I returned to that secluded little pit in Tartarus, eventually. I had to, after all, or I’d never get the answers I was looking for. It had been Celestia that had offered me this opportunity, and, despite the closeness of our relationship, I very much doubted that she would weave the full truth of the story for me like the demon would… If I could even work up the courage to ask her myself.

Still, as I stepped onto the lonely island that held the a single occupant, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear that ate at the back of my mind. The vision, like she had said, always seemed to linger in the back of my mind, surfacing whenever I wasn’t actively trying to ignore it. My friends were worried for me, and I hated having to lie to them and tell them that I was fine, but I couldn’t risk letting them know for fear of them telling Celestia. I couldn’t risk losing these visits.

So, when I came upon the demon stretched languidly out across the center of the platform, her predatory grin stretched across her face as if she was the cat that had caught the canary, I swallowed my trepidation and stared her in the eye with all the resolve I could muster.

“I knew you would come back, morsel. The devotion you have towards learning shows no bounds, my little snack, and it seems that not even the terror of what I could do to you if you let me could keep you away.” Her chuckle was deep and throaty, a far cry from her typical chuckle of innocence. “My, though, am I disappointed that my Dear Celestia didn’t come to visit her wrath upon me while you were away. I was quite certain that she’d never let that little slip-up slide… unless…” Her smile widened inexplicably and, for a moment, I feared she was twisting into something even more sinister than the evil beauty that she held herself as. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Her barking laughter rattled me despite the multitudinous times I had experienced it and I couldn’t help the shudder that ran through me. “You truly wish to know about our little… falling out, don’t you? To think that you wouldn’t immediately run off to our darling little Celestia like a scared puppy. You’re much more like her than I gave you credit, morsel... “ She licked her lips, her hands cupping her breasts. “If you could make me yours as easily as she could, then maybe I could even fall for you instead. Goodness knows how much more I’m going to be dreaming about taking your soul now.”

I sighed, and fell to my haunches, too tired to even flinch when she crawled over to me and draped herself across my body. “Could we please pick up where we left off?”

“Tch… You’re so much less fun than before. What’s the matter? Was it too much for you after all?” She traced a finger across my jaw and I shuddered as my tail swished. “If you want… I can tone it down for you. All you have to do is give in.”

“Please stop and just continue. I’m not in the mood for your teasing today.” I looked into her eyes, mere inches from the side of my face, and grimaced at the flash of indignation that flared in them. “Look, I’m tired. I’ve been having nightmares about what happened. I can still feel it sometimes and… I just don’t have the energy today, but I’d really like to continue.”

“Well, I don’t think I’m in the mood for any storytelling today!” She growled and slithered off me, uncoiling the tail that I hadn’t even realized was wrapped around my leg until it was gone. “Maybe you should just crawl back to your quaint little town and pretend to be a princess like the one you so admire instead of wasting my time like this! Besides, it’s not like I get anything in return for this outside of the little trickle of power that my restraints will allow me.”

The sneer she gave me could have curdled milk, and I felt my skin crawl, but, after the memory, after the nightmares, there was, hopefully, little she could do save for another trip into the past that would phase me anymore. Still, she did have a point. “Then how about I make a promise to you? I could tell you all about my time with Celestia in exchange for your stories about your past.” A thought occurred to me as she turned her head in my direction, and I couldn’t stop the smile that crept its way across my muzzle. “Plus, you can’t deny that you missed me. Why, I remember just how much you were fawning over me last time I was here!”

Her chuckle was dark, but it was a step in the right direction, as she turned fully back towards me and tapped a sharp nail against her chin. Hmm, yes… An intriguing offer, indeed, and one I certainly couldn’t deny interest in.” She grinned and crawled over to me, sidling up against my barrel. “Very well, I shall accept your offer. A story for a story seems fair enough, and I’m certain you’re well aware of how desperate I am to be with my dearest Celestia again.” She laughed, the deep sound making my ear twitch, and cupped my jaw. “So, how about we seal our pact with a kiss, just like how Celestia and I sealed ours?”

My face ignited as her lips drew closer to my face, and lit my horn to knock her off me, but her sharp laugh and patting of my twitching haunches drew out a growl instead of my spell. “For somebody that so vehemently denies being a demon of lust, you sure act like how I’d imagine one!”

“Oh, dearest morsel, I only do this because it flusters you, just like how it rattled her. You princesses are so easy to rile up, it’s almost as much fun as peeling somebody’s skin from their body.” She grinned, slipping away, and stretched across the floor. “So, where were we? Ah, yes…”

“Did you like it, morsel? How did it feel to be completely at my mercy, a slave to my whim, to know that I could end you so easily if that was what I chose?” My hand traced lines on her chest as I slid my tongue across her lips, wetting them where they had gone dry from the assault on her mind.

“What did you do?”

“Oh, that?” I snickered, my fingers teasing across my body as it tingled from the outpour of magic from the bedraggled princess. “I suppose you could call it magic, but it’s more of a… suggestion. It felt so real, didn’t it? It hurt, made you burn in agony, and flared up that delicious little pearl you’re flashing there.” I licked my lips as she glared at me and made a poor effort to cover her flagging arousal. It was fading, but there was no doubt that it had been there. “There’s no need to hide from me, morsel, I know just much you wanted… most of that.”

Celestia very obviously didn’t appreciate the humor I found in her predicament, if the flaring of her nostrils and rage swimming in her eyes was any clue to go by, but, as she spoke, her voice was calm and practiced if you ignored that shakiness of each breath she took. “I do not know how you forced that vision upon me, demon, but it will not happen again. I underestimated you once, and that shall be the last occurrence.” Her eyes hardened further as I snickered and made to climb off the bed, soiled with her sweat and desire, before I pounced and pinned her again, this time beginning to feel the fires of her magic starting to eat at my flesh once more. “Remove yourself. We are finished here, since you’ve obviously gotten what you wanted.”

“Tut tut, Celestia, that’s so cold of you, to shun your fiance’s advances like that.” I grinned even as the skin on my fingers began to blacken the further down her stomach they glided. “Don’t tell me that you don’t want this, even after all the build up from just now.” My fingers dipped into her folds, sliding in easier and easier with each time I rubbed my palm against her flashing sex. “Besides…” I pressed my nose to her muzzle, delighting in the fire that lit her cheeks. “You belong to me when we’re alone, and we’re not done until I say we are.”

“I’d very much appreciate it if you didn’t pleasure yourself in front of me.” I pointedly looked everywhere but where the demon was, very determinedly ignoring her as she dipped into herself while recounting the memory. It was decidedly less embarrassing than it had been the many other times she’d worked herself up around me, having personally experienced a portion of her current story by her hands, but it still made me uncomfortable, especially when paired with thoughts of her doing these same things to Celestia.

“Just like her.” I could practically hear the smirk on her face even as the sounds of her masturbation continued, before she eventually gave up and just crawled up next to me, reeking of arousal. “I did tell you that it was hard not to, right? Besides, you can’t truthfully tell me that you aren’t excited by my smell. Even stoic, old Celestia couldn’t ignore my… potency.” She chuckled as I stiffened, but, other than a few light touches against my withers, kept her hands to herself. “Not for long, at least. So delicious, you shy little morsel. I do so wish to see the look on her face when she finds out you’ve fallen for my irresistible wiles. It’s only a matter of time, after all.

“Still, the story must go on, and, just for you, I’ll skip the rest of that night.” She cupped my chin and I had to hold my breath just so I wouldn’t breathe in too much of her. “If you ever want to know how our first night together went, though… All you have to do is ask.”

Although I was well aware, now, of her status of controller of the heavens, I was more than marginally surprised when Celestia was the first one to stir after the night’s vigorous activities, and couldn’t even stifle my groan as her movements roused me from my own slumber. Could you truly blame me for being well and truly tired, though, after having my desires well and truly sated throughout the majority of the previous night? Sure, I may have gorged myself on the sweet little bouts of torture I had made her endure, and there were oh, so many opportunities to make her suffer while we copulated, but there is a vast difference between feeding your need to live and replenishing your used stamina through rest… And there was most definitely very little rest that had been had.

I snickered even as a yawn began to split my dry lips, and admired the way my sun princess embraced the morning with surprising ease. “Admirable, my sweet morsel.” She stiffened for just a moment, just now realizing I had awoken with her, but quickly returned to the little workout that was quite obviously part of her morning routine. “I wouldn’t have thought that you’d have any energy left after last night, but I’m pleasantly surprised that that’s not the case.” I slinked off the bed and crawled towards her, one of my hands trailing across her rump.

“While I will admit that last night was… tiring, to say the least, I’m the princess of my people and must always be prepared to greet the day. I cannot risk worrying my beloved subjects, especially with news of our union being made open without so much as a warning.” She shook me off, her tail raised, and strode to what looked like a palatial bath through an open door on the left side of the room. “Now, I must prepare to raise the sun and need a bath. Do as you will until I am finished.”

“Oh, dear Celestia, still you spurn your lover. How cruel of you to deny your future spouse the chance to bathe with you, and so rudely at that.” I stuck out my lip into a pout, knowing that, even if she couldn’t see me with her back turned as she filled the tub with hot water and scented oils, she would most certainly know I was doing it. “Why, I’d much rather join you.” I stood and strode up next to her, ducking through the door that was much too small for me, and lifted her in my arms like a newborn imp. “After all, we may as well become accustomed to each other if we’re ever going to live together. Why, who knows?” My grin as her baleful frown marred her beautiful face widened enough to show the pearly razors that were my teeth. “You may even come to enjoy my presence.”

She sighed as I slipped into the basin, clearly made large enough for a creature bigger than celestia yet was barely enough to fit my intimidating stature, and held her in my lap. She was uncomfortable, I could very clearly taste it, but she didn’t voice her displeasure, even as my hands leisurely began to clean, and explore, her shapely body. “You know, I may have said this before, but, for a horse, you are quite the sight to see.”

“You have, and I thank you for the compliment, but I find it hard to believe your sincerity when you quite explicitly stated that you wanted me for my power.”

I laughed and ran my hand through her mane, marvelling at how the flowing auroral mass still felt like the silky strands of hair you’d expect from normal creature. “Oh, but I’m always sincere, my sweet morsel.” My nails scraped against her scalp, light enough to not break the skin yet still firm enough to make her squirm in discomfort. “I mean everything that I ever say, ever. After all, what sort of daemon would I be if I didn’t keep to my words?”

“I cannot answer that question.” Her magenta eyes turned up to me, trying her best to look unfazed by the slightly rough treatment I was giving her head. “I don’t know enough about your kind to pass any sort of judgement.” She paused, staring into me as if she was trying to read my soul, then returned her gaze upon the opposite end of the bath. “The last being that could have matched your sadism and threatened my ponies was turned to stone for all of eternity.”

I shuddered, relishing in the goosepimples her icy tone sent crawling up my spine. “Oh my, Celestia. Such poorly veiled threats will do nothing more than make me desire you more… And we both know how far into madness that path will take you.”

Celestia sighed and levitated a vial embossed with golden letters that, had I been able to read it, would have likely named off an expensive brand of soap. “Since you are so keen on keeping me confined to your persons, would you be so kind as to lather this into my coat? I’d prefer not to have to fight against you with my magic to get myself cleaned for the day.”

“Kind? Truly?” I scoffed, slapping a palm against her flank that, had it not been for her hair, would have likely left a glowing mark for all to see.

“Please? Amai, I do not want to have to constantly battle against you to have things done or to work towards a mutual understanding. If you want this to work, I cannot be seen constantly demanding things of you.”

I smirked, noting just how tense her body had gotten, and snatched the floating bottle from the golden aura. “If you insist, Celestia. Besides, we both know just how much you desire my hands on your body.” A thick glob of the scented gel, reminiscent of the flowery meadows from the last country that I had left in ruins, oozed over her sun-emblazoned haunch and, having set the bottle aside, ran my free hand across the soap, working it, and her flank, into a foaming lather. “Your kind surprises me, Celestia. In other countries, even before I had my way with them, structures like this would have been nigh impossible to build. An entire city built on a mountainside, seemingly hanging on by its own sheer determination, with its citizens going about their daily lives with nary a worry.” My hand roamed up her barrel, scratching the suds into her coat and digging into the muscles beneath hair and skin. “Not many places can boast such feats, especially not the citizens’ satisfaction, assuming the rest of your wonderful nation is anything like that little seaside town. Why, my previous home, Caldora… Well, let’s just say that they never did play all that nice with their neighbors, and my meddling in their affairs definitely didn’t help with that at all.” Her chest tightened as my nails dragged across her neck, but whether it was from anticipation of something she’d expected me to do, or in response to what I had said I was uncertain. All that mattered was that she was bothered.

“That’s unfortunate. It pains me to know that there are countries that haven’t come as far as we have.” A soft sigh, almost passable for just an exaggerated breath, slipped from her breast. “We have our fair share of troubles in Equestria, some more worrying than others…” She cracked an eye open as I rolled her onto her back, my soap-slathered hand running across her chest. “but I won’t lie and say that we have all that much to worry over. We have the Everfree Forest, but the creatures there tend to keep to themselves, and not all of our bordering allies are on the best of terms, but we are a content people. Every being that comes to Equestria knows that I will stop at nothing to keep my ponies safe.”

“Mmm… Yes, and our little arrangement certainly proves that.” I snickered and she frowned, but only slightly as if to admonish me for making light of her efforts. Still, as I worked the colorfully scented soap into her stomach, the look passed and slipped back into comfort. “Tell me, Celestia. What was it that persuaded you to take my little offer?” I smirked and pulled away to run my hands across my body, making sure to emphasize my plump breasts and shapely thighs. “Was it my beauty? My assets?” She watched every motion I made, mostly indifferently, but behind that mask I could almost feel her desire spike, and if I were a demon of Lust I don’t doubt I’d have been drowning in euphoria. I had certainly worked wonders on her body before my little power play. “No, however much you may find me physically appealing now, it wasn’t that.

“No, it wasn’t that. I’ve heard stories, Celestia, whispers of goings-on about the world and the monsters that have come and vanished. Why, I don’t doubt that the Holder of the Sun has faced her fair share of evil and dealt with them accordingly.” I sat next to her once more and carefully guided her back into the water, allowing the grime-trapping suds to float away towards the little drain that constantly heated and filtered the water, until she was stiffly laying in my lap. She was no longer comfortable and the muscles under her skin tensed each time I moved my hands over her stomach and along her inner thighs. For a moment, I thought her mask would slip as the heavy silence lingered on and she would say something that would clue me into her inner machinations, but as the seconds turned to minutes it was I that broke the lapse. “You’re so delightful when you squirm, little morsel. I merely tease. I have an inkling idea of why and that will suffice for now. You simply did not wish to resort to such heavy-handed actions, and, while I certainly envy those poor souls that fell beneath your might, I appreciate your bountiful generosity.”

Her tightened jaw fell slack as her passive stare turned into a genuine smile. “You are very welcome, Amai. I must applaud you for your insight, even if I disapprove of that little quip you slipped in there towards the end.” She sank into my grasp, once more relaxing in my arms, and loosed a heavy sigh. “I do not enjoy throwing my weight around, and most others do not find much appeal in being on the receiving end, which makes you even more of an oddity in these lands beyond just your foreign looks.”

“That’s such a roundabout way of saying I’m beautiful.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I admit that you are appealing in a way. Like the fae creatures that my ponies like to dream up in their little stories.” Her eyes opened, the magenta orbs turned up towards me, and she grinned. “This has been surprisingly pleasant. After last night, I expected more of the same, but it’s good to know that you have a side like this to you. I know that our situation will bring with it more events like yesterday, and while that does leave me uncertain for the future, perhaps these little moments will be enough to make your presence tolerable.”

I scoffed, hand raised to my breast, then turned my nose up. “Such a sharp barb to throw my way, Celestia! And here I was thinking that you’d show your beloved fiance a modicum of respect! Tolerate, she says…”

Once more, she laughed that full-throated, hearty bellow that I quickly grew to love, and smiled at me as I took a surreptitious glance down to watch her mirth. “We shall see, Amai, but for now tolerance is the most I can promise. After all, I still don’t have a great read on your… character.”

“I suppose that’s the best a demon can hope for.” I grinned down at her then slid down to fit as much of my body into the pool of water as I could. “Now, I don’t suppose you’d be willing to return the favor… Unless you’d prefer my presence with you today to be pronounced by your most pungent aroma?”

“I’m surprised you two were able to get along so amiably after… what happened.”

The demon beamed and scratched at a horn with a nail, scraping a flake of what I assumed was molting from it’s length . “Why, you clearly underestimate our dear Celestia and her boundless generosity… But…” She sighed, her smile slipping just a touch. “I speak fondly, but aside from those couple bouts of mirth, it was quite tense. At the time, I found it to be quite entertaining, but now…?” She shrugged. “Now it doesn't matter.”

I watched her while she sat in silence, seemingly ruminating on her words, and felt a flash of pity for this debatably vile being before her grin broke out again as if it had never been anywhere else but on her lips. “So, where were we? Ah, yes, I know exactly where to continue.”

Our little experience in the bath, while interesting in many ways and somewhat relaxing in others, only truly served to rile up my blood and set me on edge. Maybe it was the way I was aching to make her writhe and squirm that was making my loins burn, or perhaps it was the strained, pleading smile she had turned my way when we finally arrived at the ornate, sun embossed doors that led to her throne room. I grinned, my lips spreading across my pale, glamoured face. “Is something the matter, darling?”

Her eyes flicked to the doors, then immediately settled back on me, her apprehension shining clearly in the lilac orbs. “I know we have our agreement, but I cannot help my wariness. We may have only had a night's worth of time to become acquainted with each other, but I know enough about your nature to suspect… rule bending.” It was child's play to pick up on just how much she didn't want this day to continue, and that made me want it even more. “Please, be on your best behaviour while I'm addressing my subjects and performing my duties.”

My grin on response was nothing short of predatory. “Oh, my beloved fiance… How you wound me with such accusatory words. Why, I have half a mind to just stride through these doors…” Her eyes widened as I placed my hands on the golden portal and leaned into it. “...And tell everybody inside just how much…” I gave a mighty heave, the surprisingly light doors flying open with nary a sound save for the thunderous crash of splintering wood and cracking marble as they collided with wall, and cringed as every pony gathered in the room beyond spun around to stare at me and the gaping alicorn. “I adore you? Hah… To be fair, I was expecting those to weigh much more than they quite obviously do.”

Celestia was speechless for only a moment, and even though her stunned silence was delicious, I'll admit that I was somewhat remorseful for the display. “That's quite all right, dearest. I should have given you warning knowing your… strength…” The way she said it through clenched teeth, with her face as impassive as every despite the slight twitch in her eye, implied that perhaps strength wasn't the word she had wanted to say, but I didn't press the subject. “That said, Amai, I ask that you exercise more caution in the future. I don't wish for my little ponies to form the wrong assumptions about my fiance.”

As soon as the word escaped her lips, the whispers began to circulate around the room, and I think that's when our situation truly settled into place for her. Regret flashed across her face before she could mask it with a warm smile, and though nobody else may have seen it, I did. It, like many other things hidden behind her little facade, would be mine alone to see and experience.

“Thank you, everypony, for coming today. I apologize for the surprise, and hope that you can forgive Amai for the outburst.” There was a round of murmuring as she strode into the room, smiling and nodding as I fell in line beside her, only for everything to fall silent as she took her seat upon the throne at the head of the grand hall. “Now, I know you all have questions about my fiance and myself, but I ask that you please remember that this is an opportunity to bring forth grievances and requests to the crown directly and to please save all questions and concerns surrounding our relationship until we publicly announce it later in the evening.”

Her smile was radiant, and though she was hiding her own nerves, the warmth of her words seemed to wash over the congregation and calm the restlessness of the creatures she loved more than anything. And it churned my stomach. It took every ounce of my strength to keep a sneer off my face, and I couldn't quite figure out why, but what little time I may have had to figure it out was quickly swallowed up by the first petitioner.

The pony, a pegasus in a simple coat that looked far too large on his slight frame, adjusted his glasses with a wing as he came out of his bow. “Your Highness, my name is Silver Standard and I've come on behalf of the investigative squad you sent out to Hurdle Beach following your visit for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

A smirk slipped across my lips as I glanced at Celestia, and her brows creased just slightly in response. “My, that was rather swift, Mister Standard. I take it things progressed smoothly and without incident?”

The stallion nodded, but not without a slight grimace. “Here it comes, morsel.” The words were barely a whisper, but the tensity that grew in Celestia’s shoulders told me she had heard it perfectly well.

“Yes, Your Majesty, the inquiry progressed without any problems. We did, however, find traces of embezzlement when looking into the late mayor’s accounts.”

“Late mayor? He didn’t-?”

The stallion’s eyes widened, and the vigorous shaking of his head nearly send his glasses soaring. “Oh, goodness no, Princess! He’s perfectly fine, but the people quite vehemently demanded his resignation. I… I apologize for wording that so poorly.” He sighed, straightening his spectacles with a wingtip, then produced a slip of parchment from the pocket of his jacket with his other. “He quite readily confessed to siphoning off tax and grant funds for personal use in the hopes that it would lessen the severity of his punishment, but…”

Celestia’s eye twitched as I leaned against her and traced my fingers along her haunch. “What is it, Mister Standard?”

“You see, Your Majesty, Black Hat had been mayor for quite some time, quite favored by the people until recently, and with it being such a small town despite its surprising amount of naval commerce and grants from the crown, he’s had an ample amount of time to-”

“How many bits are we talking about, Mister Standard?”

The stallion’s ears drooped as he looked at the slip of paper. “S-seven and a half million, your majesty.”

“Horseapples.”

I snorted, and it looked like it took all of Celestia’s considerable willpower not to glare at me and shirk away from my touch. I decided not to comment on her little outburst. “I’m not sure how your commerce and governance works, darling, but I’d say that’s quite the sum for one pony to steal and spend. Where could he have hidden it all?”

“W-wow.”

“Mmm, yes. I dare say you should have seen the look on our dear little princess’ face when the sum was given. It was… breathtaking.”

“What happened to the mayor? I mean, even now seven million bits isn’t something to just scoff at, but back then?”

“He spent many a year in the canterlot dungeon, I’d say. I’m not quite sure, exactly. After the gossip died down around it, the incident just faded away into memory, but you can be assured that sweet little Celestia found his private little abode and… reacquired the people’s misspent wealth. It should be safe to say that the little fishing town grew into something not quite as… quaint as it was before, no?”

“Wow, I knew that Hurdle Beach used to be just a fishing town before it became the huge tourist spot it is now, but I didn’t know this was what caused the sudden change.”

“My, my, my… For such a diligent student such as yourself to be so uninformed of your country’s past. Why, I’d consider that to be a scandal in and of itself.” My face flushed as I looked away. It wasn’t my fault that Equestria was such a large country with such a diverse history. It’d take me hundreds of years to even cover a fraction of our expansive past. I didn’t voice my excuse, however, because I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me stumble over my words. “Still, I won’t hold that one against you, morsel. Until you were told about me, I doubt Celestia would have told you exactly why such a change came about until.”

Her grin was predatory, but I found that I wasn’t quite as bothered by it anymore. Was I finally growing used to her presence, or was I growing complacent? Both, perhaps? I pushed the thought away before shivers could try to creep their way up my spine. “I suppose so, especially since I likely would have asked as a filly, and subjects regarding crimes and punishments tend to be glossed over when dealing with children.”

“Aye, you silly ponies and your sheltering of the young.” She chuckled darkly. “At least you don’t repress your nature as sexual creatures.” She paused, looked at the flush on my face, then gave me the most lascivious grin I’d seen in my life. “Well, most of you…”

“Well! Pony nature aside, what happened next?”

“Miss Inkwell, could you be a dear and clear my schedule for the next hour? I’m afraid this matter is of great importance and cannot be pushed off till another time.”

The mare at her side, a sprightly looking pony of beige coat and greying black mane, nodded and stepped away from the throne to disappear through a side door all while marking notes on an extensive list held before her in a twinkling blue aura. With what I assumed was her aide departed, Celestia turned back to the gathered ponies, a practiced look of remorse on her features. “I must apologize, my little ponies, but an important matter has come up that needs attending to. While I may not be able to personally see to your questions and concerns today, do not hesitate to inquire with my aide, Miss Inkwell, when she returns. I wish you all a wonderful day and hope that, if you feel your matters can be postponed, you will return on the morrow.”

She smiled brightly, this one genuine and bright as if she was trying to lift the spirits of the disappointed, and assuage the frustrations of the upset, then rose from her throne and inclined her head towards me as if I wouldn’t already be right on her tail.

It only took us a few moments to escape the sight, and hearing, of the ponies gathered in the audience hall through the same door Inkwell had disappeared behind, and as soon as the door shut, the alicorn turned on me, her eyes burning. “How did you know?”

I gave a non-committal shrug and glanced about the surprisingly spacious side room. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by the splendor of the little resting area with it’s golden trim, opulent, cushy-looking pillows, and grand mahogany table, but it was easily one of the most extravagant, cosy chamber I’d seen in some time.

“I need an answer, Amai. You told me he was hiding something, and the day after my seneschal has an investigator lined up at the start of my court?” She huffed cutely, her brows furrowed and eyes sharp. “This reeks of manipulation, and if I find out that you’ve somehow meddled in my ponies’ affairs-”

“I told you before, did I not? I’m excellent at reading people whether they be sapien, reptilian… or equine.” I rolled my eyes around the room again, settled myself onto the nearest pillow right next to the furiously scribbling, and conspicuously glancing, Inkwell, then looked back up into Celestia’s lilac glare. “Last night was my first time on this lovely little continent of yours, and my first time coming across that dastardly little stallion, but it didn’t take much to sniff out deceit on the naughty child.” I grinned, tracing a sharp nail up the little unicorn’s back until it drew a little shudder out of her and glanced up at the furious alicorn. “So, love, what do you say? What do you think of our little arrangement?”

Her anger lasted for several long minutes, roiling behind her eyes like a tempest all while the adorable little seneschal tried to hide her unease behind the quivering of quill on paper in a poor attempt at pretending to work, but eventually it all washed away like the falling of the tide as she slumped into a cushion at my side, opposite her aide. “I do not like the precedent that this little discovery seems to set, but I do know that letting opportunities like this to slip away will do more harm than I can ever hope to prevent on my own.” She looked towards me, her gaze solemn. “Can you promise me that you’ll not use this trust I’m putting in you to manipulate my decisions?”

“Why, my darling Celestia, of course I promise. What kind of woman do you take me for that you’d expect your very own fiance to try and twist you about her finger?” I smiled, trailing my fingers across her sun-emblazoned flank, then cupped her cheek with the other. “Why, that’d just make me quite the demon wouldn’t it?” I pressed our lips together, and though she was initially reluctant with Inkwell casting furtive glances at us she quickly melted into the kiss as my tongue once more probed into her throat before breaking it off with a hearty smack of lips. “Oh dear, it seems like our little display has gotten miss Inkwell here quite bothered.”

“Amai! Please do not-”

“I’m sorry, Princess! I’ll try not to be a bother and just finish up here so I can-”

“Hush, Inkwell. There’s no need to be to flustered. How long have we known each other?”

“Fifteen years, Celestia.”

Celestia smiled, unaware of the glistening of my saliva on her lips. “And how long have you been my seneschal?”

“Twelve, Celestia.” She chuckled, finally relaxing her shoulders despite the lewd grin I was giving her. “Twelve wonderful years even if they’ve had their moments of stress.” Celestia tittered as well, a genuine laugh shared between friends. As their mirth died down, Ink motioned towards me. “So, when were you planning on telling your loyal servant that you had been promised to wed?”

My alicorn let out the heaviest of sighs and fixed the little unicorn with the most tired look I’d seen yet. “The moment I found out as well, I’m afraid. I know you won’t speak a word of this outside of these walls, but I must insist that you maintain absolute secrecy. I’d never quite planned to marry anytime soon, but certain things came up and others were brought to light, so I here I find myself in this current situation.”

“And, my, what an interesting situation you’ve gotten into.” I chuckled and ran my hand along her flank, pale white skin tracing circles in snow white hair. “I’m certainly not complaining, though. I’ve found myself a wonderful wife and indebted myself to her as well. Why, what girl wouldn’t dream of wedding the ruler of a nation? Especially one as formidable as Celestia.”

Inkwell nodded hesitantly, her thoughts on the matter showing clearly through the slight reddening of her cheeks. “Yes, and as she very well knows, Celestia has many admirers, and thought I don’t doubt her decisions, I’m still wondering about you.

“Where did you come from?”

“My, wouldn’t you just love to know, little morsel?” Maybe it was the inflection of my voice, or the deep rumbling in it that bespoke great power, but at my words she shivered and looked away, questions forgotten. I glanced at Celestia, and grinned at the deep frown creasing her brow. “I know, I know. Promises. We… shook on it, did we not?”

“I’m terribly sorry, Inkwell. She means well, but as you saw in the throne room, Amai clearly does not understand the most basic social norms.” She glared at me and I feigned a shiver. “Please, do not mind her. I’m sure she’ll grow up some time.”

“O-of course, Celestia.” She groaned as the sounds of voices started to carry through the doors despite their thickness. “I guess I better go out there and take over. I can only imagine the chaos you’ve left for me today.” She rolled her eyes to the princess and a flare of irritation rose in my breast as she smiled at her. “You owe me for this, you know.”

Celestia chuckled, inching my ire further, then nodded. “Yes, I know. I’ll make it up to you soon. Thank you for this.”

“Any time, Princess. It’s what I’m here for, right?”

They shared another smile before the little unicorn trotted off through the doors and closing them with a soft click behind her. “My, you’re awfully close with that one, aren’t you?”

“We’re friends, Amai. Of course I’m close to Inkwell. She might not remember, but I’ve known her since she was a filly.”

I rolled my eyes. “She adores you.”

“And I her. As I said-” My pointed, fiery glare gave her pause enough for my words to sink in. “Ah. Is this another of your feelings?” My silence apparently spoke volumes. “I see.” She sighed and regarded the closed door thoughtfully, as if setting through it and to the subject beyond like the door didn't even exist. “I suppose I should have noticed sooner, but age tends to blind you to things such as this. What once was foalish admiration can easily turn to affection and when you’ve become accustomed to the former, the latter just…”

I sighed then leaned against her, curling my fingers under her muzzle. “What a predicament you seem to be in, now. I, for one, find it quite interesting how today just seems to be getting more and more complex. Why, just imagine if she found out you knew.” My smile was venom, my show of teeth unfriendly, and maybe she picked up on my poorly veiled undertones, or maybe she saw through the facade of humor in my features, but the tired, warning glance she offered told me very clearly that at least some part of my message had been received.

“Wait, Inkwell? I’ve read about her and how she-”

“Disappeared? Yes.” I frowned, ice filling my veins until the demon offered a nonchalant wave. “I didn’t have anything to do with her disappearing. I may be her for many crimes, but I’d have never done something as incredibly, dumbfoundingly idiotic as killing Celestia’s closest friend.” She grinned as I took deep breaths to calm my thoughts. “Besides, she’s probably the only pony that I ever… Well, I can’t say we got along, per se, but we had an understanding and didn’t mutually hate each other.”

“What happened to her?”

She closed her eyes, hands resting on her cheeks as she sat, tapered tail undulating behind her. “That would be quite the story, wouldn’t it?” Her smirk set my hairs bristling and I knew before the words even left her lips that I wouldn’t be pleased with her response. “Sadly, we aren’t quite there in our little story yet, are we? And, what a shame it is, but I find myself growing weary.”

I shot to my hooves, eyes wide and ears alert. “What!? No, you can't stop there! What were you and Princess Celestia going to discuss!? You can't just-!”

She laughed, soft and sinister, and I pinned my ears to my head. “Oh, I very well can, little morsel…” Her grin, terrible canines and all, dropped my heart into my stomach. She smirked and trailed a finger across my nose. “But I suppose I could continue.”

“Really!?” I coughed, splaying my ears back again, and chuckled as heat rushed into my cheeks. “I mean, uhm… What did you and Celestia talk about when Inkwell left?”

“Well, our future, I suppose.” She tilted her head, lips pursed, and tapped her chin. “I suppose. Hah… as if I wouldn’t remember one of Celestia’s lowest points.”

“Lowest…?”

“Oh, innocent little Twilight… You must understand, Celestia holds her little ponies in the highest regards, especially those holding power, and thus she has expectations. Until then, barring a few obvious misdemeanors, she’d not faced an issue quite as troublesome from within her own subjects in quite some time.”She tilted her head up, eyes staring into the nothingness above, as her thoughts seemed to whirl, before focusing back on me. “I’d say that she hadn’t truly had to judge her ponies like that since after Nightmare Moon’s rebellion and the divide that had created. Poor, naive little Celestia thought that her ponies had become… not perfect, but as good as a free-thinking creature could be.

“Sure, there were quarrels. Ponies were selfish, and sometimes they had a bit too much to drink, but following her suppression of the Moon Guard, that was as far as she’d seen, so she’d thought the acts gone.” The demon’s thoughtful expression shifted sinisterly, her grin making my skin crawl. “No, even you know better now, I suppose. They just got better at hiding it. The stories had been told of her wrath, as rarely displayed as it was, and so they learned to not bring attention to themselves. Well, until I came into the picture, at least.

“Still, it crushed Celestia… and did wonders for me. Not only could I feed off of her anguish, but all this deceit and secrecy opened Celestia’s mind to accepting my assistance more and more. Tip her off to a lying dignitary, I bask in her pain, and she trusts me that little bit more. Expose a thief, she mourns, and I profit. It was working perfectly for me until…”

She trailed off, looking away into the darkness, and I nearly fell on my face as I leaned in to try and catch the words that she muttered. As I steadied myself, I pried. “Until what?”

“No, that’s all for now. I grow weary and you still owe me your end of the bargain.”

“But-!” Her sharp, piercing eyes bore into me and my mouth went dry. “I, uhm… Okay. I suppose fair is fair… and it is getting late.” I swallowed, trying to bring some moisture back into my throat, before starting off into a shaky retelling of the first time I met Princess Celestia.

Author's Note

Author’s Notes: Whew, it sure has been quite a while hasn’t it? Sorry for all you fools interested in this garbage. Had life shit all over my face and other projects that needed completing. That and procrastination. Always procrastination. Either way, hope you all enjoy. For those that follow my other stuff, I’m trying to think of a way to continue the Sweet Surprise storyline and also a same universe one-shot of the menage a public involving Twilight and her disregard for Human World’s decency laws. Plus something else super secret that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Enjoy.