She could not deny the weariness in her bones any longer, that heavy weight of exhaustion that only came from flesh and spirit fully spent. Whatever vigor she had possessed when the night began was now gone, the events transpiring in the deepened dark enough to wear down even a hardy warrior. It would have been nice to say that she could still count herself amongst such folk, to see herself as a great combatant against the forces of the Utter Black that so often threatened to annihilate her home- but after so much time at rest, her wits and abilities pressed more deeply into the formal services rather than guardianship, it would be difficult to claim such a title any longer. After years upon countless years of peace that had been spent upon diplomacy, it was impossible to deny: her days as a warrior were no longer.

As the faint, creeping light of the dawn began to come into view, the wearisome Princess slipped away from mortal sight and turned away into the depths of concealed stone, a place of sanctuary built long ago for times of solitude and peace. The biting cold that came upon the wind’s breath disappeared when she entered the cavernous mouth and left the elements behind, the soaking warmth of boiling water streaming from its place further within and beckoning for her to come and see. As she traveled down the pathway to where healing awaited, the intensity of the heat increased; she felt her winter clothing increase in weight, demanding to be cast aside in favor of the warmth of the comforting dark. Each garment was simply cast aside from flesh and thrown to ground, a snap of her fingers sending it from sight and to its quarters. After tonight, there would be little desire to see it restored by hand, a towel taking its place about her body. She wanted to rest.

A corner came and the sound of a contented sigh whispered its way along stone and into her unsuspecting ears; she knew that voice, the deepened sound of contentment that could only come from one person in the entire world. The grin that came in response was natural, and eager; her weariness would need to be cast aside, just in case- it was unlikely to be a restful night after all.

As she came around the turn and gazed upon the lit pool of steaming waters, within its depths, eyes closed in satisfaction so as to fully be lost in the healing warmth, was Princess Luna: content, at peace, and most assuredly pleased with her current circumstances. Perhaps the watchful guardian heard her quiet breaths, or simply possessed the awareness to know of a new presence; her eyes flickered and the smile she wore grew in recognition of her new companion. “I see the night has kept you busy.”

Princess Celestia rolled her eyes at the teasing remark, slowly descending and letting her still-chilled legs be dipped into the hot spring so as to not be overwhelmed by its heat. “It was more work than I expected to endure,” she murmured, feeling the waters unclench tired muscles. “It has been a long time since I endured such arduous trials. I wish I could say that I was still in form as we once were.”

“You are, sister- in other ways,” Luna replied, taking note of her sister’s still-concealed form. “I hope you do not hide fresh wounds from me. After all your admonishing of me, really…”

“Ha! Hardly,” Celestia replied, tossing aside her towel and letting her naked form be displayed to their enclosed, quiet world. She wanted to do nothing more than slip into the waters and rest, let her mind wander amidst the steam and boil- but the moment she cast the cloth aside, she felt her sister’s gaze: hungry, eager, and delighted to lavish quiet adoration. Luna stared at her openly, not even bothering to hide her lusts, and Celestia did not wish to leave her unsatisfied. She let her body be flaunted, magnificent curves and succulent breasts that stoppered thought free and there for the claiming- but perhaps not yet. The resplendent Princess of the Sun lowered herself into the water slowly so her sister could enjoy the show, seeming as though she would simply disappear into the boiling depths; a sudden rush upwards and she took one last stand into the open air, naked body now soaked and shining to add to her magnificence. When she finally sank beneath water, it was of little surprise to see that Luna remained awed, hunger not even bothered to be hidden.

“Well,” Celestia said sweetly, “how do I look?”

Luna still seemed lost in her daydream; the words at last took effect and she shook herself, meeting her sister’s gaze with wanton longing. “As always, dear sister,” she murmured, “you are decadent.”

Celestia laughed and then at last allowed herself to be immersed in the steaming warmth, temporarily forgetting the world about her as water enveloped mind and body and soothed a tired frame. She could be at peace here, utterly herself in the presence of her sister and lover- it was all she had ever really wanted, honestly. A life in peace, made better by the one she had always cherished. When she surfaced from and once again took air, it was of little surprise to find Luna there before her, hardly a gap between them. “Did I worry you with my absence?” she teased.

“Beyond reason, Tia,” Luna whispered, soaked hands cradling her sister’s face.

“Hmm! And here I thought this little switch was your idea. That you wanted to shake things up.”

“Then do not scare me,” her sister replied- there was no reason to not see the gap between them sealed, darkened lips finding the supple softness of its love as the sisters kissed, glad to again be with one another. Arms wrapped about flesh and pulled naked forms together as their embrace deepened, love demanding its fulfillment before any could relent. They adored the feel of one another, the playful teasing of tongue that would brush against lips and tempt its mate to come and dance in a salivating, brilliant display of affection. It was a beckoning, a caress of movement that desired further exploration and satisfaction…

But it was not yet to be. Celestia relinquished Luna from her romantic grasp, a final peck of her sister’s lips before retreating to the side of the pool where she could be at rest. Her fatigue not yet willing to be cast aside in favor of sapphic pleasure, not even if it were with Luna. She closed her eyes and tried to drift away, let the comforts of the water take her to a more peaceful place-

She felt the presence of form press tightly against her. One eye opened and she saw that Luna had come to rest beside her, her sister determined to not be ignored even in the face of utter exhaustion. Guided by hands more eager than her own, she felt her arm lifted and placed upon an awaiting breast, feeling the nipple at the tips of her fingers. It could not have been a more blatant invitation.

“Luna,” Celestia groaned, “I truly am tired. Perhaps not tonight.”

“Hmph! I patrol every night, and yet I always am there for you,” Luna said with a pout. She brushed sopping hair away and placed a kiss on her sister’s neck, trying to entice for a greater bounty.

“Yes, but I do not, Lulu,” Celestia protested- and trying to ignore just how good her sister’s lips felt against her skin. The delicacy with each touch, a tenderness not often found in their usual lovemaking. “Ooh… you’re being gentle tonight.”

“You need to relax, Tia,” Luna begged, her mouth blessing Celestia’s cheek and tracing its way to awaiting lips that delighted in the meeting. She wanted more, to feel and do more than just kiss, but she wanted to arouse her sister to the hunger that boiled over within her own heart, find her mate in equal measure. “You’re so tired, and it’s all my fault. Can’t I make it up to you?”

“Mmm… only if take your seat,” Celestia replied.

Luna wasted no time in obeying, coming atop her sister’s lap and ensnaring those cherished joys she craved in a kiss, her eager tongue sliding through yielding lips and finding the succulent prize within; sister’s saliva blended with that of her beloved as pink muscles once separated became one, a ballet of sensuous delight commencing within the contented mouths of the two sisters, their love for one another eager to be incensed and turned to a burning flame. Their time apart always spurred their hunger for one another, deepened their bouts of longing; whenever they at last came together, it was always to be a happy bout that would see naked flesh pressed deep, sloppy kisses turned wild. Their contented sighs were like music to their ears.

To Celestia’s immense disappointment, their saliva-soaked dance at last came to an end, Luna retreating from her sister’s beckoning tongue and ending their kiss. Glowing eyes softened as the moonlit Princess regarded her kin, hands gentle as they tended to weary flesh. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I know you were brave. I should never have suggested it.”

“Apology mostly accepted,” Celestia teased, trying to tempt her sister’s lips back to their rightful place; a nibble of her lower lips, and a hand that slipped down the waist. “I know you’d never truly mean to harm me.”

“If it makes you -mmph- feel any better, Tia,” Luna tried to continue, her words continuously interrupted by her sister’s begging touch, “I -aah- now appreciate your duties all the more. It was quite -ooh- horrible, really.”

“Mmm- told you,” Celestia replied, turning from Luna’s tender lips and making their way southward; pert breasts that needed to be loved beckoned for her touch now, her mouth finding hardened nipples and beginning to grace them with her affections. Celestia could have sighed: in all her many years on this earth, no body felt better than Luna’s.

“Tia- AAH!- Tia, wait!” Luna cried, suddenly trying to wrest herself from her sister’s grasp.

“Luna, you’ve got be to be kidding!” Celestia cried, more than a little frustrated. “You’ve been tempting me ever since I showed up, don’t deny me now!”

“I’m not going to, I promise!” the dark-haired Princess promised, her hands grasping her sister’s breasts and giving them a squeeze of assurance. “I just wanted to ask- you know I’ve been waiting, will they really both be coming?”

Oh. Of course. “Yes, they’ll both be coming,” the Sun Princess promised, happy to confirm the news. “I’m sorry it’s been so long, Cadance has been a nightmare to get a hold of.”

“Do they suspect?”

Celestia laughed. “Twilight wouldn’t know even if we made love in front of her,” she answered. “Cadance is… hungering. But between the two, she will hesitate the least.”

“Hmm…” Luna pondered the thought. “And Twilight? Didn’t she have a crush on you when she was your protégé?”

“She struggled to decide between me and Cadance, I suspect,” Celestia giggled. “I hope we don’t send the poor woman into shock; it’ll be as though all her dreams came true- and you for the cherry on top.”

“I can hardly wait,” Luna said breathlessly, giving her sister’s breasts such a squeeze that the pain was positively orgasmic to endure. “Now if you don’t mind me-”

Celestia did not even bother to protest, utterly swept away in their entwined undertaking of passion as sister became glued to sister; lips, both above and below, found their match and the beautiful goddesses of light and dark disappeared beneath the steaming soak of their private spring, turned frenzied by longing and eager to see themselves satisfied; there would be no rest until their lusts for one another had been utterly spent in a glorious union of passionate lovemaking.

“Finally!”

Twilight didn’t even bother to hold back her excitement as she paraded the letter through her home, holding it above her head as though on display for thousands of eager eyes. She was ecstatic, overjoyed at the summons, a gift she had desired for ages now.

Celestia and Luna had summoned she and Cadance for a meeting in Canterlot- and the world wasn’t in danger!

“I… actually can’t remember the last time that happened,” the bright-eyed Princess said happily, gazing at her summons with a happiness she didn’t know how to describe. When had she last been with Celestia for any real period of time? Emergencies didn’t count, that had been every other weekend for months on end; when had they been together as student and mentor, as friends? The former was difficult to remember, and the latter nigh impossible. Her short time as a Princess had been fraught with perils the likes of which she’d rather forget, more time spent on edge trying to protect her homeland rather than enjoy it. It would be nice to be among old friends again, even if her friends were of a royal order. It would be strange to spend time with Celestia- and Luna- and even Cadance, now that she thought of it- in a casual manner. She couldn’t really conceive of such an idea all that well, if she were honest.

I mean, did you read it correctly? Maybe there’s something you missed. The thought wasn’t unreasonable, considering all the calamities they’d had to endure ever since Nightmare Moon’s defeat. The idea that some sort of message she hadn’t at first caught could be no longer hidden by happy delirium was one that was uncomfortably possible. Pausing from her triumphant traipsing, Twilight lowered the letter back to eye view and let her gaze trace across the prim, proper handwriting:

Dearest Twilight,

It would delight me if you would be able to travel to Canterlot this weekend to visit with me. Luna has made her return from her patrolling of the southern borders and is now free to spend a great length of days in pleasant company. In a stroke of luck, Cadance has also been able to escape her duties to the Crystal Empire, albeit only for a few days. It is my hope that you would add to this already splendid trifecta and spend a few days here with us, as it is rare that we Princesses are able to all be in the same place at once without shirking our duties.

My only request to you is this: when you arrive, cast your crown aside and leave it there until you must depart. Even a Princess requires time away from her demands to rest and recuperate, and I would see you do just that, amongst company that will understand your struggles. When we are all together, there shall be no hierarchy, no duties, no royalty- just us girls.

I hope to see you soon. Forever yours,

Celestia

She reread the letter one more time just to be sure. Twilight knew Celestia’s handwriting- wow, it’s still weird to call her just Celestia- and would know if something was amiss. And yet as she scoured the parchment… no unusual markings, no signs of code, and the parchment itself displayed nothing at all. Celestia’s letter seemed to be just as it was. For once, her good fortune was seeming to be just that.

Twilight sighed, the young woman allowing herself to feel a sense of elation- excitement, even, in the face of a welcome gathering. She was to be among her royal peers, and for nothing more than to just be friends. The idea of simply being able to tell jokes and stories and be utterly herself when in the company of Luna, Cadance, and Celestia all at once? She couldn’t have imagined it unless some disaster was at hand. But this time… Just us girls.

“Wow,” Twilight whispered. It sounded like it would actually be a good time, too. She’d be able to visit with old friends, as well as a new one- all in a way she never had before. It would be enjoyable, a new sort of experience. She had every reason to be excited… and maybe a little nervous.

It wasn’t exactly a new problem, if Twilight were honest. She’d dealt with the issue for years before she’d even met Celestia. And what had that chance encounter done to her secret struggles? Doubled them. It had been silly, stupid, and utterly useless, lines of thought that did little more than eat away at her mind from more useful activities. Why should she even bother to think of them when nothing would come of it? She’d been nothing more than a girl, and her feelings hadn’t been one worth paying attention to.

“But now you’re not a little girl,” Twilight reminded herself, rather wishing she hadn’t. Did that change things? Of course not, it’s not like Celestia had actually ever acted romantically towards her. Their relationship was close, yes, but never intimate to that degree. And Cadance was married now- and not to her, if she had to remind herself of it. Their friendship had been close and pleasant, but such thoughts were foolish now. It would still be weird, no matter what she said or did. “It’d be impossible to ignore that elephant in the room,” the young Princess added.

Besides- she didn’t know which of them she liked more. I hope Luna doesn’t mind I’m not really considering her in all this. It’s not like she’s not just as pretty, it’s sort of mean to not think about her. It definitely would be rather nice. And we’re friends, right? Both of us are sort of awkward, a little nerdy, it’s an idea- wait, why am I even THINKING about this? Twilight gave herself a thorough shake and tried to rid both body and mind of the wanted yet unwanted thoughts, a problem she had continued to encounter more than once since her ascension to princess-ship. Old attractions that she’d once buried deep, deep down were resurfacing slowly.

Her first days as a Princess had seen them cast aside like leaves in the wind. Now, with each passing day, they were enough to drive her to distraction. “You should say something,” she murmured softly. “It’s not wrong to find someone attractive, and it’s you’re all equals now- sort of. It’d probably make you feel better.” The idea had merit- merits that were immediately shot down when she examined the idea more thoroughly. Trying to start an illicit relationship with her old mentor, her mentor’s sister, and causing an affair with her old babysitter were all very bad ideas and would certainly lead to disaster. It would be better if they were left… “You can talk about them. Cryptically. Try to find a way to say you’ve been feeling different without saying why.”

It was stupid. But it was at least something.

But as to whether or not she would go was not even a question. No matter how she felt, she would certainly have a good time. Her weekend plans of maintaining her cozy palace were cast to the wayside and she began to prepare her bags for departure. She’d need a change of clothes, possibly a few books, a trinket or two for research if the need arose. When she found herself examining all the possibilities, Twilight found herself staring at an absolute mountain of clothing and equipment that was nowhere close to feasible. Just us girls. As much as her good sense protested, the young royal tossed her literature and supplies away in lieu of a few simple, comfortable clothes. There would be no need for anything special if this trip was meant to be relaxation for them all.

Twilight found herself counting down the time until she would depart, as well as ignoring consistently intrusive thoughts about her future companions. She kept herself busy so time did not slow, and ignored further mental interruptions. She checked herself one last time in the mirror before she left and tried not to plan a romantic confession to three individual people. Nothing was working, even when her coach stopped outside the royal palace and she was greeted by the porter. This is going to be horrible. If she couldn’t control herself now, then she certainly wouldn’t be able to spend an entire weekend with these three luscious, beautiful women-

Stop that!

“Your Highness?” The porter that had come to attend to her bags held his hands out so as to take her luggage away, waiting for his charge to relinquish the suitcase.

“Oh! Yes, I’m sorry,” Twilight said hastily, dropping her things in the patient man’s hands and letting it taken to its destination- whatever room Celestia had set for her, she supposed. Goodness, what if it’s Celestia’s room- oh for heaven’s sake!

“Princess Twilight!” The guard at the door hastened to open the entrance within, a smile on his face at the recognition of an old acquaintance. “Her Majesty is expecting you in the royal apartments, do you still recall where they are located?”

“Yes! Thank you much,” Twilight said, trying to not read too much into that when there was absolutely no reason to. She’d been to the royal apartments before, that wasn’t anything new. The apartments did hold Celestia’s bedchambers, but that was a silly and stupid thing to think about. There wasn’t any chance of getting naked here. Right?

Twilight gave a start as she suddenly realized her muddled thoughts had kept her blind to her surroundings; the entrance to Celestia’s private apartments was right before her, the sound of voices echoing even through the thick door that lay between them. How had she gotten here? It was a walk that took more than a few minutes, if you came directly from the palace entrance. You need to stop drifting off. And relax already! With nothing more to do than knock, Twilight gave a weak rap that wouldn’t have woken a coffee-riddled maniac- a loosened breath and she knocked forcefully, making her presence known.

“Twilight!” Her name summoned her with a power she knew to be not her own, doors opening as she was pulled inwards to let the door slam behind her. When the sudden shock wore away, she was able to take in her new surroundings a bit more appropriately: a comfortably dressed room that was well-lit by both man-made and natural lighting, the soft cream colors of the walls meant to elicit a feeling of comfort and calm; the furniture cast about the room appeared soft and plush, particularly those of which already claimed by the three denizens already within- all of them leaving to come greet their new guest.

“My dearest Twilight,” Celestia said warmly, taking her old student in an embrace that made Twilight want to melt. It felt so good to be back in her arms, even if it were for only a moment. She remembered why she had become infatuated with the sunlit Princess in the first place, the feelings of safety and warmth an undeniable sensation. “It is good to see you again. I’m glad we don’t have an emergency to keep us occupied this time!”

“It’s good to see you, too!” Twilight said happily, and meaning it. Maybe she meant a little more than that, but she couldn’t say that just yet. “Thank you so much for the invitation, I’ve been so excited to come!”

“I was afraid you’d be arriving late!” said a new voice, the sweet melody of Cadance’s welcoming tones ringing in her ears and making the young woman want to promptly take those gorgeous lips to hers for a kiss. She instead settled for a tight hug, Cadance’s excitement at reuniting with a dear friend brimming over for them both. “Ooh, it’s so good to see you, we barely get to catch up- and look at you, you look gorgeous!”

Gorgeous? Her? Twilight blushed at the thought, hardly able to consider comparing herself to such a vision of beauty. How could she have hoped to ignore Cadance? A dying man in the desert would have an easier time avoiding water. She didn’t mind the compliment, though, considering who gave it.

“Have a good trip up?” Cadance inquired. “I bet it felt weird to have your own royal coach, I know it took me some time to get used to it.”

“Yeah, but it was a pretty nice trip up, really! I was able to just relax the whole way instead of-”

“Hold on. You have a royal coach? And I don’t?” Barreling through the greetings came Luna, her larger-than-life enthusiasm a sharp contrast to her public persona. Twilight still occasionally struggled not to feel intimidated by the presence of such a woman, knowing it was how the warrior woman displayed her goodwill. “Really, Twilight… you’ll have to tell me the secret of how you managed that. Tia won’t give me anything.”

Celestia rolled her eyes, but Twilight enjoyed watching the two sisters tease one another, a natural camaraderie they never were able to display in public. When Luna took the younger woman in her arms, Twilight found herself suddenly invigorated, set to charge by the moonlight Princess’ gregariousness. The hug was comforting and yet brimming with a life her sister’s didn’t possess, beckoning for adventures and danger in a way that was infectious. As the two women released one another, Twilight found herself gazing into Luna’s eyes and becoming dazzled by the light that danced within her darkened gaze- an attribute that only cemented her thoughts further. Oh heaven help me, she really is pretty.

“Come on, Twilight, take a seat,” Celestia offered, taking the young woman by the hand and guiding her over to a comfortable-looking armchair. “We’ve got snacks, chocolates, and good company. Breathe for a bit and rest, it must have been a long journey.”

For a time, Twilight didn’t say much. Whether it was a desire to simply listen and enjoy her company or a means by which to subdue her thoughts was difficult even for her to tell. She sat beside Cadance and across from Celestia and Luna, the two sisters sharing a loveseat and not at all bothered by their close company. If the young royal was honest, she’d never seen the two like this before: comfortable, relaxed, teasing. Especially to this degree! The way they’re treating each other, you’d think they’d be a couple.

She wasn’t sure how she wanted to deal with that thought.

“So tell me, Twilight,” Celestia asked, pausing to sneak a chocolate from the nearby tray, “how does it feel to be in Canterlot again? Remind you any being my student at all?”

“Well… it’s good to be back,” Twilight replied, trying not to notice Celestia’s hand that had become intertwined with that of her sister’s, “but it’s… a little different, honestly.”

“Doesn’t quiet feel the same after being gone for so long?”

“Doesn’t feel the same when it’s not under attack.”

Luna laughed, her constant defense of the kingdom’s wild places striking a familiar nerve. “I’m surprised you continued to put up with it, Twilight,” she remarked. “My sister certainly had you pegged as her errand girl. You should have told her to fix her own problems for once.”

“She was always asking to help, Lulu,” Celestia replied. “How hard is that to believe?”

“Not hard at all, considering she thought you were pretty. Playing with a young woman’s heart, how callous.”

Twilight would have paid good money for that not to have been brought up in conversation. A deep flush of red that would make an apple seem pale in comparison, and she found herself surrounded by good-natured laughter.

“Luna!” Celestia chided, giving her sister a swat in reprimand. “Teasing is fine, but don’t be mean! I may be used to your brashness, but Twilight isn’t. Be nice.”

“Mean? Goodness, and you would play with her feelings all day,” Luna countered. She paused in her argument and turned to face the still-red royal. “You should have turned the game around and ordered her around, Twilight. She would’ve enjoyed that.”

I want to die right about now. Luna was not only being much too brazen about very, very personal feelings, but also was getting a few good jabs at her sister for good measure, even Celestia’s typically composed form beginning to turn a faint pink. No, it’s not an admission to anything. Calm down.

“You see, girls? This is what I live with every day,” Celestia groaned, trying her best to ignore the smug smirk adorning Luna’s lips. “Never gives me a moment’s peace, always trying to irritate me. No one is more capable of getting on my nerves.”

“And here I was thinking that was something you enjoyed,” Luna replied, leaning in close against her sister until they were only mere inches apart. “You certainly didn’t mind me being ‘on you’ last night.”

Too much, too much, too much! The two siblings were unbearably close for Twilight’s comfort, a position much too intimate for kin to find themselves in- and one Twilight had no desire to be around in any situation, the realms of the romantic quick to make her uncomfortable. And there were so many red flags-

“I wish I could get you to be quiet,” Celestia frowned, though her eyes sparkled with longing.

“You know exactly how to make that happen,” Luna crowed. “So if you don’t mind…”

“Mmm, I think I will,” her sister remarked, hands embracing Luna’s face so as to pull her lips in-

“OK I can’t take it!” Twilight screamed, so unbelievably uncomfortable that she couldn’t allow the impossible to actually occur before her. “What is going? Why are you two acting like girlfriends- were you actually going to kiss your sister?!” She found her body seething, whether it be from discomfort or other less mentionable feelings she wasn’t willing to say.

The room was buzzing in its silence, each of its denizens reacting in their own unique manner. Cadance wasn’t even paying attention to Twilight’s outburst at all, her eyes fixed curiously onto the still-entwined sisters. Luna looked scandalized, as though robbed of an awaited moment, while Celestia held an expression of mild surprise as though she’d expected something later rather than sooner.

“Is something the matter, Twilight?” Her old mentor’s voice was still pleasantly calm, acting as though nothing strange was happening at all. “Please, we’re here to relax. Why not allow yourself that?”

“I am, I- what is going on?” Twilight asked, wishing Celestia and Luna would actually let each other go and pretend to be normal for a change. “Is there something you’re not telling us, or something?”

“Hmm… there might be,” Celestia admitted, at last releasing her sister from her hands- though not before her fingers traced along Luna’s face in a loving caress, the gesture a clearly intimate act that Luna seemed to enjoy, catching her sister’s fingers in her own grasp so as to slow the movement down and let it linger.

Twilight shivered and didn’t want to think why.

“Let me see,” Celestia began, thought drifting away from her present place and companions so as to properly recall the experience. “When my sister and I first came to rule this land so long ago, it was common tradition that potential suitors would fight duels for our hand in marriage. I believe it was a tradition from the early days before they had traveled here- am I right, Luna?”

The moonlit Princess nodded. “We dealt with the issue almost daily,” she added. “Eventually Tia and I became sick of it and simply organized a tournament that would decide things once and for all. If none of our numerous suitors could best us, then unmarried we would remain. You can guess how things went, of course, with not even one of them coming close to besting us. That was how Tia and I came to duel one another.”

“It was quite a rush,” Celestia remarked, memory of old feelings seemingly filling her lungs and turning her rather breathless. “I’d never had such an equal before, and neither had she. It was all we could do to bring one another to a standstill, swords cast aside as we simply tried to win out by hand-to-hand… and still we remained equal.”

“Oh? And how did that go?” Cadance inquired lightly.

Celestia smiled, a mixture of laughter and pleasure. “Well… we stood there for a time, tangled together and unable to give ground, nor take any. And I guess we both decided on the same plan at once because we suddenly found ourselves sharing a kiss.”

Twilight felt her stomach turn this way and that at the thought. Fighting away suitors only to duel one another to a tiebreaker and then suddenly finding themselves-

“How was it?” Cadance asked, blatantly ignoring the horrified look that came from Twilight immediately after.

“Quite nice, really,” Luna admitted, even licking her lips at the memory. “And so we spent an evening together and found we had, if only accidentally, won each other. So we bonded ourselves to one another and remained that way until… well, you can guess.”

“Times were a bit different back then,” Celestia admitted with a terrifying flippancy. “No one really minded or gave it any thought. Nowadays of course it would be a scandal, but Luna hardly seemed to pay it any mind once she became comfortable again. I only wish I hadn’t taken so much convincing to be reminded of it.”

“You sound rather happy about it all.”

“Oh, indeed we are,” Celestia said warmly, returning to caress her sister and bring themselves together. “If you don’t believe me.”

Luna giggled and allowed herself to melt into her sister’s embrace, the two swiftly closing the gap between them-

Oh no! Twilight’s mind roared-

And a smaller, more primal part of her cried, oh YES!

Nobody said a word, made a sound, or moved an inch as Luna met Celestia’s lips for a kiss, a gesture so positively romantic that its intent was undeniable. Each sister melted into the other, desiring nothing more than to know and feel one another in an act of unrestrained sexual intimacy, lips pressing against one another so as to be unmistakable. Luna gave a muffled coo and let her fingers run playfully through her sister’s hair, Celestia holding her sibling about the waist to keep body held deeply against body. It was clear that even this simple act was only barely restrained, a longing beneath it that was only barely kept in check; the two women wanted one another, right here and now even if they had an audience-

All too painfully slow and soon, the two women released one another from their lips, a small, thin string of liquid snapping as they parted. Celestia smiled warmly and placed a swift kiss on her sister’s nose for added measure. “Delicious, as always,” she remarked.

“Oh, you do tease her so,” Luna said before returning her attentions back to her silent audience. “So yes, if you weren’t aware, Celestia and I are a couple. Hope that’s not a bother.”

Cadance regarded the two with raised eyebrows, but saying nothing as she let her mind mull over the situation. The Princess of Love surely would have a few choice words on the matter, some well-thought statement that would have it all thoroughly explained. Instead, she simply gave a shrug and smiled. “Glad you’re back together.”

That’s IT?? Twilight couldn’t believe she’d heard such a thing, gawking as Cadance raised her glass so as to toast the two obviously-insane Princesses that sat together. Why did she have to be the reasonable one in all this, the only one capable of seeing any semblance of sense? “Wait a minute!”

“Yes, Twilight, I do think you’re pretty-” Celestia stopped mid-sentence and laughed. “I’m sorry, wrong response. My apologies, let’s try that again. Is something wrong, Twilight?”

“You’re sisters!” the young Princess cried, stating the plainly obvious as though that were the entire argument in of itself.

Luna and Celestia looked at one another, and then back to Twilight. “Yes. And?”

And? How could they act like it wasn’t anything important? She certainly had some thoughts on the matter and wanted to find a way to-

“What do you mean- you’re related!”

“We know. So?”

“So?” Twilight was struggling here, trying to ram down a brick wall with what felt like a toothpick. “Cadance, help me out here!”

To her delig- no, horror, she saw Cadance only shrug. “No one’s getting hurt- and it’s not like they can have children,” the Princess of Love answered. “It’s kind of sweet, really.”

Twilight gawked. This wasn’t going well for her at all.

“Sweet?” Luna echoed. “And what makes you think that, hmm?”

“Oh, it’s a classic little love story,” Cadance said, eyeing the two lovers- no, sisters, with a strange expression. “A duel for each other’s heart, a romantic embrace- and then, after a thousand years of separation, two lovers at last reunited. I’m happy for you.”

“You’re too kind, Cadance,” Celestia said, blowing the beautiful woman a kiss that made even Cadance blush a tinge. “I’m so glad you came, if you must know.”

Twilight was sputtering and failing like a dying engine. “So do- are we just- is that it?” she asked, realizing she was out-numbered three to one. A difficult challenge to overcome, particularly when she wasn’t sure that she wanted to convince herself.

“Unless you actually have objections,” Celestia said slyly, an almost imperceptible wink catching Twilight’s eye and making her flush. “I’m happy, Twilight. And in love. Isn’t that enough?”

It would be an extremely strange situation to deal with, for who knows how long. And it wasn’t as though she didn’t feel a little heartbreak that her old teacher was again off-limits. She wanted to think of some further objections but failed to think of any- and aware that no matter what she said, they’d all be disregarded. Besides, if Cadance of all people couldn’t even think of an issue…

“Twilight? Are you alright?” She’d let her inner musings take over, Twilight resurfacing to find Celestia and Luna standing beside her with expressions of concern- even a little hesitancy. They want me to be OK with it…

“I mean…” Twilight sighed, knowing she’d cherish the memory of the two sisters lip-locked forever. “Congratulations on getting back together?”

“Oh, thank you, Twilight!” Luna said, suddenly taking the young Princess by surprise and kissing her on the cheek- an act of affection repeated by her sister and setting the poor woman to flushing. “It means a lot to the both of us, it really does!”

The night was still awkward, and Twilight remained relatively quiet in comparison. She felt emotionally muddled, uncertain of what she really thought regarding the entire matter, or what she thought of her royal companions. Cadance was back to her usual self in no time, seemingly unperturbed by the whole revelation, and just as warm as before. Luna and Celestia also remained themselves, but now seemingly even more so- the two were constant in their physical affection, playful and loving as they interacted. More than a few kisses slipped through, perhaps one or two being allowed to linger.

Twilight felt herself under watch every time the two sisters kissed. Before she could at last slip up and do something foolish, she announced that she would be retiring to her rooms for the evening and would join the others in the morning. “It’s been a long day,” she explained.

“Of course! You must be exhausted,” Celestia said kindly, motioning for the poor girl to head to bed. “Sleep well, Twilight- and be ready for another lovely day tomorrow.”

“Night, Twi!” Cadance cried, putting a tremble in Twilight’s step as she blew her embarrassed friend a kiss.

She could not have gotten to her room fast enough, making quite a racket as she raced down the halls and slammed her door shut. An emotional breakdown was on its way and she didn’t want to find herself out in the open when it came. What was she supposed to think- to do? Celestia was taken, Luna was sexually involved with her sister, and Cadance was still married. Yet all of them were acting really weird, as though taunting her for losing out on all three of them, even when she hadn’t yet sorted out how to deal with her feelings regarding any of them at all! And yet still she felt herself burning, emotions running wild…

Twilight made sure the door was most definitely locked, and then took herself to the bed, diving beneath its covers just as her hand came alive and dove beneath her clothing. Fingers found an already damp clit and she allowed the first of her fingers to indulge- she was alone, out of sight. She could allow herself this, if only to relieve herself of the pressure. She tried so hard to be quiet…

But perhaps not enough. Sharpened senses lingered just outside the door, capable of even hearing a muffle moan through wall and heavy doors. A smirk played on delighted lips as the graceful figure tiptoed back to the royal apartments, Cadance slipping back inside just as she began to break her silence with a small snort of laughter.

“Well?” Luna asked.

“It took her all of two minutes,” Cadance giggled. “Goodness, you two are terrible! Even I could barely keep up with where you were going with this.”

Celestia laughed. “The poor girl must be feeling it now,” she said. “She’s always had a lot of self-control yet even I’m surprised at just how long she’s lasted. She must feel starved by now.”

“And you think she’ll accept? This is Twilight, after all,” Cadance remarked.

“I believe she will,” Celestia replied, surveying both herself and her two companions. “Besides, you and I both know how she’s thought about us in the past. I doubt she’ll be able to last for long.”

Cadance rolled her eyes, but couldn’t fully hold back a smile. “It’s about time, anyway,” she admitted. “We were always going to end up like this eventually, weren’t we?”

“More likely than not.” Celestia yawned and roused herself from her comfortable place atop Luna’s breasts. “Goodness, I’m pooped. I believe Luna and I will retire for the night- in a fashion.”

Cadance knew exactly what that meant, intent made clear when Luna decided to cling to her sister’s figure tightly. They both looked good, even when dressed only casually, and it wasn’t the first time she’d thought this. If she was ever to actually be satisfied… “You know,” she said slowly, “Twilight may not have figured things out, but I have for a while now-”

Celestia laughed, raising a hand to bring the loveborn Princess to a halt where she stood. “Good things come to those who wait,” she said, albeit warmly. “You wouldn’t want to spoil your deepest dream by leaving it incomplete, would you?”

Cadance pouted by instinct. Damn it all.

“Patience. You’ll finally be satisfied soon,” Luna said, a finger to her mouth as she thought. “However-” A sudden departure from her sister’s side and taking Cadance in her clutches, a fierce, sloppy kiss that left even the Princess of Love swooning; the feeling of the moonlight Princess’ tongue on hers, so fiercely and suddenly-

And then nothing, Luna retreating back to her sister resuming her gentle, almost subconscious teasing of Celestia’s bosoms. “If you needed a taster,” she remarked brightly, the two royals laughing and making their way away from the stunned, smoldering Princess of Love who seemed to be so silently screaming.

Twilight didn’t know whether being awake or asleep was worse. She had paraded through so many fantasies the likes of which she couldn’t block out that it was a struggle for her waking, sleep-scarred emotions to handle them. Vulnerable in her tired state, the brilliant Princess found herself wrestling with a vicious knot in her stomach and wishing she’d not dealt with last night at all. More than once, she awoke in the deep of the night and found her mind pressing replay- even when she wanted to do nothing but let them slip away. Whether it was discomfort with what her mind was conjuring or heartbreak that what she had imagined wasn’t actually reality didn’t really matter. More than anything, she just wanted it all to stop.

When it finally came time to awaken, she found herself still wrestling through a miserable daydream that had been to heavenly for her conscious self to handle. A stroll to the nearby bathroom so as to prepare herself for the day, and a pep talk to get her mind in order. When Twilight faced the mirror to splash water on her face, her own expression gave the poor woman a shock: haggard, and clearly distressed. Truth be told, she felt like crying.

“Oh, this is stupid,” she told herself thickly, wiping anything away before she actually did start shedding tears. “This is idiotic and you might as well get over it. None of them love you like that, they don’t even like you that way! Cadance is married to your brother, and Celestia is… with- with Luna! You might as well accept that all three of them are fine without you! No one needs you in that way at all, so just deal with it!”

The pep talk ended up not being much of a pep talk, and Twilight took herself to a shower in the hopes they’d hide the stains from forming on her cheeks. Idiotic, lovesick moron! Why do you even feel like this in the first place?

“Ah, good morning, Twilight!” Celestia greeted as she entered Celestia’s apartments some time later, the sunlight Princess taking cream cheese to a bagel as part of her breakfast. “I hope you slept well. Care to join us? We haven’t got any bacons or eggs yet, but the bread and fruit will start things nicely.”

Twilight nodded and took an apple in hand, trying to ignore the unfair feelings of jealousy that were at work within her, eyeing the two lovers that sat across the table. Luna and Celestia appeared spectacularly comfortable together, the sisters close together as the night before and –in Twilight’s mind- the perfect example of what a loving couple should look like. It was a horrid thought that made her want to have yet another emotional breakdown, which was clearly a stupid idea.

“Twilight? Are you alright?” Luna had paused from her coffee and was staring at their young companion with some concern. “You look a bit lost, did something happen?”

She’d stopped eating, more focused on her own turmoil than trying to hide it. She gave a brisk nod and tried to return to her food but was halted by a gentle, reaching hand from her old mentor.

“Twilight,” Celestia said softly. “Do… do Luna and I bother you?”

Was she supposed to be bothered by it? Yes, probably, but what else could she do? Be mad? Admit she was jealous – or worse, aroused? It was a spectacularly stupid idea. “I’m fine,” she said shakily, then took a moment to clear her throat and readjust. “I’m fine. And no, you don’t bother me. It’s- well, it’s weird. And different. But you’re… happy. I guess I can’t say anything more than that.” But why I can’t I be happy with them?

The couple smiled, taking to a nearby plate of biscuits and pushing it her way. “You’re too kind, Twilight. How have you been feeling, by the way? It must be a bit different to have a palace of your own, now.”

The question felt a little too knowing for her comfort, the thoughts of just how empty her new halls felt to her one that weighed heavily on her mind. She wanted company, someone to help make it a little more- and a good, wild sexual romp to christen it all. But that didn’t need to be said aloud. “It’s a bit lonely sometimes,” she admitted. “But I manage.”

“Ooh, and how’s that? Spend a night with a few suitors to liven things up?” Luna teased.

I wish. “No,” Twilight admitted. “I just… keep myself busy. Well-”

“Disaster and monsters keep you busy?” the moonlight Princess guessed.

Twilight laughed, beginning to feel her spirits rise. “Every now and then,” she said. “Truth be told, this is the longest bout of quiet I’ve had in a while.”

“And we’re very glad for it,” Celestia replied, toasting her young companion with a cup of tea. “I wouldn’t have wanted you to miss being here for the world. I’ve been trying to have all four of us in the same place for a while now, but everyone remains so busy.”

“It is nice to catch up for a bit.”

“Oh, I hope we’ll- ah, sleeping beauty! Glad you can join us at last.”

Celestia’s reply was cut through by the entrance of Cadance, dressed comfortably in a robe of satin that appeared almost crystalline and looking like her usual beautiful self. “Oh hush, a girl needs her beauty rest,” she replied, pausing from her journey to the coffee pot to bend down and place a kiss on Twilight’s cheek. “Good morning, beautiful. Hope you slept soundly.”

The unexpected act was affectionate, and enough to put Twilight’s senses on overdrive, despite her logical protests against me. She’s married, for heaven’s sake. Why is she acting like this towards me? Still, she found herself watching as Cadance began to craft her breakfast, studying the smooth lines that made the beautiful woman’s face so portrait-like. She had the beauty of a work of art, and the body of a carved statue. Those breasts… She was glad for the arrival of further food, for both the demands of her stomach and her need to not lose herself to her growing lusts. Twilight was afraid she was actually starting to get out of hand. Why do I feel like this- ALL THE TIME? None of these beautiful, perfect, gorgeous women are available and oh my goodness will you stop thinking about any of this at all?

Twilight had always thought of herself as a fairly well-behaved, morally upstanding person. Sure, there was plenty of reason to believe she was inconsistent, but she at least attempted to do the right thing more often than not. Maybe that adherence to standard didn’t make her a very fun person to be around sometimes, but she gave her best efforts to doing the right thing. Yet here she was now amongst the company of her focused infatuations and not sure whether her own desires or the circumstances themselves were weirder: The first girl she’d ever crushed on was married to her brother and was also flirting with every woman in the room to include her sister-in-law- that is, to say herself. Adding to this strangeness was the circumstances revolving around her longest-held object of attraction, who was now in an incestuous relationship with her sister and seemingly flaunting their sexual desires for one another for everyone to see.

And Twilight wasn’t at all sure whether or not she minded. I’m going to have a seizure before the day is over, I swear.

The morning went by pleasantly enough, despite Twilight’s ever-strengthening desire and her discomfort with it. Cadance was her usual cheerful, loving self and was glad to spend time talking casually about her days in the Empire, her words forgoing the political realms and instead focusing on the day-to-day of her people. Twilight had always known Cadance to be attentive and caring towards others, unsurprised at the somewhat motherly attitude she held when speaking with –or even about- her subjects.

“Was there anything about the Empire that surprised you when things settled down?” Luna asked, her words strangely emphasized as though to have particular meaning. “I remember you saying once that the people continued to be formal in your presence. Have things loosened up any?”

Cadance took notice and nodded, lying back on her place alongside the waters of the spring at which they had taken to, the rising sun a perfect excuse for a change of scenery. “It’s definitely different,” she remarked. “You forget that home has been around for so long, or that all the things that we consider normal can- well, not be- if the circumstances change. The Empire is lovely and the people are kind, but some of their traditions were a little… hmm. Archaic. At least one of us took it in stride.”

Twilight had tried to learn as much as she could about the Empire ever since Cadance had assumed leadership of the small kingdom, but little knowledge of the land had survived long after its disappearance. “What sort of traditions?” she asked, more than a little curious.

Cadance rolled her eyes. “Well, Sombra was certainly enjoying himself, even if no one else was. Apparently the king was… well-tended to in his time, and it seems not everyone was ready for the tradition to go away just yet. So… it doesn’t really matter, anyway. Our bed wasn’t getting used for much but sleeping and we’d decided it was more of a business arrangement at that point, anyway.”

Twilight felt like she’d been struck across the face. “My brother divorced you?”

“What? Oh, no, not at all,” Cadance replied swiftly. “We…” she paused and took in the room, deciding that present company was a safe enough space for the personal revelation. “We had issues in bed. He got frustrated that I never was able to be satisfied, I didn’t even really want to try- the royal harem got suggested and we’ve gotten along better since. Shining is kept satisfied, his needs are met and we keep the Empire safe and happy.”

Twilight wasn’t sure at all how to take the news, her excess of emotional reactions making her head spin. The one that became most prominent, and the line of thought that came with it, was something she was somewhat ashamed of: So, she’s sort of available? “So are you… are you two separated, or- something?”

Cadance eyed the young woman strangely. “In a sense,” she said lightly. “The marriage remains, but as for sexual needs, we know we need other sources. Apparently it was common for kings of the Empire to have political marriages and be tended to by their harem, so I guess we kept the tradition going.”

“But what about the women? The princesses and queens?” Twilight didn’t want to sound too inquisitive.

“I guess they were supposed to just live with it. I, however,” she added, with a long glance at the three royals that accompanied her, “intend to be kept satisfied.” As she let her words finish, her eyes steadied themselves upon Twilight and remained there for quite a while.

Twilight felt a thrill. She thought she could see a hunger.

“I know how you feel, Cadance,” Celestia said kindly, deep in the waters with Luna resting in her lap. “So many of our suitors back when we were young- oh goodness, you’d think I was a trophy and not a human being at all! I was so tired of having to literally fight them away, I was honestly relieved that Luna decided to win my heart instead. For once, I actually felt like I was being treated like a person, and actually was able to be satisfied! I thought I was going to be kept starved forever…”

“Mm, like I’d let you stay unsatisfied,” Luna teased, her hand slipping its way across her sister’s breastflesh and giving it a massaging. “You just like being a damsel in distress, admit it.”

“Only because I wanted to be rescued by a beautiful princess,” Celestia replied.

“The most beautiful,” Luna affirmed, and the two could not help but kiss and put an end to their giggles, their affection for one another spiriting them away from their place among friends and into their own private world of intimate romance. Their kisses were deeply affectionate, a beautiful act of love as softened lips continued to press against one another. It was clear their desire for one another was no act, and each new meeting of lips proved it.

It would have been impossible for Twilight or Cadance to miss, the two women gawking as Luna continued to rub her body slowly against Celestia’s, their kisses gaining intensity as all thought of their present world continued to be ignored. The younger Princess was blushing, somewhat uncomfortable at being present to such an act of sensuality, even if she couldn’t look away-

Or perhaps she could, a motion distracting her from the perfect sight and her gaze flickered over to Cadance: the sex-starved Princess was biting her lip, her fingers tracing a nipple that seemed to have hardened at the sight of the show-

Oh heaven help me. Twilight moved her hands that were definitely heading down her waist and instead held her arms across her chest, eyes looking at nothing but the stone that was the roof overhead, she certainly not focusing on the sounds of arousal that were coming from those exquisitely sexy sister-

A long smock and the sultry kiss between the pair finally ended, each still allowing their hands to stray and play with whatever part of the body tickled their fancy. “Oh goodness, I’m sorry,” Celestia said, not sounding anywhere close to such. “I guess we got a bit carried away.”

“You’re fine,” Cadance said dreamily.

Twilight wasn’t sure her mouth would work if it opened, still focused on the lines of stone that were overhead. She wanted to look down, to see if there was a drool string between them, ask maybe if they would tell her what it felt like and why she herself felt so aroused all the time and maybe if they’d help her with that-

“Twilight? We didn’t make you uncomfortable, did we?” Celestia asked.

She would have to say something, but a shake of her head was her first start. She forced herself to look back down, try to pretend that how she felt wasn’t actually driving her mad. “Of course you didn’t,” she said in a voice that was probably more akin to a squeak. Coughing promptly to perhaps allude suspicions and she tried again, saying, “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. Of course not!”

Their time at the springs should have continued on peacefully, whether it be simply resting or dining on fruits of vine and tree that had been brought to help satisfy their palate. Twilight couldn’t get her heart to stop beating, however, and was starting to struggle. She felt like she was going to have a heart attack.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she said hurriedly, rising to her feet and heading towards a more private place so as to seem to use the bathroom- only to immediately come back for her clothes before rushing away and out of sight.

Silence reigned as the three women waited to be sure their fellow was actually out of earshot. The first to give was Cadance, her great sigh whistling through the winding stone path in a huff. “Oh my goodness, Twilight…” she groaned. “Girl, you are absolutely killing me.”

“A little frustrated, are we?” Celestia inquired.

The beautiful goddess of love glowered at her teasing. “Easy for you to say,” Cadance grumbled. “What with Moonbutt literally in your lap, I’m starving here!”

“We both had to wait over a thousand years to finally be satisfied again,” the sunlight royal reminded her patiently. “What’s a few years in comparison?”

“Funny. Look, I don’t really care how oblivious she is, I want this to get started so I can finally feel like myself again! It’s not like this wasn’t your goal, right? All four of us together?”

Celestia considered the thought. “She is holding herself together rather well,” she said. “Literally naked and making out in front of her, I figured she’d try to join in. Even you weren’t very subtle.”

“Then perhaps we rid ourselves of subtlety, then,” Luna said. “Poor Twilight doesn’t know she could join in any time she wants. Perhaps we should… involve her?”

Author's Note

This took over a month.