Silver became glued to Shei's side, insisting the mare be with him at all times, even at night where she was pressed between Celestia and Silver in their bed. "We'll make it through this, together. Aila wouldn't... want you beating yourself up for this."
Shei smirked a little. "Yes she would... She'd do it herself. She's probably calling me all kinds of names in the afterlife." She sank her head against Silver. "She didn't deserve to die for my mistake."
Celestia pulled her closer. "We all made mistakes that led to this, every last one of us. We'll share that burden together."
They remained a close unit for the remainder of their time in the dock, a new bond forged in grief. When they finally lifted anchor and set out, Shei stared at the city as it drifted past. "It was my idea to come here..."
Silver bit at her ear lightly. "Enough. She made her own decisions. She didn't have to come with you, or eat the food, or do anything else. I don't think saying you were in control of her life is very flattering to her. She made her own choices."
Shei's mood would waver between morose and neutral with occasional bouts of anger, often directed at herself, but Silver and Celestia did their best to help her through it. In some ways, it felt good to do so. Focusing on her pain made their own a little smaller in comparison. One evening, when Shei had fallen asleep, Celestia and Silver spoke to one another.
"I realized something," said Silver, squirming on his belly. His injuries had faded significantly, allowing almost full mobility. "However badly we feel, we caused more than that. If even one cat didn't get up after we were done with them, their friends and family had to suffer through the same thing, and I doubt it was just one."
Celestia twisted an ear to face him. "I'm glad to hear you say that. Our moment of petty vengeance was ill worth the price of admission." She tilted her head a little. "Have you spoken to Luna?"
Silver frowned a little. "I haven't, I've been... so worked up I haven't been outside my own dreams."
Celestia brushed a wing over Silver's snout, making him sneeze. "You should. She's likely very worried for us. Our next stop will be in Saddle Arabia." A letter appeared with a pop and she floated it towards Silver. "You may want to read this."
Silver looked curiously at the letter and took it from Celestia's grasp. He had regained some use of his horn with his net healed, though even casual horn magic caused lustful feelings to begin tickling at him. At least it wasn't an instant erection. The letter was from Amenti.
Dear Silver Stars,
I am told you do not favor formality, so I will dispense with it. Your actions were understandable, but still reprehensible. They were not the actions of the brave defender I have come to know in these few short days. Was I wrong in my view of you? Perhaps. I still hold out hope that I wasn't. Please put aside these terrible tactics and shine with your true heart and skill, not fell magics on innocent cats. Not all who dislike us are to be punished so harshly! Though you depart my kingdom, my wishes go with you, hoping you prove yourself the protector that I think you are, rather than the dark magician you have shown in your parting.
My deepest regrets for your loss. Your servant was poorly mannered, but sincere in her care for you. I wish her a safe journey to the next world, and that she may still watch over you during your journey here. I have calmed those who cried for your blood, invoking an ancient law to do so. It is both fortunate and tragic that you lost a foal in addition, but that terrible blow carried legal precedent. If you do not further pursue this rash course of action, we can all put it aside, for the life of royalty is considered quite valuable.
I loathe that I must assign value to life, but I will do what I must, as should you.
May the sun shine gently on you, and the wind be at your back,
Amenti
Silver set the letter down with a sigh. "Well, they didn't blame you. That part worked." He folded the note up carefully in his magic and offered it back to Celestia, who made it vanish whence it came. "What do you think?"
Celestia smiled lightly. "Already knew I read it? I think her words are true for both of us. Let us not allow each other to stoop that low, ever again." She leaned over and rubbed muzzles lightly. "You're getting better at your magic."
Silver smiled at the nuzzling. "Yes, every day it gets a little easier to get magic up that way. I can do more, but it comes with... complications. How did she know about the foal, by the way?"
Celestia glanced away. "Somepony must have told her."
Silver smiled gently. "Someone with bright fur, kind eyes, and a flank that won't quit?"
Celestia rewarded Silver's words with a soft kiss, and they soon settled in. When Silver fell asleep, he felt willing to face the dreamworld, and he appeared in his old Earth room instead of the natural flow of his dreams. He slipped to his hooves off the bed and left into the wider dream world outside. He could see the many dreams of Catro, now a distance away, but still close enough to reach if he wanted, likely mixed with all the others of Anugypt, he decided. He had no need for those.
Doing a slow circle, he thought of Luna, and she came, emerging from the motes of light with a smile. "Ah, Prince Silver Stars... You seem... vigorous?"
He followed her eyes and saw that he was on full display for her. "Oh, uh... dreamwalking apparently counts as magic."
Luna looked confused. "Of course it does. Are you well? It's been several days without contact."
Silver sighed and began to tell the tale, starting with the new jewel he wore, and the new information he had learned of it.
Luna dismissed his cape and circled around, looking at it. "Quite curious... Do you think it will allow you to perform your royal duty? I apologize if I came off as... uncaring last we spoke. We will see you restored fully, all else beside."
Silver snorted softly. "First time it was called that, but it might. I won't know until I have a royal mare in heat to try on. But I had another thought with that. We made the royal circle, and I think Twilight may have been more clever than she even knew."
Luna perked an ear. "Go on."
Silver nodded lightly as he gestured vaguely into the field of stars. "We should have them all gather next time, and all the mares besides the one trying to be quickened should fuel me. I think a royal mare needs a royal herd, not any one stallion. Any foal would be a foal of Equestria, of all of us, not just the two doing the physical deed."
Luna clopped her hooves together lightly. "I approve of this plan. Oh! Before I forget something so important, your wife, Night Watch, has had a successful birth, and--" She trailed off at Silver's downcast expression. "You look very upset for such good news?"
Silver kicked at the void. "I'm upset that I wasn't there for her, at her side."
Luna grinned softly. "Twilight Sparkle has a surprise for you. It's not quite ready yet, but will be before you return, she feels. Night Watch understands your situation, and she was not alone. Cadance and Twilight saw to her, and the zebra Zecora was also in attendance, to say nothing of your other wife, Fast Change. Now, go on, what else has occurred?"
Silver explained how he was assaulted, earning a scowl from Luna, which turned into a ruthless grin when he described the spell he made to get revenge. And then the part where Aila died with foal.
Luna struck the void with a hoof, somehow cracking it. "Unacceptable! Thrice damn it all. You were just starting to learn to be a proper prince, with your own retinue. And a broodmare? I'm amazed, and happy, and then it all comes around." She grunted, teeth exposed as she ground them a moment. "What of her sister?"
Silver thought of Shei and a dream drew close. It was dark and turbulent from the outside. "Racked with guilt and sorrow. She blames herself for her sister's death. Celestia and I are trying to help her through it."
Luna approached the dark mass. "Keep thinking of her. I'm going in." Before Silver could ask what she planned, Luna was in the dream. Silver settled and watched the angry storm cloud, unable to see through it. He hoped Luna could help her. After what felt like forever, the dream cooled to a slate grey, no longer roiling.
Luna stepped free with a toss of her mane. "Her wounds run deep, and she will need the support of loved ones, which I doubt you will leave her wanting in. Hold her, remind her she is a wonderful pony, and she will recover. I am sorry for both of your losses. I saw much in those dreams of hers." She inclined an ear. "Now then, you've been pointing at me all evening. Are you up to some play, or will this prove as disappointing as last time?"
Silver rose to his hooves and circled around Luna before nipping her on her cutie mark. "I will share the safeword with you. If either of us says 'Nova', then we stop, no matter what. Other than that, we can squirm and struggle and it's all in good fun."
Luna nodded. "Very well. That is a yes then?"
Silver reared up and mounted Luna. "That is a yes. Holding that dream steady has made me more than ready for this." Their lovemaking was energetic, with neither side forced upon the other. Silver found refractory periods to be quite short in dreams, and he filled Luna to bursting, making quite a mess between them, and she seemed to be enjoying it.
A thought came to Silver. "Am I making a huge mess in the waking world?"
Luna swiveled an ear then chuckled softly. "I imagine so. Poor Tia, if you are beside her."
Silver blushed harshly at the thought of making a huge sticky mess all over Celestia like that, and that just made Luna laugh all the more. "Tis nothing a good bath will not resolve. You can make it up to her by brushing her afterwards come the morning. Now, I must go, my prince of the night. You have been through much, but I feel you are growing for it. Remain strong." She turned and vanished into the ether, leaving Silver to his own devices.
He stirred himself, and found it was already early morning. Celestia had awoken, and was glaring at him. Shoot. "Uh, I'll wash your back?"
Celestia gave a light nod. "That's a start."
Silver glanced and saw Shei was still asleep, but looked peaceful for a change. He peeled himself from the sticky sheets, feeling sorry for whoever had to clean it, then moved to follow Celestia to the bath. He had a princess to wash.