Frost awoke the next morning and stretched his hooves. He turned over and nuzzled the mass of soft black fur next to him. As he came back to reality he remembered being dragged into Aldus’ room so Pyrite could sleep with Selene. The blue unicorn opened his eyes realizing he was nuzzling Selene’s chest. The first instinct he felt was to get up and jump off the bed, but he was still tired from all the things that happened in the past day. Also, there was something else preventing him from leaving, he didn’t want to. He felt safe, safer than he had ever felt before. He pressed his head into her fur and listened to her heartbeat, the sound he had remembered last night before falling asleep. Frost wasn’t sure, but he thought Selene used some type of magic on him to make him calm and relaxed.

Frost wrapped his hooves around one of Selene’s forehooves, which she had curled around him protectively. He gently pushed it to the side and realized parts of her mane had coiled around him while he slept. Frost gently untangled himself from the soft locks and looked up to see Selene asleep with her head on a pillow, snoring lightly. The blue unicorn got to his hooves and stretched again while noticing Aldus was nowhere to be found. He also noticed they weren’t in the airship and this wasn’t the same room he and Pyrite went to sleep in. Frost stared out through an open balcony into rolling meadows. This must be the countryside Aldus was talking about.

Frost trotted to the edge of the bed and prepared to get down when a tendril coiled around his rear left leg. Apparently Selene didn’t want him to leave, he looked over at the alicorn but found she was still snoozing away. Could these tentacles of hers move on their own? Frost trotted back over to Selene and watched as three tendrils slithered around behind him. He sat down and pondered what to do. If these tendrils wouldn’t let him leave then he would just have to wake up Selene... but somehow he doubted she was a morning pony.

There was only one way to find out, with a grunt he climbed onto Selene’s side and crawled over to her shoulder. He lay there for a while and let his eyelids droop a bit. Her fur was so soft and comforting. She didn’t seem to notice him crawl up on top of her, talk about a sound sleeper. Frost heard more snoring coming from behind Selene. He looked over her shoulder and found Pyrite swaddled from neck to hooves in her mane. The silver earth colt slept with a small smile on his face.

“Hi!” came a voice from behind Frost.

Frost whirled around, startled, to find a dark blue pegasus filly standing at the foot of the bed grinning at him. She trotted up to Selene and jumped up on her back. Frost didn’t know it, but his jaw hung open as he attempted to process the filly in front of him. She was absolutely gorgeous, possibly the most attractive filly he’d ever laid eyes on. She was bigger than him, but most fillies were at his age. Her eyes were a soft shade of green and she sported a dark blue mane that was cut short and hung across her face, covering one eye.

“Hmm, you know you’re even cuter when you aren’t sleeping?” the filly squeaked with a sly smile. She sat on her haunches in front of Frost and stared down at him.

Frost had no idea what was going on, “You... were watching me when I was sleeping?”

“Yup!” The filly said nodding her head.

“Umm... why were you doing that?” Frost asked.

“Well because its part of my job, silly!” the filly said with a laugh and snort.

Frost found the way this filly was acting to be really cute, “Part of your job...? Just who are you?”

The filly frowned at him and looked over at Selene, “Has mommy not told you yet?”

“Mommy?” Frost asked.

The filly nodded and floated down beside Pyrite. “I’m sure she’ll tell you when she wakes up, I’m Andromeda, Frost. It’s so good to finally meet you.”

Andromeda nudged the tendrils holding Pyrite causing them to unravel. She gently picked up the silver earth colt and cradled him in her forehooves. Pyrite yawned as the pegasus filly rose into the air and hovered above Frost. He nuzzled Andromeda’s chest before looking up with surprise at the new pegasus filly.

“Hello cutie,” Andromeda said as she kissed the silver colt’s forehead, “Did you sleep well with mommy?”

“Mommy? You mean... Selene?” Pyrite asked.

“Mhm,” Andromeda nodded.

“Selene is our mother,” came a voice from the balcony. A black pegasus colt entered the room and flew over to lay beside Frost. “She created us.”

“You children are so loud,” Selene said with a groan. “But I suppose its time to get up.”

Frost and Black Star jumped down as the large black alicorn stretched on the bed before getting up to face them. “This is Aldus and Rigel’s manor, we arrived about five hours ago so I took the liberty of moving you and Pyrite here to let you sleep.”

“Where is Aldus?” Frost asked.

“He and Rigel left for an important... assignment... tasked by the princesses. I’ll be leaving to join them soon.” Selene said while looking out the window.

“No!” Pyrite said as he squirmed out of Andromeda’s hooves and jumped down onto the bed. He pressed his head into Selene’s chest and murmured, “You can’t go yet, we only just got here. Please don’t go.”

Selene frowned and nuzzled the small earth colt, “Now now little Pyrite, we all have duties to perform, and Aldus may need me. Once this is all over I’ll come back soon, and I’ll have Rigel and Aldus with me.”

“Promise?” Pyrite asked with some tears in his eyes.

“I promise,” Selene said with a gentle smile.

“What are we supposed to do while you are gone?” Frost asked.

Andromeda fluttered to the ground beside Frost and kissed him on the cheek, causing him to turn the brightest shade of red. Black Star watched and rolled his eyes. The blue pegasus filly giggled and swished her tail seductively in Frost’s face as she trotted over to Pyrite.

“Andromeda and Black Star will look after you while we are away. Aldus has arranged for a servant to arrive and look after the manor while you and your friends are staying here. She will feed you, take care of you and whatever else you deem necessary.”

“We don’t need a foal sitter, Selene” Frost said, “You know we can take care of ourselves.”

Black Star laughed while Andromeda looked at him like he was the cutest thing in the world. Frost wrinkled his nose and pointed to Andromeda, “Who is she, Selene?”

Selene grinned coiled her mane around Andromeda and Pyrite, bringing them in front of her. “Remember when I said you would get a cool reward, Frost?”

“Umm... yeah?” Frost said, unsure of where this was going.

“Well, here she is!” Selene said, nodding at Andromeda. “I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you and Pyrite that you were the kind of foals that would get into trouble all the time. I shudder to think what would have happened if Black Star and Red Sun didn’t happen along when they did in Manehatten. I can’t be around all the time, and neither can your friends, so I created Andromeda to protect you and Pyrite.”

“Like... another big sister?” Pyrite asked while looking up at Andromeda.

“Exactly,” Selene said, “Andromeda will be a close companion, and will always watch over you. She can even help you practice your magic, Frost.” Selene said to the blue unicorn.

“What? How? She is a pegasus...”

Andromeda grinned and blew aside some of her mane revealing a small black horn. She ignited it and teleported above Frost, landing on him.

Frost looked up into the filly's beautiful green eyes, “You’re an alicorn?!”

“Mmm... sort of,” Andromeda said while wrinkling her nose in an attempt to focus. The horn wiggled and disappeared into her forehead. “I can do magic, but mommy thinks its best if I keep a low profile and just pretend to be a pegasus when we’re around other ponies.”

“So... you can fly and do magic?” Pyrite asked

“Thats right, cutie.” Andromeda squeaked, “Want to see?” The pegasus filly knelt down and extended a wing.

Pyrite looked up at Selene who nodded in approval. The silver earth colt ran over and climbed onto Andromeda.

“How high have you flown before, Pyrite?” Andromeda asked with a smirk as she flexed her wings and trotted over to the balcony.

“Umm, not that high... why?”

“Oh... no reason,” the pegasus filly said with a laugh before taking off and flying straight upwards at surprising speed.

“Black Star...” Selene deadpanned.

“Yeah Mom... I’ll make sure she doesn’t crash.” the pegasus colt said while shooting a grin at Frost.

Frost frowned and stared at the ground. Selene levitated him in front of her and stroked his mane with a hoof, “Not what you were expecting for a reward?”

“No, thats not it,” Frost said, “I just... I get the feeling something dangerous is about to happen, I don’t want to lose the new family that I have now. If I can call you that without presuming too much.”

Selene nuzzled the unicorn and placed him on her back. “Sweetheart, of course you can call us your family. You don’t have to worry about a thing, we’re all going to come back. I promise.”

Frost pressed his face into her fur and began to cry, “Alright, I’m- I’m sorry for crying. Just, be careful.”

Selene smiled and looked behind her shoulder, “It’s okay Frost, I understand, let it out. I don’t have to leave just yet, how about we practice some magic before Black Star comes back to make breakfast?”

Frost wiped away the tears from his eyes, “Alright, Selene. That sounds good.”

-------------

Princess Luna stood at the edge of her balcony in the observatory tower and finished lowering the moon. Her servants had catalogued the star charts for the night. The children were taken care of in the dreamscape and many had a peaceful nights rest without interruption, including the young silver earth colt she had visited recently. The princess knew he had been brought back by Aldus, but she did not know exactly why. Her curiosity piqued, she resolved to visit the child when she had the time. Luna giggled as she imagined the child’s reaction to seeing her true alicorn form.

“What is so funny, Luna?” came a voice from behind her.

“Hello sister, just imagining some of my subjects...” Luna said, stifling another giggle.

“I would think your mind would be on the more serious matter at hand, considering your courtiers have already set the plan into action.” Celestia said with a stern look.

Luna raised an eyebrow and turned to face the her older sister, “Why are you so concerned? I trust that Aldus knows what he is doing, and you do too. You did approve it, and let him explain the entire thing to you.”

“Trusting a changeling after what just happened... Aldus really does have a silver tongue.” Celestia said, “I suppose a silver tongue will help in dealing with the silver ponies.”

“So thats what this is about,” Luna said with a roll of her eyes, “You never did like all the good Aldus did for the relationship between the Silver Isles and Equestria.”

“Luna... I just, Princess Desalia-”

“Has always been a friend to me and to our subjects. She donated several books to the royal library and has offered keen insight as to the inner workings of the elements of harmony.”

“Lulu...” Celestia said with a frown, “Please, I don’t wish to argue. I’m only concerned.”

“Celly, I understand... all I’m saying is you put so much faith in Twilight Sparkle. She is your student and has worked hard to earn that faith, but so has Aldus. Have you forgotten? He was your student once too, just as he was once mine, and he did not acquire his ‘silver tongue’ from me... dear sister...”

Celestia winced at that, remembering the lectures and meetings she had taken the grey unicorn to. She remembered him watching with apparent disinterest, but it was a ruse. Aldus learned quickly how to mask his emotions and never let anypony know what he was thinking unless he wanted them to know. The sun princess remembered the games they would play where Aldus would tell things to Celestia and she would attempt to guess if he was telling the truth or not. Indeed, it was through him that she refined the lessons that would soon be taught to Twilight.

Luna approached her sister and draped a wing around her neck, “Aldus could have killed this... Ciaran if he desired... you know what sort of diabolical magic he capable of... you know because you taught it to him, sister. Remember?”

“Times were different then, Luna. You know that. Those spells don’t have any place existing anymore... and Aldus knows that too, I made sure he was aware.”

“Celly, he came to us first and told us everything. What more do you want? You know what Princess Desalia guards in the Silver Isles... could you imagine what would happen if Chrysalis gets her hooves on the contents of that library? We might not be able to stop her, not even the elements could triumph against that sort of power.”

“I know, Luna. I know. I wish there was more we could do...”

Luna picked up her sister’s head with a hoof and smiled at her, “It just so happens there is something we can do, or... something I can do.” Luna said.

Princess Celestia saw one of Luna’s night guards enter the room in full battle armor and bow, “Princesses...” the mare said, “Luna, we are ready to depart.”

“Ready to depart?” Celestia asked, “Where are you going?”

“To put the final part of our plan into action,” Luna said.

---------------

Aldus put a hoof in front of his face to shield against the fierce winds. The changelings escorting him moved out of the trees and began their slow pace across the barren landscape beyond. Darkmire Moors was a desolate land seemingly devoid of any life, or perhaps the other creatures simply avoided his place because they knew what lay close by. Darkmire Moors was named after the swamp bordering the tips of the Silver Isles. Aldus remembered this land, even though he had only traveled through here once before. That was before the incident with Seabreeze.

“You look like you have just seen a ghost.” one of the changelings remarked, giving Aldus a sidelong glance. “Your face will be paler than that once we deliver you to Silth.”

Aldus grinned at the changeling, “Are you certain Silth isn’t on to you and Ciaran’s other changelings? Seems like she would be if she is so terrible and cunning as you all claim.”

The changelings surrounding Aldus all chuckled. The one conversing with Aldus widened his eyes, “Oh you are a brave pony, we’ll see if you remain that way when you meet her. As for us, we are quite skilled at blending in amongst our own kind, even in another colony.”

“How much further?” Aldus asked, “We’ve been travelling for the entire day.”

“Just across the moors,” the changeling answered.

It was then that Aldus sensed it, a slight tingle in the air. As they crossed over the moors he noticed the forest they were approaching had clearings cut deep within it, but were hidden by magic. The mountain beyond the forest looked normal, but upon closer inspection it was a veritable fortress. Several alcoves and terraces were carved out for defense while Aldus suspected tunnel networks stretched from beneath the mountain to far out into the forest. The nearby sea crashing against cliffs made Aldus think of the approaching fleet of warships. They could bombard the mountain, but Aldus sensed the tunnels would allow the changelings to move quickly into their forest and regroup there.

The changelings escorting Aldus shoved him along to give the sentries watching them the right idea. Aldus was their prisoner, and soon would find himself in dire straights. Finally, the party reached the base of the mountain and approached the entrance of a cave. Aldus saw a large changeling wearing... armor? The changeling trotted out to the six surrounding the unicorn and displayed a mirthful grin.

“Ahh the new pet has arrived, he doesn’t seem like he’ll last long.”

“Thats none of our concern, we’re just glad to be back and away from all those sniveling hoity toity Canterlot ponies.” the changeling nearest Aldus spat.

The large armored changeling laughed, “True, it isn’t your concern, and I can imagine the ponies you must have dealt with, thats why I’m glad to be here. Well, this way then... best not to keep Silth waiting.”

Aldus was lead into the mountain to behold an incredible sight. The entire mountain was hollowed out and carved into what looked like the inner architecture of a massive castle. Several pillars supported each level with massive arches and a narthex that loomed over everything. It reminded Aldus of one of the silver cathedrals in the Silver Isles. Being in such close proximity to them, Aldus reasoned it was possible they were influenced by the architecture. However, never did he believe changelings to be so... sophisticated. There was still the signature green slime covering the majority of the architecture and the place was dimly lit. Aldus did not have time to marvel at the sights before being forced up a set of winding stairs. At the apex of the mountain Aldus found himself being led down a long hallway to a massive room with a set of double doors.

The large changeling knocked three times. before an all too familiar voice chimed, “Come in!”

The changelings entered before Aldus and all bowed low to a shadowy figure standing before a large hearth. The room was enormous with a gigantic queen size bed complete with ornate bed posts and silk top coverings. Several books were strewn about a table near the left side of the room and on the right was a balcony that overlooked the entirety of Darkmire Moors.

“Excellent, my guest has finally arrived. Leave us.” The familiar voice commanded.

All the changelings filed out of the room leaving Aldus alone with the shadowy figure.

“What... no magic? I’m surprised, Aldus.” the familiar voice said with a laugh.

“Well... I would show you some spells, but your servants saw fit to drain me of my magic on my way here, as well as knock me out cold for most of the journey.”

“Unacceptable!” the voice boomed. Princess Luna stepped forward with a menacing glare. “Your princess commands you to perform magic!”

Aldus stared at Princess Luna, “You know, thats actually not half bad, but the mane is too short and it takes years to master the royal voice. I give it an A for effort, though.”

Princess Luna chuckled and was consumed by green flames. When the flames died down a changeling similar to Ciaran stood before him, but smaller. She smiled at Aldus and ran a hoof through her dark orange mane.

“A sense of humor... I like that,” the changeling giggled, “I’m going to enjoy our playtime, look,” the changeling gestured to a corner where a harvest pod stood awaiting its occupant. “I made that just for you, so you can rest after I--,” the changeling paused to lick her fangs, “ After we are done playing.”

Aldus gulped and tilted his head, “You know Silth, for somepony with a reputation like yours... I was expecting you to be bit... taller.”

The changeling in front of Aldus grinned and collected green energy at the tip of her horn.

“Cynthia!”

The changeling dropped the grin and magic immediately while looking behind her victim. Aldus felt a chill run up the length of his spine as he slowly turned around to see where the voice came from. Hidden in the shadows behind one of the large doors, an enormous changeling emerged and stalked toward Aldus and the smaller changeling. This one was was even larger than Ciaran and sported a dark yellow mane that flowed down to her back. Her skin was not black like other changeling’s, but rather a dark grey.

“She is not Silth, wizard. I am.”

Aldus looked up at Silth with a weak smile. “Yeah... thats more like I imagined.”

Silth gave Aldus an amused smirk then turned her attention to the one called Cynthia. “You’ve had your fun. Get out, brat. This one is mine, and mine alone. Go find your love somewhere else.”

“Yes mother,” Cynthia said with a bow then quickly left the room.

Silth assessed Aldus with piercing blue eyes, “I wondered how you would look after being alive so long, you are still blessed with youth... and significantly more delicious looking than the books describe.” the changeling cooed in a dangerously soft voice.

“Uhh... thanks?” Aldus said.

“Your welcome. Now, before we start the nights... activities... there is something I want to know.” Silth said while buzzing her wings and landing on the bed. “Why did you do it?”

Aldus looked at Silth, fear giving way to genuine curiosity, “Why did I do what?”

Silth tsked and laid down on the bed, seductively spreading her hooves and laying flat on her belly. Her eyes began to glow pale blue as she playfully rolled over on her back, looking at Aldus upside down, “You know what... you ponies call us changelings monsters, but you... you are a true monster.”

Aldus froze, did she know about Selene?

“You killed all those poor ponies with that comet. Why?”

Aldus felt relief wash through him, but he did not allow Silth to notice. He looked over at the many books on the table, “Student of history are you?”

Silth licked her fangs seductively, “Only in things that interest me.”

Aldus took a few paces toward the bed, eliciting a wide grin from the changeling, “If I tell you why, will you let me go?”

Silth chuckled, “That depends on a few things, Aldus.”

“Like what?” Aldus inquired.

“Well, it depends on if you tell the truth. It also depends on how good you taste.” Silth said with a playful wink.

Aldus gulped and felt the chill return to his spine.

“Do you really want to know?” Aldus asked.

Silth leaned forward, “Yes!”

Aldus took a deep breath and lowered his head, “I did it because they deserved it, and for one other reason.”

“What other reason?” Silth asked.

“Its not something I reveal to anypony, that includes you, Silth. Sorry.”

Silth rested her chin on her hooves and smiled at Aldus, “You are pretty confident... I wonder why? Is it because... you are a powerful wizard?” Silth asked while climbing off the bed. “Is it because I don’t frighten you?” the changeling rubbed her hooves across Aldus’ back. “Is it because... my own machinations couldn’t possibly compare to the schemes of your own?”

Silth suddenly pressed her face into Aldus’, her eyes inches away from his, “Or is it because the Silver Isle ponies are on their way here with an armada of ships and soldiers to rescue you and destroy my colony?”

Aldus turned as white as a ghost while his heart sank. Silth stood behind her prey and wrapped her long forehooves under Aldus’ shoulders bringing him against her chest. She looked down at him pityingly with a more intense glow in her eyes, “I am everywhere, little wizard. In your kingdom, in the Silver Isles, in the gryphon lands, and in the Crystal Empire. I know what your princesses like to eat, and I know what they secretly think about their nobles. I know about the little bakery Celestia likes to sneak off to when she gets a break. Did you really think you could plan something like this against me and succeed?”

Aldus broke free of her embrace and backed away, “There is... no way... how-?”

“We’re changelings sweetheart... infiltration and information gathering is what we do.” Silth laughed and transformed into Princess Celestia, “How did the sun princess react when you told her of my little sister’s request, hmm?”

“You- you knew about that too?!” Aldus stammered.

“Unfortunately for Ciaran, yes. Poor girl, part of my army should be arriving at her colony tonight. I have no use for children as weak as Ciaran’s, so they will be disposed of. But she will be brought here so she can know the true magnitude of her failure. Oh... and your Silver Isle allies? My children await below the waves to surprise them as they approach our shores.”

“Even if you do surprise them, they will not be defeated so easily.” Aldus said.

“Thats true, it will take a great many of the tens of thousands of changelings in our underground colony to stop them, but we will emerge victorious in the end... and their will be nopony left to stop us from marching on the Silver Isles and sacking the the Silver City. I shall look forward to feasting on Princess Desalia.” Silth admitted while returning to her natural form.

“Tens of thousands?” Aldus slumped to the floor, “I- I lost... how? I’ve failed... everypony...”

Silth grinned and stretched her hooves, “Aww... I can’t stand to see you like that my little pony. Here, let me cheer you up. Look at me.”

Aldus stared at the ground and caught a green flash in his peripherals.

“Aldus...” Silth cooed in a sweet, seductive voice, “Please look at me.”

Aldus continued to gaze at the floor, but a soft voice in the back of his mind spoke to him. The voice said there was no harm in listening to Silth, it said it might even be fun. His eyes began to show a dim blue glow as he listened to the voice. Slowly, Aldus picked up his head and looked at Silth. But it was not changeling standing before him now. Aldus’ mouth dropped to the floor and his eyes locked open.

“No... it can’t be... it’s impossible.”

A light green alicorn mare stood in front of Aldus with wings unfurled. The alicorn’s mane was a light blue with several pink streaks running through it here and there. A few of the locks were braided at the ends and sitting atop her head was a silver tiara fitted with several blue gemstones.

“Seabreeze... I- I-”

The alicorn’s eyes glowed the brightest blue with her horn to match. Aldus’ eyes soon mirrored Seabreeze’s and in an instant something pinged in the back of his mind. Aldus’ eyes remained fixed on Seabreeze as a small, content smile appeared on his face.

“There... that’s better,” she said while moving her face from side to side, watching Aldus follow her motions, held completely in a trance.

Silth remained in the form of Aldus’ long lost love. This was the best she had felt in months, perhaps even years. Everything was going according to plan, and she finally had her toy to enjoy for as long as she wanted. Silth put a hoof to Aldus’ face and closed his jaw, but as soon as she let go it dropped open again. She giggled at how pathetic and helpless her new toy was. She had always found the reactions of her victims to be the most enjoyable part of the feeding process. It might even be better than the feeding itself. Aldus’ reaction to her current disguise meant the image she had formed from reading all those books must have been accurate. Silth leaned against Aldus and rubbed her head against his, letting her mane drape over him. She looked at his seemingly happy expression in the mirror across the room. She would make sure he enjoyed this as much as she planned to.

“Oooh...” Silth squeaked, “Do I look pretty, Aldus?”

“Yes...” Aldus said with a submissive smile.

Silth grinned and pressed her muzzle to his in a passionate kiss. Blazing hot energy surged through Silth causing her to squeeze Aldus tightly, but he did not seem to mind. Silth felt like she was fighting for her life in raging river. Every second was a fight to remain afloat in the torrent of love flowing into her. After what seemed like an eternity, Silth finally broke the kiss and gasped for air. Aldus now wore a wide smile and fell forward to be collected in the changeling’s forehooves. She giggled and held him against her chest while savoring the love. Her skin twitched as the energy moved throughout her body. She had never fed on a pony like this before. The love felt... wild, yet refined like a good wine.

A good aged wine... Silth thought. Then it hit her, this was a love that was one thousand years old. That explained why it was so different. It was sublime.

“So good!!! I’m definitely keeping you!” Silth squeed while returning to her original form. She threw Aldus onto the bed and dove on top of him to continue feeding for the rest of the night.

-------------

The manor was quiet as a graveyard when Pyrite and Frost returned from their walk. It truly was an elaborate house with many rooms neither of the colts had explored yet. Black Star had taken Iris, Blue Bell, Ruby, and Antares into the city to buy some food and other things needed until the housekeeper arrived. Frost felt uneasy being in such a large place knowing that he and Pyrite were the only ones there. Well, that wasn’t necessarily true. Frost trotted along behind Pyrite observing Andromeda interact with silver earth colt. They ascended the stairs to the master bedroom that Selene was in earlier. Black Star mentioned that several of the rooms still needed work, so sleeping on the top floor was probably the best idea since they all had clean furniture. Pyrite was telling Andromeda about their time in Manehatten and all the things they did together.

Once they got into the bedroom Frost collapsed on the bed and motioned for Andromeda to stay with Pyrite. Frost had so much food for dinner he passed out immediately after hitting the pillow. Andromeda smiled after hearing Frost start to snore. She looked over at her other charge, who was having no such luck. Pyrite had pulled back the curtains and opened up the balcony to look outside. Andromeda noticed that as Pyrite stepped out into the night air, the light of the moon shined brighter. The rays of light intensified as they surrounded the little colt.

Andromeda crept up behind him and sat down on her haunches. She plucked the colt off the ground and sat him in her lap. “Looks like somepony is watching you, Pyrite.”

“The moon?” Pyrite asked.

“Yup!” Andromeda smiled, “And the stars, they are all watching over us in the night. At least, that is what mother says.”

“Do you think Aldus and Selene will be ok?” Pyrite asked.

Andromeda paused, she really didn’t know. The further away mother got, the less of her she could feel. “I’m sure they will be fine, Pyrite.”

The earth colt yawned and squirmed out of Andromeda’s hooves. “I wish I could stay up later... but I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open. Its strange, I wasn’t tired before I came outside.”

Andromeda looked up at the moon and grinned, “Sleep has a way of creeping up on you.”

Pyrite climbed onto the bed and looked over at the other side to find Frost sprawled out snoring loudly. He put his forehooves to his ears as Andromeda plopped down next to him. “He’s so loud, I’ve never heard him snore this loud before.”

Andromeda grinned and put a hoof to her muzzle, telling Pyrite to be quiet. She crept across the bed and stood over Frost. Watching for the perfect moment, Andromeda pressed her muzzle to Frost’s in a kiss. Startled awake Frost sat bolt upright and saw the blue pegasus in his face. He screeched and fell off the side of the bed, landing with a loud thump.

Pyrite and Andromeda fell over laughing while Frost groaned and climbed back onto the bed. “Why did you kiss me?!” Frost blurted out, blushing.

“Because I kiss cute colts?” Andromeda answered with a shrug. She picked up Pyrite and kissed him on the cheek, “See?”

Frost shook his head and got comfortable. “Whatever... are you going to stay with us tonight?”

“If Pyrite wants me to.” Andromeda said looking down at the colt.

“If you could stay, I’d like that.” Pyrite said with another yawn.

Andromeda smiled and trotted over to the side of the bed to lay down. After getting comfortable she began to shut her eyes but stopped when she felt a tugging on her wing. Pyrite stood next to her, “Andromeda... its a little chilly in here, could I sleep next to you to get warm?”

“Of course, sweetie,” she said while wrapping her hooves around the earth colt and bringing him close. Pyrite hugged around her neck while she covered him with a wing.

“What do you think Selene and Aldus are doing?” Pyrite whispered.

Andromeda rested her chin on Pyrite’s head, “I don’t know, sweetie. I really don’t know.”