Shining Armor smiles weakly as he sees me, not rousing from his bed. “You came,” he says softly.

My husband is lying in a hospital bed. The sheet covering him looks like a tent, resting on some sort of frame to avoid disturbing the wounds beneath.

I run to his side. “Of course I came,” I say, nuzzling him. “I'm going to stay right here until you're ready to go home.”

Shining Armor winces, and the look of pain breaks my heart. “Doctor, anesthetic for my husband, immediately!”

“Your highness, the prince has already been sedated as much as possible, but he insisted he remain awake for you,” the doctor says, his voice low and somber.

“I don't have much time,” Shining Armor says, his breath heavy and pained. “I wanted to see you... one last time...”

“Don't be silly,” I whisper, stroking his brow. “You're going to be just fine, the doctors are going to patch you up and you'll be home with me in no time.” I turn to the doctor and dare him with my glare to say or do anything different. He shifts nervously, but shakes his head.

“Your highness... I'm sorry. His wounds are too grave. There is nothing we can do for him.”

“They drove it off,” my husband says, “after it got me. It won't be back. Cadance, I need to tell you... I love you so much. Always remember that. No matter what happens... I'll always love you.”

“You can't die,” I tell him. “We have so much to do. I have a plan. We're going to see the world.”

“Plans change,” he says weakly, his hoof cradling mine. I think the simple touch gives him some comfort.

“You can't die!” I scream, the first tears forming in my eyes. “I won't let you! You're going to stay with me! You're going to grow old... I love you...!”

“I love you,” he says back, and then he is no longer looking at me.

I sit in shock, my mind empty of all conscious thoughts. Shaking, I stroke his face. I rub away a spot of dirt from his cheek, I gently ease his mane into order, and close his eyes for the last time.

I plant a kiss on his muzzle, feeling his warmth. He does not respond.

Slowly, I turn and step towards the door. The doctor stands back, bows his head as I walk past. I leave the hospital and I flap my wings and I rise.

I fly up to the highest point of the city, the spire of the crystal palace, and I continue rising. I fly up until I am at the level of the highest mountain peak of the frozen north, and I continue rising. I fly until the daytime sky falls below me, until there is nothing above but the sun and the moon and the cold and distant stars, until the air is too thin to support my flight, and I scream.

And I scream.

And I scream.

And I scream.

Author's Note

Next time: Descent.