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Once I finished up at the typewriter in my chambers, I stepped out into the halls to start my day with a bit of a late breakfast. I was called to the same balcony Novo, Celestia, and I had lunch on upon arrival. I still needed some help finding it. Turns out it was right outside a library in the east wing. And upon stepping through the glass doors, I found Novo and Celestia waiting for me even as a couple of servers were setting out a feast of food for us. Belgian waffles, omelets, and even fresh shrimp to peel. I immediately felt my mouth water as I stepped around the table towards my seat.

"Well, look who decided to show up after all. We were worried you weren't gonna make it, honey." Novo said from her seat while casting me a smile. It did not look like she and Celestia had been there long.

As the servers departed and I had the chance to feast my eyes upon what we were having, Celestia sipped from her glass of chilled apple juice before casting us a smile. "So... I understand you two had a chat last night? How'd it go?"

Novo and I cast each other a glance. I still can hardly believe I slept in the same bed as her. I was unsure if I should speak for her, so I waited for Novo to speak first. Which she did. "It went well... Very well. You really did find a good man to bring along, Celestia. One of the best I've seen in a long time."

"You flatter me, your majesty." I retorted before I was silenced when Novo brought her hand up before me and then shook her finger at me.

She spoke a bit loudly at me as she said, "Ah ah! What did I say last night, honey? Just call me Novo. No 'your majesty', or 'your excellency', or 'sweet sexy queen of hotness'... Actually, I think I'd like that last one. But really, just Novo is fine."

I buried my face in my hands at the display of her usual sassy snark. Even Celestia burst into sudden snickering, as did I. Why is Novo so darn entertaining? I managed to compose myself enough to speak a brief moment later. "My god, you're such a flirt... Really, you'd be OK with me addressing you as that?"

I got quite a surprise as Novo spread her wing and curled it around the outside of the round table. She brought her wingtip to my chin and wiggled her longest feather under it as if caressing my chin with a finger in a very flirtatious manner. That look she was giving me was not helping as I felt a shiver go down my spine. "Baby, you can compliment me anytime you want. I know you sincerely appreciate a mare's beauty... Um..."

I think it was only then that Novo realized that she may have been going too far. Especially now that Celestia was giving us a long unblinking stare. Novo then quickly folded her wing while looking quite embarrassed. "Anyway! Bon appetit, you two!"

Celestia let out a brief giggle before we all began to dine together. No words were spoken for maybe three minutes. Not that I was really in the mood to talk. Everything was so delicious that I just wanted to focus on stuffing my face with the gourmet treats before me. Eventually, Novo did manage to change the subject as her eyes fell upon Celestia. "So, Celestia... Didn't you say your boy here specializes in written works?"

The Princess of the Dawn paused in her dining while her cutlery floated in the air with her golden magic aura surrounding them. "I did. And even if they are journals, you can really lose yourself in them. If you didn't know that his journals are essentially autobiographies, you'd easily be convinced that it was all a fictional story spoken from the perspective of a character."

"Oooh, that good, huh?" Novo asked while resting her jaw on the back of her fist. "I think I'd like to read one of those entries, if you have any of them with you."

I decided to interject for a moment. "I wrote one aboard the Olympia on our way over here. You can read it, if you want."

Novo cast a glance at me as a smile formed across her beak. "You did?! Well, I'd be happy to see what our budding novelist can do. Mind if I send for a guard to retrieve it?"

"Actually, I'll go fetch it for you once we're done here. It's in your room, right?" Celestia replied while looking at me.

"Yeah, it's that stack of paper in there... I think I put it in an empty drawer though, so check the dresser." I replied before I went back to dining on the succulent food before me. I just could not stay distracted from it for long.

Novo eventually looked my way and spoke softly as if she was trying to avoid getting Celestia's attention. "How're you feeling after last night, honey? You sleep well? I didn't bring up any memories you'd rather forget about, did I?"

I lowered my fork for a moment after enjoying a big bite of my waffle loaded down with cream, syrup, and fresh berries. "Nah, I'm good. Really, as awful as I made it sound, all that stuff from back then is something I can look back on and laugh by now. It was a learning experience. Hell of a thing to go through, but I got something important out of the experience."

"I'm glad you think that way, hun. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?" She replied while looking genuinely happy for me. I think she was sincerely concerned for me, but I did not want her to worry. Not like I could be upset about back then when I got everything now that I was denied then. Life is good right now. I just hope it stays good.

After a while of me listening to Novo and Celestia talk about stuff that I did not understand, we finally finished our meals just as the servers returned to carry off the empty platters. With that, Celestia spread her wings and took off for the airship docks to retrieve my postflight journal. I headed back inside with Novo close behind me while my eyes scanned the library. Impressive stacks of books lining shelves everywhere I looked. Twilight would love to pay a visit.

"James? Got a minute?" I heard Novo ask from nearby. I turned to look and saw her reclining upon a very cozy red couch while just looking so graceful and regal while doing so.

"Yeah, I got nothing to do right now. What's up?" I asked while giving her my undivided attention.

"Oh, nothing much." Novo said before beckoning me closer with her hand. "Mama just wants to cuddle for a bit."

"Novo..." I muttered as I was not sure of how to accept this invitation. My gaze drifted while I looked around, almost as if I was searching for an opportunity to slip away.

The queen's calm smile only became a bit more smug as she began curling one finger towards herself in an inviting fashion. "Come here, honey. And take a seat."

Feeling it would be a bad idea to refuse, I did just that. Novo scooted back to give me enough room to sit at the very edge. I only had maybe five seconds to set my arm upon the armrest before Novo began to bring herself closer to me while constantly showing that relaxed calm smile of hers. I looked her way as she put her arms around me, pulling me closer before scooping her wing around me. "Hold me, James. I don't wanna be the only one doing the cuddling."

"Gladly." I said softly as I got my arms around her. I leaned back in my seat as Novo rested her head in the crook of my neck, my hands slowly sliding up and down her back and through her luxurious plumage. My slow caresses soon became something more as my fingers dug through the feathers, applying scritches to her back. A deep lovely coo rumbled in her throat in response as I felt the queen arch her back. "You like that, Novo?"

"Mmmmm... Ooooh, mama likes a lot..." Her gorgeous voice moaned a bit too sensually from just under my chin. I even got goose bumps from hearing her sound like that. But as the moments went by, I felt Novo bring a hand to my chest and gently slide her hand down my chest over and over. Her dull talons felt almost pleasant through the fabric as she caressed me while I caressed her. "You give such good cuddles, baby..."

I did not notice right away as Novo began to pull me down. By the time I realized that my position was changing, I was upon my back with Novo resting atop me. My eyes glanced left and right while she merely looked down at me. She softly asked, "Comfy?"

"Yeah... What now?" I asked in confusion as I found myself in a rather compromising position under this beautiful yet very unpredictable queen.

"We keep cuddling, of course. I don't wanna get up yet." Novo said as she brought a hand to my cheek. Followed by another. Her smile and gaze only softened as the moments went by. She just would not look away from me, even as I brought a hand to her neck to apply more scritches. Much to my surprise, she hardly reacted to my touch. Her eyes were focused on something else. Or her mind had drifted somewhere else. Regardless of what she was thinking, that was easily the happiest smile I had seen on her face thus far. She cooed to me sweetly, "You're such a good man, James... Such a good man indeed..."

"And you..." I started to say in response before my train of thought went off the rails. I wanted to say something nice in response, but I had nothing for the moment. Where was this behavior even coming from? What kind of queen would behave like this around a foreigner and commoner? My thoughts were distracted as I gazed up at that very happy face of hers. And the sheer beauty surrounding her form. My hand cupped her face as I took a moment to evaluate her appearance on just what I could see on her head. "God, why are you so beautiful...?"

"Comes with the job, honey. A queen has to look her best for her subjects. At least I hardly need to try." She whispered to me with such a tender tone to her voice. Novo then reached out and planted a kiss upon my forehead as the tip of her beak curled just enough to function like lips. "But my question is... Why are you so patient...? You listen so well... Speak only when you need to... That's rare in a man..."

"I...don't really have an answer to that..." I muttered quietly as my hand continued to caress the side of her face while our gazes never left each other. "I just am."

"And I love that about you." Novo cooed as she placed another kiss upon my head. I so very dearly wanted to kiss her back. Even though I knew that was a risky proposition. I think she may have saw the conflict in my eyes since she then spoke softly to me while her finger traced down my lips and along my neck to my chest. "Oh, don't look at me like that, honey. I may be queen, but there's one thing I'm more than that. One important little thing that takes precedence."

I had no idea what to make of that statement or what she was getting at. But my thoughts were then answered as she brought her beak to my ear and whispered the answer. "I am a mare."

My eyes opened wide as I contemplated those words. Was Novo trying to bring herself down to my level? Was I not seeing the queen, but instead seeing the mare under the crown in her entirety? I was unsure of what to think at all. Should I let myself see the queen or the mare? Regardless of what I should have done, I felt compelled to hold her. To grant her this moment of respite that she so clearly desired. And so I did. I closed my eyes and put my arms around her. And Novo sighed as she voiced her approval. "That's it, honey. Hold me... Hold me and never let go..."

"I won't...Novo... As long as you want." I whispered back while just feeling so comfortable under the gentle weight of her soft feathered form. I could feel her hand rubbing my head, her fingers running through my hair in such a doting manner.

"I have so many questions rolling around in my head right now... What should we do today? What's gonna happen tomorrow?" She whispered softly to me while I felt Novo rest her head just under my chin again as it turned on its side. "But the one question I'm thinking the most... How well do you kiss?"

My eyes popped open at such a brazen question. I bit my lower lip. What was she thinking? And just to add to the tension, she again brought a hand to my cheek while her head remained tucked under my jaw. "A big part of me wants to find out, sweetheart. Wanna give mama some sugar?"

"No...vo..." I muttered while now more confused than anything. I began to sweat in apprehension as I saw her rise above me before she was all but sitting upon my torso. She looked so happy, those gorgeous eyes full of peace and oozing with love. All that beauty, such a deep sultry voice, and such tenderness in her every caress... Novo was nigh irresistible. My initial analysis was not wrong. She is easily the single most attractive woman I have ever seen. Both in appearance and personality. "I... I don't think..."

"I just wanna make you happy, baby... Just like you made me happy." She cooed sweetly to me with her hand upon my cheek. "I haven't felt this alive in decades... Almost forgot what it's like to...be this happy."

Well, I must have been making progress if she was admitting to me how much happier she was feeling right then. Celestia wanted me to help Novo learn to live a little and it seemed to be working. Maybe a little too well...

Just when it felt like we were about to start making out, we were interrupted by the sound of an opening door. The door leading out to the balcony nearby. "Sorry for the delay, Novo! It took me a little more searching than I expected, but I found it."

In the course of a single second, Novo pushed herself off me and sat up straight at the end of the couch while looking straight ahead with a most panicked expression. More than likely having been snapped out of her trance in the process. Celestia must not have seen anything incriminating since she approached us calmly with a stack of paper floating beside her. Novo was as stiff as a plank, staring ahead with probably the most hilariously uneasy look in her eyes that anyone has ever seen from her. "Here you go. This should be all... Um... Novo? Are you all right?"

The queen stiffly turned her head to look at her friend and cracked a rather laughable smile. "Oh, so you did find it. Thank you, Celestia. I'll give this a read real soon."

"All right then...?" Celestia replied as Novo took the stack of paper between her hands while still remaining quite stiff. I saw Celestia look at me while I remained on my back. All I could do was lift my hands and shrug my shoulders to feign ignorance over what might have happened. Celestia then walked past us as she said, "I'll just...be on my way. Think I need to use the restroom. I'll come back for the journal in a while."

Once I heard the door at the far end of the library close, I sat up and looked at the queen before me. She remained frozen in place even though no one else was around now. "Why did you do that...?"

Novo looked at me out of the corner of her eye, her body rooted to the spot. "I... I don't know... I think...I saw some of him in you again and... I... I haven't felt like that in a long time. A very long time..."

"Novo... You know I'm not Cygnus, right?" I asked while pushing myself up to a sitting position. I was beginning to wonder if getting close to her was a mistake. I did not want to reopen old wounds.

"I know you're not, James. It's just... You have qualities that he had. And they are qualities I adore in a man..." She said with a sigh before holding up the stack of paper before her. "Anyway... You wrote this?"

"Yeah. During the flight to Capricorn Island. It's not that long when compared to other entries I've written." I replied while Novo looked like she was becoming more interested in the stack of prose in her hands.

"Really now?" She muttered as she lied down to get comfortable with the stack of papers before her. "Well, now I'm curious... I'm just gonna read what you got here for now, all right?"

I proceeded to stand up to give her more room on the couch. "Sure thing. I'm just gonna look around up here in the meantime."

I felt it would be wrong to leave Novo alone, so I went around browsing the shelves and appreciating the elegant architecture of the library. Not long passed before I heard Novo provide some commentary as she let out a loud snicker. "Really, honey? Sperm donor?"

"Hey, it wasn't my idea! And besides, good things might come out of it." I retorted in some embarrassment. That was definitely a weird start to my day.

Not much longer went by before Novo again had something to say. "Awww, sounds like someone didn't wanna see you leave at the train station."

I froze a bit as I quickly recalled what she was referring to. Smolder. I could not even really say anything as I thought back to that moment. I looked at Novo as she set aside the page she was reading with the rest of the prior pages stacked next to the rest. "I can't say I've had much experience when it comes to dragons, but I generally haven't heard good things about them. Sounds like this little lady is quite the exception. And it sounds like you two are good for each other."

All I could do was smile. I already miss that lovely young lady. However, my thoughts of Smolder were soon interrupted as Novo let out a laugh. "Bird horses?! Hahaha, you and your way with words, baby!"

I too snickered at my original response to the revelation of who lives on Capricorn Island. I was intentionally trying to be witty and I was glad I did not offend Novo in the process. As she read along, Novo began to speak to me again. "I have to say... Celestia was correct. If I didn't know this was a journal, I wouldn't know this was a work of nonfiction. This is good... Very good. And the first person perspective does wonders for the reader's immersion."

"Thank you, Novo. I swear everything I put in there really did happen." I said as I checked out an old globe nearby. The landmass of the planet was quite different from the layout on Earth.

"And I believe you, honey. You're very...very... Oh... Ooooooh, what's this?" Novo replied before becoming very distracted by something on the page she was reading. "My my my... Celestia, what have you not told me? You naughty little thing..."

"Huh? What about Celestia? What part are you..." I asked while turning towards her before it suddenly dawned on me. A sense of panic flooding my senses, I rushed towards her. "NO!!! GIMME THAT!!!"

It was all for naught. Novo suddenly spread her huge wing wide and held me at bay while I tried to get around it. "No can do, honey! Mama wants to see where this is going! A sound buffer spell... Ohohoho, yes... Mnf, show me what you got, Sunbutt..."

Dear god, how did I forget I wrote that down in there?! My face flushed red with fear and embarrassment, I kept trying to get around her wing. It was no use as she moved it back and forth to hold me back like a broom. But my fear was only compounded as I heard the door to the library open. And who else could have come in besides Celestia herself. She walked our way while smiling as she asked, "How's the journal, Novo? Is it... Um... Is something wrong?"

I was frozen with my arms outstretched towards Novo with her wing holding me back. And Novo... Novo was giving her old friend quite a devious smirk. The sexy hippogriff queen then asked, "Well well... Celestia. You never told me your boy here is also your man."

Celestia immediately began to sweat as her head jerked back at such a notion. "What?! Novo, where did you get that idea?! He and I are..."

Novo only continued to smirk as I too began to sweat profusely. The tension was thick in the air. And as she read, Novo began to read aloud a line from the page in her deep sultry voice with a...new type of inflection I had never heard out of her before. One oozing with passion and false lust. "But enough delays. Come to me, my love. I miss your touch. Sound familiar, Miss Sunbutt?"

Celestia's eyes shot wide open as I cringed hard at the familiar words. She then looked at me in horror as she all but shrieked at me, "James! You wrote that down?!"

"Yes! For the sake of posterity!" I yelled back as I relented in trying to get my journal back. It was too late to stop her. We were at Novo's mercy now.

"Oooooh, my sunshine... Do what you will with me... I am yours..." Novo moaned sensually as she continued to read along. Every line I wrote that chronicled a line of spoken dialect from Celestia herself that night was parroted by Novo, but with her own voice providing a very seductive twist on it. And as she read along, she even began to roll onto her back while sensually sliding her hand down over her chest while posing rather enticingly. "Mmmm... James... Mount me... Mount me... Make me your queen..."

Celestia's face was a twisted fusion of rage and horror as she repeatedly barked at Novo to cease her theatrics. As for me, I was squealing in embarrassment while also laughing hysterically. Half dying in embarrassment, half laughing myself silly. And in hindsight, this is really funny to read to myself. It was probably worse for Celestia than it was for me. And Novo only continued to put on a show while continuing to provide a dramatic reading of Celestia's most scandalous lines. "At least allow me to do this for you, my love... I have dreamed of us together many times, my love. No small part to Luna knowing how much I love you. A queen must know how to make her king happy... Yes, only the best for my king... Please... Give it to me, my love! Give your queen your gift! She hungers for you!"

"NOVOOOOO!!!" That was the last straw. Out of nowhere, Celestia's mane and tail ignited in fiery yellow magical flames as her eyes became glowing white beacons. Even Novo had the sense to shut up by that point as Celestia glared at her with her fiery form in danger of setting fire to the library. And then... Was that the Royal Canterlot Voice? "YOU WILL NOT SAY ANOTHER WORD!!! UNDERSTOOD?!"

Even with her superior flaunting her rage and magical might, Novo still just had to be silly with her response. "Well OK then... When someone's hair turns into fire, that means it's time to give up."

Satisfied with Novo's response, Celestia's rage faded until her form returned to what it always is. She still gave her friend a frustrated glare, but that only caused Novo to burst into laughter as she got up from the couch. "Pahahaha, you're too much fun to mess with, Celestia. Anyway, it looks like your man here knows how to give you a good time."

I covered my face again as I tried to hide my humiliation. God, I why did I not separate that part from the rest? Celestia remained silent in embarrassment as Novo got up and walked by her. "Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for now. Mama's got an...itch to scratch. Later!"

"Did I just write a porno...?" I muttered to myself as the tension faded. But not entirely. There was one more pair of eyes looking at me and they were not happy.

We did not budge an inch until Novo had departed from the library. Celestia then gave me quite a piercing glare as she asked, "Really, James? You wrote that down?"

"I... I just wanted to have a means to look back on it. I chronicle these things because I see them as events that hold importance to me." I said while still soaked in nervous sweat. Even though Novo was gone, Celestia still looked more than just a little displeased with me.

The Princess of the Dawn let out a very audible equine snort as she approached the couch and picked up the stack of pages that had just been read through, her magic aura surrounding her horn and the papers. "Well, yes, that was a good night for us. But that doesn't mean I would want anyone to...to... Oh... Oh my..."

"Is it that bad?" I squeaked while starting to back away.

"No, far from it. This... This is lovely..." Celestia muttered as she continued to read from page to page, a deep blush forming in her cheeks. She brought a hoof to her lips to hide a smile. "Oh, James... I can see the tenderness in your prose... You... You love me... You really do love me..."

I began to blush profusely. I can never hide my true feelings for anything whenever I convey them through text. Everything I wrote that night was exactly what I felt and thought. And Celestia knew it. She then neatly set the pages back down where she got them before looking at me with a knowing smirk and beckoning me closer. "Get over here so I can kiss you."

I made no objection. I walked briskly forward and into the embrace of her wings. The Princess of the Dawn brought her lips to mine, squealing and moaning in delight as she kissed me very loudly for a moment. I could not resist her affections as my concerns faded, putting my arms around her neck as our tongues danced for a moment before she pulled away and looked at me with such glee in her eyes. "Mm! I love you!"

"I...love you too..." I muttered while unsure if I was still in trouble or if I was now in a different kind of predicament. "Are you...still mad at me?"

"Oh, no no no! Not at all! I mean I will probably have to get Novo back for that... But you?" Celestia replied before kissing me upon the lips again. "Not at all. Tonight, you will meet me in my chambers. And we will...reenact what happened that night."

"Oh my... Uh... I'd be...honored?" I retorted as I saw Celestia gaze right into my eyes with a look of lust. I was very glad she was not going to whisk me to her chambers right at that moment.

"No, the honor is all mine, my love. But now that I have a bit of an...itch of my own to scratch, I'll retire to my chambers for now..." Celestia said with a smirk as she turned to leave, but not before lifting her tail to drag it against my chin and granting me an unobstructed view of her winking vulva between her flanks. "See you later, my love."

I stood rooted to the spot until I was all alone in the library. Celestia and Novo were gone and I was left with nothing but the hundreds of books around me. That, and my own documentation of that special day. "Am I...really that good at writing those kinds of things?"

Wanting to get my mind off of what just transpired, I went back to the globe I had been examining a short while earlier. As I looked it over with the sphere rotating with every push of my hand, it only then became clear to me of just how vast Equestria is and how little of it I have seen of it. Although after a moment of examining the continent that Ponyville is on, I came to an unexpected discovery.

Perhaps close to a hundred miles or so east of Canterlot, there was a vast expanse of green and maybe a few rocky areas. Easily several hundred miles in diameter. And no matter how closely I looked, I could not find any traces of towns or cities out there. No named landmarks. Nothing. Nothing but open wilderness. The only thing I could find in terms of text for identification were three words that spanned most of the vast expanse of green. The Empty Plains.

This puzzled me. It was not particularly far from Canterlot, and yet not much of anything was out there. Almost like it was some sort of massive designated wilderness preserve. But what sort of preserve needs to be that big? At least the lack of civilization out there must mean that the environment is unmatched in natural majesty. Maybe intrepid explorers sometimes venture into it to vacation away from society for a while.

Before I could think about this much longer, I heard the door to the library open. And upon turning my head to look, I found Novo approaching me. I immediately remembered what just happened and stood my ground. "Everything all right, your majesty?"

"Honey, I said to just call me Novo." She retorted with a look of minor annoyance. I just remained silent, seeing that I had displeased her. But that frown did not stay on her beak for long. "Anyway, I'm good. Gotta say, you're good at all that writing. Hoo, steamy... Was Celestia good to you that night?"

"If you want me to be completely honest... Yes. She was. She's...a marvel." I replied while trying to be completely serious about it.

"Good to hear, baby. A good man deserves a good lover." She replied before once more getting comfortable upon the couch to continue reading where she left off. I just sat down nearby, thinking it would be rude to leave her alone. Novo did not have much to say for a while, but soon brought her fingers to her beak as she cooed softly. "Oh, Celestia... Really...? Oh, you would be a good mama, wouldn't you?"

I tensed up upon hearing that quiet line. I remembered what Celestia confessed to me there. Novo went silent once more, but then cooed in adoration while also letting out a chuckle. "Awwwww, she did that for you? Special pancake breakfast? Now I gotta ask her how to do that myself."

I just watched and waited until Novo stacked all the papers back together and set them aside. She then looked at me with a satisfied smile as she said, "Well, that was a good read. You really are good at what you do, honey. How long have you been doing this?"

"Pretty much since the day I showed up in this world. That was two years ago." I replied while feeling glad I was able to entertain the queen before me. How many entries have I written by this point? I cannot recall.

"Sounds like you've gotten plenty of experience under your belt by now if you're this good after just two years." Novo said before she cast me a rather inquisitive gaze. "And you never told me you're a daddy."

I was at a loss for words at that revelation. I was not even sure if I did something that did not sit well with Novo. But she soon beckoned me over to her while making room on the couch. "Come here a minute, baby. I just wanna talk and cuddle for a bit. And don't worry. I won't get too clingy this time."

She seemed sincere enough. I did as I was told and sat beside her. Novo then put her wing around me before leaning up against me as we reclined against the corner. She rested her head upon my shoulder while her hand gently stroked my chest. I returned the favor by idly caressing her side. Novo then whispered to me, "Gladesong, right? She doing fine?"

"Yeah, Fluttershy and I are adapting pretty well. It helps that we have a lot of little friends providing ample assistance to ease the transition. I love that little filly. She's been almost nothing but a bundle of sunshine." I replied quietly while thinking back to that tiny filly. I was not expecting to find myself missing her so much.

It was then that Novo asked me a question I could not have foreseen. "And how do you think she'll handle her daddy having more than one mare in his life when she's old enough to understand it?"

This sent a sudden chill down my spine and opened a pit in my gut. I never once even considered that. How the rest of the world and all our friends would react was always a concern, but never once did I consider the viewpoint of my own children. How would they react? Would they understand? "I... I don't...know..."

"I know you don't, honey. I mean how could you? Do you think they'll resent you if they see it?" Novo replied softly, her hand continuing to caress my chest in a comforting manner.

"I have no way of knowing... Though to be fair... I think Gladesong is starting to see Rarity like a mother too." I said quietly, my gaze aimless. "She has been spending a lot of time with her and is our first choice when we're in need of a foalsitter. She loves Gladesong like her own."

"Rarity again, hm?" Novo asked inquisitively, recognizing that name once more. "She loves you too, right? Are you planning on having kids with her too?"

"We... I..." I mumbled as my thoughts went back to that beautiful mare. My best friend, but now something much more. Something I could not deny to my heart. "Yes... I... I really want to have children with her someday... And she dearly wants it too."

"Well, I've got a hunch you'll be a good daddy to her little ones if she's that crazy about you." Novo muttered in a teasing manner. "And what about Celestia?"

"Hm? What about her? I mean I do love her... You know that now." I said while not immediately realizing what she was hinting at.

"James. I saw what she said to you a few nights ago. And I don't think you were making that up." Novo said with a more sincere tone as she looked at me. "Celestia wants to have your foal. Specifically, she wants you to give her a prince."

I felt myself begin to sweat at that revelation. Having a family with Fluttershy and potentially Rarity is one thing, but to father a child with one of Equestria's reigning sovereigns? I could only imagine the fallout if that ever went public. "I know... It's just... I don't know how we'll ever make that work... Rarity is one thing, but... Celestia?"

"Honey, I can tell how much she loves you. She called you her king. You have no idea how much weight that carries. To declare a man her king is just one step below a wedding proposal. She wasn't pulling your leg. She wants to be yours." Novo explained to while continuing to caress my chest in a soothing manner. "Just... Take your time. No one rushes into having kids like that. If Celestia really did say all that to you, then I'm more than happy to have faith in her judgment. Take your time, honey. You two will work something out in the long run."

"Yeah... I hope so." I muttered while resting my head against hers. "I do love her... And... The thought of being her king... It's a happy thought."

"You better believe it's a happy thought, baby. Being the king of that sexy little sunbutt? Oh, she'll be so good to you..." Novo mumbled as she got a bit of a chuckle out of me. She then sighed while nuzzling her head against me. "I may not get this kind of relationship you're in just yet, but the more I talk to you... I really do feel like you know what you're doing. You'll be fine. Be good to your mares and they'll be good to you. And be good to your kids. I think they'll come around in the end. Their daddy ain't a man who sees women as trophies."

"I will... Thank you, Novo." I said softly while I put my arm around her. As a queen and a mother, she knew what she was talking about. If Novo had faith in me, then I had little reason to doubt myself. She seemed like a good judge of character. And I really appreciated her input.

We continued to sit there for a while, enjoying the company of the other. Hands caressing each other to provide comfort. Although Novo did eventually break the silence. "James? You have an open schedule today, right? How about you suit up and head out to the courtyard? I wanna try something new."

"There again? Sure, I can do that." I replied before I started to stand up. I was not in the mood for a nap and wanted to keep myself from getting too relaxed. "I'll see you there, right?"

"You sure will. I'll catch up." She said while waving goodbye. I then headed down the hall to my private chambers and quickly donned my armor before equipping the Lunar Shield on my left arm. I was about to place my helmet on my head, but decided against it and just carried it with me in my left hand before I made my way down the hall and out to the courtyard.

There was no sign of any of the guards out there at the time. However, I was soon joined by Celestia. She looked my way as she stepped outside and asked, "Did Novo request you to come here too?"

"Yeah, for...something. She didn't say what." I replied while looking around. We really were all alone. I then looked back at Celestia and asked, "So, uh... We really on for tonight? Or were you just..."

Celestia gave me a bit of a smirk. "Oh, I meant it, my sunshine. This evening. My chambers. You will be there, yes?"

"Heh... Sounds good to me. Huh? Oh, there she is." I retorted before noticing Novo coming down the hall just inside the doorway. "Hey there, Novo. What're we doing out here aga...Wait..."

I was quick to notice something tucked under her wing. A pair of sword hilts. She then reached for one and pulled it out before handing it to me. "You'll see, honey. Anyway, you'll be needing this."

I took the sword in hand. It was composed of synthetic materials and was far from sharp. Just a tool for practice. But then I saw Novo once more rise onto her hind legs while her great wings reached back to keep her steady. In her hand was a long rapier composed of the same material. I immediately found myself cowering in the face of the superior duelist before me much like the last time. "No, I'm not gonna face you in a duel, Novo! I said no last time!"

Novo just let out a laugh before she said, "Easy there, James! I'm not here to duel you. I just want to test you. And to get a little practice in myself. We'll be taking turns. Testing each other's defenses. You understand?"

"You mean...you won't be poking me to death with that thing? Uh... Sure, I guess we can do that." I said upon realizing my situation was not as dire as I assumed. And my defenses were much stronger due to a large shield and a full suit of plate armor. I then placed my helmet upon my head to complete my suit. "OK then, ladies first."

"Ooh, love the helmet plume. You and Luna know how to get fancy with your armor, huh?" Novo whistled as the helmet plume on the back of my helmet began to spill forth, displaying the combined qualities of Celestia and Luna's manes. I guess that was the first time she ever got to see it.

"Well, we thought it wouldn't hurt in making the full suit look regal. It won't get in the way, it's just a vapor of sorts." Celestia explained while stepping back to give the two of us some more room.

"No mass? Guess that means you won't have to worry about it getting all tangled back there." Novo muttered as she began to walk around me with no trouble. Her hind legs were clearly not designed for running on their own since ponies have to run by using their forelimbs to pull themselves forward with their hind limbs pushing them ahead, each set needing to be used simultaneously as opposed to the alternating gait of a bipedal creature. Despite this, I was momentarily enthralled with how Novo carried herself. The way she walked was...womanly. Instead of her hips bobbing up and down as they do on a mare, her much taller and narrower bipedal form caused her full curvy hips to sway from side to side. And my appraising gaze did not go unnoticed for long. Novo eventually noticed my unwavering attention and said, "Mm, loving this full suit, Celestia. It... Hm? Well, what's caught your attention, honey? You like the way mama walks or something?"

"Huh?! Oh I didn't mean anything by... I mean I wasn't thinking you... I..." I stumbled over my words several times as Novo stood before me while placing her empty left hand on her hip. She was constantly smirking, almost as if she was appreciating the attention instead of taking offense to a man seeing her in a more...sensual light. In the end, I felt I was only digging my grave further with every word I said and decided to just shut up and stay quiet.

"Aww, no need to be so modest, James. I know you're not the kind of man to take advantage of a mare. You just think mama's hot when she walks like this, right?" Novo correctly guessed while continuing to smile. Then, just to mess with me further, she turned partially to her right and gave her left flank a swat with her hand. "Careful, baby. There might be some femme fatale kinds out there that would use their sexy bodies against you. Like this!"

Now having more room to build up momentum, Novo turned sharply to her left and thrust her rapier out at me. I only barely managed to get my shield up in time to avoid letting the blade's tip strike my armor, but my stance was unsteady and I very nearly ended up falling right down. I was mildly startled as I wheezed through my teeth. She actually got me good there. And she knew it as Novo let out a laugh. "Ooh, close one! OK, it's your turn, handsome. Don't worry about hurting mama. I'm not too shabby on defense, so I'll be fine."

"If you say so..." I muttered while Novo stood ready with her blade held mostly laterally to parry incoming strikes. I approached with shield raised just in case Novo was trying to lure me in for a cheap shot, but she did no such thing. She stood ready, allowing me to get in some swings. I was definitely afraid of causing harm to her, so I did not try very hard at first. I lashed out with some halfhearted swings, testing her defenses with something that only an amateur would fail to parry.

"Baby, are you afraid you're gonna hurt little old me?" Novo asked as she deftly used her blade to parry my swings. She then gave me a bit of a scowl in annoyance. "James. I really do appreciate that you care that much about me, but stop thinking I'm that frail. I'm the best duelist in the world and that is no boast. Come on. Come at me with some actual effort."

I flinched a bit at her harsher tone. I knew I had offended her by then and I needed to win back her favor. "OK... OK. How about this?"

I lashed out with some more sudden thrusts of my sword along with a few feints where I would suddenly raise my shield and quickly lash out with a slash of my blade. Much to my surprise, I never came close to landing a hit on Novo. If Novo did not parry my strikes, she weaved around them without much trouble. She was good. Very good. And she was appreciating my effort. "That's more like it! Keep it coming, baby!"

After a moment more, I was actually starting to have some fun. Nothing I threw at her even remotely broke her stance. After maybe a full minute or so of throwing every manner of sword strikes at the masterful queen, Novo finally disengaged with a sudden step back. "All right, now it's your turn. Shields up, boy!"

"Gotcha!" I yelped as I suddenly found myself on the receiving end of a strong thrust. It struck my shield hard with quite a loud clank behind it. This time, I was ready and maintained my stance. Novo started to dance around me, prodding my defenses quite literally as if trying to find a chink in my defenses. I even let out a yelp as she gave my exposed feet a few pokes at times. Thankfully, my sabatons provided ample protection and insured I would not be left remotely sore. Still, it was almost intimidating with how this giant of a bird woman was bearing down on me with few breaks between her sword thrusts. I even had to raise my shield higher than usual at times to protect my head due to how much taller she was. Probably the most impressive strike she made was when she created some distance between us only to suddenly lash out with shocking reach but putting her entire body into the stab. She would have fallen back down onto all fours, but instead propelled herself backwards with a flap of her wings before regaining a stable bipedal stance. "Yeesh, you're good!"

This went on for a short while, the two of us taking turns on defense to see how well the other could do in trying to land a hit. It goes without saying that Novo did much better than I did. In terms of raw swordplay, she had me beat. I almost never made her stagger, but she had me all but cowering at times. I would never be able to best her in a duel. And she had quite a way of ending this exercise. At one point, Novo took hold of the Lunar Shield and gave it a yank to knock me off balance. I was then left helpless as she brought the tip of her sword to my throat and lifted it to bring the tip just under my chin. I felt compelled to stay quiet now that I was at her mercy.

Novo's gaze was cold and controlling. It was as if she was debating whether or not to send her blade through my throat. Thankfully, this was just another act of playfulness on her part. That cold glare turned into a familiar smug smirk right as Novo turned to pull her sword away while bringing her left hand to my jaw and holding it in her grasp. I looked up at her in confusion before she suddenly placed a little kiss right on my nose. "You did good, honey. That was some of the most fun I've had in a long time."

"Really? Well... Uh... I'm glad I didn't disappoint." I said meekly as Novo released her grasp on me. She then sank down onto her haunches and tucked her sword under her wing before I gave my sword back to her. "I believe everything Celestia said about you. I'll never be able to hold a candle to your swordsmanship."

"Don't sell yourself short, baby. You've got a good grasp on what you're doing. And you'll only get better from here on out." Novo replied sweetly before pulling my helmet off and cupping my cheek with one hand. She smiled warmly at me as she added, "Besides, I can tell... You don't see swordsmanship as a means to crush your enemies. You see it as an art."

She then pulled me closer until she was looking right into my eyes while our foreheads were pressed together. "Just what I'd expect from an artist."

"You... You are such a flirt, Novo..." I muttered quietly as I found myself unable to ignore how flirtatious many of her actions towards me that morning had been.

She was quick to offer a retort while a smirk formed on her beak. "This coming from a man who has at least three lovely ladies longing for him?"

"Hey, I didn't pursue them! That just happened over time!" I barked while Novo only laughed. As did Celestia when she began to draw near. Knowing that she was one of the three mares Novo was referring to, I tried to change the subject. "So, how'd I do?"

"Not bad at all. You're very effective on defense. Though do be mindful that your shield can be grappled as Novo demonstrated." Celestia replied while Novo smirked knowingly at us. "Although that would require a free hand on the enemy or the use of levitation magic. And the latter is difficult to pull off in the heat of battle, especially when the spell is being used to control one's own equipment."

"Yeah, I would assume so. Grappling is kind of a tactic that you tend to not expect with swordplay. Even if it is effective." I retorted while knowing that might be one of my weaknesses. I would have to find a way to compensate if anyone were to take advantage of it.

"Shall I put these away for you?" Celestia asked while using her magic to levitate the two training swords and even the Lunar Shield away from us.

"You go right ahead, Celestia. You know where the armory is." Novo replied before Celestia headed back inside the palace. I then turned to look at Novo while she looked back at me with that unwavering smug smile. She then took a step towards me as she muttered, "And now we're alone... What now, hun?"

"Um... Any suggestions?" I asked as I took a step back while Novo took two forward. After such an impressive display of combat prowess, I was starting to feel like I may be in potential danger in spite of my enchanted armor.

"Oh, don't be afraid, baby. Mama's not gonna hurt you." She said in amusement before reaching out and scooping me into her wing until our faces were all but touching. "I would like to cuddle, but that armor's in the way."

"I swear, you make me uneasy more often than any other mare I know." I spoke while trapped in her wing's embrace. Beautiful as she was, Novo was quite commanding in her conduct. Even if she was not aware of it.

"Well, why's that? Is it because I'm tall? Because I know my way with a sword? Because of my deep sexy voice? Because I...know what I want?" Novo said with a sultry churr to her words that sent chills down my spine. That look she was giving me was not helping. If that was not an act of her flirting, I have no idea what that was.

"I'm...not used to...domineering women..." I squeaked as I began to sweat. I knew I was not in danger, but the way she was coming onto me... I was starting to think that she wanted me in a way that would not be proper.

"Oooh, don't be that way, baby." Novo cooed as she sat down and cupped my cheek in her hand once more. "I'm not trying to intimidate you or scare you. I'm just saying I like you. You like me, don't you?"

"Yes, very... You're an amazing ruler, a very entertaining and affable person, and a very beautiful woman. What's not to like?" I retorted in as expedient a manner as I could while keeping my words concise.

"And I can see you mean every word of that, James." She cooed while pulling me into an embrace while her wing remained draped over me. "I feel like I know you better than I should... You're not Cygnus...but you're just similar enough that you feel...familiar. And in a good way."

I hesitated briefly before I found a response to offer. "But...you still see me as me and not him, right? I'm not here to replace him..."

"I know you're not, baby... And I don't want you to. Nothing can ever replace him. And yet..." She whispered to me before she nestled her head against mine. "The more I'm with you...the happier I feel... I'm glad you're here, James"

"And I'm glad to be here, Novo. This has been a lovely visit so far." I whispered back while sliding my hand down her back to provide comfort. Novo soon pulled her head back and looked me in the eyes with a stare of quiet longing. "Yes..?"

"I..." Novo muttered before falling silent as her eyes wandered for a moment. As if searching for the words she wanted to say displayed on flash cards somewhere behind me. She soon looked back at me as she whispered, "I want to kiss you..."

That set my nerves alight. What did those words mean? Still, if all she wanted to do was that, I felt it would not be nice to deny her. "I...won't stop you."

She stared at me in contemplation for a moment longer. Probably wondering if she should do such a thing. I placed my hand on the back of her neck to soothe her. It was then that I saw the tip of Novo's beak curve slightly to almost look like pursed lips. And she used it like them too. She placed a kiss upon my forehead and then upon my cheeks. And finally one right between my eyes as she held my head in her hands. I just stood there patiently as those hard false lips placed kisses upon my face. "You make me so happy, honey... I feel like I should know these feelings, but...it's been so long..."

"Novo, we shouldn't... If this is going where I think it is, we... I can't stay, you know... I can't be..." I started to say in caution as the beautiful queen before me gazed into my eyes. But I could not say more as we both heard the sounds of hooves approaching. We both pulled away from each other and rather reluctantly at that. Celestia had just stepped out into the courtyard. "Oh hey, back so soon?"

"Everything all right? You two were hugging just now... Was I interrupting something?" Celestia asked in return. She did not seem to have been watching for long. Probably only for the few seconds before she exited the palace.

I was unsure of what to say to that. Novo and I looked at each other with looks of unease before we looked back at Celestia. I just shrugged my shoulders, conveying my uncertainty of what to say. Novo responded with a question of her own. "How long will you two be staying again?"

"We agreed on a ten day stay, Novo. Those were our terms, were they not?" Celestia spoke while looking a bit bemused in her own right. "Why do you ask? Or did you forget?"

"Oh... No reason. Just...making sure I got that right." Novo said rather demurely as if her mind was somewhere else. She then regained her composure and just waved at her friend. "I'm just a little featherbrained right now. How about you just enjoy the day? Maybe pick up some goodies for your sisters back home?"

"You know what? I really should do that. I'll head into town now and see what they have. Maybe even go down a few floors to browse some more. And I'll go ahead and put...this with James' belongings in his chambers." Celestia then turned to leave as she used some levitation magic to pick up the pages of my journal, but then cast me a smirk. "Remember. This evening, my sunshine."

"Oooooooh, things gonna get steamy again? Lucky man!" Novo said jeeringly as she pointed at me, my lips going crooked as I was left silent in the face of Celestia's flirt. The Princess of the Dawn just rolled her eyes as she departed, once more leaving me alone with Novo.

Once we were alone again, Novo and I shared a gaze. Any humor in her expression faded as Novo once more looked at me with a gaze of longing. I thought back to the question she asked her friend and found it odd that she would forget about it. "Why did you need to be reminded of how long our stay will be?"

"Because..." Novo muttered as her gaze wandered for a few second. "Because...I don't want to see you go. Not yet."

"Novo..." I mumbled quietly before stepping closer to her. She lifted a hand and placed it in mine as I offered my hand to hold. "I'll come back at some point. I like this place. I like its people. And I...like you."

"Come here, baby." She whispered before I found myself in her embrace, one of those glorious wings wrapped around me. "If you need anything... Anything at all... You just come find me. And I'll make sure you get it."

"Thank you... I'll try to not be overbearing." I whispered back in gratitude. Her embrace was tight, her hand sliding down over my back. "What...do you want to do?"

"You want my honest thoughts?" Novo asked while I just nodded. She whispered to me without ever moving her head from my shoulder. "I want...to take you back to my room... To lie in bed with you... To hold you... To feel you... To...kiss you all you want..."

I remained stoically silent as she whispered her desires to me. My heart was restrained. I had to avoid letting myself feel too strongly for her. For now, at least. But she then whispered something I did not expect. "But more than anything... I just... I want...to be loved again. To know what it's like...to be loved by a man... To hold him in bed every night... Sing my heart out to him... Hear him say that he loves me...so I can say I love him right back... To call him my sweet husband... My sweet honey king..."

What happened next was not unexpected, though it was not pleasant. A quiet sob hissed from her beak. I put my arms around Novo and closed my eyes. I said nothing, but held her diligently. She never wept, but her breaths were haggard and unsteady. And I could feel her tears dripping into my neck and onto my sleeve. "I'm so...so sick of sleeping alone every night... I want to be happy again... To have someone there for me... Someone who won't leave me..."

I still could not find words to speak. Something was compelling me to not interrupt Novo during this moment of weakness. She always seemed so strong and in control of the situation. To see and here her lower her guard like this... It was rather disquieting. She then whispered to me, "Hold me, baby... Hold me like you'll never let go..."

"Gladly." I muttered as my embrace tightened. I subtly nuzzled my head against the side of hers as I tried to soothe her in simple and gentle ways. It is never pleasant to hear someone cry. Especially with those you expect to be strong. "You do deserve to be loved, Novo... I... I wish I could help you..."

"Maybe you can, honey..." She whispered before letting out a quiet sniffle. She pulled her head back and gazed into my eyes, her face's plumage stained with fresh tears. "Maybe you can... Just...not yet. I'm still...trying to understand where things are going. But...I feel like you might be the best thing to happen to me in a while."

"Then...what now?" I asked quietly while unsure of where to take things now that Novo was clearly not in a happy mood.

"Escort me to my chambers? I think...mama could use a nap." She asked softly. I made no objections and followed her out of the library. But once in the halls, Novo slowed until I was walking beside her. She soon began to lean against me as we walked, prompting me to put an arm around her with my hand on her far shoulder. I felt like a knight escorting his queen and was compelled to maintain a certain degree of vigilance and increased awareness of my surroundings. "James... Tell me. What does your heart tell you about me?"

An unexpected question. But not one I did not wish to answer. I searched my feelings, trying to find the correct words. "My heart is saying.....you are a wonderful woman. Strong... Attractive... Entertaining... And ridiculously beautiful. But also...fragile. Someone who needs to be cared for. Someone who needs to be loved and appreciated. Someone I want to see happy."

She turned her head to look at me out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze was forlorn, not a smile to be seen upon her beak. "Does your heart...long for me?"

"If you want me to be honest... I think it's starting to... I just...don't know if I should. I can't stay here forever... I have a home back in Ponyville and... A foreigner and commoner with a queen? I feel...like I shouldn't get too close." I explained with some hesitation. So much uncertainty swirled in my heart and mind. I had no idea what to truly think of Novo. I wanted to be around her. I wanted to help her. But beyond that... A wall of caution stood between us. Something I could feel, but not see.

By this point, we were outside Novo's chambers. And as I said that, Novo, took my hand and pulled me into her chambers before having me sit on the bed beside her. Her gaze was a bit more stern, but her tone was still soft. "Honey... Forget about my crown. Forget about being a commoner. If you want to treasure me, then hold me close. If you want to help me, then do all you can to help me. If you want to love me, then love me. Please don't let my title...push you away."

As if to push her words harder, she held my face in her hands and placed a proper kiss upon my lips. The curled tips of her beak felt odd, being too hard to really enjoy. But I could see what she was doing and why while I just gazed into her eyes as she gazed back. "I know we've only known each other for a few days. And.....I already don't want to say goodbye."

"Here... Let me get this off first." I said before standing up and going to a corner. I focused the magic in my gauntlets to melt my armor into a puddle and set my helmet aside. I then stepped back over to the bed and put my arms around Novo, holding her close as I felt her plumage much better without my armor in the way. "I...don't want to say goodbye either."

"Come, baby. Stay by me until I sleep?" She whispered before pulling me over to the far side of her bed. I lied right behind her with my hand resting upon her folded wing. However, she then reached for my hand and pulled it forward before resting it upon her soft chest. "Don't be shy... You passed last night. Hold me however you want, honey."

"Really...?" I muttered in mild shock as I allowed my hand to slide down to her slender belly and back up to her chest. I know what she told me, but I was still concerned about going to far. "You don't mind...anywhere?"

"Well, within reason. You know what I mean. Don't touch me like you would when trying to get it across to your wife that you want to bed her, all right?" Novo said with a snarky chuckle. I cracked a crooked smile, knowing exactly what she meant.

I allowed my hands to roam while knowing exactly what parts of that beautiful queen were off-limits. And her quiet sighs confirmed that she was enjoying the attention. Eventually, my hand slid over the contours of her flank. Novo seemed to particularly enjoy this as she let out a bit of a hum that might have been a very weak moan. I could still remember how they felt when I gave her that massage on my first day there. "I have to say... You have some very defined hips. Very full..."

"Well, you don't get hips like these without having at least one foal." Novo said with a bit of a sultry giggle. She then looked over her shoulder at me and whispered, "I bet your wife can vouch for that."

"Yeah... She can." I mumbled as I thought back to dear Fluttershy. Indeed, her figure seems to have only improved after giving birth to Gladesong. And I think she knows it.

"To be honest, I'm quite proud of my figure. It takes a special kinda finesse to be both regal and drop dead gorgeous, am I right?" Novo cooed to me as she set her head down and closed her eyes. "Hold me, please... Until I'm starting to snore... I want to...fall asleep in the arms of a man...who knows how to love..."

"Novo, I..." I muttered before losing my will to speak. It was a simple request and I did not want to deny her that. And so I held her to my chest and did not let go. I rested my head upon the feathers extending from her head, finding them to be quite soft. Before long, I did hear Novo's quiet snoring. She did not respond as I released my grip upon her. But before I could stand up, I felt compelled to give her something. And so I placed a soft kiss upon the side of her neck. "Sweet dreams, Novo..."

She looked so happy as I stood above her. So at peace in the realm of dreams. I very quietly snuck over to the puddle of liquid metal and stepped into it, allowing my armor to regain its form. I then placed my helmet upon my head and quietly stepped out onto the balcony outside. Now with some time to myself, I spread my armor's wings and took to the air. I wanted to go find Silverstream and Terramar. Perhaps we could explore more of the island together.

As I flew over the Omega sector, my eyes scanned the streets below me. I knew what to look for. Light pink and icy blue or a creamy white with a little green. I think I was getting a lot of attention due to my helmet's ethereal helmet plume since I noticed a lot of the locals were looking up as I passed overhead. This carried on for a moment before I finally decided to set myself down on a rooftop. Maybe they were still home. Or so I thought before someone suddenly jumped on me from behind. "Found you! Gimme scritches?"

"Wha... Oh! Hey, I was looking for you! And sure, lemme reach you." I replied as I found Silverstream clinging to my back. Once she was on the ground, I started applying scritches to her adorable face. The filly's eyes rolled around in her head as her plumage became extra fluffy.

Terramar was not far behind. He swooped in and landed beside me while Silverstream was oblivious to his presence. "Morning, James! What's up today?"

"Oh, I was just looking for you two. I was hoping I could see more of the island today. Any ideas on where we could go?" I replied while taking my hand off of Silverstream's head only for her to grab it and bring it right back to her scalp. I almost laughed while I continued to give her scritches at her insistence.

Terramar gave his sister a rather dry smirk as she continued to indulge in my touch. It was rather funny on how predictable she has been when it comes to my touch. However, he then looked up at me and asked, "Have you been down by the shore yet?"

"The beach? No, not yet. I think I've only gone halfway down. Like we did yesterday?" I retorted while managing to pull my hand away from her. "What about you, Silver? You think we should head on down to the shoreline?"

The mention of the beach put a twinkle in her eye. "Oh yeah, we should! They always have nice stuff down there during summer! Let's go while its still warm!"

I saw no reason to object and spread my armor's wings. "Well, I can't think of anything better to do. What about you, Terramar?"

"Sounds good! And maybe when we're done hanging out, we can head up to the Alpha or Beta sectors for some lunch. Let's go!" He said before the three of us took to the sky and went into a descending spiral around the mountain. It was quite a lot of fun as we went into a glide, picking up speed as we circled the island for a quick sightseeing tour on our way down.

I am sincerely impressed with how long it took to get to the shoreline at the base of the mountain. Easily fifteen minutes. But maybe that was because of how distracted we were watching the mountain and everything on it we passed. We soon set down on the beach as the sound of crashing waves reached my ears. Somewhere in the far distance were a few hippogriff families playing in the surf. Before I could comment, Silverstream then spoke up as she pointed in the other direction. "Wanna get some watermelon slices while we're here? They always taste better on the beach."

"Watermelons? By the beach?" I asked while looking around and noticing a small villa at the edge of the beach nearby with a watermelon stall selling exactly that. A short line of customers were lined up for some.

I do not know why Terramar suddenly gave me an odd look, but I think he knew what was coming. Trying to poke fun at the situation, I then said, "You mean we're down by the bay, where the watermelons grow, while back to my home I dare not go."

Not missing a beat, Silverstream started to sing. "And if I doooo, my mother will saaaay did you ever see a griffin knitting some mittens down by the bay!"

"Oh noooo... Not this earworm again... Thanks a lot, James." Terramar groaned as Silverstream started to skip along while going into the next verse. I think he really was annoyed, but still chuckled regardless.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself!" I said with a laugh, also mildly annoyed that Silverstream had started singing an infamously repetitive song. And I was going to put a stop to it.

"Down by the baaaaay! Where the watermelons grrph?!" Silverstream squawked as I caught up to her and pinned her beak shut with my hand around it.

"Leeeet's not get into that. Really, the first verse was more than enough, all right?" I pleaded while holding her in my arms. Silverstream's only response was sudden giggling through her shut beak. This turned into proper laughter the instant I took my hands off her. "Anyway, you two wanted some watermelon, right? Go ahead and help yourself. I don't really want any."

"OK then. What about you?" Terramar asked as he and Silverstream started to step towards the beachside vendor.

"I'll..." I mumbled before I just looked around me. "I'll just go for a stroll. I don't get to see the beach very often."

"All right! We'll come find you in a while." Silverstream replied before she and her brother made their way over for a snack. I then turned and began to walk along the shore with soft sand shifting under my sabatons.

Capricorn Island is not a tropical island, so I did not get the same feeling from the crashing waves over the shore that I got while in Cantercun. The air was very warm, but the surf looked cool regardless. Passing craggy rocks and bits of pale driftwood on the shore, I began to feel a bit wistful as I watched the unceasing splashing of briny ocean waves washing over the sands with the subtle scent of seawater in the air. I finally took a seat on some larger rocks near the shore with the mountain to my back, just gazing out at the ocean with my helmet set by my side. "No matter what happens, the waves just keep coming... One of the few constants of the flow of time."

My thoughts went to nothing in particular. I am not even really sure why I was feeling so melancholic. I have no history with the ocean. I did not grow up around the sound of waves of water upon the beach. And yet, the sights and sounds of before me struck me deep in my emotional core. As if the ocean waves stood as a constant reminder that time never ceases.

My thoughts went to a simpler time for me as that realization hit me. Days of my childhood I would not trade for anything. But my thoughts were briefly interrupted as I saw a shadow pass over me. Upon looking up, I saw a single hippogriff pass high overhead. I then went back to watching the waves, but my thoughts were disturbed once again as I heard someone come in for a landing just behind me. I glanced over my pauldron to see a familiar face looking down at me. "Fancy meeting you here, James. I almost didn't recognize you in that suit of armor."

"Mrs. Flow... I... What're you doing so far down here?" I asked as I found Ocean Flow standing before me. She was a long way from home, well over a mile below her house.

"Oh, I'm just on break. I work in one of the fisheries down here and was on my way for some watermelon." She explained before lying beside me upon the rock. "But then I found you. Is something wrong? Or are you just enjoying the sights and sounds of the sea? I know I love it."

"I don't know if enjoyment is the right word..." I muttered before looking out at the ocean before us. "There's something about...the splashing of ocean waves in such idyllic locales like this that jogs your memory. Makes you think of days that you hold close to your heart. Even if you don't have a history with the ocean..."

"Aaah... Yes, it does do that." Ocean Flow said with a sigh. "I don't know why... There is something...relaxing about just watching the tide go in and out with every wave. And it does make you think... Are they good memories?"

"Yeah... They are... But...more recent memories make them more sad than anything..." I muttered as I felt the will to move fade. Ocean Flow reached out with her great wing and sat up beside me, her tender motherly nature being exuded as that wing wrapped around me like an arm. "Some of the best memories I have are the weekends at my grandmother's house. Away from the city, out in the county. It was quieter out there, plenty of green. Especially later when she got a large fish pond installed. I spent so much time outdoors and around that pond..."

"Then...what is it that makes those memories sad?" Ocean Flow asked softly as I felt her beginning to preen my hair in her beak. I doubt it served any real purpose, but I think it is something hippogriffs do to comfort loved ones.

"Basically... When you're a child, you have a lot of faith in your family. You don't question the way they are if they don't give you a reason to resent them. It's unconditional and blind love. And once you become wise enough in your older years to see it, the reality around them undermines your memories..." I spoke softly with the sting of disappointment rising in my heart.

"James... It's not about your father, is it? Sky Beak told me a couple of nights ago..." Ocean whispered softly to me as she nuzzled the side of my head in a soothing manner, just letting me know she was there.

I shook my head gently. "No, it's not about him... My grandmother... How do you go from being someone's favorite person in the world to.....something much less?"

Ocean Flow just gazed at me with a solemn frown set into her beak. "I... I don't know... How?"

"By doing something unfortunate to yourself over a very extensive amount of time." I grumbled as I bowed my head. "I couldn't have seen it when I was a kid. I loved her so much and adored spending time with her. But...after my grandfather died, she sold her home for an undesirably low cost. And my mother was very upset with her over the hasty act. She moved in next to us. But...she never made new routines. Never made new friends. She isolated herself from her new surroundings. And it's really starting to show with her mental health... I don't even want to imagine how much worse it's gotten since I got here."

"I see... Isolation is not good for one's psyche. Especially at that age." The gentle mother mare whispered to me as she continued to preen my hair. "Then...what is it you've come to know about her."

I kept my answer brief and concise as I gazed at the sea with renewed bitterness in my heart. "My grandmother is a weak-willed coward. And that cowardice is destroying her and causing unnecessary hardships for my family. And she does not care. She is...quite possibly the most self-destructive person I know. And I can't forgive that."

I felt Ocean Flow wrap her arms around me despite my armor and its great folded wings. She all but whispered to me, "I'm sorry... I know it is the ones you love most who end up disappointing you the most when they fail themselves. I can't say I know what it's like to be in your situation, but..."

"I know... I'm kind of glad you don't know what it's like." I muttered while letting my head hang for a moment. "But...I guess it does make me feel a bit jaded... Like even the best families have a lot of problems and shortcomings when you look under the surface... I don't think anyone really has an ideal family life without any baggage on their minds..."

I only really noticed then that Ocean Flow had been preening my hair and tilted my head up to try and look at her. And upon noticing, I felt myself relax a bit. She then cooed to me, "I know, James... But I assure you my family and I are very happy and love each other very much. You know that, right?"

"I know. I just meant... This world is so much better than where I come from. It fosters positivity and camaraderie and it shows. I... I don't know anymore about the hows and whys. I just...wish things were better and stayed better instead of getting worse... Unless it was never all that great to begin with and I was too childish to notice..." I said wistfully while leaning into her embrace.

"Then don't worry about. Think about now. Think about us. Think about my husband and the father he wants to be to you." The sweet mother whispered to me as she continued to preen my hair, causing a warmth to build in the corners of my eyes as memories of that recent night came back to me. I found myself suddenly missing Sky Beak and longing for his soft feathery embrace. "We're here for you now, all right? Why don't you come on by this evening like on your first day? We'd be happy to have you over again."

I thought she was just trying to make me feel better, but I knew my memories and problems were my mine alone. I did not want her to worry about something she knew nothing about or a person she barely knew. But before I could say anything else, she turned me and placed her finger upon my nose while smiling sweetly at me. "No excuses, baby. You're staying for dinner."

"OK... I'll...be there..." I said quietly before putting my arms around her while she did the same. I do not know where they came from, but I felt a trail of warm wet tears oozing down my face. I guess...I just felt wanted. And it was a good thing to feel after being swamped with memories of a special type of loss. I found something wonderful on Capricorn Island. Something more than mere friendship.

Ocean Flow soon pulled her head away from me and touched her beak to my nose before smiling quite brightly at me. Her wing folded itself as she began to stand up. "Feeling better, sweetie?"

"Quite a bit, really..." I mumbled as I wiped my tears away with my palms. "I'm glad I'm here... And glad to know you."

"And we're glad to have you here, James. I'm going to get going now, but I mean it. You're coming over for dinner tonight." She replied while giving me a wink of her eye. "If you don't show up, I promise you'll be sorry."

"I know... I'd hate to miss it. I'll be there. Have a good one, Mrs. Flow." I said before seeing her off. I watched that lovely mare spread her wings and take to the sky before flying back down the beach from where I had come from. I then turned my gaze back to the ocean waves crashing themselves against the shoreline, the bitterness in my heart being pushed down by the warmth of knowing that there was someone who wanted my presence that evening.

The sight of the waves was soothing, yet sobering. It was hard to not think about some sort of depressing thought. Unwilling to let my thoughts drift back to what came before, I lied on my back and just looked at the sky and up the mountain behind me. Not much more time passed before I heard the flapping of wings and the tapping of hooves. Shortly after that, a pair of familiar faces came into view as they looked down at me. "You OK, James? Mom said she saw you and you had a nice chat. Is anything wrong?"

My gaze focused on Terramar while Silverstream took a large bite out of a rather sizable watermelon slice in her hand before spitting the seeds out rapidly away from me. "I dunno... Just a weird effect the sounds and sights of the ocean waves tends to have on you. Makes you sad in a way. I'm glad your mom showed up. She knew how to make me happy."

"Awww, are you sad? We gotta fix that! Terramar, hold my slice." Silverstream said before passing her watermelon snack to her brother. She then lied atop me and gently nuzzled her head into the crook of my neck while churring beautifully. "Soft cushy feathers plus a little melody. Is it helping?"

My hand stroked itself along Silverstream's back while I listened to the soothing symphony of her voice rumbling in her throat. A long sigh escaped my nostrils as I managed to smile a little. "I really appreciate you trying to make me smile, Silver. I'll be fine. Really."

"That was fast! Am I that good at making you happy?" She asked cheerfully as she sat up before reaching out and taking her slice back from Terramar.

"Yeah, pretty much..." I muttered before I managed to sit back up. I then noticed Silverstream's gaze focusing on something atop my head. It was then that it hit me. "Did your mom make a mess of my hair?"

"Yeah, I think she did. Preening works better on feathers than hair." Terramar explained while his sister rapidly brushed her hand over my head to straighten out my hair.

Rather than just leave my hair exposed, I proceeded to cover it up with my helmet as I climbed to my feet. "Anyway, I'm in the mood to see more of the island. I know you just had some fruit, but would you like to get some lunch soon?"

Silverstream quickly finished her slice and dropped the rest of the rind in the sand. It would probably feed some crabs or seagulls. "Sure! Watermelon doesn't fill you up much anyway."

Terramar looked up at the mountain above us and any patches of white on the mountainside. "The Alpha sector is the closest to the shoreline, but it's pretty far away from here... How about the Beta sector? It's not that much higher up. And it's right there."

He was right. There was another town carved into the mountainside pretty much right above us. And I was hungry. "Yeah, let's stop by and see what we can find. I'm in the mood for fish."

"Then you've come to the right place!" Silverstream exclaimed as she took to the air. I suspected she knew exactly where to go since she had taken the initiative. Terramar and I followed her up the mountain and landed upon some rooftops while we surveyed our surroundings. Same flavor, but rearranged differently. Not that I was complaining. Silverstream then guided us down and began to trot through the street. "This way! You're gonna love this one."

"She sounds confident." I muttered to Terramar as we followed behind at a brisk pace.

"If she's taking us where I think she is, you're gonna like it." He replied while not looking concerned at all. Sure enough, Silverstream led us into another restaurant, but I was quick to see it had another eastern aesthetic to the interior design. And I was quick to discern what kind of cuisine they served. Something along the lines of Korean barbeque.

The place had a modest lunch rush going at the time. And the colorful dishes I saw being feasted on made my mouth water. I even noticed a few griffin tourists seated around a table. "You weren't kidding about the griffins..."

"Mmhm! They must like fish as much as we do!" Silverstream replied before the server brought over our menus and glasses of water. The food we ordered... I can hardly describe it on my first go. Everything was fantastic. Rich with exotic flavors. Kebabs, stir fry, and even some hot and sour soup.

I let the server know to send the bill to the Ivory Palace. Silverstream and Terramar certainly appreciated me treating them to a good meal. Although I suppose we were all being treated by the royal family... Regardless, I felt the need to use the restroom and left the table after we had finished everything. The restrooms were right across from each other with a little extra space ahead in the form of an alcove. I stepped into the alcove and used the extra space to hold my armor as I cast the spell needed to melt it off of me. I was sure no one would bother it while I was taking care of my business.

I was not in the restroom for long, but I was in for a surprise when I stepped out the door and to my right to stand in the puddle of liquid metal. I waited. And I waited. And it was only after ten seconds did I realize the metal was taking its time to crawl up me. I finally looked down at was in for quite a surprise. The puddle was not there.

A sense of alarm came over me. Where did it go?! It would take hours to get back up to the Ivory Palace without it! And I did not bring any shoes with me, so the trek would be hard on my feet and probably destroy my exposed socks. I tried to be logical about this and examined the floor. There was no sign of a floor drain it could have gone down. The floor was dry, so no one came by with a mop to clean the area. I went back to the table and found Silverstream and Terramar gone, but at least my helmet was still on the table. I took it in hand and asked the servers and hostess about it, but all insisted they knew nothing about a strange puddle near the restrooms. Frustrated, I stepped out of the restaurant while expecting my two friends to be right outside.

The moment I stepped outside, Silverstream came trotting my way as she called out to me. "James! Oh my gosh, you've gotta see this!"

I was quick to look her way and immediately began to ask her about what I was searching for. "There you are! Did you two see...my...armor..."

I could only stare aghast at what I was seeing. With the exception of her head, Silverstream was coated in a full suit of stylized plate armor. Which consisted of the colors of Celestia and Luna. It's design and the placement of the colors was near identical to the form it took when Novo put it on. The filly shrieked in overstimulated excitement as she pranced around me, "This armor is so cool! I found this weird puddle by the restrooms, right? I tried poking it and it crawled all over me and turned into this armor! I gotta tell Dad! Maybe they'll let me join the royal guard! I could be stationed around the stairs on the island! Ooh, or maybe even the lifts! That'd be fun!"

I could not believe what I was seeing as I stood there hunched over with my helmet hanging loosely from my fingertips. She really had the idea to touch that stuff?! I finally dropped my helmet and grasped my head in both hands as I seethed in frustration and sheer exasperation. And standing a short distance behind Silverstream was Terramar, who was grinning sheepishly while looking like he was about to die of embarrassment. "Oh my god, Silver! That's not yours! That's my armor!"

She suddenly stopped in front of me and froze in place. Silverstream then nervously looked at me as she asked, "It is...?"

"Yes! It takes on a liquid state when it's not in use! Just touching it causes it to mold itself to its wearer and it doesn't care who it is!" I all but yelled in annoyance. At least it did not get mopped up or washed down a drain. That would have been a nightmare of a wild goose chase. "Come on, cast the spell that causes it to melt off you. The gauntlets let you cast magic."

"Um... Magic?" Silverstream asked as she stared at me in awkward silence for a moment. She then looked at her armored hand before looking up at me. "How do you use magic in this thing?"

"You mean....." I muttered before suddenly realizing she had no possible way to cast the necessary spell due to having no knowledge of how to actually do it. I then slouched with arms and head hanging as I grumbled under my breath. "Crap..."

"So...what now? How are we gonna get this off her? If you can't fly, it'll take hours to get back up to the Omega sector." Terramar asked as he cautiously approached while looking incredibly concerned. I think he was worried I was legitimately upset with his sister.

I sighed loudly while holding my face in my hand. "Terramar, I'm going to have to ask you to go find Princess Celestia. She's the only other person on the island who knows the spell to liquefy this armor. Just tell her James needs to see her and that it is an urgent matter."

"Right! I'll go get her! I'll try to get back as soon as I can!" Terramar declared as he spread his wings and took to the sky with impressive speed. Even when not fully grown, he could keep up with the speediest hippogriff stallions.

Not wanting to wander off and make the problem last longer than needed, I sat myself down on a bench nearby. Silverstream soon joined me on the bench without a word, although she did get a lot of looks from passersby. Eventually she glanced at me while I just looked at the sky. "Are you mad at me...?"

"Huh? No... No, I wouldn't say mad. I guess I'm just annoyed at most. I can't get anywhere quickly on this island without my armor and...well...I never dreamed you would've found and touched my armor in its liquid state. And I guess it's my fault that I never showed you how it looked in the first place." I replied while cracking a crooked grimace at the whole situation.

"Oh..." Silverstream mumbled as she scooted closer to me. "Anything I can do to make it up to you?"

"Well, since you're offering..." I muttered as I tried to think of a response. "Maybe...some nuzzling and churring?"

"You got it." She said before leaning over to me and nuzzling her head under my chin, a delightful churring coming from her throat. That was enough to calm me down as I leaned back and closed my eyes. I felt Silverstream close her hand around mine, but she then paused before looking at her hand. "Aww, I can't feel anything as well when I'm covered like this. How do I get this off?"

"I don't think you do... Plate armor for humans is different from...whatever kind of armor you're wearing. That stuff's covering you even better than the stuff I see on the royal guards. Even your underside is covered in plating." I retorted as Silverstream pulled away from me to examine herself. It certainly was doing a better job of keeping her body protected than even the most impressive armor I have ever seen on a royal guardsman, pony or otherwise.

"Now I really wish I never touched this stuff. I can't feel anything through this armor." Silverstream grumbled while almost sounding like a disgruntled chicken. She then snuggled up against me with a hug, nuzzling her head against mine. "At least my face is uncovered... The best part."

We sat there for the next twenty minutes or so before I noticed a pair of familiar forms swooping over the rooftops. I saw Terramar leading and Celestia herself right behind him. Considering that he had to scale the entire mountain to get to her, the fact that he went up and back down in no more than thirty minutes was impressive. He then set down before us with Celestia right behind him. "Sorry if we kept you waiting! Are you two all right?"

"We've been here since you left, so... Celestia? What's with that look?" I asked upon noticing the look on Celestia's face becoming increasingly crooked. Her eyes were focused on Silverstream before she suddenly burst into laughter. I doubt Terramar gave her the details.

"Ohohoho my goodness! Did you really step in his armor when it was liquefied?!" Celestia asked while I just shook my head with a bit of a smirk of my own upon my lips.

"I couldn't help it!" Silverstream said nervously while her finger scratched at her head while she stuck her tongue out in a silly fashion. "It looked so cool with all those swirling whites and blues! I just didn't think I'd get stuck in this armor!"

"Well, now you know not to touch it. Just be still for a minute." Celestia spoke as her magic aura flared up around her horn. Seconds later, Silverstream froze as she watched the armor on her body melt into a liquid before sliding right off of her and pooling into a puddle before the bench.

"Wow... It didn't even stick to my feathers." Silverstream muttered as she patted herself all over, checking for any leftover liquid. I am sure that if it were not for its automatic molding properties, that liquid metal would feel like a much more viscous version of mercury. Completely repellent of any absorbent surfaces.

Before anything else could happen, I put my foot into the puddle to get my armor back. It quickly crawled up my body and hardened, taking on its familiar form. "Thanks for that, Celestia. Really sorry we had to bother you for this."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all. Besides, I was going to come looking for you within the hour." Celestia replied before she walked up to me and touched my pauldron with her wing. She then winked at me and said, "And no, it's not for what we agreed on. Novo wants to spend some time with you. Shall we be off?"

"The queen? Oh sure, I've got time." I said before looking at Silverstream and Terramar. "I'll catch up to you two later. Your mom did insist that I stop by for dinner."

"OK! We'll make sure to expect a guest!" Silverstream replied happily before she waved goodbye.

"Dad will be happy to have you there too. See ya!" Terramar added while he too waved goodbye. I then took my helmet in hand and stood up just before Celestia and I were engulfed in a flash of light. I then found that we were standing on the bridge leading into the Ivory Palace.

"So, Novo wants to see me? It's not for another sparring session, is it?" I asked while not really being in the mood to take up the sword so soon.

"She didn't say what for. All she said is that she wanted to see you." Celestia replied while before we turned a corner and found Novo walking down the halls towards us. "And there she is now. You wanted to see him, Novo?"

"Mmhm, just the man I wanted to talk to. You're dismissed, Celestia." Novo replied while Celestia smiled at her friend and continued down the hall. Once Novo was before me, she reached out with her beak and nuzzled my cheek with it in greeting. "You having a good day, hun?"

"Yeah, I am. We went all the way down to the coast." I said while I caressed the side of her head. "I even bumped into Silverstream's mom while down there. Really nice beaches on this island."

"That's a long way down too. I seldom go that far down the mountain..." Novo mused to herself before casting her gaze right at me. "Anyway, honey... I just wanted to say I couldn't get to sleep earlier. Mama was in the mood for a nap, but the nap wasn't in the mood for mama. So... I wanna show you something. Put your helmet on and follow me. I promise you'll like it."

"Lead on, your majesty." I replied reflexively as a pair of guards passed us by. I noticed Novo's smile fade just a little, but she did not say anything to me about it. We soon stepped outside and took to the air while Novo led me down the mountain until we came across a large plateau. What astounded me most was that it was covered in very tall grass almost as tall as we were. We set down right in the middle while Novo looked at me with a bit of a smirk. "Now this place... This is where you can get in some easy naps. Some of the locals call it the Dreaming Field."

"Why's that?" I asked before looking up and finding an answer. A few hippogriffs flew in before setting down at different spots. They all lied down out of my field of view, likely just to take a nap. "Oh... People come here to get in some midday shuteye?"

"They sure do. Now then... Lemme get this off you." Novo said softly before she started going about my armor, manually removing each section piece by piece. Probably because she was concerned that melting it off of me would result in the puddle getting lost among the tall grass. My boot and gauntlets were easy enough to slide off, but the pauldrons and cuirass required some aid. Before long, all of my armor was in a cluttered pile next to us as we lied down in the grass, the tall narrow leafy blades providing shielding from the afternoon sun. "There we go. Comfy, baby?"

"Yeah, this grass makes for a comfy mattress when it bends under you." I said while starting to get a bit too relaxed myself. I then looked at Novo as she reclined next to me. "Did you really have that hard a time sleeping today?"

"Well, if you want the full story... I think I was just lonely." She cooed to me while draping her grand wing over me like a blanket. "You were such good company in bed last night... I guess I just wasn't ready to sleep alone again."

"I enjoyed your presence too..." I muttered before having to let out a yawn. Novo chuckled for a moment before placing a kiss of sorts upon my cheek. I responded by stroking her chest under her wing. "I think we both need this... Sweet dreams, Novo."

"Sweetest dreams for you, baby." She whispered back before also draping an arm over me as I was pulled even closer into the warm feathery embrace of the beautiful queen. She looked quite happy with her eyes closed. I would never have known that mere days ago she had been struggling with stubborn heartache. Now much more comfortable than I could ever have expected, I too closed my eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

I think we may have been out of a couple of hours at least. When I finally did awaken, I felt something sliding down my chest before returning tot he top and repeating the process. Upon opening my eyes, I found Novo repeatedly stroking my chest with her hand while never looking away from me while still having her wing draped over me. "Sleep well, handsome?"

"Actually, yeah..." I muttered while looking back at the gorgeous creature before me. She continued to unashamedly slide her hand down over my torso while we never once looked away from each other. I could see that she was happy. And I dearly appreciated her presence. I eventually placed my hand upon hers to stop her stroking, but soon felt her hand rotate until it was grasping mine. "You are so sweet, Novo."

"I'm only sweet to those who are sweet to me." She cooed before reaching out and giving me a soft lick upon my cheek. "And you're sweet as sugar."

"You are such a flirt, Novo..." I mumbled while tensing up at that flirtatious touch. As much as I should have been used to her unusual behavior, I was still unsure of how to respond.

"Oh, you want me to be flirty? I'll show you flirty. Come here, handsome." Novo said with a smirk before rolling over and pulling me onto her. I was practically straddling her while she was upon her back, those massive wings draped over me in an embrace. Those gorgeous eyes constantly gazed at me with almost seductive longing as I was left wondering. Did I have her pinned? Or was I her prisoner? "Well, looks like you've got me right where you want me. I can't go anywhere, can I?"

"Novo... I... Um..." I stammered as I found myself in a very compromising position as I gazed down at the smiling face of the most beautiful mare in the world. What could I say?

"Oh, you don't have to say anything, baby." She cooed as Novo brought her hand to my face. Her lidded eyes seldom blinked as she gazed up at me while her hand cradled my face. "Come on. You can tell me. Name one thing you want to do right here and now. Whatever you want."

"Me? Well..." I tried my hardest to put my apprehension aside and ignore any and all protocols that would normally be in place. My eyes darted back and forth, trying to choose my words carefully. "I want...to kiss you..."

"Then go on. Kiss me, baby." Novo whispered as she smiled warmly at me. I really wanted to. So beautiful and so attractive, it was hard not to feel some form of desire for a woman like Novo. And with her permission granted, I brought my lips to her beak. A faint giggle hummed in her throat, but I then brought my lips to her cheek and then her neck. "Oooh... My beak not enough for... Mmm..."

"Can you feel me through those feathers?" I asked softly as my hand began to return the favor, slowly dragging my fingers through the plumage on her chest.

"Mmm... I can feel enough... Keep at it, honey." She beckoned quietly while resting her head upon the folded blades of grass under her.

I did just that. I continued to place soft kisses along her chin and down the length of her neck. Novo cooed and hummed beautifully as she closed her eyes and left herself to my mercy. My hand soon left her chest and slid up her arm to find her hand. My touch found its mark, but Novo was a step ahead of me. Once our hands touched, she took hold of my hand and wove her fingers between mine. My fingers closed down as well, locking our hands together as my lips parted and I began to lovingly nibble through her feathers and along her flesh.

"Oooh! Dear, you... This... This is new... Oh god..." Novo gasped as my teeth tenderly picked its way through her feathers to nibble upon her neck without resistance. It was a new experience, feeling those plush feathers against my face while navigating the many feathery fibers in the way of my lips. Novo's coos and hums began to change, turning into gasps and moans as her fingers grasped at my hand tighter. "James... Oh god, baby... Too much... Too... Stop! Enough!"

I pulled away the instant she demanded that I cease and looked down at her in concern. The queen was panting harshly with her chest heaving under me. A look of exhilaration was in her eyes as she gazed up at me. But her hand never released its grip on mine, even as my grasp relaxed. I finally asked quietly and cautiously, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No... No, nothing's wrong, honey. I... Hoo... I loved it..." Novo huffed while a clear blush shone through the feathers on her face. She then reached up with her other hand and cupped my face like before as she spoke softly to me with that luxuriously deep voice of hers. "It's just...we're going a bit too fast, aren't we?"

"Too fast? For...oh!" I yelped as I noticed the implications of her words. I tried to get up out of modesty, but her glorious wings remained folded over me. I even felt her tighten her embrace to keep me pinned to her body. No matter what, those powerful wings would not give against me. "Novo... Are you...wanting me?"

"If I'm to speak honestly... I think I'm starting to." She whispered sweetly to me as her hand rubbed itself over my cheek. Her eyes gazed at me lovingly as she whispered, "I talked with Celestia today about you two. She told me you're not a difficult person to fall in love with."

Novo then brought her face a little closer to mine until it touched my nose. I was flushed with heat, unprepared for such a development as Novo then whispered to me. "She was right."

"Novo, I'm... I'm just..." I muttered before Novo brought her finger to my lips and shook her head slowly with that smile never leaving her face.

"A commoner? Yes, of course you are. And so was Cygnus." The beautiful queen spoke. "That didn't stop me from marrying him and having a daughter with him."

I was left at a loss for words. There was not a rebuttal I could give in response to that. Novo finally released her grasp on my hand and cupped my cheeks in both of them. "Honey... Trust me when I say I believe you when you say there's enough room in your heart for more than one mare. And trust me when I say that I think there is something special forming between us. Please... Wherever things go from here... Don't reject me. Don't push me away. Because this queen...wants to be in your life."

"And I... I'm honored to hear that. Really, I am." I whispered softly to her as my own hand cupped her cheek. I felt both unnerved, yet very lucky. Like such a thing should not be happening, yet I was happy it was regardless. "So...what's next, Novo?"

"Hmmm... Well... How about a little afternoon shopping? Just the two of us? No guards or escorts to cramp our style." Novo muttered before she gave me a playful wink. "There's just one man I want in my company right now."

"Sounds good. But...uh..." I stammered before I noticed the components of my armor still piled nearby. "Would you mind helping me get those back on?"

Novo responded with a laugh before we both sat up and got to work. Getting my gauntlets back on was easy enough, but I required Novo's assistance in equipping my cuirass and pauldrons. Getting my metal boots back on proved to be a challenge and required me to disassemble them and put them back on piece by piece. It is not at all like putting on a pair of boots. In a matter of minutes, I was fully suited up and on my feet. I suppose it would have been simpler to just put on a gauntlet and cast the spell needed to liquefy the whole pile, but it was an interesting experience putting on a suit of plate armor the natural way. Novo then whistled quietly before she said, "Mm, I love a man in uniform. At least I assume that's some form of uniform."

"Meh, more or less." I spoke as I spread my wings for takeoff. "I'm gonna drop this stuff off in my room before we go shopping. I'll meet you on the bridge, all right?"

"You do that, honey. Just don't keep mama waiting." She retorted before touching her beak to my cheek. I then took to the sky and flew back up the mountain and quickly returned to the Ivory Palace. I had no issues returning to my room and swapping out my armor for my shoes. I hurried back outside, finding Novo pacing back and forth at the far end. She was quick to detect my approach and gave me a smirk. "Just in time. If mama had to wait any longer, I would have to command you to give me some sugar later."

"Funny. Last I checked, Capricorn Island's sugar supply was rather low. Where would I even find any around here?" I retorted wittily, which prompted some rather loud laughter from Novo. I think she was expecting me to squirm in response to that vague innuendo, but it was a joke I could not resist making.

"Hey! Just because we're low on sugar doesn't mean we don't have our own brand of sweet treats! We just have to get creative. Speaking of which, right this way." Novo replied before leading me down the stairs and into town. It almost seemed odd that the queen would be wandering her home without guards escorting her, but I am sure there are little to no threats of any sort to her on Capricorn Island.

I was tempted to let my eyes wander and appraise Novo's form now that we were alone, although I was quick to note we were not exactly alone. Her people were all around her. There was some protocol I had to abide to. Despite this, I noticed that Novo was trying to get my attention at one point. I noticed her long folded wing on the side nearest me visibly reach back and curl its tip inward to rub over her flank as she walked. My eyes went from her wing to her face, seeing her smirk at me knowingly. She knew I saw what she did. My response was to look ahead while trying and failing to keep a straight face. I think Novo was a little disappointed by my lack of a proper reaction, but she still got a giggle out of it. "No need to be so modest, baby..."

"Sorry... It's just...people are watching." I muttered quietly, seeing a few hippogriffs look at us and even greet us in passing. They were none the wiser, but lord knows what kind of uproar it would cause if a foreigner and commoner would get too close to their queen.

Novo was far more flippant about the whole thing as she leaned towards me. "So what? If mama wants to be sweet to this loveable sugar bear, then let them look."

God, I started to sweat so much at those words. It did not help that the last few were whispered right into my ear. Novo may have been enjoying herself, but I was compelled to show discretion. I did not want to cause any trouble on this trip.

We soon stepped into a shop that specialized in various treats. While Terramar was not joking about the lack of sugar on Capricorn Island, I saw that they indeed supplemented it with honey, milk, and fruits. I had already purchased some nougat bars at another sector, but the variety still impressed me.

Novo looked at me and whispered, "Pick out whatever you want. Mama's treating today."

I considered my responses when I saw a couple of other patrons looking our way. Novo stands out way too easily due to her beauty. Putting protocol before anything else, I smiled at Novo as I said, "Thank you, your majesty."

The response I got was unexpected. Novo cast me a gaze of disappointment before we began to browse to our hearts' content. I started to think about everyone else back home. I know I had gotten some sweet stuff for Pinkie Pie, but why not everyone else? I picked out a wide variety of treats, trying to keep it as varied as possible. We left with a bag in my hand and one tucked under Novo's folded wing. She seemed to be in a better mood by then and asked, "Either you've got a sweet tooth the size of an Ursa's or you've got a lot of friends back home."

"Well, some of these might be for me, but it's mostly for friends back home. I like to surprise them with gifts now and then." I explained as we continued along to browse other shops. I decided to abstain from any fashion stores or boutiques since I doubt they could really compete with Rarity's expertise. However, with every stop, I would continue to follow protocol by referring to Novo with honorifics. It just felt right to do so when surrounded by her subjects. I did not want to bring the wrong kind of attention to her by making it seem like a commoner who was also a foreigner would be so close to her. But with every use of those words, I could see her disposition souring. By the time we headed back to the Ivory Palace with two bags tucked under each of her wings, Novo looked quite displeased. I could see the frustration in her eyes and stayed silent throughout the walk out of fear of triggering a hostile response. I feared I did something wrong, even though I had done all I could to maintain order around us.

We had barely passed the doors before we were approached by a familiar face. Seaspray came trotting up to us as he called out, "Ah, there you are! Forgive me, your majesty. I have word from your preferred cosmetics providers."

Novo lost that sour look in her eyes and gave the captain of the guard her attention. "Something wrong? They behind on their deliveries?"

"Yes, I'm afraid there will be a brief delay. They were out of stock and should be able to send out your order within the next couple of days." He replied before turning his gaze to me. "Ah, and Sir James. I trust you have been well? I was meaning to ask if your ink supplies in your typewriter are getting low. I was wondering where you went."

I decided to not beat around the bush and gave him an honest response. "Yeah, sorry if I wasn't around. I was out with her majesty doing some..."

I was abruptly interrupted by the sound of Novo suddenly dropping the paper bags from her wings. The sound of them smacking the floor made me freeze as even Seaspray had a look of alarm in his eyes. Novo then spoke with a cold growl to her voice, "Leave us, Admiral."

"At once." He muttered without objection before galloping down the hall with great urgency. If even the captain of the guard was quick to flee from his queen, I must have been in trouble. I stood my ground as dread took hold of my heart. I was about to catch hell and I did not really know why.

Novo slowly turned to face me with quite possibly the angriest scowl on her face I had ever seen. Her tone was low and grim. "What is wrong with you? What happened to addressing each other by name? Yes, I know I'm wearing a crown, but you don't have to point it out all the time."

I began to back up as she walked slowly towards me. I attempted to defuse the situation by maintaining protocol, unable to understand at the time that my actions were having the exact opposite effect. "I... I'm just trying to stay professional about this, your majesty. Everyone is..."

Novo would not allow me to finish as her pace increased in speed. She glared at me as she spoke up, "There, you're doing it again! Why can't you just forget about that?! Let them think what they want!"

"I don't think that is wise, your majesty. I don't want...them to..." I muttered while hoping to calm Novo down. And yet, every use of honorifics only served to aggravate her more. I could not fight my instincts. I felt compelled to be as professional as possible in the face of a disgruntled monarch, even if it was only making the situation worse.

"Enough! Why?! Why is it that you have no trouble talking to Celestia like she's anybody else when you can't even say my name?! Am I too sassy for you?! I'm just not your type?! Or am I just not good enough for you?!" Novo all but shouted at me as I started to get backed up towards a wall. "Why can't you?! I've welcomed you into my home, even brought you into my bed, and you can't even do that?!"

"Your majesty, please... I just..." I forced myself to speak, now with my back to the wall as the bag in my hand slipped from my grasp. I was trapped.

"Stop it! You know what I want to hear! Say it!" Novo screeched at me as she marched right up to me. Before I could even really get a word out, she practically grabbed me by the throat and brought her brow to mine as she glared right into my eyes. But the words that followed... "Say my name, Cygnus!"

I was frozen in fear as I remained in Novo's furious grasp. But not even five seconds later, her grasp began to feebly loosen as the look of rage in her eyes quickly began to be replaced by a different kind of emotion. A look of sheer pain and realization. She staggered back, looking at her hand and back to me. A gasp burst from her throat, tears starting to spill down her face. She tried to fight it, but Novo soon collapsed in a heap before me, her body curling up as she began to loudly weep in anguish.

It was painful to hear that beautiful voice wracked with sorrow. Even worse knowing that I had caused it. I wanted to reach out to her and comfort Novo, but how could I when it was I who had wronged her? Thankfully, the sound of galloping hooves reached my ears as I looked down the hall and saw Celestia rushing towards us to answer Novo's cries. She stood over her friend while looking utterly confused over what could have brought the strong and sassy queen to the her knees in grief. She and I shared a brief stare before Celestia motioned her head towards the palace's front doors. I knew I was not wanted at the time. My nerves aflame with regret and dread, I departed from the palace and walked across the bridge and into the Omega sector to be alone with my thoughts.

I was mad at myself. What did I do to hurt Novo? Was the insistent use of honorifics really so aggravating to her? There had to be more to it than that. At the time, the hows and whys did not matter. All that mattered was that I had made Novo angry and then made her cry. And it made me feel sick with myself. I was there to help her. Not to hurt her more than she already was.

I wandered around the town while paying no mind to the locals. I sat on benches here and there, holding my head and wondering what I did wrong. What I could have done differently. Most importantly, I was wondering if Novo would even want to see me again after doing such a thing to her. Eventually, I shuffled by Silverstream's house and was greeted by Sky Beak as he opened the door to peek outside. "Hey! James! There you are! You'll be joining us for dinner tonight, right?"

His words did little to lift my mood. I turned to look at Sky Beak while failing to show a smile. He was quick to notice something was wrong and opened the door wider. "Are you all right...? Here, come on in and relax a while before dinner. A hot meal should perk you up just fine."

"Yeah... It might." I mumbled before taking him up on his offer and sitting down upon the couch right ahead of the front door. The air was already full of the scent of delicious food being cooked. I could smell shrimp in the air. But my thoughts were not on dinner. All I could think about was the form of the weeping queen I had hurt.

Silverstream took little time in finding out I was there and hurried over before bounding up onto the couch beside me. I did not respond as I slouched in my seat. After maybe ten seconds of looking at me with a smile, Silverstream finally frowned as she saw that something was not right with me. "Are you...OK?"

"Not really..." I muttered while still not looking at anything in particular. I was not in the mood to talk, but I did not want to push Silverstream away.

The precious hippogriff filly inched closer until she was snuggling up against me. "Do you...want to talk about it?"

I let out a long sigh before reluctantly bringing myself to speak. "I think.....I hurt the queen..."

"Oh no... Did you break her wing? Break her leg?" Silverstream asked while completely missing the point, but while also looking quite unsettled.

"I think...I broke her heart." I replied while bowing my head even further. "She collapsed to the floor in tears... I don't think I should see her again."

Silverstream may have been young, but she seemed to grasp the severity of the situation. She soon reached out with her arms and held me in a tender embrace with her cheek rubbing up against my face. "If you can't go back...you can stay here. You can bunk with me like before. I'm sure it was just an accident. You're not the kind of person who likes hurting people..."

I felt sincerely grateful that I had someone like Silverstream there to support me. And I did like the idea of staying overnight again. Maybe a day away from the palace was what we all needed. Even so, my thoughts of Novo did not subside. I wanted to see her happy, not in misery.

"Come on, best friend... At least smile for me? It's not like you to be sad. You were having such a good time on this island until now..." Silverstream cooed as she put her wings around me, which prompted me to put my arms around her.

"I really don't want to..." I muttered weakly as I leaned back on the couch. "But I do appreciate what you're doing for me right now. Maybe I'll smile at bedtime."

"OK... Just...know I'm always here for you, all right? When you're sad, I'm sad. I wanna see my best friend always having a good time." Silverstream whispered to me as I got more comfortable by lying down. She made herself at home by lying atop me and dragging a finger through my hair.

I was truly appreciating her efforts in trying to soothe my senses. I just gazed at the ceiling as I muttered, "You're always so good to me, Silver..."

"Because you're always so good to me." She whispered back before touching her beak to my nose in some sort of kiss. Silverstream remained sprawled out on top of me, stroking her fingers through my hair while resting her head on my chest. I closed my eyes, feeling quite relaxed in spite of my somber mood, but did not fall asleep with the smell of dinner being prepared and the sounds of everything happening in the kitchen.

Finally, I heard the tweeting of a cardinal somewhere in the house. Whatever it was, Silverstream suddenly lifted her head in excitement. "Ooh! Dinner's ready!"

"Oh... I keep forgetting how good you hippogriffs are at mimicking birds." I mumbled as I sat up while Silverstream hopped down from the couch. I followed her along to the dining room, the rest of her family seated around the table as all manner of seafood was set out on it. It was hard for me to stay upset when the meal looked and smelled so good as my appetite suddenly spiked.

While I was not talkative, Ocean Flow was quick to speak to me as we passed around the food to each other. "So, how was your day, dear? Did you and the kids get up to any mischief?"

I was very careful to not bring up anything about Novo. It probably would not end well if I mentioned that I did something to upset her. So I tried turning the subject to the weirdest that happened that day. "Well... Silverstream stole my armor."

Sky Beak cocked his head to one side in confusion as he looked back and forth between me and his daughter. "She did? Why?"

Silverstream was quick to provide the full story. "Oh, when he's not wearing that armor, it's a puddle! And when I stepped in it, it creeped up over me and hardened into an awesome suit of armor for me! Buuuut you need some kinda spell to turn it into a puddle again, so I didn't know how to get it off."

Terramar chuckled despite knowing her was kind of freaked out when I found them at that time. "I had to go up to the Ivory Palace and find Princess Celestia to get it off. And we were way down close to the coastline at the time."

"Oh noooo, that's a long way to fly! I hope she didn't mind having to go that far to do it." Ocean Flow replied while failing to not laugh. I just rolled my eyes, thinking back to the rather humorous situation.

"Oh, she laughed. Celestia didn't mind at all." I said while we all conversed back and forth. Their company and the uplifting flavor of Ocean Flow's cooking did a lot to soothe my emotions, although my most recent memories were still in the back of my mind. They would not be going away anytime soon.

Dinner continued until the sun had began to set. Once I had finished and the table was being cleared, I sat myself down on the couch once more with Silverstream rushing to my side to provide any emotional aid she could. I got comfortable with my body draped lazily over the couch while Silverstream lied upon me with her beak gently nipping at my ear. "You look happier...but still not that happy."

"That food did a lot for my mood, as did your company, but it's not easy forgetting about hurting someone you care about." I mumbled while stroking my hand down Silverstream's back. All I could hear was the sound of someone doing the dishes nearby. "Celestia brought me here to help Novo... I didn't expect to find myself hurting her instead..."

"Do you like Queen Novo?" Silverstream asked quietly with her beak next to my ear as she become still.

I sighed heavily before I could offer a response. "Yes... I do. She's entertaining, hospitable, friendly, fun to be around, and ridiculously beautiful. I don't think I've ever met a mare like her. I wish I could make her happy, but I don't think she'll be letting me back into the palace after today..."

Silverstream too let out a sigh as she looked down at me. "I'm sorry... You were having such a good time here too... Well..." She then scooped her arms under me and nestled her head in the crook of my neck as she embraced me. "At least you still have me. And Mom and Dad and Terramar. We're here for you. OK, best friend?"

"I...really appreciate that, Silverstream." I muttered softly with my hand stroking her mane. If nothing else, Silverstream has always been a little ray of sunshine. I could count on her to at least keep my spirits up with her constant positivity.

The two of us just snuggled on the couch a while longer as the sky continued to darken outside. Before long, there was a knock at the door. Sky Beak was the one to answer it, but his greeting was not what I was expecting to hear. "Oh, your highness! What can I do for you, Princess Celestia?"

Silverstream and I all but immediately sat up to look over at the door and did indeed see Celestia standing just outside. She looked past Sky Beak and gazed right at me. "Oh, I was just looking for James. It's a bit of an urgent matter."

I stood up and approached her without delay. "You needed me for something?"

"Yes... It's Novo." She said sincerely. But when I frowned and averted my gaze out of shame for whatever I did to make her cry, Celestia corrected me. "No, it's nothing bad. She really wants to see you right now."

"Wait... You sure? After that?" I asked with some skepticism, knowing how upset Novo was with me just before she burst into tears. I was afraid to face her so soon after that. No telling what sort of grudge an angry queen could hold.

Sky Beak and Silverstream were respectfully quiet while Celestia spoke to me from just outside the house. "Yes, James. She personally requested that I find you and bring you to her. She dearly wishes to see you."

"Queen Novo wants to see you that bad? I don't think you should refuse. Especially if she sent a friend to find you." Sky Beak said while giving me a playful nudge.

Knowing that Novo is more or less Sky Beak's boss, I felt it would be best to trust his judgment. I looked back to Celestia while hoping I would not regret this. "Well, if you're really that certain about her..."

Silverstream then tapped me on the leg to get my attention. "You'll be back tonight, right? No matter what happens, you can bunk with me."

"Yeah, I'll be back. And thanks for having me here." I said while bidding farewell to my new friends and following Celestia outside and through the Omega sector with the stars and moon beginning to come out above us. I still had my doubts and turned to Celestia as she walked beside me. "Is Novo still upset with me?"

The Princess of the Dawn looked at me out of the corner of her eye while looking a little solemn. "No, not at all. If anything, she's worried that you scared you off."

"Yeah... I did make her pretty mad... And I think I know how." I mumbled as I felt my gut sink. I knew I screwed up.

"Yes... She told me. She was pretty upset that she snapped as hard as she did at you. Her frustration just reached its peak." Celestia explained as we neared the bridge to the Ivory Palace. "Don't blame yourself too much, James. I understand why you are more comfortable around me than her. We've had far more time to get to know each other. You can't expect too much in just a few days. I think Novo is...hasty."

"Hasty...for what?" I asked while not certain of what Celestia was alluding to. Was she in a hurry to die and be reunited with her king?

Celestia turned her head to look at me with a most somber gaze set into her face. "To be loved again."

Those words hit my heart harder than I think it should have. What did that have to with what happened before. I looked at the Ivory Palace ahead as it began to loom over us. I then looked at Celestia, silently inquiring further. She looked at me and said softly, "I never intended for Novo to fall in love with you. I had only hoped that you would be able to ease her aching heart. Although...it seems you may be doing more than that. She did know Cygnus better than I ever did."

"Then...what should I do if she is falling for me?" I asked, not entirely sure how to process such a possibility. A queen of a foreign land... Longing for me?

Celestia turned her gaze ahead as a sigh escaped her lips. "I can't answer that for you, James. It comes down to two choices. Either you accept or reject. I can't make that choice for you."

"I see..." I mumbled as I fell silent. Not a word was spoken until we were within the palace. I followed Celestia blindly as she led me through the dimly lit halls, recognizing what we were approaching. "Same place as last night?"

"Yes. She is expecting you." Celestia spoke as we stood near the door that led to the balcony garden from the previous night. She then looked at me and said, "Be good to her. She's especially sensitive right now."

"I'll do what I can. And...sorry that our evening was disrupted today..." I muttered apologetically, knowing that what we had planned and that it simply was not going to happen that day.

"Oh, it's fine, James. We can always catch up later." Celestia whispered before placing a kiss on my cheek. "Best of luck, my sunshine."

I watched as the beautiful Princess of the Dawn departed. With no one else around, I made my way to the balcony as the last of the sunset was on the verge of disappearing over the western horizon. I left my shoes and socks off while walking along the grass, seeing Novo resting upon the same bench as before while gently illuminated by a few torches set about the garden. I was afraid to approach. She was not smiling while a pair of cider bottles sat in an ice bucket nearby. But I could not turn away now. It would be rude to refuse her summons.

All it took were a few steps towards her for Novo to turn to look at me in the shadows, but she provided no words even as her expression changed. She looked at me with a look of some sort of urgency while I looked back at her in caution. Seconds later, she silently held out her arms as if awaiting an embrace. Beckoning me into her arms as if pleading for forgiveness. I made no attempt to resist or retreat. I walked forward and put my arms around her even as I took a seat, the two of us resting our chins upon our shoulders while our hands made minute movements up and down the other's back.

"I'm sorry, honey... I didn't mean to snap at you the way I did..." Novo cooed softly to me as her voice reached my ear. "I just... I just want you to see me the same way you see Celestia... Just...felt so unfair that you can only see past my crown half the time or something..."

I was not at all surprised. And I could not fault her for her frustration. Her mood soured very quickly the more I referred to her with honorifics. I at least tried to explain why I said what I did. "You need to understand... I've known Celestia for two years by now. We've only known each other for a few days..."

"I know, honey... It's just...there's so much about you that feels familiar... Like I can read you like a book half the time." She whispered before pulling away and gazing at me with such a forlorn expression. "Our time together has been short, but I feel like I've known you longer than that... Qualities and mannerisms that I recognize and adore... I know what kind of man I like and... I just adore you, honey. I'm so glad that you came here when you did."

My hand idly caressed the side of Novo's face as I felt some relief upon hearing her sweet words. I tried to put our unpleasant confrontation out of my mind and focus on this moment of calm. But I still could not forget the last thing she said to me. I reached out and took the bottles of cider in hand, firmly twisting the caps off and passing one to Novo as I took a swig. "You mentioned your king again..."

The two of us got comfortable on the cushioned bench while steadily enjoying our mildly alcoholic beverages. Novo sighed after taking a drink from her bottle before she said, "Yeah, I did... Cygnus took some time to get used to the fact that his queen had the hots for him... Weird how the title of queen carries more weight than the title of princess, yet old Sunbutt is my superior. He did finally drop the habit after a while. But it would make me so bitter when he slipped back into it..."

I then cautiously slipped a question to her that I was a bit hesitant to bring up. "Then...why so upset with me over it?"

Novo set her bottle down, but did not let go of it. For the first time in a while, she could not bring herself to look at me. I waited patiently for any sort of response. After maybe ten seconds, Novo looked at me with not the slightest smile on her beak. "Because I...like you, James."

"I...have a feeling 'like' is too soft a word for what you're really feeling." I muttered while starting to get an uncomfortable feeling in my heart. I was at a loss of what to really feel, unsure if I should be worried or pleased over what I was hearing.

"Yeah... Maybe it is..." Novo mumbled while her gaze lowered. Her hand found its way to mine, which I gently took into my grasp as I gazed at the darkening horizon. I could see Novo still looking at me out of the corner of my eye. Her wing reached out and draped itself over me, pulling me closer to her. "I don't know what to do... I don't want to betray my king's memory... I could never replace him. I never dreamed another man would come into my life who I could open my heart to after he left this world... And then you came along."

I felt I should keep some sort of a distance from her. A feeling in my gut telling me that nothing but trouble would come of this. But after all that has happened between me and Celestia, I knew my priorities were misaligned. I stayed where I was, tightening my grip on her hand, and forced myself to try and see the mare under her crown. I looked at her and waited, allowing her to speak as her beautiful eyes met mine. "I haven't met a man like you in a long time. And I feel like...if I were to hold onto you, I wouldn't be disappointed. I see why Celestia loves you, baby. I really do."

The two of us leaned together, her soft plumage on her wing helping keep me warm as a cool breeze blew along. I felt secure in her winged embrace. Still, I thought back to her earlier words, understanding her concern over honoring the memory of her king. "I don't really know what it would be like to remarry after the loss of your spouse... I can't relate to it. I can't comment on it. That's something you will have to decide on for yourself, Novo."

"Do you...think he would hold it against me if I sought out someone else to love?" Novo asked quietly with her head resting against mine while she brought her bottle to her beak for another swig.

I thought carefully on this. I had to choose my words carefully. If Cygnus was as much like me as Novo claimed, maybe I could get inside his head. "If you really want my honest analysis... After this much time has gone by, I think he would take no pleasure in watching you being miserable while constantly mourning him. I'm not saying you should forget about him, but... Sooner or later, we have to move on. I'm sure even he has moved on from his departure from this world. At least.....that's what I think."

Novo's head bowed. She did not say anything else for a good while. I felt it would be unwise to say anything else, so I remained silent to allow her to think and ponder on what I said at her own leisure. My eyes wandered the garden, observing the flickering flames of the torches. The glittering stars above us. A clear half moon glowing in the sky with nary a cloud to get in the way. The flowers at the edge of the balcony that almost glowed in the moonlight. I started to release my grip on Novo's hand to give her some emotional distance even while still in the embrace of her glorious wing, but she would not have it. While my grip loosened, hers tightened. And so I continued to keep my fingers curled around hers.

It was difficult to gauge Novo's mood. She was quiet. Easily the least talkative I had ever seen her be. She would only occasionally sip from her bottle of cider. I had already finished mine after just ten minutes. I knew it was getting late and that I had somewhere to be. "I promised Silverstream I would bunk with her tonight. I should probably get going soon."

There was no response from the solemn queen beside me. But when I tried to stand up, her wing tightened its grip and kept me pinned to my seat. Only mildly frustrated, I turned my gaze to Novo. "Please... They're expecting me."

"Please... Just for tonight, James..." She whispered before turning her gaze to me, a look of fear set into those beautiful eyes. "Stay with me... I don't...want to be alone tonight. Not after that..."

Never have I seen Novo so vulnerable before. It would be a mistake to leave her alone in such an emotional state. But I could not just bail on my plans. Silverstream would be disappointed with me. And so I whispered, "On the condition that you send word to Sky Beak's household. They're expecting me tonight and they won't like it if I don't show up."

"Will do." Novo said as she folded her wing and stood up. She looked at me pleadingly as she spoke to me. "Stay here... I'll be just a minute."

I nodded to convey my respect for her request and relaxed upon the bench while Novo departed. Maybe just three minutes later, she returned and sat beside me, draping her wing over me once more. She gazed out at the horizon with me as she whispered to me. "I dispatched one of my guards to relay the message to them. They'll know."

"Thank you." I muttered while inching myself closer to Novo and putting my arm around her much like how her wing was doing with me. "Silverstream...would have hated it if I didn't show up without explaining myself."

"You good friends with her?" Novo asked as she turned to look at me, her arm snaking its way over my back and pulling me closer to her under her wing.

"Yeah. She's been..." I muttered as I found our faces barely an inch apart. I became momentarily distracted by Novo's dazzling eyes and beautiful face. "She has...been a good friend to me. Always there when I need her. Always wanting to cheer me up when I'm down. She's...a good influence. A good girl. I'm glad I got to meet her."

"Is that all?" Novo asked quietly as her forehead rested against mine. Those big magenta eyes gazed meaningfully into my own, seldom blinking.

"No, there's...more..." I muttered while finding myself increasingly distracted by her silent advance. I was not sure if I should be worried or flattered. "It's just that...it's a little...hard to think with you...right up against me like this."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" She asked softly as I felt her hand rise to the back of my neck. "You're sweating, baby. Are you scared? Or am I making you nervous?"

"I think the latter..." I mumbled as I even quivered a bit from her touch. "It's just... God, why are you so beautiful..."

Novo responded with a gentle nuzzle against my cheek. "Maybe because you have such a good eye for beauty, dear."

I was at a loss of what to believe. She was not being domineering, nor was she being inherently flirty. Novo was...just being close to me. And even though she was not smiling, I could see that her eyes were happy at least.

I felt compelled to hold this beautiful creature before me. My arms snaked their way behind her and pulled her close to me with one hand upon her hip. Novo's arms did the same, embracing me under her wing as we held each other in the glow of flickering flames. She whispered sweetly to me, "I haven't been this...happy in ages..."

I felt my spine begin to bend as Novo placed a hand squarely on the middle of my back and pushed me closer to her. She gazed tenderly into my eyes and whispered, "Do I make you happy too, baby?"

My eyes closed as I rested my brow against hers. As I contemplated my answer, I felt Novo gently turn her head one way and then the other. Over and over in a manner I did not recognize, dragging my head along to mirror her movements. It was a special gesture, I know that much. But I could not decipher what it meant. I only opened my eyes once her movement had stopped, gazing into her eyes. "Ye... Yes... You do. You always make me happy."

Novo smiled as she pulled away just enough to grab her cider bottle and down the rest quickly. Her winged embrace began to loosen as her finger cupped my chin. "Let's get ready for bed, honey. I'll run a bath for us."

"Um... I'll go grab some clean clothes, if that's all right." I said quietly now that I knew I should not leave her for the night.

Upon saying that, I felt Novo once more grasp my hand. She looked at me with a stare of unease. She did not have to say anything to convey her concerns. And so I said, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll come to your chambers right afterward."

That got a smile out of her, although the look in her eyes showed sincere concern still. Even as she released me and rose to her feet, Novo never took her eyes off of me as if afraid to let me out of her sight. I too never looked away from the graceful queen as she walked out of sight. I remained where I was for a few more minutes to enjoy some momentary solitude as I beheld the night sky over the horizon before leaving the balcony and returning to my room to fetch a clean pair of boxers and a large towel to drape over me as I disrobed almost completely. It would be all I needed until morning.

I made my way through the darkened halls with my feet bare, my body shrouded by my towel over my shoulders. I stepped into Novo's chambers upon finding the door left unlocked. She was expecting me. And I could hear the rumbling of water filling a bathtub. I peeked through the doorway and gazed in awe at the opulence of Novo's private bathroom. Spacious enough for a large porcelain bathtub with marble patterning and similar patterns along the wall and even a large shower stall with gilded fixtures. The bathtub itself was relatively deep. Deep enough for small foals to use as a swimming pool. And Novo herself was reaching over the tub to turn the faucet off. Steam rose from the water as the scent of vanilla bath salts filled the air. Among that scent was the delightful aroma of lavender. The product of incense burning nearby. The only source of light was the gentle glow of several candles set about the bathroom.

Novo turned to face me as she pulled back from bathtub and reached for her head. She grasped the golden ring resting upon her brow and pulled her head back gracefully before setting her crown upon the countertop and beside the sink. She then smiled warmly and even alluringly at me now that she was free of the symbol of her royal heritage. Even then, one could be forgiven for not noticing its absence with how it blends with her gorgeous plumage. As I set my towel aside, her eyes glanced down before looking back up at my face. "Aren't you gonna undress?"

"Um... I'd rather wear these for the sake of modesty. I brought a clean pair anyway." I explained as I realized what she was getting at. Novo nonchalantly rolled her eyes while letting out a quick chuckle before holding out her hand. I took hold and slowly stepped into the tub with her. The water was very warm, almost hot, so my movements were slow as I eased myself in. There were spots underneath the surface to sit on, making the bathtub almost like a hot tub.

Novo stood in the deepest section of the tub, the water reaching just over her back before dunking her head for a few seconds and lifting it back up with all of her plumage soaked. While not having the flowing slick look of a mare's mane, her plumage still had a more sensual look to it as she gave me a bit of a smirk. I just rolled my eyes while not really being able to look away. Wet or dry, Novo is always a feast for the eyes.

Now soaked to the skin with the salted water, Novo sat beside me as she sighed with a deep breath of the steamy water. I did the same, savoring the scent of the incense in the air as well as the fragrant bath salts lacing the steam from the water. We sat together, silently. Among the glow of the candles. The beautiful queen began to lean against me, prompting me to put my arm around her. There was little sound in the air to disturb this moment of mutual relaxation. Just the two of us.

My thoughts went back to earlier. The heated confrontation that ended with Novo in tears. The plea for me to return to her side. And the tender embrace and soft words that followed when we were reunited. I felt compelled to make this moment even more enjoyable for her in any way I could. My hand reached below the water and found its way to hers, resting upon my leg. I saw Novo glance at me out of the corner of my eye as my arm retracted while my other hand lifted her hand from the water. I held it between both palms, rubbing her hand between them.

"You're so beautiful, Novo..." I whispered as I tenderly caressed and rubbed that hand between mine, our hands slick with water. Novo soon raised her other hand and placed it with the other, both hands now being caressed between mine. It was a simple act, but I wanted to see her happy. To know I was there to help her. To heal her. To do whatever I could to ease her weeping heart and insure her that I was there for her among the flickering glows of the candles.

Love is strongest in the dark, after all.

Novo smiled softly in the flickering candlelight. Her beak nuzzled my hair, not a word coming from it. She was happy and at peace. But I wanted to do more. There had to be something more I could do to bring solace to her heart. And so I whispered, "Is there anything I can do for you, Novo?"

I felt her hands start to pull apart, so I released them from my grasp. But when I did, they reached for my face and cupped my cheeks. Those tender hands turned my head and guided my gaze until my eyes met hers. Novo's head was tilted down even as her eyes remained level with my own. What followed next was the softly spoken answer to my question. Two words, a simple yet sacred request. "Love me."

That brief response struck me in the heart in ways I could not have foreseen. It may have been the one response I never expected to hear. Her eyes gazed into mine, seldom blinking as a precious want rested in their magenta hued depths. And my heart... It too was filled with a budding desire. I wanted to hold her. To soothe her. To treasure her. And yet...I wondered if I should. And so I whispered a question in return. "I can.....but should I?"

"Nothing would make me happier..." She whispered to me, those eyes never looking away. The eyes of a mare who knew love and love lost. She continued to whisper to me with deep sincerity. "You understand... You and I are not so different, baby... We know. We know what it's like to be on top of the world... So in love... So happy and convinced nothing will ever go wrong...only for it to be snatched away from you out of nowhere, leaving you on the floor broken..."

She tenderly pulled my head low and against her chest while raising herself higher, her hand stroking over my hand as it became her turn to soothe and comfort me as tears from nowhere began to build in the depths of my eyes. Never before has a woman held me in such a manner that would leave me feeling so vulnerable. The tender queen whispered down to me, "You know me...and I know you... We've been hurt, baby... And we know how to heal each other... I'm so very tired of crying... And I don't want to do that anymore."

A haggard breathe hissed from my throat as old scars ached, long forgotten until her words brought them to the surface. Tears flowed, but I knew not why. I had no reason to be upset about what came before. And yet, the barely tangible connection between then and now was making me quietly weep in her embrace. Novo cooed sweetly to me as it became her turn to soothe my weary spirit. "Shhhhh... I know you've been hurt, hun... But mama's here for you... Just like you're here for me... Just know that someone loves you... Someone special, who won't ever give up on you..."

"Novo..." I said with a gasp as I clung to her soaked body. I pulled myself up, throwing my arms around her as she did the same to me. Two wounded hearts, so similar yet so different. Knowing each other's pain while not entirely identical. Is that what drew us together? I was not alone in my tears. I heard Novo gasp in quiet sobbing beside my head, her body trembling against me. We felt safe in each other's embrace. Safe enough to let our deeply buried wounds resurface enough to let us mourn.

My heart ached. But blooming in that ache was a burning desire. Something that set my nerves alight, but with a pleasant feeling just under the surface. I could feel it. A steadily blooming love for the wonderful mare in my embrace. The lack of time spent together supplemented by a deep mutual understanding of our experiences with love. I had never met a woman like Novo. Someone whose pain was nigh identical to my own. I needed her in my heart. Just as she needed me.

Our weeping soon ran its course as we soon held and caressed each other in our embrace, Novo sighing deeply as her head rubbed against me. She once again whispered, "Please... Love me... If not now, then soon. When you think the time is right... Tell me, so I know I can hold you and never let go."

"Mmhm..." I mumbled as I tilted my head into hers. Under all that sass and flair beat the heart of a passionate mare just filled with love to give. And I felt honored that it was me that she chose to give that love to. "You're...a wonderful woman, Novo... Like no other woman in the world..."

"And there's no other man like you out there, James..." She cooed in that deep and gorgeous voice. She pulled her head back and touched her beak to my nose as she stroked a hand over my chest. "No one. Not even Cygnus. There's no one like you. You...and only you... And I wouldn't have you any other way."

We just sat there in the candlelight. Hands sliding over each other. Caressing our faces. Sliding over our sides and arms. Finally, we moved to the deeper center of the tub and sank low so that only our heads were above water. My lips came to her beak as the tips curled in such a manner to match my own. We kissed, even if our mouths were not properly matched in softness. And then we embraced. Novo leaned back, pulling us both under the water. I think it was just to finally get my head wet since she pushed us both back up seconds later. The water had cooled enough to not be uncomfortable to my face and the faint taste of salt and vanilla was on my lips. Now that we were both soaked, Novo smiled at me and asked, "Care to help me wash up?"

"Allow me." I said softly, eager to use any opportunity to make the wonderful queen before me smile. I reached for a container of bath gel nearby, the scent of honey in it. It almost got me hungry as I got a large dollop of it in my palm. Novo brought her arms to the shallows to pull her upper body out of the water and allow me to scrub her down. I did just that, scrubbing the gel into her soaked feathers. And with every opportunity I got, I placed a soft kiss upon her cheek. Novo giggled the first time and brought her hand to the side of my face, pulling me closer so she could also place a firm kiss upon my lips.

There was a lot to scrub down on Novo due to just how much space there was on top of all those feathers. It was a bit of a chore to do the same to her glorious wings, but I diligently pressed on for the sake of making her happy. But when it came time to scrub her chest, I did so by embracing her from behind with my hands rubbing over her torso. Novo sighed hard as my arms held her like a vice, my fingers digging through her feathers. "Mmmm... James, you sweet man... Never let me go..."

"Never..." I whispered into her ear. She cooed and hummed, eyes closed as she allowed me to scrub her. She breathed long and deep, savoring my touch and whispering sweet little compliments to me. She soon placed her hands over mine, moving hers with mine as I scrubbed along. I paused at first as it registered she was holding my palms against her. I think I was blushing.

I decided to leave Novo's lower body alone for the sake of not going too far too soon. The gel washing off and into the water would likely be enough as it soaked into her feathers regardless. I began to reach for more gel to wash myself after Novo dunked herself under the surface to rinse herself, but Novo was not about to miss the chance to return the favor. She grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me around before seating me on the shallow edge of the tub. "Nope. You just sit there and let mama go to work."

I was in no mood to argue. I closed my eyes as I felt Novo beginning to scrub the gel into my hair and over my skin. All the while, she hummed a pleasant tune. She was not one to miss out on a chance to surprise me. I felt her gently nip at my ear, place firm kisses upon my collarbone, and embrace me from behind as she rubbed the gel over my torso. She respectfully did not reach under my boxers, although she was considerate enough to pull them up when they started to slip due to the water pulling them down with its added weight.

Once the two of us had thoroughly rinsed ourselves, Novo finally pulled the plug on the tub and allowed it to drain. I helped pat Novo down with a towel to help minimize how much water would drip off of her body. There was no way to get her completely dry, but I did the best with what I had. Novo even turned away to allow me to remove my soaked boxers and wrapped myself in the towel I brought along. I left my boxers on the edge of the bath tub to let them dry overnight. The two of us then embraced in the candlelight, Novo's wet plumage doing little to deter me. Although I still had to ask. "Um... Do you ever sleep while still that wet?"

"Like this? Pfft, no way. Besides, I don't know a single hippogriff who goes to bed like this." She said with a snort before reaching into a cabinet nearby. What she pulled out should have been no surprise to me. "We have a little secret ingredient to dry ourselves off proper. Hairdryers."

"Of course." I retorted with a smirk as I made my way out the door. "I'll just be in here, OK?"

"You do that, honey. I'll be a little while. Lots of wet to dry off here." Novo said before I heard the roar of a hairdryer drowning out all other sounds in the bathroom. I turned on a porcelain lamp on the nightstand to add a little light to the cozy interior of the royal bedroom. I knew better than to leave Novo now, so I sat myself on the edge of the bed after donning a dry pair of clean boxers and waited.

A minute went by. Then five minutes. And then ten minutes. I even began to crack a smirk as I wondered just how much work it takes to dry off all those feathers. Perhaps twelve minutes after she started, I finally heard the hairdryer power down before the glows of the candles in the bathroom faded as well. Novo then spoke to me from beyond the doorway, "Sorry to keep you waiting, baby. Just one question though... Can you say..."

She then stepped out the bathroom and struck a pose, wings partially spread as she cast me a smirk. "Fluffy queen?"

"Oh my god, you're adorable..." I said with a chuckle as I beheld Novo's freshly dried form. Her plumage was all puffed up like a fluffy chicken. Novo let out a very audible giggle before she approached with wings folded and rested upon the bed beside me. "Need a hand straightening those out?"

"That would be much obliged, sweetie. Just keep brushing until they stay down." Novo said as I turned to face her. I began to rub my hands over her face and down her neck over and over, steadily getting her feathers to lay flat against her body. They were still warm from the hot air of the hairdryer and felt especially pleasant to the touch. I did not feel the need to bother with her limbs and I was especially mindful to not apply pressure to her rump. Eventually, I had most of her smoothed out to her usual sleek and beautiful form. "Thanks, honey. Going to sleep like that always results in some messy plumage in the morning."

"I can imagine." I said briefly before pulling down the sheets for us. "May I stay with you tonight?"

"I'd be offended if you didn't." Novo retorted with a soft smile on her beak as she crawled over to the open spot on her bed. But she then patted the spot beside her as she looked at me. "Tonight... No restrictions. You're free to do whatever you want if you are sure it'll make me happy."

This offer carried a lot of weight to it. I crawled over to the spot beside her as all sorts of questions flooded my mind. Anything? Anything at all? Best to test the waters to make certain if there were some unspoken limits. "Really? But...what if I do something that alarms you? Or makes you feel..."

Novo brought a finger to my lips and shook her head without ever losing that knowing smile. "You won't, baby. You won't. I'm the queen. I know everything. And I know you won't do anything to hurt me. You proved that last night."

"If you say so..." I muttered while not entirely sure what to make of part of that claim. Maybe Novo was just trying to be funny. The queen knows everything? Yeah, right. Still, she rolled over with her back to me and her head set upon the pillow. I lied beside her, putting my arm over her in a tender embrace. "I'll...be cautious, all right?"

"You always are, baby. Don't be shy. Mama knows the touch of a good man when she feels it." Novo cooed to me without looking back at me. I brought my hand to her chest, gently rubbing over it. She responded with a sigh and soft whisper. "That's better... Don't restrain yourself, baby."

A slowly growing boldness started to build in my heart. I was indeed afraid of offending her, but I did indeed wanted to please her to the best of my ability. With my heart guiding me, I reached out and began to place soft kisses upon her shoulder even as my fingers pushed through her plumage to feel her chest properly. "Just tell me if I'm going too far..."

"Oooooh... Mmm, you're not, James. You've always been good to me..." Novo sighed in quiet bliss. I reached past her glorious crest of feathers on her head to reach her neck as I began to place more kisses upon her. My hand slid up and over her side, rubbing over her ribs before reaching low and caressing her flank. I think Novo knew what I had in mind as she then whispered, "Go ahead, dear... Feel everything mama has to offer..."

I did just that and began to snake my fingers through the layer of feathers over her flank. And when I took hold of the mass of flesh just under it... Novo gasped sharply in utter delight as she felt my hand grasp her rump. I closed my eyes as I began to examine it. I have felt a number of mares' hips before, many of varying width and fullness. Celestia's curves are easily some of the most impressive I have ever seen, but Novo's... So full and round. Firm, yet soft. I could not help muttering in response to what I was feeling in my hand, "They're so...full..."

Novo sighed loudly before letting out a giggle as she looked over her shoulder at me. She gave me a sly smirk as she said, "What were you expecting, honey? You don't get hips like these without having a foal or two."

I felt myself heat up at those words. I had all but forgotten that Novo was more than a queen. She was a mother. And an extremely attractive one at that. Indeed, those were the hips of a tall and regal mother mare and they felt so impressively feminine in my grasp. And she made clear to me how much she was enjoying my caress as she lifted her head and let out a churr. "Oooooh, such a soft touch, baby... Mmmm, just like that..."

As much as she was enjoying my touch, I was savoring the sound of her voice. Knowing I was pleasing her was pleasing me. My body was responding accordingly, a faint lust mixing with the love I was feeling for her. But I restrained it. This was not about my wants. It was about hers. My needs were not of her concern.

I slid my other arm under Novo and draped it over her chest, holding her against me even as my hand tenderly and lovingly caressed and grasped her motherly flank. But I knew I should appreciate more than just those luscious hips. My hand slid back up her side and down over her belly. Novo's coos of delight softened, savoring the gentle belly rub I proceeded to give her. But then, boldness swelling in me, I reached lower to a spot most tender. And Novo was quick to detect my touch. "Ooh! Honey...that's..."

"Is this too much?" I asked with some discretion. My hand was resting upon her teat. Soft and round, I waited for her confirmation before I could continue.

"My teats...? No one has ever touched me there..." Novo whispered as she once again relaxed in my grasp. "Go on... I did say no restrictions. Show me what it's like."

I continued. My hand rubbed over Novo's soft feathered mammary as she twitched and gasped. Her breaths became much deeper as she felt my fingers reach through the layer of feathers to feel the soft flesh beneath. Once I felt the warm flesh below the feathers, I began to squeeze. The whole thing fit in the palm of my hand, soft malleable flesh with a single hardened nub in the center. Novo suddenly chirped as she squirmed in my grasp, writhing in newfound pleasure. "Oh god, baby... You and your baby soft hands... James... Honey..."

As I continued to please the beautiful queen in my embrace, I started to notice a scent in the air. Something musky... Heady and strong that only became more so as the seconds went by. A sense of alarm came over me as I recognized the intimately familiar scent. The scent of a lustful mare. I should not have been surprised. But as I took my hand off of Novo in the hopes that we had done enough, she rose to her feet and set herself down atop me with her hands resting upon my chest. She gazed down at me while panting softly, a faint blush shining through her feathers. "Goodness, you know how to make a mare happy..."

"Uh huh... Plenty of experience by now." I said almost jokingly as I was now at her mercy, the beautiful creature having me pinned beneath her. I felt both nervous and excited. Her scent alone told me what she wanted, yet I was wondering if she knew we should now so soon.

"You know... You've got both hands free now." Novo cooed at me as she slowly wiggled her curvy hips between my knees. "Why don't you take hold of both cheeks, baby? Show mama how you really make a mare happy."

"Gladly." I whispered back as my hands slid over her back and over the curves of her flanks. My fingers felt their way through the layer of feathers until both flanks were firmly in my grasp. As my fingers dug firmly into her soft curvy rump, Novo lifted her head high with a seductively deep moan as her wings slowly spread wide in a glorious display of approval.

"Mmmm, baby... Yes, honey... Squeeze my curvy MILF hips..." Novo cooed as I continued to firmly yet lovingly knead the soft flesh beneath her feathers. Her hands remained firmly upon my shoulders, keeping me pinned to the bed. The sight above me gently illuminated, the sound of Novo's voice, the softness in my palms, and the scent in the air proved to be a wonderful combination. She was in heaven and I was delighted to see her in such bliss.

Soon, Novo lowered her head to me as her eyes looked into mine even as my hands continued to grope and caress her rump in a way no man ever had before. I thought she was going to kiss me, but then I saw her beak beginning to part as she panted lightly. My lips too began to part as I saw what was coming. Novo's eyes closed as her head turned, her parted beak clamping over my mouth as her tongue reached in to meet mine.

A true kiss. A deep wonderful kiss from the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. My grasp on her flanks only tightened as I quietly moaned in that wonderful kiss, our tongues performing a tango while Novo hummed shrilly in ecstasy. When she paused briefly in the kiss, I opened my eyes to see her gazing back at me with such love in those beautiful magenta hued eyes. Her deep beautiful voice whispered to me words that were truly only meant for my ears. "Mmm, my sweet sugar bear..."

I could not say anything. Especially since she went right back to kissing me as lovingly as she could, her hands scooping under my head in a passionate embrace. She was no stranger to love. Novo was a mare of experience in matters of the heart and she knew what we both desired. I sighed and moaned softly in that kiss, our tongues tasting and feeling each other with just the hint of a lingering taste of hard cider in our mouths. But the longer this went on, the more I desired her. And this time, it was not up to me to decide what would happen. The instant Novo detected my body craving her, she acted.

A stiff narrow mass was forming in my boxers and Novo was quick to detect it. She pressed her lower body down against me, two soft feathered mounds bordering my stiff shaft through the fabric of my boxers. I grunted in surprise, Novo's body beginning to slide back and forth as she began to do for me something no mare had ever done before. Utilizing her soft motherly teats to generate stimulation for my own equipment.

I could not break free, nor did I want to. Novo was not about to release me when our hearts so dearly ached for each other. She huffed and moaned in the kiss, her tongue vigorously dancing with my own as the nonexistent tempo hastened. Her body craved me as much as mine desired hers. I could smell it. Her deep loving moans became erratic, her gyrations adding delightful pressure to my shaft as I too began to lift my hips to rub against her lower belly. My hands were doing their job as well as her teats were doing theirs.

I could not believe how lost in bliss I was. I wanted her. I needed her. As much as she needed me. Novo's moans became louder, shriller, a sign that my relentless fondling of her curvy rump was pushing her to the edge. The stiff shaft in my boxers began to periodically twitch. We were so close, yet her beak would not release me. Finally, we could not hold out any longer. Within two seconds apart from each other, we practically screamed into our kiss as our bodies quivered in climax. My seed burst forth in the confines of my boxers while my fingers clamped down on Novo's rump. The feminine musky aroma in the air only became thicker as the beautiful queen atop me shuddered in release, quite possibly for the first time in years. It was so brief, yet so fulfilling.

Panting hotly, the two of us gazed at each other as we basked in the afterglow. Novo was blushing profusely as she looked down at me with beak parted. "Dear god... Haven't...felt that happen in too long..."

"Yeah... You were... Oh man, no one has ever done that for me..." I gasped as I slid my hands a little higher, placing them on her lower back to let her flanks relax after such a powerful climax.

That look of exhaustion became one of prideful joy. Novo whispered sweetly to me, "No one...? Well, guess that means I was the first. Did mama's tits feel nice, sugar bear?"

"They...felt wonderful... You're wonderful... Everything about you is wonderful..." I huffed as I gasped for breath while setting my head back down. Novo giggled quietly as she stroked my hair. I was definitely ready to get some sleep by then.

Novo curled up beside me as she pulled the covers over us. Tired and pleasantly fatigued, sleep would come easily for us. I lazily reached for the lamp on the nightstand and turned it off, darkness falling over the chamber as I felt Novo drape her wing over me. "You were wonderful, baby... If you wake up before me, please stay with me until I can give you a kiss to start your day."

"Will do, Novo... Sweet dreams, you beautiful creature." I whispered back to her before feeling a firm kiss upon my cheek. Moments later, sleep took us as our exhausted minds slipped into the realm of dreams.

My memories of the dream I had are hazy. All I remember are...hippogriffs. Graceful soaring hippogriffs. But more than anything, I remembered the distinct form of Novo with me. I was happy. And she was happy. I think I had wings too. But upon awakening, I turned my head and saw Novo staring back at me lovingly. She brought a finger to my cheek and dragged her smooth and blunt talon to my chin. "Well, good morning, handsome. Have any good dreams?"

"Yeah... It was good because you were there..." I muttered while slowly getting my bearings. Novo's smile brightened before she reached out and pecked a little kiss upon my lips. But as we sat up in bed and stretched, the reality of what happened last night dawned on us. We sat at the edge of the bed as an air of awkward silence settled over the room. Neither of us looked at each other. Neither of us spoke for a full minute until I found the will to speak first. "So...that happened last night..."

"Uh huh..." Novo muttered at the edge of my field of vision. I could see her rub a hand over the back of the other. "You were...very good to me, James... Still... Wow, did we really do that?"

"Yeah... We...really wanted each other." I mumbled as I contemplated how much time had passed since the moment we first met. Three days. And yet... Did we really feel so strongly for each other? Out of sheer mutual understanding? Even if it was not actual intercourse... It was dangerously close. But there was one thing that came to mind. A question. “Hey, um... That term you used last night... The term MILF. What is that an acronym of?”

Novo cracked a smirk as she glanced over at me. “What? Isn’t your wife one? It basically means I’m one of the hottest moms around. But if you need the actual translation, it means ‘Mom I’d Like to Fondle’. And you did quite a bit of that last night, hm?”

“Oh lord, how’d I not see that coming?” I snickered to myself. I knew what the term on Earth translated to, but I was glad the term in Equestria translates to something more wholesome. Once the air of comedic levity faded, we once again fell silent as I waited for Novo to break the awkward silence.

"Maybe we shouldn't do that again for a while..." Novo muttered nervously while I just nodded in agreement. But as we sat there, our hands found their way to each other and took hold. Slowly, our gazes met each other. And we pulled ourselves closer to each other. We closed our eyes as our foreheads touched, our eyes soon opening as our gazes met from a mere inch away. Novo whispered to me, "I...meant everything I said last night... Every word of it..."

"Same here... I didn't...exaggerate anything, your majesty..." I muttered quietly while once again allowing a formality slip. Novo's gaze suddenly sharpened, but she then smirked at me while still gazing right into my eyes. "Sorry... That just slipped...

"Honey, you reached first and second base with the queen last night. You've got no business calling her that anymore." Novo said proudly with quite a smirk on her beak. But her gaze soon softened as she brought my hand to her chest. "But really... Remember this, honey. You hold the key to my heart now. I know now isn't the time to unlock it, but when the time comes... I trust you'll do what's best."

"Novo... I..." I muttered before I let out a sigh. Even after the rush of last night, my heart still pined for her. The seeds of love had been planted and were beginning to sprout. I would be lying to myself if I said otherwise. "Someday... One day, I'll have an answer for you."

"I'll be waiting. Now... Maybe you should go get dressed. I don't see any of your clothes lying around here." Novo said jokingly as she pulled away. I had a little laugh and gathered up my towel and slightly moist boxers from the bathroom before hurrying to my own chambers with my towel draped over me.

What a day... Just... Novo. Beautiful Novo. I came here to help her. And now I think I may be falling in love with her. But even I know it is far too soon to say for certain. Best to be cautious and wait and see. For now, I had best finish this up. Silverstream is going to want to make up for me not showing up at her place last night.