Tourmaline

Chapter 2: Farewell

The summer constellations shimmered in the sky above the crystal city. Though the commotion from the fair had died down long ago the streets shone brightly; the streets were a luminescent blue from the Crystal Heart's surge of energy at its climax. The glow from the magically fueled streetlights reflected on the crystalline structures in which the denizens of the empire resided, raising a host of cascading colors into the city night.

A hoof tapped against a glass window, startling Gloriana from her sleep. She slid off her large, elegant mattress to see Somber peering in through the window, holding a rose in his mouth. Gloriana smiled, undoing the latch with her magic. The unicorn nudged the window open with his hoof, climbing through the window onto the marble floors of the pristine bedroom.

She closed the window behind him with her magic. "You really don't want to die a virgin, do you?".

"Well..."

"It's okay. It's not like the stallions on the front are gonna be able to tell anypony important you slept with an alicorn."

He stepped to her, grinning. They were roughly the same height and so he stood on the tips of his hooves, trying to appear slightly taller. "Are all alicorns this conceited?"

She lied down on the mattress, her legs outstretched, her armed held seductively close to her chest. "Yes."

Somber felt himself pulled closer to her by the force of her magic. He found himself atop the mattress, and though released from her magical grasp, he positioned himself on top of her. "If I'm correct," he began, still wearing the same grin, "you're a virgin, too."

"This is true..."

The two chuckled, then stared into each other's eyes. She smelt wonderful; the most expensive of perfumes, no doubt. They closed their eyes, approaching each other for a deep kiss. Somber felt her tongue in his mouth as they pressed against each other. Even a simple kiss was a rare occurrence for the two lovers. She'd always said she admired the idea of a secret romance, the "forbidden fruit". Now she pulled him ever closer, her wings extended slightly, their tails overlapping.

This was the first, and perhaps only, time they would be this intimate. Tonight there was no holding back.

§

Somber lay in the plush luxurious bed, gazing at the room around him. Gloriana still clutched him, her breathing rhythmic against his chest. Pillars along the walls formed the perimeter, a chandelier hanging above the center of the room. I must be insane for leaving behind any more nights like this.... He looked out the window, the moon hung low in the night sky.

Dawn would break soon.

He looked down at Gloriana, sliding out from underneath her grasp. She was so majestic, so beautiful sleeping there. She was perfect. Was this the right decision? He didn't want to think about what would happen were he to die. No matter how tough she always acts, he understood fully well it would break the mare. And if he didn't go, then he could lose her. No, I can't let that happen.

Somber gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, beautiful. I love you." With that, he carefully trotted to the window, undoing the latch. Down below, few guards patrolled the palace. He could make it out easily and undetected if–

"Somber?"

The unicorn turned to see the alicorn climbing out of bed. She trotted over to him, taking her place at his side. The two stood in silence, peering into each other's gazes.

He faced the window, unable to look her directly in the eye. He heard her take in an unsteady breath; they both held back tears. He turned to her, holding her in a tight embrace which she returned, wrapping her wings around him.

"I love you, Somber, I love you so damned much..."

He felt tears stream down his muzzle; his tears. "I love you too, Glori." He could feel her body tremble as he spoke, and his own breathing was uneven. "I can't promise I'll be back for you, but I'll try. I'll try."

The two parted, wiping their eyes.

"I'll send you books, and letters. Keep in touch as much as you possibly can, okay?"

"That's a promise I can keep."

He chuckled involuntarily. He noticed the window light up in a bluish aura, the latch coming undone and the window opening. "I guess this is goodbye. I-I'll see you around."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

That night, wails could be heard throughout the palace corridors. Nopony dared to ask. Only one unicorn heard as he snuck through the gardens. Destiny awaited him.