Cadence took a deep breath to herself, a heavy sigh escaping her lips, as she looked up into Zecora's eyes, with a sincere and look of shame, tears running down her cheeks.

“Oh, Zecora… why? Why did it have to be him? Is it selfish of me to wish it had been some pony else...” sobbed Cadence as she held around Zecora. She didn't want to move from where she was. She clung to hope, even if he might have already been lost to her.

She tried to collect herself trying to hold herself together. She HAD to hold herself together, even if every fiber of her being felt like it was falling apart. Her heart and soul desperately held onto the prospect of Shining Armor living through this tragedy.

“Trouble, it seems has its way of finding you. There's no telling, my dear, what you've been through,” spoke Zecora softly, as she stroked her hoof over Cadence's soft flowing tricolor mane. Though the shaman didn't want to say it, she knew that hope was fainting minute by minute.

Cadence continued to cling to Zecora, like a foal would to their mother. she just couldn't help it, she needed strength, she needed guidance, but she needed comfort most of all, in such a difficult time.

“I feel so lost, Zecora. He's the love of my life, and I can't even help him. How am I ever going to tell him about us. I...” she trailed off meekly.

Zecora looked down at Cadence, with a simple sigh, and a shake of her head. “The time will never be right for you to address such a plight.” Hearts don't lie, and neither do I.” whispered Zecora, as she lifted up Cadence's chin, theirs eyes meeting one another. “Love doesn't die, so don't be shy. Take a breath, and see that there is more to this, than meets the eye,” Cadence must have known, that she knew how difficult this was for her.

“What do I do? Is there a right thing to do?” asked Cadence, her eyes gleamed with desperation and desire. Anything-something-.that would make her feel better. Zecora knew all sorts of things, brewing difficult potions, living off of the land, giving thoughtful advice to her friend. Maybe the zebra had a solution to this whole mess in which she found herself in.

“I hold not the key to the answers you seek, I can only comfort you in a time so bleak” Zecora spoke as she nuzzled Cadence.

Cadence closed her eyes and tried to imagine white doves flying in the sky, seeing herself walking on clouds, alongside her love, but as she thought, she could see him galloping ahead of her. He hollered back at her, to catch up, but no matter how felt she flied on, he always seemed to be one step ahead of her, until he disappeared into the clouds.

“No!!!! Shining come back!” she shouted putting her hooves up into the air, reaching out for something that simply wasn't there.

“Rest now, Princess, you will soon find a way. You have been under so much pressure today.,” whispered Zecora.

“I'm sorry Zecora, maybe I should just go,” Cadence broke the embrace, “I’ll just take the potion and be on my way, it might be his only chance.”

“There is no need to apologize, my dear. It’s time you made your conscience clear,” Zecora assured her.. “Perhaps, some meditation to start, to fill your soul and ease your heart..”

“I'm not sure simple meditation, will help, but I'm willing to try anything at this point,” replied Cadence.

“Close your eyes, breath in deep...and breath out any troubles that you may keep.” instructed Zecora.

Cadence closed her eyes, focusing on what Zecora had told her. She let all the emotions she was feeling flow out, with slow and steady breaths. The thought of Shining Armor, the thought of losing him, The thought of him never knowing about Zecora, and never being able to share her love with them. She thought of almost everything that could possibly go wrong, losing Shining, her citizens hating her, and Twilight shunning her for her actions, but yet...she still felt her heart weighing on her. She opened her eyes to see Zecora staring back at her.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“A little better, but I still feel miserable.” sighed Cadence.

She was the Princess of Love, and yet she could do nothing to help the one she loved. Though perhaps her other love could help her.

“Help me, Zecora. Please, can you make it go away?”

“Troubles are always going to be there, in your path, it's knowing how to deal with them, that makes us all stronger within,” spoke Zecora softly.

She was so full of wisdom and understanding. Cadence couldn't help but wish that she could be more like her in that sense. It seemed she was always worrying about one thing after another, and she certainly never thought things would get so drastic. What would make her feel relieved? What could possibly take the pressures away? She thought about it, but the only idea coming to mind, and a rather lewd one at that. She thought of how Shining Armor always teased her, when they were alone, and how he could always ease her mind with a little love of his own. He wasn't here to make her feel better, but Zecora was. Did she even dare ask her such a thing? To have the shaman seduce her just to ease her pain? Even merely thinking about it seemed like an awful thing to do, especially without Shining Armor’s approval, but she didn’t know what else she could do. She needed to ease herself of the stress she was under, it was the only way she was going to get through this. Surely he'd understand, wouldn’t he? She could only hope...

“Love me,” she whispered looking at Zecora with deep passion in her hues.

Zecora looked into Cadence’s eyes, as she held up a hoof. “Your mind is deeply troubled, I know, but are you sure this is the way you want to go?”

“Yes, I need this, please...” she begged,holding her tighter.

Zecora bit her lip, hesitantly. She knew where this course of action would take them, and she knew it wasn't a wise decision, but she knew Cadence needed her, and desired comfort. She was the only one who could give it to her now.

“Very well, my dear,” she replied she gave a heavy sigh. She kissed Cadence upon her lips, delicately at first; She didn't want her to feel rushed. She was surprised when Cadence suddenly deepened the kiss, her tongue dancing with Zecora’s inside her mouth.

The striped mare laid Cadence beneath her, the alicorn spreading out her wings on the soft carpet, as she laid down, wrapped both her hooves around Zecora's neck, and trailed kisses from her lips, to her cheeks, to her ears, and then back down to her lips.

“Oh Shining...” she whispered losing herself in the moment.

“Cadence...” began Zecora, but then she thought better of it. Maybe it was better for the princess to have the delusion that she was Shining Armor.

Zecora then stroked her hooves over Cadence’s mane as she nibbled at her ear-softly. Soft enough to feel pleasure, but not to feel pain. Cadence whimpered against Zecora.

“Oh...please more.” she begged.

“More, what my dear?” she whispered into the ear, as she licked the inside of it in a teasing fashion.

“Love me...” she moaned with a sad look in her eyes. “Please… I need you.”

“I will always love you, darling,” replied Zecora.

It was difficult to keep her words from rhyming., but if she did, then the illusion would cease to be, Zecora knew she needed to make it feel like she was Shining Armor, even though she knew never would be; she wanted to ease Cadence's worries, even if it was just for a moment.

Zecora then held Cadence close as she trailed her kisses down from her ear, to her cheeks, to her lips, and then to her neck. She paused slightly when she got to her neckline, kissing it over and over, taking a pause between each kiss to make her want it all the more.

“Mhmm...” whispered Cadence through a few ragged breaths. She couldn't stand this, she wanted her now, “More...”

Zecora then pushed her lips to hers in a sensational kiss, while trailing her free hoofalong her delicate fur as she felt down her forelegs. She started at Cadence’s shoulder blade and slowly made her way down to her hoof. She then used the hoof that held her to tease the feathers of her wings, giving each tip a gentle and steady stroke.

“Oh!” whimpered Cadence as she looked up at Zecora, “Please, don't tease me love. I need you.” The sensations all along her body, felt just like when Shing made love to her.

Zecora couldn't help but smirk softly and nip at Cadence's ears lovingly. She ran her tongue along the inside and then started to trail it down her body, lapping her up with kisses and licks, until at last she found her way to a more delicate spot; her soft,moist womanhood. She moved her tongue swiftly, using it to find her clit and continuing to pleasure her. She could hear Cadence whimpering-moaning for her to just screw her already. Zecora knew this was what she imagined Shining must do when they made love to each other. To love her so much, to give her such a pleasurable experience, lust and love could be combined. Zecora continued to pleasure Cadence for several more minutes before she re-positioned herself on top of the alicorn to try a different approach, she was no stallion, so she didn't have the part that she was sure Cadence always looked forward too, but that didn't mean they still couldn't have some fun. She continued to pleasure her clit , and had one hoof tenderly rubbing her chest in a circular motion.

Zecora then moved her other hoof, that had been playing with her wings, down to her flank and squeezed it lovingly, Cadence moaned even more passionately under her loving touch. Zecora then sped up with her licks. She trailed her tongue into her wetness, she could feel the heat pouring off of Cadence's body.

Cadence couldn't take much more of it, she could feel the heat embracing her like a soft warm blanket on a cold winter night. She felt like she was on fire, the sweat running down her face as she panted heavily. She could feel it, she was going to lose it. She bit her lip and tried to hold on, just a little longer. “Zecora...please...take me.” begged Cadence her eyes full of passion, lust and longing. She wasn't sure she could hold it in.

“I don't have such an ability, I would have to use a potion for such a thing.” replied Zecora. She knew Cadence wanted more, but she wasn't sure what else she could do to give it to her. It occurred to her she did have a few things laying around that were kind of like a stallion's manhood, but it still wasn't the same. Cadence had powerful magic, she could simply allow Zecora to have that part but she was much too lost in an overwhelming sensation to cast any sort of spell.

Zecora just decided to be herself;she could never be Shining Armor so there was no sense in trying to be. She snaked her tongue into her, and she could hear Cadence moaning even louder as she twirled it inside of her.She tenderly rubbed her hooves on the princess’s chest, down her stomach, to her thighs and down her legs, and then tenderly played with her tail. Cadence could feel her climax building...she had to let go. She had to let go...then she released her load into Zecora's mouth, and she instantly felt relief. Relief...it was something she hadn't felt in awhile. Things had just been so stressful, but yet she felt relaxed, as she breathed out a soft breath, as Zecora lapped up her juices, and then looked towards her.

“Cadence.” she whispered lovingly, “was I of help to you?” she questioned as she nuzzled her neck affectionately.

“Of course, Zecora. I love you. I love you just as much as I love him. Oh Shining…” her eyes became wide with realization, “Oh dear. Shining!” she exclaimed, horrified at what she had done. She had cheated on him with another pony without his blessing. She felt her guilt returning to her again.She felt Zecora put a hoof on her shoulder.

“If his love for each other is really true, I am certain he will forgive you.” spoke Zecora

Cadence knew that she was right, Shining Armor would forgive her, but how could she forgive herself?

“Take this, I wish you the best.” offered Zecora quickly brew the potion she had wanted, when she had first stopped by, and then handed it to her cautiously.

“Thank you, Zecora, Shining Armor needs me. I'm glad I had a chance to stop by, to speak with you.” spoke Cadence as she nuzzled against Zecora's muzzle passionately. She stood up accepting the potion from her.As Cadence exited Zecora’s and headed back she felt in the back of her mind she knew she was no princess...she was a wreck. She wished she had told him sooner, Shining Armor could have known about her relationship with Zecora, it was supposed to be all of them, and now she had done the unforgivable. She had cheated on him, while he laid on a hospital bed, with his only chances of recovering being a miracle. She hoped she was holding that miracle in her hooves. She wasn't sure she could face him now, but he was her only chance of making it.

She sat outside of the Everfree Forest, and sobbed. She had to face it, had to accept that she wasn't as strong as she thought. She imagined the entire Crystal Empire jeering at her, booing and hissing in disapproval. She imagined Twilight at the front of the crowd, a look of disgust upon her face as she shouted alongside the group. Worst of all, she imagined Shining Armor beyond the scene as he walked towards the train station, not looking back once as he dragged his suitcases behind him. How could he ever forgive her? She wanted to believe in miracles, but right now, she wasn't even sure she could believe in herself, she was the Princess of Love, for Celestia’s sakes! Princesses don't cheat, and they surely didn't lie to the ponies they loved. She knew she had to tell him, he had a right to know. Though, she couldn't move from where he sat; she felt like she weighed like a ton of boulders. She had to go to him, had to tell him, but yet...she was terrified of losing him forever. How could she have done this? She sat there alone , afraid, but most of all she longed for her Shining Armor-she needed him, as much as he needed her.

She stood up slowly, she wasn't going to give up.. She would go to him, tell him about her and Zecora. and beg his forgiveness when he woke up. She could only hope it wasn't already too late.

Author's Note

Apologizing for the short chapter but sadly, I got to work today. I will finish this off with one last chapter hopefully by Monday. I hope you are all enjoying this. And be sure to let me know, if you want the "clop" scene extended. I was nervous about writing it.