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Love Under the Sun

I had to start my day off with a quick shower before stepping out to get some breakfast. And it was busy out on the dining patio. Everyone who was attending our vacation had turned out for a glorious breakfast buffet with a tropical twist. I loved the fruit pastries and they even provided some seafood for our avian guests. It was a good start to our first full day down in the tropics.

With a full platter in hand, I scanned the seating area along the edges of the patio. There was a lot of room and many tables to use. But then I saw someone waving me down. Ember had her hand raised high...and a platter of assorted food stacked even higher. Not wanting to disappoint my wonderful blue rose, I headed right over. I quickly found that the long table she was seated at was basically reserved only for those who were wearing a crown or were of royal blood. Equestria's royal family, Queen Novo and her daughter, Rain Shine, and the Dragon Lord herself were the only ones present. Orbash was the first to greet me as he said, "Good morning to you, my boy! You all rested and ready for our first real day of fun?"

"Yep. I've got a good feeling about today. Especially with such a strong start." I replied before trying to find a spot to sit at. At least until I saw why Ember had been the one to flag me down. She had saved a seat between herself and Celestia just for me. I went around the table and took a seat between the Dragon Lord and the Princess of the Dawn. "Good morning, ladies. Sleep well?"

Celestia and I almost laughed when our eyes met. We may have slept well, but that shared dream from the previous night was hardly restful. Ember, having no idea what even happened between us last night, just smiled at me happily. "Very well. I can't get enough of these soft Equestrian beds everyone uses out here. And this... This food! It's always so rich with flavors!"

Ember went to work on her tower of fine dining bite after bite. She was even getting some stares from around the table. It was impressive that she could even carry that platter stacked so high to the table. At least until considering Ember's unrivaled physical strength. She also had the Bloodstone Scepter propped up against the table between us, reminding me that she goes almost nowhere without it. Especially in unfamiliar lands.

As if in response to me noticing its presence, the Bloodstone itself began to glow. I understood that this was an invitation and reached out and rested my hand atop it before once again watching Ember gradually gorge herself on a very filling breakfast. "Your daughter's got quite the appetite."

"She definitely gets that from her father." I heard the voice of Blaze speak with the sound of Torch's voice letting out a grunt of disapproval. The dragon queen giggled at her husband's groveling before speaking sweetly to me. "And good morning, dear! What wonderful sunny weather we're having today! You and Ember have big plans now that you're both settled in?"

"I dunno, I'm just gonna let things happen as they come today to get a feel of what this trip has to offer. Maybe hit the beaches, go snorkeling, or even just a long stroll on the beach. And I think Ember would be up for all of that." I replied quietly to not let anyone really hear me. I looked back over my shoulder to see beyond the railing. We had a gorgeous view of the sea beyond the beach with the sandy shoreline dotted with colorful vacationers. I then added, "And I really need to look around town to pick up some souvenirs while I'm at it. Can't forget about my friends back home."

"Sounds like you have a lot on your plate, boy. Don't go devouring it all at once. Pace yourself." I heard Torch reply with a kind tone. And I think he just wanted to pat me on the shoulder if he could. The mighty former Dragon Lord then spoke briefly, "Anyway, we really shouldn't be taking up so much of your time so early in the morning. But it was good to hear you again so soon. You and Ember have fun out there. And we'll be watching."

I glanced back at the platter of fine breakfast staples set before me and realized that I had not even touched it yet. My eyes fell upon the Bloodstone Scepter again before I said, "Yeah, that'd be appreciated. We'll talk again soon, all right?"

Blaze all too happily said her farewells while Torch remained respectfully silent. "Yes, very soon! You and Ember have a wonderful time today, dear. We'll be right here enjoying the view. See you soon! Love you!"

Such a warm and fuzzy feeling filled my heart as I took my hand off of the Bloodstone Scepter. And Ember was quick to notice where I was looking. She asked with a smirk on display, "Someone had something to say to you?"

I almost laughed. Ember could see just how much her mother had gotten to me. All I could do was avert my eyes while I said, "You have amazing parents. It's no wonder you blossomed into such a stunning blue rose."

Ember blushed furiously at my words, but still beamed at me with such a toothy smile. At least until she noticed that the Bloodstone was beginning to glow again. Her gaze of joy turned into one of horror. "James, they heard that!"

I reflexively covered my mouth while still failing to contain a laugh. I will have to remember to tone down any sweetness displayed towards Ember whenever the Bloodstone Scepter is near. An arduous task when considering how madly in love with that wonderful dragon queen I am. Ember quickly set her hand atop the Bloodstone Scepter and said, "Not now! We'll talk later... Yes, yes, love you too, Mom."

Celestia was getting an up close look at the shenanigans Ember gets up to with her parents being able to see everything that was happening around them. A glance to my right revealed that the Princess of the Dawn was biting her lip to stay quiet. I then looked at Ember again while she just rolled her eyes in annoyance. Although she did soon smile at me. "Mom really loves you."

"Hey, that's cool. I love her too." I replied while knowing that Ember's parents were most definitely listening in. I then asked, "How have things been now that your mother's back in your life?"

Ember's smile softened as she appeared to take a moment to process that question. She glanced down at the Bloodstone Scepter before she looked at me. "It's been...great. I never knew what it's like to have a mother. But now that she's here with me, I... She's been working hard to catch up on lost time. I was always glad to have a reasonable father, but...I didn't know how much I needed a mother in my life. And Mom's great. I think she was the best possible mate for my dad."

"She really is. I've seen those two together. I swear their love for each other is eternal. An amazing couple." I replied before I happened to look down at the Bloodstone Scepter. The gem atop it was not glowing, but I knew they had to have been watching and listening at that time. I turned my gaze up at Ember and asked, "You think they heard that?"

"Totally." Ember replied before noticing that Celestia was listening in on my right. She was dining happily while looking at us out of the corner of her eye. The Dragon Lord then asked, "Celestia. You knew Torch and Blaze back before I hatched, right? What were they like together?"

Celestia cracked such an amused grin at that question. "Probably about what you've seen from them. Very dearly in love and constantly bouncing off of each other. They were very happy together and so very excited to have you. They were even the envy of much of the dragon lands during their time together."

"Basically exactly like how they've been whenever we have chat with them." I replied as I recalled how those two towering lovers are towards each other. The romance between Torch and Blaze is truly inspiring to see. To see that even such titans can love each other as a man and woman so wholeheartedly is truly a pleasure.

Celestia went back to dining and took her eyes off of us entirely. But when I looked back at Ember, she was looking at me with an almost shy and inviting smile. With all that talk of love, it was impossible for us to ignore our own love for each other. Ember brought her hand to the shaft of the Bloodstone Scepter and appeared to be inviting me to hold it with her. So I did. I wrapped my hand around hers while she held her royal scepter. Was it...a subtle way of telling me that I would be her king one day? Someone worthy to hold the Bloodstone Scepter at will?

I so dearly wanted to kiss her. Ember was right there and that smile almost looked like she was demanded that I bring my lips to hers. But we could not. Not with so many prying eyes around us. I released my grasp on Ember's hand once she began to release her grip on the Bloodstone Scepter. But she still spoke softly to me. "Let's spend some time together today."

"I'd love to... Just slip away together... Alone." I replied softly with Ember noticeably blushing at my words. Just...so madly in love with that wonderful dragon woman. She was very distracted from her meal for a moment. I suspect she even wanted to drag me under the table just so we could have a moment together out of sight. I then had an idea and said, "Should I meet you back at your room when we're done here?"

"Please!" Ember chirped with such excitement in her eyes. And so we resumed dining. It almost looked like Ember had forgotten all about our little chat since she started working away at her towering platter of delicious tropical cooking. And I was happy to focus on my own helping of the buffet's offerings. One trip to the buffet line was not enough. I had to go back for seconds.

There was a lot of pleasant chatter around the royal table. Although it was difficult for me to speak directly to those more than a couple of seats away. Novo especially would have loved to chat me up, but she was more than happy to preoccupy herself with King Orbash. Much to the irritation of his queen. But the handsome king of Equestria took her vaguely flirtatious words with nothing but laughter. And I could not help letting out a snicker of my own. She was simply deeply appreciative of his own beauty and just wanted to have some fun with it. No matter how irresistible she found the father of her best friend, Novo only had eyes for me and I knew that. I wonder how often he had to fend off such adoration when he was still a bachelor...

Breakfast was delicious and filling and I heard a lot of fun conversations around me. Ember even smirked at me knowingly whenever I went quiet for too long. Basically her way of confirming that she knew I was listening intently to everything being said around me. Ember knows that I listen more than I speak. But she was distracted ore often than not by that towering platter of delicious food. She eventually finished it down to the last morsel and patted her belly in satisfaction. I could not even begin to wonder how she managed to stuff all that food inside herself without ballooning outward. That incinerator of a stomach she has must work quickly to break down softer foods.

Satisfied for the time, Ember stood up and wandered out of the mess hall with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. But I knew she was waiting for me. I tried to be inconspicuous by focusing on the conversations happening around me and partaking when I could. I only finally stepped away from the table once I finished that second hefty helping of food from the buffet line. Satisfied with my morning meal, I headed back into the hotel to seek out the beautiful Dragon Lord waiting for me.

It was only my second day at that resort, so I had not yet memorized exactly which rooms most of my entourage were staying at. I had to ask around at the front desk for who was staying where. But just to add an extra layer of subterfuge, I asked for where Rain Shine was staying instead of Ember since I knew they were sharing the same room. I went down the hall I was directed to and knocked on the door. A familiar muffled voice spoke up from the other side. "Can I help you?"

I came up with an appropriate response in an attempt to throw some wit into the situation. "I'm looking for my little blue rose. Have you seen it anywhere?"

"Get in here, you silver-tongued devil." The voice giggled before the door opened before me. I did not see Ember and was led to believe she was right behind the door and against the wall. I kept an eye on the door once I entered and did find that Ember was just out of sight behind it once she closed it behind me. She instantly grabbed me and brought me down to my knees so she could place a kiss right upon my lips. Those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed into mine as she spoke with a playful whisper, "And you say you're not a poet."

"I have my moments." I retorted with a snicker before Ember and I held each other in a silent embrace. Just to savor each other now that we were alone and behind closed doors. I whispered to her lovingly, "I never get tired of these moments... Just you and me... Alone. No one to see us... Don't be afraid to ask me to see you alone in private, OK? I'm always happy to do this."

"You better believe I will. I just...want to hold you... Keep you safe in my arms... And in my wings." Ember giggled before following through on that claim. Her embrace only grew as she wrapped her beautiful blue wings around me while we stood in the doorway. She whispered to me again, "The war is over, but I'm still your shield. I always will be. All right?"

"Yes, that's fine. And thank you." I whispered back to my beautiful and powerful beloved. Ember did not possess the kind of sundering magical might that the likes of the royal family possess, but she was strong. And fast. Her hands could tear the flesh from a man's bones. As long as I was in her company, I was very safe. And that difference in power...left me feeling momentarily inadequate. "I just wish I could do the same for you..."

"No. No, shhhh... Shhhh, don't feel so worthless. Please." Ember whispered to me soothingly before placing so many little kisses all over my face. Those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed upon me with conviction and confidence in that gaze. Doing all she could to soothe my doubts with her unwavering devotion. "Don't worry about protecting me. I can handle just about anything. I'll be your shield. Your unbreakable shield. I won't let myself be broken when I still have you to protect, my little warrior poet. I promise. I won't let anyone take me from you. And I won't let myself die for you...when I can live for you. I won't...let you lose me."

"Ember, you really are the best and I lo... I adore you for that." I only barely caught myself with my response. I love you. Three words that can change everything when it comes to a dragon. Words I had already foolishly spoken before Ember was ready to hear them. She had already resisted the impact of those words too many times. I did not want to wait, but I had to. For her. If it was for Ember, I would wait as long as she needed me to.

"The best, huh? In that case, I better be my best for you." Ember giggled before her embrace finally relaxed. Her hand took hold of mine before she guided me towards the bed nearby. The layout of the room was very similar to Novo's while not entirely identical. She was beaming at me with such an inviting smile on display. "Come on over here. Just...be with me for a while. You know I've missed you."

I did not resist. I had missed Ember so very dearly as well. Even a day spent aboard the Olympia was not enough to sate my desire for her. Although I did notice something resting on a couch in the corner of the room. The Bloodstone Scepter was propped up on it. I realized that we were completely visible to Ember's parents if they wanted to see us. "Um... Someone might be watching."

"No, not this time. I let them know that you and I wanted some time alone and they promised to not be watching or listening for the next hour." Ember replied while I could not shake the feeling that the Bloodstone Scepter could be watching us at anytime. I know that Torch and Blaze are not constantly observing their surroundings, but that does not change that it feels like they do. Ember did her best to distract me from my concerns by taking a seat beside me and gently lowering me onto my back. The beautiful Dragon Lord loomed over me with her hand resting over mine. "I'm here for you."

I sighed deeply at the sight of the beautiful dragon woman above me. Ember relaxed more onto her side with one arm holding her up while her spare hand tenderly slid a finger along my jaw and chin before looping back up to my forehead. She loved to touch me with her hands and fingers. Long happy sighs hissed from Ember's nostrils as she gazed down at me while I looked up at her. Such beautiful eyes... The eyes and smile of a woman who was deeply in love with the man before her. I wanted to tell her. And so I told her in the only way I could get away with it. "Someone loves you."

"And I wonder who they could be... Just be sure to let them know that I'll be coming for them someday, all right? I'll come find them...and they'll never be able to get away from me." Ember replied with a knowing giggle. She really did know. We both knew. If only she was ready to cross that bridge, I would take her into my arms and never let go. I was madly in love with that dragon queen. I wanted her. She wanted me. And she had even offered me the honor of fathering her future heirs. To bless her with children... To have a family with her. Ember's smile began to falter as I suspect her heart was getting the better of her. "I want to make you so happy... To make you as happy as you've made me. To make you feel...so lucky to have me."

"And you are, Ember. I'm honored that you came into my life that day. I could've completely overlooked the dragon lands that day and just...passed you by. My curiosity that day...gave me someone I can never replace." I whispered back up to Ember while making no attempt to hide my heart from her. If we never met that day... Would I even still be alive? Would I have been lost had fate not guided us to each other?

Ember sighed dreamily as she continued to caress my face. Her eyes softened, her smile almost fading as she gazed at me in longing. Now it was her turn to skirt the razor's edge of an uncertain dragon's heart. "If I was ready... Right at this moment... I would gladly be yours. I would hold you forever. Shield you from anyone who would try to destroy you... Make you smile every day. Make you laugh... Make you cry in joy. I would do...anything for you. Anything to make you feel like having me was the best thing to ever happen to you."

"And here I thought Novo was the closest thing to a perfect woman I had ever seen." I said with a subtle chuckle that only made Ember blush profusely. Why was I so blessed to have such amazing women come into my life only to become my beloveds? Ember and Novo... Both being women tempered by time that no human woman ever could live through. Ember was truly amazing. One of the finest women I had ever met. And...I was so madly in love with her for it. As Ember paused in confused delight over my words, I brought my fingers to the back of her hand as it held my face. "Maybe perfection is more common than I thought."

Ember's eyes narrowed in adoration at those words. And she spoke with a hushed voice. "Am I really so perfect, my little warrior poet?"

Before I even responded, Ember began to move. She was no longer content with remaining by my side. She climbed atop me and began to straddle me with her pelvis aligned with mine. The beautiful creature laid atop me with her arms tucked under her head. Those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed at me as Ember rested protectively atop me. "You really think I'm worthy of that? But what about you? Is there any such thing as a perfect man?"

It would be conceited of me to even try to act like anyone with a human soul could be considered perfect. Humans are incapable of such a feat. I averted my gaze, knowing that Ember was simply being far too kind to me. It was flattering to even consider that I could be seen as an example of perfection in her eyes, but I knew I was nowhere close to it. "If there is, it's certainly not me. Perfection...can only be found in those who are tempered by centuries of experience. That's not something I'll ever have."

"You sweet humble little man... Even if you're not perfect, you're still wise for someone who hasn't been around all that long." Ember cooed as she brought a hand to my face once again. And as she caressed me cheek, she whispered lovingly to me. "But you'll always be my perfect man, you sweet little warrior poet. I think...we would be poorer for it if we never found each other."

"I...do believe that." I said before letting out a sigh of sheer relaxation. I closed my eyes and fatigue started to come over me. Very filling early day meals can leave one feeling lethargic and I was certainly feeling that by then. And the weight of Ember atop me made me feel exceptionally secure and comfortable. I was safe with her. And I was very happy with her.

Ember's hand continued to tenderly stroke my face from one side to the other. So tender... So delicate, as if she was gently grooming a precious treasure of hers. That hand had killed before. Torn enemies limb from limb. But when applied to my body, it was always the lightest gentlest touch. The touch of a woman, not a warrior. And as I closed my eyes to savor the soothing smooth touch of the scales lining her fingers and palms, Ember's other hand began to trace over my chest. A favorite habit of hers that I had come to adore. And she soon whispered to me with such a whimsical tone. "Now you've got me wondering... What kind of heirs would a perfect man and perfect woman produce together?"

My eyes opened wide at that sudden question. And when I glanced down at Ember, she smirked back at me with such pride in those beautiful eyes. A gaze entirely devoid of doubt. "What? Why that look, James? I did say you've been given express permission to sire my heirs when the time comes. And I'm sticking to that offer."

My mind began to race at that wonderful offer. What would our future children look like? What would they act like? Would they be warriors? Scholars? Artists? Even if they would ultimately not have the qualities necessary to inherit the Bloodstone Scepter, I... I had nothing but the highest hopes for the wonderful dragon children that we would create together. I had already seen such a child in the form of Spike. He has always been such a good boy since the day I met him, so I know that dragon children can be raised into becoming very fine people. Not at all like the barbaric brutes common in the land of Ember's origin. And as my mind tried to imagine such children in my mind, I whispered back to Ember with joy in my heart. "I've got a good feeling about them... I'm sure they'll go on to do great things for your people. Maybe even for all of Equestria."

"They'll make us so proud... I know they will." Ember sighed before letting out a rather graceless yawn. And then I yawned. My beautiful blue beloved giggled at the timing as I started to notice just how full we were from such a decadent breakfast. The Dragon Lord atop me sighed and asked, "Am I the only one who feels like we could use a nap right now?"

"Filling breakfast meals can do that to you... I feel like we really shouldn't on our first full day here, but... Oh, forget it. Better to rest up now and face the rest of the day at full charge than to feel totally outta it for the next few hours." I grumbled with some irritation at our situation. I really did not want to start my first full day in Cantercun with a nap, but there was no denying our fatigue. Maybe going straight back to our rooms after dining was not the best idea. We had become too relaxed with our full bellies dragging us down further. "Two hours tops, all right? I want us to be out and about before noon."

"Good idea. And...let's keep stuff like this for later in the day. Don't want us repeating this too often." Ember sighed with a subtle giggle. I think she was annoyed with herself for setting us up for unwanted sleepiness. She rolled off of my side and draped a wing over me as a means of keeping me feeling secure and comfortable. Ember then placed her right hand atop my chest, prompting me to rest my left over hers. But when I did, she noticed something upon my finger. A simple gold ring. And her eyes were drawn to it. Ember slid a finger along the top and asked with a confident smile, "Maybe I forgot this was here, but remind me. Is this what I think it is?"

Had I discussed traditional courtship with Ember before? I could not recall... But I did say, "Yeah. My wedding ring. Fluttershy's wearing a matching bracelet on her hoof right now."

Ember then asked with a growing smile as she rubbed the ring on my finger, "Did you forge this yourself?"

When considering what Ember told me about dragon courtship, I was not surprised she assumed that a romantic partner manually creates the wedding jewelry before popping the question. I rolled my eyes and said, "No... No, it doesn't really work like that. I mean I'm sure you can, but...it's not like most people in Equestria have the skills and resources necessary to forge their own jewelry. Most simply buy them from shops that specialize in jewelry and present it to their desired mate."

"Really...? They just...use one that was made by someone else and sold for bits? That's...nowhere near as gratifying as forging one with your own hands." Ember replied with such a look of confusion in her eyes. And then I understood. To dig up raw gemstones and precious metal ore out of the ground, smelt the metal and cut the precious stone into the desired shape, and then combine the two components into a functional piece of jewelry... Man, no wonder dragons take romance so seriously. They do it all by hand themselves. And Ember seemed to notice my wandering gaze and spoke with such a confident smirk. "In that case, don't worry about doing it yourself. When the time comes for you to give me some heirs, leave it to me. I'll handle that little detail myself."

Such a bold claim. And with that unwavering confident gaze backing those words up. And I remembered. For me to even be allowed to mate with Ember, we would need to be sworn to each other first. For one to approach the other and request their hand in eternal love. Only once she and I become life mates will I be permitted to...make love to her. To give her the children and family she desires. And there were steps before that point that could not be skipped. I looked Ember in the eye and whispered, "Don't keep me waiting too long, please... I'm eager to see what you'll put together when the time comes."

"Mmhm, someday. Someday..." Ember cooed at me before bringing her lips to mine for a tender kiss before we began to drift off to sleep in each other's embrace. We had talked enough. It was time to sleep off our morning meal.

I dreamed...vaguely. But while I cannot remember most of what was there, I could still remember bits and pieces. I remember...a boy. A little dragon boy. But...it was not Spike. And I remember holding that boy. Cradling him in my arms... I even heard his soft voice. So quiet and gentle. So shy, but so happy and safe with me. And...I loved him. I remember his smile... I think I even remember his colors. Very dark shades of blue. And before I could awaken... Right when the sensations of waking came to me, I saw his face and... Oh my god, he had his mother's eyes...

Was I in tears when I awoke? Such a powerful sense of longing came over me as I found myself staring at the ceiling. That wonderful little boy. He was in my arms. I remembered feeling the warm mass of a child in my embrace. And now...he was gone. And I was so sure of it. That was not just any dragon boy. He was my boy. My...son. And as I felt along my chest and found no sign of the child I had just been cradling in my arms, I muttered softly with my senses not quite awake. "Come back... I miss you."

Ember began to stir beside me while her wing remained draped over me. But I could not bring myself to turn my gaze to her waking face. All I could do was gaze up at the ceiling with such a profound sense of longing in my heart. I wanted to feel the weight of that gentle and happy boy in my arms. To know that he was mine. To feel...so proud of him. And before long, a whisper reached my ear. "What's wrong? Did you...have a bad dream?"

"No... I had a very happy dream. So happy that...I didn't want to wake up." I replied as I felt a single tear trickle down the side of my face. And Ember was quick to act. She pulled me into the embrace of her wing and arms. Cradled me against her as if trying to squeeze the sorrow out of me. I sighed and said, "Sorry... I shouldn't be sad when we're supposed to be having a good time out here."

"No, it's all right, James. Take a minute. I'm here for you." Ember cooed to me before I felt her sneak a kiss onto the side of my neck. She embraced and cuddled with me, trying to keep me safe from my own emotions. "Shhh... My little warrior poet... It'll be all right."

And I believed her. My mood was interrupted by a yawn that almost made me laugh. We really did need to get up and focus on our day. Once she was convinced my mood had improved, Ember sat up in bed and reached her arms high for a stretch. Her wings reacted to her body tensing up as well and spread very wide to dazzle me with that majestic wingspan. I could not resist the urge to hold that beautiful creature. As soon as her wings relaxed and folded, I embraced my beloved Ember from behind. The beautiful Dragon Lord giggled as my arms folded over her chest. "Careful, James. Don't drag me back down for another nap."

"I won't. I just...want to hold you for a minute." I found the will to smile and placed a gentle kiss on the base of Ember's right horn. My beloved giggled in delight before going silent. She rested a hand upon my wrist as I held her. I began to spread my arms out a bit, one holding her higher than the other. One hand rested over Ember's smooth chest. I could feel her heart beating away inside. And she held my hand to that spot. Over and over, a gentle tremor reached out to my palm. As if Ember was telling me that her heart was beating just for me. I answered with a kiss to the back of her head. But as my other hand slid lower over those delightfully smooth ventral scales, it soon rested upon her belly. Right over...

My had was resting over Ember's womb. And a very recent memory entered my thoughts. One that had not yet had the time to disappear. I remembered that sweet little dragon boy in my arms. He had his mother's eyes. Ember's beautiful scarlet eyes. I felt myself longing to hold that boy again. But not alone. I wanted to hold him with Ember. With his mother. To hold him between us...as a family. I closed my eyes and sighed as my hand began to meaningfully rub over Ember's belly. I knew it was impossible at the time, but I hoped... I hoped I would one day feel that precious little boy growing within her. My tender caresses caught her attention. Ember gently touched her fingers to the back of my hand as she whispered, "James? What...are you doing?"

I did not have an answer. All I could do was tenderly caress my beloved over her precious womb. Although I did have one answer. I placed a kiss upon her shoulder. And then her horn and neck. Ember did not resist. She soon placed her hand over the back of mine as it slid over her belly. And very soon, I felt her shudder. Ember inhaled sharply as if struggling to not let out a sob. I tried to look past her and saw that fresh tears were spilling down her face. She soon whispered to me, "You...really want this, don't you...? You want...to be a father of dragon children?"

She was right. I did. I wanted to cradle our future children in my arms so dearly. To see that beautiful little boy again. A precious dragon child. And so I whispered to my beloved, "Do you think we'll have a son, Ember?"

I saw a grin spread across Ember's lips in spite of her tears. She was not wracked with sorrow. She was overcome with joy. So very joyous to know that I shared her desire for something beautiful. A desire for a family. She turned her head just enough to let me see her eye before she said, "I hope so. And I hope he grows up to be just like his father."

A happy sigh escaped my lips before I kissed Ember on the side of her face. I then brought both hands to her belly. Holding her while she placed both hands over mine. And we just sat there together without a word. My hands resting over her womb as if we were already expecting the eventual arrival of the first of our wonderful little heirs. I whispered to her with some hopeful caution, "Am I really the one who will give you them, Ember?"

"You're the only one worthy of it, James. The only one who will ever hold me... Touch me... The only man who will...ever hold this woman. If I ever have heirs, they'll be yours. Yours and no one else's. And that's a promise." Ember said softly with such conviction in her voice. The Dragon Lord had made up her mind. Her sire... Her king... The man who would father her eventual heirs... The heirs who would become the next Dragon Lords... He would be me and only me. And Ember reinforced her promise by curling her fingers to slide under my palms and hold my hands even as they remained upon her belly. "Yours. Only yours. Always."

I wanted to shower her with loving words. To ask her to be mine right there. To finally belong to Ember and have her belong to me. And yet, I knew I should not. My embrace tightened as I forced myself to restrain that desire. And Ember could sense this in me. She whispered with such hope in her words while leaning back into my embrace, "They'll love you. I know they will. Our...children...will be so amazing... And I hope I won't keep you waiting for too long. Please, James. I want this too... Please don't think I would ever give you this offer just to string you along year after year...""

More tears trickled from my eyes. Such a sacred pledge... And I had faith in Ember. It was too late for her to even consider seeking out another. She had found her eventual mate. It was only a matter of when. All I could do was wait for Ember to become comfortable in deciding when would be the proper time for us to become something more. I rested my head against the back of hers even while I kept my hands resting upon her slender belly. I whispered to my dear Ember, "Ember... When this trip is over... Will you come by my place before coming home? To...spend some time with Gladesong?"

An unexpected giggle came from my beloved's lips. Ember spoke with a long sigh wheezing from her lungs first, "Oh, right... If you father my heirs then...she'll be mine too? I guess it'd only be fair to become acquainted with the rest...of your children."

I was unsure if Ember was truly onboard with the idea. Despite having been around for more than a century, Ember was still very young by dragon standards. I did not want to pressure her into something she was not ready for. "If you'd rather not, that's all right. We can arrange a visit for..."

"No... No, please. James, really. I'd be happy to visit before heading home after this vacation is over." My beloved whispered to me reassuringly. Her hands tightened their grasp around mine even as they remained over her reptilian womb. The Dragon Lord sighed dreamily as she spoke with barely more than a whisper. "I will be mother to your dragon children one day... I need to get used to being around babies. Especially since I'm sure there will be many in your... In our family eventually."

Such conviction and courage. Ember had always been such a marvel of a woman. If she had the courage to stand beside me on the battlefield despite the odds, why would that change anywhere else? All I could do was kiss my beloved on her head and ask, "You sure you're ready for that?"

"No, not yet. But my mom probably has a lot of advice to give me." Ember replied with a bit of a snicker that put a grin on my face. For not having been able to be active in her daughter's life, Blaze had proven herself to be a wonderful mother in the times I had known her. She surely had much to offer in terms of advice when it came to handling little dragon fledglings. If Ember had any questions or worries, she could always turn to the two dragons who had know her since the moment she was born. And as I continued to hold her, Ember rubbed her hands over the backs of mine. "Please... Raise them with me. We'll make this work. They won't be little punks. They'll be...amazing. Wonderful children who will be the brightest hope for my people."

And I believed her. I remembered that dream for mere minutes ago. That precious dragon boy in my arms. No brutality or barbarism were in those beautiful scarlet eyes. He was just...a precious happy boy who wanted to be held by his father. I believed that any dragon children born between us would not be like the brutes that Equestria likely stereotypes dragons as. They would come to meet Gladesong and grow to know her. As well as any other of the children born into my growing family. A family... Yes, that is what they will be part of. So many siblings of so many species. Inspiring and guiding each other. I know that my precious dragon children will not be led astray by those boulderheads of the dragon lands. They will be in good hands, I just know it.

After a moment longer, a glow began to fall over the room. From over in the corner. Ember and I both turned our heads to check and saw that the gem atop the Bloodstone Scepter was glowing brightly. Ember sighed harshly before saying, "Mom, Dad, not now. Please. Can we talk later?"

The glow did not recede. It continued to beckon us. Ember looked at me out of the corner of her eye as I understood that this call must have been important. I reluctantly took my hands off of her before Ember left the bed and approached the symbol of her reign. I watched in silence as Ember took hold of the Bloodstone Scepter before speaking directly to the Bloodstone itself. "OK, I'm here. What's up?"

Ember had her back to me as she stood there in silence. All I could do was listen. Although I did see Ember peek over her shoulder at me after a moment. I saw a smile spread across her lips before turning her back on me again. "He's the only one worthy of that. I hope that's not a problem with you."

A matter of seconds went by before Ember began to speak more defiantly towards her parents. "No, I don't care if he's not one of our people. He's the only one who's ever been worthy of me. If anyone's going to sire my heirs, it'll be him! And if you've got a problem with that, you two can just..."

She went silent with what appeared to be a look of surprise. Something was happening on the other end of that call that was compelling Ember to stay silent. And she soon spoke with a calmer tone. "Oh...? Really? You guys... Sure... Sure, OK. Yeah, I... All right. Yeah, we'll talk again soon. And yes, I'll keep the scepter with me today."

The glow of the Bloodstone Scepter faded. And only then did Ember look back at me with a smile. I felt curious enough to ask, "What happened? They have a problem with us being together?"

"No, not at all! It's completely the opposite." Ember replied as she approached me. My beautiful beloved took hold of my hand and gently helped me off the bed and onto my feet. She spoke happily to me, "They approve of you. But...they also told me to keep being patient with myself. It'll probably be years before it's a good time for it to happen, but... You'll be OK with that, right?"

I only barely resisted the urge to laugh. Ember knew nothing about a very recent conversation I had with her parents in private. Where they very enthusiastically voiced a desire for grandchildren from the two of us that I never saw coming. And all I could do was pull Ember into my arms for a tender embrace. "I'm a patient man, Ember. I'll wait as long as I have to."

"I swear I'll try to not keep you waiting too long... I want to make your dream come true." The beautiful dragon queen whispered whimsically back to me in a manner than sent a delighted shudder through me. And for a just a moment longer, we stood there and held each other. At least until Ember spoke again. "They also said we should probably get outside and enjoy our day. What time is it?"

"They did? Uh... Huh. Not as late as I thought it is." I replied before seeing the clock on the wall. It was half past 10 AM. Not quite as late as I feared we had slept. And I was rested enough to not have to worry about needing a nap later. I looked down at Ember and said, "Lemme go swap into my trunks and I'll meet you in the lobby. I wanna hit the beach today."

"Sounds good. And I wanna try one of those magic necklaces too. See you soon." Ember replied with a big smile on her face. I hurried out of the room and down to Novo's room. There was no sign of that glorious hippogriff queen inside. She must have surely been out at the beach of the designated guest area for our royal entourage by then. With no distractions, I swapped out into just my swimming trunks and stepped out with a large beach towel draped over my shoulders. It was time to really start my day.

Ember was waiting out in the middle of the hotel lobby with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. And I think she was not expecting me to show up so lightly dressed if that sudden flinching glance was anything to go by. Her eyes glanced up and down while scanning me from head to toe before she spoke with a smile. "Really want to feel the wind today, huh?"

"More like I'm ready to get my feet wet. There's nothing quite like taking a swim in a warm tropical ocean. I don't get to go swimming often enough back home, so I'd like to make up for that today." I explained while feeling very ready to hit the beach. Ember and I saw ourselves out and made a beeline down the stone walkways towards the very busy shoreline.

The Dragon Lord kept casting her eyes about as we walked through the crowd of very many ponies going about their day. So many colors mixing around us. Ember soon spoke up, "It's kinda crazy with just how ponies are everywhere across Equestria. They've really spread themselves out over time."

"They're definitely the most prolific of Equestria's people. And that's before considering that there's three different species of pony in the first place." I replied while considering that Ember was definitely out of her element. Even in the dragon lands, it is probably not common for so many dragons to be condensed into one area. No festivals or special events to warrant such a thing. What a shame... I hope that changes soon.

Ember consciously held the Bloodstone Scepter high above her so her parents could see over the droves of colorful ponies around us. She was just doing her part to make certain that Torch and Blaze could enjoy the sights s well as the rest of us. I happened to notice a few large beach umbrellas set out maybe a stone's throw from the ocean. And under those umbrellas was none other than Sky Beak and his family. Novo and Skystar were under one as well and it looked like they were all partaking in a little picnic in the shade. Novo had never been shy about mingling with the commoners on Capricorn Island and Sky Beak's children were good friends with her daughter, so it was not all that surprising to see them together.

I was tempted to head on over and partake in the picnic, but Ember was my primary concern at the moment. And she was scanning her horizons carefully. "Didn't you say that they have those magic necklaces around somewhere?"

They had to be nearby. I remember there being a booth on the beach last time that had dozens of those necklaces ready to be rented out. It took me a moment, but I soon spotted it over the sea of ponies before us. An earth pony mare without a cutie mark was minding a booth not far from the edge of the beach. A seapony who had assumed the form of a land pony with the use of those necklaces. I pointed over there and said, "I think that's what you're looking for."

"Really? I'll be right back." Rather than push her way through the beachcombers around us, Ember just soared over them on her wings. I continued on my way to the shoreline as the waves crashed over the beach like clockwork. I sank my feet into the soaked dark sand and allowed the next briny wave to wash over them. It was such a pleasant sensation that I did not expect to miss as much as I did. Pleasantly warm too, not at all like the chill one might get from a lake.

I waded about in the shallowest shallows for a moment with many ponies frolicking in the surf. I felt a shadow fall over me before long. A quick turn revealed Ember having just dropped down before me. And dangling from her neck was one of those bright pink necklaces composed of vibrantly colored coral. Or at least I think the material came from coral. She stood with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand and said, "How do I look? Kind of looks nice on me, right?"

"Yeah, it does. I guess pink is a natural counter for blue." I replied while focusing on the pink stone resting against the top of her chest. But as I stared at it and Ember stared at me, I suddenly came to a realization. "Uh... Did they tell you how to use it?"

"Yeah! They said I can just...will it to happen. Whatever that means." Ember replied with a shrug of her shoulders. She then stepped past me and stood in the surf with the waves almost coming up to her knees. She turned to face me and said, "But if that doesn't work, they said I can get something to happen by... Hey?!"

Sure enough, Ember tapped a finger on the pink stone serving as the set piece of her necklace. She was instantly engulfed by a swirling flash of golden light and ethereal purple crescents. But when that swirling veil faded as quickly as it arrived... I cocked my head to one side and asked, "Uh... Nothing happened?"

It really looked like nothing had changed at all. At least from a glance. Ember still looked like the beautiful blue dragoness I had always known. Ember glanced left and right before asking, "Huh? I don't look any different... What? Does using this just let me breath under... Wait... Wait a second, something's missing here!"

Only then did I notice. Her wings! They were gone! I pointed in shocked silence at the point just behind her shoulders. Ember all but panicked as she looked behind herself. "My wings! What happened to my wings?! No! No no no no no, give them back! How do I... Ack!"

Ember tapped on her necklace again and was swiftly engulfed by that very brief swirling light of gold and purple. And sure enough, it faded to reveal that she was back to normal. Those majestic beautiful blue wings were folded behind her one again. And she was all too happy to spread them wide to test them. "Oh thank goodness, there they are! I was afraid I lost you girls!"

"At least we know that it's reversible... But really, what actually changed? If your wings disappear after using that, it must have a reason." I replied while so certain that nothing had changed in Ember aside from her wings disappearing. But if the wings vanished, what else had changed?

The apprehensive Dragon Lord before me took a deep breath while clutching the Bloodstone Scepter in her left hand. She then reached for the necklace against and said, "OK, take two. Let's try this again..."

Ember was once again briefly engulfed by that swirling veil. And once again, the first thing I noticed was that her wings were gone. As if they had never been there. She looked so unnerved to be without one of her defining physical features. "OK, they're gone again. I can just get them back later. Anyway, James... What's changed? Anything at all?"

"Hmmm... I'm not noticing any... Wait... Hey, what's up with your spines? They're...fins now?" I started to say before getting a good look at Ember's head the dark blue spines atop them were still present, but they now has a brighter blue membrane between them. they had become a segmented dorsal fine. "The spines on your head! They're just one big fin now! What else has changed?"

"They are?! Now that you mention it, something doesn't feel right with my hands... Or my feet." Ember replied before looking down at her upturned right hand. And we both saw why when she splayed her fingers. Ember's fingers were now webbed. Same with her toes. It was only then that she started to find some amusement in her subtlety altered body. "Hey! I didn't have these before! What else is new?"

"Maybe you're... Yeah, check out your tail!" I replied before looking behind Ember. Even her tail had undergone a change. Her feathery tail spade had become a broad and sturdy fin that lined the top and bottom of the lower half of her tail. Basically to function like a rudder to move her through the water. Only then did it dawn on me. "You're a sea dragon now! Are those even a thing?"

"I don't know! The dragon lands have always been a landlocked region! If there's sea dragons out there, then I've never heard of them!" Ember barked while now appearing more excited than disturbed. Although I think she then let out a quiet belch. Except there was a noticeable lack of flame or smoke coming from her mouth. "Wait... No fire? Come to think of it, I don't feel as...warm as I usually do."

"When considering that fire and water don't mix... Maybe your stomach fire isn't there when you're in this form. You might not want to eat anything before you change back. Digestion won't work the same way if you do." I said in contemplation. With how easily dragons can eat and digest anything solely because their stomachs are essentially incinerators, Ember would end with a far less ideal outcome if her stomach now worked no differently from my own.

"Right, right... No snacking until I'm back on dry land. And with wings on my back." Ember replied while patting herself on her very smooth and slender belly. Aside from those minor changes, her body was entirely unchanged. Even her scales appeared to have the same texture as before. She then curled her tail forward to better examine its new fin. "Anyway... How do I swim with this? That fin reaches pretty far up my tail... What do you think I'm supposed to do with this?"

I squatted down with the ocean waves washing up to my knees. That fin running along Ember's tail could not just be for show. After a moment of pondering its design, I came to a conclusion. "Maybe you're supposed to swim by swaying it from side to side. Kinda like how crocodiles swim."

"I guess the only way to find out is to try it, huh?" Ember replied with a happy smirk. She was eager to see what was beneath the waves with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. Torch and Blaze would surely enjoy seeing the bright colorful reefs out there. Something they never could have seen back in their time. But just as I rose to my feet, Ember pulled the necklace over her head and offered it to me. "Wanna join me for a swim? I'd love it if we go together."

I only barely stopped myself from reaching for it. I had discussed such a thing before. There was nothing to fear from using that necklace. And yet...I was deeply uneasy about it. Firstly, I was absolutely certain that the necklace would cause me to take on the form of a merman straight out of myth. But that would also destroy my trunks. And I did not have to risk ruining my only piece of swimwear, let alone risking having to run naked back to the hotel for some clothes. But even then, I...felt uncomfortable with shedding my pure human form. Ember too note of my hesitation and asked, "James...?"

I could not. My hand pulled away from the necklace as I said, "Sorry, I... I want to go with you, but...I also don't want to...change."

Ember's response was not what I expected. Instead of disappointment, she responded with a smile. "Then don't change. Stay as you are, my little warrior poet. But you'll still come with me, right?"

"Yeah, totally! Just let me...uh... Lemme see if someone's renting out goggles and snorkels around here. There's gotta be something like that. Be right back!" I replied before rushing off in a hurry. If the locals were renting out those necklaces, surely there had to be some proper swimming equipment available as well.

I did eventually spot one of those stalls that handed out those seapony necklaces. And just a little ways down the beach was exactly what I was looking for. A stall renting out snorkels, flippers, and goggles. Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that while the goggles and flippers came in a variety of shapes and sizes for different species, none were designed for humans.

The flippers were out of the question and I was very disappointed to find that none of the goggles that featured a single translucent panel would fit my face. I had to settle for the much simpler goggles that only cover the eyes individually. And I had to try on one after the other to see if any would fit. The vendor had even provided a large tub of water to test if the goggles would seal properly around the eyes. One quick dunk in there confirmed that the pair I had chosen worked for me. But right when I was about to pick out a snorkel, someone I recognized came up beside me. "Going for a swim soon, my friend?"

Luna had come on over to survey the options. She was likely wanting to go for a swim out in the shallows as well. "Oh, hey. Yeah, Ember wanted me to come along. I'm not feeling adventurous enough to try out those seapony necklaces, so I'm settling for a snorkel and goggles."

"Hmmm... If I may?" The Princess of the Night asked before leading me away from the stall. She soon whispered to me while hiding in plain sight amongst the crowd of beachcombers around us. "Perhaps I can save you the trouble of using a snorkel. I don't suppose you are familiar with a certain spell that allows creatures to walk on clouds as if they were pegasi, yes?"

"Yes, I am very familiar with that spell. Twilight puts it to use whenever she and our friends visit Cloudsdale. What of it?" I asked in return while having seen such a spell in use fairly routinely back home.

Luna began to explain with a whimsical smile on display. "In actuality, that is a spell derived from a specific pool of magic originally meant for diplomatic visits to lands unreachable or inhospitable to other creatures. And much like how there is a spell that allows those from the earth to walk on equal footing as the pegasi of Equestria's cloud cities, one exists for mingling with the aquatic races of Equestria. Perhaps I can save you the trouble but making a snorkel unnecessary?"

It was intriguing to know the exact origin of such spells and how they related to each other. Although while this was a very convenient opportunity, I still had one question. "You can? I mean sure, but how does it work? It doesn't make me grow gills, does it?"

"What? Oh no no, not like that!" Luna laughed at the notion. And this only drew my attention further. She then explained to me, "The spell simple allows your body to absorb oxygen through your skin. Although I still strongly advise resisting the urge to breathe while underwater. While you won't drown if you do, you'll still need to remove the water from your lungs when you surface and that...will not be a pleasant experience, I promise you. Take a deep breath before you dive so you won't be tempted to breathe."

"Yeesh, I can't imagine that feeling good to begin with... All right, lay it on me. Ember's waiting for me over there." I winced before standing ready. Luna's horn was briefly coated by her billowing blue aura before a bright flash engulfed me for just an instant. And yet... Nothing changed? "Uh... Did that do it?"

"I assure you that the spell is in effect and will remain in effect for the next twenty-four hours. You'll know it once you dive below the surface. Now, on your way! And shall I tend to your towel for now? It won't do you any good down there." Luna replied while I took her up on the offer. I left my towel with the Princess of the Night before hurrying off to reunite with Ember. I was actually pretty excited to explore the sea like never before.

Ember appeared to be chatting up her parents through the Bloodstone Scepter by the time I reached her. She was exactly where I had left her with the waves still washing over her ankles. I think her parents even saw me approaching since Ember suddenly looked over her shoulder before she could have heard me coming. Ember then spoke with a curious smile, "Oh, is that what goggles are? They keep your eyes dry? And... Wait, weren't you supposed to get something else?"

"Huh? Oh right, Luna bumped into me and made it so I wouldn't need a snorkel. Don't worry, I won't be drowning today... Come to think of it, how are you supposed to breathe underwater? Seaponies have gills. Do you?" I replied before suddenly realizing that Ember likely did not have the means to survive underwater. Seaponies are a curious blend of fish and mammal, but Ember was a reptile. Could she have gained gills too?

"That's a good question... Huh? What's that, Dad? Where? Around...here?" Ember replied while it seemed that Torch had gotten her attention. What did he see from right next to Ember's shoulder? She rose a hand to her neck and started feeling around. It only took her a few seconds to detect something. "Hang on... These weren't here before. Feels like...slits in my scales?"

A closer look revealed that it was exactly what I suspected they were. On each side of Ember's neck was a set of gills. They remained firmly closed while Ember was above water. Perhaps it was in response to her using her lungs to breathe at the time. I reached out and slid my fingers over the gills on the right side of her neck before saying, "Yep, that's most definitely a set of gills. You won't have to worry about drowning. You probably shouldn't try to inhale while down there though."

"Weird. I'm pretty sure dragons aren't supposed to have gills, but... Whatever! You ready?" Ember said with a shrug of her shoulders. And I did not want to keep her waiting any longer. The two of us went running into the surf as the waves started reaching higher and higher. And right when the water was almost up to my chest, I took a deep breath and went diving in.

The pull of the waves was weaker below the surface. And I was greeted by the sight of the sand below covered in dancing lines shadows created by the sunlight shining down through the shifting waves above. There were even small fish swimming in the shallows despite the many colorful ponies paddling. And Luna was right. I felt no growing urge to exhale building inside me. I felt like I was constantly in the state of having just inhaled deeply. Perfectly comfortable with no sensation of craving fresh air. I could have exhaled, but I felt no need to.

And then there was Ember. She clumsily tried to dive deeper while still keeping the Bloodstone Scepter in her right hand. There was no way she could swim well like that. I even noticed that she had her eyes open underwater in spite of the exposure to salty seawater. Perhaps all aquatic creatures, even those as a result of magical artifacts, have eyes that are tailored to being exposed to the briny sea. Ember looked my way with a gaze of annoyance as she seemed to be confused over how to swim better now that her body was that of a sea dragon. And that is assuming that sea dragons are even a thing in nature to begin with.

There was no way I could speak underwater. Doing so would require me to exhale and that would not help me. So I settled on just pointing at Ember's tail. It was time to see if swimming crocodile style was the way to go.

Ember curled her tail forward to examine the fins on the top and bottom. That reminder gave her an idea as she started to try and see how it could propel her forward. It took a few minutes, and was amusing to watch all the while, but she eventually got the hang of it. By keeping her limbs at her side and relaxing them, Ember swayed her tail much like how a snake slithers to easily move ahead. She even started to see just how fast she could go and began to make quick bursts through the water like a barracuda. She looked very pleased with herself. And then she spoke. "Hey, this is pretty fun!"

The last thing I expected was to be able to hear Ember speak. Even underwater, her vocal chords were able to generate sound without her having to breathe. But it was not the same as hearing her voice through the air. Ember voice sounded somewhat...uneven. As if it had a certain...wobbliness to it while traveling through a liquid environment. I suppose I should not have been surprised. I was just glad that at least one of us could actually speak down there. Ember came swimming right over to me like a prowling crocodile and broke out of her sleek swimming posture to float before me. "Can you hear me just fine? I'm surprised I can even talk at all down here."

With no way to talk, all I could do was nod. And Ember was quick to notice that I was not able to return the favor. "You can't talk down here? Hey, that's all right. At least your face says enough."

Ember then looked up at the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. Torch and Blaze must have been really enjoying the view as if they were on their own private submarine cruise. And it was time to see what else was out there beyond the shallows. But Ember did not leave me behind to swim at my own tepid pace. She held my hand and pulled me along at much greater speed than I could reach.

The sandy color of the shallow began to make way for the presence of coral and waving strands of kelp. And while they were present in the shallows, we began to see the local seaponies in greater numbers. They were coming and going from the shallows while Ember decided to follow some of them. "Seaponies, right? I wonder what their homes are like... Do they even have towns and cities down here?"

As much as I wanted to chime in, I literally could not talk. And Ember started to look my way with confusion over my silence. At least until she remembered why I was so silent. "Oh... Right. I bet you'll have plenty to talk about when we get back to the surface."

The seafloor very quickly began to show more signs of life the deeper it went. Although it was also rather intimidating. The horizon ahead of us was consumed by a vast blue veil with bits and pieces of the environment emerging out of it. It only emphasized the sheer vastness of the ocean. But I had faith in Ember keeping me safe. Not only was she swimming like a crocodile. She could surely bite like one too.

We soon went over an underwater cliff wall that reached down into an inviting expanse of undersea flora and vibrant coral. While deeper, the place was still brightly illuminated by the sun above. And seaponies were all over the place. Ember looked up at the Bloodstone Scepter in her hand and asked, "Looks like we're in seapony territory now. Enjoying the show, you two?"

I could not hear the voices of Torch or Blaze, nor could I even try to speak to them. But Ember soon looked at me and smiled. "They're having a good time."

All I could do was smile back at her. And Ember was quick to place a little kiss on my cheek while the locals were not paying us any mind. Just a means of conveying that she was appreciating my company despite my minimal means of interacting with her? All I could do was tighten my grip around her hand. Satisfied for the moment, Ember began to dive down with me being pulled along for the ride.

The seaponies were not entirely defenseless people of the sea. Ember and I noticed that there were some stationed around that underwater grove while clad in polished gilded breastplates and helmets. And clutched in their wrists were tridents. A very fitting weapon for an underwater race. Ember, always having an eye for a good polearm, swam over to one of the local guards to inspect his weapon. "Now that's an interesting spear. But three points instead of one? Doesn't that make it...less lethal?"

The guard was happy to elaborate on his weapon of choice. "To be fair, the only thing we have to worry about down here are hungry aquatic beasts. The trident is meant to pin down and repel beasts instead of killing them... Oh, you! Yes, you!"

Was he talking to me? The sea stallion before us suddenly raised a hoof to his brow for a salute and said, "You're him! You're the human hero who served in the War of Preservation! Good to see you down here, sir! I know whatever happened out there might not have had much of an impact on things involving my people, but your service is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy your time down here, sir."

It was flattering to learn that the events of the War of Preservation and my role in it was known even down there in the homelands of the seaponies. And as much as I wanted to say something, I could not. The guard even looked confused over my silence until Ember stepped in. "He can't speak down here, so please pardon his silence. He's using...something different to not drown down here."

"You are? Well...uh... OK then! In any case, enjoy yourselves. I'll just be around." The guard replied before swimming away at a leisurely pace. Ember then turned her eyes to a large cave carved out of the cliff we had just descended past. Seaponies could be seen exiting and entering it without fear. Ember pointed at it while looking at me while I just nodded. It was time to investigate.

I tried swimming into the cave with a simple breaststroke, but was much too slow compared to literally everyone around me. Ember saw this and tried a different approach. She swam up beside me and offered me the Bloodstone Scepter to hold. I did since she appeared to want me to hold it. But when I took hold of the stone scepter in my right hand, Ember embraced me from behind and began to swim along into the cave with me being held beneath her. A clever and more streamlined manner of pulling me along that I did appreciate. I could even feel her heart beating against my back.

The cave was not all that dark. Plenty of bioluminescent flora and coral dotted the walls. Ember and I got a lot of stares from the seaponies who passed us. A human and a dragon down in the deep? A very odd sight for sure. And we soon found out why that cave was drawing the attention of so many seaponies. The passage soon opened up into a vast cave chamber that served as the home for the seaponies. Many tables composed of stone and large coral lined the cave floor where many seaponies were using as communal areas. And hanging from the ceiling were what appeared to be massive ornately designed chandeliers that let off a gentle pink glow. Everything felt so fitting given the location. Like a lost ancient city buried beneath the waves.

Ember carried me higher and began to swim around the chandeliers for a closer look. It turned out that the chandeliers were anything but. What appeared to be arches were actually doorways that led inside. The chandeliers in that cave appeared to actually be the homes of the seaponies. With no doors to provide much in the way of privacy, I was under the impression that the seaponies are a very communal species of people that live much like a school of fish. A very alien way of life that one would never find on dry land. While tempting to approach, Ember and I understood it would be just rude to barge into the homes of complete strangers. Ember eventually began to dive deeper to bring the two of us towards the cave floor. "Everything down here is so pretty...but also so weird! Maybe you need to be a fish to really appreciate all of this stuff."

We oversaw what appeared to be an underwater game taking place between two groups of little seapony foals. Their tailfins were more modest in length compared to the mares and stallions of their people, but they were as swift as silvery fish regardless. They appeared to be using a ball of sorts that was too dense to float and too buoyant to sink. It would only move if it was being carried along by someone. Two stone arches stood apart with the two teams trying to wrestle the ball away and hurl it past another foal that was guarding the arch. Like underwater soccer. And it looked so familiar to me...

Voices reached our ears even with the ocean dampening the sound around us. And a glance down revealed a small pod of seaponies gathered around a stone table for what seemed to be an afternoon snack. They even had cups of a beverage that was dense enough to separate from the seawater around them. Ember looked at me with a smile and said, "Looks like the locals want to say hello. Should we head on down?"

I nodded right away. I have long since learned that if an unfamiliar race of people in Equestria invite one to join them for a pleasant first encounter in their homeland, there is nothing to fear. Ember swam on down with me in tow as our hosts made room for us at the table. The colorful mares and stallion even passed us what seemed to be plates lined with strips of kelp. One of the mares spoke up in greeting. "Hello! We don't normally get dragons down here. Or humans! And there's only one human out there, right?"

All I could do was wave at them in greeting. It was starting to become bothersome over how I literally could not speak. But Ember did so for my sake. "This is James. And I'm Dragon Lord Ember. We're on vacation with Equestria's royal family up there. Just a little rest and relaxation after that mess on the Empty Plains."

"Hey, we heard about you guys! Come on, pull up a seat! You hungry? Maybe some kelp chips or fish oil tea?" One of the stallions spoke up. That last one caught my attention. An oil based tea? No wonder it was not mixing with the water around it.

All too happy to accept the hospitality of these new people, I pulled over a plate of those kelp chips. Or at least that was what they called them. They were just long strips of kelp cut into smaller pieces. I have no idea how they cook down there underwater, but I had to assume that the kelp had been seasoned to some degree. And kelp is a very healthy food too. But the instant I opened my mouth to try a bite...

Salt. Nothing but the overwhelming taste of salt came flooding into my mouth the instant I opened it. And not from the kelp. The ocean instantly filled my mouth. And it was too much for me. Not wanting to risk swallowing a dangerous amount of salt in one gulp, I spewed the seawater back out and kept my lips sealed. How frustrating, not being able to eat or drink underwater. My hosts were stunned by the harsh reaction I had to suddenly getting a mouthful of salty fluid. How was Ember tolerating the flavor of the sea every time she spoke? Had her taste buds changed to be more tolerant of the flavor?

I suddenly had a realization with that awful saltiness still lingering on my tongue. An urge to breathe hit me even though I did not feel like I was suffocating. I had expelled all the air that was in my lungs. My hands rested over my ribs upon realizing this as I felt very uneasy. Ember quickly caught on and asked, "Uh oh. You just exhaled. There's no air left in you, right?"

I nodded in confirmation. While I was not in danger of drowning, all I would have to do was inhale by accident and my lungs would fill with seawater. If that happened, I would have to remain in the water to avoid drowning unless they could extract that water from my body. Ember understood that there was a risk involved if we lingered for much longer. She quickly got behind me and took hold of me with her arms locked over my chest. "Sorry, everyone. Looks like I better get my friend here back to the surface before he has an accident."

The seaponies did not object and bid us farewell. With my hands tightly clinging to the Bloodstone Scepter, Ember took off with me in her embrace. She swam swiftly through the cave and out into the underwater grove. She then quickly ascended straight up with the waves washing over above. She only slowed down once we neared the surface. The instant my head emerged from the waves, I inhaled sharply. It felt so wrong to go so long with no air in my lungs, even if the spell Luna cast on me insured that my body was constantly filtering fresh oxygen into it from the ocean around me. "Oh man, that's better! Now I gotta find something to get the taste of salt outta my mouth."

"Was it that bad? I'm surprised I didn't notice the flavor so much whenever I talked. Maybe this necklace changes your taste buds too..." Ember replied while I handed the Bloodstone Scepter back to her.

"Yeah, it really was that bad. And it wouldn't been dangerous to drink. The last time I drank seawater was when I was a kid and I felt so sick afterward. Like I had a fever. It must've dehydrated me." I explained while making sure to keep myself afloat out there in the rising and falling waves of the sea. At least the shoreline was visible in the distance.

"Salt makes you sick if you consume too much? I'll have to remember that. What about you two? Did you enjoy the ride?" Ember asked while holding the Bloodstone Scepter above the water. She stared at it for a brief moment before looking at me with a smile. "Mom and Dad had a good time. What about you?"

I took a moment to ponder my thoughts on the experience we had just gone through while continuing to tread water. "To be entirely honest... Yeah, it was an intriguing experience, but... There's really not a lot to do down there. Pretty to see, but... Maybe that's why the seaponies figured out a way to come up on dry land in the first place. There's a lot more going on up here than down there."

"When you put it that way, I guess you have a point... Having water getting into everything does kind of get in the way. But we should take another look down there sometime before we go home. All right? Maybe bring some friends along?" Ember asked while I could only nod. Even if we would run out of things to do down there fairly quickly, it was still worth another visit before we would depart for home. But now that our curiosity had been sated, it was time to return to shore.

Ember and I dove beneath the waves again before she took my hand and began to leisurely swim back towards the beach ahead. I made certain to take another deep breath this time. The Dragon Lord swam along crocodile style, making it feel like we were just gliding along in the water instead of actively swimming. Very relaxing. We passed seaponies and even terrestrial ponies who went swimming out beyond the shallows. The underwater flora of the tropics began to become more sparse as we returned to the edge of the beach. The two of us tried to stay beneath the surface as long as we could, but eventually had to stand when we all but beached ourselves in the sand just below the surface. We both burst from the surf with our heads held high before Ember asked, "Wait... Did I take us off course?"

The airship docks did look farther away than they did earlier. Perhaps we drifted further north than expected. I surveyed the beach to the south and tried to spot something familiar. Anything or anyone I might recognize amongst the droves of colorful ponies. I pointed ahead and said, "There's Novo. She's always easy to spot."

"Can't see her from here... Could you guide me?" Ember asked as I noticed that she was a fair bit shorter than me. I obliged and led the Dragon Lord along the shoreline with the waves still washing over our feet. The area around us started to look more familiar the further south we strode. And sure enough, we soon both spotted her out on the beach near the shoreline. The three royal sisters were nearby as well and it looked like the royal entourage were just enjoying some time away from their designated resort to relax amongst the commoners under the shade of some large beach parasols. Novo especially was further away her royal friends. The majestic hippogriff queen was resting on her back with her wings spread wide for some sunbathing. Ember pointed ahead at the first sight of her friend and said, "There she is!"

We left the surf and went jogging over to Novo since she was closest at the time. And the hippogriff queen noticed our arrival before either of us spoke. We were unsure if she was away or not, but she soon lifted her head to reveal that she was sporting a classy pair of sunglasses. They only further accentuated her sassy and stylish persona all the more. My beloved queen then said, "Hey there, you two. How's the... Uh... Ember, you all right there? What happened to your wings?"

"My... Oh! Just a second!" Ember replied before hastily tapping a finger to the necklace resting upon her chest. A quick flash of that swirling magical light engulfed her for just an instant before Ember was revealed to having reverted to her majestic winged form with no signs of gills or fins on her. I almost laughed at how easily she had forgotten about her missing wings. Were it not for those wings missing, no one would have noticed her webbed digits and the changing of her tail spade and spines into fins. Novo lifted her sunglasses to reveal her eyes while she gazed on in confusion. "Woo, there they are! Almost forgot about the girls after swimming so much today."

Novo looked nothing short of confused. Aside from her wings having been missing, Novo did not notice any changes on the Dragon Lord before her until her wings had returned. The hippogriff queen raised an eyebrow at us and asked, "Uh... What just happened? Why would you even get rid of your wings regardless?"

Now it was Ember's turn to be confused. She held up a hand and asked, "Wait, you didn't notice anything else? Maybe the fin on my head? Or that long fin along my tail? Anything...fishy about me?"

I decided it was a good time to elaborate on what Novo had just witnessed. I spoke up and said, "It's the necklace, Novo. The seaponies around here created them as a means to allow them to become terrestrial ponies so they can come up on dry land and mingle with the rest of Equestria's people. The funny thing is it also works in reverse. What you just saw? The necklace turned Ember in to a sea dragon."

This piqued Novo's curiosity. Her confused stare became one of interest. "You mean to tell me those pretty fish ponies splashing around out there are also the ponies I've seen around here without cutie marks? I thought there was something weird about seeing grown mares and stallions without them..."

Ember saw the interest in Novo's eyes and removed the necklace from her shoulders. She held it out to Novo and said, "Wanna give it a try? I think I've done enough swimming for one day."

"Don't mind if I... Huh?!" Novo started to say only for a sudden flash of light to engulf the necklace the instant her finger touched it. In less than a second, it was gone. And all we could do was stare in stunned silence at Ember's empty fingers. "Um... Is it supposed to do that?"

"No...? At least I don't think so?" Ember mumbled before she turned her gaze towards me. "James? Was that supposed to happen?"

"No idea... They didn't do that when Fluttershy rented one last time we were down here." I replied as I tried to brainstorm up an explanation. There had to be a reason for it just vanishing like that. That flash... It was similar to what happens when someone uses a teleportation spell. Maybe it had not been destroyed after all. "If I had to take a guess... It's a safeguard to prevent them from being stolen when rented out? It probably just teleported back to the stall where we got it."

Novo snickered at the notion. "You mean it's right back where you two got it? In that case, where can I get one? We hippogriffs have always had a close association with the ocean. I'd like to see what it's like to be one with it sometime."

I looked to my right and could see the stalls renting out various things for anyone who wanted to go for a swim in the surf. "Right over there. And if you like the results enough, you can buy one to take home with you that you can use anytime."

"You can? I bet Skystar will be begging me for one. That's girl's always had the sea on her mind." Novo replied with a smirk on her beak. She then slid her sunglasses back up on her beak with the temple arms hung over the two long tufts of feathers on her head that brought ears to mind. She then asked while getting comfy again wiht her arms crossed behind her head, "In any case, where did you run off to with that little thing? Went for a long swim in the surf?"

"We did more than that. We swam so far out that we got to sea the homes of the seaponies around here. Very pretty location. I recommend visiting at least once." I replied while casting a glance at Ember. Although my eyes did also fall upon the Bloodstone Scepter as well. I looked back at Novo and said, "And Torch and Blaze were along for the ride. They had a good time down there."

A big smile spread across Novo's beak before she raised a hand in greeting at the Bloodstone Scepter. "Did they now? Hey there, you two. Had yourselves a little submarine tour down in the deep?"

Even though Novo could not hear the two former Dragon Lords, they definitely heard and saw her. The Bloodstone itself glowed briefly in response. Ember whispered something to it, probably just to establish enough of a connection to hear them, and then looked at Novo with a smile. "Yes, they really enjoyed the view. And they'd love to talk with you again sometime."

"In that case, how about around the fire after sundown? A little royal chat between kings and queens? I wanna see the real big mama and big daddy again." Novo chuckled while waving at her two newest friends on the other side of the shiny red surface of the Bloodstone. She then relaxed on her big beach towel again and said, "In any case, mama just wants to soak up some rays for a little while. Let's chat again soon, all right?"

"Sounds good, Novo. We'll leave you to it. Love you." I replied to the beautiful creature sprawled out before us. Novo responded without a word. She brought her fingers to the tip of her beak before blowing a kiss at me. Ember and I then strode past her towards the VIP area of the resort while still reeking of the sea.

Shining Armor and Cadence were soaking in the hot tub at the time of our arrival while Rain Shine appeared to be having a quiet conversation with Seaspray. There was no sign of Skystar or Sky Beak and his family at the time. They were probably out on the beach enjoying themselves as a family with their children's friend along for the ride. Ember and I pulled up a seat at the bar to order up some fruit smoothies. I decided to try a mango and pineapple combination that time.

It was quieter now that we were a decent distance from the hustle and bustle of a busy vacation spot. The bar even had a radio set up to serenade the place with tropical tunes to set the mood. And for a moment, there were no words between Ember and I. We just sat there and sipped away at our drinks. Just to savor a moment of peace. At least until Ember finally whispered to me. "I'm very happy to be here with you."

Such sincerity in those words. I glanced at Ember out of the corner of my eye while she glanced over at me all the same. And we smiled at each other. There was only one thing I could say to her. "I'm happy to be with you too."

I felt such an urge to reach out and kiss that beautiful dragon queen. But eyes were watching. The bartender was nearby and would surely see. I had to find a way to take my attention off of Ember in that manner. My eyes fell upon the Bloodstone Scepter behind her. And then I happened to notice some of Novo's guards stationed around the area. Although they looked more like they were just having a good time like us. And with such sharp eyes, they could probably spot trouble well before trouble could spot them. I then whispered to Ember, "Say, Ember... If you're here now, who's minding the dragon lands while you're away?"

"I mean it's not like I'm expecting to go home and not find some fires to put out. But if you mean what I think you do... Don't worry. I made sure to put together a cadre of volunteers who will keep the peace while I'm gone. You remember the unit who served with us during the war?" Ember replied as she leaned on the counter with one elbow.

I decided to respond with a bit of snarky wit. "You mean the twelve who were gonna eat me that one time?"

"Trust me, they'll never try that again. But yeah. Them." Ember grumbled with a bit of a sarcastic smirk on her lips. But she then slurped up some of her drink and said, "Anyway, they're usually the first to volunteer when I need to assemble a group to get anything done around there. Don't know what it is about them, but they've been listening to me a lot more ever since we got home. They'll keep the peace while I'm away."

It sounded like the dragon lands were becoming gradually more civilized day by day. But it was still at a snail's pace. There was no way they would crawl out of the stone age overnight. I looked ahead past the bar's counter and asked, "You still considering annexation in the long run?"

Ember snorted in some minor amusement. "Considering? James, it's gotta happen at this point. The dragon lands have nothing going for it if we stay isolated and independent. I just hope they'll take the news well when it happens."

Even if it would be for the best in the long run, I feared the worst. Would her people accept such a decision? I asked quietly, "Is there anything I could do to help?"

"Now that you mention it..." Ember muttered in some thought. She then turned to me and asked with a look of concern in her eyes. "Could you just...be there with me when I make the announcement? My people respect you after what happened on the Empty Plains. I think many of them are even starting to suspect that we've...already become mates. If that's the case, they might be more accepting if the Dragon Lord is accepting the dragon lands being annexed by the nation her mate serves as a hero."

I had to take a moment to process all of that. And a crooked smirk spread across my lips when I understood what she was asking of me. "Oh man, they're really gossiping about us like that? I mean we're not mates, but... If me being by your side when that announcement comes will give them the incentive to give it a chance, then...sure. I'll be there. Just let me know when it's due to happen."

"Thank you. I really do think your presence will make a difference that day. Even if we're not mates..." Ember replied while she glanced around the bar for a moment. I found out why in a matter of seconds. With the bartender over yonder checking his stock, Ember took the time to grasp my right hand under the counter. I discreetly looked at her out of the corner of my eye while she did the same. All while wearing a proud smile. "Not yet, at least."

Ember was cunning. And she had proven herself to be just as sneaky with the workings of her heart as I was in her own unique way. For dragons to become mates, they would have to trust each other to make love together for the first time. And Ember had jumped ahead a bit by granting me the honor of fathering her heirs when the time came. But if they were meant to become the next Dragon Lords, then... A sudden fear ignited in my heart. I asked softly, "Ember... When the time finally comes... Will your people really accept them?"

"Accept who?" Ember asked with her head tilted slightly to the side. Had she really forgotten?

I was careful to mind who was around us before whispering a reminder. "Our children."

Ember's scarlet eyes widened in sudden realization, but they then calmed quickly. As if she had no fears about the concept. And that growing smirk on her face told me enough. "Of course they will. My heirs being sired by the hero of the Empty Plains? You better believe they'll see great things in our hatchlings. Don't worry about our heirs, James. I promise they'll be accepted by my people. They know who you are."

Her confidence was reassuring. And it was easy to forget how the reputation I developed during the War of Preservation precedes me now. While not someone who takes pleasure in being seen as a war hero, Ember's words were comforting. "I guess dragons respect strength regardless of what that person is, huh? Well, if you say so. I just...don't want my children to have to go through that kind of stuff. I want all of my kids to grow up happy, no matter what they are."

I felt Ember's grasp around my hand tighten in response to my words. She gazed lovingly at me with those beautiful scarlet eyes before whispering to me. "I hope my children will love you. Because they'll have such an amazing father."

"Me too, Ember... I just want them to be happy. All of them." I replied quietly as we both began to lean towards each other. We only barely noticed in time what we were about to do and adjusted our positions upon our seats while trying to not look at each other. Although we did simultaneous take a long swig of our drinks in unison. I then spoke up just in case someone happened to be listening in. "Yep. I want my kids to grow up happy and safe in Equestria. I want them to love this world like I do."

"And they will. I'm sure they will. You and... Darn it, I forgot her name!" Ember suddenly laughed shockingly hard. She lifted hr head high before looking at me with tears in her eyes. "So sorry! I'm still getting used to pony naming conventions! What's the name of your wife and children again?"

"Pfft, Ember... I'm married to Fluttershy and our children are Scootaloo and Gladesong." I snickered heartily at the unfortunate lapse in Ember's memory. Ember knew next to notion about the outside world beyond the borders of her homeland until she followed me out onto the Empty Plains. The number of ponies she had encountered before then probably did not even reach the triple digits. At least she was trying.

"Fluttershy... Almost called her Butterfly for a second. Just don't tell her about this, all right?" Ember giggled with such a blush starting to turn her cheeks a very dark blue. The sheepish Dragon Lord tried to drown her embarrassment with her drink before loudly setting down the empty glass to get the bartender's attention. "Another, please!"

The bartender quickly put together another for Ember while I paid close attention to what was being used. It appeared to be a classic piña colada. I could never stand the flavor of coconut, but Ember was far from being a picky eater and was always eager to try new types of cuisine. I was not in a hurry to have another drink just yet and started to step away from the counter. "I'm in the mood for a swim in the pool. I'll be right over there, OK?"

"Sure thing. I'll come join you when I'm done here." Ember replied with a smile before sipping from her chilled drink. The pool at the edge of the VIP area was empty at the time and I was ready for a dip in cooler and gentler waters than the ocean. That initial chill upon stepping into it was very different from the warm surf, but I adapted well enough after a moment.

I really should go for swims more often during summer. It is easy to forget just how good it feels to leisurely paddle around a pool or a pond. I swam across the pool and around its edges a few times before Ember finally came over to the edge before propping the Bloodstone Scepter up on a beach chair nearby. She was not ready for the cooler temperatures of the pool and quickly retracted her foot upon dipping it in. "Woo! That's not like the ocean around here!"

"You get used to it pretty quick. And it really wakes you up. Come on, the water's fine." I replied while waving at the beautiful blue dragoness above me. Ember took a deep breath before submerging herself in the pool up to her neck. Her scarlet eyes went wide from the sudden chill, but she appeared to adapt to the temperatures even faster than I did. Maybe it was that warming stomach fire inside her keeping Ember comfortable. "Feeling better?"

"You weren't kidding. Feels nice after a moment." Ember spoke as she tread water. I was curious of how she would actually swim now that she was no longer a sea dragon. She tried a simple breaststroke at first, but her wings added two much drag no matter how close to her body. I then saw her go under with her blue silhouette under the water swiftly reaching the other side of the pool. From what I could tell, she was using her wings to literally fly underwater. Those smooth scales did not slow her down like the feathers of a bird's wing did. Ember immediately resurfaced at the other end, but was rubbing her eyes in discomfort. "What's with this water?! Kinda burns! And it tastes...off!"

Poor Ember. She knew nothing of modern sanitation practices when it came to stagnant water. I did my best to explain. "That's probably because the water is chlorinated. They need to mix that in with the water in swimming pools to prevent bacteria from building up in it. The water's clean, but it also isn't pure. You should wear goggles if you're gonna dive. Ad you really shouldn't drink it."

"Ugh, all this stuff about modern society... Fine. Don't open your eyes underwater in public swimming pools and don't drink the water. Got it." Ember grumbled before she started to do some surface swimming. I thought she was doing the backstroke, but she instead had her arms folded behind her head in a very relaxing manner. Her wings were doing all the work right under the surface. Ember swam a few laps around the pool before she came to a gliding stop beside me. Her wings were spread wide under her to try and keep her from sinking. As if trying to imitate a thin raft right under the surface. Dragons generally are very lean and have virtually no body fat on them, so I had to assume Ember was not as buoyant as she looked. She looked my way with a smirk on her lips. "What's up?"

"I can't believe how easy you make it look. Are all dragons such good swimmers when using their wings?" I asked while admiring Ember's graceful form floating beside me. I swear she was faster in the water when using her wings than when she was assuming the form of a sea dragon.

Ember gave me such an amused smirk as she said, "Only those who are as sleek as me. Don't expect any of those burlier boulderheads to do much in the water. They literally swim like a boulder. Even when using their wings."

The two of us enjoyed our swim alone for a time. Ember even held me from behind and carried me along under the water while I could feel exactly how fast we were moving. But after a time, we just relaxed in the shallows with hold each other tenderly. We had no words for each other for a while. But we did gently rest our heads together and closed our eyes. It was just so relaxing there. At least until I suddenly choked on water and quickly came to my senses. Ember was holding my head above the water's surface and asked with a giggle, "What happened there? Did you pass out for a nap again?"

"Did I?! Yikes, thanks for catching me. Don't want to give everyone a scare by almost drowning myself today." I coughed as I felt the burn of lightly chlorinated water up my nose. What an awful sensation. And there was no quick and easy way to get that burning sensation out. "Ugh, now I don't wanna be in here anymore... I'm gonna go check on Novo and see if she's done sunbathing."

"You poor thing. Got water up your nose, huh? I think I'll hang out in here a while longer. I'm really enjoying the cool in the pool right now." Ember replied while she helped me to the steps to get myself out. The gentle tropical breeze ended up making me feel colder than I was as I hurried off back to the beach to find Novo. And I did not find any spare towels nearby either.

My bare feet shifted through the sand of the beach while many colorful ponies milled about me. And it was then that I finally saw Sky Beak and his family off in the distance. They had joined in on a game of beach volleyball with some of the locals. It was a case of mares against stallions, Sky Beak and his son being on one side with Ocean Flow and her daughter being on the other. The ladies had the advantage due to Skystar also being present on their side. Not to mention the hippogriff participants would utilize their massive wings at times to swat the ball back if it looked like they were about to miss it. At least they were having fun.

Novo was exactly where I last saw her. Except she had scooted herself back to relax in the shade of a beach parasol by then. She must have been asleep too since she did not respond to my presence when I was looming over her. Those sunglasses over her eyes were a perfect cover while she relaxed on her back. I took a seat beside Novo and waved my hand over her face to check only to start noticing the subtle snoring coming from her.

I did not want to wake her just yet. I know that ruling over her people must be more taxing on Novo than she lets on. So I took a moment to just behold the hippogriff queen in all her slumbering glory. She was just so beautiful. A mare of unparalleled beauty. And she was mine. I wanted to touch her. To caress the layer of feathers covering her face. But when I started to reach for her, Novo mumbled in her sleep and rolled onto her side to end up facing me. Her sunglasses came loose a bit and revealed her closed left eye to show that she was indeed deep asleep.

Even in sleep, Novo was just so beautiful. Serene and calm instead of her vibrant and soulful self. My eyes wandered over her body before focusing on her vibrantly colored pink hands and her finely filed talons. Covered in the firm flesh of a bird's foot, yet as delicate as a human woman's hand. Hands that had held quills for signing documents on parchment, swords for thrilling duels, and even her beloved husband and child. Hands that had even held me. And...I could not resist. I brought my hand to hers and gently wrapped my fingers around them. "I love you, Novo."

What an amazing woman of a mare. Despite being surrounded by dozens of excited and happy vacationers, I felt perfectly safe holding my beloved's hand. Surrounded by so many eyes, yet hiding in plain sight. And I gazed upon my sleeping beloved. A mare who had seen and done so much. A leader. A fighter. A diplomat. A friend. A queen. A lover. A wife. A mother. And most importantly, she was mine. And I was honored to be hers.

Being there alone with Novo while she was oblivious to my presence only made me realize just what she was. That wonderful queen had been so many things over the course of her very long life. Seen and experienced so much. Even mastered skills that Celestia herself lacked. A perfect woman. Or at least perfect in my eyes. And as my hand grasped hers, I happened to notice something on my finger. My wedding ring. But Novo's... Her hands were still bare. There was no ring on her finger. And as I beheld her vibrant pink fingers, I released her hand from mine and began to rub the finger that I was certain a wedding ring would be placed upon.

Such a profound sense of longing filled my heart. Would a day ever truly come where Novo and I would be able to walk down the aisle together? I had already done so with my beloved Fluttershy. We were sworn to each other that day. And the public records were set in stone. Was there a way to make it possible without resorting to a cruel divorce? Novo had insisted that she would find a way to bend the rules. Find a way for us to truly be sworn to each other. And I had faith in her. Novo had proven herself to be a woman who knows how to get things done. Her will has always been indomitable in the face of adversity. An iron will tempered by time. It is just such a same her heart is so much more fragile...

That realization made me frown as I remembered the very few times I had seen that wonderful queen weep. Her will may have been that of tempered iron, but her heart was still a delicate treasure. My fingers continued to rub over Novo's fingers, knowing that a ring had been there at one time. And when her heart shattered for the first time, that ring was lost with it. She had suffered a great loss. The loss of a husband and king. And I dare not allow her to suffer the same way under my watch. I resolved to keep that fragile heart safe at all times. Novo and I had only barely managed to reassemble those many fragments back into a whole. My beloved could no longer even feel the cracks anymore. She had ceased to look back at the past and was focused on the present and the near future. And all I wanted for us was for our future to be bright.

The tender rubbing of my fingers upon hers did not go ignored for much longer. At long last, Novo began to stir. Her deep soulful voice mumbled groggily before her left eye slowly began to open. And once her gaze met mine, Novo smiled warmly at me. "What's up, honey?"

My fingers were still rubbing over her hand. And one was touching her right on her ring finger. I sighed happily with those beautiful eyes gazing up at me before whispering to Novo. "I was just...thinking about how much I love you. And how much I want to put a ring on this finger someday."

Novo's sleepy smile broadened greatly in response to my words. Without even moving from that spot, she raised her left wing high in invitation. "Come here, baby. Mama wants to hold her daddy."

There was no refusing that invitation. I lied down beside Novo on the warm sand and found myself wrapped up in her glorious wing. With me all but hidden under her wing, I gently clutched her hand in mine as my beautiful queen touched her beak to my lips. And again. And then again. We were just...so dearly in love. Someone could have been out there watching and wondering what that beautiful hippogriff was doing with the only human man in Equestria tucked under her wing and I would not care at all. I was just so happy to be with my bird of paradise.

For a time, it was just bliss. Our hands firmly gripped each other while my lips met Novo's beak. The tips of the two halves of her beak curled just enough to meet my pursed lips over and over. And what beautiful eyes she had. Eyes complimented by that elegant faded pink eyeshadow. I whispered to my beloved, "I am just so in love with you, Novo..."

"The feeling is mutual, my love. My sweet sugar bear." Novo cooed to me with those eyes simmering with quiet passion. And coo she did. A beautiful sound reverberated deep in her throat as she kissed me over and over. The coo of a dove. At least until she took a moment to speak lovingly to me. "James... Marry me. Let me be your wife for real."

"I will... Oh god, I will." I whispered back to my beautiful bird of paradise. It was a forgone conclusion by then. We did not need to tell each other our desire to become husband and wife. We had done so already. More than once at that. But it was always a joy to reaffirm that vow with each other. I kissed my beloved on the beak as I whispered with joy burning in my heart. "I want to be your husband, my love... To be your king, if you would have me."

"And I will have you, my sweet swan king. I'll have you and never let go. I'll be your queen. Just like every last one of your lovely queens." Novo cooed with a sly smirk on her beak. She was madly in love with me, but she knew she was not the only woman who had found a place in my heart. And she had embraced that aspect of my family. I loved her so very much, but she was not the only one who I loved so dearly. We were a family. A family that would only continue to grow in time.

I think we stayed right there for a good ten minutes. Our hands clasped over each other's, my lips and her beak touching with kiss after kiss, our voices whispering such sweet loving things to each other... It was perfection. As should be expected from a perfect woman. Novo may possess just enough humility to not see herself as a truly flawless being, but I know the truth. She will always be my perfect mare. And that perfect queen finally whispered to me, "Anyway, honey... I think I'm fully awake now. Mind if we get up? I seem to remember there's something I want to try today."

"Yeah, we really shouldn't spend the whole day sleeping. We should be having fun out here." I replied as I finally released Novo's hand from my grasp. But not before I gently touched a finger to one specific finger on her hand. "If only..."

Novo was quick to kiss me right between the eyes as she whispered with a giggle in her throat. "Be patient, honey. I'm eager too. I'd walk down the aisle with you tomorrow if it was my call. Let me worry about the ring while you worry about being the one who gets to put it on me."

I really needed to stop worrying about that. Novo had no doubts about herself, so neither should I. She is a mare who knows how to get results. We finally both sat up and stretched our arms out to act like nothing was amiss about us. But when Novo happened to turn her head, she stared for a moment before lowering her sunglasses to peer over them. "Sweet mother of pearl..."

I quickly saw what had her attention. King Orbash and Queen Sunflare were heading our way to return to our private area at the resort. It looked like they had gone for a swim in the ocean. Sunflare's usually fiery mane and tail were lacking in their usual billowing and almost ignited brilliance and had taken on the form of long and soaked scarlet hair. She really looked good with her hair down and draped over her shoulders. But Orbash...

Even I could only stare at Equestria's true king as he and his wife began to stride past us. His mane and tail were quite a bit more voluminous than those of his wife. His shimmering silver mane and tail were awe-inspiring while soaked down with fresh sea water. Even without their usual ethereal properties, Orbash's mane and tail shimmered like polished silver in the tropical sunlight with the water soaking it only making it all the more shiny. The way his glorious mane draped over his shoulders and across his back like a cape... That shimmering pale silver sharply contrasting his black as night body...

I had long since become accustomed to Orbash's unparalleled masculine beauty, but I was still stunned by what I was seeing. And I was not the only one. Virtually everyone he passed stared in awe and muttered amongst themselves. The ladies especially appeared to like what they were seeing. Even Novo could not take her eyes off of the most glorious stallion in all of Equestria. After a moment, the king of Equestria started to notice the stares he was getting from everyone around us. He slowed greatly as she began to pass by Novo and I before glancing left at right. "Um... Is something wrong? Did something hitch a ride on me out in the surf?"

Novo wasted no time in revealing exactly why Orbash was getting so much attention. She whipped off her sunglasses and spoke up loudly. "Honey, you are so sexy it hurts!"

My hand covered my mouth to try and stifle my laughter in the face of Novo's bluntness. Sexy was a very apt term to describe the handsome king before us. Orbash's eyes widened as he likely suddenly felt very exposed. Sunflare did not find this revelation quite so funny and suddenly turned to her husband with her scarlet magic aura flaring up over her six horns. "Oh for the love of... Be still a moment!"

Orbash yelped as his wife took hold of his mane and tail with levitation magic and yanking them back to become fully taut like motionless flags. She then cast another spell that coated Orbash in bright and very warm light. I could feel the heat coming off of him. The glow faded in a matter of seconds with Sunflare dispelling her magic. And just like that, Orbash's mane and tail had returned to their billowing ethereal forms. Not a spot of moisture was left in them. Sunflare began to trod along with such an annoyed scowl on her face while quite a few gawkers watched that handsome stallion continue on. Although he did look a bit confused by then. "I think I still have sand in my mane..."

"Oooooh my goodness, that hunky king DILF is never not a feast for the eyes. I wonder what our kids would've looked like if I found him first..." Novo chuckled with such a smug smirk on her beak. I just rolled my eyes. Thank goodness Sunflare was out of earshot by then. She would not have let that statement slide. But Novo then suddenly kissed me on the ear while everyone around us was distracted. She whispered sultrily to me, "But don't go thinking I've got eyes for anyone else, baby. You're the only hunky daddy who's gonna father my foals."

Good lord, Novo knew exactly what to say to get me hot and bothered. Truly a perfect wife who knows all about how to play her man's heart like a fiddle. I stammered quietly for a second before muttering, "Oh god, Novo... I... Heh... You know what I love to hear. Don't go mishandling my heart now."

"Oh honey, I'd never. This sweet mama won't ever break this hunky daddy's heart." Novo cooed lovingly to me with her finger lightly dragging over my bare chest. Her dull talon rubbed over where my heart was beating away. She then gazed into my eyes with such a tender stare as she said, "I know your heart's been broken before, honey. I won't ever shatter it. And if anyone does smash your heart to pieces, you come find your queen and let her put all the pieces back together. Promise me, all right?"

It would not have been the first time Novo had been there for me during troubled times. She played a vital role out on the Empty Plains. Whenever she docked at the encampment for a night, I was there with her after nightfall. And she was always masterfully tender towards me. Doing everything she could to keep me going. Those were comforting memories. And so I whispered to my beautiful queen, "I will. If I'm...ever in a really bad place, I'll come to you. If I can."

Novo very suddenly placed her finger upon my lips to keep me quiet. And she gave me a very firm gaze before shaking her head in disapproval. "Nuh uh, don't say it like that, baby. If you can't come to me, I'll come to you. If something's keeping you stuck on the mainland, you just have old Sunbutt send me a notice and I'll be on the next flight out for an emergency visit. I may be queen, but I'm a wife first. And I'll be there for my hubby when he needs me most."

Putting one person before an entire nation is foolish. But Novo had been queen for so long... Had she found a way to balance her family life with her responsibilities as queen? I thought as logically as possible and asked, "Are you sure that's wise? To...put me that far above the needs of your people?"

"Smart man. Don't worry, honey. I figured out a system a very long time ago to make sure my people are being looked after if I have to step away from the throne for a little while. Trust me, I love my people and would never want to steer them wrong. Don't worry about them. I won't let my heart completely win out against my head." Novo chuckled before she reached out and gently nibbled on my ear. All while she continued to whisper to me. "If you need me and can't come to me, call me. And I'll come to you. I'll head right over and be by your side. Like any good wife would. Please, honey?"

"I'll try... It might take some getting used to knowing that you'll be at my beck and call on a bad day, but... We'll see. I seldom have bad days in Ponyville anyway." I giggled to myself with Novo's beak gently tugging on my ear. And for a moment, we embraced. No one was watching. No one would object to us being in love.

Novo proved more aware of the situation than I was and released me from her embrace first. She began to rise to her feet and said, "Anyway, enough wasting time. There's something I wanna try, isn't there? Wanna meet me at the edge of the beach? Mama wants to try a new look."

"Ohoho, sure! I'll be right over there!" I replied with some excitement in my voice. I stood up and walked towards the shoreline with a brisk pace. I knew what was coming. And there was a certain exciting mystery to it. I had seen what those seapony necklaces do to the average mare. What sort of effect would they have on a hippogriff?

The beautiful Queen Novo left the shade of her parasol and went trotting off to the stall that was renting out those enchanted necklaces. And I was not the only who took notice. I stood there at the edge of the waves washing over my feet before someone came up behind me. "How are you doing on our first full day, my sunshine? You and Novo up to something?"

Celestia had snuck up behind me. And I was almost surprised to see her entirely without her regal golden regalia. A glance in the distance revealed Luna and Nightmare Moon's darker bodies were equally bare. The sandy beach was no place for such attire. Nor was a proper vacation. As tempted as I was to kiss or at least embrace my royal beloved, I resisted that urge when I turned to her. "Hey, you're just in time. Novo found out about those seapony necklaces and wants to try one."

"Oh my, those things? They do take some getting used to. I've tried them before, but would prefer to stay up here. You'd be surprised how little there is to do down there under the sea." Celestia replied with unexpected firsthand knowledge of their function. She then asked with a knowing smile, "It looked like you and Ember already gave that trick a little try earlier. I almost thought I was seeing things when I noticed her wings were missing. Didn't Luna cast a spell on you so you wouldn't need to use those necklaces to breathe underwater? She mentioned something about that..."

"Yep, we did. And yes, Luna did do that for me. I just didn't...feel comfortable risking losing my humanity with that little prop. We went pretty far off the shore and found where the seapony locals live. Very pretty, but...not much to do down there. No wonder they went looking for a way to come up on dry land." I replied as I tried to imagine Celestia as a seapony. Seaponies tend to be very dazzling with those shimmering fins and manes. Just how much more radiant would one of the most glorious mares in the world look as such a creature?

We did not have to wait long for Novo to start making her way towards us. That beautiful bird of paradise stuck out like a sore thumb both in appearance and height amongst the droves of colorful vacationers around us. But she was also not alone. She had rounded up Skystar as well. Most likely due to being familiar with her daughter's interest in the sea and wanting to give her an opportunity to try something new. And by extension, Skystar had brought Silverstream and her family along as well. Every last one of those beautiful bird horses had one of those enchanted necklaces around their necks. Except for Sky Beak. Novo called out to us with one of her big beautiful wings waving us down. "Hey there, you two! I'm not the only one who wants to have fun under the sea!"

Silverstream and Terramar were chatting each other and Skystar up like a trio of excited kids. They must have only just discovered that those enchanted necklaces even exist and were oh so eager to try them out. Although my eyes were more focused on the one person there who was not wearing one. I turned to Sky Beak and asked, "Where's yours, papa bird?"

Sky Beak displayed a crooked smile on his beak. As if he was unsure of what to say. Although he did at least provide an explanation. "Don't get me wrong, I'm curious about how these work. I just...want to stay dry for now. But I still want to be here to see what happens."

A perfectly reasonable explanation. And I saw Ocean Flow give her husband a sly smirk with him not noticing. Maybe she was eager to see if she could dazzle her husband with a sudden new look. I was certainly impressed when Fluttershy used one such necklace to take on the form of a seapony. And...the resulting lovemaking we had in the hot tub. That sleek and smooth body felt so enjoyable to hold... But I digress.

The spot of ocean before us was less crowded than most other parts of the surf along the beach. We wanted some extra room to see our feathered friends try out those necklaces. Celestia tilted her head to one side as she smirked inquisitively at her best friend. "Come to think of it, Novo... I don't think there's ever been a recorded case of a hippogriff using one of those. What with you and your people seldom leaving Capricorn Island in general."

"Then that means I get to be the first! Stay back, all of you. Age before beauty, you know. Except for me since I'm the best of both worlds." Novo laughed with most of her feathery entourage getting a chuckle out of her usual sassy wit. The hippogriff queen then looked down at the necklace hanging just under her collar of fluffy blue feathers. And she began to scowl in confusion. "They said you're supposed to...will the thing into using its magic. How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"If all else fails, you can just tap the largest piece on it to activate the effect manually." I replied while also not understanding the act of exerting one's will. It must be something one picks up on over time and cannot be taught.

"Fair enough. Give mama some room here. I'm going deep." Novo replied before she spread her impressive wings. We all stood back as we beheld the beautiful queen of Capricorn Island throw herself skyward with one powerful flap. Seeing Novo going airborne on her own wings is something I really do not get to see often enough. It was a visual treat to see her flaunting her natural avian glory. She did not go far though. Novo went a short ways out over the surf to have access to the deeper section of the shallows and went diving in with her wings tucking in close. Novo's dive into the ocean was so graceful and perfect that everyone around me applauded. Only three seconds passed before I knew that something had changed. A bright swirling flash of light filled the spot under the surface where Novo had gone under. Now we could only wait.

Novo was taking her time coming back up. Maybe she was suddenly puzzled over how she likely no longer felt the need to breathe or that her eyes were now immune to the stinging effects of seawater. A full ten seconds went by before Skystar finally spoke up first. "Um... Do you think she's OK down there?"

"She should be... Give her a moment. You know your mom's one tough mare." I replied with all of our eyes focused on the ocean ahead. It only took another five seconds for us to finally get a response. And in the most Novo way possible. The beautiful hippogriff queen suddenly breached through the surface while throwing her head back to get her soaked mane out of her face. But when I beheld my beloved out there... My breath caught in my throat for a second. The hippogriff queen was hippogriff no more. But she was still just as stunning as always. If not moreso. "Just when I thought she couldn't get any hotter..."

Novo's mouth was open as she inhaled sharply the fresh air over the sea. But her beak was gone. Her face was no longer that of a bird. She was now fully a mare. Her muzzle was virtually identical to those of Equestria's royal family, yet...a bit narrower. The ruff of fluffy blue feathers around her neck had become a shimmering and flexible circular fin. Her crest of beautiful magenta feathers were unchanged aside from being flexible dorsal fins instead of feathers, but the few long light blue feathers reaching up from behind her crown... Not exactly fins, and yet... More like a kind of appendage one might see on an angler fish. I think I even saw the tips glow with pale light for a second. The tufts of feathers on the side of her head had been replaced with actual ears where the insides were coated in that familiar tint of light blue. Whether hippogriff or seapony, Novo was always a feast for the eyes.

"Whoa! Mom, you look...amazing! Over here! Let's get a good look at you!" Skystar called out while waving one of her own impressive wings to get Novo's attention. Although the way Novo got herself back to the shallows was rather amusing. She had no idea how to properly swim as a seapony and resorted to a much less useful breaststroke to come closer to us. Her daughter excitedly asked, "What's new?! What's changed?! Can you show us?"

"I dunno, I mean something's definitely different now. Can't even really feel my wings. Lemme see here..." Novo replied with an inquisitive smile on her new lips. I think she was feeling around the inside of her own mouth with her tongue. She even licked her tongue over her new equine lips with her eyes widening in interest. "Ooh, that's different. So this is what it's like for all you ponies, Celestia. Lips are a lot more sensitive than a beak. And I'm feeling a lot more pearly whites in my jaw than before."

Novo grinned at us to show off her new set of shiny white teeth. A truly winning smile. And Celestia found Novo's examination of her new body amusing. "Just be sure to brush them regularly. And what about the rest of you?"

The seapony queen brought her hands above the surface. But we were all very surprised at what we saw. While there was no change when the average pony shifted between the two forms, a drastic change had happened to Novo's hands. It looked like they had become hooves, and yet...not quite. Novo's hands had become the same pale pink that now made up the majority of her body, but they appeared to stop where the hands ended and the fingers began. Novo's fingers had been replaced with flexible light blue fins with no sign of a thumb. Despite appearing fragile, Novo was able to curl her new digit fins into a fist of sorts. This change was one that did not entirely sit right with her if that puzzled scowl was of any indication. "Hmmm... I miss my hands. These things feel like oven mitts with the thumbs missing. Weird... Is this normal for seaponies?"

"No...? I've never seen any seaponies with hooves like that. Maybe it's unique for hippogriffs?" I retorted while finding Novo's fin hands to be very pretty. They even shimmered in the sunlight. I wanted to hold them. But while Novo's body above the shoulders was visible, we could not see the rest of her very well beneath the constantly shifting sea. "Anyway, what about the rest of you? Can you show us?"

"This is about as high above the surface as I can get, honey. Maybe if I crawl to shore..." Novo muttered as we all waited eagerly to see the hippogriff queen in all of her new aquatic glory. But she did not get much closer before casting an excited glance towards her best friend. "On the other hand... Celestia! Why don't you give me a lift here?"

"Oh I see where you're going. Hold on now." Celestia replied as her golden magic aura flared up around her horn. The instant Novo herself was surrounded in it, she was quickly lifted from the water and immediately assumed a very relaxed reclining pose while being held aloft in the air with her jaw resting atop one of her curled fin fists. Celestia's eyes opened as wide as the rest of ours as she muttered, "Oh my... Novo, are you ever not utterly gorgeous?"

Gone were the mass and curves of a mare of the earth. Novo's body had taken on the slender and flexible form of a mare of the sea with her feathers being replaced with smooth dolphin flesh. Her body was sleek and slender while tapering out towards the tip before ending in a glorious tailfin that bore the deep magenta hues of her tail feathers. A pair of small ventral fins as delicate and sheer as satin were present and must have been representative of either the two long blue tail feathers complimenting her primary magenta ones or her feathery pale blue fetlocks. And it was then that we saw what had become of Novo's wings. A pair of very large and translucent dorsal fins had taken the place of her wings in exactly the same location Fluttershy's wings had been the last time I saw her assume such a form. They started out the same pale pink as Novo's body before transitioning into a beautiful translucent purple. She was just...enrapturing. And she knew it. Her fellow hippogriffs let out all sorts of auditory sounds in awe at their queen's elegant and sleek new form. She then looked down at her daughter and asked, "So then, who wants to give this new look a try?"

"Ooh! Me first, Mom! Me first!" Skystar tweeted with her hands and hooves rapidly tapping the sand under her in excitement. While Novo was gently lowered back into the sea, Skystar flung herself into the air to prepare herself for a matching dive into the deeper sections of the shallows. A very excited Terramar and Silverstream followed with an amused Ocean Flow being the last to leave the shore. Sky Beak let out a loud snicker at the sheer enthusiasm of his family ready to try out their new enchanted jewelry. The four hippogriffs gracefully dove into the sea ahead of us like diving pelicans and went under with superb style. Four simultaneous flashes of that unique magic lit up the sea just under the surface as we all watched with bated breath.

The four hippogriffs surfaced in very rapid succession. And in a very similar manner to how Novo did. And I was astonished with just how gorgeous they all were. Especially Skystar. The princess of Capricorn Island was ecstatic to have taken on a form more fitting for her beloved ocean. And once she started to swim a little closer to shore, Celestia got the hint and lifted her out of the water with some levitation magic. Skystar giggled excitedly as she called out to her mother below. "Woo, I can still fly too! Mom, look! I'm just like you now!"

I was very impressed with the changes in Skystar's body. While she could not compare to the absurd beauty of her mother, Skystar's outward appearance was still unique and very charming. She had acquired all of the physical changes of her mother with her seafoam green mane and tail feathers translating to all of her fins and even the two ears on the sides of her head. Mostly. Something that confused me were the fins her wings had become as well as a circular collar fin around her neck. They were a vibrant red despite her natural hippogriff form never possessing such a color. Her wing fins even ended in gently rounded tips that differed from the more tapered tips of her mother's. And like her mother, a single bane of her mane fin branched off and ended in a glowing tip angler fish style. A royal trait perhaps? Her smooth yellow dolphin flesh shimmered in the sun and I could even plainly see the pattern of orange dots between her eyes having become a proper set of freckles that only made her look even more cute and charming. Even that was not all that changed. The red hibiscus flower she always kept tucked under the curve of her mane and by her left ear had become a kind of cluster of bright red underwater berries. She really was giving off the vibe of an adventurous and curious mermaid princess out of a fairy tale. And Novo approved. "My goodness, just look at you. I think you might be wearing the underwater look better than me, girl."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that..." I muttered under my breath while knowing just how gorgeous Novo always was. It was a matter of cuteness versus beauty and Novo had always had her daughter beat on one side of that spectrum. But I barely had time to process that as Celestia set Skystar back into the sea and lifted Sky Beak's excited family from the water. And my eyes once again went wide. "Good god, are hippogriffs just this naturally gorgeous no matter what form they take on?"

There was no way around it. Whether in the sky or in the sea, I was convinced that the hippogriffs of Equestria are easily in the running of being the single most consistently beautiful species of people in all the land. Silverstream was the first to draw my attention, her fluffy body now slender and smoothed out much like Novo and Skystar. Her tail and mane had become matching fins of beautiful shades of light blue, but her hand fins remained the same shade of bold pink that her hands had always been. Her muzzle was not quite as pronounced as those of her royal companions, probably as a result of her youth. Her wings had become elegant almost orchid color that matched the insides of her new outer ear. Her mother was just as lovely to behold, her translucent purple wing fins being just as purple as her mane and tailfin. Her hand fins were a matching purple that complimented her smooth yellow body well. Her muzzle confirmed my suspicions that the broader look of Novo and Skystar's facial structures was unique only to adult seaponies. Although she also sported a collar fin that was a solid sea green. Strange, when considering there was nothing of that color on her to begin with... Even Terramar was beautiful to behold. My hippogriff friend had turned out to be quite the handsome seapony colt. His hands, mane, and tail were a beautiful shade of green that complimented his body. His wing fins were even gently rounded at the tips as well. Ocean Flow finally called out to her husband, "How's the view, dear?! You sure you don't wanna come for a swim too?"

A quick glance at Sky Beak revealed that he looked more than a bit flustered at the sight of his new seapony wife. I think...he was even blushing a bit? He brought a hand to his beak and coughed awkwardly into it before saying, "Uh... No, I'm sure! I'd rather stay dry for now! Although...I would like to try something out tonight while you're in that form, dear. If you don't mind."

Celestia and I did not overlook the inflections in Sky Beak's voice. And that look in his eye. While we both glanced at him curiously, Ocean Flow held up one of her hand fins in front of her face like a folding fan. She let out an audible giggle and said, "Ohoho, you don't say? Maybe tonight after dinner then?"

"Get a room, you two!" Novo laughed as Celestia just let the three of them drop unexpectedly. Ocean Flow and her children went falling into the sea only to quickly resurface with bursts of laughter between them. Their queen then asked, "Anyway, how about we figure out how to actually swim like this? These tailfins are horizontal, right? Does that mean we swim dolphin style?"

"Looks like it! I don't think the pony paddle will do us much good like this. Follow me!" Skystar replied before she went under. Novo followed suit with Ocean Flow and her children also disappearing under the sea.

I did not want to miss out on this. I rushed into the surf while quickly getting my goggles back on over my eyes and taking a deep breath. I went diving into the surf and was greeted by the sight of the five aquatic hippogriffs watching Skystar figure out how to propel herself through the shallows. She really took no time at all to figure out how to move her tail properly. She swam as swiftly as she could fly through the air while doing spirals and even quick flips. Skystar made it look way too easy. Maybe she had been a seapony in a different life.

With Skystar serving as their mentor, the other hippogriffs started to catch on too. Just the sight of those four colorful creatures swimming and performing underwater acrobatics was a very different feeling from watching the average seapony. The hippogriffs were just so much sleeker and streamlined for the most part. Their aerial aerodynamics translated well to the sea. And while the older mares frolicked with each other, Silverstream and Terramar separated from the pod. And Terramar was the first to notice me watching from the shallows. He looked at Silverstream before pointing at me. His sister perked up instantly at the sight of me and came rushing at me like a torpedo with Terramar trying to keep up. "Hi, James! Isn't it so cool to be down here like this? I can even talk underwater without breathing! This seapony stuff does it all!"

All I could do was give Silverstream an approving thumbs up signal do to not being able to speak. Luna's spell was still in effect and I was in no danger of drowning, but it was just such an inconvenience to not be able to talk to my friends. Terramar was the first to notice something was not right as he and his sister leisurely circled me. "James? Wait, you can't breathe underwater, right?"

I shook my head. And my two young friends were quick to assume the worst. They both held my arms in theirs and swam straight up to get me to the surface. I shook the water from my face and was quick to explain to them. "Don't worry about me drowning. Luna cast a spell on me earlier that lets my body take in oxygen through the skin, but I still can't actually...you know...breathe or speak. Kinda hard to do that when lungs aren't meant for underwater use."

"Oooooh, I get it. But that's OK! You always listen more than you talk, so nothing new there!" Silverstream giggled before nuzzling her muzzle up against my cheek. I just rolled my eyes at how she was not exactly wrong. But she then recoiled at the touch of her snout against my cheek. "Huh? Wow, that feels so different from having a beak! Like my nose is at the tip instead of the base! Is this what it's like for real ponies?"

Terramar gave me a friendly nuzzle with his snout as well. They were still hippogriffs at heart and likely still held onto some of their old avian instincts. And he too was surprised with just how much more feeling her had now that his hard beak had been replaced with an equine muzzle. "Hey, I do feel a lotta stuff going on here!"

It was pretty funny watching the two of them rubbing their new hand fins over the smooth flesh of their faces to get a feeling for their new facial structures. Silverstream even giggled as she felt the slick sensation of a fish fin running over her new dolphin flesh. "Eheeheehee my hands feel so slick and slippery now!"

"I hope you guys can still hold stuff with those." I added before reaching out to Silverstream to see what those new fin hands felt like. She noticed my reaching hand and responded accordingly. My little seapony friend reached out and wrapped both of her fins around my hand in a gentle fashion. And she was right. Despite being more mammal than fish, the fin hands of a hippogriff seapony are as slick as a fish's fin. "Hey, these are pretty cool to the touch. Can you really feel me through those fins?"

"Yep! But it kinda feel like...my hands are covered in dish soap? I think?" Silverstream replied with an uncertain giggle. I would not say her fins felt quite that slick. But now that she and Terramar were coming to terms with their new bodies, on top of being able to change back at will as long as they had their necklaces, she and her brother held me by the arms. "Anyway, wanna go for a swim with us?"

"Sure! Just remember that I can't talk while we're down there." I replied before the brother and sister dragged me beneath the waves. They worked in unison to carry me along while I kept my arms out to my sides like handles to hold onto. We ended up going in a different direction than Ember and I had gone and found some of the wildlife out and swimming about. The colorful fish of the tropics were very accustomed to vacationers and the local seaponies. Entire schools of fish would swim along with us as Terramar and Silverstream carried me along with their beautiful tailfins propelling us forward.

We went further out and deeper, but were never really separated from the locals. There were always seaponies in sight. But as the local underwater flora became more widespread with colorful coral beginning to sprout up, something suddenly caught our attention. A shadow passed over us too quickly for us to really notice where it went. We all came to a stop and looked around. Unaware that someone was floating behind us at the time. At least until a familiar voice spoke up. "Going somewhere?"

We all turned to face none other than Novo floating before us with her arms crossed. Just the way her fin idly waved in the gentle unseen currents around us made her look oh so lovely. Not at all in the same way her feathers would sway in a breeze either. But while I was momentarily dazzled by the sight of my beloved, Silverstream spoke up on our behalf. "Hi there, your majesty! We were just checking out this reef! Did...Mom send you?"

"She was about to go looking for you two, but I decided to save her the trouble. Because I was also looking for... Uh... James?" Novo began to reply before her eyes narrowed in curiosity. I waved at her happily, but she suddenly reached out to me in concern. "Are you OK there, honey? You've been holding your breath for a while, right? You need to get some air first?"

Terramar glanced at me before quickly explaining, "He's fine! I think he said...Princess Luna cast some kind of spell on him? It makes it so he can't drown, but he still can't breathe?"

I could not even remember if I had told Novo about that yet. But I did readily nod to confirm Terramar's recollection. Novo looked relieved, no doubt having been worried that I was in danger of drowning. She brought one of her had fins to her chest before saying, "Good to know... Anyway, why don't you kids hurry on back to Skystar? Don't want you getting lost out here. I'll take care of this sweet sugar bear for you."

Novo's loving choice of words confused Silverstream and Terramar, but they did not object. Novo was their queen after all. They bid farewell and swiftly swam off back to the area outside of our resort. Novo then fluttered her wing fins a bit to propel herself gently forward towards me. Almost like how a seahorse swims. Which was...ironic when given the circumstances. She was still tall, but not the towering giant of a woman she tends to be when assuming a bipedal stance on her hind limbs. Novo then leaned close to me before saying, "Now then... How about we slip away somewhere quiet, honey? I found just the place during an early morning flight when no one was watching."

I knew better than to refuse an invitation when Novo talked to me like that. I smiled smugly at her before Novo slipped behind me and held me in an embrace from behind. Her smooth and slender body pressed against me with that slick sensation of dolphin flesh rubbing against my back. She felt so...naked. Much moreso than she had ever been as a mare coated in feathers. With me in her grasp, Novo took off under the sea as she swam north along the coastline.

Such speed and grace! I was in for a visual treat as I watched our surroundings from behind my goggles. Novo had already perfected the act of swimming in her new seapony body. The rhythm of her body moving in a vertical waving motion as she swam along. Her delphine form felt natural, as if she had always known how to swim like any dolphin. Novo must have been having fun. Especially when she breached. Novo suddenly swam up and burst from the surf in an arcing jump before diving back under the water. I almost forgot to hold my breath by the time we hit the waves again. "Woo! Having fun down there, honey? Mama's making this look easy!"

She most definitely was! While I could not speak, I did manage to get my hand up and rubbed her along the length of her arm to let her know I was all right. After another breach and dive, she spoke to me more kindly. "Just a couple more minutes, honey. I know just where to go where no one will bother us."

We must have gone a full mile up the coastline by the time Novo started to slow down. No one was in sight. Not even the local seaponies. The only living creatures we saw were some exotic fish swimming in the shallows who paid us no mind. Novo soon lifted her head above the water to scan her surroundings before dipping back underwater to speak to me. "Here we are, baby. Just give me a minute."

Novo swam along with me in her embrace as I noticed a dip in the sand leading towards the shore. And I soon saw why. Novo had found a cozy alcove border by a natural rock wall. Plenty of colorful kelp and coral were lining the seabed just under us. I was brought to a soft lay of sand at the edge before Novo released me from her embrace. I crawled up the gentle incline and lifted my head from the water to finally breathe. Tropical foliage was growing from beyond the sand that shielded us from the hot sun above. As well as providing us with shelter from the prying eyes of any search parties that might come looking for us. As this dawned on me, I felt a sly smirk spread across my lips. "Seaspray is gonna be in a panic when he notices you're... Oh wait, can you even hear me down there?"

The beautiful seapony queen suddenly lifted her head from the water as she crawled along the sand to gently beach herself beside me. "I'm sorry, what was that? I didn't quite catch that down there."

"Yeah, I didn't think you could. I was asking if you think Seaspray will freak once he notices you're not there anymore." I retorted as I beheld my beautiful queen in her shimmering aquatic glory. She looked very comfortable in that new body while relaxing on her side.

"Oh, let the silly old bird fuss. Mama wants some time with daddy and that's what she gets. They won't be finding us here. And mama can take care of herself." Novo said smugly with such a smile on her face. A smile that shone brighter on her new lips than her beak ever could've shown. She then reached out with her arm and said sweetly to me, "No more delays, honey. Please. Hold me."

"Gladly." I did as she requested and reached out to my beloved. I scooped that beautiful mare of the sea in my arms after setting aside my goggles. Novo was gently pulled atop me as I found her to be lighter than she seemed. I reclined onto my back with Novo's slender form blanketing me. And for a moment, we simply rested there half submerged in the gentle waves of the shallows. Our own little hideaway to be together. Novo's smooth equine face nuzzled against mine as I whispered to my queen. "You really are so beautiful no matter how you look."

"Of course I am, honey. Because I'm the world's hottest queen MILF and always will be." Novo whispered with a giggle in her throat. Whether a mare of the sky or the sea, that sassy queen was shameless about her beauty. Although she then whispered most sensually into my ear, "And I have to admit... I don't know what it is about his body, but...I just feel so much sexier than usual. So...exotic. What do you think, honey? Is this hot mama bird an equally hot mama mare of the sea?"

What a tease... Novo even placed both of her palms against my chest to prop herself up. She held herself above me so I could truly appreciate her beauty against the blue sky ahead. The way she glistened in the sun. So smooth... So naked... And so brazen with her sexuality. I had to make a conscious effort to control my libido as I considered my words carefully. "Good lord, Novo... It's really hard to say. You're just so sexy no matter how you look. A bird of paradise or a true mermaid queen. I just can't choose..."

The beautiful mare above me smiled in amusement at my words. "Mermaid? Hm, that's new. I can't say I've ever heard that word before, but...I do like the sound of it. Feels...fitting somehow."

Novo gently lowered herself back down onto my chest while my hand rose to her shoulder. She brought her right hand to my cheek and tenderly caressed me with the smooth slick fins that now served the role of her fingers. Her beautiful eyes gazed at me in longing as she spoke in relaxation. "A mermaid queen, hm? Gotta say... It makes me feel sexy. And I love being sexy for my king. I mean sure, I might be lacking my curvy and full mama mare hips in this form, but... What is it about this body? Something about this sleek form... Smooth and flexible... And with all these shimmering colorful fins making for a gorgeous flourish... Just feel so...beautiful, honey. I've only been in this form for an hour at most, but I already love it."

I allowed Novo to speak uninterrupted while taking pleasure in just how happy she was with the temporary aquatic form the necklace around her necklace granted her. The thread was resting in the crook of her collar fin. Novo lifted the centerpiece of the necklace with her other hand to bring it out from between us. I was glad that just having that enchanted stone sandwiched between us was not enough to activate the magic within it. She gazed upon that polished pink stone and asked, "Tell me, James. Is there any way for me to take this home? I'd like to keep one of these as a souvenir."

"Actually, you can. I even brought home one for Fluttershy and another as a gift for Rarity. They're free to rent, but you can purchase them to own for yourself. The price isn't too bad either." I explained while kind of happy that Novo wanted to keep her necklace. I could imagine the times we would have together in that luxurious bathtub of hers in the Ivory Palace. It would be the perfect place for it.

Novo's eyes lit up at that revelation. "Really now? In that case, consider this little beauty sold! I might as well go ahead and buy one for Skystar and her friends. No way my girl won't wanna use it to go swimming with the fishes off the shoreline back home."

I rolled my eyes at the thought. Novo was right. Skystar would jump at the opportunity to own one of those necklaces permanently. Surely Silverstream and her family would want one of each too. I am not sure about Sky Beak though. He looked perfectly happy staying a stallion of the sky. But Novo then lowered her necklace and gently rested her head atop her overlapping hand fins. Her eyes were filled with love. And a growing gaze of purpose. "And more than that, honey... There's something I need to tell you. There's a reason why I dragged you away to this little hiding spot for us."

A fire lit in my heart. And my eyes widened. There was no way I could say no to what Novo wanted from me. But I still asked out of formality, "And what would that be, dear?"

Novo's smile only began to widen as she whispered to me. "I set up this vacation around this time as a means of coinciding with something. So we wouldn't be able to miss this opportunity."

I did remember that. It had been Novo who got in touch with the resort facilities of Cantercun to set up the reservations for our trip. And while it was fitting to slip away to the tropics while the bitter cold of late autumn was sweeping over northern Equestria, was there another reason for that timing? "An...opportunity?"

"Mmhm. Something that only happens a few times a year, my love. Something we promised we would never miss out on even once." Novo said so happily. She pulled herself a little further up my chest as I felt her feathery and slick tailfin sliding over my feet and shins. A loving and seductive manner I could not ignore. And the words that came next... They pierced my heart. "I'm deep in my heat cycle, honey. And you know what that means."

My heart began to race. Not in anxiety, but in excitement. Novo was fertile. As receptive as she could be. This was not merely a vacation. It was essentially a honeymoon. The chance for us...to finally start a family. We had already tried once. It was all a spur of the moment, but my god... Our hearts were true. We were madly in love and the opportunity was there. We took that risk together in the hopes of creating a precious child together. A child we both wanted. And yet... We had been denied. But now that chance had come again. I whispered to my beloved, "We can...try again?"

"Remember what I told you, James." Novo cooed as she slightly pulled herself forward even further until her lips were just inches from mine. My beloved spoke with such hope in her eyes, "I'll carry as many foals as you can give me, my love."

We kissed. I pulled my beautiful queen closer to feel her lips upon mine for the first time. Not at all like the firm yet flexible touch of a hippogriff's beak. It was the tender touch of a mare's lips. And Novo took notice as she kissed me over and over again. "Mmm... This feels...different. Feels so good, honey. I've got so much feeling in these lips. Kiss me more, my sweet swan king."

"Gladly, my queen." I whispered eagerly. Novo slipped her smooth and slick hand fins behind my head and pulled me in for a most passionate kiss. Her lips pressed firmly against mine as she surely felt sensations through them that her beak had never provided. She moaned so sensually deep in her throat. As did I. It felt so...pleasant to feel her lips upon mine. A sensory smorgasbord. "Mmm... Novo..."

She was not satisfied. Novo tightened her embrace as her lips parted. Our eyes squinted shut with our lips locking and tongues dancing. The lingering taste of seawater remained on her tongue, but I did not care. The sensation of my beloved's kiss, a kiss from a true mermaid queen, was unlike any I had felt before. Novo was kissing me not like a bird, but like a mare. I held her, savored her, did all I could to make my queen feel like the most blessed woman in the world.

We could not focus solely on our lips forever. There was something that needed to be done. Something we had been waiting too long for. Novo slowly pulled away from me as we both gazed at each other in a haze. I felt her smooth dolphin flesh sliding over me as Novo began to retreat back into the sea before me. All while gazing upon me with a look of sacred need in her eyes. "Just give me a minute, honey. Mama needs to get daddy ready."

All I did was smirk at the experienced wife and mother as she slipped beneath the waves. Novo went to work as I felt her hand fins slip under the sides of my trunks and pull them down past my feet to leave my body bare. She surfaced briefly to fling my trunks onto some rocks nearby before dipping back out of sight. And I quickly found out why. "Oh god, Novo... You would do this."

She was upon me beneath the waves before I could even process what she was up to. I felt her equine mouth close over my flaccid shaft. She gently raised and lowered her head, massaging and pleasuring me in a way her beak never could have. The way her tongue slid around my stiffening flesh... She was enjoying it. Learning what she could do now that she was all mare with no trace of her avian heritage in her. Slowly and meticulously. Tightening her maw around my length to increase pressure as her lips created a seal near the base of it. I sharply inhaled at spikes of pleasure coursing through me. What a woman... What a master of love... How blessed I was to have earned the heart of such a queen!

Novo was not being reckless. She was not trying to bring me to climax too quickly. My beloved was masterfully pleasuring me. Trying to ease my body into preparing as much vital seed as possible for her. We had already tried once before and failed. The more I produced, maybe the more likely we would be blessed with the child we dearly desired. I relaxed in the shallows upon that soaked sand beneath me while allowing that wonderful queen to prepare me for our imminent lovemaking. And yet, it was not only her mouth that she used.

I felt Novo release me from her jaws. But instead of seeing her surface, I felt a new sensation. Something very different. A smooth and flexible fabric wrapped around my stiffened length. One that was cooler than the warm interior of her jaws. Novo's hands... Or rather the fins they had become. That slick and smooth substance wrapped around my shaft as they slid up and down along it. It was such a different sensation from before, and yet...every bit as pleasurable as before, if not moreso.

"Oh my god, Novo... My mermaid queen..." I gasped while allowing Novo to continue without interruption. She just being so good to me. Learning all she could about her beautiful new body and what she could do with it to bring pleasure to the love of her life. So slow and tender, carefully trying to not let my pleasure spike to quickly. Until finally, her slick fins released me. Only then did Novo rise from the gently crashing waves head her body resting atop mine. I gazed into her beautiful eyes as I asked, "You had your fun?"

"I was just getting daddy ready for the main event. And to really figure out what I can do with this sexy and sleek body of mine. But now..." Novo chuckled as she put her arms around me. She then leaned to one side. As if trying to pull me. I understand what she was asking of me and did my part. I rolled over with Novo ending up on her back with me now above her. Her eyes were filled with such sacred love and desire. She whispered to me as her fins rested upon my shoulders, "No more waiting, honey. I wanna know what it's like to be a mermaid mama."

She was just so beautiful... And so vulnerable trapped under me. Novo was giving herself to me so that I could give her something of unrivaled value. A treasure that would be with us for decades to come. And so I brought my lips to hers for one more long and sensual kiss. Beneath the waves, my stiff and eager shaft slid down Novo's smooth slender belly as I positioned my hips to find an entrance. And once I felt the her aquatic marehood begin to part, I pushed deep into her.

That wonderful warmth as my beloved and I gasped in a surge of pleasure... I was very familiar with that warmth. A burning heat within Novo's body that wrapped my length in inviting warmth. The warmth of a mare who was ready to receive my child. Novo and I embraced. There was no turning back now as my hips gently pressed against her. I wanted to savor this. To truly appreciate the opportunity we had been given.

"James... Oh, baby... Be good to me, please... Be good to your queen, my wonderful king." Novo gasped while gazing up at me with her lips parted to wheeze with mounting pleasure. She looked so delicate at that moment. One of the mightiest and wisest monarchs now no different than any other woman madly in love with her man. She was queen, but she was also mine. My mare to love, to please, to cherish. To create a family with. And oh, how I wanted to see her swell with the beautiful little lives we would create together. And she knew it. "I see it in your eyes, honey... You really so ready to be a daddy. Please, let me make it happen. Let me make you the father you want to be..."

"Only if you'll be there with me, Novo... Only if we'll be there for them..." I whispered back to my beloved. Our lips touched again as we savored this moment. That wonderful warmth within her pleasing me as I gave sweet pleasure to her. That wonderful woman who would become the mother of my children. Of our children. I kissed Novo along the length of her jaw and neck, feeling that smooth and soft dolphin flesh against my lips. "I want our little ones to grow up loved and happy... With both of us..."

"Spoken like a true father, my love... Oh yes, baby... I want it. I want to...see those happy eyes looking up at us..." Novo whimpered as she allowed me to continue with my affections even as my hips continued to meet her slender body. In and out, my length plunged within her to try and prolong our precious foalmaking. We were in love. So...madly in love... A man and woman, now dearly trying to become mother and father. The crown on Novo's head no longer mattered. All we wanted was to become a family. "They'll love you... Sons... Daughters... They'll all love their daddy..."

Novo's body began to react in response to the pleasure I was giving her as well as to that sacred desire in her heart. Her lower body began to rise. Curling up and forward. And then I felt it. Her broad and slick tailfin resting over my lower back. The seapony equivalent of a mare locking her legs over me to prevent me from retreating. Her tail was so strong. I could feel her strength in spite of how gently she was resting it against me. Novo would never release me now. Not until I had given her my gift. She would receive me seed. And with it...our child.

She was just so amazing. So strong, yet so tender. So beautiful and so loving. There was no telling myself otherwise. Novo was perfection. A perfect woman. A perfect wife. A perfect mother. And paradise was calling us. I beheld the aquatic beauty beneath me as I whispered to her, "I just love you so much, Novo... Love you...more than I can say... You're just so...perfect..."

"Mmm, then love me, baby. Let me be your perfect woman. It's an honor for me, James... An honor...to be your perfect wife." Novo looked so joyous. Almost as if she was on the verge of tears as she embraced me. She had always been the best. A woman tempered by time. But she had never been perfect. Except to me. To be seen as perfect by the man she loved most must have been the ultimate praise and compliment she could receive. And she confirmed this to me with a whisper into my ear. "To be...the perfect queen...for my wonderful king."

My hips slammed into Novo with renewed vigor. A collision that caused her to gasp shrilly with a surge in pleasure. I knew I lacked the qualities necessary to be a leader. To guide a kingdom was beyond my ability. But I wanted to be good enough for her. To be king for the sake of my queen. I whispered with need, "I want to be your king... To be worthy of that crown... To be good enough for your people..."

"Shhh... Shhh... Easy there, honey. Easy... You're more than worthy. And my people will gladly accept you. You're more than worthy of wearing that crown... Of being by my side on the throne... Of being the one to sire my heirs..." Novo cooed to me as she tried to maintain her composure in the face of our gradually hastening lovemaking. Her lips kissed me softly along my cheek and jaw as she continued to whisper to me, her delphine body wrapped around me the best she could manage. "I want to be the first, James... The first to give your little girls a baby brother. A little boy..."

"And I know they'll love him, dear... They'll be happy to see their family grow... Oh god, Novo... My love..." I gasped as I hastened my thrusting into Novo while trying to not hurry towards my climax too quickly. I was going for longer instead of harder. To try and give my beloved as much as I could. A little boy... A son... Novo had already given birth to a daughter. A precious little filly who grew up to become the beautiful Skystar. Just how radiant would our sons and daughters be in due time?

Novo whimpered as gasped as she too tried to hold herself back. Trying to stave off her own climax as her fertile warmth massaged my length deep inside her. I felt so honored to be making love to such a glorious mermaid queen. Her smooth delphine body against me felt so different than the fluffy feathers of her original hippogriff body. Enrapturingly beautiful in completely different ways. And as I continued to fill her with my length, Novo cooed to me sweet loving words. "James... Oh honey... Oh daddy..."

Her words triggered something in me. She was right. I was a daddy. I was a father. And I had a duty to fulfill to the wonderful mother beneath me. To make her a mother again. To become a mother to my child for the first time. And with that need blossoming in my heart, I began to hasten the thrusting of my hips with my arms embracing Novo. It was a need I could not ignore. I needed to become a father again. To become a father to a precious hippogriff foal for the very first time. I needed it. Needed to give it to her. To fill her To breed her. To make Novo the mother of my child. And as my pace began to hasten, I whispered my heart to her. "Make me a father, Novo... Let me be a daddy again..."

"I will, baby...! So...many times!" Novo gasped before gazing into my eyes with such excitement in her eyes. She craved it. She was ready for this. Her tail pressed against my back with impressive strength. I would never escape her now. She spoke sweet words of encouragement to me, "We'll have so many...beautiful baby birds, my love... Our own little flock...! Give it to me, James... Let me give you the family you deserve...!"

My mind was awash with beautiful fantasies. Colorful little bird foals. And even...gorgeous mares and stallions. Our children would grow up to become such wonderful people, I just knew they would. The rhythm of my hips reached a fever pitch as the gradually rising pressure in my loins finally began to reach the breaking point. So close... So very close to finally having what we wanted... "Novo... I... Oh god, Novo... My queen... My bird of paradise...!"

"James... My king..." Novo whispered to me before her two hand fins cupped the sides of my face. This caught my attention even as I was on the verge of my climax. I gazed down at Novo's face as she gasped lightly in time with the thrusting of my hips. And the words that came next... They were what I needed to hear most. "Do it... Give me your foal. So I can give you a son."

I kissed her. My arms held Novo as our lips locked. Eyes squinted shut as we were consumed by the ecstasy consuming us. Voices singing, tongues dancing, and finally... Bliss. My hips pressed firmly against Novo's slender body as the dam finally broke. Spurt after spurt of human seed flooded deep into Novo's heated womb. And she welcomed it with her powerful tail pinning me to her body. We were entwined with each other in such powerful love. And a sacred desire that was surely sowing the seeds of something beautiful.

I felt so...fulfilled. We had done it. I was so sure of it. We would finally have a child. A beautiful son. A precious prince worthy of the crown. My mind raced, trying to picture what that wonderful feathery foal would even look like. But no image stuck. I think I just about fainted from the sheer effort I had put into trying to give Novo what we both wanted... No. What we both needed.

She and I wheezed softly while the soothing waves of the sea continued to wash over us. The ocean, the source of life, was comforting us after our efforts to create a new life of our own. Like being caught in a cool downpour after jogging for miles. Novo sighed over and other with that wonderful afterglow filling us with a delightful warmth. And she brought her face closer to mine to gaze into my eyes. Only a single word escaped her lips. A sacred title she was bestowing onto me. "Daddy."

I returned the favor all too eagerly. With a joyous sigh of relief, I whispered a most fitting title back to my queen. "Mama."

We kissed again, but more softly this time. Over and over our lips touched. The fires of passion had dimmed with our bodies spent. We just wanted to rest and savor the results of our efforts. I remained buried deep inside Novo's beautiful delphine body as her tail finally relaxed and fell away from my back. We were just so ready. And hopefully we would finally be blessed. We were just a father and mother who wanted to have a family together. And perhaps now it was finally happening. Novo gazed at me with such love in her eyes as her shimmering hand fin caressed my cheek. "The first of many, my love... Oh my sweet sugar bear... I'll give you so many to love, baby. So many for us to cherish."

Novo was so set on becoming a mother again. To become a mother many times over if fate would allow it. And only to the children I would give her. And what a mother she would be. The finest mother in all the land. So eager too... I almost chuckled as I took note of just how passionate she was of the subject. So eager to bear children again. And only my children. I found myself starting to smirk as I resisted the urge to chuckle. "You really are just that ready, huh? You truly are more mother than queen... That's a lovely quality to have, dear. And I adore that about you."

Much to my surprise, the warm and satisfied smile on my beloved's face began to dim. But why? There was no reason to frown. Not after what we had just done. And just when I was about to ask, Novo spoke first. "James... Have you ever wondered why I'm...just so ready to have your foals? To start a family with you?"

I had no words. Novo had always had Skystar. She still had a family. A wonderful daughter to love and inspire. And as I pondered this, Novo gently pulled me down and had me rest my head just above the dip in that beautiful blue collar fin at the top of her chest. The beautiful queen spoke forlornly to me, "What I'm about to tell you is something I've kept very close to my heart. I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone. Not even Celestia. But I'll tell you and only you, my love. Because you're my king."

"I don't know where this is going, but...all right. Tell me." I retorted with the waves of the ocean nearly reaching my jaw with every break against the shore. Novo's tone was worrisome. It is not like her to ever sound so somber when she speaks.

My beautiful beloved slid her smooth and slick hand fin over my back as if trying to calm me. Or perhaps it was a means to calm myself. I looked up at me as Novo began to speak. "Cygnus and I... Skystar was our only child for the longest time. And we had each other for centuries. But after a very long time, he and I began to discuss things. To...wonder. And after a while, we finally decided it was time to have another. All we had to do was wait for my next heat cycle to start."

"Oh no..." I muttered with my eyes widening. I immediately knew where this revelation was going. And I dreaded it.

Novo sighed forlornly as she continued to gently caress me with her slick fin. "But that never happened. Just weeks later, Cygnus fell ill and...he was gone. I still remember...the burning in my womb when he was laid to rest in his tomb. And knowing that it would never happen. My husband was gone...and all of our future children with him."

I reached up to Novo in a desperate attempt to comfort her. Anything at all to soothe her. And she reciprocated my offer. While one of her hand fins continued to caress me between my shoulders, her other gently wrapped around my hand as they held each other. I saw the faintest smile return to Novo's lips as those beautiful eyes met mine. But that smile faded as she continued. "And the worst part...was seeing the rest of my people carry on without him. I saw generation after generation of fillies and colts be born into my kingdom. And I watched them grow up into beautiful mares and stallions. Until finally...they would fall in love and have foals of their own. Over and over... Fillies became mares. And mares became mothers. They had families to raise....while I did not."

My grasp on Novo's soothingly cool hand fin tightened while I dared not speak. This was a heavy tale to recall during a very dark time of her life. I waited for Novo to finish speaking before attempting to speak up myself. She continued as I saw a single tear flow from her eyes. "It always hurt so much to see a young mare heavy and swollen with foals... Because I knew it was a joy I would never experience again. I didn't know what I wanted... Didn't know what I needed...until it was forever out of reach."

"And then...you found me." I finally whispered as I gazed up at Novo in caution. My hand held hers while hers held mine.

She finally smiled. Novo squeezed the tears from her eyes to force them out. And that calm and confident smile returned to her lips while showing such a serene joy. "I did. I found a wonderful man who understood the pain I was in. A man who had been wounded in a way that wasn't too different from mine. He healed me while I healed him. And together...we found love. And best of all... He turned out to be a man who is also a wonderful father. A father who wants to be a father to my own little ones."

There was no resisting by that point. I pulled myself closer to Novo's face so that we may share another kiss. And I confirmed that truth to her. "You...have no idea how dearly I want to have children with you, Novo. To have...little angels with you."

"And we will, baby. We will. I just know we will now." Novo cooed as more and more joy filled her eyes and smile. We held each other as we looked away from that dark time of the not so distant past and focused on our very beautiful present. And Novo giggled smugly at me as her special brand of sass returned to her voice. "So now you know, honey. If I come off as more than just a little baby crazy, there's a good reason for that. I don't want to miss out on a single opportunity with you, my sweet swan king."

"Hey, I never complained about it. It's...something I want too. Even if I'm...not quite as open about it as you." I chuckled uneasily in the embrace of my beautiful queen. I rested my face against Novo's chest again and closed my eyes. I thought back to the day when I became a father for the first time. Surrounded by friends, watching over Fluttershy as it finally happened. And then...the moment I held my very own flesh and blood daughter for the first time. "I want to experience that again..."

Novo could sense that paternal desire in me. It resonated with her. And so she whispered to me, "James... Tell me. What was it like when you got to hold your baby for the first time? When you saw her look upon you with her daddy's eyes?"

I closed my eyes and pondered. Trying to remember every detail I could from that magical moment. "I... I was so unsure of what to think or feel. It was...jarring. That little thing in my hands... All I could do was cry. I just cried and cried... I was just...so happy."

The beautiful seapony queen beneath me embraced me with even her tail once again curling forward to hold me with its broad and feathery tailfin resting against my back. As a single tear flowed from my eyes in response to remembering that beautiful moment from not so long ago, Novo cooed an equally beautiful thing to me. "You're going to be a wonderful father, James. Our little ones will adore you."

Novo gently rolled onto her side while we continued to hold and caress each other. Until I finally could not resist the urge any longer. I released Novo from my embrace and gently rolled the confused mare of the sea over so that she had her back to me. I embraced her from behind, my chin on her shoulder as I applied soft little kisses to her neck. And both of my hands rested over her lower belly. Caressing just over Novo's womb. Where our child was surely beginning to come into existence. Novo sighed joyously and rested her hand fins over mine as she whispered lovingly to me. "They'll all be so beautiful..."

"And they'll be ours." I whispered to her as I continued to hold my wonderful queen. I truly understood it by then. My family was growing. Not just with every wonderful woman who became more than a friend to me. It was also growing with every child born into it. Fluttershy. Novo. Rarity. Celestia. It did not matter who would give birth to them. Every child born into our family would be ours. They would be loved and grow up happy. And as I realized this, I felt more hopeful than ever before. "I want this to work. Novo. You. Fluttershy. And everyone else..."

My wise and experienced beloved cooed softly to me as she turned her head to look at me out of the corner of her eye. And only her equine muzzle was a very confident smile. "It will work, dear. Because we all love you as much as you love us. We're family now, James. We're yours and your ours. That's how it is, right?"

"It is. It...really is. I had no idea what to expect when this whole thing got started, but...it gets a little easier every day." I said with a relieved sigh. I truly thought I was making a mistake when I allowed my heart to open wide enough to allow Rarity to find a place in it no different from Fluttershy. And it has only grown since then. And with it, I have become more confident. Or perhaps Novo's confidence is just that infectious. Whatever the case, I was so much more certain that adopting the practice of polygamy had not been a mistake. Not when there was so much mutual love involved. But as much as I just wanted to lose myself in the moment with Novo, I started to remember where we were and where we were not. "Novo... As much as I want to just stay here and hold you... Shouldn't we be heading back by now?"

"You just had to kill the mood, didn't you?" Novo grumbled as she scowled at me out of the corner of her eye. And only for a few seconds. Before I could even try to apologize, Novo cast me such a smirk. "Only fooling with you, baby. Yeah, as much as I'd rather just relax in our little hideaway here, we probably should get going. Old Seaspray's probably on the verge of assembling a search party at this rate."

"Of course. Bless that stallion, but he really does take his job too seriously at times." I said with a snicker as I reluctantly released Novo from my embrace. I retrieved my goggles and trunks from where they had been left and got myself situated with them. Novo was very slow to get herself back into deeper waters. She appeared very tired, almost like she had woken up from a nap and could not get herself going. Once I went under and Novo embraced me from behind, we were on our way with that amazing mermaid queen carrying me along.

Novo was swimming along at a much more leisurely pace than before. Instead of rushing ahead like a torpedo at full speed, the rhythm of her rising and falling felt much slower. Was the afterglow of our lovemaking just that strong in her? I gently tapped her on the arm since I had no way to speak down there. And she tilted her head down far enough to look back at me. "Something wrong, honey? What, you wondering why I'm not going as fast as before?"

All I could do was nod. And Novo just rolled her eyes at me with a smug smirk on her face. "James, I'm pretty sure you just knocked me up. Mama's still feeling too hazy and warm to put her all into anything for a little while. Daddy did an amazing job at making his queen feel really good back there. I hope you don't mind us taking it easy for the return journey."

I had to struggle to hold in my laughter so I would not expel all the air in my lungs. There was no fighting Novo's post-coitus fatigue. And it was not like I was not enjoying the more leisurely view of the swallows on the way back. But Novo then said to me as she turned her gaze ahead, "But really now, honey... Let's keep what just happened between us. Let's not count our chicks before they hatch. Let's wait until I've confirmed that it worked before spreading the word, all right?"

I gave Novo a thumbs up to confirm that I was in favor of that. As much as I loathed the notion, I had to acknowledge to myself that our efforts would not bear fruit that time. We had already tried and failed once. But...surely it would happen that time. Right? It was what we both wanted...

My unhappy thoughts were washed away by that relaxing undersea cruise with Novo holding me from behind. We started to see vacationers swimming in the surf. Then the seaponies started to become more numerous. Until finally we saw a few seaponies that did not look like the rest. Novo was quick to speak up, "Here we are, honey. There's the girls and boy now."

Novo made a beeline for the beach ahead of us while Skystar came swimming our way to chat us up. She really was the best looking hippogriff seapony there. Except for her glorious mother, of course. "Hey, Mom! Where'd you two run off to?"

"What's the matter, honey? Can't your mom have a little time alone with her sweetheart? It's not like we get to see each other every day." Novo replied smugly while I just held my arms out to my side with a shrug of my shoulders. With my limited mobility in the water, I was along for the ride more than anything.

Skystar did not seem all that bothered by the implications of her mother's choice of words. Although she did roll her eyes before waving at me with a smile. "Keep being good to her, James! Mom really misses you when you're not around."

All I could do was give Skystar a thumbs up. She went swimming off to meet back up with Silverstream and Terramar. Nov then continued to swim to shore wiht me while speaking quietly to me. "I think she's coming around by now. Don't expect Skystar to ever start calling you daddy, but she's becoming more receptive to you and I being a couple."

The situation with Novo is one I have never had to face before. Falling in love with a widow who is also a mother with an adult child. A child who is many times my age. How would that even work? Would becoming Novo's king make me Skystar's stepfather? I got so caught up in my confused thoughts that i did not realize we reached the beach until Novo pushed me down into the soft wet sand just under the surface. "You OK there, honey? You kind of spaced out for a minute."

I quickly Pushed myself up onto my knees and lifted my head above the waves. Novo followed and floated beside me while I said, "I'm just trying to wrap my head around how Skystar factors into our relationship. She's old enough to be my grandmother by at least several generations... Uh...?"

Someone was waiting for us right at the water's edge while keeping her hooves dry. Celestia gazed upon us with a very curious smirk. Novo spoke first while raising her floppy hand fin high. "Hey there, honey! Did you miss us?"

"Just so you know, Seaspray was worrying himself silly about fifteen minutes after you two swam away from shore. You're lucky you got back when you did." Celestia explained while Novo and I looked at each other with giddy smiles on our faces. Although Celestia then began to lift Novo out of the sea with levitation magic. "Mind if I dry you off before you change back, Novo? Your feather will get soaked if you switch while in the ocean."

"Really? Then please do, Celestia. I don't want my plumage reeking of seawater all day and it'll take forever to dry out here." Novo retorted while Celestial cast some form of heat magic akin to how I have seen her mother do it. Novo was surrounded by a warm golden glow along with Celestia's magic aura with her glistening dolphin flesh becoming gradually less shiny. Once Novo had become comfortably dried off, she tapped the central stone of her necklace to become engulfed in a swirling aura of gold and pale purples for just a second. The glorious hippogriff queen had returned with her wings spread wide to gently float down back onto her hands and hooves. "Woo, that's better. It's nice to have my hands again."

I observed Novo's natural avian form in admiring silence while stepping out of the sea. But now that we were back on dry land, Celestia had a question for us. "Now then... You were gone for a good while and no one had seen you two. What exactly were you up to out there?"

Novo and I looked at each other, then back at Celestia, and then back at each other again. And we could not help smirking at each other. I glanced at Celestia a few times quickly to give Novo the honor of providing an answer. And with such a proud smirk on her beak, Novo spilled the beans in a truly Novo fashion. "Making babies."

Oh my lord, I think I was blushing. My face was very warm and not from the tropical sun shining down on us. And Celestia... What was with that face? Her eyes displayed...an indecipherable fusion of emotions. And it was Novo who started to see through her best friend's stammering facade. "What's the matter, honey? Jealous?"

Celestia forced herself to smile very awkwardly. I was unsure if I should have been concerned or amused. "Like...you wouldn't believe."

I wanted to say something, but no words came. I was unsure of what to even say to that. But of course, Novo knew the best way to console her best friend. She stepped forward and gently nuzzled her head up against Celestia's. "Aww, don't be that way, Celestia. You'll get your chance someday. It's not like I can be the only queen MILF around here."

"Novo, really!" Celestia barked as she pulled her head away. What a profound blush on her face! She may have been trying to look offended, but I could see that Novo's words thrilled her friend. And I knew why. We were all in this endeavor together as family. And that crooked smile on Celestia's lips told me that she was far from offended. And she did at least manage to compose herself enough to speak. "In any case... I hope you two are blessed with very healthy heirs."

"Just make sure you regularly come over and see them, honey. They're gonna want to see their Mama Sunbutt now and then." Novo said with a laugh while Celestia could only glare at her friend with such irritated fury in her eyes. Thank goodness the crowds around us were not paying them any mind. All I could do was facepalm at how brazenly irreverent Novo could be in public spaces. The sassy hippogriff queen then strode past her friend before looking back at us. "In any case, I'm gonna grab me a few martinis at the bar. Today might be the last day for the better part of a year where I can enjoy a stiff drink. See you soon, loves."

She really was so determined to finally have a complete family again, that Novo. And the way she carried herself along the crowded beach ahead... There was such a satisfied and confident stride in her step. Moreso than usual. Novo was just so happy at that time. And when I turned to Celestia... Her eyes. "Are you all right?"

The Princess of the Dawn gazed at me with such a look of longing in her beautiful eyes. "I shouldn't be jealous... I'm happy for you and Novo. I could always see just how eager she's been to finally start a family with you. I shouldn't be jealous...but I am."

I remembered. Celestia had whispered such honeyed words to me more than once. The desire to let me father a royal child with her. To have me officially be crowned as her king by providing her with a true heir. Even her parents had become privy to that mutual desire between us and were eagerly awaiting the day when their daughter and I would give them a grandchild. But how much longer would we all be kept waiting? I could see it in her eyes. An almost pleading gaze. I could not simply disregard my beloved's needs. "Would you like me to come find you later? Maybe after dinner?"

Celestia's forlorn gaze lit up instantly with a spark of excitement. Inspiration struck in her. "Yes! Please! Come by my chambers tonight. We could share a moment in the hot tub out on the deck. I'll bring wine."

"Nice. I'll be there. Be patient, OK?" I replied with a certain anticipation blooming in my heart. I had something to look forward to that evening. But as we stood there for a moment longer with no words being said, I realized there was something I needed to say. While we were still able to hide in plain sight. "I love you."

"And I love you, my sunshine. Always." Celestia whispered with a broadening smile on her lips. She dearly wanted to kiss me, but we both knew we had to avoid showing too much affection in public. Hardly anyone in that region knew who Novo is, but literally everyone knew of Princess Celestia. Even moreso than Luna and Nightmare Moon. One wrong move would trigger a scandal. We still needed to be cautious.

My royal beloved excused herself with a look of shocked realization on her face. And with one flap of her great wings, she threw herself out into the ocean for a swim amongst the waves. She was immediately greeted by Skystar and it looked like she even offered Celestia use of her necklace, but Celestia politely declined. She just wanted to go for a paddle on the surface. I saw Terramar and Ocean Flow join her. And then... Silverstream? "Hey! Best friend! Down here!"

Silverstream had separated from her friend and family and had all but beached herself right in front of me. The waves washed over much of her body, but she would likely need some help in turning around to get back into the shallows. I took a good long look at the smiling seapony filly before me and shook my head. "Why are you hippogriffs so gorgeous no matter what you look like?"

There was no way around it. Just like Novo and Skystar, Silverstream was utterly stunning. Such a perfect color combination too. And she took my compliment well. "Maybe we're just the prettiest people in the world? Anyway, I think I'm done swimming for now. Wanna carry me back to my room?"

"Why? Did you lose your... No, it's right there. You've still got your necklace, so why don't you just swap back to your natural hippogriff form?" I really thought that Silverstream had lost her necklace until I noticed it plainly around her shoulders. What was this about? Did she just not want her entire layer of feathers soaked with seawater the instant she changed back?

It turned out that her reasons for asking for a literal lift was...not what I expected. "Yeah, I guess I can. But...I just wanna be carried by you! We haven't done that for a while. Remember when you'd carry me on your shoulders back home? I wanna do it again!"

"Oh my god, you silly filly... OK, fine! I guess I can find out what it's like to carry a mermaid ashore for once." I laughed at Silverstream's insistence. Yes, I definitely remembered enjoying carrying her fluffy and light body around at times during my first visit to Capricorn Island. Just slung over my shoulders like I was lugging around a lost little lamb. But as I approached Silverstream and got down on a knee, I realized I would have to adjust my methods that time. With no real hands and no hind legs, there was no way I could keep her securely slung over my shoulders. She would eventually slide off me like a fish, even with me trying to secure her, and have a very uncomfortable landing on the beach. "OK, lemme see how I'm gonna do this..."

Silverstream tried to cooperate to the best of her ability despite her lessened mobility. I had to settle for a type of bridal carry with her being held in my arms from below. But when I did get her back up in my arms and began to walk towards the resort behind me, I was surprised to find that she felt no lighter than when I last carried her. Even though she had less body mass due to having no legs and a more streamlined and tapered lower body. Maybe seaponies are heavier than hippogriffs in terms of their body structure. Hopefully they are not so heavy that they can die in the same way as other cetaceans getting struck on dry land. Regardless, I looked down at my smiling little friend as she grinned back up at me while clearly having fun. "I'm actually carrying a mermaid... Maybe I'm the first human who can say that."

"Ooh, what's a mermaid? Is that just another way of saying seapony?" Silverstream asked with some confused curiosity in her bright eyes.

I rolled my eyes as I contemplated how to respond. There was no point in explaining the myths about mermaids from my world. So I dumbed it down for her. "That's what I call any pretty lady who lives in the sea."

Silverstream got a good snicker out of that response. "Come to think of it, I've always been your pretty bird. But I guess I'm your pretty fishy now?"

"I dunno about that. I'd say you're more dolphin than fish. Even if you've got the gills needed to be considered a fish... Come to think of it, how're you feeling? Comfortable? Feeling dehydrated at all? I'm pretty sure seaponies shouldn't be out of water for too long." I said in some humor before suddenly feeling a twinge of concern for my fishy friend. Those fins of hers needed moisture to stay slick and moist. They surely would get dry and fragile if not kept hydrated.

"Hmmm... I guess I am kinda thirsty?" Silverstream replied while I kept an eye out for something useful. And I saw it. The showers at the edge of the resort for washing seawater and sand off of returning patrons. And Silverstream saw them too. "Ooh, how about those? Let's wash off first."

"Yeah, good idea. Can you take care of the chain? My hands are full here." I said as I hastened my pace to get under one. Silverstream did just that and tugged on the chain with her hand fin to get a session of freshwater falling on us. Even colder than the ocean, but invigorating all the same. Silverstream was enjoying it much more than me. Maybe seaponies have a higher tolerance for lower temperatures? I wonder if they live along the coastlines in colder climates...

We had drip-dried enough by the time I entered the lobby. And I was getting a lot of weird looks from those I passed. I was carrying around a little seapony mare in my arms while Silverstream looked very happy all the while. Completely helpless by her own choice. I asked my friend quietly, "Can't you change back yet?"

"Nope. Not until we get back to my room." Silverstream replied while playfully sticking her tongue out at me. I just rolled my eyes. She had always been a fun girl.

I only just realized when we were halfway across the lobby that neither of us had the key for Silverstream's room. Sky Beak was likely the one with the key by then and I really did not want to go looking for him with Silverstream in my arms. With no other option, I approached the front desk to ask for a spare. And that look the receptionist gave me... There was only one thing I could say. "I caught a big one out there."

"Don't worry, I just look different! I'm with Mr. Sky Beak and Mrs. Ocean Flow! Miss Silverstream. Do you have an extra key for my room? My dad has them right now." Silverstream spoke up with the clerk not being all that surprised. Perhaps the resort employees see enough seapony necklace shenanigans all the time. We were provided with a spare key that Silverstream held onto. But once we reached the door, she had to get creative and use her teeth to manipulate the key card since there was no way those hand fins could do it. "Ugh, maybe this was a dumb idea."

By the time we got inside the room, I could not set her down fast enough. I did not even bother to ask which bed was hers since it was clearly a room she was sharing with her brother. But as I quickly stepped over to the first bed on my left, Silverstream spoke up again after flinging the card in her teeth over to the bed. "James? One more thing."

"Yeah? Eh?!" I had no time to react. In one quick motion, Silverstream curled her body to bring her head up. All so she could place a quick little kiss on my lips. It did not even last a second. Silverstream just smiled brightly at me as if she felt proud of herself for giving me a nice surprise. More than anything, I was just confused. "Um... Silver? Why did you do that?"

"Because you're such a sweet guy and you totally deserved it." Silverstream replied with sincere honesty. That bright and playful smile told me there really was not anything deeper in that action. She was just being nice to me. Even if that move was not called for.

"OK, you got a point there." I snorted while I played along. While I am not sure if I actually deserved such a random kiss, I do try to be kind when I can. But when I gently set Silverstream down on the nearest bed, I then said, "But really, you should've saved that for your first love. Your first kiss should be something special and be saved for that special guy."

Silverstream just stared at me in surprise. And after a good five seconds of nothing happening, she briefly asked, "It is? I really should've saved that for my first boyfriend?"

I sat at the edge of the bed and nodded. Perhaps romance is so far off Silverstream's radar that it never came to mind for her. And it was the first kiss she had ever given a guy while possessing a proper pair of soft lips. I knew that she most definitely had never kissed anyone in the same way Novo has passionately made out with me. But instead of apologizing, Silverstream spoke with that innocent smile on her face. "In that case, how about you just hold onto it? And when I find the right guy to give it to, you just give it back to me?"

"Wha..." I stammered as I tried to process the logic of my silly friend. In the end, I could not even try to be frustrated with her. I bowed my head while bursting into a snickering fit. That was just too cute of her. I then spoke to my young friend with a big grin on my face. "You know what? Sure. I'll keep your first kiss safe. I promise to not give it away to anyone."

"Thanks!" Silverstream giggled before trying to reach out for a hug. Instead, she could not get enough leverage and fell on her face. Her body was slender, but not at all like that of a snake. It started to dawn on her just how helpless she was as a literal fish out of water. "Wow... I really can't do anything like this, huh? All I can do is roll around. I can't even use these silly fins to hold anything out of water! Yeah, I think I'm ready to be a bird again."

Silverstream swiftly brought her hand fin to the enchanted stone centerpieces of her necklace. And with a single tap, the seapony regained her original feathered form in a flash of gold and pale purple. She swiftly brought her vibrant pink hands to her face while smiling brightly. "Yes, there's my hands! And my beak! And my wings! It's so nice being soft and fluffy again!"

"You said it, girl. And what do pretty birds get?" I said smugly as a certain opportunity presented itself to me. I suddenly brought my hands to the underside of Silverstream's jaws and went to work with my soft fingertips. "Pretty birds get scritches."

"Oooooooh yeah... Mmmmm, I missed this." Silverstream began to churr as she lay pretty for me on the bed. She tilted her head back to just let me do as I pleased. It was a joy for me too as my fingers savored that wonderfully soft plumage all over her body. The more I scritched her, the more Silverstream sang. That little lady let out the loveliest soft hymn of a churr as my fingers wandered across her fluffy body.

Silverstream was getting a bit too relaxed. She rolled onto her side as that layer of pink feathers began to puff up in a ridiculously adorable fashion. And I was just enthralled of being reminded of how beautiful the hippogriffs of Equestria are across the board. I was so used to Novo's unparalleled beauty that I had forgotten about the rest of her kind. But no, Novo is not diamond in the rough. All of her people are gorgeous. The mares and stallions, and even the filly and colts. I could scarcely believe just how beautiful Silverstream was for her age. Even Terramar is an impressively handsome colt. As continued to apply those soothing scritches along her fluffy chest, I sighed in admiration. "Why are you hippogriffs always so beautiful..."

"Mmmm... I hope I am. I wanna be pretty for my best friend." The beautiful bird mare before me cooed with her eyes still squinted shut. I had to be careful to not lull her into passing out for a nap. I finally took my hands off her when I started to suspect Silverstream was getting to that point. Her puffy plumage started to relax back against her body before she lazily opened her eye to glance over at me. "That's why I'm your pretty bird, right?"

"Yep... You really are stunning. You're gonna grow up to make some guy very happy someday." I replied while gazing upon the beautiful young mare before me. Or...was she a filly? It is so hard to tell with hippogriffs. Silverstream already stood taller than the guards and stewards aboard the Olympia. There was a strange dissonance between her age of twelve years old and everything else about her. Maybe I just need to spend more time around hippogriffs to get a feel for how they tick. But whether a filly or a mare, she was beautiful.

Silverstream lifted her head to look at me with both eyes as her smile softened. She still looked relaxed enough to fall asleep by then. Especially after a long swim out in the ocean. And she spoke as softly as her smile. "No one's ever said that to me... You really think there's a boy out there who's waiting for me?"

"Totally. I know you hippogriffs are big lovebirds. There has to be a fine colt waiting to find you." I replied while gently stroking her head. Silverstream was always good at finding ways to make me happy. Surely there would be someone coming into her life at some point who would share that happiness with her.

I was careful to only stroke Silverstream's head instead of applying scritches to her. And she sighed happily while leaning into my hand. "You've always been so patient with me... I hope I find someone as patient as you."

"There's a saying where I come from. Every bread has its cheese... Wait, what's with that look?" I replied before Silverstream's gaze of relaxation became one of abrupt excitement. And it was followed by a sudden bout of laughter. I rolled my eyes while I said, "OK, maybe that wasn't the best analogy..."

"Ahahahaha, really?! Wow, bread and cheese, huh? In that case, what kinda bread and cheese do you think me and my future stallion are?" Silverstream asked with a cheeky smile spreading across her beak.

"Hmmm... Let me think..." I replied as I started to let my appetite get to my head. It was about time for lunch anyway. I felt myself starting to salivate as I tried to think up a good combo for bread and cheese. "I'd say you...are a thick layer of smoked gouda. Melted against a layer of lightly toasted whole wheat bread. Slathered in a layer of honey mustard over some..."

"Whoa, that's enough! I'm getting really hungry now." Silverstream giggled as she held up a hand to silence me. I could really go for one of my favorite sandwiches from the local café in Ponyville right now myself. Although Silverstream then said, "Although I also really like hot Swiss cheese on pumpernickel or rye..."

"Yeah, sorry... I don't know why I thought of that bread and cheese thing. It's just something I read about somewhere..." I muttered with a crooked smile on my lips. I even scratched at my head through my hair as if scolding my brain for even thinking that up in the first place.

Before I even noticed what she was doing, Silverstream reached out for my head too. She placed both hands on my scalp and dragged her fingertips across it. The sensation of her dull talons scratching along my scalp felt pleasant and took care of an itch I felt coming on. But this was not her doing me a favor. My cheerful friend's smile began to fade as she look at me with some concern in those vibrant eyes. "You had so much more hair on your head last time... It's still really short right now. Did you say you got hurt out there?"

"I didn't get a haircut, in case you're wondering. They had to shave it all off to make it easier to treat the skull fracture I got." I explained in brief while not wanting to tell someone as happy as Silverstream about the horrors of the War of Preservation. The less she knew, the better.

Silverstream's gaze only showed more curiosity. "And...what's a skull fracture?"

"Not a kind of injury you hear about very often, huh? It's what happens when something hits your head hard enough to literally crack your skull." I explained with Silverstream's eyes widened in shock. She surely knew about the act of bones breaking and taking time to heal. But to break one's own skull was understandably more dire. And the way Silverstream's hands began to quickly feel through my hair... Searching for an injury? I thought back to what I could remember clearly from that dark time with my gaze wandering. "I barely even remember it happening. The enemy hit me in the back of the head with a hammer... It took days for my body to stabilize enough to walk unassisted. The symptoms of a concussion lingered for weeks..."

I was suddenly silenced as Silverstream embraced my head and pulled my face into her fluffy chest. And for just a moment, that was all she did. She held me there with her hands resting securely on the back of my head. Where the scars lay buried under my scalp. I knew better than to move. It was not like Silverstream to be so silent in such moments. She inhaled sharply above me before saying, "You really got hurt out there... You went through so much trouble just for us?"

"You've read those newspaper headlines, right? I couldn't let the sins of my world spill over into this one. I love this world too much to...let it become like mine. Equestria needs to stay as Equestria. Not to become another Earth. And...I don't want to see people like you become like the people of my world." I said while trying to not say too much. I did not want to be redundant with my words. The less Silverstream knew, the better.

"Yeah... I don't wanna stop being me. I wanna always be your pretty bird." Silverstream said softly before gently pulling my head away from her chest. But when she lowered herself back down onto her haunches, she suddenly reached out and touched her beak to my lips. But not for a quick tap. The tips of her beak curled to place a proper kiss upon my lips. It only lasted a second before she gazed into my eyes with such a grateful smile on her beak. "And you'll always be my best friend...and my hero. OK, James?"

I did not even question Silverstream's excessive affection. I was just glad that silly little lady would always be the pretty bird I had come to adore. I nodded in confirmation before Silverstream nuzzled the side of my head. "And since you're a hero on vacation... How about I look after you while we're here? If you need anything, just let me know! Can I get my hero anything right now?"

Since she was offering, I saw no shame in asking. "How about some lunch? That chat earlier got me hungry."

"Yeah, me too. I'll be right back!" Silverstream squawked before hopping down from the bed and trotting for the door. Although she then looked back at me and asked, "Wait! Is there anything you don't like?"

"All you need to know about me is this. Hold the onions." I retorted before Silverstream headed on out. I had no idea what she had in mind for lunch, but I was willing to try something new. What would she even find around Cantercun anyway?

I got comfortable in Silverstream's room and even took the opportunity to use a hairdryer in the bathroom to dry off my trunks. I could only hope that Terramar would not mind a wet spot on his bed when he got back. At least I was assuming that had been his bed. I was almost disappointed to find their room, while pleasingly styled to suit the tropical location, did not have any more personalized stuff around the room like I had become used to when visiting Silverstream's room back on Capricorn Island. "I wonder if she'll find any elegant staircases around here..."

I did whatever I could to pass the time. Be it looking out from the back window to just checking out whatever the two siblings brought with them. It looked like they did not bring much in the way of personal belongings. They did not even bring any clothes with them. Not that they needed any. But after maybe just shy of twenty minutes, I heard a knock at the door. "That you, Silver?"

"Yep! And I found some really good stuff!" I heard my perky friend reply from the other side. I was greeted by quite the sight when I opened the door. Both of her wings were at her sides while firmly grasping a pair of paper bags like large hands. She looked very excited. And very hungry. "Come on! Let's chow down!"

I could smell a certain aroma coming from those bags. Something fried. Silverstream bounded up onto the other bed we had been using before pointing over to the corner. "Can you grab two of those?"

I was hit with a wave of nostalgia when I looked over there. Tucked in the corner beside a dresser was a set of serving trays with the tops decorated with tropical floral patterns. "Oh man, vintage TV trays... I never found out what happened to my grandmother's."

They lacked legs, so I assumed they were meant for being used in bed. Clearly not designed for use by humans or other bipedal creatures sitting in a chair. I took a seat beside Silverstream while getting the trays set beside us. Two large narrow sandwiches complimented by two bags of tortilla chips contained in small wax paper bags were removed from the bag. Along with the food were two icy cold bottles of tropical punch. Silverstream was all too quick to unwrap our sandwiches. "It's a local specialty! You're gonna love it!"

We both had the same kind of sandwich. And I was very impressed with what it was. Fried shrimp sandwiches on lightly toasted whole wheat bread. It was complimented with lettuce, tomato, slices of avocado, and even slices of pineapple. It was topped off with a helping of some kind of aioli that rounded off the sandwich nicely. My mouth was watering at the very sight of it. "Oh man, where did you find this? It's like a little taste of home, but with a tropical twist to it. I'm surprised they even sell seafood around here."

"Yeah, I thought so too! Ponies don't usually eat fish, right? Maybe it's the seaponies. I guess they are a lot like dolphins if fish is part of their diet." Silverstream mused before focusing on that scrumptious sandwich. She took it between both hands while licking her tongue along the edge of her beak. "Anyway, I'm starved! All that swimming worked up an appetite!"

We were too hungry to converse. And I was very impressed with how all the flavors of that sandwich came together for something very special. Even the chips had been given a special treatment. Sprinkled with sea salt and...the taste of lime. I am no food critic, but whoever made those sandwiches gets a shining review from me. Once our food had been consumed, Silverstream and I gulped down the last of our drinks in unison after clinking our bottles together for a toast. We let out a simultaneous sigh of delight before I said, "You found a good one. We should get some more from that vendor again."

"Uh huh, it was a really hard choice. So much good stuff. Wanna try those sandwiches with mango on them next time?" Silverstream giggled while I only nodded. Tropical fruit on fried seafood sandwiches... If pineapple goes well on pizza, maybe I should try all sorts of fruit combinations. Inspiration has struck. But Silverstream then turned to me and asked, "All full now? Anything else I can do for my hero?"

She was so eager to please. Silverstream really did just to make me happy. But I did not want her efforts to be too one-sided. So I instead asked in turn, "Actually... Is there anything I can do for you?"

"You mean aside from being my best friend?" Silverstream giggled before bowing her head towards me. Her eyes gazed up at me while she asked, "How about some after lunch scritches?"

"Anything for the pretty bird." I chuckled before bringing both hands to the sides of Silverstream's head. She immediately closed her eyes as I dragged my fingers through her soft plumage. She began to let out such a beautiful churr as I did what I could to make my feathered friend happy. Just such a lovely young lady. "Why are you hippogriffs always so pretty?"

"Mmmm... Right there... Behind the ears... Oh, why?" Um..." Silverstream muttered while my fingers scritched away at the base of those ear tufts extending from the sides of her head. There were no outer ears, but I did feel the holes in her head that contained her ears. Silverstream paused in her churring to say, "I dunno... No one ever says I'm pretty back home... Maybe that's because I don't seem so pretty when everyone is pretty?"

"Heh... When everyone is pretty and not pretty at the same time?" I replied while Silverstream giggled in some amusement at the sentiment. Although I then whispered softly to her, "But you'll always be pretty to me."

Silverstream fluffed up consider at my words. Her eyes squinted shut while all that fluffy pink on her got so puffy. She let out a long churr with rising pitch before speaking unexpectedly quietly, "I hope so. Because I'll always be your pretty bird."

She was just so happy. And that made me happy. I found myself smiling as I continued to apply scritches to my beautiful friend. From the side of her head to under her jaws and then all around her neck. I sighed as my mind wandered. "You're going to make some lucky stallion very happy someday. I bet you two will make each other so happy every day."

"You mean like how I do for you?" Silverstream giggled while showing me a playful wink of her eye. I just played along. She could not have understood where I was coming from. If she had a boyfriend in her future, that was likely years away. Although that little lady then said to me, "Right now, you're the only one I want to make happy. Because you're my best friend."

"And you do a great job of that, pretty bird." I replied as I felt such a compelling urge to kiss her right on the forehead. But that would surely result in Silverstream assuming I had just given her back her first kiss. But I wanted to show her affection in some form beyond just scritches. "If you really want to make me happy... How about some cuddles?"

Silverstream's eyes brightened as her puffy feathers flatten back against her body. "Yes! More hugs for my best friend!"

Good lord, she felt so nice wrapping her fluffy body around me. Her feathery arms and lovely wings encompassed me with those fluffy feathers pressed up against my bare body. I rested my head against the side of hers while whispering to my joyous friend. "Thank you for always being so good to me. I really appreciated our time together back on Capricorn Island."

"And I...really appreciate your patience. You always listen even when I have a lot to say." Silverstream cooed while squeezing me even more tightly. Such a beautiful voice deep in her throat, even if it was just her letting out a bird call. The fluffy little lady then whispered, "And...it's nice being around you. So quiet all the time... It makes me wanna relax too."

An interesting choice of words. I did get the impression that Silverstream has a lot of energy in her at most times. I remember the borderline one-sided conversations we had where she did the vast majority of the talking. But I still enjoyed myself. It was a pleasure just listening to Silverstream talk and hearing what she had to say. There was only one thing I could say. "I'm always happy to listen. Someone's gotta do it."

Silverstream let out a long sigh as I felt her embrace weaken. "It's gonna be hard to watch you leave again... I missed you. Like...real bad. I got so used to you being around and being able to talk and talk without anyone trying to bail on chat... Even Terramar gets tired of it after a while."

"I'm sorry, pretty bird... I'll try to figure something out so I can visit more often. You're not the only person on Capricorn Island who's special to me." I whispered to her while stroking my hand down the middle of her back. Novo was right. It is not fair for us to be kept so far apart by a literal ocean. I needed to find a way to rectify that. To be able to see my beautiful queen and my feathered family on Capricorn Island whenever I needed to. And...Novo... How would I ever tell Silverstream about her? She knew that there was something special going on between us. And that I am a married man. Would she ever understand? No, I could never expect someone so young to comprehend the complexities of polygamy. It would be best to keep that knowledge hidden for the moment.

The fluffy little lady sighed happily at my words. "I hope you do... I wanna take walks with you up the mountain and through the forests again. There's still so much of Capricorn Island you haven't seen yet. That place is huge."

It really is easy to forget just how daunting the size of the mountain that makes up Capricorn Island truly is. How long would it take for one to scale the entire mountain on foot when starting from the bottom? A challenge for those bolder than I am. I then said almost in jest, "I'll have to remember to bring some hiking boots next time."

We just sat there for a moment longer. Two friends in each other's embrace. And I am sure Silverstream felt better pressed up against me than I did against her. Just such an exquisite layer of fluffy plumage. Silverstream was the one to break the silence. "Anything else I can do to make my hero happy?"

"Hmmm... How about...letting me go back to my room so I can get dressed? I think I'm done swimming for the day." I retorted with a playful smirk. I really did not want to have to wear those trunks for too much longer. Those things can chafe after a while.

"Oh, right! Sure! And I'll clean up in here before Terramar gets back." Silverstream giggled before immediately releasing her grasp on me. I quickly left the room and was glad to find that the keycard for my room was still in my pocket. There was little chance of it getting out while I was swimming. I quickly swapped out of my trunks and into a comfortable set of shorts and a polo shirt. And once I got my sandals on, I heard a knock at the door. But the voice on the other side was not Novo's. "You done in there, James?"

Silverstream had come knocking. And I did indeed find her standing on the other side. I foolishly assumed that Silverstream would have taken my departure as the end of our time together for the moment. Rather than be annoyed, I was happy to get to spend more time with my feathery friend. And her energy helped distract me from the urge to take a nap. "Heh. Where to, pretty bird?"

"To the patio! I want fruit smoothies!" Silverstream chirped before leading me down the hall with a spring in her trot. I could not take my eyes off her the entire time. The trot of a hippogriff is just so much cuter than that of the average pony. Especially when that hippogriff is as adorable as Silverstream.

I wanted to do something for her. Anything to make my precious friend happy. And then it hit me. "Hey, Silver. Mind if I carry you the rest of the way?"

She instantly came to a stop and abruptly looked up at me with such delight in her sparkling eyes. We had only made it halfway across the lobby. Beak open wide with such a joyous avian smile, she chirped out a quick response. "Oh yes! Please!"

Instead of letting me pick her up, Silverstream spread her wings and took to the air to put herself above me. She then gently set herself down across my shoulders while I took hold of one arm and leg to keep her secure. For as much as she enjoyed being carried around like that, I too was enjoying the feeling of her fluffy body against the back of my head. "I forgot how comfortable it is having you up there."

Silverstream surprised me by extending her right wing and patting me on the head with it only being partially extended. "Great! I want my best friend and hero to be having as much fun as me too!"

And so I continued on and out the door with that fluffy bird mare draped across my shoulders. We got quite a few looks from other vacationers while making our way down to our reserved outdoor patio. Silverstream even took the time to try and preen my hair along the way, but its very short length did not give her much to do with her beak. But she kept trying. And I started laughing the longer she did it. "Ugh, I miss you having a full head of hair!"

"Really? That's too bad because I appreciate it being so short in the sun here. That hair traps in a lot of heat. Can't to feel all that warmth coming off my scalp up there?" I replied with a question of my own.

Silverstream got curious and placed a hand right on top of my head. And she did confirm my claims. "Wow, that really is very warm. You could melt butter on that!"

I have to assume that hippogriffs just do not go bald. And that they never trim their feathers that low, especially on their heads. Rain Shine even gave us some confused stares as we passed by the pool. The kirin queen was taking a long soak while it looked like Sunflare and Orbash had joined her. I set Silverstream down at the bar while she and I too a seat under the palm leaf roof.

Silverstream could not decide on the large selection of fruit flavors to choose from and let the bartender surprise her. I decided to try a strawberry and kiwi daiquiri. But while we sipped away while listening to the nearby radio, I felt a presence approaching from behind. A presence I detected in my very soul. And the voice that followed oozed a familiar tenderness. "May I join you two?"

Rain Shine had left the pool and was soaked below the neck. She also carried the unfortunate scent of lightly chlorinated water on her. And Silverstream spoke before I could. "Miss Rain Shine! Hi! You gotta try the mango stuff!"

"Oh I know exactly what I desire." The beautiful creature before us sad while her eyes met mine. She flashed me a very warm and knowing smile while I did the same. My beloved took a seat just to my right and spoke immediately to the bartender. "One lychee daiquiri please."

The bartender seemed unsure of whether or not they even had such a product, but he did find some in stock. The resulting drink was an unexpected white. As Rain Shine sipped her drink through a straw, I felt the need to ask. "Why a lychee drink?"

"It reminds me of home. Where I have not tread in far too long." Rain Shine said softly. I suppose that particular fruit has its origin in the eastern lands. And it reminded me of what we had discussed very recently.

"Your homeland... We will be going there early next year, right?" I asked while sipping away at my drink. I was very tempted to try one of those lychee daiquiris after my current drink was finished.

My beautiful beloved turned to me while Silverstream remained curiously quiet. A glance to my left showed that she was watching our guest, but never said a word. She kept lightly slurping her smoothie through a straw. Rain Shine then explained, "Yes, we shall. I spoke to the royal family again and they insist that they shall make that journey a priority. Do be sure to tell your friends when you return to start making plans for the date. They will surely not want to miss it."

"Yeah, totally. I bet all six of them will find something to love about your homeland that suits their tastes." I replied while imagining how those six mares would take to everything the eastern lands had to offer. But what of Rain Shine herself? I turned to her and asked, "What about you? Got any plans for your stay there? Anyone you're looking forward to seeing?"

The kirin queen smiled warmly at my words. "Most definitely. I have connections to all of the kirin clans that reside in the east. Although I have communicated them mostly through the earth itself. It has been so very long since I last laid eyes upon them."

There was one name that lingered on my mind. A name I had only heard a few times before. "And...what about her? The one you call Red Lotus?"

Such a nostalgic gaze filled Rain Shine's eyes. And her smile only softened further as she took another sip of her drink. "Yes. I am most excited to finally see her again. She and I...have history with each other."

I had not been told much of that particular kirin mare. And I could not recall off the top of my head what I had been told last time. But my curiosity was piqued. "Remind me. Who is she again? What history do you two have with each other?"

"I have known her my entire life. For she was a dear friend to my mother before me. She even...supervised my birth." Rain Shine recalled fondly as my eyes widened in surprise. Just how ancient was this Red Lotus to have been dear friends with Sequoia Valley to the point of having been present for her daughter's birth? To have traveled far across the Empty Plains just to be able to witness the start of Rain Shine's life?

Silverstream was very quiet behind me, but I knew she was listening very closely. This chat was turning into a good story being told. Rain Shine continued with her eyes upon me, "Our friendship has always been...complicated. I almost saw her as a mother figure for a time. Then a mentor. She and my mother taught me how to wield the Viper Edge. And as the centuries went by and time's march began to mean little to me, she became a dear friend. But she has always been my superior. Even now, I still feel so small compared to her."

This Red Lotus... She sounded like a titan of a mare. Even her very name... Red Lotus. Something about the way it rolls off the tongue makes it sound like a name that commands respect. Something...powerful. I then asked cautiously, "She sounds...impressive. Almost...dangerous even. I'm sure you've already told me, but... Who is she again?"

Rain Shine almost began to smirk at my choice of words. "If she sounds powerful, that's because she is. Red Lotus has served the many royal families of the east for millennia. She is their captain of the guard and has trained and raised countless fine young stallions and mares into capable defenders of the people. She is firm, but fair. Stern, yet never harsh. For more than four thousand years, her presence among the people has always been a constant for dynasty after dynasty. I fear I cannot even compare to her on the battlefield."

My mind was racing at the description being provided to me. I knew that the kirin are pacifists by nature. And yet... Red Lotus. She sounded like a terrifying warrior. She personally trained many young guardsmen over her very long life. She is likely the mightiest warrior of the east entirely. And after seeing how powerful Rain Shine was during the War of Preservation... Just trying to imagine the sheer might of the most ancient kirin warrior in the world was daunting. More than four thousand years... She had remained a maiden all her life. I am sure that for Red Lotus, she chose the blade over the act of finding love. A loyal servant of the people... No wonder such a name demanded respect. She sounded impressive indeed.

Rain Shine's eyes began to scan me. She could sense it. I felt...afraid. I would have to meet Red Lotus upon arrival. If she was captain of the guard, she would be the first we met upon arrival much like how Seaspray was the first to meet us when I first visited Capricorn Island. And...I felt wary. I had seen just how deadly a kirin could be in battle through Rain Shine. And Red Lotus sounded mightier still. My eyes focused on my drink, I heard my beloved ask softly. "James... Your spirit... It quivers. Why so apprehensive?"

"Rain... I'll have to meet her when we get there. She sounds...terrifying. She knows about humanity's history in this world. Their betrayal of Equestria..." I muttered as I felt that cursed legacy weighing down on me. Humans and kirin have always held a natural symbiosis with each other. But Red Lotus... She would not allow herself to be steered by such a bias. I am sure she would make hard decisions when needed. I then turned to my beloved and asked, "What will she do when we finally meet? Will she...hate me?"

My beloved's response was almost immediate. And her gaze of concern became one of quiet comfort. "Oh James... There's no need to be so wary. She will be honored to meet you. I know Red Lotus. And she knows me. I assure you that there is nothing to fear. She will welcome you to our land. While maintaining an air of firm composure."

While this did not entirely soothe my concerns, I decided to give Rain Shine the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to have faith in the kirin. I have never not felt uncomfortable in their presence. But the kirin champion... Red Lotus...

I quickly chugged the rest of my drink in the hopes that the buzz from the rum in it would help soothe my nerves. I was just overthinking that theoretical first encounter. "Meh, I just need to not... Agh! That was a bad idea..."

"Haha! Brain freeze!" Silverstream chirped behind me. She was right. Daiquiris are always served cold with freshly ground ice. Chugging that all down so quickly had resulted in a temporary headache. I looked back at Silverstream and was surprised to see three empty tall glasses while she had just started on a fourth.

I decided to order a lychee daiquiri to replace the one I had just consumed and found out why Rain Shine ordered one. Simply delicious. It only made me eager to see what kind of cuisine the eastern lands have to offer. Once Silverstream had finished her fourth drink, she appeared satisfied and saw herself away to go meet up with her family. Rain Shine watched the silly hippogriff before looking at me with a smile. "Such a bright and sunny disposition, that one. She was very happy to be near you."

Of course Rain Shine would notice that. I can only imagine what it is like to see the world and people around oneself with a kirin's innate spiritual awareness. I looked back to see Silverstream trotting along towards the edge of our reserved resort area to get to the beach. "Yeah, she really is. She says I'm her best friend and I believe her. She does a great job at just making me happy."

"I hope she has a joyous future in store for her. Just being near her was uplifting." Rain Shine giggled before sneaking a quick kiss on my cheek. The bartender thankfully had his back turned at the time, allowing me to give her a kiss in return right between the eyes. And she then whispered to me, "My love... During this visit, I would cherish being able to take a long walk on the beach with you. When the sun sets. Where we can be...alone."

As eager as I was to take her up on such an offer, I could not neglect my promise to Celestia. I knew where I needed to be that night. I rested my hand on my beloved's shoulder and spoke with a whisper. "Tomorrow. I promise. Celestia's expecting me tonight and I don't want to disappoint her."

"Ah, of course. Then tomorrow it shall be, my love." Rain Shine said with no disappointment in her eyes. We had plenty of time left to schedule a moonlit walk along the shoreline. Rain Shine then used levitation magic to lift her glass towards me. An invitation to a toast. "To us. And to our family."

"Right... Our family. Cheers, Rain." I replied before bringing my glass to hers and lightly tapping them together. And I felt a fire shimmer in my heart. Rain Shine was mine and I was hers. And together, we were part of a growing family.

The hours went by. The beach grew busier. And then it began to become emptier as the telltale color of the sunset began. It was such a shame the shoreline was facing east instead of west. Ocean sunsets are lovely to behold. And one must wake up at the crack of dawn to witness the sunrise over the eastern ocean.

The beach was all but bear when I came out onto the beach one last time before settling in for the night. I stood at the edge of the washing waves in my bare feet. The gradually cooling evening breeze blew over the sands. Even the seaponies had retreated to their submerged grottos to prepare for the night. It felt so...quiet out there. Mournfully so. And yet, oh so relaxing too. "Mother ocean is vast no matter what world you're on, I guess... Beautiful...yet brutal..."

The ocean was beginning to look much darker as every minute passed by. That endless blue always felt daunting to behold, but as that blue turned black... I felt myself shudder. I do not fear water. Nor do I fear the ocean. But to imagine... Being out in the middle of that sea of black with no land in sight... Such a primal anxiety. I suspect even the seaponies will not venture out into the deep open ocean if they can help it. But at least they would not be in danger of drowning. But the isolation... To wander endlessly mile after mile... Why must the ocean be so terrifying?

"James?" A voice finally spoke behind me. It was comforting to hear. I turned and found a familiar hippogriff colt gazing up at me. "Are you all right? Everyone's at the dining patio for dinner."

"Yeah, I'm good. Just...getting one last look out at the sea before turning in for the night... Huh?" I replied upon looking down at Terramar. But then I noticed something resting against the base of his neck. "You still have that necklace on? I'm pretty sure all the vendors packed up and went home by now."

"Huh? Oh, I forgot I was still wearing it! But that's because we all liked how they work so much that Mom and Dad bought them to take home with us. Except for Dad. He says he'd rather stay dry. And if he really wants to try it out, then he can just borrow Mom's." Terramar explained before accidentally tapping his finger against the central stone on his necklace. I jumped a bit as he was briefly engulfed by a swirling flash of gold and purples for just an instant before falling flat on his face into the sand. He let out a grunt before looking up at me as a helpless beached seapony. "Oops. Gotta remember how this thing works..."

"You OK there? That didn't look too comfortable." I asked while able to feel how soft that sand was under my feet. Soft, but probably still knocked the wind out of him. Terramar quickly swapped back to his natural hippogriff form and stood up before rapidly sharing any lingering sand from his plumage. As I beheld my young feathered friend, I was reminded of his sister. That was when I had an idea. "Would you like me to carry you back?"

I was unsure exactly what Terramar's response would be to that offer. Silverstream is quirky enough to want to try all sorts of new things, but Terramar was a bit more reserved. But the fluffy colt did look up at me with an excited smile on his beak. "Really?! You mean...like how I've seen you do it with Silverstream? Sure! Just...uh...it goes like this, right?"

Terramar flapped his wings to get airborne and hovered over me. I waited with my arms out to my sides to be ready to grab him. My friend carefully yet superbly set himself down across my shoulders while my hands took hold of a wrist and ankle to keep him secure. I looked at him and he looked at me. "Comfy up there?"

"Uh...yeah?" Terramar replied before I started to stroll on back to the hotel. Terramar felt just as pleasant draped across my shoulders as Silverstream, but I swear he was just slightly heavier. I suppose that is to be expected. Silverstream is very sleek and lean for her age. The girl must have some kind of fitness regime she sticks to. By the time I left the beach and got all the sand off my feet, Terramar sounded like he was having a good time. "Heh... No wonder Silverstream likes it when you do this. Nice view!"

I started getting a lot of stares again once I stepped inside. And when I reached the busy dining patio. Succulent buffets had been set out with a live mariachi band putting on a show nearby. I set my fluffy friend down and got in line with hi to load up a platter.

We must have been tired after a long day spent under the hot sun. Our first full day in Cantercun and what a tiring one it was. I tried to pay attention to the conversations happening around me, but it was hard to keep up. Some were still full of energy, some looked like they were ready to go straight to bed within the next couple of hours, and some were in the middle. I too liked the idea of turning in earlier for once. I wanted to see a sunrise over the ocean at least once during my visit.

Dinner was amazing and the dining patio was slow to empty out. But more than anything, my eyes were on Celestia. She looked radiant in the gently lit space of polished mahogany wood with the darkened landscape beyond the railing at the edges. It was such a delightful open-air location that allowed the cool tropical breezes to come sweeping in. I chatted with those around me and watched as guests both familiar and unfamiliar departed as time went by. Until finally Celestia rose from her seat and bid her sisters and parents goodnight. I noticed her give me a brief glance as a warm smile was displayed upon her lips. It was time. I was needed.

I waited for a minute after Celestia disappeared from the dining patio before rising from my seat and following her. But when I reached the lobby, I was greeted by a curious sight. Sky Beak and Ocean Flow were approaching the door that led out to the beach. And around Ocean Flow's neck was one of those magic seapony necklaces. They were quietly whispering to each other with...noticeably amorous intent. I stopped and stared at the stallion who had become like a father to me and his beautiful wife as they left the building. I snorted to myself while unsure if I should be amused or disturbed. "Looks like those two are about to have a real surf and turf experience."

After I entered the room that had been assigned to me and Novo, I almost laughed to myself when I realized what was likely going to happen between that loving couple. I knew what it is like to make love to a seapony mare. And now my own papa bird was about to find out himself. I still tried to push that thought out of my mind, but it was still funny that we could relate to certain experiences. And I was fortunate Novo was not back yet. She tends to stay late during such parties.

I swapped out into just my trunks and grabbed a towel before making my way down to Celestia's room. I had to ask ahead of time which one was hers. And I was surprised to find that she had purposefully left her door slightly ajar for me. That would normally be seen as foolish, but one would have to be mad to try to harm someone as powerful as Celestia. She would not even have to directly touch her assailant to harm them. Her room was another first class dwelling with all the luxuries present in Novo's room. And I was greeted by the sight of all of Celestia's golden regalia set out on her bed. Her crown, shoes, and bejeweled peytral all neatly sorted. But there was no sign of Celestia herself.

I knew by then that all first class rooms at that resort had a patio beyond a sliding glass door complete with a hot tub. And upon stepping outside through that door and under the bare mahogany roof above, there she was. Celestia was lounging in the middle of her own hot tub with her glorious ethereal mane soaked to the roots. It hung enticingly off the side to grant her a beautifully mortal and approachable visage. All the curtains were lowered at the edges of the patio with the exception of the one facing the direction of the ocean far in the distance. No one would see us.

She saw me when I saw her and we greeted each other with a smile. And she had brought wine like she had promised. A chilled bottle of champagne was sitting in an ice bucket beside a pair of glasses right on a shelf reaching out from one edge of the tub. Illuminated only by the pale rays of the moon beyond the patio and the warmer glow of candlelight, I set aside my towel and gently took a seat in the tub. Jets of hot water swirled around us to create roiling currents. And in mere seconds, Celestia was in my arms. "Thank you for coming, my sunshine."

"I would never miss this, dear." I whispered to my beautiful sun queen. We just sat there for a moment with her in my embrace. Eyes closed and brows touching, my arm around her shoulders. I just wanted to take a moment to remind myself of who was with me and how dearly in love with her I was. The Princess of the Dawn herself. The one who brought me to her wonderful world of Equestria. And along the way, we defied the odds by finding love together. I was meant to serve as a sort of ambassador to my species. Not to become her king and husband. And yet, that was certainly due to happen at some point by then. I sighed as I contemplated where we were and how it had happened. "I just...can't believe that you and I... What we are now. Did you ever imagine that the man you brought to this world to set in motion the eventual return of humanity to Equestria... Did you ever think...the two of us would become something more?"

"No... Never. I couldn't have predicted this, James. But...that doesn't mean I'm disappointed with the outcome." My beloved whispered to me before she gazed into my eyes from just inches away. I could see a smile creep over the edge of her lips as we remained against each other. "I have no regrets. Noble or commoner. Native or foreigner. Man or stallion. It doesn't matter to me what you are, James. All that matters is...who you are. And you are my sunshine. My love. And someday...my king. I'm honored to be yours, my love."

"And I...couldn't be more honored to be yours, my queen." I whispered to her as our lips touched. Our eyes narrowed until they closed. Over and over, our lips touched in the gentle glows around us. Safe and secluded in our own little sanctuary for a short while. Her crown was gone. My sword was stored away. The princess and the knight were not present. Only the mare I loved was beside me and the man she loved was holding her in his arms. Our many kisses paused as I gazed into her beautiful vibrant eyes. "I just love you so much, Celestia..."

"And I love you, my dear James. My radiant sunshine." She hissed to me with such a whisper. Celestia began to kiss me all over my face. My lips to my brow to my cheeks and chin. And as she did so, she began to whisper to me a melody. Something...that I had heard somewhere before. "You are my sunshine... My only sunshine... You make me happy when skies are gray..."

Why... It was a happy melody. Her voice was full of quiet joy when she sang those words to me. So then why... Why did my body respond by building tears in my eyes? "You'll never know, dear...just how much I love you. Please don't take...my sunshine away."

My eyes opened once Celestia fell silent. And I was not the only one with fresh tears in my eyes. Even as she smiled at me, Celestia's eyes glistened with tears beginning to ooze over their lids. And in my heart... I swear that I had heard her sing those words to me at some time I could not recall. "Have you...done this before?"

Celestia brought her face closer to mine until her horn was resting atop my brow. Her hoof searched for my hand under the swirling water and found it, my fingers wrapping around it. With her smile beginning to quiver, Celestia whispered with a wavering voice. "Yes... Just once. When you couldn't hear me."

"When...?" I asked as the tone in the air became unexpectedly heavy. A revisiting of dark memories from not so long ago?

Celestia closed her eyes momentarily to squeeze out the tears. Only then did she whisper to me. "When Mother and Father spoke to me from atop the Heaven's Pillar... When they found you and told me that you were not well, I... I feared we were about to lose you. And I prayed in my heart that...I would at least be able to hold you one last time. You only barely returned to us intact, fading from consciousness seconds after you were brought to the ground. And once the paramedics had stabilized you... When we knew you were going to live..."

I had no memory of what she spoke of. The last thing I could remember when being carried down after my senses left me was being surrounded by familiar and tearful faces. I remembered smiling as everything went dark, knowing I was home. And Celestia... She closed her eyes and leaned into me. "That night... When the command center went quiet... I snuck into your chambers. I stayed by your side in bed and...I whispered that melody to you. Just hoping...that my sunshine wouldn't be taken from me."

She had said enough. I put my arms around the Princess of the Dawn and whispered into her ear. "Your sunshine isn't going anywhere, Celestia. Because he loves you so very much."

"And I love you, my king." Celestia said most sweetly to me as our eyes met. Our lips soon followed and joined for a long and tender kiss. We sighed together once our lips separated again while my beloved kept her horn constantly resting atop my brow. As if afraid to let us be separated. My hand continued to grasp her hoof beneath the whirling water as her levitation magic finally went to work in taking hold of the bottle beside us. Unwrapping the sparkling foil from the top while whispering, "I'm just...so honored to have you. I've been a princess for so long... I think I'm finally ready to be a queen. Your queen, my..."

Celestia and I jumped at an unexpected sound. A sound we sound have expected. In her attempt to get the cork off that bottle, Celestia had forgotten one of the key elements of champagne. The cork popping off the bottle always makes quite the sound. That dull pop was followed by the light clatter of that cork tumbling along the wooden floor nearby while a thin trail of cool mist rose from the bottle's mouth. We both glanced at the bottle before glancing back at each other. And the two of us had a little laugh. I then broke that awkward lapse in conversation as I asked, "Shall we have a toast, my queen?"

"Absolutely, my darling king." Celestia giggled as she poured that sparkling and bubbly fluid into a pair of tall flutes. With glasses in hand, we pulled away from each other and lightly tapped them together. "To us. To Equestria. And to a well earned golden future for our world."

Well said indeed. When considering why we were even down there in Cantercun to begin with, it was worth remembering the struggle that made our time of rest all the sweeter. I swear that even that champagne tasted remarkably delicious. Dry, yet moderately sweet on the tongue. I sighed after a long sip of my drink and spoke wistfully, "I suppose that...given the circumstances...sharing old war stories would be appropriate."

"We did have our moments of respite out there, didn't we?" Celestia replied as that golden bubbly fluid complimented the golden yellow aura billowing around the stem of the glass. The Princess of the Dawn sighed in satisfaction after another drink and said, "It was inspiring to see our people come together like that. Becoming more than just clumsy volunteers. The way they coordinated and held the line out there... I wasn't sure how well our people would rise to the challenge, but they performed splendidly. I still can't believe we didn't suffer a single loss of life... What are the odds?"

"I think that all comes down to how well the researchers in the R&D lab did their job. They prioritized survival over everything else. And it paid off in the end." I retorted as I finished my drink while watching Celestia sip away at hers. I waited patiently for her to finish her glass before taking it upon myself to refill our glasses. I wanted to see that bottle empty by the time we were ready to leave the tub and I wanted us to have equal portions. But with another sip, my mind went back to the one constant of that field laboratory out on the Empty Plains. Someone I knew I would never see again. "You found a real right one to head the project. That Sunburst guy... I wonder where he is?"

"Him? Yes, he far surpassed our expectations. I didn't know what to expect from someone who looked like he was aiming to play a game of Ogres & Oubliettes. I still don't know why he insisted on wearing that cape all the time... But he passed the test in flying colors. I hope he puts his talents to good use in the coming years, wherever he may be." Celestia replied fondly while I thought back to my final encounter with Sunburst during that victory party. He and I were confident that our lives would not allow us to cross paths again with where his new opportunities were about to take him. But I suppose that is life. Not all friendships are meant to last for long, sadly. Especially friendships that only happen because of war.

But some of those friendships still endured. I made many new friends out there. And I was reunited with old ones. I never expected to meet Gilda. Let alone finding her and I becoming fond of her and seeing her become very different from the brute I had been warned about. I never expected to see an academic like Maud Pie out there, but there she was. And we were both happy to see each other again. And even those I met when just trying to reach the incoming invasion. My beloved Ember and Rain Shine. And even the rest of those lovely ladies in the Grove of Silence. I especially found myself longing for the cheerful and comforting presence of Autumn Blaze at that moment. I took a particularly long swig of my drink before saying, "I guess the real reward of that conflict were the friends we made along the way. I found new friends... Was reunited with old ones... Even found new beloveds to find happiness with down the line... The memories feel less bitter when I think about that."

Celestia mirrored my sentimentality by chugging the rest of her drink while it was half full. She left out a gruff sigh from the cold buzz of that champagne flowing down her throat. "They really do... It was so good to be reunited with Rain Shine after so long... I wish we could've stayed in touch, but the plains going empty left us with no incentive to reach out. It was sad..."

I remembered that moment. When Rain Shine stepped inside our encampment's walls for the first time. And the sheer joy Celestia and Luna displayed when reunited with an old friend from so long ago. "You and Luna really were excited to see her, huh? But they're just so isolated out there... No easy way to reach the Grove of Silence."

"Yes, but hopefully not for much longer." Celestia replied as she used her levitation magic to pour us each one last glass. With that bubbling fluid held in her glass before her, Celestia explained, "Now that the Empty Plains are no longer classified, there are now plans to construct an intercontinental railroad across it. It will take years, but it will serve as the lifeline for future settlements out there. In time, the Empty Plains won't be so empty anymore."

"That's...great news! It's just an expanse of nothing out there...but such beautiful nothing too. I hope the Empty Plains will retain its natural beauty over time." I replied before suddenly remembering my life in Ponyville. The people of Equestria appear to have mastered the means of not letting their society encroach too hard on nature. And with Celestia having observed my own planet Earth for so long, she has seen plenty of examples of what not to do when it comes to civilization's impact on the environment.

Celestia smiled at my words while she sipped at her drink. "Don't you worry about that. Being out there on the Empty Plains reminded me of my days before I took up the crown. Equestria is such a beautiful world. Spending my days wandering the wilds with Luna at my side... And Mother and Father... I still can barely believe they revealed themselves during that crisis. And that they're here to stay."

"I'm glad they're here with us. Your parents are great people." I replied briskly while wondering just what the king and queen of Equestria were up to at that moment. Spectacularly polar opposites in personality, yet deeply devoted and madly in love with each other. A truly inspiring couple. Especially on her father's side. I looked at Celestia and said with a smile, "Your father is still pretty much the best man I know."

My beloved giggled at the mention of that wonderful stallion and spoke to me with a wink of her eye. "He loves you. Asks about you every other day."

"I love him too. He knows how to make me feel happy and wanted." I said softly while remembering the times I had been alone with him. Whether it be the time he masterfully soothed my worries when I made a reckless decision or when sharing kind words with each other over glasses of liquor. I then asked cautiously, "I know his reign with Sunflare was brief, but... Was he really such a good king when that crown on his head actually meant something?"

The Princess of the Dawn replied with a very nostalgic smile. "Absolutely. Father was utterly adored by our people. Mother was too, but...a bit more cautiously. I think you can understand why."

"Yeah, Sunflare is admirable, but...intense. She looks like someone who will scorch you just be being near her. I guess she really is the sun incarnate. Bright and radiant, but dangerous. But the sun still nourishes, right?" I replied while still not able to forget the extreme methods Sunflare had used to put an end to the war immediately upon first meeting her. Even with all the power my armor granted me, she still would have crushed me. It was the first time while clad in my enchanted armor that I fell virtually helpless against an aggressor. What power could hope to directly challenge the might of Equestria's true king and queen? Even Discord must have been wary of them.

And yet, at the end of the day, Sunflare and Orbash are still ponies. Powerful and immortal, but husband and wife. And mother and father. They had created the wonderful woman before me who loved me as dearly as I loved her. I only then realized that my right hand was still holding her hoof beneath the roiling surface of the water. My thoughts went to her parents. And then why we were even in that hot tub together in the first place. I looked at Celestia and spoke softly, "They do want grandchildren..."

"I know... And...I hope we won't keep them waiting too much longer, my love." Celestia whispered to me with such a profound blush filling her cheeks. She soon sighed and drank the last of her champagne before setting the glass beside the empty bottle. Her smile became a little more bitter as she said, "I mean... Don't get me wrong, James. I'm happy for you and Novo. I hope you'll be blessed with as many children as you desire. It's just that... How much longer must I wait?"

My hand tightened its grasp on Celestia's hoof. And an important question entered my mind. "Have you ever wanted children?"

She hesitated. Celestia's gaze wandered as I am sure her mind did as well. At least until she bowed her head slightly. "I think it's only natural for a mare to contemplate having foals at least once in her life. And I've lived a very long life. But I've seen many mares become mothers. And I was always happy for them. And then...I met Cadence."

The wife of Shining Armor and longtime family friend to Twilight Sparkle's family. Princess Cadence. Although the exact nature of her princess status is dubious. And the fact that she is an alicorn at all is...concerning. But there was one thing I knew for sure. "You adopted her, right? What prompted you to do that?"

"I'd...rather not say, dear. Not yet. But I loved her like my own. Even though...I don't think we ever truly developed a proper mother and daughter relationship. It's...complicated. Very complicated. There's still a lot of gossip surrounding her if you know where to look." Celestia replied with a very uneasy gaze in her eyes. I think she was dearly trying to not lie to me about anything. And after the last time she kept secrets from me regarding someone very dear to me, I did not want either of us to have any doubts. Whatever the case was regarding Cadence's history with Celestia, she was a very happy person and was happily married to Shining Armor. That was enough to convince me that Celestia had no strings attached to her.

I said nothing to allow Celestia to continue while I sipped at my drink to savor my last glass. She finally continued after a moment of silence. "That was my first taste of knowing what it's like to love a child as if they were your own. But I mostly kept those thoughts out of my mind. I had other things to focus on. And then I met you. And...as things went on... And you found a place in my heart and I found a place in yours..."

"Mmhmmm... Go on." I muttered with keen interest. It was becoming a lovely topic to discuss and I was invested.

Celestia's smile became more crooked. Almost as if she was sharing with me sections of a private diary. "I...began to wonder. Wonder how you would look with a crown on your head. If we could...truly be something more. I mean this was before you began to branch out and try something more daring with your relationships, but... When I did find out that you had begun to practice polygamy... That thought did enter my mind. What if...I could be yours and you could be mine? What if we could be husband and wife? What if we could...start a family?"

Beautiful words. I loved what I was hearing. There was no doubt between us by then. Celestia and I knew we needed each other. And I allowed her to continue to speak uninterrupted. And what a smile she was displaying. "It was only when I fell in love...that I began to imagine the possibilities. And only then did I start to ponder what it would mean to...have a child. Ever since I...began to truly love you, that thought has often been at the back of my mind. And now I can say... Yes. I...most definitely hope you and I can have beautiful little ones together someday. If you would have me as your queen, my love."

I quickly chugged what was left in my glass just so I could set it aside and free up both of my hands. I pulled my beautiful beloved into my embrace. I knew of her hopes that we could be blessed with a child someday well before then. But it felt wonderful to hear how that desire first started. "Oh Celestia... I would be honored. I love you, dear. And I'll love our little ones too."

Celestia's wings were soaked to the frame, but she still wrapped me in that dripping curtain of long white feathers. And there we sat in the tub. Holding each other, kissing each other, just savoring that moment. And I whispered to my future queen, "Celestia... Please when we get back home... Come home with me? So you can meet Gladesong? She needs to meet you sooner than later."

"She...will be mine, won't she? The precious little thing... She'll have many mothers in due time, hm? Yes. Yes, I really should meet her as soon as I can." Celestia giggled with unexpected excitement. All I could do was hope that we really would be able to find the time upon returning home for her to visit. But how would we get Celestia to reach my home at the edge of the Everfree Forest without drawing attention from the locals in Ponyville?

That dilemma was something to consider for another time. Celestia began to move in the tub. She got her hooves down onto the floor before stepping forward and draping her body across me lap. She look over her shoulder at me with an almost cheeky smile. As if she was playfully trying to make certain I would not be leaving the tub just yet. "Comfortable, dear?"

"Actually...yeah. I just hope you are." I replied while almost laughing. Celestia never turned away from me and gently leaned her head against the side of mine. And as she laid there across my lap, my hands began to roam over her beautiful body just beneath the surface of that swirling warm water. That silken coat of white...

Having massaged many ponies, I had become more intimately aware with their general body structure. And Celestia's body impressed me. With her possessing much longer legs than the average pony, her torso would need to be longer as well. And she was just so...elegant. Closer to being a powerful and majestic horse than a mere pony. But not so heavy or barrel shaped. Her body was so sleek, yet strong. The epitome of feminine equine beauty. My hand slid over her back, down to the dock of her tail, and finally over the curve of her flank.

I knew her cutie mark was sensitive, so I made an effort to not let my hand slip over the side. But back and forth, my hand slid over her feminine curves. A body many have marveled at, her proportions being just so beautiful. But as I felt along her flank, I was reminded of another mare. A mare even more curvaceous, her body having been blessed by motherhood. Celestia giggled after a moment of me keeping my hand on her flank a little too long before asking, "Admiring something there, my dear?"

I cracked an amused smirk as I looked my beloved in the eye. "I can't help but remember that...Novo's are rounder. And fuller. Softer..."

"Hmph. That Novo. I suppose she managed to surpass me in some way. I swear, the first time we ever met... I think she was offended by my beauty. As if she took my presence on her island as a challenge. But I suppose that playful rivalry only made way for a...very interesting friendship." Celestia replied with a snort as her smile became very smug. She was not angry at all. And it was interesting to hear a bit about the earlier days of Celestia and Novo's friendship. And it certainly sounded like Novo, what with how proud she is of her beauty.

The very thought of Novo playfully bickering over who is the more beautiful monarch genuinely got a laugh out of me. It is never a dull moment when those two are together. I then asked, "Have you two always been close? Even back then?"

Celestia giggled happily before saying, "Yes. Novo...is my best friend. I have had many, but she has always been my most important friend. I know we bicker, but I swear we're always having fun when doing it."

"Yeah, I swear it always feels like you two could just crack up laughing at any time when you're arguing. Like there's no real anger between you." I replied while we both cracked an amused smirk. And as I stroked my hand over the curve of Celestia's flank, my mind drifted back to that beautiful queen. A queen...who may very well would be carrying my child before long.

My thoughts drifted between Novo and Celestia as I wondered... I recalled the rounded motherly curves of Novo's feathery flanks. Curves that amazing queen had always been very proud of. I tried to imagine... How would being blessed with children effect Celestia's body? Would she become just as radiant as her best friend? Perhaps even surpass her? Oh lord, Novo would be so salty if that ever happened. And the playful arguments those two motherly monarchs would have over it...

Just the thought of those two and I... It was a beautiful image. Me. Them. And our beautiful children. It felt like such...a family. A beautiful scene I wanted to see become a reality. I finally cleared my vision with my hand still on Celestia's flank. When my gaze met hers, I saw that Celestia was looking at me with a curious smile. She had noticed my prolong and thoughtful silence. And so I whispered a very loving thing to my future queen. "I just know motherhood will suit you."

Her eyes widened. Her face was filled with a deep blush. And that smile... The smile Celestia was showing me. And on the heels of a kiss to my lips, she whispered an equally loving thing to me. "And I can see plain as day that fatherhood suits you, my love."

Hearing that...lit such a warm fire in my heart. I hope that I am worthy of that claim. I want to be the best father I can be to my children. To see they grow up happy and healthy. To see them learn to love Equestria like I do. And...I felt myself longing for little Gladesong. My firstborn. My own flesh and blood. I wanted to just hold her in my arms and tell her that her father loves her. For just a moment, I found myself feeling so very homesick. The tender nuzzle of Celestia's face against mine helped bring my thoughts back to the present.

I did all I could to focus on the present for a while longer. I was there for Celestia and for no one else. We embraced for a while longer. My hands sliding over her shoulders. Celestia's lips kissing me all over. Love was in the air. And we just wanted to be together with no eyes watching.

After a time, we decided that it was getting much too late. We would have to turn in soon. But as I adjusted my footing to stand up, I still turned to my beloved and said, "I enjoyed our time tonight. Wanna do it again soon?"

"Oh yes, definitely. How about...three nights from now? I'll remind you when." Celestia replied with her eyes filled with anticipation. It was a wonderful time we had. Something we really should do more often. The Princess of the Dawn placed a kiss upon my lips before whispering to me, "I'll soak here for a little longer. As for you... I think someone is waiting for you. Go on, James. Go be with the mother of your future children. She needs you. Especially tonight."

"Yeah, I know. And she's right here." I replied wittily as my hand took hold of Celestia's hoof under the water. She recoiled with wide eyes and a giddy smile. I got her good. Celestia did not expect such a rebuttal. I then reached out to my giggling beloved and kissed her on the nose. "Love you."

"Ohohoho goodness! Not yet, but someday! Someday..." Celestia chuckled before letting out a hopeful sigh. Our eyes locked for a moment longer. Our gazes were filled with longing. Someday. Hopefully someday soon. Celestia then kissed my again and said with a softer tone, "But really... Go to her, dear. Novo needs you. And remember... I love you, my sunshine. Always."

I almost reluctantly left the hot tub before departing with a towel around my waist. No one in the hall saw me. And when I quietly entered the room Novo and I had been assigned to, I found that beautiful bird of paradise relaxing on our queen sized bed. She appeared to be looking through a travel brochure to see what the local area had to offer in terms of fun for tourists. She glanced over at me once I stepped around the corner and smiled warmly at me. "Did you and your little sun queen have a good time, honey?"

"We had a wonderful time. Lots of love over a bottle of champagne." I replied while only mildly buzzed by the alcohol in my system. Although I happened to notice something on the table in the corner. Two more wine glasses filled with a golden fluid. A layer of frost was covering them. "Is that what I think it is?"

Novo was displaying such a knowing smirk on her beak. "I hope you didn't drink too much, honey. I brought along a bottle of the finest mead from the Alabaster's storerooms. Something for us to chip away at during our stay."

The mention of mead titillated my thirst. I almost never get to sample mead on the mainland. But when I took the two glasses in hand and sat down beside Novo, I suddenly had a realization. "Wait, are you really sure it's safe to drink right now? For you, I mean."

The weathered and wise mother mare before me smiled more calmly as she spoke. "Yes, honey. It takes a day or two to really settle. It's safe for mama to have a drink or two right now. But by tomorrow, not a drop for the next eleven months."

My eyes wandered down her beautiful feathery body. Stopping just shy of her flanks. We really did do that during the afternoon... Excitement filled my heart. And once I handed Novo her glass, we lightly tapped our glasses together. "To us. And to our little ones."

"To our lovely little heirs, my king." Novo said with a profound giggle in her throat. And together, we took that first sip to get a lay of the land. That potent heady taste of mead with the rich flavor of honey... I was reminded to pace myself unless I wanted to feel queasy. And I wanted to have a clear enough head and a steady stomach for the rest of that evening with my beloved queen.

Sip by sip, we savored that mead. But while Novo chatted with me over what was featured in that brochure, I only had eyes for her. I kept glancing away from those slips of colorful paper to ogle the beautiful mare beside me. Not as a mare of the sea, but a beautiful avian mare of the sky. Novo's beauty had been and still was unmatched. And...perhaps it was just me, but... She seemed even...more radiant than ever. And not because of the stiff drinks I had consumed.

It was happening. I knew that right there, at that moment, my seed was hard at work inside her to make certain new life would soon begin in her womb. The knowledge of knowing that... Knowing that she would soon be carrying my child made Novo all the more beautiful to me. I loved her. And she loved me. Such a beautiful woman who loved me enough to start a family with me. That knowledge only made the future mother of my child all the more enrapturing to me.

And yet... I was reminded of what I had been told. Of how just before tragedy tore apart her marriage a century ago, she and her husband had decided it was time for another. Only for fate to take that away from her. And now that opportunity had returned. And knowing that a woman as wonderful as Novo had been cruelly forced to wait so long... For this mother amongst mothers to be denied the children that she so dearly desired... I could not let that stand.

A powerful drive filled my heart. There was something I needed to do. For her. My eyes continued to scan Novo's beautiful body as she chatted away at me while I sipped lightly at my drink. If only she knew what I was focused on. The things I wanted to do to her. To create with her. And when I finished my glass of mead right when she finished hers, I set it aside before crawling closer to Novo on the bed. And it took little time for Novo's words to trail off as she noticed the gaze I was giving her. "Uh... Honey? Had too much to drink? Or do you need more?"

"Shhh... I love you. And...I want...be good to you tonight." I whispered as my heart pounded in my chest. I was just so madly in love with that wonderful queen. And there was something I needed to do for her. A sacred duty I needed to fulfill as her lover. As her future husband. And as her king.

Novo's eyes widened as I leaned near. And they began to narrow and close as my lips touched her beak. My fingers dragged themselves through the feathers lining her neck and down to that glorious ruff of fluffy blue feathers resting around her shoulders. And my lips soon followed my hand. Kiss after kiss along her beautiful body. Novo's deep and soulful voice lightly gasped as the pitch of her voice became slightly shriller with every little press of my lips and caress of my hands along her majestic body. The mighty and proud queen of Capricorn Island had completely submitted to me. And I wanted nothing more than to see her faith in me rewarded.

My body craved her. And I hastily discarded my trunks while I continued to move down the length of her long and slender equine body. Novo was feminine equine and avian perfection. Such beauty... How could it ever belong to one who was not of divine heritage? I stroked her spreading wings, marveling at their majesty and strength. Wings that surpassed even those of her immortal superiors. And in the air as Novo set her head down... Her scent. Her body conveying a powerful desire for the man she would crown as her king.

I wanted to savor and acknowledge every aspect of Novo's feminine form. I situated myself beside her while she remained on her side. Novo was so in bliss that she struggled to keep her left wing from spreading and reaching high towards the ceiling. My hand slid down her side. And then between her legs. And under a cushioning layer of feathers, I found them. Her motherly mammaries. My hand cupped them, caressing the gently curved mounds tucked between her flanks.

Novo had never felt such soft hands cradle her equine breasts before she met me. Her beautiful voice whimpering in growing need for me. A gentle caress followed by a firm squeeze. Feeling those soft mounds of motherly flesh give to my grasp. In due time, they would swell. Become full and soft with nourishing mother's milk for our little ones. And consequently become all the more sensitive to the touch of her beloved. A touch only a human husband could give her. And just a little further up from those soft teats... Her slender belly. And deep within...

My hand tenderly rubbed meaningfully over the smooth feathers lining Novo's most delicate place. Her sacred womb resting just under the surface. I felt such a powerful sense of longing. I remembered holding my beloved Fluttershy every single night when she began to swell with our precious firstborn. As Gladesong grew within her, my hand would hold and caress her mother's rounding belly in an identical fashion from behind. And now the wonderful Queen Novo would soon begin that journey as well. And she knew this as her voice finally whispered to me. "James..."

I wanted to be a father again. To experience that sacred feeling again with that wonderful queen above all queens. I longed to feel Novo's firm and slender belly grow rounder with every week. Glowing with life that she and I created together. A precious little life that we would welcome into the world and love forever. My body was lusting for her, but my heart and mind were filled with a loving desire. The desire to become more than just lovers. And as I held her with my hand continuing to rub over her slender belly in longing, I whispered back to her. "Our baby... Our child..."

"I want to be pregnant again, my love... With your baby..." Novo cooed with a beautiful sincerity in her voice. None of her usual iconic soul and sass was in her tone. Just a lovingly earnest purity. With her head still resting on its side, her eyes surely clamped shut, she pleaded to me with such quit joy in her voice. "Get me pregnant, James... Please... Let me have your baby... Our baby... Let me be your wife for real..."

My god, we were so madly in love. And I had such faith in her. We would make this work. We had to. We needed to become more. To become a family. And as my hand pressed more firmly against her womb, trying in futility to feel any stirrings of life within, I whispered my heart out to her. "I'm gonna get you pregnant, Novo... We need to make sure you get pregnant tonight."

We had already done the deed. Hidden away in such a convenient alcove, filled with love and passion. We did it. We tried to make a baby together. And yet... Fluttershy. It took three attempts for us to finally have Gladesong. And...the worrying words of Orbash regarding the research I had provided my own seed to. Once would not be enough. And Novo had been denied what she needed for far too long. I had a duty to fulfill to my queen and future bride. I needed to fill her again. To try and insure my seed would take. We would make it happen. My beloved Novo would be childless no longer.

My body craved her. My shaft was painfully stiff as Novo's enticing scent filled the room. My hand finally left her belly and slid up to her side and down to her flank. And I was not so quick to overlook one of Novo's most prized assets. Those magnificent hips, rounded by motherhood. So round and easy to grasp. So soft beneath that layer of cushy feathers with a layer of motherly flesh between them and the powerful equine muscle beneath. My hand firmly squeezed her left flank as I beheld those beautiful foal-bearing hips. Hips that would carry and bring our children into the world. As my hand clamped down on her flank, Novo churred beautifully in need. "Make me a mother again, my love... Give me as many as you can..."

"Oh Novo... Make me a father, dear. Make me the father of your beautiful foals." I pleaded with equal sincerity. I was on my knees. I lifted her left leg and held it firmly above the ankle. Her marehood slick with need, it winked at me in invitation. And with my hips aligned with hers, I plunged deep.

That wonderful warmth... The slick pungent warmth of a mare in heat. It was still present inside her. My heart swelled. It was not too late. There was enough time left to double down on our efforts. We would not be denied!

My thrusts were steady and slow. Doing all I could to steadily pace myself. And Novo's soft whimpers turned into beautiful moans as she felt my length fill her. She made no attempt to take control of the situation. Tonight, the queen was at the mercy of her king. And as my hips met hers, as my belly pressed against those wonderfully soft and cushioning flanks, I groaned out words of love to her. "My queen... Oh god, I love you so much... Novo..."

"James... Mmmm... Oh daddy... Oh daddy... Ooooh my handsome DILF..." Novo gasped out as a glimmer of her iconic soulful dialect returned to her just briefly. And her words... They truly sang to me. She cooed and moaned, urging me on with her masterfully chosen words of encouragement. "My love... My hunky king DILF... Be a good daddy...and make your queen a mommy..."

She was so sincere in her words. And she was right. I am a father. A daddy. And lord help me, I wanted to be worthy of being called a DILF. To hear that self-proclaimed MILF call me her DILF... It felt...empowering. I felt so virile. Studly even. I wanted to be the best man I could be for her. The best king. The best husband. The best father of our children. I wanted to be her DILF. To be the one who would make her a mother again.

Novo's words must have triggered something in me. My gentle thrusts became more forceful. My hips thrust with great power as her motherly feathered rump cushioned my own body. That soft flesh beneath those feathers visibly rippled with each impact. Such a perfect body for a perfect woman. I needed to fill her. To breed my beloved. To make certain she would carry our precious foals. My right hand took hold of her glorious tail feathers at the base for more leverage. And I growled in loving desire to her. "Daddy's gonna put a baby in you now, mama... Need to make sure you're pregnant... Need to be sure that we'll...have a baby..."

My beloved... Novo. She could no longer speak as I began to passionately ravage her beautiful body. All she could do was sing. And what a sonnet she was moaning out. That luscious soulful voice. Moans and calls beckoning me onward like I had never seen. She was entirely at my mercy as pleasure consumed her. Wings spreading wide, putting on a glorious display for the father of her future children. She was a goddess in my eyes at that moment. Oh how I loved her. How I wanted to bring her joy. To give her wanted she wanted most... No. What she needed. What we needed.

Such passionate moans and grunts filled the air. I too lost the ability to coherently speak as my thrusts increased their tempo. Slamming my hips against hers. I tilted my head back and groaned in my own sonata of sounds. We were not speaking. We were singing together. A beautiful symphony of love and passion fueled by a sacred desire. Not just simply to give each other pleasure. But to finally become a family. To be blessed with children and to become whole.

The pressure in my loins was growing at a steady pace. And let I labored on. Giving my all to insure my beloved would finally become a mother again. That fatherly desire consumed me. To become a daddy again. To become the DILF of my beautiful queen MILF. My grunts became louder, my thrusts faster. Just a little more and we... We would finally have...

My god, the climax that struck me. I pushed deep into Novo as my seed exploded into her with forceful torrents I could not have expected. Spurt after spurt joined by the quivering of Novo's warm moist passage massaging my shaft as it delivered my gift into her waiting womb. My vision blurred. I was seeing stars. Praying that my seed would finally sire our firstborn. Our song of passion began to fade into quiet hums and sighs with our hearts racing in that magnificent afterglow.

My hands released Novo's leg and tail feathers before I slumped onto my side. I made sure to keep myself hilted to her wide rounded rump, trying to keep even a single drop from spilling. I embraced my beautiful beloved from behind with one hand resting over her slender belly. Caressing her, rubbing her, just hoping for a miracle. Hoping that a precious little life would soon begin to grow within the womb of my beautiful queen.

Novo, even more lethargic than I was at the time, rested one hand over mine. I felt the her avian flesh rub over the back of my fingers. As if evaluating them. And she soon whispered to me. "These aren't just the hands of an artist... These are the hands of a father. Hands meant...to cradle children in them."

Those words... I found myself shedding a tear. And I embraced Novo all the more firmly from behind. I buried my face in the soft plumage lining her body. I was so in love... So eager to build a life with her. To become more than just lovers. And if that meant bearing a crown for her, then so be it. "I love you... Oh my god, I love you..."

"Shhh... No tears, my love. Not tonight. Your perfect woman is here for you." Novo cooed to me with her hand gently rubbing over the back of mine. I know she wanted to embrace me, but could not. Not when she was forced to keep her back to me. But she hummed to me so beautifully. That deep luscious voice was just so soothing to hear. "My sweet papa bear... Our little ones will absolutely adore you. You, their big sisters, and all their other sweet mothers. I'm so honored to be a part of this amazing family."

"Thank you...for being mine, Novo. For being with us." I whispered with my other hand reaching up from under her. But not to reach for her belly. I placed my hand over Novo's chest. Trying to feel the beating of her wonderful heart. The heart of a queen, wife, and mother like no other. A heart that belonged to me. A heart I never wanted to see broken ever again.

As much as we wanted to stay there resting on the bed, it was getting late. And we definitely needed a good shower. With great reluctance, I withdrew from Novo's warm depths and followed her to the bathroom. That falling warm water was especially inviting by then. And as I watched Novo's glorious plumage becoming adorably damp and drooping, I embraced her from behind. I could not help myself. I draped myself over her back and wrapped my arms around her. And I brought both hands to her belly. Just to hold her and the little life that would soon begin to grow within her.

Novo hummed in gentle pleasure as she felt my hands cradling such a delicate section of her body. I know she was looking back at me with a proud smile on her beak. "My sweet daddy... Just be patient, dear. I'll give you a son in eleven months. But until then... I'd love it if you held me like this now and then."

"Of course, Novo. Every day, if I can." I said with a joyous sigh. I could still remember those adorable little hippogriff foals on Capricorn Island. How they would flock around me and swarm me for gentle cuddles. Nothing but happiness in those eyes. And now... Hopefully before long, I would become a father to one. A beautiful little boy born from Novo and I. I found myself longing for those precious little feathery children. Just so I could hold them again. Give them scritches to make them smile. Even share snacks with them like a flock of friendly pigeons. Hippogriff foals are just the most precious little things ever, I swear.

I heard my beloved Novo giggle at me with her bold deep voice. And she finally regained some of her iconic sass. "Mmmm... My sweet hunky daddy... You're gonna be such a DILF someday."

That got a chuckle out of me. It was such an invigorating thing to hear when locked in a moment of loving passion with her. I felt so masculine and virile at the time. But now that I had completely come down from that lustful high, I felt nothing short of flattered to be called that. "Oh my god, Novo... Really? Me? I'm nowhere near as hunky as someone like Orbash..."

"Ah ah, don't you start with me, honey." Novo chirped playfully as she started to turn around. I knew I had to release her and did, but then found myself backed up against the shower wall while my thoroughly soaked beloved smirked at me. "You think I wouldn't know a hunky daddy when I see one? Because I'm looking at one right now. Sweet, considerate, thoughtful, handsome. Especially those warm tender eyes... And besides, with how many beautiful babies you're definitely gonna end up siring, how could you not be a total DILF, baby?"

Had I not been soaked, it would have been clear that I was starting to sweat. Novo was laying down some heavy praise that I really was not used to hearing. With a growing crooked smile on my lips, I asked nervously, "You think I'm real DILF material here, Novo?"

"Of course, my love. Any real MILF knows a good DILF when she sees one. And if not right now, then you better believe I'll make a DILF out of you eventually." Novo giggled with a sultry inflection in her voice. She brought her beak to my lips for a long and tender kiss. As firm as her touch was, I found that kiss reassuring. Novo had been around much longer than I have. And with such age comes wisdom. I knew it would be foolish to doubt her. She then gazed lovingly into my eyes and whispered to me, "Believe in yourself, honey. Every mother loves it when her husband is a true DILF. And I have a hunch...that our family is going to have many mothers in it eventually."

What would I do without Novo? She is truly a master of being a supportive partner to her beloved. Just so admirable. My thoughts raced as I pondered the future. How many wonderful woman would become so much more to me and I to them? No matter how many would become part of our family, I would always have enough room in my heart for them. I reached out and embraced Novo while letting out a hopeful chuckle. "I hope so... I don't think I'm there yet, but...I hope I can be a real DILF for you and them someday. I...really do wanna be a DILF, if I'm being completely honest here."

"In time, honey. In time. You're a daddy to so few right now, but I know that number will only grow. And beside, James..." Novo cooed to me before bringing her beak up beside my ear. And what she said next sent an excited shiver down my spine. "I'm not the only lady of yours who showed up here while in heat."

My eyes opened wide. There was another? Who? And how would she know? Was it Rain Shine? Perhaps Ember? Or even...Celestia? Although this did raise a question. I pulled back from Novo so I could speak to her face to face. "Wait, really? How can you tell?"

Novo proceeded to give me a cockeyed stare as her beak displayed a bewildered grimace. "Huh? You didn't notice? How?"

"Let me guess... Pheromones? I'm sorry, Novo. Humans don't have the most sensitive olfactory performance. We can't really detect pheromones like that." I replied while scowling in some bitter amusement. But is the fact that I can't sense my beloveds at their most fertile a blessing or a curse?

She did not expect that answer. Not that she could have while having no significant knowledge about humans in general. Novo let out a snort of a laugh before saying, "Oh, that explains it. Well then, now you know. Someone you love very much is nearby and probably still has several days left of her heat cycle. I hope you don't keep her waiting. Because believe me, honey. If what I've read is anything to go by... You better believe she wants to give you some little ones to love."

My heart raced. Who could it be? Surely not...Celestia? But if she was at her most fertile, she surely would have told me. And Rain Shine... She absolutely desires to have daughters with me. And I would gladly give her them. But could it be someone else? Ember was out of the question for the time being...

I tried to push that thought out of my mind for the moment. It would not do to get myself worked up so late in the day. Not right before bed. And so we resumed bathing in earnest. Novo and I washed each other with delightfully fragrant shower gel to wash away the lingering scent of seawater and chlorinated pool water. And once we stepped out to dry off, I did my part by helping dry Novo's coat of feathers off with a hairdryer.

It was finally time for bed. And when I turned around once I was about to sit on that queen sized bed, I turned around to see Novo while as naked as she was. And like always, her glorious plumage was so puffed up and fluffy after a thorough hairdryer treatment. She smirked so smugly at me as she partially spread her wings while taking step after step with her hands and hooves being placed right in front of the other. Putting on a cheeky show with each step being delayed by a second or two. Once she was right up in front of me while the smile on my face only grew wider and giddier with each step, she asked me with a big grin on her beak. "Is this fluffy queen sexy enough for my hunky king?"

"God, why do you have to be so adorable?" I snickered before putting my arms around that wonderful woman. Novo giggled deeply as she did the same with her wings. Those feathery curtains wrapped around me as she set her head on my shoulder. Feeling nothing but a quiet sense of joy, I let out a long sigh. "I just love you so much..."

"I love you to the moon and back. And then another roundtrip for good measure." Novo chuckled before we shared another kiss before she finally released me and rested upon the bed without even pulling the covers down. And I saw why. Novo's insulation wings would leave me feeling secure enough in her winged embrace. "Come to bed, honey. We've had a long day and we've still got plenty of days in the sun ahead of us."

I did as I was requested and found myself wrapped up in Novo's wing. She pulled me up against her with my back against her fluffy chest. And I once again could not help myself. My hand felt behind me and rested on her soft fluffy belly. My beloved whispered to me knowingly. "Good night, daddy."

"Sweet dreams, mama." I replied to her while feeling such a sense of triumph in my heart. It was happening. I just knew it was. We would finally have a child. Hopefully the son Novo desires so dearly. But only time will tell. Eleven months from now, to be exact.

With only the distant crashing of ocean waves barely reaching my ears along with the gentle rhythm of Novo's long relaxed breaths, I began to eagerly drift off to sleep. What a wonderful first full day of our vacation. I could only hope things would only get better day by day.

In the back of my mind, I hoped that my dreams would let me see the future I hoped for. But when my mind began to dream... While not left disappointed, I did not get what I was hoping for. Because I would not be alone that night.