Bright Eye continued to help me through the hardest part, but it was not long before I wept again, tears of joy at his wedding to a lovely mare, one worthy of my wonderful stallion. Less than a year after the wedding I had my first grandfoal, and delighted in watching the promise of new life unfold. And so time passed

I have taken other lovers at different times, across the ages. Even other life-mates. But I never strayed far from where my heart had been buried, in that royal garden where Warding Glow and I had first met.

There I planted a tree, and I let that tree grow for a full century before I first tasted its fruit. But I could not keep it secret from everypony.

“Do you think she'll say yes?” My love asked me. We were standing on the balcony of my private chambers in the royal palace, our hooves linked as we watched the sunrise.

“I think so,” I said, and looked at Shining Spring.

My love was a pale yellow unicorn mare with a long purple mane. It waved softly, and danced slowly in the morning breeze. I wanted to wrap myself in it and sleep in it like a bed, but I restrained myself and merely held her hoof closer instead.

“I hope she does,” Shining Spring said. “I want my wedding day to bring joy to everypony. Dad always said that I would.”

I nodded, a twinge in my heart. “He would be so proud if he could see you now.”

She leaned in and nuzzled me and I sighed softly at her warm touch. I turned my head and our lips met in a soft kiss.

“You're worried,” she said. She could always tell. “You know what to do if you get nervous?”

I nodded, and repeated the trick she had taught me. “Breathe deep, hold my hoof to my heart, and wave my worries away.”

She nodded, smiling, and in the glow of her smile I needed no tricks to calm my nerves.

“It's time,” I said, and pulled myself away from my lover's touch. “I'll be right back once I'm done.”

“I'll be here,” she said.

Minutes later I was knocking on Aunt Celestia's chamber door.

“It's me, Cadance,” I said to the door, knowing she could hear me from within. “I need to speak to you, Auntie.”

It swung open on its own and I stepped into my aunt's living quarters.

For all that Canterlot Castle was a marvel of architecture and filled with beautiful art, Celestia's chambers were sparse and humble, modestly furnished only for her needs and a few indulgences which had more sentimental value for her than artistic value. She sat behind her desk with a pot of tea to the side as she read the morning paper, but put it aside as I entered. “Good morning, Cadance, have a seat. What can I help you with? You know my door is always open for you.”

I nodded and smiled. She gestured with a glance that I could make myself at home on one of the large sitting cushions nearby but I stayed on my hooves. “I have big news,” I said with a smile. “I mean to marry, and I want your blessing.”

She gasped, and before I knew it she had swept me up in a joyous embrace. “That's marvelous news!” she cried. “I had almost given up hope that you would ever enter a romance again! So who is the lucky stallion? Or is it a mare?”

“It is a mare,” I said. “She's the most wonderful pony I know. She's still young, but she has a thirst for life and a loving heart.” I felt the warmth rise in me when I thought of her, and I'm sure my pink cheeks grew red as I talked. Celestia gave me the smile very few ponies ever see, the almost taunting playful smirk of sharing in fillyhood gossip. “She's full of joy and laughter and it makes me happy just to be near her. I've been spending every moment I can spare of my days and nights with her for the past few months, and... we want to be together for life, Auntie!”

“She sounds wonderful,” Celestia said. “I can't wait to meet her. But – this is just a formality, I have to ask – is there anything about this match that would cause political problems? If there is we will resolve it and you will be together, just be honest.”

“There shouldn't be,” I could say quite honestly because I knew she hadn't asked the right question. “But we wanted to ask for your personal blessing.”

“Oh? Well, who is it?”

“Shining Spring.”

Celestia thought for a second.“Shining Spring? I'm not sure I've met her.” She chuckled. “Not unless you're talking about...”

She fell silent, and the mirth dropped from her face. “Oh, Cadance...”

“Auntie...”

“Your own grand-daughter?”

“It has been a century, Auntie,” I said. “Nopony remembers or cares that I was once married to a captain of the guard, or that her great-great-grandfather was one. I've never been a princess for the spotlight, and I still won't be. This needn't be important.”

“I cannot believe I am hearing this,” Celestia said, pushing away from me. “You are right, my niece, this is not about the politics, this is about your health. Cadance, this is the greatest taboo of equine society you're flaunting! I cannot believe that you've suddenly—” She cut off, gasped, and raised a hoof to her mouth. “This did not come suddenly,” she whispered. “Cadance, my niece, what have you done? How long have you been planning this?”

“Since Warding Glow died,” I admitted. “Celestia, I know the ways of love and fate. Not one in a thousand ponies gets a chance at true love without my intervention. I had my chance, and I took it. Should I alone render myself loveless for eternity, when the seed is there to be planted?”

“No, Cadance, this is... This is sick.” Celestia whispered, and I grew angry.

“There is no pollution in my blood, or hers,” I answered sharply. “We won't have children, auntie. We're both mares. Nor will I have any in the future. I am going to protect the bloodline, not corrupt it.”

“The sickness is not in the blood, my niece,” Celestia answered, shaking her head. “It is in your mind. Cadance, this is not healthy. You cannot remove yourself from time and fate and cling to a long-gone phantom!”

“I am immortal, Auntie,” I hissed back. “As are you. We already are removed from time. Everything I loved in Warding Glow is carried to his children, I love Shining Spring as I loved him. I don't intend to spend eternity remembering true love, not so long as I can have it in life. I won't let you pull us apart, Auntie.” My voice was the low growl of an animal protecting her young. “If you want to rip your kingdom apart over this then go right ahead.”

Our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. I thought I won when Celestia shrank back and averted her sight. “You are the Princess of Love, my niece. It's not my place to meddle in your domain, and I can't forbid you from doing this. But though I love you dearly, I cannot bless this union.”

I lowered my head. “My bride will be very sad to hear that. She reveres you, auntie.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “For that I am sorry.”

I bit my tongue and took a deep breath to calm myself. “The wedding will be this summer,” I said. “I hope we'll see you there. It would mean a lot to Shining Spring.”

I turned to leave. As I closed the door to her chambers behind me I heard her parting words: “I only want you to be happy.”

Our wedding was as enormous as befits a princess, and all of Equestria took part in the celebrations. My bride was every bit as radiant as I'd dreamed, and our wedding kiss filled the world will love.

Celestia was there, though she did not herself perform the ceremony as she sometimes did for those closest to her. Even that was enough to spur some rumors, though nowhere near as much as if she'd shunned the wedding entirely. She toasted us and wished us well, and if there was any hint of doubt or worry hidden behind her smile then nopony but me could glimpse it.

Author's Note

Next time: Until the Sun no longer burns.