in your bed tomorrow? Or next week? Or even a year from now? I give it another month at most, personally." She cast a very sarcastic look in Celestia's direction. "She is a very attractive mare, after all... And you did always have a thing for the color purple—"

“That's enough, Luna!" Celestia lifted her head firmly. “I’ll not allow Twilight – or anypony – to become that attached to me. It’s unbecoming and dangerous, not to mention absurd!”

“I think you’re just saving face.” Luna’s voice lowered. Fleur could feel it in the air; there was something dangerous happening between the two princesses just now. This wasn’t just a discussion, this was an all-out, gloves-are-off, everything-at-stake argument between two ponies that held within them the power to control the sun, moon, and the stars. In such company, at this moment, Fleur felt as insignificant as a speck of dust.

And that feeling intensified to whole new levels as Luna pressed her advantage.

"You're too afraid to let Twilight - or anypony for that matter - to get close to you."

"Luna, I—"

Luna cut her off again, leaning forward as she continued. "Admit it, sister. You're using that crown as an excuse because you're afraid!"

"And just what am I so afraid of then, Luna?" replied defensively.

"You're afraid to let Twilight in, because you're afraid that if you do, she'll become your next Ribbon!"

The room went silent, as if Luna’s last words had sucked every bit of air out of the entire castle. For the briefest of moments, the mask of composure slipped from Celestia's face, and Fleur couldn't help but stare. There was a real pain in the Princess's eyes, as if she had just been stabbed in the heart by a ghost, but behind it, Fleur could see enough righteous anger to destroy the world thrice over.

Fleur wasn't sure whether she wanted to wet herself on the spot or run for the exit. Or both. She was very suddenly and painfully reminded of a thought that had crossed her own mind just yesterday. ‘Tartarus hath no fury like a mare scorned.’ And there was plenty of fury that this particular princess could muster.

Celestia sat motionless for nearly a minute. Fleur could see the war of emotions playing out in her eyes, as if she were using every bit of her magic to simply restrain herself.

'Ribbon? I've never heard that name before.' Fleur mused as she continued to watch the room balance on a knife's edge. 'Celestia's usually impossible to read, but one mention of this Ribbon, and she nearly snapped on the spot. Luna is the only family Celestia has, and no member of the castle staff could be that valuable–'

Fleur's mind froze for a moment, as if a gong had rung out inside of her head. 'Unless Ribbon wasn't a staff member at all...' Finally, Celestia took a deep breath and closed her eyes, lifting her head once more to an ever-higher collected position.

“For the sake of everypony present, I’m going to pretend as if you did not just bring that up, and we can move on-“

“Hang on,” Fleur’s mind kicked into overdrive before she could even think to stop herself.

“Who is Ribbon?”

“I’m not about to share that.” Celestia answered almost immediately, sniffing a little. “Particularly not with you.”

“Oh, and why would that be?” Fleur felt a heat rise to her cheeks. Celestia was the one who wanted them apart, and here she wasn’t willing to even level with either of them. Fleur felt a muscle underneath her eye twitch a little as she glared at Celestia.

“Forgive me for saying, Fleur, but secrets and weaknesses are the trade of high-class socialites. I sincerely doubt sharing my past with you - particularly something of this caliber – would bode well for my future dealings with the rest of the Canterlot elite.”

“You honestly think I’d share your secret with my peers?” Fleur was shocked. “Celestia, that’s absurd! I would never expose something of this import to… To anypony! To even think of doing something like that is… It’s blasphemy.”

“Oh please,” Celestia rolled her eyes. “Your tongue is as silver as Luna's sacred moon. While I don’t begrudge or dislike you for it, I’m not about to expose something so important to me when I know it stands a good chance of being in the headlines within two weeks.”

“And as I already told you, Celestia,” Luna cut in. “Fleur’s discrepancy on these matters is unparalleled. She’s managed to keep the two of us secret for this long, and we haven’t had a slip-up yet.”

“Oh and what of her ex-husband? Did you not just expose yourselves to him at the end of the expo?” Fleur's blood ran cold at Celestia's counter. ’Buck, she has a good point too… After all, we did drop our disguises in front of one of the most socially adept smooth talkers in all of Equestria.’

“I’ve taken the matter into my own hooves and I can assure you, Fancy Pants will take our secret to his grave.” Luna’s reply solidified the ice in Fleur’s veins and made her look at her partner with wide eyes.

"You did what? Luna—"

“I’ll tell you later.” Luna muttered under her breath. “Focus.”

“Well,” Celestia shook her head, her mane wafting about her face rather entrancingly. Fleur found herself momentarily enraptured by the display, only to be forced to focus on the situation at-hoof as Celestia continued her argument. “My past is still still irrelevant to this discussion-“

“I doubt that very much.” Luna scoffed. “Celestia, you owe this to her. You’re asking her to abandon me, and I believe what happened between you and Ribbon is not just relevant to your request, it's the entire driving force behind it. If you expect her to follow through with this insanity in any capacity, you need to tell her your justification.”

“Celestia, I assure you.” Fleur laid a hoof on her breast. “I may make my living in the trade of secrets and gossip, but I know how to hold my tongue; and what to hold it for. I swear on my family's good name, I will take whatever you say here to my grave.”

Celestia looked between the two of them for several long, tense moments, obviously struggling to find a counter to their argument. Fleur never once looked away, her violet eyes meeting Celestia's gaze each time it turned in her direction. Finally, she looked towards the balcony with a heavy sigh of defeat. Her eyes misted over as she looked out onto the night sky, as if she was recollecting a memory from long, long ago. In a quiet voice, she began.

“Her name was Ribbon, and I loved her fiercely. When I sent Luna to the moon, I found myself alone for the first time in my life, and I was scared beyond belief. As far back as I can remember, she and I had been by each other’s sides, always there to talk to or confide in. When she was gone, I… I felt lost. Like nopony could ever be there for me again…

“And then Ribbon showed up like a ray of sunshine. She was incredibly beautiful, like she had come straight from Elysium itself. Yet she was so quiet and reserved, she hardly said a word to anypony else. Only the few ponies she worked with in the castle even knew her name. I was sitting in my garden one night when I saw her, moving down the hallway with such grace and precision, I… I was enraptured. It seemed she wasn’t just going about her duties, but she was practicing… A dance, as it were.

As I watched, she soon erupted into this… this intricate, beautiful display. She was so quiet and unassuming, but seeing her dance…” Celestia sighed and turned back to both of them, her expression still wistful and teary. She was smiling a little, in a way that made Fleur think she was truly happy recalling these memories.

“I fell in love almost immediately. We began talking more and more. She was the one pony I could open up to, and share some of my more… Mortal traits with. We’re not perfect, Fleur. Some would deign to call us foolish, and there are plenty of times I’d have to agree with them. Spending my time with Ribbon, growing so close to her, sharing so many things… It kept me sane. But I learned things about her as well.” Her expression darkened then. Fleur watched as Celestia suddenly looked much more melancholy.

“I learned things about Ribbon that she never shared with anypony; not even her parents. We grew closer than lovers. We were friends. Partners. We grew invested in one another… My triumphs were hers, her quarrels were mine. We were there to sing and dance over our triumphs, and we were there to hold each other when sadness and depression touched us. We laughed, cried, and talked for days, and loved for more nights than I thought possible for either of us.

“And then she died. To me, it was like a blink of my eye; seventy-eight years gone in a flash. One decade she’s there, still so radiant and passionate, and the next she’s gone… Fleur, I shared things with her. Secrets that nopony in all of Equestria knows. Not even Luna. When she died, I buried those secrets. That’s okay. That’s fine.”

A tear slipped out of Celestia’s eye, sliding down her cheek and dripping off her muzzle.

“But the things she told me stayed. Ribbon’s secrets; her fears and aspirations, they still live in my heart and mind. I buried my secrets, but I immortalized hers. Not a day goes by that I don’t remember the things she told me, or the way she cried in my hooves as she struggled to get each word out. I can’t sleep at night without seeing her smile, or feeling her lips on me once more.” Celestia stood, looking intently into Fleur’s eyes. "Believe me when I say that neither you nor my sister have any idea how much pain I have been in since the moment the light left her beautiful eyes. I have meted out many punishments in my days, but this... This is a torture that I would wish on nopony."

She turned to Luna with a forlorn look in her tear-stained eyes. "Especially not on a pony that shares my burden of immortality."

“Regular ponies fall in love, and that’s fine. Their partners die, and they bury them, and there will come a day when they will join them on the fields of Elysium. There’s a solace in death, Fleur. A solace neither Luna nor I can know. When we fall in love with somepony, Fleur…”

She swallowed as Celestia shed another two tears, but their eyes never wavered. Not even for a moment.

“It’s forever.”

When she sat back down, she seemed composed. Her eyes cleared of tears, though the evidence remained on her muzzle. She looked intently at Fleur, lifting a hoof to emphasize her point.

“That’s why I cannot allow this. I know what it means for somepony like us – an immortal Princess – to love a mortal pony. That love lasts forever, and so do their memories. When you die, Fleur, you’re going to keep your secrets and ambitions in this world, in Luna’s heart. And that very well might break her, as it has very nearly broken me time and time again. There will come a day in Luna’s life when she is going to collapse under that stress, and that is a risk I am not willing to take.”

Fleur and Luna’s jaws dropped in an instant. Luna looked like she had just been slapped. Even Fleur winced at the real meaning behind Celestia's words. When Luna spoke again, it was only with the thinnest veneer of social decency that her rage was held in-check.

“How dare you,” She growled. “I’m not some… Some asset to be controlled or managed!” She rose to her hooves, glaring across the table at Celestia. “You’re not ready to take a risk involving MY love life?! Do I even need to say how backwards that is?!”

“You’re not just some regular pony, Luna!” Celestia stood as well, jabbing a hoof in Luna’s direction. “You can’t go falling in love with just anypony! There are consequences involving your emotional attachments, and those consequences impact Equestria as a whole! A land, may I remind you, whose well-being I am responsible for! If you lose control of yourself again… If you become Nightmare Moon… Well that’s something I’d rather avoid – even if it means keeping you and Fleur apart!”

“You are not the only one involved in Equestria’s well-being!” Luna stomped a hoof. “Need I remind you that you are not the only Princess in Equestria!"

“Luna, I-“

”I AM NOT YOUR DAUGHTER!” Luna’s voice made everypony flinch as she stomped the ground. A flash lit the room, and Fleur watched with awe and terror as Luna’s body quivered for a second. After what seemed like a monumental effort, she stilled herself, breathing a soft sigh as she lowered her haunches to the floor.

“I’m your sister. And even more than that, I’m your co-ruler, and your friend. Equestria’s well-being is at the core of my heart as well, and I assure you I would never make a decision that would negatively impact the ponies we protect. Still, I have desires, Celestia. Just as you did, and I’m sure you still do. I love Fleur intensely, and I don’t want to sacrifice that love because of some mis-guided notion of protection or preservation. I love Fleur, and she loves me. No one is going to take that from us.” Luna’s hoof gently wound around Fleur’s. Together, the two of them looked into Celestia’s eyes.

“Not even you.”

Celestia grew quiet as Luna's emphatic statement hung in the air like a thick fog. She held Luna’s gaze for a long while before slowly seeking Fleur’s. Her face melted from stone-cold and stoic into something sympathetic, as if seeking Fleur’s input, inviting her to make a mistake or reveal some flaw in their argument. Instead, Fleur spoke her mind and heart.

“She’s right, Celestia. We are in love. I thought I knew what love was when I married Fancy Pants, but I see now how foalish I was… I never knew what love was until I met Luna.” She looked up at her partner’s serene face for a blissful moment, and a smile crossed her lips, a smile it seemed she would never be able to resist when Luna was nearby.

“I know I’m going to die some day. I know that I’m going to leave nothing but memories in my wake…” She turned her gaze back to Celestia, smiling serenely. “So I will do everything I possibly can to make every one of those memories a happy one. I swear this – to both of you – when I leave this place, I will leave Luna as happy as she possibly could be…

Fleur felt Luna squeeze her hoof, and she squeezed it back. “As happy as I know Ribbon once made you, even if you can’t see it right now.”

Tears slid down Celestia’s cheeks as she and Fleur met one another’s eyes for what felt like the last time. For a few long moments, Fleur stared straight at Celestia, watching her tears spill over. She saw real pain behind those ageless eyes, but she also saw an equal amount of resentment, and more than a hint of bitterness.

'I hurt her... I know I did.' Fleur thought as a flash of guilt rang through her heart. 'But it had to be said, and it had to be me that said it.'

She tightened her grip on Luna's hoof even more as a sense of real drive and devotion filled her heart. 'My time here is woefully short in comparison to these two, but I love Luna too much to spend even another second away from her.'

Celestia rose to her hooves and spoke quietly.

“I never thought I’d see the day I’d have my own memories used against me by one of my subjects, much less my own sister.” She turned towards the door, walking slowly with her head low. “I do not like your union, as it goes against everything I know to be true. But I see now there’s no possible way I can dissuade either of you. Thus, I’ll turn a blind eye to it. Just know this,” She turned back at the door, looking at them with teary eyes.

“Fleur will die one day, and you’ll be left with nothing but the ghost of her memory. When that day comes, Luna, what will happen?”

“I would hope…” Luna slowly pressed against Fleur’s side, draping a leg over her back to hold her tight. “That I would have a sister and a friend by my side; somepony who understands my pain, who knows what it means to suffer loss. Somepony who can not only ease the pain, but can remind me of my happy memories.”

Celestia held Luna’s gaze for one moment more before she turned to the door and wordlessly walked out.

When the door closed behind her, Fleur felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. She inhaled deeply, and when it came out, the tears came with it too. Luna held her close, the two of them sobbing into each other’s manes. In that moment, Fleur felt like she had just conquered the world and lived to tell the tale. She clutched Luna tight; her prize, her beautiful, mysterious, wonderful, amazing fiance.

She had the rest of her life to spend with this pony now, and nopony – not even another Princess – could stand in their way. They had just proven their devotion in the most meaningful way imaginable, and nothing could tarnish the glory of that one simple victory.

And yet, at the end of it all, Fleur knew death awaited her. She would step forth to meet her inevitable fate one way or another, and then Luna would be alone.

It was a good thing she had all the time between now and then to enjoy her life, and what’s more, she had Luna at her side to lead her into the future…

Be it at the end of a leash or not.

(19) Pillow Talk

Moonstone 19 – Pillow Talk

'Hmm... A mare could get used to this.' The thought brought a sense of warmth to Fleur's mind as her eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing the pre-dawn amber glow of Luna's private quarters. She stretched languidly, her muscles singing with joy as her back brushed up against Luna. Fleur felt the covers shift in response to her movements, and in a heartbeat, she found herself wrapped in the Princess's embrace.

“Good morning, Fleur.” Luna moaned softly as she began kissing up and along her neck. Fleur groaned in response, stretching underneath Luna once more.

“Good morning, my love… Did you sleep well?”

“You know I don’t sleep much, Fleur.” Luna teased as she gently kissed her cheek. "Besides, I'd much rather spend the night holding onto you, or just watching over you."

“And reading.” Fleur muttered, noting a previously-unseen tome sitting open at a nearby table.

“Only when you snore.”

“I do not snore!” Fleur said in mock outrage, adding in a playful shove to Luna for good effect.

Luna simply pressed her advantage further, landing kiss after kiss along Fleur's neckline. “Trust me, you snore like a lumberjack, or perhaps an old farmpony.”

“Sto-ho-hop!” Fleur struggled, squirming underneath Luna’s incorrigible advance. 'Well, if you don't stop, that's ok too...' Luna continued kissing and teasing until Fleur felt her desire slowly bubble to life as Luna's lips continued to tease her. She lifted her hooves into Luna’s mane, urging her to continue; Luna's playful look turned smoky in an instant as her kisses became slower and deeper, making Fleur’s eyes flutter closed once more.

And yet, through the haze of early-morning arousal and desire, a sobering thought latched onto the back of her mind, and despite her body's wishes to the contrary, it refused to be ignored. She pulled Luna’s head up with a slight groan, drawing their lips together for one last, deep kiss. Once their lips parted, she met Luna’s gaze, her own expression serious.

“We need to talk.”

“I suppose we do.” Luna nodded, slowly lifting herself up and off of her. Fleur rolled out from beneath her, slipping off of the bed entirely. Fleur's nose scrunched lightly as she looked herself over. 'But first, a shower.' She cast a pleading glance over her shoulder at Luna before flicking her eyes towards the bathroom.

“Go ahead and get it started,” Luna waved her off with a brave smile. “I’ll join you in a moment.”

Fleur nodded and went to start the shower, turning the water on nice and cool to wake her mind – and calm her arousal. She could feel her grogginess melt away under the chill stream of water as it soaked into her body. When her mane was thoroughly soaked, she slowly turned and lifted her tail, humming contentedly as the nearly cold water soaked into her haunches. By the time she had soaked all the way through, Luna joined her in the shower, shuddering a little as she slid under the cold water as well.

“You realize,” Luna cooed. “We’re going to have to warm one another up after this.”

“While I don’t doubt that,” Fleur kissed Luna’s neck gently. “We have to have a talk first.”

“I know, I know…” Luna sighed and nuzzled into her mane gently. “At least let me shampoo your tail.”

“Oh don’t you think you’re stepping out of this shower without doing that.” Fleur turned her back to Luna, swishing her tail out to playfully whip the princess’ flank. “And don’t think I’m not going to warm you up either.”

“There’s the Fleur I know and love.” Luna chuckled, pulling the bottle of shampoo off of the small shelf and setting to work.

When they stepped out and dried off, Fleur went to sit before the dark fireplace, with Luna joining her moments later. Fleur looked up at Luna with a somewhat wary smile as she sat down next to her. That same question was clawing at the back of her mind, demanding an answer.

“Luna, what did you say to Fancy Pants?”

“Ah. That.” Luna’s smile faded a little, as she drew in a deep breath.

“Following our return from the expo, I had three days to spend doing some research. I saw fit to make a quick return trip to Trottingham so Fancy Pants and I could have a little discussion. As I’m sure you know, exposing our relationship to him held quite a few risks, including our relationship being exposed to the public.”

“I was worried about that…” Fleur admitted, though her lips curled into a slight frown. “Fancy Pants has a good amount of political pull; he could make some waves if he wanted to.”

“Exactly. So, I had to ensure that Fancy would do no such thing... Or if he ever did, his claims would be invalidated.”

“Okay…” Fleur rolled a hoof. “So what did you do?”

“Well, I had originally planned to threaten him with exile,” Luna shook her head slowly. “… Until Quill got a second look at his Trottingham accounts. It seems your ex-husband has been skimming a little off the top for his own personal funds.”

“You can’t be serious.” Fleur was taken aback. “He's an unfaithful wretch, but he would never-“

“Except he is. And has been, both him and Melody. For about three years now. I wish it weren’t true, but it seems as if his cheating on you wasn’t just for a change of pace in the bedroom.” Luna sighed and hung her head. “Both he and Melody have embezzled over ninety thousand bits from Trottingham's charities over the last three years.”

“Wow.” Fleur blinked. "I handled the Canterlot accounts personally, but I had at least a passing knowledge of the others..." Fleur looked despondent. "Yet I never knew... Never even suspected! I could have stopped this years ago!"

“Don't blame yourself, Fleur. He hid it well, since it took this long for anypony at all to notice it.” Luna looked back up at her again. “Fancy is a terrible pony. I had half a mind to just banish him outright… But I’d rather watch him squirm a little.”

“So what did you tell him?” Fleur asked, halfway dreading the answer.

“Nothing major Fleur, I assure you. I traded his assurance that he’d keep our secret for me not exiling him for his crimes. Furthermore, the Trottingham school division would be receiving a sizeable anonymous donation… Right about ninety thousand bits, to be specific.”

“I see…” Fleur breathed a sigh of relief. “But, if he's already done this much, how do we know he'll keep his word?”

“Oh, he will. Unless he wants to commit career suicide.” Luna nodded. “I retained the ledgers and receipts that showed his treachery, and I also had Quill make duplicate copies, just in case. Should Fancy decide to expose our secret, I’ll expose his. Then it’ll be the word of a Princess with hard, factual evidence against the word of a renown gossip hound that cheated on his own wife for years.” Luna gave a soft chuckle. “Trust me, Fleur, we have him by the balls, Fleur.”

“Well, in that case, we don't have much," Fleur said with a hint of sarcasm. “Still, I'm a bit relieved. I thought for a moment you had actually exiled him or something.”

“Nothing that drastic, I assure you.” Luna shook her head softly. “Though I was sorely tempted to do it anyway, considering what he did to Melody…”

“How is she, by the way?” Fleur asked with a tone of genuine concern.

“She made a full recovery, thankfully," Luna said with a relieved smile. Last I heard, she threw Fancy out, and the museum no longer works with him at all. It's a shame, in an odd way." Luna shook her head a bit. "Embezzlement aside, those two worked well together; they made a lot of money for those charities."

“Even the biggest piece of shit might have a small nugget of gold buried in it.” Fleur grumbled. “At least Melody recovered. I wouldn't wish such an injury on anypony.”

“She’s still a bit shell-shocked from the ordeal, but she's doing fine overall." Luna gave Fleur a sly wink. "Though I think she'll take a pass on suspension techniques in the future."

“So hold on a moment…” Fleur frowned up at Luna. “How did you do all of this without my knowing?”

“You forget, my love. We each had three days to ourselves when we returned from the expo.”

“And you made it to Trottingham, spoke with Fancy, checked up on Melody, and I’m assuming had Quill discover all of this information during your time there?”

“Well, to be honest, Quill had taken it upon himself to discover Fancy’s embezzlement. Curse that pony for his resourcefulness; he usually finds something to dig up on everypony.”

“And now I suppose he has a leg up on us as well,” Fleur deadpanned. Luna chuckled and lifted a shoulder.

“So does Aurora, but I don’t see her waving the invoices for my equipment purchases at the socialites of Horseshoe Bay. They may take time to find, but there are always a few ponies worth placing your full trust in.” Luna slipped off of her couch and crossed the space between them, curling up beside Fleur. Fleur nuzzled into her mane, sighing softly.

“You can usually tell which ponies are trustworthy and which ones aren’t.” Luna laid her chin on top of Fleur’s head as she continued. “It’s the ones that will look you in the eye and tell you the truth; whether you need to hear it or not.”

"Do you trust me, Luna?"

“Implicitly,” Luna replied. “Even when you had barely any idea what a dom and sub were, you were never afraid to look me in the eye and tell me what you wanted, or what was too much.”

“I never had to—”

“Shush.” Luna teased. “You have always been up-front with me, Fleur... A trait that you displayed more than ever when you stood up to me two days ago. I still feel terrible for ever following my sister’s plan, and I hope that you’ll come to forgive me for doing that to you.”

“You’re already forgiven, Luna.” Fleur whispered, turning her head just enough to kiss Luna’s cheek tenderly. “Just don’t do something like that again; at least not without at least discussing it with me.”

“Deal.” Luna chuckled, turning her lips just enough to capture hers. They kissed tenderly for a few moments, but there were still a few things on Fleur’s mind. She pulled away from the soft touch with a shaky breath, as she lovingly gazed into Luna's brilliant eyes.

“About this marriage…”

“Yes, we should talk about that as well.” Luna sighed and closed her eyes. “Perhaps ‘marry’ wasn’t the best term to use.”

“No, no, not at all! I… I want to.” Fleur sputtered for a moment. She rolled onto her back so she could look directly up at Luna without craning her neck. “I want to marry you, Luna. But… Do we want to make it public? Do we want to expose ourselves to all of Equestria like that? The gossip and rumor will be unending... And that's without even thinking of any consequences to the Crown itself.”

Luna looked down at her for a long while, and Fleur could almost see the debate raging behind her eyes. Her brow drew down until she slowly closed her eyes and shook her head.

“No, Fleur… I don’t want to put that sort of pressure on either of us, and that goes doubly for you. Cadance and Shining Armor were able to marry as they did because they’re already two well-known ponies. Being seen together isn’t an issue for them. But for one half of the diarchy to be intimately involved with a socialite from the highest circles of Equestrian society... I’d hate to go so far as to call it ‘improper’ since we don’t have any laws forbidding it, but you understand how drastic the response to such a proclamation would be.”

“I understand all too well,” Fleur sighed. 'Is it so much to want to declare your love for another? We've come this far, yet we have to stop on the threshold?'

“That’s why,” Luna leaned back in, whispering into Fleur’s ear. “I’m going to keep you my little secret.”

“L-Luna?”

“I want to marry you, Fleur. I want to call you mine and hold you each and every night for the rest of your life… And I will not let the trappings of either your social status or my crown to stop us. So we’ll marry in secret; just you, me, maybe Quill or Aurora, and nopony else.” Luna kissed her cheek, slowly lowering herself until they were pressed tight. “I love you, Fleur, and I want to make that love official. It would be the greatest moment of my existence to make my vows to you, and to receive yours in turn.”

“But, what about my friends?” Fleur whimpered. “What could I possibly tell them? Everypony already knows you and I are friends and we spend a lot of our time together… To be honest, I'd be surprised if they didn't already assume that we were an item by now. Still, they're my friends, Luna. Do you really expect me to live a lie like that?"

“I wouldn’t call it ‘living a lie,’ Fleur. Just as I trust Aurora and Quill, I’m sure there are a few friends of yours that you can trust in a similar manner.” Luna cooed soothingly.

'Well, I do trust Gemstone, but to trust her with this...' Fleur's frown only grew deeper.

“Still… If we marry, I'd certainly like to live with my spouse, as I'm sure you also would. But you know as well as I do that if I moved into the castle, it would spark gossip the likes of which we’ve never seen.”

“As much as I'd love that, it'd be impossible; we’d be exposed almost immediately.” Luna sighed and gingerly stroked Fleur’s mane, nuzzling close for a few moments. “There are questions like that I honestly cannot answer, Fleur. I do want to live with you, but I’m not opposed to you staying at your home; at least until we figure something out.”

“And even if we do figure out where we'll live, there's still my work, and my relationships with the charities, and about a dozen other problems besides. I… I don’t know, Luna, there’s just so much to answer…”

“Relax, Fleur.” Luna soothed her with a soft sound. “We’ll figure it out… We always do. And besides,” She pulled back to smile down at Fleur. “It will take some time for Quill and Aurora to get away from things to make it here for the wedding.”

“They’re attending?” Fleur felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “I… I can’t ask that of them.”

“You’re not the one asking, Fleur.” Luna teased. “I am. They’re my friends, and I want them present when we say our vows. I know for a fact Quill’s busy with another convention right now, followed by an extensive contract negotiation. Aurora’s pretty open as long as she has ample warning, but still, it’s going to take them four to five months before they’re able to travel up here.”

“That long?” Fleur mulled it over for a moment. “Well, that does give us at least four months to figure this all out…”

“You didn’t expect to marry me tomorrow, did you?” Luna teased, leaning in to nip at Fleur’s neck. “You’re so eager.”

“W-well, not exactly…” Fleur stammered, her heart leaping against her ribcage. “I… I just… Oh, nevermind.” She leaned in, planting her lips firmly against Luna’s. When she pulled away, it was with a smile. “We'll figure this out together, somehow. Isn't that what married couples do anyway?"

“I guess we'll find out won't we?” Luna leaned in to whisper into Fleur’s ear. “My Fiance.”

Fleur felt the tears of joy come on, even as she wrapped her forelegs around Luna once more. They embraced warmly, both mares crying tears of pure joy. 'So long as I live, I will never forget this moment.' Fleur thought as she wept into Luna's embrace. Luna raised her head for a moment before pulling her into a deep, warm kiss, and Fleur felt her heart skip in an instant. 'But I know how we can make this even more memorable.'

The fire in her core leapt to life as soon as she cautiously poked her tongue out, only to be met with Luna’s in an insistent back-and-forth dance. Fleur could already feel the arousal dripping into the soft fur around her haunches as their kiss finally broke. She looked up at Luna with lust-filled eyes, and the look she got in return nearly melted her on the spot.

They were not the eyes of a princess, or even the eyes of her fiance.

The almost unnaturally bright eyes that stared back at her were the eyes of her mistress.

“Go get your collar, Fleur.” Luna breathed into her ear, finishing the exhalation with a soft nip. “We’re going downstairs.”

“Yes. Please, yes.” Fleur panted. As Luna slid off the couch, Fleur felt her self-control quickly evaporate in the suddenly cool air. Her legs were quivering, and she could feel her haunches twitching with desire. Luna padded towards the elevator, while Fleur went to hunt down the collar she had batted away two days ago. She found it where they had left it, on the floor in front of a book shelf. She sighed contentedly as she wound the leather band around her neck and secured the clasp.

It was like slipping into a second skin. Fleur’s doubts and anxiety were gone. She wasn’t worried about the social repercussions of a wedding or her lecherous ex-husband’s treachery. Gone was her fear of being exposed to the public and cast out for being a pervert and a deviant. Her frets and qualms became nothing in light of one single, indisputable truth:

She must please her mistress, or there would be consequences.

“I’m ready, mistress.” Fleur bowed her head before Luna, who lifted her chin to level their eyes.

“We’ll see about that, my little pet.” Luna purred, pulling Fleur around by her chin and into the lift.

The ride down to the basement was torturous. Luna stood behind her in the cramped space, her breast pressed up against the dock of Fleur’s tail. Her entire back end was throbbing with each heartbeat, and she could almost feel her outer lips pulsing with each hurried breath. Luna would shift her chest forward at random to put extra pressure on Fleur's tailhole, eliciting soft mewls of pleasure, and the steady drip of arousal onto the floor.

Fleur was nearly on the verge of begging for release when the lift finally came to a stop. 'But if I've learned anything, it's that patience has its rewards with Luna.' Luna wasted no time in pushing Fleur out of the lift and down the hall. Fleur was by now very familiar with the layout of the lower level, and she couldn't suppress a devious grin when she saw Luna turn towards one of her favorite rooms.

The room was stark white, but warmly lit. The center of the room was dominated by a large bed that could easily double as a base for complex and intricate binds and suspensions. The pegboard walls surrounding it were covered in a multitude of gear and equipment, including body harnesses, whips, gags, rope, chains, vibrators, and a myriad of other tools. 'I do so love this room...' Fleur's blood was nearly simmering in her veins as she recalled the many wet and lewd sessions she had shared with Luna in that room.

“On the bed.” Luna growled, pushing Fleur forwards. Fleur trotted forward obediently and leaped up onto the bed with practiced ease. Her hooves had barely made contact with the textured plastic surface when Luna’s magic wrapped around her body and flipped her onto her back. "Oof!" She hit the bed with a thud as the breath was driven from her lungs in an instant. Luna stood just off to the side, looking down at her with a devious smile painted across her mouth. Her tongue poked out as she slowly licked her lips, her eyes flickering up to Fleur’s face for half a moment.

“Hooves up.”

“Yes, mistress.” Fleur panted, lifting all four of her hooves into the air. Luna's magic gripped them immediately, securing her hooves very tightly into the intricate buckles and cuffs. When Luna was finished, Fleur’s hind legs had been lifted up and above her head, and her forelegs stood straight up against the headboard. Other than straight ahead, the only other direction that she could comfortably look was straight down...

...Which just so happened to offer her an unfettered view of her glistening, flared marehood.

And all of the devious things Luna was going to do to it.

“Look at this, Fleur.” Luna cooed, one of her hooves rising to stroke the inside of her thigh, close to the apex of her desire. “You’re positively dripping… I bet you want me to do something about this, don’t you?”

“Yes, please Mistress…” Fleur whimpered, watching Luna’s hoof press into her leg in slow, small circles.

“How badly do you want it, my pet?”

“So badly, Mistress. I’ll do anything.”

“I’m sure you would, Fleur. Tell me, how do you want me to address this little problem we have here, hmm?”

“I-I want your tongue, mistress… Please…”

“My tongue?” Luna pulled back, looking appalled. “Why, you want me to lay my tongue against this dirty little hole? Look at it, Fleur, you’re bound to leak all over me. You really want me to taste you?” Luna leaned in, her hot breath washing over Fleur’s entire core. “I bet you’d cum in my mouth without even telling me…”

“N-never, mistress!” Fleur panted, her own eyes wide with incredulity. “I would never cum without telling you, mistress!”

"I'm not sure I believe you, my pet. You've made similar claims before... And yet each time, you disobey and cum right in my mouth without hesitation, without remorse. And each time, I punish you for your horrible behavior."

Luna cast a devilish stare at Fleur. "I'm starting to think that you're doing this on purpose, you dirty little pet. Yes, I think you like cumming in my mouth against my wishes, and I think you like it when I punish you."

“M-mistress…” Fleur whimpered. 'I don't know if her punishment tonight will be light-hearted, or leave me unable to walk for a week.' Fleur thought as she drowned in Luna's stare. 'But it'll be worth it either way.' She fought to keep from grinning as she whispered again. “I would never cum in your mouth without telling you, mistress.”

“Uh huh.” Luna deadpanned. She knew Fleur was lying. Either she didn’t care, or she had something devious planned for the punishment. Fleur didn’t care; she just wanted an orgasm… Or seven. “You still want me to put this dirty little thing in my mouth.” Luna teased, her hoof rising up beside her mouth, dangerously close to Fleur’s twitching cunt. “You probably haven’t even washed it properly. I bet you taste all musky…”

“N-no, Mistress…” Fleur groaned, laying her head back. ’Why hasn’t she just licked me yet? Oh, by the stars, I want it…’

“Tell me how much you want it, Fleur.” Luna panted, sending another hot breath directly against Fleur’s hole. “Beg for it.”

“Please, mistress!” Fleur took to her task with gusto. “Please, I want you to lick me! I want to cum! I want to feel your tongue inside of me, writhing against my walls. Please, I’m so wet, I just want to cum. I want you, mistress… I need you.”

"Please Fleur, do you think I'm that easy?" Luna teased, pulling back. “I know you can do better than that.”

“Please, no!” Fleur gasped, her hips lifting. Luna pressed her back down with an insistent touch, keeping her tail fanned out on the plastic bed. “Please, mistress, I need it… I’m dying here.”

“Oh I’m sure you are, my little pet…” Luna breathed, rubbing another small circle on the inside of Fleur’s thigh. “I can see it in your eyes how much you want it… I just need to hear it now.”

“Please!” Fleur’s chest sagged with her cry, her eyes fluttering closed as she imagined the incipient pleasure. “Please lick me, Mistress!”

“You want me to lick you? You’re not very specific, Fleur. Where do you want me to lick you? Here?” Luna laid her slippery, wet tongue against the inside of Fleur’s thigh, dragging it upwards to the joint of her knee. She put enough pressure behind it to depress Fleur’s flesh, making her stomach twitch and her tail lash the bed.

“No, mistress, please!” Fleur whimpered, writhing beneath Luna. “Please, lick my… My…”

“Your what?” Luna teased, licking the same spot again. Fleur could feel her saliva drip downwards, pooling at the joint of her thigh and her labia.

“Please, mistress!” Fleur inhaled, laying her head back as she cried out. “Please lick my pussy!”

“Ah, there we go,” Luna obliged, opening her mouth with one last hot breath…

Before the lightning struck. Fleur grunted as Luna’s tongue lanced straight into her vagina, delving as deep as she had ever felt it go. Her tongue seemed to have a mind of its own, wriggling and curling across every inch of Fleur's inner walls. Luna assaulted her insides with such speed and precision, Fleur could feel a mind-numbing orgasm build up in a matter of moments... And she had no intention of even trying to stop it.

“Cumming!” Fleur gasped, as her whole body seemed to seize up in a moment of pure bliss. Something gushed from her hole, squirting upwards and out with enough intensity to splatter against the headboard above her face, not to mention her face, neck, and chest. She knew she was in trouble. She hadn’t even called Luna by title. Truthfully, she didn’t care. She was washed away on a sea of orgasmic bliss, the kind that made her tongue loll out of her mouth and drool down her cheek.

“That was truly naughty, Fleur.” Luna drew her out of the trance, wiping her chin as she grinned down at Fleur. “I told you you would do it. You said you wouldn’t, and yet here we are, just as I anticipated.” Luna slowly licked her lips as she rose to her full height, towering above Fleur. “Me with a mouth full of cum and you one orgasm up on me… Well, we can’t be having that, now, can we?” Luna smoothly swept her hips out, flicking her tail up and over her back so Fleur could get a good look at the princess’ own delightful slit. Fleur watched with a mixture of excitement and fear as Luna lowered her hips.

“Lick it.”

Fleur was wrapped in a heaven of soft fur, wet flesh, and tail hair. Her nose bumped gently into Luna's tailhole, and she was immediately awash in Luna's intoxicating, musky scent. Fleur didn't hesitate for even a second before plunging her tongue between Luna's dripping labia, parting her inner lips in one smooth motion. The way Luna’s muscles clamped down on her tongue whenever she teased the princess’ g-spot was addictive, and Fleur quickly settled into a steady rhythm. Luna began rocking her hips back and forth, alternating between shoving Fleur’s tongue inside her dripping cunt and dragging her clitoris over Fleur’s bared teeth. Luna's delicious juices began flowing from her cunt in earnest, dripping down Fleur's muzzle and pooling in the hollow of her throat.

“Oh, that’s wonderful, Fleur. Keep going.” Luna groaned, gyrating her hips more. Fleur’s tongue ached, but she ignored it in favor of giving Luna all the pleasure she possibly could. 'I'd do this until my tongue fell off if I had to.' Fleur thought as she continued to explore Luna's inner walls. 'I'd do it without ever stopping if it means I can return to Luna even a fraction of the pleasure she has given me.'

“Oh, Fleur!” Luna gasped, her hot breath coming straight between Fleur’s own legs. “Don’t stop! Keep licking me! Harder!”

“Haahn,” Fleur struggled to get a full breath with her tongue buried in Luna’s dripping hole. She pulsated and flexed around Fleur’s tongue, emitting even more liquid the longer she rode Fleur’s face. The world began to swim around her, devolving into a lusty haze of throaty moans, cramped tongues, and Luna’s sweet, sweet juice. When it finally happened, Fleur felt relief and excitement rip through her veins at the same time.

“Fleur!” Luna arched her back with one last long, drawn-out cry of pure, unbridled joy. Fleur answered with a throaty moan as Luna's cum washed over her chin, down her neck, and into her mane. Luna dove back into Fleur's cunt, lapping at her twitching hole with abandon while she rode out her own orgasm. When she finally pulled away and stepped off of Fleur, her chin was glistening with leftover arousal, and a few stray drops dripped onto the bed.

“Haah... Well, we're tied one-for-one, it seems. Now tell me, Fleur, are you going to cum in my mouth again?”

“N-no, mistress.” Fleur whispered, her mind still trying to reconcile what had just happened.

“Are you going to cum without my permission?”

“No, mistress.”

“Do you want me to give you another orgasm, Fleur?”

“Yes, please, mistress.” Fleur nodded her head, flexing her core muscles enough to lift her rump off of the bed.

“That’s good, Fleur. I have an idea… You sit tight, and don’t aah…” Luna pulled on one of the buckles with a teasing grin. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, mistress.”

(20) Memories Made

Moonstone – Finale: “Memories Made.”

(Seven months later.)

The gentle brush of lips against her neck sent a shock through Fleur's body. She drew in a deep, slow breath as her eyes fluttered open to greet the new day.

“Good morning,” She whimpered, stretching languorously atop her bed.

“Good morning, Fleur. Sleep well?” Luna purred as her lips continued to venture up Fleur's neck, inching closer and closer to her lips.

“Yes I did… Though that’s probably because you were here. When did you get back?” Fleur rolled over, smiling warmly as she met Luna's gaze.

“Not too long ago… Perhaps a few hours at most. It’s easy to lose track of time when I’m watching you sleep.”

Fleur's eyes wandered over her comparatively small and spartan bedroom. “Not that I'm complaining, but... Don't you need to report to the castle?"

“I already have. I assure you, love, all is well.” Luna’s warm smile disarmed Fleur instantly.

“Oh… Okay then.” Fleur smiled and pulled her fiancé down for a kiss. She groaned softly as their lips met, and for a few moments, Fleur's mind was able to escape from the whirlwind of activity that had filled the past few weeks.

With their wedding mere weeks away, the two of them had agreed to take a short break to handle personal affairs and prepare mentally. Fleur had taken a lengthy trip to Manehattan to tie up some loose ends and catch up with her estranged ex-husband, who had sworn in a recent letter that he’d turned a new leaf and wanted to bury the hatchet between them, at least professionally.

Fleur was highly dubious of his claims of reformation, and only agreed to meet him after some prodding from Luna. Much to her surprise though, their rendezvous in Manehattan went rather well. Fancy was still an incorrigible gossip hound and a tail-chaser, but it was obvious that the pressure that Luna had applied months ago had paid dividends. He had foresaken his habitual lying, and finally owned up to his lounge rat personality. Fleur had to admit that despite his flaws, Fancy wore his new image rather well in the tarnished gleam of Manehattan's streets.

Yet even that paled in comparison to another recent event that was so unprecedented, it literally changed the face of Equestria overnight.

For the second time since the dawn of the Diarchy, Equestria saw the birth of a new Princess...

...And her name was Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight's evolution from a unicorn to an alicorn, and her subsequent ascension to the royalty had shocked Equestria to its very core – and kept both Luna and Fleur busier than they had been in months.

So busy, in fact, Fleur had not yet had a chance to get Luna's take on this new chapter in Equestrian history. But with the morning clear of events or appointments, and her fiance in her hooves, Fleur's mind was ready to begin its questioning. She opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Luna.

“How was your trip to Manehattan?”

“It was good...” Fleur nodded, trying her best not to grumble under her breath at the missed opportunity. She groaned a little as she stretched out once more, sighing half out of exasperation and half out of a barely repressed desire to let Luna continue her slow assault on her coat. “"...It appears that Fancy has turned over a new leaf; a 'new beginning' in his words. He’s already on the Manehattan Charity Board as an advisory member, and has negotiated a very lucrative contract between the Manehattan Residential Committee and the Historic District…”

“That sounds very nice,” Luna teased, kissing Fleur’s neck even more deeply. "But, you’re not telling me everything." Fleur sighed and gave a soft chuckle.

“You don’t miss a beat, do you. Fancy was… Different. He’s definitely changed. For the better or the worse, I can’t say, but he’s not so rambunctious anymore. At least, not around me he wasn’t…”

“And?”

“And nothing, really. We rode the ferry together, went to see a play… I remember there being some fiasco about the dresses, but it was actually a very stirring performance of ‘Hinny of the Hills’.” The whole week in Manehattan was actually rather pleasant. Fleur’s only gripe was that Luna hadn’t been there with her. ’Someday, we’ll go. I want to ride that ferry with Luna, and spend a week in that magnificent master suite… Oh, that Jacuzzi tub was divine…’ She shook her head, getting herself back on-track. “Afterward, we ate dinner at Chez La Hay and just caught up a bit. I must admit, he was rather curious about us.” Fleur continued, rolling a hoof.

“What all did you tell him?” Luna’s voice turned a bit more serious, but her teasing kisses hadn’t stopped. Fleur sighed and rolled her head to the side, her mind still trying to brush past its morning haze to grasp the matter at-hoof.

“He knows we’re to be married.”

“Bet that was a kick in the teeth…” Luna chuckled.

“He took it well, I think.” Fleur shrugged, giving a soft smile as she remembered the initial shock her ex-husband had demonstrated upon being gifted with that little morsel of information. “He won’t tell our secret though. We still have all the books on his dealings with Melody, and he definitely remembers the ‘discussion’ that he had with you… Gosh, that feels like ages ago.”

“Feels like yesterday to me.” Luna teased.

“Yeah, well,” Fleur puffed up a little, shooting Luna a playful glare. “Not all of us get to live for so long.”

“You have many years ahead of you, Fleur, I assure you.” Luna chuckled, leaning in to capture her lips in one more deep, passionate kiss. “But that’s not to say we shouldn’t make the best of the time we have.”

“Agreed.” Fleur groaned, her eyes fluttering closed. Luna rose and stood over her, smiling warmly down at her. ’I haven’t been laid in almost three weeks, and she’s right bucking here. But my haunches are going to have to wait... I need some answers.'

“So maybe we should-“

“Aah.” Fleur lifted a hoof, frowning a little. “About all that…”

“Fleur, we discussed this two weeks ago,” Luna sighed, hanging her head tiredly.

“I just want to make absolutely sure. Did the library have anything?”

“No, Fleur, it did not. Believe me, I checked every book and scroll in that library twice.” Luna returned, looking a little annoyed. “Twilight Sparkle’s transformation was truly unprecedented. With the possible exception of my sister, nopony in modern times has studied Starswirl's works to the levels that Twilight has. Frankly, duplicating even half of that effort would require a more brilliant mind than either of us have. Fleur sighed as she turned her now crestfallen gaze away from Luna.

“Why so dour?”

“I don’t know… Just wishful thinking.”

“Fleur,” Luna cupped her chin, her expression stern yet full of understanding and compassion The next words she spoke were clear and concise, and hurt a little. Not much, but enough. “The changes that Twilight underwent are a mystery to all of us, and we don't yet know what they might entail. The only pony who seems to know anything is Celestia, and she won't share what she might know with anypony – even me.

She pulled back a little, shaking her head. "You’re not going to live forever, but we don’t even know if Twilight – or Cadance for that matter – will live forever. For all we know, Celestia and I may pass away before long.”

“Okay.” Fleur sighed, feeling saddened that she had upset Luna. She slumped down a little, only to be quickly and softly embraced by the princess.

“I love you just the way you are, Fleur. I know that Twilight becoming a princess is exciting for everypony, but please… Don’t let it get to your head, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“You don’t sound very convincing…”

“I promise! Luna!” Fleur squirmed as Luna’s hooves began running up and down her sides, tickling her in a way she found excruciating, unbearable, and delightful all at once. She writhed atop the bed, pushing helplessly at Luna, who continued to tickle and kiss her with a hearty laugh.

“There’s the Fleur I know and love.” Luna chuckled, kissing Fleur’s neck one last time. “Don’t dwell on the ‘might be’ or the ‘maybe.’ Focus on today. Focus on us.”

“Okay.” Fleur smiled warmly up at Luna, closing her eyes as they kissed warmly. “I promise, I’ll not obsess over it… Though it would be nice.”

“That it would. But you know what else would be nice?” Luna grinned as her horn leapt to life. Fleur gasped as she was pulled off of the bed and into the air. “A long, hot shower. It’s dreadfully cold outside.”

After a relaxing – and fun – shower, Luna dried herself off with a spell before stepping towards Fleur’s window. “I have to check in with Celestia. She mentioned something earlier about wanting to speak with us.”

“Really?” Fleur peeked through the folds of her own towel, still dripping onto the tile floor of her steamy bathroom. "That's a bit sudden, don't you think? She's barely spoken to us since we announced our engagement... What could she want?"

“I honestly don’t know. I suspect it’s because she’s going to attempt to ‘reason’ with us once more… I’ll see what I can glean before you arrive. Just make your way to the castle as soon as you can?”

“I will. We need to meet with the planners today anyways, don’t we?”

“That’s right… Quill’s train came in last night.” Luna grinned as she mounted the nearby window sill, her wings stretching out to test the air. “I love you, Fleur.”

“Love you too, Luna. I’ll see you soon.” Fleur watched with a smile as Luna took off into the morning sky, flying fast and low towards the castle. She pulled the windows closed against the mid-January chill, shivering a little as a blast of winter air passed over her still-wet coat. She retreated into the hot bathroom to finish drying off and preparing for the day, though she couldn’t shake the worrying thoughts that were already digging into the back of her mind.

’What does Celestia need to see the two of us for anyway?' Fleur mused as she settled in front of her vanity. 'She’s barely spoken to me, or even looked in my direction, since that night... Brush and spray in her magical hold, Fleur looked into the mirror and immediately felt the familiar sense of strength and courage that were always present when she thought of Luna.

’It doesn’t matter. Whatever she wants, Luna and I can handle it.’ She grinned as she began primping and styling her mane. ’Together, we can handle anything.’

“Miss De Lis.” The guards bowed low as she approached the castle. The double doors swung wide as she shuffled in, a blast of cold wind chasing her inside. The guard motioned towards the Western Wing with a smile. “The Princesses are expecting you. Have a nice day.”

“You too, Aegis.” She smiled at the familiar guard as the doors closed behind her, wrapping her in the castle’s delightfully-warm interior. She pulled her scarf and coat off as another guardspony directed her towards the nearby lounge. After stopping to take a calming breath, Fleur slipped inside of the lounge – and was stunned by the sight before her.

“Hello, Fleur De Lis.” Princess Twilight smiled warmly at her, sitting beside Luna, Celestia, and Cadance. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Pr-princesses.” Fleur flushed brightly, looking between the four ponies nervously. “I… What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“Everything is fine, Fleur, I assure you." Cadance smiled warmly. "We just want to have a quick talk, that's all. Besides, Twilight and I would like to meet the mare that Luna can’t seem to stop talking about." She gestured to the one open seat at the table. "Please, have a seat.” Twilight and Celestia sat opposite the only other empty chair at the table. Slowly, Fleur took her seat at Luna’s right, feeling remarkably out-of-place and self-conscious.

“Fleur, we’ve asked you here today for two reasons.” Celestia began, lending an air of seriousness to the room. 'Not that she needed to,' Fleur thought. 'I'm outclassed just being in the room.'

“First... Though mine and my sister's positions on your continued relationship are by now very clear to you, neither Twilight nor Cadance have been able to weigh in yet. Second, I understand you have some questions of your own for our newest Princess; I thought that we could handle both of these items in one discussion.”

“We’ll begin with your concerns about my mortality...” Twilight launched right into the heart of the matter, her smiling visage contradicting the seriousness of the situation… Or whether I even have mortality anymore."

Fleur flushed brightly, stammering a little. “I-I-I didn’t know you-“

“Come now, Fleur,” Luna chuckled. “You know I share everything with my sisters, and after recent events, that includes Twilight as well.”

Twilight's warm smile never budged an inch as Luna spoke. Still, Fleur felt like she could melt into the floor at any moment. 'You're just feet away from the four most powerful beings in Equestria... Nothing to worry about here!'

"Before I begin," Twilights voice snapped Fleur back to the present. "Let me say that I'm so very happy for you two."

“R-really?” Fleur perked up, feeling mildly shocked. “Y-you're not uncomfortable with our relationship?”

“Not at all!” Twilight laughed easily, casting a quick glance Celestia’s way. “I don’t really see the benefits of your more… Painful dealings, but the fact that you and Luna love one another is truly a beautiful thing to witness. I’m happy for you two, and I know you’re going to treat one another well in the coming years, just like Shining Armor and Cadance. After all, true love is but the extension of the bonds of friendship to their deepest, most meaningful levels.

“But,” Her expression turned serious, and Fleur could almost feel the air around her grow heavier as well. “I understand you’re concerned about me becoming a Princess. More specifically, you’re interested in how I became a Princess.”

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t…” Fleur admitted, casting a self-conscious glance Luna’s way. “I mean… Forever? With the mare I love? Who wouldn’t want that?”

“I understand.” Twilight smiled warmly. “I wouldn't want to let go of somepony that I loved either. But none of us really know how or why I became a Princess. Starswirl’s studies were far from succinct, and even I had difficulty following them sometimes. In fact, my transformation may never have occurred, were it not for a very large fiasco back in Ponyville.” She gave a nervous chuckle. “I do hope those ponies don’t hold it against Rarity for giving them sunburns…”

“Focus, Twilight.” Celestia muttered quietly, her soft but stern tone silencing the room in an instant.

“Right… Ahem.” Twilight straightened up, smiling at Fleur again. “Luna told me how interested you were, and I wanted to let you know something, Fleur.” She laid a hoof on her breast, meeting Fleur’s eyes. “I’m just as interested in this change as you are. And if the day comes when I figure out a way to make this change in somepony else and you really, honestly, truly want to join Luna, Cadance, Celestia and myself..." Twilight's gaze seemed to drill straight into Fleur at that moment.

"I'll gladly grant you a place by our sides."

“W… Wait, you will?!” Fleur felt hope surge forth, filling her front to back.

“You will?!” Luna echoed Fleur’s disbelief.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I enable you two to be together forever, if I have the ability to do so?” Twilight smiled warmly. “It’s a beautiful thing, the love you share. I could hardly call myself a friend if I didn’t do everything I could to keep you together.”

Hope flooded Fleur’s veins. She imagined herself with wings, standing at Luna’s side… No longer a meek little unicorn who could hardly summon a fraction of the power that Luna could. ’I could be her equal…

‘A princess.’

“Mind you,” Twilight interjected. “I’m studying a very old and obscure branch of magic that hasn't been in use in centuries. I have to be honest – There stands a very real chance that I’ll never discover what it is I did to bring this change about in myself, let alone another pony.” She shook her head, meeting Fleur’s gaze seriously one more time. “I’m not promising results, Fleur. But should I find something, you'll be one of the first to know.”

“Th– Thank you!” Fleur shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “Th-that’s more than I ever could have asked for! I… I’m honored…”

“Keep in mind, Fleur,” Celestia cut in, sobering everyone once again. “Your life among us wouldn’t be a playful bedroom romp for time immemorial. We Princesses have constituencies. You’ll have a kingdom to run and subjects to lead. Ponies of all stripes will pledge their loyalty to you, and many will follow you where ever you choose to take them.

“Speaking of which...” Fleur frowned at Twilight, a thought crossing her mind (despite Celestia’s dire tone.) “What’s your constituency, Twilight?”

“We… Have yet to figure that out.” Twilight admitted with a soft sigh. “Considering I’m the first Princess since Cadance, and I don't have a newly rediscovered kingdom waiting for its leader, I’m currently…” She paused for a moment before letting her smile slip into a pronounced grimace. “Backup.”

“Oh Twilight, don’t be so dramatic.” Cadance rolled her eyes with a playful grin. “Your time will come, I assure you.”

“We’re getting distracted.” Celestia brought them back on-track, laying her hoof on the table. “Fleur, don’t take Twilight’s offer lightly. Remember my story with Ribbon, and how profoundly it’s affected me over the years.” The mere mention of Ribbon sent a nervous shiver down Fleur's spine, and she could feel her heart nearly freeze for a moment. “Twilight's ascension will likely change the face of Equestria as a whole. We’re hoping that with the Equestria Games approaching, we can take some time to find Twilight a home among our ranks. Finding a place for yourself, or any number of other Princesses, may prove difficult – even impossible.”

“I understand.” Fleur hung her head as she chuckled. “A kingdom only has room for so many Princesses, right?”

“Not right now, no.” Twilight shook her head. “But I’m sure we could figure something out. If I’m successful in finding a place of my own, that is…”

“I have no doubt you will, Twilight.” Celestia concreted the argument with a final sentence, and silence hung between them for a few long, tense moments before she cleared her throat. “That said, bringing you here to dangle the hope of immortality before you isn’t what we had intended…” She shot a quick glare to Twilight, who responded with a deep blush and a sheepish grin. “We wanted to discuss your upcoming wedding, and your part in our… Extended family.”

“I’m excited to have a new sister-in-law.” Cadance added with a warm smile – one that Fleur eagerly returned.

"As I said earlier," Celestia continued. “Twilight and Cadance have yet to speak their minds on this matter. But, I think you’ll like what they have to say.” Celestia gestured to Twilight, who smiled at Fleur again.

“Like I said before, I’m perfectly okay with your marriage, and indeed I think it’s a beautiful thing. Just don’t expect me to… Sit in or whatever you’re supposed to call it.”

“Well, you’re no fun.” Luna stuck her tongue out at Twilight, who blushed deeply and rubbed her foreleg with the opposite hoof.

“I mean, I’ve probably got a long time ahead of me to… Ahem… ‘Branch out.’ But I’m still pretty young, and I have a lot left to learn. Not just about… L-life, but… You know… Love, too.” A slight shift in Twilight's gaze caught Fleur's eye, and she had to nearly bite her tongue to stay silent. 'Did she look right at Celestia when she said that?'

“What Twilight’s trying to say is,” Cadance laid a hoof on Fleur’s leg as she affectionately nuzzled her mane. “Even though you won't be going public with it, we're happy to see you and Luna joined in marriage. Luna and I have been close for a long while, and I’m glad she’s found somepony to share her passion with. For as long as you two are alive, I’m in full support of your partnership." Cadance leaned back and cupped Fleur's chin in her hoof. "Be good to her, Fleur.”

“I wouldn’t dream of anything less.” Fleur felt happiness well up within her. Twilight and Cadance both were okay with the marriage. That only left one pony who was openly opposed to them, and as Fleur looked to Celestia, a slight blush crossed the eldest princess' face.

“It seems I remain the sole voice of reason here—”

“And you’re gonna stay that way, you old fuddy-duddy.” Cadance teased, sticking her tongue out at Celestia. She got a patronizing glare in return, but Celestia let it drop with a soft sigh.

“But as recent events have demonstrated, even reason can be turned away by passion and determination.” Celestia carefully reached underneath the table and produced a plain folder, sliding it across to Fleur. “Please review these documents, and let me know if they are to your liking."

“I… Uuh, okay…” Fleur hesitantly opened the folder, her eyes scanning the familiar papers quickly. She recognized it immediately as a standard contract.

But what it contained nearly made her heart stop mid-beat.

“Director of Charitable Affairs?”

“A new position.” Celestia answered with a faint smirk. “And one we’re… How would you say, ‘trying out.’ Charitable projects keep this castle very busy, and well... I couldn't think of anypony better suited to run them."

“I… ‘In charge of charitable works in and around the city of Canterlot, including but not limited to planning, organizing, scheduling, and attending charity dinners, silent auctions, or any manner of social gathering intended to accumulate money or favor for any one of Canterlot’s certified Charity Boards.’” She quoted the contract directly, her eyes gone wide. “C-Celestia, this is–“

“Official employment with the crown.” Celestia nodded. “You would work for me, or more specifically, my aide. Heavens know I’m too busy with other matters to worry about the seating plan for the upcoming Silent Auction for Underprivileged Foals in Trottingham…”

“I… Wow.”

“That’s a rather generous offer.” Twilight gave a low whistle of appreciation.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Luna frowned at her elder sister. “Is this what you’ve been working on the past few weeks?”

“It is indeed.” Celestia affirmed, gesturing towards the folder. “After reviewing the crown’s budget for charitable work in and around the city, I’ve discovered a rather healthy surplus; enough, in fact, to facilitate a full-time position working for the crown. Furthermore, this will bridge the gap between the crown itself,” She waved a hoof towards each of the other alicorns in the room. “And the Canterlot Elite.” She pointed to Fleur, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

“Celestia…” Fleur's eyes devoured the rest of the contract in a blur as her heart thundered inside of her chest. Charity work had always been her passion, and over the years, she had developed a strong reputation as a mare that could sweet talk with the best of them, and bring in more bits than charities could even fathom.

’But to finally have full-time, formal employment doing just that…’

“I accept.” Fleur laid the folder down, searching for a quill and ink. Twilight supplied both with a quick glimmer of magic, and Fleur began signing the documents as quickly as she could. Once finished, she closed the folder and slid it back over to Celestia.

“I’m glad,” Celestia smiled warmly. “You’ve made a lot of ponies happy today, Fleur… Myself included.”

“I… I doubt that.” Fleur whimpered thinly, her blush intensifying.

“No, I mean that.” Celestia smiled at her. “The position’s going to take a lot of stress off of Luna and myself. We will feel much better, and be more productive, knowing that the always-important charitable projects are firmly in the hooves of a pony that can pay them the attention that they deserve. Knowing I have more time to devote to my subjects makes me happy, Fleur. It truly does.” Celestia stood, the folder at her side. “In fact, I have some of those matters to tend to right now. If you’ll excuse me…” She turned to leave, but stopped mid-turn. Glancing back at Fleur, her horn glowed brightly and a small set of keys hovered into view.

“Almost forgot…”

“What?” Fleur caught the key set as it was tossed to her, holding the small ring up curiously.

“Your new quarters. Crown employees at the Director level and above are offered residence within the castle, along with their salary… Why, unless I’m mistaken…” With a flick of her tail, she turned towards the door as she spoke. “There’s a vacant apartment just beneath Luna’s own quarters. I'm sure a mare of your skills can convince one of the castle's masonry workers to extend the existing elevator shaft...”

Fleur gasped as a hoof shot to cover her mouth. 'My heavens, this is just too much...'

Celestia paused at the door, her tone turning serious once again. “Luna’s been happier these past seven months than I’ve ever seen her before,” She spoke quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “I know exposing your relationship poses a great risk to the both of you, both personally, and professionally. But if it means keeping Luna this happy, I'll do everything I can to keep your secret hidden from the public.” She turned to face Fleur once more, tears watering in her eyes.

“And maybe, just maybe… If Luna can be happy with another mare…”

Fleur watched as a tear trickled down Celestia's cheek. She gave no reaction, but she could tell that Celestia's gaze was not entirely on her, but rather on the purple alicorn that sat just over her left shoulder.

“Maybe I can too.”

The door closed behind her, leaving Fleur, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight in stunned silence.

“You’re shitting me.” Quill wiped his chin, having spit his tea all over himself. “She offered you quarters? And an official position with the crown?”

“I know!” Fleur laid a hoof on her breast, in a futile attempt to calm her racing heart. She was practically giddy with excitement. “I was so shocked, I didn’t have anything left to say… I just… Wow.” She sighed happily, closing her eyes. “I’ve never been more thankful for anything in my life…”

“-Hey!”

“You get my point, love.” She stuck her tongue out at Luna.

“Hrm.” Luna growled playfully, draping a wing over Fleur’s back.

“That’s amazing, Fleur…” Aurora leaned in as a warm smile broke her normally-aloof demeanor. “I’m very happy for you.”

“Thanks, Aurora.” Fleur returned the gesture, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks. “I just pray I can keep up with the workload.”

“Well, you’re not alone in that endeavor.” Quill muttered into his teacup. “I plan on moving back to Canterlot soon.”

“Oh? That’s news.” Luna mused, winking at him. “Gotten over your shame, have you?”

“Oh I won’t be in journalism anymore, I assure you.” Quill chuckled. “But, it seems I’ve got a knack for organizing events and whatnot… Remember, Fleur, you were at your best when you worked with Fancy.” He set his teacup down, smiling deviously. “Feel like tag-teaming this little quest?”

“I… Quill, are you offering your services?” Fleur blinked in shock.

“Two heads are better than one. Besides, if I'm correct,” Quill rolled his hoof with a teasing grin. “You’re going to need someone to live in that big, empty house of yours.”

“He makes a good point.” Luna muttered into Fleur’s ear. “He’s very skilled and knowledgeable… And you and Fancy were quite the duo back in the day. Together, the two of you could handle this position magnificently.”

“Hmm.” Fleur tapped her hoof on the table, staring Quill down intently. “It’ll be hard work.”

“Good, I need to lose some weight.”

“Long nights,”

“You’ve no idea.”

“Fancy parties,”

“Hah! My waltz is unparalleled. Just ask Luna.”

“Lots of posturing and elitism…”

“Again, no stranger.”

“I know you aren’t, Quill.” Fleur smiled warmly. She stretched a hoof out, offering it to him. “I’d be honored to work with you.”

“It’s settled, then.” Quill took her hoof and shook it firmly. “I’ll be back in Canterlot in a month’s time.”

“Considering it took you seven to get out here for a simple wedding, I’m shocked.” Luna quipped. Quill rolled his eyes and sighed patronizingly.

“I told you, Luna, I was liaising with the Trottingham Guard for their bi-annual training, and then I had the Archaeologists Expo–”

“Just saying,” Luna shrugged. “You seem to have your hooves in a lot of platters, as it were.”

“Yes, well, I’m looking to downsize.” Quill sipped at his tea again. “I’m not as spry as I used to be…”

“You’re hardly thirty years old.”

“And only getting older. I think it’s about time I set my sights on something I actually care for.” Quill nodded to Fleur. “Seeing the wonderful things she does, and looking at the numbers Fancy and Melody pulled in, I've become convinced that charity work is where I really want to spend my time in the future. Only I plan on making my bits legitimately, not like that two-timing piece of sh—“

“Easy now.” Fleur raised a hoof. “Fancy may have been a scumbag, but he’s turned around lately.”

“Perhaps, but old habits die hard, trust me.” Quill resigned himself to silence with a grumble. Luna just rolled her eyes and looked to Aurora with a smile.

“It’s good to see you again, Aurora. How well did the move go?”

“Surprisingly well, actually.” Aurora beamed at them; a rare sight from the usually-stoic dominatrix. “Business has already picked up, and I have it on good faith from my assistant that the store in Horseshoe Bay handled the transition well.”

“So you’re enjoying life in Canterlot, then?”

“Oh darling,” Aurora chuckled. “There are so many ponies here who are into my line of work… I’m enjoying myself more than ever! Moving here was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. That, and I’m sure Luna enjoys having me close by when she gets the sudden impulse to buy more… Gear.”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t squeal with delight the moment I learned you were moving to Canterlot.” Luna muttered as she tried to hide a sly grin behind her tea cup. Fleur leaned across the table, winking at Aurora.

“She really did. I was there.”

“I’m just glad I got to be here for this.” Aurora smiled between Fleur and Luna. “It’s going to be one helluva weekend.”

“Speaking of, that weekend’s slipping by us already.” Quill looked between them with a slight frown. “Have you two decided when we’re going to do this thing?”

“Tomorrow, if at all possible.” Luna answered immediately. “I know you need to get back to Trottingham, and I thank you for braving the cold to make it all the way out here.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t have to skid down sixteen miles of mountain passes on icy rails.” Quill frowned faintly. “I hate living in the mountains… It sucks going anywhere.”

“Well, I know you two are busy, and we’d rather keep this whole ordeal private anyways.” Luna smiled down at Fleur. “We’ll do it tomorrow morning, if that works for you two?”

“Perfectly.” Quill nodded, and Aurora mirrored him.

“Excellent! Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Luna tugged on Fleur’s ear playfully. “We have a ‘honeymoon’ to conduct.”

“What? Oh no you don’t...” Quill stood and shouldered his way between them.

“Quill! What are you doi—“

“Come with me.” Aurora wrangled Fleur aside, keeping her and Luna separated. “Don’t you know that it’s bad luck to sleep with your partner on the eve of your wedding?”

“She speaks the truth, Princess. You’re spending the night with me.” Quill herded Luna towards the door, while Aurora continued to block Fleur's path.

Luna glared over her shoulder at Quill. "You do realize that I could blast you to bits with a single thought, right?"

"Oh, I'm well aware of that." Quill said with a grin. "But then you'd be shorting your wife a valuable assistant. And you wouldn't want to make your wife angry on the eve of your wedding, would you?" Quill pushed Luna through the door without waiting for a response, calling out over his shoulder as he pulled the door closed behind him.

“Have fun, girls. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!”

“Good luck.” Aurora waved at them as Luna was unceremoniously herded down the hall. Fleur was a bit sad to see her love go, but a sense of nostalgia began to creep into her mind at the same time. She remembered back to the eve of her own wedding, when Gemstone had spent the night with her, while Hoity Toity had sequestered Fancy in his uptown condo. At the time, it was one of the few nights they had spent apart in quite a while, but it made their meeting the next day mean that much more.

“So,” Fleur sighed, looking to Aurora. “Got anything planned?”

“Sleep.” Aurora stoically quipped, standing between Fleur and the door. “Tomorrow's a big day and you need your rest. Besides, we just twat-swatted a Princess, so she’s going to need to 'de-stress' after the ceremony, if you know what I mean."

“Twat-swatted?” Fleur scrunched her nose. “Really?”

“Well, she doesn’t have a penis, so cock-blocked wasn’t appropriate.” Aurora shrugged. She held a hoof up to Fleur, keeping her in place while she checked the hall. “Alright, they’re gone. Looks like it's just you and me now.”

“Very well.” Fleur sighed, following Aurora towards the door. “I hate to ask, but you don’t snore, do you?”

“Not unless I’m coming off a session.” Aurora grinned over her withers at Fleur. “And trust me; you don’t want a session with me.”

A grin tugged at the corner of Fleur's mouth as she followed Aurora towards the castle's main exit. 'Hmm, sounds like a challenge to me.' Fleur thought. 'If her skills as a dom are half as hot as her looks...' Fleur got her mind back on track before it could venture much further into the gutter. "So, do you have your own place yet? I know you just moved here recently."

“Oh you won’t be staying at my place, I assure you.” Aurora chuckled as she stopped at a small closet just off the castle's main lobby, retrieving coats and scarves for the both of them. “I wouldn't want to sully your virtue the night before your wedding." She gave Fleur a cheeky grin. "But, if Luna does decide to trust me with her sub in the future, I may just have to invite you over for a play date."

"Sounds like my kind of evening." Fleur chuckled as she led Aurora down the castle's main drive. "So, my home it is then?"

“Please tell me you have gin.”

“And scotch, if you’re interested.”

“… You and I are gonna be good friends, Fleur.”

The next day dawned surprisingly bright and clear, for being the middle of January. The air was still chilly, but Fleur could feel the warmth of the sun breaking through the air ever so slightly. 'The first day of the rest of my life.'

“Sleep well?” Aurora stepped up beside Fleur and joined her in looking out the window as the early-morning sun enveloped Canterlot.

“Like a foal.” Fleur nodded, smiling up at Aurora. “Last night was fun.”

“You know,” Aurora mused. “I've never been one for girlish sentiments like gossip and idle chatter. But I really had a good time with you last night.”

“Well, if you ever feel like a girl’s night out or a sleepover, you know where to find me.” Fleur bumped Aurora’s flank with her own, smiling faintly. “Help me shower?”

“That’s tradition.” Aurora followed Fleur into the bathroom, the two of them picking right back up from where they had left off last night, chatting endlessly about the mannerisms of high-brow socialites. Between Fleur’s personal experiences with charity galas and Aurora’s tales of strange product orders from ponies who’d rather remain anonymous, they had enough stories to fill a small book. 'And if I ever handle the charity accounts in Horseshoe Bay, I have inside line on the local gossip too.' Fleur thought.

The talking and grooming served to distract Fleur from the more pressing matter at-hoof, though.

’Holy crap, I’m getting married today.’ The thought hit her as Aurora was weaving an intricate braid into her tail. She fell silent, and Aurora immediately picked up the change in her behavior.

“Nervous?”

“All of a sudden, yes.”

“I knew you would be.” Aurora chuckled faintly. “It is Luna, after all. You probably find yourself stopping every now and then and telling yourself: ‘By the stars, this isn’t just a fellow dom-’”

“’It’s a princess.’ I know.” Fleur sighed. “I’m marrying a Princess.”

“You and Shining Armor should start a club.”

“Ha ha.” Fleur deadpanned. "If we did have a club, it'd be pretty boring. Shining's not the 'cut loose and have fun' type, trust me. Still,” She sighed, feeling anxiety well up in the pit of her stomach. "I know what you mean. She’s not just my Luna, or a friend, or an acquaintance… She’s my mistress, and a Princess all at once.”

“Makes for a lot more stress than it ought to, huh?” Aurora quipped.

“How do you deal with it?” Fleur asked, glancing back at Aurora. The other unicorn paused mid-braid, sighing faintly.

“Hard as it may seem to do, I… Well, I kind of take some of the piss out of her title.”

“What? How do you mean?”

“What I mean is, I try to forget that fact she’s a Princess.” Aurora returned to her braiding, speaking easier now. “I find it easier to focus on the reason for our interaction before the fact she’s a Princess… To me, she’s a friend first, a fellow dom second, a BDSM connoisseur third, and a princess fourth. So for you, I guess it’d be–“

“A wife first...”

“Mmhmm...”

“...My dom second, my friend third…”

“You’re on the right track, though those two seem interchangeable to me.” Aurora finished with the braid and walked around to Fleur’s front, smiling warmly.

“And a princess fourth.”

“There you go. Don’t get hung up on the wings and her horn.” Aurora began brushing her mane tenderly, speaking quietly. “Focus on the reason you love her. You’re marrying her today, not because she’s your princess, but because you love her.”

“Yeah…” Fleur smiled at Aurora’s wise words, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “And the sex is incredible.”

“That’s a poor reason to marry, but to be perfectly honest, I can’t blame you.”

They both laughed simultaneously.

Refreshed and primped, they arrived at the castle shortly after ten in the morning. The air was warmer than before, but there was still enough chill in the air to give Fleur a slight shiver. The guard furrowed his brow as they walked up to the gate.

"Good morning, ladies. State your business, please?" The guard furrowed his brow at them.

“We’re just going to see Princess Luna for lunch.” Fleur explained. “I know we’re not scheduled or anything.”

The guard paused for a moment before his eyes widened in a bit of shock. "Oh, what am I doing. You're the Princess's friends! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you with the new mane style," he added with a slight blush.

"Oh, this?" Fleur replied. "Just thought I'd try out something new today. My friend here is quite talented with a braider."

"With all due respect, Miss De Lis, it looks great." the guard replied with a nod as he opened the main entrance to the castle. "Now, I really should talk to my captain about getting you a standing spot on the entry list."

“Well, with any luck, you won’t have to.” Fleur winked at the guard. “I may be moving here soon.”

“Oh? Did you join the castle staff?"

“As a matter of fact, I did.” Fleur nodded warmly as she and Aurora slipped inside the warm castle foyer. “Good day, guard.”

“And a good day to you as well, Miss De Lis.” The guard waved at them as they slipped inside of a nearby service entrance. They met only a few servants and staff members as they made their way through the maze of normally unseen passages. A few of the staff members even waved to Fleur and Aurora as they passed. 'Guess I'm here often enough.' she thought. 'Though I should probably get to know their names going forward...'

Fleur's mind snapped back to the present as they emerged from the service corridors mere feet away from Luna's quarters. She was practically giddy with excitement already.

“Hold up.” Aurora placed a hoof on Fleur's shoulders just as she was reaching for the door. “Let me check and see that everything has been prepared for us.”

“Right.” Fleur nodded, urging Aurora on. “Go ahead.”

The slender unicorn slipped into Luna’s quarters, leaving Fleur alone in the hallway. Fleur was just beginning to fidget in place when Aurora emerged from the room and beckoned Fleur to join her inside.

“By the stars, you look beautiful.” Quill smiled warmly at Fleur, sparing her a quick kiss on the cheek. Fleur returned the gesture with a warm smile, and a faint blush.

“Thanks, Quill… I know it means a lot to Luna to have you here, and it means just as much to me, I want to let you know.”

“Bah, flattery only gets you so far.” Quill chuckled and nodded towards the lift. “Luna’s preparing downstairs, and your dress is ready as well. Shall we?”

“Yes, please.” Fleur followed closely behind Quill and Aurora as they boarded the elevator and began descending to the lower level. Anxiety and excitement flooded her veins as soon as the lift began to move. Luna had spoken of the dress she’d purchased for Fleur, but even that teasing little tidbit of information had her as giddy as a foal on the morning of Hearth's Warming. 'Oh, heavens, I can't wait to see this dress. It's been so long since I've really, truly, dressed up for any engagement... But what event could be bigger than your own wedding?'

Quill and Aurora exited the lift first as it came to a stop on the lower level. Aurora trotted ahead and slipped into a door near the intersection of the two main hallways. 'That must be where Luna's preparing... I wonder what she'll be wear—'

"We can't get you dressed properly if you're standing in the hallway, you know." Quill's voice broke Fleur's wandering train of thought as he quickly ushered her into a door to their left. Fleur stumbled into the dark wardrobe, squinting at the lack of light. As Quill shut the door behind them, though, he flicked the lightswitch…

And revealed perfection.

“Oh wow.” Fleur gasped as the dress came to life before her eyes, glimmering faintly under the room's warm lighting.

“Commissioned from the Element of Generosity herself,” Quill began succinctly, walking around the dress slowly. “The bodice is lace-embroidered with a pure satin base. Extra durability is provided by a series of steel hooks, all of which are hidden inside faux hems and faulty folds.”

He began explaining the dress in detail, but Fleur could hardly be bothered to listen to him; she was too enraptured by the dress that hung in front of her. 'I expected no less from a designer of Rarity's skill and reputation, but this... This is a work of art.' She stared slack-jawed as she tried to take in every inch of the dress. The rich off-white colors glimmered faintly in the light, as if it were carved from one magnificently large pearl. The lace bodice and the skirt's hem line were trimmed in amber, the rich hue off-setting the milky-white fabrics perfectly.

“Beautiful.” Fleur breathed, approaching the dress with near-reverence.

“It is indeed.”

Fleur and Quill whirled around with a gasp, their eyes wide as Celestia slipped through the door.

“Pr-princess!”

“Relax, Fleur, Quill…” Celestia smiled at them, nodding towards the door. “I was hoping to share a few words with the bride before the ceremony.”

“I… Yes, of course. I’ll go check in with Aurora, just in case she needs any help.” Quill shared a quick look of concern with her before slipping past Celestia and out the door, leaving Fleur alone with the elder princess. Fleur met Celestia's eyes immediately, her mind torn between merely worrying or outright panicking. 'Please... Not again. Not today of all days...'

“Let me help you into your dress.”

"Wh– What did you say?"

"I only asked if I could help you with your dress." Celestia replied with a gentle smile. "Besides, while I know you value Quill's company, every bride needs another mare in the room before they walk down the aisle, right?"

“O-okay…” Fleur responded meekly, her heart trying its hardest to claw its way from her chest.

’Why is she suddenly so friendly? Is it a ruse to get closer to me, or is she sincere? This is so strange, especially after the bomb that she dropped on me yesterday. She wouldn’t offer me a position with the Crown only to turn around and break Luna and I up, would she?’ Fleur watched as Celestia tenderly lifted the dress, undoing a myriad of small clasps and concealed zippers until Fleur could step into the dress. Fleur couldn't help but blush furiously as Celestia began carefully securing the dress around her slender frame. While she worked over the buttons, hooks, and zippers, she spoke quietly.

“I wanted to give you my blessing, Fleur.”

“Oh?” Fleur replied, trying not to sound as utterly shocked as she felt in her mind. “Can I assume that this has a lot to do with what you said right before you left the room yesterday?”

“Mostly, yes.” Celestia sighed. “Seeing the way you and Luna interact on a daily basis has… Well, it’s rubbed off on me, for lack of a better term.” Celestia began fluffing the fabric, adjusting the skirt until it draped over her hind legs just right.

“Like I said yesterday, I’ve never seen Luna happier than she’s been the past few months. I dare say that she's happier now than I've ever seen her in all the years we have lived. Sometimes I think my own sun is jealous of the gleam I see in Luna's eyes whenever she looks at you."

Celestia stopped mid-way through tightening a clasp, and Fleur could feel the slight shake in the regal hoof that rested on her back.

“I want that feeling, Fleur.” Celestia whispered. “It’s been far too long since I’ve had another pony in my hooves. Somepony to hold... Somepony to confide in… Somepony who's not afraid to look at me, to understand me, not as a Princess, but as a pony. I wear this crown and title, but beneath it all, I am just a mare, with wants and needs like everypony else."

“Celestia…”

“Twilight has given both of us hope, it seems.” Celestia whispered. “I would very much like you to join us, Fleur. Even if it’s just so you can make Luna smile the way she does every day for the rest of eternity.”

“Princess.” Fleur turned to her, catching Celestia’s teary gaze. “I know you’ve been hurt by your love for Ribbon…”

“And I am so terribly sorry for the things I said.” Celestia bowed her head, the tears sliding down her cheeks. “I was so wrong, and so misguided… I let Ribbon’s memory become a poison to me, and I tried to poison your love for Luna with it. I should have let it become what it truly was – a medicine to heal my loneliness.” Celestia looked up at Fleur once more, her tears still coursing fast and free. “I hope that someday you can forgive me for what I did.”

“Celestia,” Fleur reached out, and wrapped the crying princess in her hooves, gently running a hoof through the prismatic mist that was her mane. “You’re already forgiven, Celestia. I understand why you said the things you did, and I accept your apology fully.” She pulled back, smiling warmly into Celestia’s beautiful, teary face.

“You’re a strong mare, Celestia. Stronger than any of us could ever hope to be. You’ve suffered unimaginable things, the likes of which none of us could ever hope to endure, yet you have continued to lead all of us without fail. I hope that, in time, you will come to love somepony as fiercely as I love Luna.”

“You and I both, Fleur.” Celestia pulled Fleur into another hug, shedding two tears into her mane. “You and I both…”

“Ready?” Aurora stood by Fleur’s side, glancing down at her with a worried look.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my whole life.” Fleur replied with a grin of determination. “Let’s do this.”

"In that case..." Aurora leaned in and gave Fleur a small hug. "...Your bride awaits you. Go down there and get her." With a glimmer of magic, the door to Luna's private library swung open, and Fleur slowly walked forward. She stopped at the top of the stairs and beamed at the sight before her.

At the bottom of the stairs, in the midst of the millions of books stacked on thousands of shelves, a small entourage waited for her.

Beside Luna was Quill, sporting a very nice-looking suit. Forming two small columns on either side of them, bridging the gap between the base of the stairs and Fleur’s love, were their friends.

Twilight Sparkle, Gemstone, Princess Cadance, and surprisingly enough, Princess Celestia waited for them. Gemstone was already crying, and Cadance wasn’t far behind. Celestia had already shed her tears, but she was smiling brilliantly, with Twilight mirroring her.

But when Luna came into view, Fleur's heart nearly leapt out of chest, and the breath left her lungs completely. Luna wore a shimmering white dress, its design similar to Fleur's dress yet tailored specifically to her every curve. The princess's dark coat and dusky mane offset the white fabrics perfectly, creating a visual contrast that bordered on ethereal. 'She's not just beautiful... She's beauty defined.' Fleur could feel the tears welling up in her eyes with each step that she took. She was mere moments from being joined forever to the love of her life, and already her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

’Save your tears, filly. You haven't even said your vows yet.’ Fleur bit down on her lip hard to keep from crying as she descended the last of the stairs, Aurora following a few steps behind her. The small aisle that Gemstone, Twilight, Celestia, and Cadance made was all that remained. Quill and Luna stood at the end, watching Fleur approach with warm smiles on their lips.

Luna’s eyes never once wavered from her. From the moment she came into view, Fleur could feel those magnificent cyan irises locked onto her. Luna had a truly star-crossed look in her eyes. Fleur returned her stare in kind, her gaze never leaving Luna for a moment.

Aurora pulled up short, falling in beside Gemstone and Twilight. Fleur took her place opposite Luna, looking up into her lover’s beautiful face.

“You look amazing.” Luna breathed.

“You too.” Fleur managed to choke. She was hoping for something more eloquent, but her voice refused to cooperate at the moment. Luna glanced to her side and gave Quill a small nod; Quill bowed his head slightly and stepped to the front of the group, positioning himself between Fleur and Luna. Quill spoke calmly and evenly, his voice just loud enough to be heard in the still air of the library.

“Princess Luna and Fleur De Lis. You’ve come together today in the presence of your friends and loved ones to profess your love for one another, and to forever bind your lives together. To you who are about to be joined, I say this: Keep the words you speak today in your hearts and minds forever. They will be a reminder of your devotion to one another, and a source of confidence in trying times.” Quill lifted his head to the others gathered around, smiling at all of them as well.

“And to you who have supported and loved Fleur and Luna in your own ways, I ask this: Remember the words these two share today, so that you can remind them of their devotion to one another when challenging times arise. Every relationship, big or small, meets difficulties down the road, and sometimes, the strength of two is not enough to overcome these obstacles. Instead, the strength of three or more is needed.

“Today, you bear witness to the joining of two ponies in love, but never forget that they are also your friends, your family, and above all else, ponies that you care for and love. Remind them of their promise to one another, and help them stay strong.” He finished with a soft smile, looking between Fleur and Luna. He lifted either of their hooves, bringing them together in a simple embrace.

“Princess Luna, do you have any words to share?”

“I do.” Luna sighed, swallowing hard. She met Fleur’s gaze, their eyes locked once more.

The library melted away. The other ponies were gone. Even Quill seemed to have vanished. In that one moment, there was only Fleur and Luna.

“You’ve been a ray of light in my life, Fleur.” Luna spoke quietly, but Fleur listened rapturously, burning each word that Luna spoke into her very soul.

“From moment I found you in the garden maze, I was enraptured by your beauty, your grace, and your passion. You have been a steadfast friend to me, completely unafraid of the dark rumors that haunt me. You looked past the posturing and the haughtiness. You ignored the rumors and the words that have been said about me. You were one of the only ponies that truly and honestly looked at me as a pony, and not as a Princess. You saw me as the pony, as the mare that I truly am, and you revealed a side of me that I thought was lost forever.

“We met barely a year ago, yet I feel like I've known you for ages. Every day is something new and interesting with you, Fleur. I find myself discovering some new facet of your beauty, or a new trait you possess. And I want to continue learning more about you with each new day, with each new adventure. To share my future with you is truly a blessing and a privilege that I can never hope to equal.

“Fleur De Lis, from this day forth, I swear my life to you. Through the good times and the bad, come what may, I will stand by your side.”

Fleur could hear the soft pitter-patter of her tears as they flowed down her cheeks and onto the floor beneath her. It was the only thing she could hear, aside from the thundering of her heart in her chest. Quill leaned in softly, the library and everypony else returning in a rush.

“Fleur, do you have any words to share?”

“I do…” She swallowed once, digging for the strength to speak the words she’d obsessed over for what felt like every day of the past seven months. She held Luna’s gaze as she drew a deep, calming breath.

“Luna, you came to me in such a troubled time, lending tranquility to an ocean of upset emotions and broken feelings. I was on the verge of a breakdown, but thanks to you and your friendship, I persisted, and even thrived. Through that friendship, I discovered the connection we shared, not just as friends… But as lovers. You became my own star, so full of passion and love. You became my constant ray of hope, never dulling under even the darkest of clouds. We have been through so much in such a short time, yet I know that both of us have emerged stronger and happier than either of us could have dreamed.

“I love you, Luna. I love you in every sense of the word. I want to spend every day by your side, and every night dreaming of what the next day will bring for us. I yearn to be with you, Luna, whether we're in the throes of passion, or simply sharing a meal between meetings. I ache for you when we’re apart, and seeing you after an absence makes me feel like my soul has returned to my body. I am thankful for every moment spent in your hooves, because in your hooves, I don't just feel alive... I am alive.

“And so, I swear myself to you, Luna. From this day forth, I will stand by your side as your wife, your lover, your friend, and yes, even your sub. I will share in your triumphs and your downfalls, your glory and your shame. I will be with you morning, noon, and night, until I no longer draw breath. I love you, Luna; with all of my heart, with all of my body, with all of my soul, now and forever.”

In that one perfect moment, the world seemed to stop, and Fleur simply stared at Luna.

And then forever began with a kiss as the cheers of their friends and tears of pure, unbridled joy washed over them.

(Epilogue) Memories Kept

Author's Note

The Epilogue was written by Grand Moff Pony, and edited by Loyal.

(Epilogue) Memories Kept

Moonstone - Epilogue: Memories Kept

'I really wish she'd hurry it up,' Fleur thought as she watched Luna. The Princess was standing in the doorway to their private quarters, engaging one of the castle doctors in a very animated – and very hushed – conversation. Fleur couldn't hear any of the words spoken between her wife and the doctor, but she didn't really need to anymore. She'd seen the same scene play out dozens and dozens of times over the past year and a half. 'Yet the story never changes for me... Not anymore.'

Finally, the doctor departed, and Luna quietly shut the door after him. Luna smiled gently as she turned around, but even with her blurry vision, Fleur could see the mask of calm that Luna was projecting. She returned the smile in full, though she knew that both of their smiles were as fragile as the crystal pitcher on her bed stand. 'She's still so beautiful...' Fleur thought as Luna padded across the carpet towards the large, sumptuous bed. 'Would it that our masks might crumble like sandcastles in the waves?'

"Would you like some water?" Luna asked as she stopped next to the bed.

"Y–Yes, thank you, dear." Fleur replied quietly. She brushed a lock of faded pink hair out of her face as she watched Luna. Really, Luna was only a mostly-defined blur in front of her, but Fleur had long since given up on keeping her glasses tied around her neck all the time. 'It works better if I just assume I'm always looking at her rump anyway.'

Luna turned back to Fleur, a glass of water held in her magical grip. Fleur reached out with her own magic to take the glass, but it slipped from her grasp almost immediately as the pink aura around her horn sputtered like a worn down candle. A dark blue aura captured the glass mere inches from the bed, and for a moment, neither mare moved an inch.

"Are you alright?" Luna asked as she lifted the glass back up in the air. Fleur couldn't fight the blush in her cheeks as embarrassment and frustration flashed through her veins for a moment.

"Y–yes, I'm alright," she sighed. "Just get me one of those straws."

"Are you sure?" Luna asked in a hurried voice. "I know how much you hate those things, dear. I've told you before, Fleur, it's no big deal; I'm sure we'll get it this ti—"

"Luna, it's alright... Just get me a straw," Fleur's voice cut her off. "I've gotten used to the bad days outnumbering the good days. Please... It's ok."

Luna sighed as she levitated a straw into the glass and floated the entire thing in front of Fleur. She pushed the huge blanket down as she sat up a bit, raising her hooves to further grip the glass. The combination of the cold water and the comparatively chilly air in the room sent a shiver down Fleur's spine. Still, she sipped generously through the straw before lifting the glass back towards Luna.

"Seems a bit cold in here," Fleur said as another shiver rippled through her.

"Maybe for you, miss freezy-hooves," Luna replied with a teasing chuckle. "But, I guess I can help you out a bit." Her horn lit up as she spoke, and the fire in the hearth grew steadily in size and intensity, bathing the bedroom in an extra layer of warmth. "Better now?"

"Hmm... Yes." Fleur turned a bit to the side and lifted the edge of the blanket off the bed with a visibly shaky hoof. "But, I think I could still use an extra blanket. This old mare gets cold easily," she added with a soft smile.

"I think that can be arranged," Luna answered as she turned toward the bed. Fleur couldn't see Luna too well, but she knew she saw a real smile cross her lips for perhaps the first time in weeks. 'Heavens, I'm going to miss those...'

Luna slid under the covers and immediately wrapped her hooves around Fleur, drawing her close to her chest. "I got one of the royal blankets just for you, my love."

"Hmm... Very nice," Fleur sighed as she relaxed into the princess' embrace. "Though, I can't make out the pattern on this blanket. Seems like a big blue and purple blur to me."

"If only you had a pair of glasses that could remedy that..."

Fleur turned her head back just enough to stick her tongue out at Luna. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"No, I'm sure you don't," Luna cooed as she gently kissed Fleur's ear. "I guess I'll just have to scoot closer, then."

Fleur sighed again as Luna tightened her embrace. They laid like that for a few minutes, only the crackling of the fire and the sound of their breathing breaking the silence in the room.

"So, what did Doctor Goodheart have to say?" Fleur asked.

Luna hesitated for only an instant before responding, but even that was enough to tell Fleur all that she needed to know. "He said everything looks just fine, as usual."

"You've always been a terrible liar." Fleur whispered as she rolled over, pressing her chest together with Luna's. She leaned her head up and gently kissed the princess. "I know nothing about my condition has changed. I am the patient here, after all, so I know how I feel.

Luna tried to project calm, but her emotions showed right through to Fleur. "I... I'm sure the good doctor is doing everything he can... He said his research is moving along, and he might have a breakthrough before the year is out."

"Unless he's found a way to stop the aging process in mortal beings, I doubt he'll be able to help much more than he already has..." Fleur's voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Besides, I don't have that much time anyway."

Luna's breath hitched in her throat. "Fleur, stop that! How many times have I asked you not to talk like that–"

"Luna, love, I mean it," Fleur replied, turning her gaze up into Luna's eyes. "My journey is nearly done, believe me."

"H–how can you know that? That... That's not possible," Luna sputtered. "You're just having a rough day, Fleur. I'm sure tomorr—"

"Will be the same as today, which was the same as yesterday." Fleur struggled to keep her voice up, as even that was a strain on her body now. "Take it from a mortal; we know when our time is up."

Luna drew breath after breath, trying to steady herself, but Fleur could see her wife's composure slipping more with each passing second. She could sense the fear washing over her like a slow tidal wave. 'My love... Which of us is suffering more?'

"Please... Please don't say that, Fleur." Luna's voice was half-broken already. "I–I'm sure the doctors will figure something out. They've cured so many diseases, accomplished so much..." Luna's eyes began to shimmer as the first tears welled up inside of them. "S–surely, they can do this too..."

"I wish that were so, believe me," Fleur replied through her own shaky voice. "...but bodies grow old, and there's no cure for the ticking of a clock. Believe me, I'd like nothing more than to jump off this bed right now and drag you downstairs myself, as if I were still a mare half my age."

Luna nearly crushed Fleur into her chest, eliciting a brief cough from the unicorn. "You know I can make that happen this very instant. Just say the word, and the clock stops."

"No, Luna, you know I can't do that," Fleur replied. "We have no idea how long it might take for Twilight to finish her research… Or if she’ll even be successful in the end. Say I did agree, and you performed the spell. How long can you go on with me frozen in time? A year? Ten years? A hundred?”

Fleur cast a pleading look at Luna. “Even if it worked, and Twilight did find the right spell, we’d be exposed instantly to the entirety of Equestria, not to mention it’d put the legitimacy of the crown at risk… And you know I won't allow you to do that."

"Fleur, please!" Luna whimpered as she buried her head into Fleur's grayed, and significantly thinner mane. "I don't care if it exposes us. I–I'll give up my crown if that's what it takes."

"No, Luna, I can't let you do that. Ponies count on you every day; Equestria needs you, now and forever. I am just another mare granted a chance to walk this ground and breathe this air."

"But you're my wife!" Luna wailed, the tears falling down her muzzle and into Fleur's mane. "I can't just let you go like that – not when I can fix this!"

"Luna, listen– Oww... Listen to me," Fleur said with as much strength as she could muster. "The past seventy-five years have been more wonderful than I ever could have imagined. We've done so much; traveled the world, explored the skies, loved until we could love no more, and so much more." She sniffled as tears rimmed her own eyes. "We... We've had a good run, Luna. More than most ponies could ever hope for..."

"Fleur... Fleur, please don't..." Luna's voice was barely coherent now, the tears flowing freely.

Fleur's horn lit up then, the faint pink glow stuttering for a moment before springing to life. With great concentration, she reached into the bedstand's top drawer and retrieved a small velvet bag. She slowly floated it over to the bed and placed it in the small space between her and Luna.

"Luna, put this on."

The princess lifted her head, and gasped when she saw the bag in front of her. "You... You want me... Fleur, you know I can't—"

"Please, Luna. Just this once," Fleur pleaded through her cracked voice. "What I am about to say... I... Just please put it on."

Luna stared at her for a moment, and Fleur could see the tides of emotion raging behind her eyes. Finally, a blue glow enveloped the small bag, and Luna withdrew the black leather collar that had adorned Fleur's throat hundreds of times before.

Slowly, the princess slipped the collar around her neck, gently fastening the clasp with her magic. 'All these years later, and only now do we switch positions...' Fleur thought as she gazed at the collar, the metal loop sitting gently in the hollow of Luna's neck.

"Yes, mistress Fleur?"

"Very good, Luna," Fleur whispered as she kissed Luna's cheek. "I'd hate for you to make any mistakes here, as I'm in no condition to punish you if you do."

She raised her shaky, wrinkled hooves and grasped Luna's muzzle. "As your mistress, I give you two, and only two commands.” She closed her eyes for a few moments, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, she looked straight into Luna’s beautiful, teary irises.

“First, you will one day accept another pony into your heart."

Luna nearly jumped out of the bed. "Fl- Mistress, I could never do that! I love you... You're my wife! I could never love another!"

"Luna, remember, the collar is on, so this is definitely not a request." Fleur focused her eyes as best she could. "It is natural for ponies to find love anew when a loved one passes. Even Celestia has found a new love in Twilight, yet she still celebrates and remembers Ribbon."

Luna opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again without a word. "The second command I have for you is this; Remember me. Remember our time spent together, every success and every struggle. Cherish them, as you have cherished me so much."

"Y–yes, Fleur. I swear to you on my celestial namesake, I will never forget you. And should another come along, I will at least consider the possibility."

"Ah, very good, my pet," Fleur replied with a weak smile. "Always wanted to use that line..."

Luna smiled through her tears as she reached out again to Fleur. "I'm not ready for this to end."

"And you never will be," Fleur whispered as she grasped Luna's free hoof. "None of us ever are." They laid together in silence, sniffling and whimpering occasionally. An hour passed before either of them spoke again.

"Luna?"

"Yes, Fleur? What is it?"

"Do you remember the first thing that you ever did for me?"

"Of course I do. I found you in the hedge maze, panting and out of breath. You looked tired and scared, as if you had been chasing a ghost. I asked if you were alright, and then I stayed with you until you stopped crying."

"Can you..." Fleur's voice cracked as the tears overwhelmed her, "Can you do that again?"

Even through her hazy vision, Fleur could see her wife's heart break inside of her, as if her words had been tied to the weight of the moon itself. "O–of course, my love." Luna wrapped her legs around Fleur, as if she were protecting a foal from a schoolyard bully. "Just calm down, Fleur. Everything is going to be alright... The tears will stop, I promise you."

'Yes, but will yours, my love?' she thought as sleep began to take hold of her. She craned her head up and brought her lips to Luna's in a soft but deep kiss. Even in her debilitated state, Fleur could feel the fire in her heart stir again, if only for a moment. Their lips parted, and Fleur settled her muzzle into the soft fur of Luna's chest.

"I love you, Luna."

"And I love you too, Fleur."

The crackling fire was the only sound in the room as Fleur drifted off to sleep in the warm, protective embrace of her lover, mistress, confidant, and wife. In her heart of hearts, she knew that this was a different kind of sleep; one that she would not awake from. Yet, as she felt her pool of magic begin to fade like a candle without a wick, and her heart grow ever quieter in her chest, she couldn't help but smile.

'Thank you, Luna... For everything.'

A quiet knock on the door snapped Luna from her reverie. She turned from the window in her private office, as if expecting to see a familiar face standing in the doorway. She could not stop a defeated sigh when her eyes landed instead on one of the castle’s messengers.

"What is it?"

"Your Highness, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have some papers to deliver to you." The messenger approached her desk warily, holding a manilla folder in his magical grip.

"Can't these wait? Surely, the kingdom can survive for a few minutes without one of its leaders in the throne room."

"Yes, of course, y-your Highness..." The other pony stuttered, "But I was instructed to give these to you at this exact time."

Luna took a few steps forward and cast a withering glare at the other pony. "And who gave those instructions?"

"Your wife did, your Grace."

Silenced reigned for nearly a minute before Luna spoke. "Very well then... Leave them on the desk."

"Yes, Princess. and, if I may speak, your Highness, the castle staff asked me to convey their condolences."

Luna turned her gaze back to the window. "Please thank the staff for their well wishes, and assure them that I am fine."

The messenger backed out of the room without another word, closing the door behind him. Another minute passed before Luna moved again. Slowly, she turned to her desk and unwrapped the short stack of parchments. A small box was wrapped in the innermost sheet, and she placed this on her desk for further inspection. She unrolled the first of the two sheets and began to read.

My dearest Luna,

If you are reading this, then I am gone. I am truly sorry that I had to leave you, the one true love of my life, and I can only hope that my last moments were spent in the peace and quiet of your loving embrace. Although, if they were spent trapped in an intricate harness that I couldn't get out of... Well, I can think of worse ways for a pony to go.

You know I was never much for writing huge letters, so I'll get the mundane stuff out of the way first. The second sheet of parchment that should have accompanied this includes instructions for the distribution of my assets. I've squirreled away much of my salary as Director of Charitable Affairs, along with some modest profits from mine and my family's investments, expressly for this circumstance.

Yes, I kept one of my accounts open from when I was married to Fancy Pants, though rest assured that he assumed the account was closed decades ago. I'm sorry for keeping this from you, but every mare is allowed one or two secrets, right? After all, I never even told your sister about your patented sneak runs into the castle kitchen to swipe the last of the ice cream.

Now, as for my assets, I wish for them to be distributed as follows:

-A gift of ten thousand bits to the organizing committee of the Trottingham BDSM convention, for the continued expansion and success of both the convention and the committee.

-A second gift of ten thousand bits to Crimson Mark, to be used for the completion of her education, and the continued operation of the 'supply shop' that she inherited from her parents, Aurora and Quill.

-An endowment in the amount of fifty thousand bits for a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, to be named in Ribbon's honor. Consider this my final gift to Celestia, as thanks for accepting me – and us – into her life.

-Any remaining funds are to be spread evenly to charities throughout Canterlot, at your discretion. Balance Sheet, my long-time contact in the Accounting Department, has my ledgers, and all of the details that you'll need.

But there is one last matter that I wish to address, and one more gift that I wish to give.

If this letter has reached you in the time frame that I requested, then I have been gone but a few days. Having lost family members in the past, I can imagine the pain that must be in your heart, my love. Though knowing that you can never join me on the fields of Elysium must amplify that pain – and that sense of loss – to a degree that only you and the other princesses can know.

Luna, I know that you will always remember me, and the many years of bliss that we shared. When we were first engaged, I swore an oath to you and your sister to make all of your days as happy as I could, even in my passing. And it was with this in mind that I give you my final and perhaps most precious gift...

My memories.

In the small box that came with these papers, you'll find a silver pendant and chain. I commissioned this piece from the renowned Silver Gleam, based on a design of my own creation. Much like my cutie mark, the central pillar of the Fleur De Lis begins as something small. Yet as it passes between the dual crescent moons, it is both constricted and protected; the light and power of the moon shaping it and forming it from the inside-out. Finally, it emerges above, stronger, larger, and more beautiful than ever before. Together, the pillar and the moon become inseparable, as symbolized by the double-band that embraces the both of them.

But this particular piece holds one final element for you, my dear Luna.

You have probably already picked up a magical signature from the pendant, and that is not by accident. While you were away on that diplomatic mission to Zebrica, I had the pendant enchanted with a specific series of memory spells. (It pays to have an office on the same floor as the Princess of Magic)

Once activated, the embedded spells will work inside of your mind to show you my memories of our time together. I believe Princess Twilight asked me to explain it as 'dream projection in a waking state,' but I prefer to think of it as a mental scrapbook of a life well spent. Perhaps seeing a replay of our life together – and through the eyes of a mortal no less – you'll really be able to see just how much you meant to me, from the moment you found me to the moment I passed.

Thanks to Twilight's great skill, the memory spells are tuned to last in near perpetuity, though they can be easily refreshed if the need arises. I know that you swore never to forget me, but none of us know how long the arc of time is, and your sister's pain over her lost memories of Ribbon tells me that even your memories may fade with time. So, use these spells on your bad days; use these spells on your good days. But may they help you to never forget, no matter how long you walk this world and command these heavens.

Oh, and one final thing – the trigger. Activating the spells in the pendant only requires you to say a trigger word. I'd hate for you to trigger a memory spell in the midst of official business, so I set the trigger word to be something that I know you'd never say unless you meant to... Something that would never be said by accident.

What's the trigger word then? I really don't think I need to say. In fact, I think you already know what it is.

I know that smiling is hard to do at this moment, but it is my hope that as time passes, you remember to think less of my absence, and more of the incredible love that we shared.

I love you, Luna.

Forever and always.

Your loving wife,

-Fleur

Luna slowly dropped the paper onto the desk. Her hooves were shaking, and tears were welling under her eyes as the weight of Fleur's words sank into her mind. She turned to the pendant, which sat proudly in a small, velvet-lined box, and gently lifted it up in her magic.

The pendant glimmered like a star, reflecting an almost surreal mixture of dark blues, purples, whites, and pinks. The many small gemstones shone like diamonds as they caught the afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the window. The Princess stared in utter silence as the pendant slowly rotated in her magical grasp. She did nothing to even try to stop the flow of tears from dripping off her muzzle onto the desk.

Finally, she opened the clasp on the chain and slipped the pendant around her neck, the stylized version of her wife's namesake hanging gently against the top of her chest. She stepped quietly across the room and laid down on the couch that sat in front of the small hearth.

Luna's magic grasped a small picture frame and moved it to the small end table that sat just beyond the couch. Tears continued to fall as she looked at the now decades-old picture of herself and Fleur on their honeymoon in Prance.

A blue glow enveloped the pendant as Luna's magic took hold of it, and after taking a deep breath, she triggered the memory spell, using the only word that came to her mind.

"Moonstone."

Moving Forward

Moonstone - Moving Forward

Ruby Star grimaced as her brush caught another snag in her mane. She had been battling the long crimson and mauve strands for fifteen minutes already, and despite repeated curses and a crushed bottle of frizz tamer, she felt no closer to taming the unruly mess of hair. Her mane finally yielded though, and after a few more minutes of work, fell into its signature wavy style.

She moved quickly onto smoothing out her normally luxurious coat, wincing a bit as her hoof rubbed some tender spots along her sides. 'I'm going to be sore tomorrow...' she thought as she continued to even out her coat. The cream-colored fur was full of kinks and cow-licks in places she would have thought impossible.

'Then again, is anything impossible when you're being ravished by—'

“Enjoying yourself?”

“Gah!” Ruby nearly jumped out of her chair, and it took every bit of self-control to keep her wings and her pulse in check. “Why do you always do that, Luna?!”

“I couldn’t resist.” The Princess emerged from the shadows, a faint smile across her lips as she closed the distance between them. Despite the soreness radiating from Ruby’s nethers, she couldn’t help but give a thin whimper as Luna approached. “Did you enjoy the session, Ruby?”

"That was amazing." Ruby had to admit, the past hour 'Or was it three?' spent at the mercy of Luna’s delightfully rough tastes was probably one of their best yet. She turned her head up and gave Luna a quick peck on the lips as the Princess came to a stop next to her. "We've been doing this nearly a year and a half, and it only seems to get better each time."

“I could say the same about you as well,” Luna added with a wink. Gone was the harsh, domineering voice of Luna the mistress; now, Luna’s true voice – soft as silk, and smooth as the night itself, took its place. “Still, was there anything you want to change? Anything that you'd like me to do differently?” Luna continued, as her horn burst to life. Ruby sighed contentedly as she felt the princess’ magic slide over her and wrap her entire body in a tender field of energy. Ruby knew Luna was checking on her, making sure she was unhurt. 'Amazing... She can be so dominant, yet so caring, all at once.'

“Not at all.” Ruby closed her eyes, surrendering herself to Luna’s exam. She had grown used to the princess fretting over her after their sessions. “If anything, I’d say you could be a little rougher next time…”

"Are you sure?" Luna asked as she continued to examine Ruby with her magic. "In truth, I was worried that I was being unnecessarily hard on you this time around."

“Hah!” Ruby chuckled. She turned and smiled warmly at the princess. “Trust me, Luna, you were perfectly fine.” Smiles of any variety were hard to come by for the normally-brash pegasus, especially in her less than glamorous line of work. The other ponies she could reasonably call her ‘friends’ were actually quite brash and unforgiving.

But around Luna, things didn’t seem so… Tense. 'Hmm, tension. Funny that tension is what got us started in the first place...' Ruby's mind wandered a bit as she felt Luna's magic creep lower on her body.

Indeed, it was a moment of tension that brought her and Luna together. A shipping mix-up had left her with a package intended for the Princess – a fact she had not realized until she had already opened the package. Instead of the wing restraints and nipple clamps she had ordered, she found a well-curved dildo, a set of silk sashes, and a hoof-written note from her longtime friend, Crimson Mark.

Ruby had no clue what to do with the package, but her fear turned to near panic when Princess Luna appeared at her home, bearing of all things, the package that Ruby had been expecting.

She expected to be banished to the dungeons... If not for opening the package, then for revealing her rather extreme tastes to a Princess of all ponies. Instead, Ruby was treated to an hour-long conversation with one of the rulers of Equestria on the finer points of wing restraint as a means to draw out an orgasm.

A few weeks and a hoof full of dinner dates and conversations later, Ruby found herself tied up in Luna's basement, her wings restrained in an entirely new manner, and her body rocked with orgasm after orgasm.

But lately, Luna’s devious bedroom tastes had given way to something a little more… meaningful. She couldn’t quite put a hoof on it, but Ruby could see Luna’s softer side coming out more and more with each session. ’But why?’ As the field of magic slid off her flanks like a silk bathroom robe, Ruby smiled up at Luna. 'Around Luna, I actually have a reason to smile.'

“I love you, Luna.”

“I love you too, Ruby. And I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“So…” Ruby kicked a hoof, blushing a little. "Any plans for tonight?"

Luna paused for a moment. Ruby had done this almost weekly now for the past month or so. She and Luna would indulge in a session, chat for a while afterwards, and the talk would inevitably move around to the subject of Ruby’s developing feelings. Then, she would ask if she could spend the night. Not as a sub being tied up and gagged in imaginative ways, but rather as a friend and a lover.

And every week, it had been the same answer. Luna would suddenly turn shy and reserved; she'd say that she had an important committee meeting, or there was pressing magical business to tend to. She'd even used Princess Twilight Sparkle as an excuse once, claiming that the castle was in grave danger due to the youngest princess' desire to cook a meal for Princess Celestia.

Ruby knew that Luna was dodging the issue, but despite her normally brash instincts, she hadn't called Luna out for it. If she had learned anything since becoming Luna's sub, it was patience. Indeed, the two of them had grown very close over the last eighteen months; close enough that they could openly admit that they had feelings of love for one another.

Yet for all they had done together, and all of the nights she had slept in the still well-appointed guest rooms on the lower level, Luna had never invited Ruby into her bed.

“Ruby, I don’t think…”

“I get it.” Ruby sighed. “Maybe next week?”

"Ruby, It’s..." Luna's voice trailed off with a mild grunt. A response formed in her head, but it died in Ruby's throat when she met Luna's gaze. Her normally vibrant cyan eyes were nearly glassed over, as if her mind had shifted to an entirely different world for a moment. Ruby's amber-gray eyes stared back at Luna, trying to read something, anything in her lover's stare. 'It feels like she's looking through me and past me at the same time.'

Nearly a minute passed before Luna so much as blinked. Ruby let go a breath she didn't realize she had been holding when she saw the princess' eyes turn again to her. Gone was the pensive, withdrawn look she had seen mere minutes ago. Now, there was only a warm smile on Luna's face, and a look of serenity...

...The kind of serenity that can only come when a threshold is crossed.

"Ruby, please follow me."

“Thank you!” Ruby beamed, throwing her forelegs around Luna’s neck. "This means so much to me, Luna. Thank you!"

“Still a foal.” Luna chuckled as she embraced Ruby. Together, they turned towards the door and left the expansive underground bathroom. Like the bathroom, Ruby had become very familiar with the the long, richly-appointed hallway that stretched out before her. Her first few trips to this level of the castle had been quite imposing, and in some ways intimidating. But now, she felt quite comfortable with nearly every room. Making for the lift, Luna led her inside and began taking them up. Ruby took a half-step forward out of habit as the lift neared its usual stopping point, but quickly backed up when she realized that the lift was indeed still moving. She couldn't stop a blush from coloring her cheeks as she gave Luna a sheepish grin.

“Eerm…”

“Sit tight, Ruby.” Luna chuckled, taking them to the last door available. Ruby hadn’t been up here yet. She had always met the princess in the empty quarters just below the top level of the castle's western wing, going down to the basement from there. Tonight, it seemed, would be the turning point. Tonight, Ruby would finally step deeper into the princess' life than she ever had before.

The lift came to a slightly squeaky halt at the very top floor, and Luna gently opened the lift's doors with her magic. Ruby inhaled softly as she followed the princess off the elevator, and into terra incognita.

It was a luxurious room, and probably twice as comfortable as any other Ruby had had the pleasure of staying in. Her job as an assistant at the Royal Observatory was adequate, but just barely; the minuscule salary afforded her few luxuries to liven up her cramped apartment on the vast city's western side. These little forays into Luna’s latex and cum-soaked domain were some of the best nights of rest - and the best orgasms - of Ruby’s entire life.

This room, though, transcended that. Luna’s massive four-poster bed could easily have slept eight ponies her size and at least all four of the Princesses. On either side of its headboard were two double doors leading out to what she assumed was one of the many balconies dotting the outside of the castle’s towers, but every other wall was lined floor-to-ceiling with bookshelves.

Hundreds, even thousands of books made their home here. Several cases had gaps in the tightly-organized rows, the missing books laying open on one of the three tables scattered around the room. Candles were placed throughout, casting the whole room in a warm, flickering light. A fireplace played host to three wide, plush couches, and was crackling merrily as Luna padded towards her bed.

“You can look around a little if you’d like, though I’m sure you’re exhausted…” The princess pulled up short at a bedside table, opening the top drawer. As much as Ruby wanted to peruse the titles of all these wonderful-looking books, she was indeed exhausted and would just as soon have fallen asleep on top of any book that she might try to read. A beautiful yet simply designed writing desk sat against the near wall, its surface covered in scrolls and partially-used inkwells. The wall space above the desk was home to a small array of framed pictures, including a group portrait of all of the Princesses, a smaller picture of Luna and her sister as fillies, and a rather candid shot of one of Equestria's heroes, Starswirl the Bearded.

She stared in wonder for a moment as her eyes landed on a beautiful harp that dominated the adjacent corner of the room. Ruby stepped over to examine it more closely, and her jaw nearly hit the floor.

The entire instrument was seemingly made of solid gold, polished to a perfect mirror shine. Exquisite silver filigree adorned the column and soundbox, lending an almost shimmering quality to the entire piece.

Ruby paused again as she peered at the sheet music that sat patiently atop a music stand, awaiting its next evocation. 'Mon bien-aimé...' Her high school Prench was rusty, but the words 'My Beloved' finally broke through the fog of yet another class that she skipped more often than not.

She again turned to Luna, and her eyes widened at the object that the princess held in her magical grip.

“That pendant…” Ruby stepped up to Luna’s side, looking down at the small jewelry box her dom held. “I’ve seen it before.”

“I don't wear it during our sessions, for obvious reasons, but I'm sure you've seen me wearing it at other times.” Luna affirmed, lifting the graceful piece out of it’s velvet-lined box. “It’s… Well, it means something special to me.”

“Was it hers?” Ruby nodded to the only decoration on that nightstand, a single picture of a lovely-looking white mare with beautiful pink hair. Luna stood by her side, a beautiful view of the sea behind them.

“Fleur De Lis.” Luna affirmed.

“The Director of Charitable Affairs?” Ruby perked up.

“You know of her, then?”

“Eer, of course! The Moonlight Committee donates frequently to the schools, to help fund astrology programs… Her successor,” Ruby gestured to the picture. “Mentions Miss De Lis frequently…”

“Technically, Missus.” Luna sighed, her eyes straying towards the picture. “She was my wife.”

“You were married?” Ruby wasn’t sure whether she should feel shocked or amazed. She settled on sympathetic. There were tears in Luna’s eyes as she nodded quietly.

“We were. The first marriage like it in Equestrian history… Not like Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, as you can probably tell… No, we kept our relationship secret… For seventy-six years.”

'Seventy-six years?' Ruby thought as her mind struggled to process Luna's words. 'And they never told anyone?'

“Luna,” Ruby laid her hoof on the back of the princess’, leaning in to nuzzle her neck. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Ruby. She was… She was my first love.”

“Though not your last?”

“No, certainly not.” She chuckled, nuzzling Ruby back. “I made a promise to never forget her, but I also promised to move on when I was ready.”

“Let me guess, about a year and a half ago?”

“Heh. You remember.” Luna nudged Ruby towards the bed, still carrying the box with the pendant inside. “It took me some time, but as she said I would, I moved on, and I found love anew.”

“Luna…” Ruby jumped up onto the plush mattress, crawling halfway across so Luna could follow her up. When they had both settled, Ruby met the princess’ eyes directly. “I… Could you tell me more about her? What she was like? What your life with her was like?”

“To be honest, Ruby…” Luna smiled as she lifted the pendant out of the box…

And wound it around Ruby’s neck. Luna leaned in, her lips brushing the edge of her ear as her magic began to envelope the glimmering symbol of her departed wife.

”I’d rather show you.”

Author's Note

Inspired by Indigo Eclipse.

(1) No big surprise

Moonstone – Chapter 1: No big surprise

Fleur was dissatisfied. Not just with the current state of things, but with life in general. She woke in the morning with headaches and went to bed at night dreading the next day. Not a single thing, it seemed, was worthwhile anymore. Her husband, Fancy Pants, was insufferable as of late. He would stay out late handling business with his various and assorted charities. More often than not, Fleur would accompany him.

’Smile for the pretty ponies. Smile and show them how happy we are.’ He was incorrigible. He used to whisper those words in her ear as they stood at the fore of some new banquet or charity drive. Every single one of those damnable functions she attended, Fleur could find herself caring less and less for the problems of Canterlot. As she rolled out of bed that morning, she was alone once more.

“Probably drank too much last night… Stayed at a hotel or something.” Fleur muttered to herself. She smoothed and set the bed with a quick glimmer of magic before setting about her morning routine. Something caught her eye on the way to the bathroom, though. She glanced at the small vanity she had in their bedroom, frowning at the previously-unnoticed slip of paper that was tacked to her calendar. Everything she had planned for that day had been cancelled. She frowned at the blank space on her calendar. No spa appointments, dinners, banquets, charities, social functions, or engagements. Nothing whatsoever.

She flipped the page back. The entire month was filled with times. The month before that, too. And the one before that. Everything Fleur had done that entire year was painted out in the small white squares from day to day for the past six months. Now that it was July, this was the first day she had had without any social obligations. No appointments to make. She was free. For one whole day, she was completely, totally, and entirely free.

Almost as if by habit, Fleur walked to the bedroom window and threw the heavy drapes aside. The morning was bright and sunny, and as she opened the window, a fresh breeze wafted in, lifting her mane off of her neck a little. It was a beautiful day outside, and she had no obligations. With a slight frown, Fleur began to wonder; how long had it been since her last day off?

Just last night she had been at a silent auction for the schools, and the night before had been a formal dinner party at Hoity Toity’s home. Not to mention during the day, she was all but forced to figure out her husband’s schedule, running all over the city to speak with ponies or send letters. Looking back, Fleur realized she hadn’t had any time to herself to relax or unwind. This most definitely called for something special. A thought struck her then, and she let a small smile grace her lips. She would start with a shower. A long shower.

She turned from the window; brushing straight past the preparation table where she would normally ready herself for showering. Fleur turned the water on hot, filling the bathroom with steam almost immediately. She stepped under the scalding stream slowly at first, making several small adjustments to the temperature until it was just where she wanted it. Sighing contentedly under the soothing rain of hot water, Fleur slowly sank to her haunches and let the stress wash away.

As the hot water glided over her frumpy coat, slowly setting it back in place, Fleur’s horn began to glow. She used a simple field of telekinesis to rub her entire body down, smoothing the hectic strands of hair all over her body into their proper place. Running about all night made one’s coat clump up and bunch in places it ought not to have. Particularly around her hindquarters. She drew her lip between her teeth as the first layer of magical pressure slid down her left hind leg, and again down her right. This was a natural part of grooming herself for the day, of course, but given today was no ordinary day, this was no ordinary grooming.

Fleur’s magic began to inch closer and closer to places she wouldn’t dare admit to the other socialites of Canterlot. A heat began to build in her stomach, an irrevocable desire for satisfaction. Making love to Fancy Pants was almost always a one-sided ordeal. He was surprisingly traditional, and never engaged in intercourse any way other than from behind. He would mount her, go at it until he came, and then roll over and go to sleep. In fact, Fleur couldn’t recall ever having achieved orgasm with him. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t bring herself to recall any remotely pleasurable experience. Not with her mate, anyways. There were several forays in the shower, such as the one she stood in right now, that stood out in her mind.

Fleur decided it was time to add to that frustratingly short list. With a pent-up sigh of fulfilled desire, she let her magic slide up her leg to caress the tender folds of her marehood. The glistening pink lips were already flared with arousal, and as she caressed them with a gentle field of magic, she could feel some sort of liquid that was not from the shower. Her own arousal was slick and rather enjoyable to manipulate. Her horn glowed a little brighter as she guided the telekinetic field against herself more firmly, she gave a breathy gasp, accompanied by a strength-robbing shudder of pleasure.

Enough of the foreplay. Fleur thought to herself. Time to get serious. Some small, nagging doubt in the back of her mind said she had time, a whole day in fact, to enjoy this. But another, more ravenous part of her psyche took hold of her magic. She cried out as a firm pressure, long and thin, forced its way inside of her. Almost of its own accord. The first lancing bit of pleasure shot almost directly to her temples, making her head swim. The sudden sensation of being so completely filled was almost too much for her to handle. She felt her knees shudder and nearly give out. What was it that was causing her to act so out-of-character?

Upon closer introspection, Fleur realized she didn’t care. Fancy was almost always rough and callous in his ministrations, so she was moderately dulled to the sudden violation. But more than the uncaring way her husband made love to her, there was something else to this. Something primal and basic. Passionate. She forced her magic deeper and deeper into her marehood, groaning as the pleasure filled her entire body. Eventually, her legs did give out and she collapsed onto the floor of the shower, feeling the cold tile press against her stomach. But she didn’t need to be standing for this. She didn’t even need to move her tail. She cried out as her magic continued to pulse in and out, without much input from herself. It moved faster. Harder. Deeper. She grit her teeth and closed her eyes, trying to fight the impending sense of release. She had all day to enjoy herself, there was no need to rush things.

Eventually, she failed. With one last cry of fulfilled desire, Fleur emitted a thin stream of clear liquid. She emptied her lungs twice with a loud and long cry of wanton ecstasy. Both screams echoed off of the tile walls, amplifying to a much louder exclamation than could possibly have been considered decent, let alone presentable. At long last, she finished her orgasm, laying on the floor of the shower with her legs splayed out at odd angles.

But it came back. She felt the all-too-familiar desire for release. Her lips ached to be touched. She drew her lower lip between her teeth once more and smoothly rolled onto her back. The water fell directly onto her stomach and ribcage, running down her sides in rivulets. A fair amount of it fell down between her legs as well, running in small streams over her spread labia. The sensation was addictive. She groaned and moved her hooves down her chest, caressing the sodden strands of her coat the entire way. This was a job better suited for her magic, but she wanted to use her hooves. Just this once. Giving one last sigh of eager anticipation, she set in on herself.

The edge of her hoof slid over her labia, accumulating a small amount of her arousal. She then set in on finding her clitoris, not an easy task with clumsy hooves. She passed over the bundle of nerves several times before finally finding a good spot. Biting her lower lip hard, Fleur began grinding against the spot, using her hoof to flick the small nub of flesh back and forth. Pleasure shot through her body fast and hard, robbing her senses and leaving her a whimpering mess. Shuddering and panting with reckless abandon, she continued rubbing the spot, harder and faster. The primal sense of need filled her senses once more as she again abandoned all pretense of drawing this out. She started panting louder, until each exhalation came with a soft cry. She moved her hoof faster. She cried louder. Time and again, she felt the pleasure build to a head, only to stop just short of tipping over the edge.

It began to anger her. Whenever she got close, her hoof would turn into a blur of motion, only to stop short as she got too wild. She’d slide off and miss her clit, rubbing instead the soft mound of flesh surrounding her marehood. She would curse out loud and find it again, having backed away from the edge. The shower resounded with her cries of ‘Fuck!’ and ‘Damnit!’ At long last, she finally found a way. Her magic took over, roughly flicking her swollen clitoris until she arched her back with a long, loud cry.

The wall of the shower was suddenly painted with her juices, and this time, she could hear the liquid as it impacted the warm tile. The erotic sound of her ejaculation was a pleasant underline to the entire scenario, and she found herself grinning stupidly in the aftermath of her second orgasm. As she lay under the shower’s stream, soaking up the heat and moisture, she found herself feeling happy. Fulfilled, even. All the stress of the past months of busy-body work had led to this moment. No, this entire day.

Slowly, on weak legs, she stood and finished cleaning herself up, taking a long while to scrub her entire body with a gentle soap. Finally, when she was clean and rinsed off with no evidence of her masturbation session, she turned the water off and dried herself with a nifty little spell she had picked up from a friend. The house was quiet as she left the master bedroom and made her way down to the kitchen. Her stomach ached for a decent meal, and as she surveyed the kitchen’s fridge for a potential meal, a plan began to form in her mind. She pulled out eggs, lettuce, onions, green peppers, potatoes, and all manner of delicious breakfast foods. She made a full meal and ate it all, ignoring the silly calorie count in favor of indulging. Just this once. Just today.

After the full breakfast, she retired to the library. Normally, she would have had to work out for almost the entire morning to offset indulging in such a meal. She had a neat and trim figure that was quite often the envy of many other mares. She paid for it with plenty of sweat and time spent on treadmills or various workout apparatus. But not this day. Today, she had a different plan in mind. Carrying a bottle of good wine into the library, Fleur browsed the seldom-seen romance section of their small collection, and settled on some trashy romance novel with plenty of steamy sex and hot colts. As she settled on the comfortable chair beside an unlit fireplace, she felt a small bit of guilt. She was going to spend this entire day drinking wine and fantasizing about a different life. A life with some hunky colt who whispered sweet nothings into her ear and told her how beautiful she was. She thought she might have gotten just that with Fancy Pants, but the past few years had proven her wrong.

As she made her way through the first glass and the first few chapters, she couldn’t remove the smile from her face. A whole day with no obligations, no appointments, no engagements. She didn’t have to groom her coat and put make up on and dress in expensive clothes. She could do anything she wanted. And for that day, Fleur wanted to get drunk, and get wet.

The day was over before it really seemed to begin. As she closed the last page on the book, the sun had just sunk below the horizon. She made a moderate dinner for herself and returned to the library to clean up what little mess she had made. The bottle of wine was half-empty now, and she felt rather tipsy. Rather than make a fool of herself and try to go out that evening, she retired for an early bedtime. Only now, she wasn’t alone.

“Fancy.” She breathed, stopping short at the sight of her husband. “When did you get home?”

“Just now.” The white colt grunted. Through a half-lidded drunken gaze, she watched as he lifted the skirt of the bed up, and pulled something out from underneath.

“Where were you?” Not that she cared, but some part of her mind told her she should have cared. Or at least, a good wife should have cared.

“Trottingham.” Fancy replied, glancing at her. He paused then, taking in the state of her. “You look terrible.” Fleur felt the heat of embarrassment and anger raise to her cheeks, and she frowned at Fancy Pants.

“I’ve been drinking.” She said defensively. “And I had nothing planned for today.”

“Really?” Fancy shook his head. “A fine lie. You look like you’ve been crying. You’re helpless without me, aren’t you?”

“What?” Fleur flustered as he went back to hauling whatever it was underneath the bed out. “What are you doing?”

“Leaving.”

”What?!” Fleur’s drunken mind scrambled about trying to make sense of what he had just said. “Are you leaving, leaving, or do you have a meeting? What were you doing in Trottingham? Fancy, talk to me. I’m your wife, for pony’s sake!”

“Not for much longer.” Fancy used his magic to lift a large suitcase onto the bed, grunting with the effort. Fleur watched, completely dumbstruck, as he tossed open the lid and made his way to his dresser. “I’m leaving to live in Trottingham, Fleur.”

“Why?” Despite her anger and carelessness towards her borderline negligent husband, Fleur felt tears build up in her eyes. “What’s in Trottingham?” Even though she was drunk, the gears clicked, and she made a connection. This wasn’t the first time he had been out all night. Nor was it the first he had come home late. Over the months, Fleur recalled the amount of times he had been ‘out drinking’ and gotten ‘too drunk to come home.’ Or when he had to leave for an ‘extended charity drive’ in another city. How could she have been so blind?

“Another mare.” She choked, feeling several tears spill out of her eyes. “You’ve been seeing another mare, haven’t you?”

“Took you long enough. Honestly, you’re pretty dumb when it comes to reading other ponies.” Fancy rolled his eyes as he began levitating his clothes into the open suitcase. Fleur watched an endless stream of shirts, pants, hoof cuffs, collars, ties, and other high-class apparel make their way into the suitcase. Fancy sounded like he was about to launch into some sort of tirade against her. Fleur’s eyes blurred with tears, and as she blinked to free them, they spilled down her cheeks to the carpet below.

“Don’t start.” Fleur growled, slowly crossing the carpet towards the hall. “Just take your things and get out.”

“Hhmph.” Fancy didn’t look very pleased at being cut off like that, but Fleur didn’t want to look at him any longer than was absolutely necessary. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was her disgust with him, but her dinner was fighting to make a return, and not from the proper hole either. She dry heaved a few times, retching on the spot before dashing to the bathroom. “Pathetic.” She heard Fancy mutter as she pushed through the door. After heaving everything she had, Fleur wiped her mouth and face and returned to her bedroom.

“I know this is your family’s home, so I’ll not make a big deal of things. But I will have a moving company come to fetch my belongings. The desk, this dresser, so on and so forth. I hope you’ll be civil about it.”

“I’ll be fine.” Fleur shot at him. And the day had been going so well, too… She wondered what the social repercussions of this new development were going to be. Fancy Pants was, regrettably, a well-known name among the socialites of Canterlot. Hers was almost hoof-in-hoof with his, and there was seldom a function that she couldn’t be found far from his shoulder, with a beguiling smile and a knack for witty conversation. Now, it seemed, she’d have to go it alone. The implications were astounding.

“Here.” Fancy held something in his magic. As she watched, he tossed it to her, and she caught it with her own. She held the small object up to her eyes, and saw it was his ring. “I won’t be needing that lie anymore. Heh. She thought it was so pretty, too.” His smug expression disgusted her.

“Who is it?” Fleur choked, feeling the tears come on once more.

“You wouldn’t know her. Her family owns the museum.”

“Who is it.” Fleur repeated, taking a step closer to him.

“Her name is Melody.” Fancy frowned at her. She could see his defenses rising.

“Keep this.” Fleur returned the ring to him, her horn glowing as she opened the drawer to her bedside table. She pulled her own ring out as well. “And give her this one. I really don’t think it matters who it belongs to. At least, it hasn’t so far.” Fleur dropped both the rings on the floor at his hooves. “Now get out of my home. And don’t you ever return.”

Clearly, he was shocked. She could see it in his eyes. He didn’t expect any retort from her. By the look of his expression, he halfway expected her to be completely distraught by the news. Crippled, even. And the way he had spoken to her earlier indicated he thought she was helpless on her own, that she had been crying the whole day at his absence. Fleur was truly, honestly disgusted by him. She hadn’t really suspected much, other than the quick, almost primal intuition. To her, this was honestly a fairly large surprise.

But it was not unwelcome. As she stood there, staring Fancy Pants down, she felt a righteous sort of anger fill her chest. She wanted to hurt this pony. But that would not stand. The authorities would surely hear about the disturbance, and that was a price she didn’t want to pay. Instead, she would show this colt, this despicable, disgusting excuse for a pony, how independent she was. Fancy stood there, beside his still-open suitcase, looking down at the rings and back up at Fleur. After a while, he finally worked up the courage to speak.

“I’m sorry-“

“No you’re not.” Fleur cut him off, her frown intensifying. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry. Just leave, Fancy.”

“I- I don’t-“

“Leave.” Fleur repeated herself, taking a step forward. Fancy retreated two steps. “Take your clothes, take your furniture,” She continued advancing. “Take your damnable ring and your disgusting looks,” Fancy was backed up against the wall. She stepped forward until she was face-to-face, her muzzle a mere inch from his. “And just. Fucking. Leave.”

“Fleur, I-“

”LEAVE!” Fleur’s horn glowed brilliantly as she snapped the lid to his suitcase closed, gripped the collar of his shirt and flung them both out into the hall. He stumbled but didn’t fall, turning back to her with a wide-eyed, shocked expression. She stood in the doorway, hooves spread, chest heaving, with a wild look in her eyes. At this rate, she just might end up hurting him. Or being hurt. Either way, she didn’t care. She just wanted him gone. Six years of devotion to him and his stupid charities and social functions. Six years of driving herself up the wall just so the two of them could be the center of adoration at a dinner party. Six years of idle gossip and mind-numbing conversation with less intelligent mares and stallions who would just as soon spend their money on some new bit of jewelry than having a little bit of actual fun.

Six years of being nothing more than a trophy wife. To Fancy, she was nothing more than another piece of jewelry, another suit, another facet of his mask that he wore for the benefit of the public.

Slowly, Fancy Pants lifted his suitcase and trudged down the hall. Fleur followed him, watching as he made his way through the foyer and out into the hot Canterlot night. He stopped at the doorway, looking up at her standing at the top of the stairwell. He opened his mouth to say something, but Fleur slammed the door in his face. She wasn’t entirely sure how she made it, but she soon found herself on her bed, tears streaming from her eyes.

Yet, at the heart of it all, Fleur could honestly say she wasn’t sad at her husband’s betrayal. In fact, as she reigned in her tears and looked at her social calendar, Fleur felt… Happy. She was independent. For the first time since graduating, she was completely and totally independent. As her exhausted, drunken, tired body finally got the better of her, she nodded off to sleep, alone in her bed.

She dreamt of freedom. She was running, fast as her legs could carry her, but not away from anything or anypony. She was running just for the sake of running. Her mane whipped in the air behind her, tugging at her scalp. The feeling of speed and exhilaration was addictive. She spurred herself faster, cresting a hill and running down the other side. All around her were flowers. Daisies and dandelions, and as she flew past them, they shed their white seeds into the air, blowing in her wake. She never felt out-of-control or reckless. Instead, she felt perfectly happy.

The air smelled of freshly-cut grass and the heady, musky scent of roses. It was intoxicating, and drove her further. She was soon in the middle of a forest, weaving in and out of the tree trunks along a path she felt like she knew as well as the back of her own hoof. Smiling and laughing with glee, Fleur continued to run and laugh as if she were a foal on the last day of school, until she noticed something was beside her. She didn’t know who it was. In the dark shadows beneath the trees, she didn’t care. It followed her, ran alongside her, or at times, even led her through the winding trees.

The dark figure was not ominous, however. Fleur welcomed its presence, and chased after it with all she was worth. They leapt over small streams and pounded away up sharp inclines. The thrill of chasing and being chased was not lost on Fleur. She laughed and squealed with delight as the mysterious shadow would catch her, tagging her flank with an outstretched hoof before dashing off. Every time she tried to tag the figure back, her hoof swung through nothing as easily as it would through air, but the shadow would turn and chase her nevertheless. They played tag among the trees, running for what felt like ages.

They began to run faster and more frantically. Fleur was panting with exertion, but her muscles felt strong and able. They darted between trees and around boulders. Fleur felt a panicked sense of need, like she had to catch the figure, or something terrible would happen. Her heart pounded, and she tried harder and harder to catch her quarry. They left the forest, running along a rocky cliff side. Fleur made impossible jumps onto boulders, covering gaps no unicorn could ever hope to make. But her target was just as fast as she was. They ran until the forest was long behind them, but Fleur began to gain on them.

“Hah!” With a cry of triumph, Fleur flung herself over one last gap, wrapping her forelegs around the dark shadow. As she hugged the figure, though, her legs shifted through the dark shadow, leaving her with nothing in her embrace. And nothing caught her fall, either. She gasped as the rush of wind intensified, and she plummeted over the edge of the cliff. Twisting in mid-air, she saw the figure standing above her on the rocks, watching her fall.

She woke before she hit the ground. Panting and frenzied, she laid a hoof over her thundering heart and fought to keep herself from panicking. After a few minutes of reconciling all that had happened in her dream and last night, she managed to bring herself under control. Shaken but not distraught, Fleur began to prepare for her day. The memory of Fancy’s betrayal was still very fresh, and what’s worse, she had a formal dinner to attend at Canterlot castle.

It was going to be a very, very long day.

“You can’t tell me you were surprised, darling.” Gem was probably Fleur’s one and only true friend in all of Canterlot. She was the one pony Fleur found less insufferable than the other socialites she was all but forced to be around. While Gem and Fleur started off with a sort of rivalry, trying to determine which one amongst them was better-suited to the high-end lifestyle of Canterlot, they had eventually become friends. It was tentative at first, and they had had their fair share of arguments. But after plenty of forgiveness and a few spa trips, the two became rather close.

Gem, or Gemstone, was the wife of a famous jeweler in Canterlot. While they catered to all budgets, they were renowned for their expensive and immaculate pieces. As a matter of fact, Fancy Pants had bought both their rings from Gem’s husband, Diamond Cutter. Diamond was somewhat of a recluse, leaving Gem to handle the social aspect of their business. It was lucrative, and the two lived in a home every bit as extravagant as the one Fleur now occupied by herself. Luckily enough, Fleur had managed to meet her friend outside of the castle, and the two of them approached the banquet hall together.

“What do you mean?” Fleur was slightly taken aback by Gem’s nonchalant shrug.

“The signs were pretty obvious, Fleur. Long nights, no calls, no messages, ‘staying in a hotel with his friends because he was too drunk to come home.’ I’d hate to say it, but quite a few ponies had their suspicions, myself included. I didn’t say anything because, well, even the strongest suspicions could easily have been wrong.”

“No matter.” Fleur sighed, hanging her head with resignation. “I suspected something myself, though it was only in passing to be honest. I suppose I’ll just have to deal with the consequences of being this ignorant for this long.” Despite her newfound sense of freedom, Fleur did feel rather downtrodden. Six years of a devout relationship, and she had been betrayed. To be perfectly honest, she thought she deserved to be angry. Still, there were already a few guests who were looking her way with concerned frowns on their faces, curious at her lack of a partner. Save Gem, of course, but they weren’t married. And Gem’s name didn’t carry half the weight Fancy’s did. He had been the benefactor of multiple charities and organized some of the most prominent social functions of the past six years. People were still talking about how well-put-together the last Grand Galloping Gala was, and that had been his effort as well.

Scratch that. Had been their effort. Fleur’s frown intensified as she and Gem mounted the steps leading to the double doors of the banquet hall. “Hey,” Gem nudged her flank gently. “Smile. If you don’t, they’ll suspect something’s wrong.”

“He isn’t here. Of course they’re going to think something’s wrong, Gem.” Fleur muttered under her breath as they passed two guards stationed at the door. She glanced over her shoulder at them before leaning in to Gem once more. “I think I’ve earned the right to appear brooding for an evening. Or a hundred.”

“True.” Gem muttered, though she shot Fleur a warm smile anyways. “But they’re used to seeing your smile. You should do it anyways, if only to please them.”

“I think I’m done pleasing others,” Fleur sighed. “I think I’m about ready to please myself.” She got a look from Gem that was scandalously suggestive. “Not like that. Oh, you know what I meant!” She huffed and strode forward, leaving Gem behind with a soft laugh and a healthy smile. Fleur, however, didn’t lose her frown. She glowered all the way to the designated table with her name and Fancy’s written on an elegant greeting card. As she took her chair, she tipped the card onto its face and hung her head.

“Fleur De Lis? My goodness, what fortune! I’m glad to see my request was honored.” She looked up as an alien voice crossed her ears. Some strange pony she had never met before took the seat opposite her, smiling as he pocketed the card with his name. She hadn’t read it, but it didn’t matter, as he introduced himself straightaway. “My name is Barter. Pleased to meet you at last!” He was a bubbly pegasus with a rich brown coat and a slender frame. His wide smile was almost sickening. She thought she could see her reflection in his perfect, pearly teeth. It was disconcerting, to say the least.

“Likewise.” Fleur fought to put a smile on her face, but only managed a flat expression. “You’ll be sharing dinner with me this evening, I presume?” This business about a request had her on edge, which wasn’t helping her already-sad demeanor.

“It seems that way. But, if you don’t mind my asking, where is your husband? Fancy Pants? I dare say I had a business proposition for him…”

“He’s… Gone.” Fleur alluded, her frown returning. “I’m afraid I’m here alone this evening. Though, if you’d care to tell it to me, I’d be happy to hear your proposition. I dare say I could handle it myself, even.”

“That’d be lovely. But later. For now, why don’t we get to know one another?” Barter beamed at her, and she fought to keep from retching. His smile reminded her of Fancy. He went on to introduce himself at length, telling her how he was a broker for high-end businesses that were looking to expand, particularly into other cities like Manehattan or Baltimare. At that, she stopped him.

“Quick question.” She lifted a hoof. “Do you do business in Trottingham?”

“Ma’am, I’m from Trottingham. In fact, that’s why I wanted to speak with Fancy Pants here today! Imagine my thanks when I saw I was going to be seated here with you. But rumor had it Fancy was looking at expanding into Trottingham. I asked the organizer of this little dinner if I might sit at the same table as him. I had a proposition for starting a new charity function in my own hometown.”

“This charity didn’t involve the museum by any chance, did it?” Fleur narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“As a matter of fact, it did! I heard a rumor he was interested in the museum.”

“Uh huh.” Fleur’s frown could have wilted flowers. Her face was stoic and cold. If she were a poker player, she would be indomitable. Underneath that frown, she wanted nothing more than to beat this pony senseless. Instead, she sighed and looked back up at him. “Well, if you give me your address, I’d be happy to send a memo with his new mailing address.” Barter frowned for the first time since he had sat down.

“New mailing address? Is he moving? Will you be moving with him?”

“No,” Fleur groaned, feeling the beginning of a vicious headache. “I’m afraid I will be staying here in Canterlot.”

“Is everything okay between you two?” Barter’s question came with another sickening smile. That wasn’t the sort of question one should be smiling at. It was almost as if he knew something. Fleur looked back at him with a cold expression.

“As a matter of fact, it is not. I’m afraid we’re going through a divorce.”

“You don’t say.” A new voice reached Fleur’s ears, and this one she was almost sickeningly familiar with. Slowly, she turned her head, watching as Hoity Toity took the seat immediately to her left. He picked up his own card and tucked it into the breast pocket of his trendy dinner coat, giving Fleur a fake, warm smile. “Such a tragedy, dear. I’m so sorry to hear about your relationship troubles.”

She could taste the insincerity on his voice. It made her stomach turn.

“Yes, it is unfortunate.” Fleur grimaced at Hoity. He was the one pony Fleur knew she wanted on her side. Not because he was a good ally, but because he would be a very mean enemy. Then again, the way he was acting, he had everything but sympathy for her plight. She forced a painfully insincere and fake smile onto her face. “But I think I’ll make it through. I’m just so shocked that he would have done such a thing. To think. Six years of marriage, down the drain.”

“Yes, it was such a tragedy.” Hoity waved his hoof dramatically. “I can’t possibly imagine what you’re going through right now. It must be so hard.” He was being sarcastic. And not very tactful about it, either. Fleur fought to keep from vomiting all over his expensive, greasy face.

“I’m so sorry, Miss De Lis. My heart goes out to you in this troublesome time.” Barter chimed in, reaching his hoof across the table. Rather than take it, Fleur raised her own hoof to her eyes, dabbing at fake tears.

“I’m at a loss for what to do. He handled so many things.” He really didn’t. It was Fleur who booked all the tables at high-end restaurants and scheduled the appointments and everything else. In truth, Fleur was rather excited at the prospect of working alone for once. She would be busy, but she rather liked it. And she was accustomed to it. Though she was considering scaling back. Aside from the terrible revelation about her husband late last night, she seriously enjoyed her day of reading, fantasizing, and drinking.

“Well, should you ever need help darling, you know how to find me.” Hoity Toity slid into the conversation once more like the snake he was, laying a hoof on her shoulder. She almost punched him, but a fake sob shook his touch off of her coat.

“Th-thank you, Hoity.” She whimpered, shooting him a saccharine smile. “You’re so sweet.”

“What’s happening over here?” Another voice joined the fray, and this time Fleur was only moderately familiar with it. Somepony new, some banker from Baltimare, joined the table, picking his own card up. Fleur only remembered him because of his obnoxious necklace. He had a large golden bit hanging from a chain like a pendant. From what Fleur remembered of the last encounter, he was a greedy bastard whose sole interest was making money.

“Fancy Pants and Fleur are divorcing.” Hoity filled him in before Fleur could open her mouth. As she was met with a questioning look, she just nodded at the newcomer. “It appears as if the ol’ boy was cheating on Miss De Lis here.”

“You don’t say.” The banker grimaced. There was only one spot left, and it would stay empty that evening. Unless her husband dared to show his slimy face. She scooted a little closer to the empty chair, if only to inch away from Hoity Toity. Honestly, some ponies could just be downright sickening. Fleur struggled to keep her lunch down. How she was ever going to make it through dinner was a complete mystery to her.

Thankfully enough, everypony else at the table settled into conversation with one another. She all but zoned them out as she stared blankly ahead, not listening, not even caring. Her mind was ablaze with thoughts of her own.

Why would he cheat on me? What was I doing wrong? Was it the way I acted or dressed? Am I boring or unassuming? Maybe he didn’t like the way I performed in bed. I should have been more assertive. But he was so incorrigible. And selfish. I could hardly stand to be around him, let alone make love to him. I did the job a million times better than he ever could have. Honestly, I’m better off without him. But still… Was there something wrong with me? Or was it just the way he was?

“Fleur? You look stressed. Can I get you some water?” Hoity’s greasy tone shook her from her bitter reverie. She looked at him blankly.

“I’m sorry?”

“I had asked you if you had plans for carrying on any of the charities you two used to run, but you were ignoring me. Rather rude, I should say.”

“I’m sorry.” Fleur muttered, waving a hoof dismissively. “I was just caught up in thought is all. I didn’t mean to ignore you. Well, as it stands-“

“Honestly, my dear, you do look out-of-sorts.” The banker cut her off, leaning in. “I think you ought to see a doctor or something. You might be in shock.”

“Shock? I don’t think that’s-“

“You do look out of it.” Barter cut her off again. “I think you should at least lay off the wine.”

“I’m not drinking any wi-“

“Perhaps you should go home for the evening?” Hoity continued. Fleur sunk into her chair a little bit. The three colts were bombarding her. She couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

“I’m fin-“

“I know a good doctor, but a moment’s notice away. I can have him here within the hour.”

“That won’t be-“

“Is it hot in here? Maybe she’s flustered.”

“Honestly, it looks like Fancy’s leaving caught her more by surprise than she’d like to admit.”

“She should have seen it coming, to be honest. I mean, we all knew the ol’ boy couldn’t keep it in his pants.”

“Ha! Yeah. You could hardly walk a mare past him without him getting’ in a tiff.”

“What are you-“

“First it was that singer from the club.”

“She was fine, though. I’d have done her myself if he hadn’t beat me to it.”

“Who was next? Was it Candy?”

“The waitress? I think he got her in back, right after that charity dinner.”

“Don’t forget about Melody.”

“Now there’s a fine piece of tail. I honestly can’t blame him for-“ Their mindless chatter died away into a dull drone, leaving Fleur with a building sense of panic in her chest. She felt her heart begin to thunder against her chest. The three of them went on and on about Fancy’s exploits, and here she was sitting just opposite them. Just as she felt her anger build to a breaking point, she stood up, sending her chair clattering away.

“If you’ll excuse me.” Fleur nearly spat the words at them. She could hear the three colts laughing as she all but ran away from the banquet hall. Guards looked her way as she dashed past, but none of them stopped her. She thought she saw Gem lift a hoof and say something, but her own heart hammering in her ears drowned her friend’s words out. Before she knew it, she was outside, somewhere among the gardens and the hedges of Canterlot’s expansive grounds.

Why had she been so blind? It wasn’t just one mare, Fancy had been seeing multiple! How many had it been? Five? Ten? Twenty? Six years was a long time to go chasing other mares. She wondered how many fake smiles had been given to her by mares on the receiving end of her husband’s treacherous stallionhood. As she thought back, several faces came to mind. She felt her own face heat with anger and rage, but the cool night air was doing wonders to assuage her temper. As she slowed to a calm walk, Fleur looked around. She had left the main path and was now in the middle of what looked like the castle’s hedge maze. It was a small thing, mostly for decoration, but finding oneself there was confusing and disorienting. She sighed at her own stupidity and started to make her way out of the maze.

One turn turned into four, then five, then ten. Fleur became increasingly more impatient as she fought to find an exit to the maze, only to be greeted with another intersection. Another fork, another perplexing dead end. What’s more, she felt eyes on her, watching her every move. She felt the hackles on the back of her neck raise, and she glanced furtively over her shoulder more than she ought to have. It started as nothing, but soon, she began to catch glimpses of something dark, just out of the corner of her eye. Something shadowy and difficult to pinpoint. Whatever it was, it didn’t want to be seen. Fleur began to pursue the tendrils of shadow. As she turned corner after corner, she would see more and more of it. It appeared to be a cloak of sorts, or perhaps some kind of fabric. Whatever it was, though, it was unlike anything she had seen before. In fact, it was almost ephemeral in nature. She picked up speed, ignoring the way the clasps on her dress dug into her coat.

The pursuit turned frenzied. But she seemed to be catching it, whatever it was. She knew then what she was chasing. It was the same figure from her dream last night. What were they doing in the Canterlot gardens? And why were they leading her through the maze, and not to the exit? Fleur was not happy or gleeful, as she had been with her last encounter with the shadowy figure. Now, she felt only dread and apprehension at following them so adamantly, but as they continued, she began to catch sight of the shadowy figure. She could see their entire body every time she rounded a corner, but as she picked up to a run, it would dash away.

“Wait!” Fleur cried, panting with exertion now. “Please! Wait!” She skidded around a corner, and saw the figure standing at the end of the next passage. “Hey!” She called out, sprinting forward. “Can you help me? I’m lost! Hey!” The figure dashed off once more, and as Fleur reached the turn, she saw them just reaching the end. The figure wheeled about, looking at her, its face shrouded with a large hood. “Wait!” Fleur cried, and this time, she made it halfway down the passage before they took off. Fleur’s face was set with a determined grimace as she poured on the heat, sprinting full-tilt towards the end of the passage.

She gasped when she turned the next corner, and her shadowy quarry loomed before her.

“Wake up.”

Fleur screamed.

(11) A Brief Respite - Part 2

Moonstone – Chapter 11 "A Brief Respite" - Part 2

The month passed by rather quickly. Between Luna’s more amiable gifts and the early-year rush, Fleur remained busy with social engagements, charities, and various other tasks. Whatever free time Fleur had was spent familiarizing herself with the equipment she had been given. Not the anal package, as it were, but the others. Over the course of a month, Fleur had become intimately familiar with her new repertoire. She could get into and out of the body harness on her own, tie and untie herself with magic, and was beginning to get a feel for her limit – the point where she didn’t feel comfortable passing. She had tenuously hoofed that line a few times, and each time had been an eye-opening experience for her. The first, she nearly screamed. The second, she couldn’t feel her hooves. And the last, most recent one, she had to lie in the shower for almost an hour before feeling returned to her lower legs.

But now, after a month of experience, Fleur could legitimately say she was getting comfortable with being helpless. She had tied herself up with vibrators buzzing away at her clitoris, hoof-cuffed herself to her bedpost for a full hour, and ridden dildos for exceptional amounts of time. She had even gone so far as to take photos of herself in the body harness, making an extra copy of the alluring spread to give to the Princess.

The anal package, however, remained untouched. It wasn’t that she was scared or apprehensive… Just disinclined. The book that came with that portion of her gifts had gone into some rather frightening and absurd details that were still fresh in her memory. Even now, the mere thought of the hygiene procedures required sent a small shudder down her spine.

'Spend a whole day doing Celestia-knows-what to my rear-end just to prepare?' she grumbled to herself. 'This can't possibly be worth the trouble.'

As she killed the batteries on the first dildo, though, Fleur began to realize she was growing tired of her new collection of toys. As varied and pleasurable as they were, what she had been given was but a small fraction of the arsenal that her dom had at her disposal. Granted, there were still different types of ropes for her to try, but she had more-or-less exhausted all the knots she could use on herself.

Fleur’s self-restraint exercises seldom bound more than just her legs, yet she knew that she had barely even scratched the surface of what ropes and binds could do for and to her. There were ways to tie a pony up that took almost a full half an hour of winding, knotting, cinching, and maneuvering before they were complete. Some of them were utterly debilitating, leaving a pony so spread apart that their dom would have no choice but to look at something lewd, no matter the angle they approached. Others were discreet, designed to intimately hug a pony's body, making them feel tightly bound. Branded.

Owned.

These scenarios excited Fleur the most, but they were also the ones that Fleur couldn't do without Luna present. They were too complex, too difficult, and most importantly, dangerous. Fleur had already cut her circulation off with her most recent edge-discovering fiasco, and that wasn’t something she wanted to revisit. Feeling disinterested in anything else her toys offered, Fleur let out a slightly exasperated sigh and reached again for the book on anal care.

The first page of the book was a diagram designed to help the reader identify all of the pieces that made up the kit. A quick burst of magic levitated the box that contained the gear over to her, and Fleur began carefully laying out the equipment in front of her.

All-in-all, there were seven pieces. The first and foremost was an enema bulb, the most basic of tools for anal hygiene. Using this and a combination of soapy, hot water and ointment, she would clean her backside of any… Undesirable materials. The ointment itself was the second piece of the kit. She skimmed the label and discovered this was simply a numbing agent, designed to help deaden her nerves to the pain. The book was very adamant on that point; there would be pain the first time - perhaps even the first couple of times. With proper training and care, however, she would soon feel nothing but pleasure.

She grimaced and moved on. The enema bulb and the ointment gave way to what was arguably the most important two pieces of the entire set: a relatively large bottle of silicone-based lubricant and an applicator. Like the enema bulb, the applicator was intended to deposit a discharge inside. As she read the instructions for the applicator, Fleur felt her muscles in that area clench for what felt like the thousandth time. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. Her anus lacked the natural mucous glands that her vagina did, and therefore was unable to produce lubrication naturally. Granted, with as much as she squirted, they could likely use her own, but this was a safer and more reliable alternative. And, according to the book, much more fun. It also doubled as a sterilizer of sorts, and the book recommended using a healthy dose on anything that would be inserted into her anus, no matter how big or small.

The last three items were a little more daunting. The first of them was a very simple set of anal beads. There were five of them strung together, each the same size as the one before it. The string ended in a simple iron ring, large enough for somepony to bite down on it. The book recommended starting with these the first time, as they were simple and didn’t push limits at all.

The second was effectively a vibrator, though it was shaped differently from any of the ones Fleur had used to date. According to the text, this vibrator was designed to stimulate the prostate directly, and looked like a smaller version of the vibrators that were designed specifically to stimulate a pony's g-spot.

The last piece, though, had Fleur tensing muscles she didn’t even know she had. It could best be described as a cone of sorts, with a wide base that tapered into a relatively slender cylinder, a small disc sitting on top of the whole thing. This ‘plug’ was intended to be inserted all the way past the base of the cone, until her sphincter tightened around the cylinder; the disc would then rest against her, keeping the whole thing from sliding in. There was a long section of the book devoted to ‘anal exercise,’ and the utilization of these sorts of plugs. Apparently this was the smallest the market offered, and was a starting point for anypony interested. Still, as Fleur looked at the thing, she felt intimidated.

’Baby steps’ she told herself. Fleur took a deep breath and set the book aside, looking over the collection of anal gear. She teetered on the edge of indecision, her lower lip drawn between her teeth. ’Do I really want to go through with this?’ Her eyes glided over each piece, running through the notes she had assimilated in her head over the past month - What each piece was for, where it went, what it did, what its purpose was… She felt a flush rise to her cheeks, and much to her surprise, a small bit of arousal trickle down her thigh.

“Okay.” She said to nopony in particular. “Let’s do this.” Resigned to her fate, Fleur picked up the enema bulb, the lubricant, and the ointment in her magic and headed down the hallway. A thought hit her as she walked, and Fleur changed directions, heading for the smaller guest bathroom on the ground floor. 'The master bathroom is far more comfortable, but I am not cleaning the whole thing again just to take a shower.' After entering the bathroom, Fleur set the items down on the counter, and quickly realized that she forgot the instructional book. Cursing the small delay, she hurried out to fetch the book, and opened it to the appropriate page.

The tools were in place, and the knowledge was at-hoof. Steeling herself for the task, Fleur began the preparations before her mind could second-guess itself again.

First step, she had to ready the solution. She plugged the drain in the sink and began to fill the basin with hot water, the recommended type of soap from the book, and the ointment - which she used in abundance.

'At this point, there's no such thing as too much ointment.' Once the sink was filled, she took a careful breath and moved onto the next step - exterior cleaning.

This was, essentially, just a thorough wiping. The book cautioned she might be on or near the toilet for a few hours from this point onwards, so she went to fetch a different book to read to pass the time. Then, with no small amount of blushing or trepidation, she settled on the toilet and set to the task.

“Okay,” She breathed, flushing down the toilet paper. “First step completed. Now…” She glanced at the sink filled with soapy water, and the enema bulb sitting right next to it. “Now…”

’No guts no glory, right?’ Fleur slowly filled the bulb with a healthy dosage of water, grimacing as she squeezed a healthy drop of lubricant onto the pointed tip. In just a few moments, she’d be flooded with this stuff, but that was the whole point of this drill. She’d push it in and pass it out, along with all of the undesirable stuff inside. ’Lather, rinse, repeat’, indeed.’

The book assured her that after this first time, doing this regularly became commonplace. Eventually, she’d be able to clean herself with just one bulb before intercourse. And, if she trusted Luna, which she did, her dom could do it for her. The mere thought of the Princess brought a flush to Fleur’s cheeks.

’No time for that now - concentrate.’ she mentally chastised herself. Fleur levitated the bulb between her legs and down into the bowl. The pointed tip rubbed against her in places that made her tense and whimper.

’How am I supposed to do this without seeing where I’m putting it?’ Gnawing her lower lip in concentration, Fleur rubbed around until she was sure it was in…

’It’s in, right?’

Hesitantly, she pushed down on the bulb.

“Aah! Wrong hole! Wrong hole!” The hot water flooded into Fleur’s vagina, making her curse and jump up from the toilet. Her hooves scrabbled all over, and she was relatively sure she dropped the bulb into the water. Cursing, dripping, and feeling much more embarrassed than she should have any right to, Fleur looked at the mess.

“Well…” She sighed, “Trial and error.”

It took three more tries until Fleur found the proper hole. And even then, the sensation was highly unpleasant. Pushing water into her anus left Fleur feeling bloated, and even worse, passing the solution along with whatever else was a sloppy, blush-inducing affair. She had to break for three showers, two fetal-position-crying breaks, and an unexpected delivery mare. The last had been greeted by a very flustered Fleur, who signed for the package and nearly slammed the door on her.

But, at long last, Fleur had done it. Nevermind how much ointment she had wasted rinsing the bulb out after dropping it into the toilet, or the messy feel she had downstairs, she had done it. A dozen cycles of ointment, soap, and hot water into her anus had left Fleur feeling clean, sanitary, and to be perfectly honest, a little slippery. She had gone until the discharge from the enema was as clear and soapy as it had been going in. Now, according to the book, she would be ready for anal stimulation.

Fleur was back upstairs in her own bedroom, having taken another long, hot shower after cleaning her mess downstairs. She was staring at three items: her go-to vibrator, a bottle of lubricant, and the set of anal beads from the kit. Cautiously, Fleur lifted the strung-together contraption, her cheeks heating thoroughly.

“The things I do for you, Luna…”

February sixth. Fleur had been looking forward to this day for weeks. She hadn’t seen her dom in over a month, and that was too long to go without. After receiving a letter promising an overnight stay at the palace, Fleur had scheduled around tonight and the next day with haste. She was free of obligation, and sporting something she knew Luna would enjoy.

She had managed to consolidate her collection of gear as well. Now, everything, including the body harness, fit into two suitcases. Wearing a thick, heavy coat, she hauled both bags onto the cart that would take her to the castle. Much to her surprise, Charcoal greeted her on the drive.

“Hello again, Ms. De Lis.” Charcoal beamed as he levitated her bags out of the cart. “Princess Luna has been expecting you.”

“Thank you, Charcoal.” Fleur beamed at the friendly unicorn, cinching the neck of her coat up tightly against the chilly air. “I hope I haven’t kept her waiting.”

“Princess Luna is nothing if not patient,” Charcoal chuckled, sweeping a hoof out to invite her inside. Fleur winked at him as they entered the castle proper. Being escorted by Charcoal meant Fleur didn’t have to settle for the back hallways and service corridors. She was well-known as the Princess’ close friend now, and seeing her at the palace was commonplace. Or at least, it was bound to be soon.

They arrived in good time, and Charcoal left her with her bags and a smile. “Enjoy your evening with the Princess, Ms. De Lis. She’s missed you these past few weeks.”

“Thank you again, Charcoal.” Fleur glanced about before leaning in to give him a friendly peck on the cheek. “You’ve been a very big help.”

“N-nothing to it, ma’am.” Charcoal stuttered, blushing deeply. Fleur gave him a girlish chuckle and a wink as she slipped into Luna’s quarters. The door shut behind her with a sense of finality. She breathed out excitedly as Luna turned to face her.

“Fleur. So good to see you aga-” Luna’s expression quickly turned from warm to shocked, and then to something devious as Fleur shrugged out of her coat, already sporting the collar.

“It’s good to see you too… Mistress…”

“Oh? I suppose we ought not to waste any time, then…” Luna grinned mischievously as she approached Fleur. “Tell me, my pet, how badly did you miss your master?”

“So much… Mistress.” Fleur panted, her cheeks steadily growing flushed. Before, she could attribute it to the chill air, but now, Fleur was blushing from something else entirely. Swallowing hard, she peered up at Luna.

“Show me how much you missed me, Fleur.” Luna lifted a hoof, idly spinning it in a circle. “Turn around, and lift your tail.”

’Here it comes...’ Fleur’s smile was every bit as devious as the Princess’.

When she obeyed, she could hear Luna’s breath come up short.

Dangling from her pert little rosebud was a slender thread ending in a ring.

(16) Ex

Moonstone 16 - "Ex"

’Fancy Pants? What is he doing here?! Don’t tell me...’

Fleur could hardly believe her eyes. She was hundreds of miles away from home, standing in a VIP lounge at Equestria's biggest BDSM convention, and preparing to hopefully receive the grand prize for her performance as the disguised sub of an equally disguised Princess of Equestria...

'And somehow, he shows up.'

Her ex-husband, Fancy Pants, strode into the lounge with his head held high and his teeth clenched around the end of a leash that led to the collar that was fastened almost too tightly around Melody's throat. At least, Fleur assumed it was Melody; she had never seen this mare before, but a vague recollection of her parting conversation with her unfaithful ex-husband brought to mind the name.

"No way." Luna breathed beside her. "Cerulean," The princess turned to her, both of their gazes meeting intently. "If you want to leave, we can."

"Wait a minute." Fleur frowned up at Luna then across the short shadowy space between her and Quill. "What did you just say? You've never won this before?"

Luna opened and closed her mouth without uttering a sound. Her expression turned pensive for a moment as she struggled to formulate a response. "Hmm... So, you did hear that..."

"Yes, I did. Are you serious? All the years that you've been coming to this expo, and you've never won once?"

"No, Cerulean." Luna sighed, glancing at Quill. "I've come close once before with Quill, but just last year..." Luna's voice drifted off as her expression turned dark; she seemed to be lost in thought, as if her mind were replaying some very unpleasant memories.

A pang of guilt flashed in Fleur's chest at the sight. 'Whatever it is, it's clearly painful for her... I should never have brought it up.' She glanced again at Quill, and then back to Luna. 'Still, something happened between these two, and I have to know what it was. It may be key to understanding Luna's motives now.'

Fleur sat in silence, her gaze fixed on her dom. After a few more moments, Luna sighed and turned to Quill. "Would you mind showing her?"

"Not at all, Pr-... Aurora." Quill began fumbling with the buttons on his coat and shirt, and it was then that Fleur actually noticed that Quill was wearing a full business suit.

'That's odd. Nopony here is wearing clothes that aren't designed to highlight their sexuality, so why would Quill wear a busin—'

Fleur's train of thought derailed in an instant as Quill finished opening his shirt, revealing most of his chest and flanks. The color visibly drained from her face as she looked on.

Scars of various sizes criss-crossed Quill's chest; even longer ones drew parallel lines across his flanks like crude tattoos, their lighter coloring marking the spots where his coat had refused to regrow. In the middle of his chest was probably the worst scar of all, a knotted cord of flesh that ran across his entire breast, standing in stark relief to the rest of his body.

Fleur raised a hoof to her mouth in a futile attempt to conceal her shock. Quill, however, didn't seem to mind, returning Fleur's astonished look with a soft, albeit sad, smile.

"What happened?" Fleur managed to breathe, finally closing her mouth.

"My one foray into being a sub didn't end well." Luna explained softly.

Would you like to tell the story, or shall I?" Quill asked Luna.

"I will." Luna sighed and glanced about before helping Quill shrug back into his clothing. He buttoned his shirt and re-fastened his tie as Luna continued. "I returned to this expo two years ago. It was my first visit here since my release from the Nightmare, and I had decided to change my seemingly old-fashioned way of thinking about BDSM."

Luna placed a gentle hoof on Quill's shoulder. “Quill had been a good friend of mine in Canterlot, a confidant of sorts in my little forays. While the two of us were both more-or-less doms, I expressed an interest in changing my domineering way of mind. Quill and I... Experimented a little bit. Our private endeavours went over well, so we thought 'why not?' I assumed a disguise and allowed Quill to... Escort me."

"You were her dom?!" Fleur breathed, glancing at Quill once more.

"For all of two glorious weeks." Quill nodded, a slightly happy smile on his face. "I remember them fondly."

"Ahem," Luna cleared her throat, drawing Fleur's attention once more. "We were well-received at the expo that year. As a dom, Quill was as unorthodox as I am; in fact, I owe much of my disposition as a dom to him and his decidedly outside-the-box tactics. Our relatively new way of going about a session was drawing heads, but unfortunately not enough to win us the competition. We were a close second. After the award ceremony... Well..." Luna sighed and hung her head. "The unexpected happened."

"As it turns out," Quill stepped closer, whispering into Fleur's ear. "The Princess' magic doesn't take too kindly to being subjugated."

"You lashed out." Fleur surmised, looking sadly up at Luna.

"Not of my own volition, no." Luna shook her head. "My magic acted on its own. Not unlike when I... Well, you know. A thousand years and whatnot."

"I see." Fleur sighed sadly and went to nuzzle Luna's neck. She glanced at Quill, who nodded stoically. "I'm sorry you were hurt."

"Don't," Quill shook his own head slowly. "Don't apologize. Lu-... Aurora and I have discussed it plenty of times since then, and we've come to an understanding about what happened. I'm just glad that I was able to reveal a new facet of her power. The wounds I sustained were mostly superficial, but we both understand it could have been much worse."

"And I'm glad it wasn't." Luna nodded, wrapping up the point as she turned to Fleur. "Needless to say, I didn't win that year, nor the year after."

"Poor Lyra." Quill chuckled. "She couldn't even live in Canterlot after that whole ordeal."

"I told her to wear a disguise." Luna huffed. "But that is definitely a story for another time. So, to answer your question directly, no, I have never won this contest before." A sly grin tugged at Luna's mouth. "But, one could say that I've certainly made my mark here."

"That much I gathered." Fleur chuckled. "But we stand a good chance this year."

"As good a chance as any." Luna nodded. "We had their attention, and we had it hard."

"About that..." Quill cleared his throat and glanced at Fancy Pants, who was steering Melody roughly in their direction, though he was moving slowly. "You two didn't see any of their performance."

"You're joking." Luna deadpanned, looking seriously at Fancy Pants. "Him?"

"I almost didn't believe it myself." Quill stepped up next to Fleur, the three of them forming a front in the shadows. It seemed Fancy Pants hadn't quite seen them yet. "He's rough, but he's good. If I were being fair, Aurora..." He glanced at the princess over Fleur's back. "He's just as good as you. Maybe better."

"Forgive me if I find that difficult to believe." Fleur felt the heat rising in her cheeks. "I was married to that bastard for several years."

"I forgot about that," Quill muttered. "He didn't… Do anything with you?"

"Not even once." Fleur snorted derisively.

"I figured that's where you got the taste... He looks like he's been doing it for years."

"Oh, I'm sure he has..." Fleur growled. "Just not with me."

"I see..." Quill muttered. "No wonder you kicked him out."

"I'm glad we see eye-to-eye on that, Quill." Fleur turned to look up at Luna, her expression set like stone. "Aurora, Mistress... We're not leaving."

Luna looked at her seriously, her own expression drawn. Their eyes bore straight into one another's, not wavering for even a moment. Luna seemed to be mulling something over seriously, but in the end she heaved a sigh and nodded.

"Alright, Cerulean. We're staying."

"Thank the heavens for disguises," Quill gestured to the barmare. "This'll be awkward enough even with them. Whiskey."

"Make that two." Luna nodded to the barmare. She glanced down at Fleur. "I'm gonna need it to make it through tonight."

The award ceremony was surprisingly more formal than Fleur had been expecting. She and Luna had managed to evade Fancy Pants and Melody in the VIP area by hugging the shadows and generally seeming off-putting. The one time they had come close, Luna had fixed Fancy Pants with her signature scowl and that alone had seemed to deter him enough from engaging in conversation, much to Fleur's delight. She didn't feel like a face-to-face confrontation with her ex-husband, even if it was in the shadowy VIP area. Still, as the two of them went around chatting, Fleur kept her eyes on them.

Fancy Pants hadn't changed much. He was still as incorrigible as she remembered him, if not even more so. He joked lewdly, drank rather heavily, and half-dragged, half-yanked Melody around behind him. 'She doesn't seem to be enjoying herself at all.' she thought as she watched Melody be dragged across the room for at least the tenth time in the last few minutes. 'Or perhaps it's all part of their act. Either way, that's certainly no way to treat a sub.'

"It's nearly time." Luna whispered, drawing Fleur from her reverie. "We're all going to be called up on stage, and they'll call out pairs one-by-one until the finalists are left. Then the winner is presented a riding crop, to signify their victory."

Fleur nodded tentatively. She quickly swallowed the last of the Hay Island Ice Tea that Luna had gotten for her, while the Princess quaffed the last of her whiskey. The drinks had taken some of the edge off of her nerves, but Fleur couldn't repress all of the apprehension that was building in her gut.

Her efforts to stay calm were made even harder by a clearly half-drunk Fancy Pants, who noisily boasted of his inevitable victory as he tottered through the lounge half-drunk.

Movement near the entrance of the stage caught her attention though, and she turned her gaze to Quill, who was now standing near the lounge entrance, clipboard in hoof.

"Alright, everyone. Your attention please." Quill spoke up, drawing the eyes of everypony in the lounge. Luna led them forwards, keeping Fleur close to her side. Quill waited until silence had descended among the gathered ponies before speaking once more. "We're going to go ahead with the awards ceremony. As we call couples up, enter the stage and walk as far to the other end as you can get. There were a fair amount of you this year, so don't be afraid to squeeze in a little. You all will be taking the stage momentarily. Once there, we'll call couples down in ascending order, starting with last place and moving up to the finalists. Any questions?" He looked around as ponies shook their head or muttered quiet 'no's and 'uh uh's.

"Alright then. We’ll mount the stage now, starting with Featherfall and Oasis Glimmer..." He began calling out pairs, each of them advancing through the stanchion and around to the end of the stage. Fancy Pants and Melody were within the first five couples to mount the stage, and Fleur and Luna were called out in the tenth spot, close to the tail end of the contestants.

The stage was full of thirteen pairs by the time they had finished. Fleur had to squint to see past the stage lights, but it was obvious that nearly everypony had shown up for the ceremony. Quill mounted the stage last, smiling out at the crowd as he accepted a microphone from one of the assistants.

"Welcome everypony to the Trottingham BDSM Expo's 'best dom/sub pair' awards! Earlier this evening, you had a wonderful opportunity to watch all of these pairs perform for you. Using a combination of your tallied votes and a panel of judges, we have determined who among them was the best in a combination of three fields – Eroticism, Technique, and Boldness.

The field of Eroticism is based on how provocative their display was, or how arousing it might be to a viewer. Technique judges how well the specific harnesses or methods used were implemented, taking into account things like complexity, time spent in individual binds, and how well any transitions were executed. And lastly," Quill chuckled a little. "Well, it's safe to say that most everypony here has explored at least one facet of BDSM. Boldness determines how fresh or interesting the specific techniques used were.

Our judges use these three categories, each scored out of one hundred points, to determine who amongst our competitors placed highest. This only counts for half of their 'score,' however. The other half is awarded in the form of anywhere from three hundred to one hundred points, in descending order, based on popular vote.

"A maximum of six hundred points is available between the judges' scores and popular vote totals. The pair who scored the highest amount of points will be presented our highest award:" Quill gestured to the side, and a cushion was passed to him. Atop the cushion rested a very slender-looking rawhide riding crop. Fleur watched the crop as it was raised for all to see, a sense of desire building in her throat.

'I want that crop. I want it bad.'

"This crop signifies a stable of the BDSM culture. The ability to give pain, and the inclination to enjoy it. The couple awarded this crop will hold it until next year's expo, where they will forfeit it to that year’s winners. After a thorough cleaning, of course." A ripple of laughter rolled over the audience, and Quill handed the cushion back to a rather cute-looking assistant. Fleur watched it go with a slight ache in her breast. She was loathe to let it out of her sight for even a moment.

'That crop is mine. So help me, I'll have it. I don't care if I have to sway the judges’ decision and tally another six hundred votes right here on this stage.'

"Without further ado," Quill shook her from her obsessive trance, even as he hoisted a clipboard. "Let's begin."

"Relax, love." Luna breathed into her ear. Fleur tensed a little as a tingle of pleasure shot through her core. "Remember. this is a friendly competition; no point in getting all worked up over it. Win or lose, we still put on an amazing show."

"I know." Fleur whispered back. "I just really, really want that crop, mistress."

"You and me both, Cerulean." Luna kissed her ear tenderly. "You and me both."

"In last place, with a combined score of two-hundred and twelve points, Iron Ingot and Holly." Quill smiled as a rather unassuming pair shuffled forwards, both of them seemingly embarrassed with being last place. Quill smiled warmly as they exited the stage to modest applause. Quill continued for a short while, announcing scores and names of pairs. The scores only got closer as the remaining pairs of contestants dwindled. The tension in the air was becoming palpable as the fourth place couple left the stage, leaving only three pairs in their wake.

"In third place, with a combined score of five hundred and forty-two points, Mint and Tenderleaf!" Applause broke out as the third-place couple smiled. Fleur and Luna shook their hooves, followed by Fancy Pants and Melody. It was only the four of them left. Fleur spared one quick glance at her ex-husband, who only smiled at her in an unassuming way. 'Remind me to thank Luna a hundred times over for the disguise.' Quill waited until silence fell over the audience before speaking once more.

"So we're left with our two finalists. But, before we reveal our winning couple, let's have a few words, shall we? We'll begin with our two newcomers, Fancy Pants and Melody.”

"That's right, Quill." Fancy Pants nodded warmly. "This is my first rodeo, so to speak, though Melody and I have been practicing for a few years now." Fleur felt her eye twitch. "We only recently stepped into the field of exhibitionism. Previously, we were only able to see one another once every few weeks. But I was finally able to move to Trottingham a few months ago, and we were able to be much closer. Isn't that right, Melody?" Fancy Pants led her forth, pulling firmly on the collar.

"Y-yes, Master." Melody stammered into the microphone.

"And what is it you two do for your profession?" Quill asked.

"I work mostly with charities." Fancy Pants alluded. "Melody here is a caretaker for the local museum."

"I see… Very interesting! Well, good luck to you both in this final round." Quill smiled warmly at the two of them before turning to Fleur and Luna. "Aurora," He grinned at her. "It's good to see you again, Mistress."

"And you as well, Quill." Luna gave a slight smile. "I trust things have been well in my absence?"

"As well as they've ever been. Aurora, as you all know, is somewhat of a crowd favorite here from last year. She and I have worked relatively closely in the past."

"Shame to say a certain mint-colored unicorn was my sub last time around." Luna chuckled into microphone. "Had it have been you, we very well might have won."

"I think I'm done subbing or being a dom for a while," Quill returned. "Last year before the competition was my last time."

"Such a pity," Luna winked at Quill. "I missed the way you squirmed."

"Haha. Well, as many of you know, Aurora owns her own BDSM boutique in Horseshoe Bay. Now, perhaps we could learn about about your new sub? I don't think I've seen her before."

"Introduce yourself." Luna quipped, pulling Fleur forwards. Fleur stumbled to the microphone, blushing a little.

"I am known as Cerulean, mistress." Fleur panted. She was actually a little riled up, despite the wearing session earlier that evening. She didn't think she'd be able to do anything without some repercussions, but she was feeling rather heated.

"It's good to see you here, Cerulean. What do you do?"

"I-I'm a wedding planner in Horseshoe Bay..." Fleur glanced over at Luna, her blush intensifying. "I met Mistress Aurora while trying to arrange a... A specialty ceremony. Needless to say, I was intrigued, and with her insistence, I got hooked... Literally and figuratively."

"I see. So you're new to the experience?"

"Only a few months green," Fleur nodded."This was by far the hardest and most daring session I've ever done."

"Well it must have been good! You made it to the finals after all. Best of luck to you, Cerulean, and you as well, Mistress Aurora." Quill gave the two of them a surreptitious look of concern before turning back to the crowd. The silence was palpable. She nearly started when Fancy Pants leaned over to whisper in Luna's ear.

"No hard feelings, Aurora, but I do believe that crop is mine."

"We'll see about that." Luna replied, glancing at him. Fleur and Melody met gazes for a brief moment. A flash of anger rose inside of her, but she managed to buck it back down.

'Poor girl. She probably didn't even know Fancy was married when he started fucking her. I wonder if she even wants to be here...' Pity quickly took the place of anger, and Fleur returned her attention to Quill.

"Not only did this year's expo produce the largest field of contestants yet, it also produced the smallest margin of victory that we've ever recorded. Mares and gentlecolts, our final two couples are separated by a scant two points overall!" A chorus of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' rang out from the audience, along with a brief round of applause.

"In fact," Quill continued, "to make it even more interesting, these couples split the judges and the popular vote, taking one half apiece. Fancy Pants and Melody won the popular vote portion, while Aurora and Fleur garnered a higher score from the judges' panel."

'We did it, we did it, we did it...' She chanted in her mind. 'We won. I know we did; we had to have. There's no way I came all this way with Luna to lose by two points… Especially not to my ex-husband and that damn hussy. There's no way we lost; no way in all the heavens.'

"So you can all tell how close this is," Quill continued. He accepted the crop and cushion from the assistant once more. The four contestants looked at it expectantly. Fleur could feel the tension from Luna; she was brimming with it, practically overflowing. Fleur felt wound-up like a spring, just one nudge away from exploding into pieces.

"With a record grand total of 570 points, the winner of this year's 'best dom/sub couple' award is..."

The tension was squeezing her more than the collar ever could Fleur could have cried. Instead, she drew her lower lip between her teeth.

'Please... For the love of everything under the sky-'

"Mistress Aurora and Cerulean!"

Relief like a wave washed over her. Quill beamed as he presented the cushion to Luna. Her magic wrapped around the handle, lifting the crop into the air as the applause reached a fever pitch. Ponies stomped their hooves, hollered, and whistled as loud as they could. Fleur felt every eye on her and Luna, watching the two of them as they graciously bowed. Through all the applause, a voice carried through, drawing her attention back to the stage. Fleur barely had a chance to really appreciate the attention before Fancy Pants squared himself opposite them.

"That's bullshit!" He snarled, glaring at both of them. "We both know the judges’ panel is rigged! There's no way you two beat us! Not in a million years!"

"Fancy Pants, calm down ol' boy." Quill gestured calmly, glancing at the audience before squaring his gaze on the frustrated unicorn. The applause died down in a smattering as Fancy Pants huffed.

"I'll not calm down! I beat her! Fair and square!"

"In the popular vote, sure..." Aurora cooed, waving the crop lazily. "But the judges... The experts... Say otherwise."

"You two," Quill mumbled. "Let's move this elsewhere, shall we?" He furtively glanced back at the audience once more. That, more than anything, seemed to deter Fancy Pants. He glared at the crowd before nodding stoically.

"My room." Luna smiled.

"Ten minutes." Fancy Pants agreed. He spun on his hind hoof and pulled Melody along off the stage, spreading murmurs and concerned whispers through the crowd. Fleur was so shocked at what had just occurred, she didn't even know how to respond. 'Why the buck is he taking this so personally? Luna wanted to win badly too, but I doubt she'd have reacted in the same manner if she had lost.' Another part of her was outraged that he would call them out like that in front of such a large audience. The applause and praise was shot through with worried whispers and gossip. Fleur was no stranger to that familiar murmur of a crowd. They were being doubted. Their victory had been soured.

Somehow, her ex-husband managed to make her triumph miserable.

"How dare you!" Luna was livid. She brandished the crop at Fancy Pants the moment he slipped into her room. "How dare you call me out like that!" Fleur was nearly terrified at the tone of Luna's voice. She may have been in disguise, but Fleur knew that the same indomitable Princess lay beneath the mask; if she wanted, she could crush Fancy Pants like an ant under her hoof.

"You know as well as I that the judges decision was biased!" Fancy Pants spat, throwing the leash down roughly. Melody gasped a little as he advanced on Luna, his eyes aflame with anger. "We won the popular vote! We were the better couple! You can ask anypony!"

"Fancy, ol' boy." Quill interjected calmly. "I can assure the judges are as impartial as they are experienced. I hoof-picked them all myself, and all of them can provide evidence of their expertise. They are unparalleled."

"That's bullshit too, Quill. You were her sub last year. I know, I've asked around."

"I wasn't her sub." Quill blinked. "Lyra Heartstrings was."

"In the competition, sure." Fancy rolled his eyes. "But she did several sessions with you beforehoof! She's got you in her pocket, just like all the other judges! She's been all buddy-buddy with half of them since her arrival!"

"Please," Luna scoffed, tossing her braid over the other side of her neck. "Quill and I are no more sub and dom than you and Cerulean are." Fleur felt her eye twitch once more. Melody shot her a nasty look, one that Fleur was happy to reciprocate. Fleur didn't feel very intimidating in her short stature, but she could muster an ugly look with the best of them, disguise or not. Melody didn't balk, though; if anything, the tension between them only intensified.

"Fine then." Fancy Pants growled. "I've got a dispute with your panel of judges. How do you suggest we remedy this?"

"Eer..." Quill deadpanned, his brow furrowed. "I... Don't know. We've never had a dispute before..."

"If I may suggest something, then." Fancy Pants' vicious glare dissipated, replaced instead with a smug grin. "Another competition, solely between the two of us."

"Oh?" Luna arched her eyebrow curiously. She seemed to be entertaining the idea, but one glance at Fleur discouraged her. "I refuse. Cerulean is exhausted, and I'll not pressure her into another-"

"Mistress!" Fleur's voice rang out above the room. "I'll do it."

"What?” Luna gave Fleur a wide-eyed stare. “No, Cerulean. I'm putting my hoof down. No more session-"

"Tomorrow." Fleur was adamant. "We rest up tonight and tomorrow morning, and tomorrow evening we have the competition."

"I..." Luna looked shocked, halfway between incredulity at being bossed around by her sub, and half admiration for her strength and resolve.

"Fine." Luna sighed, shooting Fleur a look that almost said ‘you’re going to pay for that.’. "Since Cerulean's so eager to be punished, we'll have another competition tomorrow evening. Can you wait that long, Fancy Pants?"

"I'd wait a week if it meant putting you in your place." Fancy Pants scoffed. "Honestly, a female dom? Having Equestria ruled by two old nags is bad enough. The last thing we stallions need is mares taking over our bedrooms too." He looked derisively at Luna. "Especially ones that could only dream of reaching my level."

Save for a gasp from Quill, the room fell completely silent at Fancy's words. It took a second for Fleur to realize that she was staring slack-jawed at the scene in front of her. 'Oh heavens, he didn't...'

Luna slowly drew a deep breath, her face still enough to successfully bluff even the best gamblers from Las Pegasus. Only Fleur could see past the mask though, and she clearly recognized the hellfire that was boiling behind the Princess's diplomatic facade.

Fancy continued to sneer indignantly at Luna, as if he were daring her to respond. Luna continued to fix him with a glare that could have frozen a wendigo in place. 'Yep, he's a goner.' Fleur thought as she struggled to remember to breathe.

Finally, summoning every bit of height available to her disguised body, she stepped up to Fancy, towering over him as only Luna could do. Instead of brandishing her magic, Luna shook the crop at Fancy

"Of that, we shall see, little one." Luna growled, shaking the crop for emphasis. "Sleep well, Fancy Pants, for I promise you, tomorrow night will be spent with your face at my hooves, begging for mercy like a foal. And your sub will see just how hollow her dom is in both word and flesh." There was a tone to her voice, an underlying current of power laced with intent. Luna dipped the tip of the crop under Fancy Pants’ chin, drawing his gaze into her eyes. "Remember this, for I do not make promises that I cannot keep – you will regret ever challenging me."

"I– I'm sure you will." Fancy's voice faltered a bit under Luna's piercing gaze, a slip which he failed to cover with forced sarcasm. "Come, Melody." He yanked her along, getting a choking sound in response. "We have to practice."

"We’ll meet back here tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock to discuss terms." Quill called after him. Fancy Pants lifted a nonchalant hoof in response before exiting Luna's room. They all waited until the door was closed and Luna had quietly cast another silence charm before speaking. Quill looked at her incredulously. "You were married to that plothole?!"

"Don't remind me." Fleur glared at the door.

Luna remained mostly silent through the rest of that night and the next day. As tomorrow was the last day of the expo, Fleur and Luna allowed themselves plenty of rest and a large, leisurely breakfast. After their meal, they spent most of their time perusing the expo's merchandise room. The merchants were eager to give things away at a discounted price, since they were loathe to drag too much inventory back home with them. Luna ended up spending a fair bit of money, but received maybe twice as much as she would have with what she spent. She shared some quiet words with Fleur as she gave one merchant the address to be shipped to. Luna accepted the receipt from the merchant and walked away, their eyes peeled for the next interesting stall of gear.

"Obviously, it would raise quite a few eyebrows if I had any of these purchases sent to the castle. So, I have them shipped to the real Aurora, who lives in Horseshoe Bay. After this, we'll go visit her so we can complete this year’s arrangement."

“And how did you come to this agreement?” Fleur asked curiously. “It seems awfully complex…”

“Well,” Luna rolled her eyes patronizingly. “To anypony but us, it certainly might seem confusing. But that’s understandable, since it’s meant to be… You see, I met Aurora through Quill, shortly after my return. Ordering our gear from the Canterlot shops would have raised some eyebrows here and there, so we outsourced to her. After several larger orders and a rather healthy business relationship, we decided a meeting was in order.

“It was then that I learned of the expo, but we were met with the quandary of my appearance. Quill originally suggested I go as some random pony each year, but what if I drew an audience? Some of them might want to come visit me.” Luna gestured out of the window to the rolling countryside.

“So, Aurora very graciously agreed to allow me to use her likeness. It’s kind of a win-win scenario, since she gets some nice business after the expo, thanks to my… Sorry, our performance. Additionally, she effectively gets to take a four-day vacation AND attend the expo at the same time.” Luna smiled warmly.

“When the expo is over, I return to Horseshoe Bay and give the real Aurora the memories and experiences from the event.”

"Really? You can do that? Give somepony memories?" Fleur whispered in wide-eyed wonder.

"Of course." Luna nuzzled her ear lovingly. "It's part of my agreement with her. Aurora gets to vacation at Diamond Beach for four days, and she gets the memory of all the fun 'she' had during that vacation. In return, I get to use her likeness and represent her accordingly."

"But..." Fleur whispered quietly, eyeing a passing couple. "There isn't a real Cerulean, is there...?"

"Afraid not." Luna returned. "I try not to allude too much to your alias' daily life while we're here. The fact that you're a wedding planner in Horseshoe Bay is usually enough to throw anypony off, though an avid pursuer might get frustrated."

"I see. Well, here's hoping nopony seeks Cerulean out..." Fleur sighed and kissed Luna's cheek softly. She wore her collar, but it was more of a formality than anything else at the moment, since she was supposed to be resting. Luna didn't even have the leash with her. They resumed walking the merchandise stalls, staying until everypony began breaking down and packing up. It was nearly four in the afternoon when they returned to Luna's massive suite, where Quill was waiting for them.

"Are you two ready?"

"As we'll ever be." Luna nodded. "Is Gypsy here?"

"Right here, love!" Gypsy emerged at the top of the stairs, beaming warmly. She carried saddlebags with her, helping to diminish the effect of her poofy mane and tail.

"Thank you for staying over an extra day, Gypsy." Luna smiled at her old friend, ushering the four of them inside.

"Anything to get another look at your pretty Cerulean here." Gypsy winked. "Were I not working, I might just take some time to enjoy it."

"Nopony is saying you can't." Luna winked at Fleur. "As long as she doesn't mind."

"Oh. Uum..." Fleur felt her cheeks heat up as she and Gypsy met one another's gazes. She glanced at Luna briefly, arching an eyebrow as if to say 'Really? You're okay with somepony else... Doing things with me?' Luna lifted her shoulder as if to say. 'Why not? Could be fun.' Fleur smiled at Gypsy once more.

"As long as Aurora gets to watch, I'm okay with it."

"Wouldn't have it any other way. Excuse us, Quill. We're going to have a little shower time." Gypsy beamed as she half-dragged half-guided Fleur into the bathroom.

"Take your time, ladies. Just don't get too worn out, Fancy Pants looked like business."

"Oh, I'll make sure Gypsy takes it easy." Luna gave the poofy-maned pony a devilish grin. "On threat of dealing with me."

"Ooh, spooky. I've seen how you work." Gypsy licked her lips teasingly, nudging Fleur into the bathroom. "We won't be long." Fleur had previously been unable to take a look into this place, but what she found had her feeling excited. The bathtub wasn't quite as expansive as Luna's was back in Canterlot, but it was definitely a close second. The shower was a large square of sunken tile encased in glass, set up against a wall that sported two distinct shower heads - one directly overhead, and one aiming downwards out of the wall. Fleur felt a blush build up as Gypsy began cranking the water on and testing for temperature. After a few more moments, Gypsy shrugged off her saddlebags and tossed them into the nearest corner. "Hmm... Won't be needing these today." she then stepped into the shower stall, beckoning the other two mares to follow her.

"I'll be watching you closely, Gypsy." Luna cooed, finding her place against the glass wall opposite the showerheads. "You get her nice and clean, and don't forget to enjoy yourself."

Gypsy guided her under the hot stream of water, groaning a little as she slipped around behind her. "Eat anything today?"

"No, not since last night after the ceremony." Fleur admitted.

"And you've passed since then?"

"Twice." Fleur nodded.

"Nice and empty, then... Good." Gypsy smacked her lips a few times before leaning in, her hot breath washing over Fleur's backside.

"Oh!" Fleur gasped as Gypsy immediately laid her tongue against the pulsing rosebud of her anus, burying through the strands of her tail with an eager amount of precision and grace. The earth pony's tongue pulsed smoothly, drooling onto her backdoor. Fleur felt a shudder pass through her, the pleasure already spiking in her gut. Gypsy wasted no time in sliding her tongue inside Fleur's anus, massaging the insides of her walls with ease. She moaned now and then, but from her vantage point, Fleur couldn't tell if she was doing anything other than licking.

"Y-your tongue feels amazing, Gypsy..." Fleur whimpered, shuddering under her touch.

"Gypsy here has a rather unique trait about her." Luna groaned; from the strained sound of her voice, she was definitely enjoying the show. "She has no sense of taste."

"R-really?" Fleur panted, as a familiar wetness began to ooze onto her haunches. Gypsy gave a confirmatory moan, sending a shock of vibrations through Fleur’s rear. "That's different... So you can't taste anything back there?"

"Not a bit." Luna confirmed for the otherwise occupied pony. "She does it for the texture, and the sensation of tight flesh around her tongue. That's why she has such an appreciation for a well-structured anus..."

"Pwah. She's right, you know." Gyspy moaned, licking her lips. "Can't taste a thing. And I do love a well-made butt... Yours is magnificent, I must say..." She closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm so going to miss doing this..."

"Well then," Fleur wiggled her rump a little, swishing her tail aside to give Gypsy unrestricted access. "You'd best get your fill while you can."

"Too right." Gypsy licked her lips once more before diving in again, her tongue much more eager this time around. Fleur panted as waves of pleasure rolled through her. None were intense enough to set her over the edge, but she was getting awfully riled up. Anal stimulation seldom was enough to make her cum, but if anypony could come close, it'd be Gypsy and her incredible technique. 'Oh heavens, I'm right there on the edge. Just one final push, Gypsy, just one more push...'

"Oohh..." Gyspy moaned into her anus, drooling and licking harder. Fleur looked back to see Luna touching herself against the wall of the shower, and Gypsy's eyes screwed up in concentration. Unless Fleur was mistaken, there was a sound other than the patter of hot water falling on the tile. When Luna met Fleur’s eyes, she mouthed the words 'She's soaked!'

’Is… Is Gypsy really getting off just from tonguing me?’

"Keep going, Gypsy." Fleur encouraged her, flexing around the writhing tongue inside of her ass. "I want to feel you cum."

"Uhhn," Gypsy nodded as her hot exhalation washed over Fleur's rump. She panted again and again, growing faster with each new breath. Luna's own hooves were rubbing against her crotch faster and faster. It seemed that Gypsy and Luna were tracking towards a simultaneous orgasm.

"UGH!" Gypsy shoved her tongue deep into Fleur, holding it there as she quivered with release. Luna's front was spattered with liquid, and not from the showerheads. Fleur moaned as she watched her dom get sprayed with release, her own core dying for an orgasm of its own. Luna tensed against the wall, her eyes screwed up with pleasure as she too fell off of the brink into a sea of orgasmic bliss.. The only one left wanting was Fleur.

"My goodness," Gypsy sighed. "That was incredible... I don't think I've ever came that quickly..."

"Aww, done so soon?" Fleur teased, wiggling some more.

"You forget, darling." Gypsy kissed her rosebud tenderly. "I'm an earth pony. One is plenty for me... Fast as it was."

"Boo." Fleur stuck her tongue out. "Am I clean at least?"

"Very much so." Gypsy nodded warmly, kissing Fleur's fake cutie mark. "There's nothing in there. You're good to go, darlin'."

"Good to hear." Luna interjected, cranking the water off. "We have a bit of a competition this evening. Are you ready, Cerulean?"

"Yes, Mistress." Fleur nodded eagerly.

"Good. Let's get to it." Luna's horn glowed as she lifted Fleur from the shower and plopped her on the tile. At least four towels flew out of the cupboard in the bathroom, wrapping tightly around her and rubbing the moisture away. Gypsy followed after, drying herself off with the practiced dexterity and precision that nearly every Earth pony seemed to have to make up for their lack of wings or horns. Luna ran a cursory towel over her own form, wiping away Gypsy's cum and what little water she had caught gingerly. Quill was waiting for them outside of the bathroom, an expectant look on his face.

"Enjoy yourselves?"

"Thoroughly." Luna nodded, her horn still glowing as she towed Fleur along. "Go put your collar on, pet." Luna pushed her towards the bedroom, and Fleur bounced along happily. She retrieved her collar from the bedside table and slipped it on, sighing happily as the device cinched around her throat. The aftermath of her shower romp with Gypsy, and the adrenaline rush from her imminent performance, had Fleur wound-up like a top.

All traces of soreness were gone from her muscles, but she knew the fatigue was there, just ready to rear its ugly head and throw a wrench into the evening's plans. 'But I trust Luna to not push me that far. We're going to impress the judges, but not without pressing our limits in the process.' When she re-emerged, collar and leash worn proudly, Luna smiled at her.

"Shall we wait for Fancy Pants, or will you explain how this works now?"

"I think he's nearly here," Quill twitched an ear. Hardly a moment later, a soft knock came from the door. Luna's face shifted into her dom expression, and she took the leash from Fleur smoothly.

"Enter."

"Good evening, ladies. Quill." Fancy Pants entered smoothly, looking a mirror of what he did just yesterday. Luna scowled as he yanked Melody in behind him. "I do hope you're ready for this, Mistress Aurora." Fancy nearly spat the name out in disgust.

"More than ready." Luna nodded. "Shall we explain the terms?"

"I trust they're subject to change?" Fancy Pants quirked an eyebrow.

"Within reason. Here's how this will go:" Quill stood between the two of them, his expression serious. "We'll use a personalized panel of your own hoof-picked judges. I'll leave it to you to determine the amount each gets. I myself will volunteer a final judge, whom I know to be impartial to the both of you. This way, the judges are a mix of partial and impartial to either party, with one for the tiebreaker, just in case. Then, the two of you will engage in a session for the judge's benefit, and they will rate you using the same points system from yesterday. Do you agree?"

"Sounds fair." Fancy shrugged. "I'm fine with that. You?"

"I'm no stranger to this format." Luna nodded. "I might not have won the major competition until now, but I've several of these more intimate sessions under my belt, so to speak. I have two ponies in mind for my judges. Does two work for you?"

"Perfect, I've two friends here in Trottingham who've attended the expo. So, with Quill's one, that makes a panel of five?"

"Sounds right." Luna nodded. "Quill, please send for Crop and Malachite. They will be my judges."

"Oasis Shimmer and Hoof Cuff for me, please." Fancy Pants grumbled. It seemed almost as if he recognized the names of Luna's two judges.

"Very well." Quill made for the door. "I'll return with those four, as well as my own judge. We can begin upon my return. Oh, and play nice you four. I don't want to come back to a fight, or worse, an impromptu orgy."

"Hardly." Fleur grumbled underneath her breath. Quill left them behind, and when she was expecting to get at least a moment alone, Fancy Pants spoke up.

"I propose a wager." He said calmly. Luna and Fleur shared a look before Luna nodded.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"We're competing, not just for the crop and bragging rights, as would be customary the victory of yesterday's competition..." He grinned wickedly. "But our subs too."

"What?" Luna seemed taken aback.

"Don't play coy with me, Aurora. I know you heard me. I win, I get at least one session with Cerulean there. My rules, my way. You win, the opposite. Melody here doesn't mind, does she?"

"N-no, Master!" Melody squeaked. She might have been able to muster a nasty look when it was her and Fleur, but Melody literally cowered before the intimidating Aurora; she seemed truly fearful of Luna's alter-ego, 'And rightfully so.' Fleur added in her mind. Fleur could understand a bit of how Melody must have felt at that moment. Being subject to Fancy Pants again, and not just in the form of traditional wifely duties, was a terrifying thought. She never wanted to touch this despicable pony again, let alone have to endure a session with him. 'And if the way he treats Melody is any indication, I would enjoy it even less than I did when I was married to him.

"I'll leave that decision to Cerulean." Luna said firmly. "I'll not force my sub to be with somepony, especially one as crass and unpracticed as you."

"Hah! Petty insults, I see... Fine then; dear Cerulean, do you agree?"

'No. I'm putting my hoof down. I will never subjugate myself to you again, oh dear ex-husband of mine.' Fleur looked up at Fancy Pants, meeting him dead in the eye. Confidence welled over as she spat the next words at him with as much venom as she could muster.

"Aurora and I are going to wipe the floor with your pretentious flanks anyways, so it matters not. To be honest, I'm going to enjoy watching Aurora fuck Melody so thoroughly, so completely, that she'll be reduced to a blubbering, whimpering mess, wallowing in a puddle of her own cum, as one orgasm after another rips her apart from the inside-out. Maybe at my master's hooves, she'll finally feel some real pleasure."

Fancy Pants stood there with a look of pure shock on his face; both he and Melody were taken completely aback by what Fleur had said. "Oh my dear, sweet Cerulean." Luna groaned as she pulled on the leash, tightening the collar around her throat. "You're going to pay for that comment..." Luna's voice conveyed obvious anger, but the slight twinkle in her eye told Fleur that inside, Luna was laughing her flanks off over her verbal assault of her ex-husband. Silence ruled in the moments following her little outburst, but she didn't care.

'I'm going to beat you, Fancy Pants. Luna and I will show you what it means to be a real dom/sub couple. And this time, it's on your own terms. You won't beat us. Never in a million years. Not yesterday, not today, not ever.'

"Here we are." Quill entered the room with five ponies in tow. Fleur recognized three of them, but the fourth was previously unintroduced. She went to stand by Fancy Pants and Melody, along with the one she recognized as their fellow competitor from yesterday. The other, Hoof Cuff, she could assume, frowned at her and Luna, and she got an equally nasty look in return. But when Luna's two judges stood by her, they received a curt nod, which was akin to a warm hug from Aurora.

"Always a pleasure to watch you work, Aurora."

"I'll try to remain as impartial as possible." The two judges seemed kind enough, if a little gruff and business-like.

"Very well. I'll leave it to you all to judge fairly, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves." Quill respectfully bowed out, leaving them to it. Fleur had to appreciate him for that, since he was obviously partial to Luna given their past. This way, it was perfectly even. The fifth judge stood between them all, giving a curt nod to both parties.

"Alright then. Hoof Cuff, Oasis Shimmer, Malachite, Crop and I shall watch both pairs simultaneously. The pair that is better rated among the five of us will win the crop and bragging rights, as per the competition rules from yesterday. Whenever you're ready." The five judges stood in a line, waiting for them to begin.

Fancy Pants wasted no time. He yanked Melody forth, eliciting a rough cough from her and a wince from Fleur. It took him maybe three seconds before Melody was stretched out on the floor, panting heavily with each strained breath.

"Come, Cerulean." Luna nudged her hip. "You got nice and riled up in the shower… Let's show these judges how much you enjoyed yourself." Fleur obeyed immediately, rising to her hooves and turning her back to the panel. She lifted her tail eagerly, exposing her pulsing rosebud and dripping slit. Luna gave a soft moan of approval as she ran her hooves over Fleur's cutie marks. "Already so wet? Goodness, you're naughty."

"AHN!" Melody cried out from the floor, her voice high and thin. Fleur managed to glimpse Fancy Pants' hoof buried between her thighs, moving much faster and rougher than anything she had seen, even at the expo. 'He's just aimlessly pounding away at her. What the buck is he doing?'

Meanwhile, Luna moved slow and easy, her hooves massaging tight circles on their way to her vagina. Fleur was dribbling by now, her arousal slowly running down her thighs. A few drops came directly off of her winking clitoris, landing somewhere in the carpet. She couldn't see the panel, and they were completely silent. Then again, she didn't think she could hear them over Melody's near-pained cries. Each new glimpse she got of her fellow sub showed the poor pony in agony. 'Heavens, I can’t even tell if she's in true pain or not...'

Luna's hooves finally found her glistening labia, peeling her apart smoothly. Her entire core flexed at the first tingling bit of pleasure; she was still riled up from Gypsy's previous ministrations, and Luna quickly had her on a razor's edge. Every fiber of her being was ready to explode in bliss, but with Melody's pained screams ringing in her ears, her body simply refused to cum, as if it too were protesting the other mare's treatment at her dom's hooves.

Fancy Pants had graduated from his hooves and was now uncoiling a length of rope. 'At least she stopped screaming, but what in Tartarus is he planning now? She can't handle much else as it is.' Fancy Pants was all business as he began winding the rope around her hips and legs. The way he was going with it, her back would be bent at a very uncomfortable angle. Fleur almost said something, but the words died in her throat as Fancy hoisted the end of the rope up over one of the ceiling's beams, lifting Melody into the air.

Her haunches were bent backwards over her head, while another length of rope underneath her chin kept her chest stretched out, so she was effectively laying on her stomach with her legs up over her head, but with no support from the floor. She was one hundred percent suspended, all of her weight resting on the rope on her chin and one more around her chest. Her legs were pulled backwards, her tail spilling over her face.

Luna was still tenderly massaging her soaked marehood, but Fleur's ability to cum drained away as she took in the shocking display before her. 'This isn't BDSM... This is sick, self-gratifying abuse... I do hope-'

*pop*

Everypony froze. Fleur stared at Melody, whose eyes slowly went wide. Even Luna didn't move, didn't breathe. Fleur had taken enough yoga classes to know what that sound implied. There were only two possible outcomes to this; the first churned her stomach instantly... The other she refused to even think about at the moment. 'By the heavens, what has Fancy done...'

"Melon." Melody was barely able to whimper her safeword, her voice every bit as broken as she was. "Melon. Stop. Please, Fancy, stop. I... I can't feel my legs."

A flurry of activity broke out as everypony moved at once.

"Get her down!"

"No, don't move her! Careful!"

Luna and Fleur stepped aside as Malachite strode forth, roughly shoving Fancy Pants out of the way.

"You fucking idiot." He snarled at Fancy, his horn glowing. "Somepony call the medics. I'll keep her spine from moving. Crop, get the ropes. Quickly!"

"Right." Crop’s own horn glowed as he quickly and carefully cut the ropes holding the poor pony in place

Melody began crying, but Malachite kept her from moving with his magic.

"Shh. You're going to be okay." He whispered to her. "You just slipped a disk. I can feel it with my magic. It's an easy fix, but you can't move right now."

"We need the medics in here! Call an ambulance!" Somepony called out into the hall. Fleur and Luna continued to step back, neither of them believing their eyes. Crop's horn finished untying and cutting the ropes, and Melody whimpered as her weight left the ropes, instead resting on Malachite's magic. He held her there, afraid to move her any more than absolutely necessary. It took maybe two minutes before two ponies in white coats with red crosses shoved their way into the room, talking with Malachite smoothly.

"Alright, we'll put her out. You're going to go to sleep now, Melody-"

"No, please!"

"Shh… It's okay. We can fix your back, but it's going to be painful. We're going to make it easier on you and us by putting you out. When you wake up, you'll be fine. I promise you."

"O-okay."

"There you go." The medic's horn glowed, wrapping around Melody's head. Her eyes closed, and her forelegs slumped listlessly. Malachite passed her off to the medic, both of whom carried her out of the room. Fancy Pants went to follow, but Oasis Shimmer laid a hoof on his chest, stopping him. Fleur and Luna watched, shocked, as the rather sturdily-built pegasus mare wheeled back and clocked Fancy Pants right across his smug, monocled face.

"You're a disgrace." She spat, standing over his shocked form. "I was a fool to think that you were different. Clearly, you don't know your limits or your sub's. I'm sickened to call you one of us!" She spat at his hooves and wheeled around. "My decision falls to Aurora and Cerulean. Now, I'm going to go see that poor mare's okay." Fancy Pants stood up, only to be approached by Hoof Cuff.

"You disgust me." Was all he spat at Fancy Pants. He glanced at Luna and Fleur before leaving after Oasis Shimmer. Only Malachite, Crop, and the fifth neutral pony remained. They both stared Fancy Pants down for a long, long while before shaking their heads and leaving. In the end, only Quill, Fleur, Luna, and Fancy remained. Quill slowly walked forwards, looking seriously at Fancy.

"What did you do, Fancy? Tell me now or so help me..."

"I... I don't know!” He stammered. “We were practicing most of the day, getting ready... She... She didn't say anything before, and I wanted to try this new tie-"

"Never..." Quill cut him off, raising a hoof to emphasize his point. "Never practice a new tie without first getting a sub’s consent! And practicing for a whole day?! By the heavens, Fancy, did she get any rest last night at all?"

"Of course!" Fancy looked appalled. "She slept three hours-"

"THREE HOURS?!" Quill roared, looming over him now. "You had her practicing and engaging in a full-blown session ON THREE HOURS OF SLEEP?!"

"Hey!” Fancy tried to yell back. “I'm not incompetent! I know what I'm doing!"

"If you did, poor Melody wouldn't be on her way to the hospital right now!" Quill growled at him. “You're very lucky that it's only a slipped disk. A scant few inches either direction, and you could have paralyzed her, or worse, killed her instantly! If I had my say in this matter, I'd send you to prison for attempted murder." He spat at Fancy's hooves once more. "You're a disgrace and a shame to all ponykind. I never want to see your face anywhere near this expo again. You don't deserve to be here, and you definitely don't deserve a sweet mare like Melody - as a sub or as a partner!"

"B-B-But I paid, and I-"

"For the expo." Quill checked his pocket watch smoothly. "Which is over in two hours and fourteen minutes. After that, I don't want to ever see you again."

Quill turned to Luna and Fleur, sighing softly. "Ladies, I'm so sorry you had to see that... I thought he knew what he was doing. His performance yesterday was quite good, after all.." He shook his head with another sigh. "I'll leave him to you, ladies. I dare say you've earned your victory. Not that you'd have lost to this pathetic fool anyways." Quill shot Fancy one more seething glare before stalking out of Luna's room. Fancy sat there, looking completely defeated. Luna walked up to him, looking down her nose at the disgusting excuse for a dom.

"Fancy..."

"Don't." He choked. "I know... I fucked up. I fucked up real bad."

"Oh, of that I have no doubt." Luna growled as she lifted his chin. "But, you don't realize what you've missed out on. Part of me was happy to see you at this expo. I thought maybe you had entered this little world of ours with a mindset similar to my own. But then I saw the way you treated Melody, always yanking her around like that, and showing little to no regard to her well being or safety. And you didn't even have the good grace to lose with dignity.

Luna leaned in even closer, her eyes still trained on Fancy. "Instead, you made it personal by directly challenging me. But when you challenged me, Fancy, you didn't just challenge Mistress Aurora..."

Fleur gasped as the illusion spell on Luna disappeared. The Princess loomed into existence, still cupping Fancy Pants' chin.

"You challenged your Princess."

"P-P-Princess Luna?!" Fancy stammered, his eyes wide. "H-How?! I thought... You... And you were..."

"A Princess is allowed her dalliances now and then." Luna chuckled. "I was practicing BDSM techniques before your ancestors were born, Fancy. Had you performed more admirably, I may have seen fit to give you a few pointers as well." She glanced at Fleur, arching an eyebrow inquisitively. Fleur understood the implied question. She nodded and stood up, standing opposite Fancy.

"You see, dear Fancy Pants." Luna crooned into his ear. "Had you been a little more open with your desires, and a little more understanding of one's limitations..."

The image disappeared. Fleur stretched to her full height, her white coat emerging in a shimmer of magic. Her pink mane flowed down her neck, hanging just as beautifully and naturally as ever. Fancy Pants froze in place, as if he were another statue from the Royal Gardens.

"You might have saved your marriage... And had a little fun in the meantime."

The train coasted down out of the mountains, the brakes squealing now and then as they rounded a corner. Fleur and Luna were once more disguised, since there were still a number of attendees from the convention elsewhere on the train. Chances were slim that anypony would recognize Fleur, but Luna was another matter entirely; without the disguise, she'd be recognized instantly. Luna had taken the extra - and by now customary - precaution of placing a sound-blocking spell on the train car, further ensuring their privacy.

"I wonder if he'll think it was all a dream." Fleur mused, referring to Fancy Pants.

"I never expected he'd faint like that. Poor bastard." Luna chuckled. "But I hope not... Else he might go back to mistreating Melody."

"Any word on her, by the way?"

"She's already healed." Luna nodded. "And divorcing Fancy Pants too. She won't press charges, though everypony else thinks that she should. It'd be a hairy debacle one way or another. Consent and assault are two strange things to mix... She's probably saving the both of them a lot of time and stress by not pressing charges."

"That's good... I'm glad to hear she's doing okay. But about the wager...?"

"I'm not about to have a session with a recently-released sub." Luna shook her head. "The crop and the bragging rights are plenty. With Fancy's official ban, I won this year's competition by a veritable landslide. Thanks in no small part to you." Luna smiled at her. "You performed incredibly well, for having little to no training."

"Maybe not in exhibitionism, specifically," Fleur blushed. "But I was certainly well-trained by you."

"True." Luna smiled and leaned across the short space between them to kiss Fleur's cheek tenderly. "And a good pet you made, Fleur. I do love you very much."

"And I love you." Fleur turned into the kiss, pressing their lips together sweetly. She was still sore from the past few day's dalliances, but the kiss was warm and lovely. She moaned as it broke, her cheeks a little flushed. Something nagged her, though. Something Quill had mentioned, and a name she had recalled. "I have a question..."

"Do tell." Luna chuckled.

"Lyra Heartstrings... What was your relationship with her?"

"Oh. That." Luna sighed, sitting back in her seat. "It was a brief courtship that was ended prematurely, though understandably, by her own embarrassment." Fleur remembered Lyra as a moderate socialite. She had been a Canterlot Symphony hopeful just last year, but had suddenly and inexplicably moved to Ponyville, with nary a word to anyone else in Canterlot. It wasn't that large a shock, as Fleur knew Lyra had a few friends in the small farm town, but she was so close to playing for the symphony that her move had come as a shock. Lyra's family were well-to-do musicians and socialites themselves, and Fleur had the pleasure of knowing Lyra if only slightly. She had been a rather pleasant pony to chat with.

"I met Lyra at a rehearsal for the symphony. Her family are all good friends of the throne, and as a favor to me, her father introduced us. She was flustered, of course, but got over it when we discovered our mutual taste in stringed instruments. Our mutual interest was further advanced when I learned of Lyra's repressed... Desires. She attended the expo as my sub just last year, but couldn't quite perform as well as SOME high-brow Canterlot socialites." Luna gave her a teasing wink. "There were a few other of her social circle in attendance, and she couldn't face the shame of dealing with them in Canterlot, so she moved."

"I see..." Fleur sighed. "At least now I know what happened to her... There were a few of us who were curious where she went."

"I think it'd be best to keep this one a secret." Luna said a little quietly.

"My lips are sealed." Fleur smiled and drew her hoof across her mouth.

"Not for mine, I would hope." Her demeanor shifted a little as she grinned at Fleur.

"Never, mistress." Fleur leaned in as Luna met her midway for another heated, deep kiss. Her soreness twinged a bit, and she pulled away breathlessly. "S-sorry... I don't think-"

"Say no more, my love." Luna waved her off. "I'm a touch sore myself. Let's just enjoy the train ride." And so they did, coasting down out of the mountains around Trottingham towards Horseshoe Bay. The gigantic U-shaped city sprawled beneath them, offering a fantastic view of the busy port city, the sea, and all of the ships riding the waves just off the coast. The sun was setting by the time they arrived in Horseshoe Bay proper, and the moderate walk to Aurora's boutique had them there by dark. Luna didn't bother knocking as she swept into the store, setting a bell above the door to jingling.

"Welcome to Aurora's Boutique, I'm gonna need to see some identi- oh." Aurora, the real one, blinked as her perfect mirror walked through the door, tailed by Cerulean. Fleur looked around at the racks of BDSM harnesses and gear, display cases of dildos and vibrators and strap-ons, and one filled to the brim with different ropes. Another glass case that the register sat on held bottles of assorted colored liquids, many of which were marked with cryptic labels that made little sense to Fleur at the moment. She only got a glance as the real Aurora swept around the counter to stand over her.

"So this is who you picked out for me." She remarked, scowling at Fleur. Somehow, seeing the real deal was much more intimidating than seeing Luna disguised as her. "A touch short."

"Hey!"

"You are," Luna chided her, smiling a little. The real Aurora began to walk a circle around her, giving a soft 'hmm' here and there. She wasn't unused to being surveyed like this, so she settled into the swing of being ogled quite easily. After a while, Cerulean stopped in front of her.

"I approve." She said at last. "You're nice and curvy, not scrawny and tight like the last one. What was her name?"

"Lyra." Luna offered, chuckling a little. "I'm afraid we've got a train to catch, though... Shall we?"

"Of course, of course... No time for pleasantries, I suppose..." Aurora sighed and turned to Luna. "You sure you can't stay the night?" She glanced back at Fleur. "Maybe make it a menage..."

"Not this time, I'm afraid." Luna chuckled and grinned at Fleur. "Tempting as it might be."

"Fine then. I'll have your things sent to you when they arrive."

"You can keep this, though." Luna's horn glowed as she conjured the crop they had won from seemingly nowhere, smiling at the real Aurora. Her counterpart had frozen, her eyes wide.

"You didn't."

"Oh, we did indeed." Luna chuckled, passing the crop off. "I've got plenty of riding crops back home. You can keep this ratty old thing."

"Luna, I-"

"Aah... Don't thank me yet." Luna chuckled and gently kissed the real Aurora on the lips to silence her. She blushed furiously. "I haven't even shown you your performance."

"Let's get to that, shall we?" Aurora set the crop aside and closed her eyes. Luna leaned forward until their horns touched, a spark of light shooting between them. Another spark shot off, followed by a quick jolt of arcing magic. The scintillating sound came more often as the light jumped between them, sparking and shivering through the air. After another short while, a thin cord of glowing light joined their horns. The memory transfer spell was going through, until Fleur was certain the whole weekend had been transferred. Luna pulled away with a smile, and Aurora's eyes were wide. She looked down at Fleur incredulously, and after a short pause, she spoke.

"Are you serious?! Eight times?!"

(17) Putting the Hoof down

Moonstone 17 - “Putting the hoof down.”

It was the waiting that was the worst. Fleur absolutely hated coming home to an empty house, with nothing but toys and dirty thoughts to keep her company. When she wasn't handling business matters, she day dreamed of Luna waiting for her inside of her home, ready to welcome her home with a collar and a riding crop. Yet silence was her only companion when she pushed open her front door at the end of the day.

'Wednesday can't come soon enough.'

Wednesday finally did arrive though, and Fleur was shaking with excitement. She went all out as she prepared for her lunch date with the Princess; a new eye shadow gave her eyes a sultry, half-lidded look, while extra styling touches added even more depth to her mane and left her luxurious tail flowing down her haunches like a waterfall.

’Luna would have to be mad if she didn’t jump on me the second she sees me.’ Fleur turned about, admiring herself in the mirror. She was halfway to the door when she remembered that the weather forecast called for abnormally chilly temperatures today. She was about to turn to her coat closet when a devious thought struck her and Fleur turned instead to her seldom-used scarf rack, picking out a black, satiny piece.

She brought it back to the mirror, a warm smile crossing her lips as she tied it around her neck. 'And she certainly won't be able to resist me when I take this off...'

Fleur smiled at the guards as she quickly entered the castle, thankful to be out of the very unseasonably cold weather. She made her way to Luna’s room with haste, lest anyone stop to question why she was wearing a scarf inside the warm walls of the castle. She even opted to use the back halls, avoiding anypony who might be visiting. None of the hoofservants or wait staff stopped or questioned her; if anything, she was a welcome sight to them. Some even greeted her by name, and she was beginning to get to know theirs.

Fleur arrived outside of Luna's door at twelve-thirty, exactly on time. She was about to knock when the door suddenly opened in front of her. A field of magic enveloped her immediately and pulled her inside the room; the door had barely slammed behind her before Luna swept her into a passionate kiss.

’Oh how I missed this,’ Fleur sighed happily as she returned Luna’s eager advances. ’I don’t care if it’s only been three days; it feels like it’s been a year.’

“Fleur,” Luna panted as she pulled away from the kiss, looking down at her with her own half-lidded, lusty eyes. “I saw you coming across the lawn… By the heavens, you looked incredible.”

“I thought you’d like it, mistress.” Fleur chuckled, leaning in to kiss Luna’s neck. Luna shuddered, but placed her hooves on Fleur’s chest, gingerly pushing her away.

“Mistress? Fleur, we’re not in the middle of a session…” Luna frowned down at her.

“Aren’t we?” Fleur’s horn glowed as she slowly, teasingly unwound her scarf. Luna’s eyes went wide when she saw the collar beneath the satiny fabric, and Fleur winked at her. "Is my mistress surprised? Is she pleased with her pet's gift?"

"Yes, very pleased, indeed. The surprise is most welcome," Luna swallowed, her throat pulsing visibly. “I, just, uh… Had other plans for tonight.”

“Oh?” Fleur felt slightly crestfallen, if a touch curious. “What did you have planned?”

“I don’t know,” Luna shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck. Seeing the princess act so shy and uncertain was rather uncharacteristic. Fleur could feel the first twinges of concern bubbling up in her chest already. “I thought we could just have lunch and… Chat…”

“That’s fine, I suppose…” Fleur mused. “Would you like me to take this off…?”

“Could you?” Luna glanced side-to-side, blushing a little. “I don’t want to, aah… Blur the lines, as it were.”

“As you wish.” Fleur removed her collar with a sigh, passing it off to Luna smoothly. Luna hovered it across the room to her bedside table, and set it down. 'Hopefully for later use...' Fleur thought.

As Luna beckoned her over to the comfortable den chairs, she found herself getting excited at the prospect of spending some alone time with Luna, out from in-between the sheets, with a glass of wine in-hoof. It had been quite some time since they last talked about music, or books, or Fleur’s social obligations, 'Or really anything normal...' she added in her mind.

In retrospect, Fleur could hardly remember the last time they had been together outside of a session, just getting to know one another. She loved Luna fiercely, but growing closer to her as a partner rather than a lover had taken the back seat in favor of bedroom dalliances. 'Or three day BDSM conventions.

Yet Canterlot had continued to be its usual busy self in her absence, and there was plenty of juicy gossip to catch up on. That was all she had been doing the past few days, if she were being perfectly honest with herself. What would start as a lunch date to arrange a charity ball would devolve into story-swapping and gossip-telling. An official appointment to hash out the details about this year’s Grand Galloping Gala quickly turned into a detailed dissection of Sapphire Shore’s latest performance…

Luna, as busy as she claimed to be, was probably out of the loop. Not that long ago, when the two of them had simply been friends, Luna would spend entire evenings listening to stories about Fleur’s escapades in the social spotlight. Many of their nights spent together before the collar was introduced were spent with Luna listening to Fleur tell stories about one socialite or another.

But Luna seemed slightly off that night, and Fleur picked up on it immediately. From her immediate disinclination to engage in a session to the way she said the word ‘chat,’ Fleur could tell that something was on Luna's mind.

“Luna,” She asked cautiously. “Is everything okay?”

“Hmm? O-of course.” Luna waved her off with a dismissive smile. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“No particular reason, you just seem a little different is all.” Fleur curled up atop the chaise lounge opposite Luna’s favorite couch. The princess smoothly poured them both a glass of wine, which she took graciously.

“Perhaps I’m tired,” Luna shrugged, cradling her wine with a pensive look. “It’s been a hectic few days to say the least. It turns out my presence was actually heavily required in the fallout of the changeling’s attack.”

“I thought Princess Celestia said she’d be fine without you?” Fleur arched an eyebrow. “Was she mistaken?”

“By quite a bit.” Luna nodded. She seemed to mutter something under her breath, but Fleur didn’t quite catch it. Just as she was about to call attention to it, Luna beamed at her. “Nothing major, mind you… But I suppose I was needed here more than I was needed in Trottingham.”

A pang of guilt flashed through Fleur immediately. “You don’t regret it, do you? The expo, I mean…”

“No, not at all!” Luna said immediately, frowning at Fleur. “Those were the best three days of my life! And I do mean that, Fleur. In all my years, I’ve never enjoyed myself as much as I did with you.” She slid off of the couch and joined Fleur on hers, curling warmly up against Fleur’s back. “I wouldn’t trade those three days for the world.”

“That’s good to hear.” Fleur melted back into Luna’s embrace, sighing contentedly. Being close to Luna like this might not quench the rampaging fire in her gut, but it did take the edge off her arousal, replacing it with a warm, soothing feeling; a feeling of real contentment.

’If I had to do this instead of getting fucked in the most imaginative ways possible, I wouldn't be upset at all...’ Fleur mused, closing her eyes as she laid her head against Luna’s foreleg. ’The whips and chains and strapons… Those things are nice, but this… This right here is what matters most.’ She heaved a sigh, nuzzling into Luna’s soft coat.

“I like this.” She whispered softly.

“As do I.” Luna nodded her acquiescence, leaning in to kiss Fleur’s cheek softly. “Almost as much as the collar…”

“Almost?” Fleur teased, sparing one eye to glance teasingly up at Luna.

“Almost.” Luna nodded. “But I’ll tell you what I do like the most…”

“Oh, do tell.” Fleur purred, rolling onto her back so she could look up at Luna properly.

“This.” Luna leaned in, pressing her lips sweetly against Fleur’s. The sudden and tender display took her by surprise. Most of their kisses were lusty, and filled with equal parts tongue and saliva. But this one was slow and tender, as if it were wrapped in velvet. Fleur closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose, savoring the sensation of Luna’s lips against hers, of the gentle way their bodies curved together.

Much to Fleur’s surprise, the arousal she felt began to die down. It ebbed bit by bit until it was completely gone, replaced instead by a different feeling, one of real warmth and happiness. When Luna broke the kiss, Fleur was ready not for a night of debauched passion, but one of quiet, friendly conversation with the most important pony in her life. She lifted her wine glass, clinking it against Luna’s gently.

“Cheers.”

“Down the hatch.” They took a sip together, and proceeded to spend the rest of the day (and a good portion of the night) chatting wonderfully. When the wine was weighing heavily and the chat had died down to nothing more than simple ‘hmm’s’ and ‘yeahs’, Luna gingerly lifted Fleur and carried her to the wide bed. They stretched out together, too tired to even say good night.

The morning came sooner than Fleur would have liked. ’Then again, nothing saying we can’t spend the whole morning like this, either…’ She rolled over to kiss Luna, only to find she was alone.

“Oh man…” Fleur sighed. “I was really looking forward to a wake-up kiss…” She sighed softly, stretching languorously atop the rumpled sheets. A quick survey of the room revealed Luna was absent, or perhaps elsewhere in her quarters. It was too early even for Luna to be downstairs in one of the 'equipment rooms', so Fleur headed for the opulent upstairs bathroom first. ’Two birds with one stone… And if she’s in the shower, it very well could be three…’

Much to her dismay, however, she found the bathroom empty as well. Still, she had her own morning tasks to attend to. After handling her business and washing up, she returned to the still empty bedroom. She was about to pick up a book on one of the tables when a slight metallic glimmer caught her eye. She paused and looked warmly at the collar that still rested on the bedside table.

’I could surprise her… Be all trussed up and ready for her when she returns…’ Fleur slowly crossed the floor to the nightstand, surveying the collar intently. ’How long have we been doing this, I wonder? I lost track of the time… It feels like years, but it’s really only been about four months, hasn’t it?’ She sighed and ran a hoof over the collar, feeling the soft leather and the hard steel ring.

'I do so love being Luna's sub, and we've done so much together. And if she truly gets her pleasure through my own, then I dare say she's been enjoying all of this.' Fleur lifted the collar up, turning it in a slow circle. A frown crossed her face then, mirroring her suddenly-dark thoughts.

’But is that all there is to us? A few dozen orgasms and a couple hundred thousand bits worth of sex toys? Or is there something greater here? Something more meaningful?’

Slowly, Fleur set the collar down and moved to the nearest table. ’Of course there is. We love each other, and that love means more to us than whips and chains.’ She found a book she hadn’t quite read yet by a beloved author, and smiled warmly. A day spent reading would be just as good for her as a day spent tied up and molested in imaginative ways. Fleur retrieved the bottle of wine and curled up on the chaise lounge, pouring herself a hearty glass as she flipped the book open.

’I’ll just wait here for Luna. She’s probably handling something important, and I don’t have any appointments until this weekend anyways. I have the rest of today and tomorrow to be with her, should she so choose.’ As Fleur got into the book, she did so with a smile. ’I could get used to waiting for Luna.’

If only waiting didn’t take well into that night. Fleur had finished both the book and the bottle of wine shortly after three. Yet after eating lunch, showering, reading another book, and waiting an hour after all of that, Luna still hadn't returned - and Fleur was getting worried. Rather than go and search for her – a fruitless effort, she had learned from experience – Fleur decided to sleep.

Her dreams were troubled and she tossed and turned most of the early night. The clock in the room had just struck midnight when Luna slipped back into the room. Fleur roused from her sleep with a start, as if she were still half-dreaming. Luna smiled at her, closing the door and padding slowly across the room. Fleur tossed the blankets aside and dashed across the room, throwing herself into Luna’s embrace.

“You had me so worried,” Fleur breathed with relief as Luna hugged her back, stroking her mane tenderly. “I didn’t get a note or anything from you.”

“I know, Fleur, and I’m sorry.” Luna continued stroking her mane, even as Fleur struggled to calm her frayed nerves. “I should have sent a messenger to tell you… And I’m afraid I don’t have much time even now.”

“Why? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Fleur sniffled and looked up at Luna, her eyes wide.

Luna hesitated for a moment, as if she was trying to decide what to say. “It's... It's nothing, Fleur. Nothing’s wrong. I’m just going to be busy for a while. I’m sorry I can’t spend time with you as I’d promised, but this is important, and could very well impact Equestria as a whole.”

“What is it?” Fleur stepped back, her brow drawn curiously. “I don’t suppose it’s anything I could help with?”

“I’m afraid not,” Luna shook her head once more. “It’s an extremely complex matter of magic… You probably don’t know anything about the Crystal Kingdom, do you?”

“The Crystal Kingdom?” Fleur shook her head. “No, I don’t… What is it?”

“Don’t worry about it for now, Fleur.” Luna smiled and patted her head patronizingly. “You can go back to sleep if you’d like, but chances are I’ll be busy up until this weekend.”

“Oh.” Fleur felt her hopes fall as Luna turned towards the door. “Okay.”

“I’m sorry, Fleur, I really am.” Luna called over her shoulder. “You can stay here or go home, but I’m afraid I won’t be around.”

“Could you please just tell me what’s going on?” Fleur choked, feeling tears well up behind her eyes. Luna paused at the door, her hoof on the latch. Fleur looked after her mistress and lover, praying that she’d turn around and at least tell Fleur what was happening, what might possibly going on that was so important.

Instead, Luna opened the door and left, leaving Fleur in tears.

She wasn’t even sure how it was she got home. She remembered something about putting on her scarf and summoning a member of the guard but after that it was all a blur. Fleur found herself on the front drive of her home, muttering a half-hearted ‘thanks’ to the guard who had escorted her. It seemed to take nearly all of strength to even open the front door. She tried to take another step forward when the damn inside of her broke, and she collapsed on the spot.

The tears came fast and free, and she curled up on the threshold for a good long cry. She sniffled and sobbed until there was a small puddle underneath her head, and her eyes couldn’t possibly be any puffier than they were. Miserably, Fleur dragged herself up to her bedroom and removed her makeup before curling up on her bed. She wanted to cry again, but she had no more tears left to shed. She could only lay on her bed motionless, save for her shallow, uneven breaths.

’All that we've been through together, and she just dismisses me like an unwanted guest. How could she be so cold... Doesn't Luna know I'm worried about her? About us?’ Questions that she could not answer plagued Fleur's exhausted mind through the night. Unable to sleep, she lay on her bed, red-rimmed eyes staring blankly at the square of moonlight sliding across the floor through the night. Fleur seemed to blur again, and only the slow brightening of the sky outside broke her trance of utter despair.

’It feels like I’m losing my sanity.’ Fleur sat up in her bed as the clock read seven in the morning, trudging blearily towards the bathroom. She cranked the water on cold, turning her face up into the chilly stream. She felt her mane and tail mat down with water, clinging to her body like a cocktail dress caught in a rainstorm. She leaned back against the wall of the shower with a thud as more tears joined the ice-cold water that trickled down her face.

’Come on girl, think... There has to be a reason why she won't tell you anything. Maybe it really was some super-important matter of national security, or maybe she couldn’t risk me blabbing about it to my fellow socialites. I suppose I can’t blame her for playing her cards close to her chest around me, but she can trust me to not speak about it. I know how to keep a secret just as well as anypony. By the stars, I’ve kept the two of us a secret for this long…’ Fleur wiped the tears and water from her eyes, looking at the tile wall with a new-found sense of determination.

’Luna may be a princess, but she can’t just blow me off like that. I won’t allow it. She’s not Fancy Pants, and I’m not some vulnerable little housemare anymore.’ She cranked the water off and gripped her towel like it was a weapon; a spear with which to slay whatever it was that had seemingly convinced Luna to shut her out.

’I'm her sub, but I'm more than just a plaything, and I'm in it for way more than orgasms and the smell of fresh leather...

I'm in it for Luna... Because I love her.’

Fleur stormed up the drive to the castle, her eyes narrowed and hard. She was on a mission, and nothing would stop her, including the pair of guards at the main gate, who looked a bit surprised at her quick approach. Thankfully, their sense of familiarity with Fleur's presence won out, and they stayed put. Fleur gave them a stoic nod as she stomped past, intent on Luna’s quarters.

“Good morning, Fleur! It’s good to see-“

“Good morning, Featherduster.” Fleur clipped the hoofservant off quickly, brushing past with a wake of anger and indignation. She bounded up the staircase two steps at a time, forcing a few other servants to jump out of her way.

She alighted on the third floor came to a skidding halt in front of two more guards, who crossed their spears to block the path ahead. Her eyes widened in surprise before quickly lowering into a glare as she stared at the pair of stallions in front of her.

“Please move.”

“We’re unable to do that, Ma’am. Please turn around and leave.”

“I’m here to see Princess Luna; it’s very urgent.” Fleur lifted her stance as she spoke, a mixture of pride and anger welling behind her expression.

“Do you have an appointment, or is it official business?”

"Oh, trust me, what I need to see the Princess about is definitely not official," her eyes narrowed as she stared daggers at the guard. "... And I most certainly do not have or need an appointment." An old saying came to Fleur just then, and she glared at the guard who posed the question. ’Tartarus hath no fury like a mare scorned.’

“Well, important as it is, I’m afraid it’s going to have to wait.” The guard gestured back the way she had came with a serious look. “Please leave before we’re forced to remove you, ma’am.” Fleur was about to open her mouth to reply when the door to Luna’s quarters opened. Luna and several guardponies left her quarters, talking in hushed tones about something important.

The two guards in front of Fleur turned to see what was going on, and she seized the opportunity to move.

“Luna!” She cried out, roughly shouldering past the guards.

“Hey!”

“Stop!” Both guards immediately barred her way with the shafts of their spears, holding her in an iron grip. She struggled against it, calling out to her love once more.

“LUNA!”

”RELEASE HER.” The Royal Canterlot Voice boomed through the hall, causing all of them to scoot across the lush carpet a few inches. Fleur watched with a bit of reverence as Luna approached, her mane and tail whipping behind her. She stopped in front of the trio and stared them down, her horn and eyes glowing ominously.

After a few seconds, Fleur felt the two spears uncross in front of her chest, and she immediately brushed past the guards towards the still-glowing princess. Luna looked as intimidating and powerful as she had ever been, but Fleur could care less.

“You’ve got some fucking nerve.” Fleur growled at Luna, harnessing the anger and indignation that had been stewing inside of her for hours. “Brushing me aside like that.”

“Trust me, Fleur.” Luna’s horn and eyes both stopped glowing, and her mane slowly wafted down around her neck once more. “I wish I could have told you-“

“But you can!” Fleur nearly screamed at her. She stomped forward, stopping less than a foot in front of Luna before glaring up at her. "What could possibly be stopping you, huh?! You command the moon and the stars, so what in the name of Equestria could keep you from telling your friend what's on your damn mind?!"

“Fleur, I-“ Luna glanced around at the guards watching them. “Can we discuss this later? Please?”

“No.” Fleur stomped one of her hooves. “We’re going to discuss this now, Princess.” At that, Luna’s eyes went wide. Fleur hadn’t called her by her title since they had become friends. That, and the stone-like set to Fleur’s face gave even the all-mighty princess pause. Luna looked at Fleur, and Fleur met her gaze confidently. They stared at one another for a few long moments before Luna slowly hung her head.

“Come inside, Fleur.”

“Thank you.” Fleur brushed past Luna with a flick of her tail, shooting a glare at the guards who seemed to be dumbstruck that anypony that wasn’t Celestia would dare to stand up to Luna like that. Luna was close on her tail, and she heard the princess mutter a few words to the guards.

“I’ll be with you in a few moments, Captain.”

“Understood, Princess. Take as much time as you’d like.” The guards saluted and turned, leaving Luna and Fleur alone on the threshold to her quarters. Luna shut her door and turned to Fleur with a serious look.

“Fleur, this is a matter of Equestrian security. I can’t-“

“I’m not some plaything for you, Luna.” Fleur cut her off, lifting a hoof to force Luna’s eyes to meet her own. “I’m not in it for the orgasms, and if the words you spoke to me on the train are even close to the truth, I suspect that you aren't either. I don’t take kindly to being brushed off like that, especially when I had been waiting for you all day.”

Fleur released Luna’s chin, but held her eyes in an iron gaze. “The night before last was incredible, Luna. We don’t have to fuck each other silly each time we're together. In fact, I think it’d get old before long.” Fleur felt a tear leak out of her eye, dripping down her muzzle to the floor.

“I’m not just your sub, Luna…” Fleur lifted a hoof, cupping Luna’s cheek softly. “I’m your lover… Your friend… Your confidant.” The tears came freely then, flowing down her face. “I have trusted you with everything I have - my body, my heart, even my very soul. Can you not trust me with even your thoughts?”

“Fleur…” Luna’s eyes had shifted from the hard cast of a Princess into something else. As Fleur watched, Luna shed a few tears of her own, her lip trembling. “I… I don’t know what to say, you… I…” Luna shuddered as she broke down, pulling Fleur into a passionate hug. “I’ve made a terrible mistake.”

“It’s okay, Luna.” Fleur stroked Luna’s mane, burying her face into the mysterious, ephemeral strands. “I forgive you. Shh, shh, it’s okay…”

“I’m so sorry, Fleur.” Luna whimpered. They stayed like that for a while before Luna composed herself. When she pulled away, her eyes were red but she looked okay otherwise. “I… There’s a lot to discuss… About us, and about our future. Would you allow me to go have a meeting with the guard, to discuss this matter about the Crystal Kingdom, and we can talk later tonight?”

“I don’t like it,” Fleur frowned at Luna, but nodded nevertheless. “But okay. Go and have your meeting, Luna. I’ll be waiting for you here. And I expect an explanation when you return.”

“Understood.” Luna nodded, pulling away slowly. “I promise you, I’ll answer any questions you have, and tell you why I did what I did last night.”

“Good.” Fleur nodded, pointing to the door. “Now go. Save Equestria. I love you, Luna. I really do.”

“And I love you, Fleur.” Luna stepped forth for a gentle kiss. Fleur indulged her, but pulled away after a brief moment. Luna smiled in a way that said ‘I get it’ and turned to leave. Fleur watched her go, waiting until the door was closed. As soon as she heard the latch click, she collapsed.

“Fuck me,” She muttered, quivering on the floor. “I just stood up to a Princess and survived…”

When she regained control of her muscles, Fleur curled up on the couch and stared into the crackling flames of the fireplace. The collar sat on the cushion next to her, and she idly stroked it with a hoof.

“Fleur,” Luna smiled when she entered her room. “I’m glad you stayed.”

“Welcome back.” Despite her indignation, Fleur smiled at Luna. “I trust everything went well?”

“Surprisingly enough,” Luna sighed. “Everything turned out for the better. It seems Celestia’s student is a lot more resourceful than I’d given her credit for.”

“Twilight Sparkle?” Fleur arched her eyebrow. “What does she have to do with this?”

“I’ll explain it later. For now, though…” Luna’s eyes took on that familiar half-lidded cast. She strutted across the carpet, her horn glowing as she grasped the collar. “It’s been a long week, my little pet… Put this on.”

“What? No.” Fleur blinked at Luna, and the collar hovering open in front of her neck. “I have a serious issue here, Luna. You promised that we’d talk about this when you returned.”

“Oh I know, and we will talk.” Luna licked her lips as she continued to advance, pressing her hooves on either side of Fleur. She loomed up in Fleur’s vision, and the collar began to wind its way around her throat. “But first, I need to blow off some steam.”

“Luna,” Fleur swallowed, feeling the leather press into her throat. Despite her anger, Fleur felt the fires of arousal leap to life. She knew this mood that Luna was in; she was intimately familiar with it. And, given the past week of inactivity, she could certainly go for a spot of sex… In her mind's eye, she could almost see the argument inside of her head; her basic urges and her sense of logic wooing her like a pair of carnival barkers.

’But if I let her do this now, I know I’m going to forget why I’m angry.

… But it’ll be so good. Just a quickie.

Not with Luna. It’s never a quickie. Hasn’t been for months.

Come on, just let loose for a little while. You’ll remember what it is afterwards…’

“Luna,” Fleur complained weakly, feeling her cheeks heat up. “No. Please.”

“You’ve told me no plenty of times before.” Luna pressed her lips to Fleur’s horn, robbing her legs of all their strength. “I’ve made you scream it… Besides, your mistress really wants, no, needs this..."

“Luna,” Fleur panted. “Please, not now…”

“Not now?” Luna flicked her tongue across the tip of Fleur’s horn, sending a shock through her system. Fleur gasped, shuddering on the couch. "Are you sure you can wait that long, because I know that I can't."

'Damn, what is with her? It's like she's possessed; like if I don't let her take me now, she'll go crazy.'

“Come on,” Luna’s horn lit up as she grasped Fleur, picking her up off the couch. She turned towards the lift and the basement.

"Luna... I said not now!" Fleur began squirming in Luna's magical grasp, a sense of worry and even fear beginning to well up inside of her. "Luna, put me down!"

"No, my pet. You may get to push your luck and argue with your Princess, but you do not get to argue with your mistress." Luna growled, licking her lips.

Fleur began flailing in the air, lashing out at Luna to try and break her grasp. "I... Said... No! Stop this, Luna!"

Luna swung Fleur around in the air until she hovered in front of her. Fleur stared directly into her lover's eyes, and for a split-second, she saw the mask of Luna the mistress slip. That, more than anything, cowed her into silence. "Fleur, do not fight me, please. If you truly love me, then I command... No, I beg of you - do not deny me this one last time."

'One last time? What in Tarturus is she talk–' Fleur's heart froze mid-beat as the pieces all clicked together at once.

'Dismissing me randomly, patronizing me at every turn, ignoring my questions entirely...'

The final piece fell into place, and her frozen heart shattered like crystal underneath a hammer.

'...And now one last fuck before the end. Just like Fancy Pants.'

Fleur's mind was melting faster by the second, her body was unsure whether to scream in agony, fright, rage, or some twisted combination of all three. It was then that the primal side of her brain cut through the malaise and spurred her to act.

It was the only defense she had left. and one she thought she'd never have to use. Yet in that moment, it was all that stood between her and oblivion.

"Moonstone."

The two of them froze. Luna held her above the floor, her eyes wide and her body rigid. Fleur looked at her, her own eyes wide in disbelief.

“Wh– What did you just say?” Luna asked, her voice quaking with shock and fear.

“Moonstone.” Fleur said it again, with more conviction. Luna again looked into her violet eyes, her expression still stuck between disbelief and pure fear. Fleur stared back, her expression set in stone. “Moonstone, Luna. Put me down, and take the collar off.”

“You… You don’t want this?”

“Not right now.” Fleur writhed mid-air, and Luna set her down. When Fleur was back on her hooves, she stripped the collar off. “Not until you answer my questions, okay?” She buckled the collar, hovering it in front of Luna. “Take this, and we’re going to talk.”

“Fleur…” Luna looked at her pleadingly. “I… Please, I’ve had a terrible week. I want to tell you why, and I will, but please… Can we just-“

“NO!” Fleur swiped her hoof across the space before Luna’s face, batting the collar aside. The steel ring clacked against the floor as it flew across the den, landing at the foot of a book shelf. “I already told you, Luna. Moonstone. We’re not doing anything until you answer me.”

“… Okay, Fleur.” Luna sighed, lowering herself to her haunches. “Let’s talk.”

“Listen to me, Luna.” Fleur stared Luna in her eyes. “I’m not just your sub, as I told you earlier today. I’m not some chew toy for you to have your fun with and then leave in the dark. You can talk to me, Luna. "Vent! Open up!" Fleur gestured towards Luna as she continued. "You've shared your body with me so many times. Is it too much to ask that you share your thoughts as well?! Tell me how your day went; tell me what problems you’re facing. I can't raise the moon, but who knows, I might just be able to help you.” Fleur laid a hoof on her breast, the tears welling up once more.

“Fancy Pants ignored me. He blew me off and went to go sleep with other mares. I know you’re not cheating on me, but heavens help me, Luna, don’t ignore me. Please.” She sobbed as two tears traced down her cheeks. “Talk to me.”

“Fleur…” Luna looked down at her, eyes wide in disbelief. “I… I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes, rubbing the bridge of her muzzle. “It’s been such a hectic damn week, and I… I’ve been so stressed. I thought that-“

“WHY?!” Fleur shouted at her. “Why has your week been so bad?! What’s going on with you, Luna? Ever since the expo, you’ve been so… So… COLD!”

Luna looked at her, and Fleur looked at Luna. They stared into one another’s teary eyes for a few long moments before Luna slowly drew a breath.

“My sister wants me to leave you.”

If the first hammer blow shattered her heart, the second blow turned the pieces into nothing more than dust. She stood in place in a near catatonic state, oblivious to the stream of tears that flowed freely down her face.

“She knows that the closer either of us grow to anypony, the more it’s going to hurt us when… Well, when they die. And that hurt, along with the rage, sorrow, and guilt that comes with it, is sometimes too much for either of us to bear, even with the help of the other. And as we both know,” Luna glanced out of the nearby window at the moon hanging low in the sky. "I have not been successful at controlling such emotions in the past."

Fleur shook on the carpet, tears streaming down her face to fall to the floor, leaving dark marks. She grit her teeth hard enough to hurt, and each breath ached in her chest. She controlled herself long enough to choke a few words.

"I see... I– I'll leave you be then..." Somehow, someway, Fleur's body obeyed her weak commands to move, and she began shuffling towards the bedroom door. Each step felt like a mile, and she fought to at least keep her muzzle from dragging on the floor.

She was but a few steps away from the door, and the end of her reason to go on, when she heard Luna's voice in her ear.

"But she's wrong."

Fleur tried to turn, but was immediately swept up into Luna's wings. the Princess hung onto Fleur like a raft in the ocean as she sobbed into her shoulder. “You just showed me how wrong Celestia is… The way you stood up to the guard, and even more, advancing on me when I was like that… The fact that you can resist me, and even yourself, when we both really need it I…” Luna pulled away, looking down at Fleur with teary eyes.

“I was a fool for ever listening to her. I love you, Fleur. And nothing, not even death, is going to take that from us.”

“But she’s right.” Fleur whimpered. “I… I can’t live forever… What are you going to do when I… When I die?” She looked out of the window to the moon, remembering the tales of the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon. The Luna she knew and loved turned into a twisted beast bent on the subjugation of all. “Won’t you…”

“No.” Luna grit her jaw. “I’m never going to allow myself to travel that road again. With Tartarus and the heavens as my witness,” Luna pulled away from the hug, laying a hoof on her breast. “I will never become Nightmare Moon again. Out of my love for you and my sister, I will never do that to myself or to Equestria.” She smiled at Fleur then, a tear-stained, confident smile borne of nothing but the most deepest, passionate loves a pony could feel.

“I love you, Fleur. I’d just as soon die myself than go without spending the rest of your life by your side.” Luna stood then, walking smoothly to Fleur. She gently took Fleur’s hoof, holding it in both of hers.

“I swear this to you, Fleur. By everything I hold sacred and true, I will never violate your memory like that.” Luna captured Fleur’s eyes, holding her gaze firmly.

“Fleur De Lis… Will you marry me?”

Afterword

And thus, our story comes to a close. It's been a helluva ride, and I can say with honesty this is my proudest accomplishment to date. Yet Moonstone would not be what it is without the help and talent of one very skilled and dear individual:

Grand Moff Pony.

Allow me to give you some insight to our editing and publishing process. When I finish the rough draft of a chapter, I then upload that text into Google Documents and share the link with GMP. He'll give it an initial read, and then move into fixing grammatical errors and suggesting fixes. While the first couple of chapters started out a touch roughly, we hit our stride before long. But the suggested fixes GMP was making were not just mechanically sound, they were beginning to help shape the dynamic nature of the story.

Before long, the final editing process of our stories would involve me copy/pasting every suggested change GMP made without so much as a second glance; so sound and wonderful were the fixes. Save a few small grammatical and formatting errors over the course of the story (to say nothing of the inexplicable anatomical additions) we've managed to sculpt something truly, wonderfully amazing. But I cannot finish this story without saying this:

Moonstone would not be what it is today were it not for Grand Moff Pony's brilliance.

So to my editor, pre-reader, and beloved friend, I say thank you. Your help and support mean more to me than I could ever hope to express.

To Shinez, I give my humblest thanks. Were it not for your excellent story - and the multitude of other BDSM media that I drew inspiration from - the story never would have been. So for inspiring me and giving us all an excellent story with wonderful characters, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To our readers, I also say thank you. For your wonderful feedback, helpful support, and continued patronage. To long-standing fans and new readers alike, I offer my humble thanks for standing by our side. Through this and any future endeavors I may undertake, with GMP by my side or not, I know I can always count on you.

So I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say:

Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.