Blueberry POV

Was I jealous of Crystal whenever she flirted with Zitrus? For some reason, no. This surprises me because if any other mare (even another alicorn) had given Zitrus sweet eyes, I would have told her to back off.

But for Crystal, it was not the case. Could it be because she was my wing sister? Maybe. I had never been in a wing before, but I could feel the close connection I had with Crystal and Savage. Within a wing, there was no room for jealousy; the bond was too strong for that.

When Crystal flirted with Zitrus, I somehow felt nothing. I suppose my love for Crystal was just as strong as my love for Zitrus. So, why should I prioritize one over the other? Of course, it also helped a lot that I knew Crystal would do the same for me. She would not stand in the way of my love for Zitrus, and if he and I were to be together, she would not try to steal him away from me.

If we were to be together...

Haykjavik is a small village, nestled in the north along the Luna Bay coast. Secluded from points of interest, it's akin to an island. The houses are modest yet highly insulated against the cold. Even though it's early spring, there's still snow and a lingering chill. Thankfully, our winter fur still keeps us warm.

We arrived in Haykjavik today. At this moment, each pony is occupied with their own tasks. Zitrus is selling his loot, Crystal is exploring the village, and Savage is perched on a roof, observing everything. Her tall alicorn figure grants her a majestic aura as she does so.

The villagers are amicable towards alicorns and show only slight trepidation. This grants us some degree of freedom of movement.

As I gazed at Savage, memories of the previous days flooded back. Savage and Zitrus have developed a strong bond now as well. They even share the same tent! It all began after Crystal's heartfelt speech to Savage, followed by a conversation with Zitrus.

This development struck me as somewhat peculiar. Prior to Crystal sharing her story about how she had raped a stallion, Savage and Zitrus had maintained a considerable distance between them. And now, suddenly, Savage engages in conversation, spends time with, and shares a tent with him?

It all seems too easy. While Crystal's speech was impactful, how did it lead to such a sudden change in Savage? Something doesn't quite add up, and the fact that I, too, perceive this raises concerns.

I discussed this with Crystal, and she also expressed skepticism. However, when I broached the topic with Zitrus about Savage's sudden transformation, he evaded the question or provided vague responses that offered little insight.

Could it be that he possesses knowledge that Crystal and I are unaware of?

Don't get me wrong; I was genuinely happy that Savage and Zitrus had finally forged a strong friendship. However, I couldn't help but wonder how it had come about.

"Are you Princess Luna?" a small unicorn filly's voice chimed beside me. I turned to my left and saw her, a little unicorn with white fur, a white curly mane, and a matching white tail. Only her eyes stood out in a sky blue shade.

I blinked, my confusion evident. She must have sensed my uncertainty because she continued: "My mother used to tell me stories about the old Princess Luna who ruled over the night and watched over ponies' dreams. You look exactly like how my mommy always described her, except your mane isn't as flowy."

I remained unsure how to respond. I had limited knowledge of the ancient Princess Luna who once reigned. Did I truly resemble her? If so, then any other blue alicorn likely would too. It seemed this young filly hadn't encountered any of my kind until now.

"I apologize for any disappointment, but I am not her. I'm just a regular blue alicorn", I explained to the little one.

"Oh... Can you still enter other ponies' dreams? That would be so awesome, because then you could visit my dreams and recount them to me in the morning. I often forget what I dream about, and I'd love to know. They're like fantastic stories, and you're a part of them", the filly spoke with evident excitement still shining in her eyes.

"Snowfall! I told you to come back when the sun goes down!", a distant female voice called out.

The filly, whom I now presumed to be Snowfall, widened her eyes in shock. "I have to go! Goodbye, big alicorn", she rushed out and darted away.

I watched the innocent filly disappear around a corner, a smile forming on my lips. With a light chuckle, I shook my head and set off to find Zitrus.

Up in the north, the stars were much better to look at. They shone brighter and, together with the moon, they looked absolutely beautiful, casting a silver glitter on the snow around us.

I was sitting outside with Zitrus. It was one of those nights that we both enjoyed stargazing together. Crystal and Savage were inside a boathouse where the locals had allowed us to spend the night. This meant that Zitrus and I had this moment just to ourselves. I loved it, but it also made me nervous.

During such moments, I felt very close to Zitrus, as if he were just a hoof's reach away from me (in fact, right now, he literally was only a hoof's reach away), yet I hesitated to take that step. I wanted to move one step closer to him, but fear held me back.

"Throughout generations, ponies have looked to the sky seeking answers. What do the stars tell you?", I asked Zitrus.

He looked at me with a mixture of amusement and confusion. Truth be told, he had posed the same question to me before. I returned his gaze with a smile.

Zitrus turned his gaze back to the night sky. "They tell me nothing. I prefer to seek out the answers to my questions on my own. Even though they might be hard to figure out", he said, his voice laden with heaviness. I wasn't sure what he was alluding to, but maybe I didn't need to know.

Once again, we both gazed at the stars, savoring the moment and each other's company.

Come on, Blueberry, I pushed myself.

Shifting my head away from Zitrus, I hoped to hide my blushing face. My right wing gradually unfurled, extending towards him. I wrapped it around his, letting it rest on his shoulders. The touch seemed to cause his body to tense, and I feared I had made a misstep. Yet, having come this far, I couldn't retreat now. I inched him closer until our bodies brushed against each other. It wasn't much; more of a gentle interaction between our furs, but it felt significant to me.

My heart pounded so loudly that it seemed to deafen my senses. I was certain my right wing trembled, and it tickled wherever it made contact with Zitrus. My thoughts raced, but nothing clear came out of it.

I sensed Zitrus' tension, but he didn't resist. I dared to steal a glance in his direction, finding his eyes wide open. Then, to my surprise, he extricated himself from beneath my wing and stood up. Though a blush graced his cheeks, he avoided looking my way.

"I... I have to do something," he uttered, his voice carrying an undertone of something he wasn't revealing. He then walked away.

I was rendered motionless, my gaze trailing him until he disappeared behind a snowy hill. Slowly, my wing retracted as a profound ache reverberated through my chest. Had I misjudged the situation? Had I pushed too far? Was this a sign that his affection wasn't reciprocated? Could this be the end of our friendship, even the end of my hopes?

Blueberry, what's wrong? Crystal's voice echoed in my mind.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of powerful emotion from her, transmitted telepathically. I sensed a strong pain from you, she informed me.

I didn't want to respond. I wished to hide myself and my sorrows right now. But she was my sister, and I knew I could rely on her. Her and Savage.

I need to talk to you... to both you and Savage, I replied.

The next morning, Savage, Crystal, and I lay in a circle on our blankets inside the boathouse. In the center of our arrangement sat an old oil lamp. The housekeeper had loaned it to us, given that the building's darkness and wooden structure prohibited open flames.

It was generous of him to allow four unfamiliar ponies, three of whom were alicorns, to take refuge in his shed. Admittedly, the accommodations were modest: a wooden space housing three boats, damp and dimly lit. Nonetheless, it had sheltered us during the snowy night.

Zitrus had already departed. I had asked him for some time alone with my sisters, and he had readily agreed. He respected our need for private moments. He wouldn't return for a little while, affording me the time to engage in a conversation with my wing sisters.

"Alright, Blueberry. What is it that you need to tell us?", Crystal inquired.

I kneaded my blanket with my front hooves, though I tried to maintain a neutral expression.

"I'm in love with Zitrus", I finally admitted.

Silence ensued.

"Oh, that we already know", Crystal casually remarked.

"Wait, WHAT?!", I exclaimed. "You know?!"

"Well, duh, green alicorn. I can read minds, remember? You're good at hidining your thoughts, but even you slip up now and then. I'd venture to say I knew it long before you did yourself."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I turned my head towards Savage.

She nodded and chimed in: "I don't need mind-reading abilities to sense that. Even I could tell. You practically threw yourself at him."

My blush deepened, and I was too flustered to respond.

"Relax, Blueberry. This isn't a bad thing. I mean, I get why you've chosen him. If he let me, I'd sleep with him too," Crystal quipped.

"You'd sleep with any half-decent looking stallion," Savage retorted.

"True, but Zitrus is different. With him, I feel a strong connection. He's like... like you two", Crystal pointed at me and Savage. "He's more than just a random stallion; he's part of our group. I love him the way I love you two. And I'd want to be with him the way I'd want to be with you two, not solely for lust, but also because I care about you and him."

"That remember me the question, are you interested in mares?", Savage inquired, looking at me.

That question made me pause.

"I'd say no. I've never felt attracted to a mare. But then again, I never felt attracted to a stallion until I met Zitrus. I'd say... I'd be willing to try it with you two. But not with any other pony. You two mean a lot to me. I can sense the bond we share", I explained.

"Good. Next time, you could join me and Savage", Crystal suggested with a mischievous grin.

"Crystal!", Savage exclaimed, giving her a punch on the shoulder.

"What? You'd be interested too, wouldn't you?", Crystal laughed.

"Yes, of course! But you don't just blurt it out like that!", Savage whispered sharply.

I blushed deeply. Truth be told, I had no idea that Crystal and Savage had shared some intimate moments together. But now, it seemed to explain certain things...

Savage sighed and shook her head. "Anyway, we got off track. Why haven't you told Zitrus about your feelings for him?"

"I... I can't. What if he doesn't feel the same way?", I admitted, averting my gaze.

"That's precisely why you're asking, to find out if he returns your love", Crystal pointed out.

I let out a heavy sigh. If only it were that simple...

"I'm scared... scared that he might reject me, and I'd have to live with that knowledge. To endure the pain. It feels safer to cling to hope rather than risk heartache", I confessed. "Besides, I think I already know the answer..."

"What do you mean?", Crystal asked.

"Yesterday, Zitrus and I were stargazing together", I began to recount. "I enjoy those moments with him, and I just... wanted to be closer. I wanted to take a step, show my affection by putting my wing around him and pulling him close. But he abruptly stood up and said he had to leave..."

The memory stirred a pang of pain within me.

My sisters were quiet for a moment.

"I understand. I've been wondering why Zitrus hasn't taken the hints I've given him either. He knows he could have a fun night with me, yet he's never acted on it. If anything, he's pulled away as I've gotten closer", Crystal shared.

"Maybe he's not into alicorns or mares in general?", I speculated.

"No, I can tell he is", Savage affirmed, supporting Crystal's assessment.

I raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Savage scratched the back of her head, her expression showing that she just slipped up.

"Weeeeeell, you see..."

Author's Note

Cliffhanger, yes i know. (not sorry)
Hope you liked the chapter and are ready for the next comming one.