Citrus Bush slows, almost instinctively to let Cadance walk past her as they start to climb the stairs. She’s too lost in thought at first, to preoccupied with her own thoughts of what’s been happening. Though a glance ahead of her has her freeze for a moment, mesmerized. Cadence is walking ahead of her, wings tightly at her sides, it’s an old pegasus military cadet posture, yet her tail sways side to side as she moves, her grace of motion and beauty almost captivating.After the night and all the fun she had with her herd, she shouldn’t be distracted. She is totally satisfied at the moment, yet watching Cadance walk up the stairs, her curving flank and hips, her perfect tail, its sway not revealing anything untoward, yet still reminding her of what is underneath. In that moment, she wonders what she really would have done if alone and faced with a princess in her full glory and heat.

For some reason, Citrus finds that distracting. It’s normal for mares to have at least a little attraction to other mares in Equestria. But this one? The primary source of stress for her herd? Citrus suppresses a groan as Cadance apparently guesses right, and they end up in the herd’s bedroom. Cadance turns around and sits down.

Citrus takes a moment to arrange herself as she sits, curling her tail around her hooves. She focuses on her tail for several long seconds. She finally looks up and sees the alicorn with an expectant look on her face. She sighs, “I guess I’m supposed to start?”

That gets a gentle smile from the duchess. “It would help.”

Citrus looks down. “I knew Tim was an alien, but maybe I should tell you how things were when I met him.” She looks up again, to see Cadance nodding, her smile was so kind; how could she ever believe this mare intended ill feelings towards her herd?

Citrus sighs, “I was doing my normal shift in the Canterlot hospital. The rumors had been swirling all day. Some wild creature had been brought in. Nearly dead, and even a Princess of Equestria was brought in to help, since the normal healing methods were ineffective.”

“Due to his magical resistance?”

Citrus nods. “Yeah. Well, I didn’t have time for rumors, a wonderbolt had been brought in. It was a career ending crash. He had lost a wing, I was working with the others in the unit to keep his spirits up. And I was actually quite drained after a long day of that. I had planned on heading home, when there was the most curious sight. A half dozen doctors and nurses rolling a gurney down the hall. Trailing behind the gurney was Princess Twilight Sparkle. And on the gurney was something. I couldn’t even begin to identify him, with him being covered in bandages. I followed them to the room and watched them transfer him. They told her that whether he lived or died was up to him.”

A tear slips down her cheek. Citrus said, “Princess Twilight was there the next morning when I arrived. And I knew she hadn’t slept, I found out his heart had stopped seven times that night, and every time, she used her magic and somehow restarted his heart every time. She wasn’t just sleepy, she was on the brink of magical exhaustion. I offered to help with monitoring him. She refused, but I had a cot brought in and promised if I ended up in over my horn, I’ll wake her up. She finally relented and curled up on the cot. I stayed there, and he woke up a couple of times. I remember his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes looking around wildly. I saw the fear, the confusion, the pain in them. Then the other princesses arrived. He had tried to communicate the few times he was lucid, and they decided to help him. I wasn’t there when they implanted the translation matrix in his head, but I could feel the strength of the magic used when I got there a few days later. Twilight was off on something, I think it was a magical emergency. I don’t know. But I had gotten into the habit of talking to him as I’ve worked helping to get his limbs moving, basic physical therapy. Sometimes he was passed out while I was helping work his legs and arms, other times, his eyes were fixed on me.”

“As the weeks progressed, his body had started to heal, the doctors were coming in every couple of hours to check on his wounds, to take care of him. He was starting to be understandable when he talked. He could let us know when he was hungry, thirsty, or in pain, not that he spoke our language. He made weird, flowing, hissing words with so many sounds none of us could even begin to reproduce.” She barks a soft laugh, “When he pushed away hay and pointed us to meat, that he needed meat, that was an amazing day. I got in the habit of talking to him during physical therapy. I found out a lot about him.” She stops for a long moment, then she looks up at Cadance. “I didn’t know it then, but that was when I was starting to fall in love with him. He was what I talked about when I was home. He was who I was thinking about when I fell asleep, and my first thought when I awoke. When he was taken from the Canterlot hospital into the castle. I was pretty much frantic with fear. I thought I would never see him again. I remember rushing from the hospital to the castle. I had to beg for an audience with Princess Celestia so I could see him. I was thinking that I was helping with his physical therapy, helping with his healing. But I think she saw what I was too blind to see. And that’s why she so readily gave me permission to care for him. I knew Twilight had started on his education, but I saw he needed more.”

“And you completely fell for him?”

Citrus bats with her hoof defensively. “I wasn’t trying to. It just kinda, well, happened. A talk there, a late night there, and realizing I was enjoying more than the satisfaction of a job well done… And then I finally confessed my love to him, my desire for him. I expected him to reject me outright. I know he was freaked out by us. He was not used to ponies, and then having one express a desire for him in a romantic setting required a lot of thinking on his part. At that point, he’d been in Equestria for about a year, he had mourned the loss of his old life, the idea that he would very likely never see his home again.” She smiles. “The fact that he jumped into a relationship with both of his feet is actually quite endearing. I brought him into our herd, first with Cayenne, then slowly bringing in more. He was adjusting to life here, and I guess I thought he understood how life is here in Equestria.”

“That you forgot that he had to think about things that are natural to us?” Citrus suppresses a sob as she nods. Cadance leans back. “Thank you for sharing that with me. Now, I must let you understand why I acted the way I did.”

Citrus looks up at her, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. Cadance smiles gently. “I understand what you are saying, but remember, I had been spending quite a bit of time with my sister-in-law. When she visited the Crystal Empire, and when I visited her, she talked about him. As you said, he was the first thing on her mind when she awoke, she talked about him all the time. She spent a lot of time with him too. Add to that, while she has some amazing friends. She had something missing in her life. You had Cayenne, and while you said you and her weren’t fully intimate at that point, you did have the emotional intimacy that you craved. Twilight had Spike. And being such a young dragon, he is not yet equipped to be the intimate partner she needs. He is dedicated to her, and he loves her fiercely. Even now, he’s not ready for the intimacy of being a romantic partner. He’s still got a schoolcolt’s crush on another pony.”

Cadance shifts a bit, looking at Citrus seriously. “I discovered how much she was covering up her feelings shortly after he moved in with you. Before that, she would sit and talk with him for hours, about all kinds of things. Mainly learning about his home, his culture. She had covered up her feelings for him in her work trying to find a way to get him home. She was consumed by that, and then finding out the magic of the sonic rainboom had brought him here. She was devastated, she could reproduce the power, she is exceedingly strong. But there’s no way she could have the control, he could be sent back home at thirty thousand feet and fall to his death. Or he could appear someplace completely random. Much of his planet is covered in water. Imagine ending up in the middle of the ocean with no chance of rescue.” She sighs and shakes her head, “To send him home would likely end up in his death, so it’s quite good to know he is adjusting to life here. But then Twilight entered estrous late this spring, I came down from the Crystal Empire to assist her. She had tried to use herbal teas, and some mechanical help to stave off her desires. But they were stopgaps. And the one she wanted most of all was Tim. I had brought some stallions who had drunk a fortnight’s supply of paramour’s tea, since she didn’t want to get pregnant. And she rejected them all. She was nearly insane with the desire to mate, but she only wanted one. She wanted him and only him. Though having him just a quick teleport away was maddening to her. We were able to make it through that heat. But I knew that being an alicorn meant it quite likely she would have a second heat in the year. I knew it would come to a head. And I implored Twilight to approach you, try to get in your good graces.”

Citrus withdraws a bit within herself. “And I rejected her.”

Cadance nods. “With the revelation of his girlfriend, you felt that Twilight was a source of stress for him.”

Citrus nods. “While he needed his education, she was being very improper with him. And with him going through that portal ending up being a pony against his will. And the jet engine he told me about, finding his phone. It put him through the wringer. So, when she asked me, I simply said no. I didn’t want his stress level going too high. I had to lay in the night, holding him as his body shook. Cayenne and I had to have our fur wetted by his tears, thanks to her bringing up memories that would have served him far better remaining buried. And then finding out there really is no way home for him. He was devastated, no matter how much he covered it up. The loss of her was a source of stress for him, and I acted to protect him from that stress, though I think now that I was overzealous in doing so. And I am sorry for that.”

Cadance steps forward, nuzzling Citrus on the cheek gently. “That is in the past, now. Those feelings are now in the open, and we can deal with them. But you need to understand something. My actions were on behalf of Twilight. I knew it was unhealthy for her to keep those feelings locked up. She was being stupidly stubborn and not appealing to you. You rejected her, she accepted it, and tried to move on. But that rejection hurt her. She is the Princess of Friendship. Her entire life is dedicated to it. And to be rejected like that hurt her deeply. Though she would never say so to you. I saw what she was like, and I saw what she needed. I thought by Tim catching her in the depths of her heat, he would do what he should have – gone and implored you, and perhaps had you and him both help her. You know what it’s like to be in estrous. Unending cravings. Have you ever had an addiction? Estrous is a glimpse into the life of a sex addict. I mean, when Princess Celestia goes into heat, most of the governance gets done by her assistants, because she cannot focus on much else. Though being in charge for thousands of years does allow her to have built up a release, to where she can channel that energy in a non-destructive fashion. There are quite a few stallions that live quite well in Canterlot castle and are ready to service her when that time arrives. And it’s quite stressful for them as well. Twilight will, in time, be at least as powerful as Celestia. When she comes into season, she will have to have a lover.”

“We need to discuss this. As it is, and knowing about how difficult it is for her, we should be open to helping her when it comes to heat.

Cadance snaps. “That’s not good enough, damn it.” Citrus flinches.

“I don’t understand.”

“If mindless sex was all she needed, she could hire out a kusa, she could take up one of the myriad stallions quite willing to mount her to satisfy their desire to be close to a seat of power in Equestria. She needs more than lovin, she needs a lover, lover, a herd.”

“I don’t think she wants to move to Canterlot, I know we can’t move to Ponyville, Cayenne’s restaurant, my shop, North’s job. You can I know that’s an impasse from both ends. I mean, Silver can do silverwork anywhere with a forge, and I’m certain ponies around Ponyville will be happy to buy from him. But her joining our herd? Us moving to her? A griffon would sooner pluck her own wings.”

Cadance sighs, “She doesn’t need to fully join your herd. Though I think you should offer. She’d like that. With her background as a bit of a social outcase, she likes to just know that ponies do think of her and want her input.” At Citrus’s eyes widen. “I am not going to try to make you, and I wouldn’t try to force you even if I were a princess again. I am suggesting… I’m begging you, please, work out a way for you and her to have an arrangement, allow her into your bed, allow her into your hearts. Not just for relief while she’s in heat. While that is important, it’s not the most important thing. She needs intimate partners, somepony to giggle with in bed before falling asleep. Someone to rely on when her friends are consumed with other parts of their lives. She needs somepony, a few someponies, to be partners with her in her life. To console her when she cries, to share joy with her, to be by her side no matter what. I have that in my Shining Armor. She needs that just as much as she needs food and water.”

Citrus gulps. “But would she want to be lead? I mean, she’s a Princess of Equestria. I’m nothing compared to her.”

“That is something that you and her will have to work out. Tim is happy with you in charge, right?” At Citrus’s nod, she continues, “She’s not consumed with her station. We are very careful to choose candidates for princesshood. She doesn’t care about such things, as we know, she’s the Princess of Friendship. I think she can handle being subservient to you.”

Citrus looks down, “The most I can promise is to be receptive if she asks. I’m not going to beg her to join us. She has to make that step. She has to show me, she has to show the mares of our herd that she is willing to be one of us. But she knows how she damaged our herd, if she wants to have a role in our herd. She has to do the work, she has to show me, show us, that she can be trusted. Trusted to not use royal privilege to get what she wants. Trusted to not try to steal Tim or Silver because her plot demands to be pounded. Remember, we will be going into heat in the spring as well. Tim and Silver will have to be very busy with just the three of us mares. Having an alicorn with an overactive sex drive is going to be draining for both of them.” She sees the look on Cadance’s face, “I’m sorry, Duchess, but I do have to protect my herd. I have to make sure they are healthy and happy. That is one of my responsibilities as the lead mare of this herd. If Twilight wants to work to fit in and become a part of this family. She can’t just waltz in and decide that we will do.”

Cadance looks at Citrus for a long time, so long that the smaller mare finds herself shifting a little bit, finally the alicorn sighs softly, “I can understand your point. Though I can’t insist that she does that. That decision remains with her. But I will suggest she try, she is convinced that the bridge is burned. I can let her know that a chance remains, if that’s okay with you?”

Citrus nods, “I would appreciate that. If she can approach us, and show that she is willing to approach on our terms. We can find common ground, and maybe negotiate a way to have us all happy.”

Cadance leans closer, “Since we are opening up about our pasts, wanna hear how Shiny and I ended up together?”

Citrus' eyes widen as she nods.

Cadance chuckles, “I had been raised to be an alicorn, then I moved here to Canterlot. I was young, and moving here was a big change for me. You know I was a pegasus before I ascended?”

Citrus shakes her head. “Raised?” she squeaks.

That gets a big grin from Cadance. “Yeah, well, I was brought from my little town to the crown city, to be near Princess Celestia. But I was still young, so she sent me to school. There was a pony there, his name was Buck Withers. He was interested in me, and he lavished me with attention. He had it all; money, connections, popularity. I thought he was okay at first. But I was getting to know the ponies at school. Which was really nice. Then I got a job.”

Citrus looks at the fond smile on Cadance’s face. “What job?”

“Foalsitting, one unicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle.”

Citrus' eyes are wide as she looks at the door, then back to Cadance, “Her?”

“Yes, her. And I got to meet her birth herd. You’d love her dam, she’s a real wild child. Her sire is a lot more reserved. But among them was a teenaged stallion. I had remembered him from school. And I actually thought he was cute. But you should have seen him, he was so awkward when it came to me. I didn’t have a clue at the time that he had the hots for me. I’d see it now through four mountain ranges and an ocean, but I knew nothing back then. His tongue got tied every time I was around. And boy, he was jealous of Buck. Him and his friends tried to sabotage Buck a couple of times, and they always failed. It was so funny. I didn’t know all this at the time.”

She smiles as she continues. “Well, after sitting for Twilight a few times, I had decided I liked Shining, and I was hoping that he would ask me to the fall formal. And instead he dithered and hemmed and hawed, and Buck asked me. Well, insisted actually, that I go with him. So, at the formal, quite a bit happened that night that we can go over later, but in the end, Shining and I kissed for the first time.”

She leans closer, “I know you know what I’m talking about with that kiss, electricity ran all over me, it was the most exciting and thrilling moment in my life up to that point.”

“I remember first kissing Tim in the hospital room. It was like, right there, the world felt right. Nothing could go wrong.”

That gets a nod from Cadance. “Good, you know that feeling. Tim gives that to you?”

Citrus looks down. “After he cheated on us, I didn’t kiss him very much. I was so hurt, I felt so betrayed, I didn’t allow myself to feel that electricity. Though I did miss it. I didn’ want to taste her on him.”

“And now?”

She looks into Cadence’s eyes. “It’s back, all last night he was giving me tingles all through my body.” She sighs and shudders in pleasure.

“Had a good reconciliation with your herd?” She has a definite purr in her voice.

Citrus nods. “It doesn’t make up for the months of nothing, but it helps. All of that helped with healing. But I still hurt, I still look at Tim and think, is he going to leave me for her.” She stops, trying to contain her emotions. Finally she sighs, “He’s told me that isn’t going to happen, that he loves me. He loves our herd. But how can I be certain of what’s going on in his head? He doesn’t think like us. He’s told me that a lot of marriages in his world end up with one or the other cheating. Though his parents remained faithful, and he’s told me that he remained faithful with his girlfriend. He was planning on marrying her eventually too. But how can I know for certain?” Tears are flowing faster now. Cadance steps forward and pulls Citrus into a hug, using her larger size and her wings to enfold the yellow unicorn, who sobs into her pink fur. Citrus spasms against her chest. “I have forgiven him.” She wails, “But no matter how much I’ve forgiven him, I still feel vulnerable.”

Cadance lets Citrus cry, holding to her tightly, she knows that the yellow mare doesn’t fully trust her as of yet, but this opening to her makes her own heart swell. Helping this herd won’t be easy, but it is something possible. She can feel the love here. And with that love, and the strong bonds they’ve been cultivating. Yes, it’s possible. Finally, Citrus pushes away, she moves away a bit, hanging her head. “I’m sorry, Duchess. You should still be Princess. I really thought you had malice towards me and my herd because I was keeping Tim away from your sister-in-law.”

To Citrus’ surprise, she gets nuzzled by Cadance, she looks up to see a smile on the other mare’s muzzle, “What’s done is done. But I never had any malice in my actions. I was dedicated to helping Twilight Sparkle. I still am dedicated to helping her. But you need to understand, not at the detriment to you and your herd. You have told me that you are open to her. And once I pound that fact through her thick skull, I think your healing will be greatly helped by having true reconciliation with her.” Citrus opens her mouth to object, only to have Cadance boop her nose gently with a hoof. “Yes, you say that the duel ended things. But you and I both know that you and her have to both heal. And spending time together will bring about that healing. Without saying formally, let her spend time with your herd. You like to go out, right? Do things together as a herd?”

“We haven’t done much as of late, but yes, we love outings together.”

“Invite her along. And when she says she has to do research, or her other duties, insist. This is going to be her audition to join your herd. Not in name, she still has to understand that you are receptive to her. But you have good instincts as a lead mare, be a leader with her. Be strong and don’t automatically defer to her.”

“But she’s a princess. I’m…” She’s against stopped by a gentle hoof to the nose, she flinches back. Scrunching her face, she flinches back.

Cadance leans close. “It doesn’t matter, Citrus. What matters is that she needs you. She needs your herd. Can you help her as much as she can help you?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Cadance leans back, a happy smile on her face, Citrus looks up at her. “Where are you from?”

“I was an orphan, I was found by Earth ponies in the woods. I remember growing up and being the only pegasus foal I knew. I didn’t meet another kid pegasus until I was like nine or so. I guess you could say I grew up pretty disconnected from my heritage. It wasn’t until I had to deal with Prismia that I ascended.”

“I was gonna say you think like a ground bound pony versus like a pegasus. You actually are quite a bit like us unicorns – love to think, plan, and solve things delicately. You know our stallion, Silver?”

“The one who fought Shiny?”

“Yeah, him, the crazy guy not only leapt at the chance, but also directly propositioned Cayenne about joining the herd.”

“No way.”

“Yeah way. He even offered his rapier and cuirass to show his sincerity.”

“What a traditional gentlecolt.”

“Cayenne told me all about it, and this was before Tim came to live with us. So, I was resistant. I wasn’t ready for a herd, I wasn’t ready for all of that. She didn’t want to be lead mare, so she did defer to my decision, but Cayenne said he was so understanding, and when Tim told us about the pegasus he met in the market. Cayenne was giddy. She told Tim about Silverwing, about how he was interested in the herd. She let him bring Silver into the herd.”

Cadance nods. “Good instincts right there.” She giggles, “Wanna know how Shiny proposed?”

“Oh do tell.”

“Well, he was just barely captain and in charge of protecting me on a trip to the Camel Sands. So, one night, I’m suddenly shaken awake by guards with blades and arquebos telling me to move quickly, it’s very important. I’m taken through the night to a great cavern hidden from the moon, but by the time I get there, day’s starting to come. And Shiny’s there. He starts all gravely like ‘Princess Cadance, blah blah blah, you are very important, blah blah blah. Then he gets all serious and says that this is the most important moment of both our lives. Then, just as the sun raises, he asks me to marry him, amid an open cavern filled with scintillating rainbow gems. In that moment, I wanted to take his life, but I was so flattered he went through all that just for me.”

“So what did you do?”

“I was tired and mad enough to take his life, but I instead said yes and took his virginity.” She smiles fondly at the memory.

Citrus looks down, her ears splayed back. “I never got to take Tim’s, or anypony’s. How was it?” She looks up at Cadance.

Cadance smiles in response, “Awww, you should know how cute you are.” She cocks her head to the side, “It was cute. Kinda funny. And frustrating. You should have seen him tremble. My father had always told us just how powerful and fearful we mares are to stallions, but I had never believed him. When he mounted me, he called it the greatest honor of his life. He was so sweet; wanted to make sure it was okay, and it felt good. He came in me. I teased him if he got me pregnant we’d better get married for sure.”

“Aww, Duchess, that’s sweet.”

“And how was your first with Tim?”

“Really, really, fun. I didn’t know that his species takes, by pony standards, for fucking ever, to cum. So, I got fucked into a mewling mass before he ever popped.”

“Nice.”

“I never got to be his first. I don’t wanna seem like a jealous bitchy filly, but but, I kinda wish I was his first, y’know?”

That gets a rich laugh from the duchess. “Yeah. Shiny once told me the same. I was his first, he wasn’t mine.”

“So, who was yours?”

“Oh, a prin- er, duchess, never tells. A mare must have her mysteries.”

“You tease! Say, speaking of the past, you remember the 89’th Equestria games, Duchess?”

Cadance laughs, “How could I not? The aerobatics, the dash, and the fencing.”

“Spring Sprinter’s record at the two hundred dash?”

“Totally. The fastest mare in history, and what does she do when she gets in front of a microphone? Burp.” That gets a laugh from both mares. Cadance uses a wing to tap Citrus on the shoulder lightly.

“I know, right?”

“Yeah, Just like Rainbow Dash.”

“The national hero?”

“Just like Spring, only a pegasus instead of an earth pony.”

“Did you ever meet her?”

“No, I was too young, unimportant, and not a princess yet with Spring Sprinter. But when it comes to Rainbow Dash, I’ve met her loads of times.”

“What’s she like?”

“Well, what you see is what you get. Fast, brash, and prideful. A total egomaniac, in a good way.”

“I’ve only seen her at the Gala, sitting on the shoulder of that minotaur.”

Cadance smiles, “Oh, yeah. They’ve been a bit of an item for a while now. I still don’t know how she enjoys him so much. He’s far more reserved to her brashness, when she’s stressed, a few words from him will calm her right down.”

Citrus giggles, “Makes me wonder how he is in the bedroom.”

Cadance looks innocent. “Rainbow has said that his reservation in public is matched to wild abandon in private.”

“Oh, really?”

She nods. “She’s never been a morning pony, and on nights where he’s visited, getting her out of bed has been a monumental effort. She’s spent more time ground bound with him than at any other point. She truly loves him. Though minotaurs are more monogamous than ponies, she’s not into mares at all. She has said she’d be happy with a herd with four or five stallions, and just her.”

Citrus flicks her ears from side to side. “I doubt that would work. They’d kill each other in the rush for sex, and to know paternities.”

“No, it probably won’t. But she is a national hero, being an element of harmony, and a Wonderbolt. You know how many stallions are lining up for Spitfire, and she has no interest in stallions at all.”

“True.”

Citrus glances at the clock. “Wow, we’ve been talking for a while.”

Cadance smiles. “Yes, we have. And we can continue talking other times as well. Healing your herd, healing you, is what we will be focusing on.”

Citrus steps forward and throws her hooves around Cadance, who hugs her back tightly, “Thank you, Duchess. I just wish you hadn’t lost your title to get this healing.”

Cadance smile is genuine when she responds, “What’s done is done, we are focusing on moving forward now.”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

“I’m just trying my best.”

“Me too.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 26. Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 49 Minutes