The night air was cool, bringing with it the smell of trees and plants that were near. But above all that, there was the distant, tempting scent of Saddle Arabia's desert. A dust-like scent that left Blue Belle breathing deep. Her new country had points of appeal that had taken some time to learn to appreciate.

She gazed out over the land as the sun settled slowly. From this tower, she could see much of the castle. Blue Belle trotted the length of it, coming to a halt at the spot she had started at. A single servant watched over her, remaining silent at the side of the royal telescope. "I will have to thank them." She went to the telescope and finally put her eye to it to view the stars above. "I didn't think it would be my 'thing', but this has its appeals as well."

She turned the telescope ever so slightly. The moon was round and bright above. "When the moon is this big, I can see the ponies on it." She leaned back, flaring her horn. With her magic, she was able to adjust the telescope precisely instead of hoping to wrestle the considerable object sized for Saddle Arabians. "There it is. There's Canterlot." She could see the familiar structure in the distance. She took another breath. "Ah, familiar things in strange times."

The sky began to change in hue, the world growing dim as the sun retreated and night came up. It grew steadily darker, with fewer lights on the horizon. The view from the telescope became clearers and darker at once. The night sky, more visible. Trying to sneak peeks at afar, less. "No more spying on those silly Equestrians." She giggled at the very idea. Spying on her own people, really. As if that were even possible.

"You look pleased." Sand sank to his haunches beside her. How her large prince could move with such stealth, a mystery.

"I am." Blue turned away from the telescope towards him. Her voice grew soft and content as he wrapped an arm over her back. She leaned into him with a little coo. "My country is a pretty place at night. I didn't realize I could see it, just barely, with the right tools."

Sand craned his head back to view the sky, and his sister, a pale sliver high overhead. "What you are viewing, dear princess, is unlikely to be what you think it is." He nuzzled her despite that. "Equestria is far too away to view so easily. You must have seen a local city. Perhaps one you'd care to visit?"

Blue Belle narrowed her eyes slightly, but not at him. "Perhaps we can. At some point. This place is not what I know, but it could grow on me." She smiled at the large stallion, considering him a quiet moment. "Sand."

"Hm?" He perked an ear at her.

"May I ask a question in confidentiality?" Blue glanced at the servant, standing there quietly.

Sand waved for that servant to leave. "Always." He sank down to be on her level, flat on his belly. "If you cannot whisper to your spouse little secrets, I know not who one could."

She moved close enough that their noses could touch. "Dearest. Will your people ever accept me as princess?" She panted with his own breath, eyes searching his. "I am so little, compared to the ponies that have filled these halls, that this role is something I fear outsizes me."

He rubbed nose to nose. "It is not a matter of your physical presence. You are large in other ways, and they begin to whisper of it. I am quite pleased with how far you have come in a short time, little belle." He paused then. "When I say that, I mean it with fondness. Your size is a thing I consider charming and, dare I say, attractive. You are a dainty flower. My flower."

She perked, smiling. "Would you let me blossom? A little room for a little wife?"

"No one has made much protest to your magical skills. From what I hear, your magic practice continues well." Sand breathed out slowly, lifting one arm over her head. "They all have their reasons to fear and worry. You are Equestrian. Your father's tribe and our lands have had our little hiccups in the past."

Blue Belle moved in under his chin, pressing his head up a little in the process. She curled there, feeling cozy in his warmth as the air chilled. "I will use my magic responsibly." She nodded to confirm that. "As a princess is expected."

He dropped his head back over her, that powerful neck hiding her entirely. "I would expect no less, dear one." His tail settled over her as he curled up around her for extra warmth. "And if there should be somepony that needs reminding on it, let it be me that does it."

Blue enjoyed the warmth a quiet moment. "It's not fair."

"Hm?"

"You are ever the gentlepony." She nuzzled into his warm fur. "I feel I owe you a thousand times over, but I'm not paying back."

Sand's teeth showed. "And here you have given me another. Your trust is its own reward."

Blue Belle smacked the side of his face. "Sand! I owe you something for this, as we will be together forever more."

"And you are already delivering it, Little Bell." He nipped her ear gently. "For one, you are my companion, a role you seem to welcome. For two, you are a bringer of life, and our farmers already sing your praises. They write and hope that we send you out to their fields, that you can sprinkle your blessings on their trees and crops."

She pressed her head up into his chin. "Then that I shall do. Anything else you require?"

He growled deeply and without menace. "Come to bed with me tonight. Do not wait until we are wed." He drew her a little closer. "Some traditions demand we remain apart, but others say it is good sense that partners know what they are agreeing to. For one night, if you would, settle with me in that private place." There were a thousand things he wasn't saying. It wouldn't be polite to go into details, but that he meant them seemed quite obvious.

Blue Belle purred for a moment, lost in that sense of security that she never knew before him. But he was asking her to finally do what she had been preparing for. She would surrender what little tiny sliver of stallion she had left. She would be a mare, his mare. She trembled at the thought of it, cheeks warming. "Y-yes. Yes! I would, I think, like that." She fidgeted in place. "I would ask that you be gentle. Your little flower, as you've said. Be gentle, or you'll smash it."

He let her squirm there until the idea had a chance to percolate into her. "Come with me, then, Princess Blue Belle." He drew her gently closer with that massive arm. "I know many things, but the magic of one night together, I would savor that. Gently, of course." He kissed her back and hefted her up onto his to carry her away. As they passed that servant waiting just below, he pointed up. "Secure things. We're done with it for the evening."

The servant scurried away to see it done as Sand marched with purpose for his own quarters.

As Sand trotted to his private wing of the palace, he touched his nose to her own. She leaned in and met the kisses in kind, eyes closed. For Blue, there was nothing but him, a set of familiar strong arms, and the excitement and concern that came with what was to come. He nodded to the guards in front of his room. "I am not to be disturbed."

To their credit, they kept entirely straight faces, though it was pretty clear he was entering with his betrothed. There weren't too many other reasons for a stallion to do that. In his own private quarters, with her set on her own hooves, Sand closed the door. "One more chance to reconsider, Little Flower."

Blue Belle stepped over to a cushion placed aside the door and turned in place before her prince. She considered what was being asked of her, and how to approach it. "Forgive me. I don't want to renege, but I really don't know what to do next." Her thoughts went to steamy romance novels, but she wasn't a lovelorn mare. Throwing herself at Sand felt inappropriate, and they had no vows to swear to uphold against a hostile world.

Sand laughed softly as he circled her, nosing into the back of her neck, and inhaling a little at that scent. "Be present. Listen and try things. As to what will happen next, do not think too far." He gathered her up and hefted her into the air just long enough to set her on the soft bedding, sinking into the blankets. "I will guide you, but know I am also a little new, my dear. Let us forgive each other our mistakes, and learn from them."

She settled into the cushions there as he rubbed her gently in all the right places to set her heart pounding in her chest. She let out a shaking breath, tail flicking. "This." She took off her top and tossed it aside. "Has no purpose here." She blushed, so used to having it on.

"Excellent point." He began removing his own clothes, setting each aside with more care than Blue Belle had. "This is a time for us to bare ourselves entirely to one another."

Blue Belle went shy when he set a hoof on her shoulder to ease her onto her back. But there was nothing in his eyes save concern and adoration. Her concerns faded when he moved over her, large form just visible in the candlelit darkness of the room. His weight was comforting, not smothering. It was like the universe as a whole was hugging her and caring about her. She was safe.

That moment of peace shattered as he kissed and nuzzled into her neck. She let out a gasp, hugging him from beneath. It was like he was everywhere, his scent overwhelming her, but in such a delightful manner. The kisses ran up her cheek until they met her lips. They kissed, face to face, and the world shattered anew. She was naked. He was naked. They were, here, alone. No duties, no expectations, no eyes to witness.

It was all she had waited for and desired. A soft groan came out, escaping past the point of resistance. She inclined her head, allowing the kiss to deepen as she held him, and he held her. The embrace felt like little charges were jumping between them. But with how close he was, they were enough to steal her breath from her. His size left him hovering over her. He could have easily squashed her beneath his mass, but she was safe.

He drew back from the kiss, only his nose touching hers. "My lovely one. I can feel your affection, and it stirs me. Are you prepared for the next step? I will be gentle, but I will not be soft. One can't be and do this next part, hm?"

Blue Belle's entire face went crimson, knowing exactly what Sand was speaking of. "O-Of course not!" It was the absolutely last chance for her to run away. But she let out a slow rolling breath. "I am ready. That is part of you, Sand. And I wish all of you, not just parts."

He breathed a faint laugh, sliding in closer. "Then it shall be, for I give all of myself to you, Little Bell." He kissed along her belly gently. "And I claim all of you. There is no inch of you I do not want, especially right now."

He pushed her up a little as he shuffled. "It is time." It was time for the final moment.

Author's Note

Next chapter will be steamy, just warning you now.

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