Chapter 9: Heart Beat

Sadri smiled as she observed the scene before her. She had just returned from the kitchen with a steaming mug of coffee to find Twilight and Princess Luna embraced with each other as they slept. It was a a beautiful site, but Sadri needed to intervene. There was still much work to be done. Sadri set her mug down on the night stand, and she crawled onto the bed.

"Luna..." Sadri whispered into the princess' ear. "Luna, you must awaken."

The moon princess groaned as Sadri's words brought her back to reality. As Luna's eyes cracked open, she found herself looking into Sadri's shining eyes.

"Hello, beautiful..." Luna said as she released herself from the sleeping Twilight's grip. "What is it you need?"

Sadri helped Princess Luna out of the bed sheets and onto her hooves. It was time to get down to business.

"The time is almost at hoof." Sadri said quietly to the princess. "You must now return to Canterlot, but be sure not to arouse any suspicion in your sister. Celestia cannot know of my... our plans."

Luna lazily nodded her head, confirming that she had understood.

"Right... What of Twilight?" Luna asked as she looked back at the sleeping mare. "Will she be alright?"

Sadri noticed the level of concern in Luna's voice. Then, it dawned on her. Princess Luna genuinely cared for Twilight. Sadri's control over Luna had only unmasked her feelings for Twilight.

"Oh, uh... She will be fine." Sadri said quickly. "Twilight has a roll to play in the next phase of my plan. She will not be in any danger. Quiet the opposite, actually..."

"What is your plan for her?" Luna asked.

Sadri shook her head as she ushered the princess towards the door.

"If I told you, my secret plan would no longer retain the title of 'secret'. Go to Canterlot, now." Sadri urged her. "You will await my arrival."

Luna nodded her head slowly before turning around and exiting the bed chambers. Sadri watched from the door as the princess walked down the corridor towards the main doors. Then, she was gone. Sadri then turned to Twilight, who had begun to stir in her sleep.

"Ah, good... Awaken, Twilight." Sadri ordered. "We have work to do."

"W-Wha... What time is it?" Twilight asked softly as she rubbed her eyes.

Sadri hesitated to answer. She didn't know the time. The sky outside was still dark. It would be a few hours before Luna could lower the moon.

"Here it is... Three o'clock..." Twilight groaned as she sat up in her bed.

She tossed the clock aside and raised her legs into the air, stretching them.

"Mmmm... Did you enjoy your rest?" Sadri asked sweetly as she approached the stretching mare.

"I did... Where... is Luna?" Twilight asked as her eyes searched the room.

Sadri nodded her head towards the door.

"She has gone ahead to Canterlot. We will join her soon. Don't fret, my love. First, we have an important task to accomplish."

"What is it?" Twilight asked as she crawled out of the bed and onto her hooves.

Sadri passed Twilight a comb to fix her mane while she made her way to the door.

"Cooking, Twilight. We must prepare a meal fit for the royal family of the Chrystal Empire. I have invited your brother and his lovely wife, Princess Cadence over for lunch. Let us make sure it is a visit they shall never forget..."

***

It was almost noon when the first knocking thundered through the corridors of Twilight's palace. The door was quickly answered by Spike, who then found himself face to face with Shining Armor and Princess Cadence.

"Hey, guys!" Spike said enthusiasticaly. "Twilight said the food isn't quite ready yet, but you can come in."

"Thanks, bud." Shining said with a chuckle as he followed his wife inside.

Cadence moaned as she breathed in slowly.

"Mmmmm... That smells wonderful." Cadence said as her eyes wandered in search of the source of the meal in perpetration.

"I'm glad you think so..." A voice said.

Cadence quickly spun around to find Sadri standing behind her. The golden mare beamed at Cadence.

"Ah, you must be the chef of food I smell." Cadence said as she gave Sadri a short bow. "Such talents must be very appreciated by Twilight."

Sadri looked away as she tried to hide the red hue on her cheeks.

"Twilight helped, actually." Sadri corrected as she showed Cadence and Shining to the table. "I simply guided her through the baking."

"Twilight never was one to cook." Shining said with a shrug. "But I have to give it to her. This this does smell really good."

Sadri peaked into the kitchen and motioned for Twilight to come out. The purple mare followed her into the dining room.

"Cadence!" Twilight said happily as she rushed forward to greet her old foal sitter.

Cadence embraced Twilight with open hooves. Shining joined the hug, embracing his little sister and Cadence. Sadri smiled at the sight before her. It was a sweet, family moment. She was almost a little upset about seducing Shining and Cadence. Almost... It didn't take long before Sadri set her hungry eyes on her targets.

"I must say, Twilight..." Sadri muttered to her wife as she returned to the kitchen. "Your brother is a lot more handsome than I recall... Wouldn't you agree?"

"I... I guess..." Twilight muttered. "He's my brother, though."

Sadri stopped Twilight and looked into her eyes. Sadri's own eyes flashed subtlety, burning into Twilight's.

"That is precisely why you must be the one to seduce him. We must work together, if we are to succeed, my love. I wager Princess Cadence will not so easily be seduced. We will need Shining under my control, first."

Twilight nodded her head as she exited the kitchen and joined her brother and Cadence at the table. Sadri watched with interest as Twilight began making small talk. The brother and sister laughed together as they shared the food on the table.

"Now, we are ready for the main course..."

***TO BE CONTINUED***