> To Tempt the Moon > by Carapace > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Is Well Worth the Consequences > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warm sunlight spilled into the room in a cascade, caressing the soft blue carpets, midnight blue walls, and silvery drapes. Paintings of beautiful scenery in the gothic and romantic styles of days long passed were displayed in ornate wooden frames finished with the finest polish. Stone figures of pegasus warriors stood on platforms in each corner of the room, protecting Princess Luna’s safe haven and treasures, even herself, much like her House Guard posted outside. Although, Luna would no doubt charge them to watch and guard over her most precious treasure of all were it anywhere else. Namely, the mare still slumbering in her large bed, tucked beneath the midnight covers and crescent-shaped canopy. Mulberry feathers twitched and fluffed as she enjoyed a dream—a wonderful dream crafted so lovingly by her girlfriend. A contented smile played upon her lips and a happy hum built deep within her chest and echoed in her throat. It was a beautiful night, as Luna’s always were. The constant drumming of rain, flashing lightning, and roaring of thunder did little to diminish her love’s artistry, even when her stars and beautiful moon were hidden behind a curtain of thick black thunderheads. Each flash of lightning only served to add to the night’s beauty. Shadows of window panes, vases, verdant plants and vibrant flowers, and ponies flickered across the floor like a hoof puppet show as they all danced, dined, conversed, and laughed together. Another wonderful evening in the nation’s capital, with ponies from all walks of life enjoying a night out with their family. Or a pair of lovers, simply basking in the glow of their shared affection, happy to be with their partner. But to Twilight, it was all background filler. Her entire world sat directly across the table wearing a smile so beautiful artists would give up any effort to match it. Gorgeous teal eyes pierced through her. A half-lidded gaze from her mare, the princess of her heart, stirred a swarm of butterflies to flutter about in her chest. Her tail lashing back and forth, Twilight could feel her cheeks burn, flushed a rosy pink like a school filly half her age pining over her first crush. In a way, she was pining. Luna was her first, her last, and her only. Twilight felt somepony’s warm snout nuzzle into the crook of her neck and plant a kiss. A needy, sleepy moan built up in her chest. The beautiful dream world around her began to fade away to darkness. “Time to wake up and rise, my love,” a familiar, musical voice crooned, coaxing another moan and fluff of her feathers. The voice chuckled. “Yes, I am pleased to be with you as well, but now it’s time to begin the day. There is plenty of work to be done.” Work? Her moan turned into a keening whine. Twilight tried to pull the covers over her head, but a single, powerful hoof held it fast and tugged it away and off her body in one smooth motion. She let out another whine, curling into a ball. “Lunaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Her love’s laughter made her ears twitch. “No complaints,” Luna chided. “I’ve let you sleep in well past sunrise, despite our deal. Tia was most disappointed until I promised to wake you in time for breakfast.” She paused a moment, then added as an afterthought, “I believe it’s pancakes and fruit this morning. With smiley faces, of course. You know how she is about making things adorable.” Twilight flicked an ear. Celestia’s pancakes were always delicious—and she would be remiss if she neglected to note their cuteness—but she couldn’t let Luna see any sign of interest! She quickly turned her face into the pillow and pinned her ears, desperate to hide it. Far too late. “I saw that, my love.” Soft lips teased her ear. A warm, wet tongue trailed slowly along the outer edge, all the way to the very tip. A shuddering gasp escaped her lips, earning a low hum of approval and thinly veiled desire. “Come now. We each have our duties, and we have our deal. My nights are yours …” Luna left the statement hanging for Twilight to finish. With a defeated groan into the fluffy pillow, she rolled over, giving a weak smile in return. “And my mornings are yours. I know.” Twilight sat up, tossing her messy mane over her shoulder and leveling her girlfriend with a mock glare. “Have I mentioned how I hate when you use that against me when I’m trying to get morning cuddles?” Midnight blue ears waggled merrily. “Not since yesterday. And you will receive your justly deserved affections—” Luna leaned down to dot her nose with a kiss “—after you get your lovely rear in gear, prepare for the day, and join my sister and I for breakfast.” Twilight rolled out of bed as requested, but not without a low, playful grumble to let Luna know one or two things she would much rather be doing. Both of which involved her lovely rear staying comfortably in bed, with a far more shapely embodiment of beauty laying atop her and kissing her sweetly, or, if time permitted, making her sing her pleasure to the very heavens. Luna simply laughed. “There will be time for both later, my love.” She leaned in to nip at Twilight’s ear. Her feathers trailed up her back and drew a shuddering, needy gasp. Warm breath tickled her ear, stirring images of their past nights together. Again, her tail lashed. A whine that was one part protesting, two parts wanting escaped Twilight’s lips. “But that,” Luna whispered, “is for the evening, my delightful, squirming mare.” She drew away all too soon, a wicked gleam shone in those brilliant teal eyes, delighting in her power over the frustrated young princess she’d wound up so early. With a gentle kiss to Twilight’s nose, she turned away, merrily fluffing her feathers as she cantered toward the open door to her suite. “I’ll see you downstairs,” she called over her shoulder. “Don’t dawdle, or Tia might come up to fetch you herself!” As the last wisp of Luna’s beautiful starry tale disappeared, Twilight huffed out a breath through her nose. “Don’t dawdle,” she muttered, sniffing as she raised her head and tossed her mane back, prancing toward the bathroom as she mimicked her girlfriend’s tone. “Don’t dawdle, my love, or I might just send Tia up here to fetch you! Wouldn’t that be such a lark? Like a little filly all over again.” Flicking her tail, she entered Luna’s great bathroom, with its black marble counters and silver light fixtures, and turned on the bathwater with an absent-minded tug of magic. “That is for the evening, my delightful, squirming mare—hmph! My cutie mark, I’m your squirming mare!” The sound of water filling the tub echoed throughout the bathroom. Twilight took the time to brush her teeth with a bit more viciousness than normal. Her brows furrowed as she grumbled a few choice words. Slowly but surely, though, her ire began to fade as memories of their past nights played through her mind again. Each with her wrapped tight in Luna’s embrace, mewling, panting, and writhing at every kiss, nip, lick, and touch of feathers up her sides. Her wings rustled and fluffed as a smile began to spread across her burning cheeks. In the mirror, she watched her tail swish. Her heart skipped a beat. Okay, so maybe she was Luna’s writhing, squirming mare. But that didn’t mean she got to rub it in! Not when she didn’t plan to indulge her, at least! Twilight spat out a mouthful of toothpaste and rinsed. Her tail flicked in agitation. There were some days she wanted to make Luna squirm and prance in place, eager to hold her. Eager for her touch. Longing to send the deal and those blasted princess duties to Tartarus for a morning so they could enjoy one another like a normal couple. Or, better still, like the absent branch of the family. Like Shining and Cadence. She turned off the water with a flick of magic as she stepped into the bath. Her hoof sank into the warm water and a smile spread across her lips. Twilight descended into the bath and let out a sigh, summoning bottles of soap and shampoo and a scrub brush. All the while, her mind wandered. Cadence always talked about how she could get Shining to stay in bed, even when he awoke early to inspect guard posts—within reason. Not each time. Just … occasionally. But still. How did she do it? Certainly not by whining and curling up in bed, reaching for the empty spot where he’d been sleeping just a few short moments prior. No, Cadence had something more … sensuous on her side. The same way Luna could wind Twilight up until she was prancing on the tips of her hooves, wings aflutter and begging for more. It clicked. A slow, sinister smirk spread across her face. Twilight licked her lips. A plan began to form in her brilliant mind. Luna wouldn’t know what hit her. Her plan went into motion as soon as she went down for breakfast. Twilight walked into the dining hall with her coat brushed so smooth the light caressed along her every curve, each feather immaculately preened, her mane combed and styled to perfection so that several stallions and even some of the mares in Princess Celestia’s House Guard let their eyes trail after her—one young private even turned to gape until his superior bounced the shaft of a spear off the back of his head with an audible clunk. Any other day, she might have taken offense. Twilight was, after all, a one-mare type of princess. And just because she took a little extra time to display her own femininity on a random day rather than date night with Luna didn’t mean she was just anypony’s eye-candy. Just Luna’s. With her tail swishing, she nodded her thanks to the senior guard and entered the dining hall. As soon as she did,  her eyes locked on her target. She glanced across the table at her old teacher for a moment, beaming as their eyes met and Celestia paused in her conversation with Luna. It was enough to make her lovely Night Princess tilt her head in confusion, plenty of time to sneak around and set things in motion. “Good morning, Celestia,” Twilight chirped her greeting as she unfurled her wing and ghosted the tips of her primaries along the back of Luna’s neck. Luna stiffened and shuddered. Her eyes fluttered a moment, wings of midnight blue twitching and fluffing as she made to lean into Twilight’s touch. Twilight made sure to deny her at just the right moment to earn a startled blink and a sharp turn of her head, brows furrowed and a confused frown tugging at her lips. A look Twilight simply returned with a smile far too saccharine to be innocent. Why pretend otherwise? The plan called for it. Across the table, Celestia simply offered her usual knowing smile. “Good morning, Twilight. Luna tells me you enjoyed a little extra rest this morning.” She fixed her former student with an amused look. “I was most disappointed to miss you.” Taking her seat on Luna’s left, Twilight turned to offer her former teacher a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I was having one of those dreams one wants to last forever.” Here, she made a point to trail her feathers up Luna’s flank. The sudden intake of breath through her nose brought a grin. “I seem to be having quite a lot of those of late.” Her comment drew a rare snort from Celestia. “A coincidence, I’m sure. Now, then, let’s all enjoy breakfast together before we part ways for our duties. Speaking of which, Twilight, regarding your meeting with Minister Kagurazaka, you may find some common ground in her love for history, especially on the subject of great mages …” Twilight listened patiently as her old teacher lectured, a smile playing upon her lips as she settled in to eat. All the while, she could feel her girlfriend’s eyes upon her, flitting over every so often, trying to read her like some great riddle. Another trail of teasing feathers, timed with a slow lapping of lingering syrup along her lips made those midnight cheeks flush purple. When they had all finished breakfast, the three princesses rose from their seats and bade one another farewell, then Celestia took her leave first. More to offer the younger pair a moment’s privacy than any real need to rush. A moment they so cherished. This one’s coming was one Twilight had been relishing since her plan’s first seeds took root. Luna walked alongside her until they passed through the doorway, stopping a mere two steps into the hallway and turning to smile at Twilight. With a smile as bright as her moonlit sky, she leaned down to the smaller mare’s level, lips parted to share a kiss. Twilight leaned in, her eyes hooded and lips parted as though to give her love exactly what she expected. Then she ducked and slowly stepped forward, trailing herself beneath her neck, from the back of her own, all the way to her tail. She flirted the tip beneath Luna’s chin, glancing back as she enjoyed the look of surprise written naked upon that beautiful face. “Have a good day, dear!” Twilight all but sang, prancing out of reach before Luna could think to snatch her back. “See you later.” With the deed done, she watched over her shoulder until she rounded the corner, biting her lip to try her best to hide a bright grin. Nothing would ever come close to matching the rosy blush upon Luna’s face, how her ruffled wings unfurled, and mouth hung agape, quite a rare change from the stately demeanor she favored in public. This, Twilight decided, is going to be fun! Her back pressed up against a pillar, the youngest princess glanced around the corner, scanning the hallway for her quarry. Well, her quarry, and also her hunter, with the way things had progressed. All according to plan. Twilight bit her lip. Her shoulders shook as she fought to hold back a fit of giggles. She had been wrong. Oh, how wrong she had been! It was more than fun. In fact, she dared say it should have been a crime to have so much fun with her mare in one day—whatever Pinkie Pie might say to the contrary be damned! At long last, she understood just why Cadence and Luna both so delighted in teasing their respective lovers. In a way, she could almost sympathize. Who wouldn’t enjoy having such power over their loved one? Who could deny the joy in watching their shoulders stiffen, tails swish and twitch, and ears perk as goofy smiles tugged at their lips? Certainly not she. Even with her reputation for being on the receiving end of such teasing—snark and sarcasm aside—the way Luna reacted to each and every one of her displays was so … so … Invigorating. She felt wanted, by the heavens! For once, Luna was prey to her wiles. Breakfast had been but the beginning of her design. There was so much more that led to this—Twilight Sparkle, both hunting and hunted by the love of her life, hiding behind a pillar and doing her best not to burst into a fit of laughter or giddy squeals. Oh! She had longed for this day! First, it was a casual brush of feathers as she passed Luna by in the hallway, with Minister Kagurazaka at her side. Fine work, to be true, all she had to do was make their approach so the good minister was on her opposite side while she unfurled her wing ever so slightly and ran them over Luna’s shapely rump while she had her nose deep in a report from her seneschal, Midnight Bliss. The yelp and flurry of papers that rained over the immediate area was well worth the surprised look upon her face. A nip to her rump as she filled the planters with jasmine coaxed forth a shriek and a blush that put Big Macintosh’s colors to shame. On and on it went. A little nuzzle beneath midnight blue ears here, a gentle kiss beneath her jawline there. A sweet caress of primaries beneath her chin, as if drawing her in for a kiss that was almost criminal to deny, or a gentle teasing along the outer edges of her wing to draw forth a shuddering gasp and purr. And then there was Twilight’s favorite. The moment when she happened to look out her window and spy Luna enjoying a quiet moment in the gardens, eyes closed and a contented smile upon her lips as she basked in the glow of her sister’s sun while she relaxed by the lake. A quick teleportation spell down, a well-placed nipping and suckling on her ear, then another teleportation back to her office were all it took to see Luna gasp and tumble down the bank into the water, shouting curses and promises of retribution when she burst through the surface, dripping wet, her mane draped over her face like a sheet and obsidian crown askew. Not to mention how her coat hugged her form in a way that accentuated her every curve in ways that made the prospect of teleporting down to nip her other ear for good measure completely and utterly irresistible. Twilight’s escape from that little jaunt and a subsequent surprise kiss and lick along the still-damped nape of Luna’s neck had been by the very skin of her teeth, but well worth the effort to escape the clutches of her magic. Which brought her to her present situation. Laying in wait, ears erect and swiveling about to listen for the rapid clickity-clack Luna’s horseshoes made against the floor. A quicker, sharper staccato, more precise than her usual stride, as was typical when her temper was roused. Or when she was on the prowl. Sure enough, Twilight heard it echoing down the west corridor. She had to cast a quick cone of silence around herself when she heard her love’s approach, her voice low and thick with want and an ominous edge as a few more curses spilled forth from her lips, along with several vows to make a certain young princes beg for the blissful mercy of release when she was finished. Twilight snorted. As if that was punishment. What exactly did Luna think she wanted? Tea time? Then again, it was quite possible Luna knew and was simply playing along in her own way. Whatever the case, Twilight was sure she came out on top of things. Well. Bottom, really. A minor detail in the grand scheme of things. Speaking of which! Twilight peaked out from her hiding spot to watch as Luna approached a pair of patrolling guards, no doubt to ask if they’d seen hide or hair of her girlfriend. They shook their heads solemnly, earning an annoyed flick of her starry tail and mutter of thanks before she dismissed them and made to resume her hunt. A hunt, yes. Not a search. The Night Princess was out to capture her. But before Twilight submitted and enjoyed her fate, she needed to get one last flirt in before dinner. Just to make Luna stew for a while longer. And sweeten the whole deal. Slowly, she crept out from behind the pillar. Twilight licked her lips, her eyes dancing with unhidden glee as she drew close, aided by her spell, and sucked in a deep breath. Her gaze was fixed upon those adorable blue ears—her target. I bet she hits the ceiling the instant she feels my breath on her ear tip. Then a stallion’s voice made her blood run cold. “Oh! There she is, Your Highness!” one of the guards called from behind the pair, making both freeze in place. “When did you sneak by us, Princess Twilight?” Luna rounded on her before the guard had even finished speaking. Those teal eyes flashed in triumph and desire, along with a steely edge that spoke of impending danger. “Hello, lover,” she purred, turning slowly, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “I take it you meant to add to the transgressions you’ve already committed this day?” Twilight could do little more than offer a nervous smile. Her mind raced as she struggled to figure out how to escape. Simple, really. Get to the dining hall. No shenanigans could happen during meals. But that begged the question: how did she make it to the hall? A quick flash of magic exploded from her horn, blinding Luna for a second—more than enough time for Twilight to bound out of reach and start down the corridor, a teleportation spell already charged and ready to take her to safety. Then a tingling sensation ran down her horn and into her head, the telltale sign of magical dampening. Powerful hooves thundered down the hall after her. “There will be none of your spells today, beloved!” Luna called. “Get back here and accept the consequences of your actions!” Not yet. That was to wait for later. Twilight skidded around the corner, nearly bowling over a couple of castle staff ponies in her haste. She sent an apologetic smile their way, then resumed her flight. A sudden bout of shrieks confirmed that Luna was right on her tail. The steady huffing and snorting of breath grew louder with each of her great strides. Only then did Twilight realize that the difference in size—namely, how long and powerful her girlfriend’s legs were—put her at an astronomical disadvantage, especially with her magic bound. Twilight pumped her wings to get a little extra burst of speed, just in the nick of time to avoid a tendril of shimmering teal light that threatened to encircle her legs. The doors were just ahead, only a few more lengths away. Another tendril of magic lashed out and splashed against the tile, frosting it over with the cool touch of night’s magic. With an extra burst of speed, Twilight all but dove through the open doorway into the dining hall, both out of desperation and to duck another bolt of magic hurled her way. She slid along the polished surface on her belly, conjuring the image of a purple penguin in her mind’s eye. She was met by her former teacher, who regarded her with brows arched and an amused smirk. “Good evening, Twilight,” Celestia drawled, glancing up just in time to see Luna come skidding into the hall, her nostrils flaring and eyes flashing. “Ah, and Luna! I’d heard a bit of gossip around the castle that the pair of you have had a—” She brought a hoof to cover her lips, failing to stifle a laugh “—rather interesting day.” From her place on the floor, Twilight offered a sheepish grin. “It’s been … a day, yes.” “So I see. I hope you don’t mind putting your, ah, activities on hold during dinner.” Twilight could feel Luna’s eyes boring a hole in the back of her head as she nodded and moved to take her usual seat. She felt her heart hammer in her chest as her love followed like a wolf stalking its prey. A glimmer of teal magic pulled her chair out, quite typical of Luna. But the caress of cool magic upon the back of her neck when she sat down was not. A shudder ran to the very tips of her feathers, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luna fix her with a vulpine smirk, the very sort that always made her melt. She was in for it once dinner was finished. Perhaps more so than she expected. Twilight ate slowly, both to savor the way Luna’s gaze drifted to her throughout the meal and to plan her next move. That Luna had dampened her magic complicated matters. She wasn’t quite certain how to make the chase lengthy enough to have Luna boiling over as she initially designed. Though, by the way her starry tail swished, teasing against Twilight’s thigh, just out of Celestia’s view, that ship had long since left harbor. Twilight tried not to squirm in delight. After the three had finished, Celestia gave them both a hug and bade them goodnight. But, to Twilight, she added a warning, “I suggest you run fast, dear. I haven’t seen Luna so ready to resume a chase since I got her with an exploding cake prank two years ago.” With that, Celestia swept out of the dining hall, leaving her along with the vengeful Night Princess. She found herself caught in a magical grip before she could so much as think to flee. Luna sat quietly for a moment, sipping at the last remnants of her wine with deceptive calmness as her smirk took on a most sinister edge. Then Luna set her glass down. “I will allow you five seconds head start, my love,” she said without turning. Her toned muscles flexed and wings rustled. “I suggest you be down the hall before I rise.” No sooner had the words left her lips did her spell dissipate. Twilight didn’t waste any time in trying to reason. She knew that smirk all too well. It meant she was about to get far more than she bargained for. Perfect. Now, to make her work for it. She bolted, her hooves pounding against the tile floor like a thundering herd. Twilight shot through the doorway, cursing as she collided and tangled hooves with a passing staff pony and lost precious seconds on her escape. She pushed off, hastily babbled an apology, and resumed her flight. Something bowled her over before she could round the corner and turn down the next corridor. Powerful midnight hooves wrapped around her barrel in an iron grip. A warm tongue ran up the side of her neck, then flat teeth caught her ear and soft lips suckled the tip. A choked squeak escaped her own. “Too slow,” Luna purred. “Far too slow. And now, my love—” There was a flash of teal and an earsplitting crack. They vanished from the hallway and were back in the comfort of Luna’s bedroom, laying upon her soft mattress in the blink of an eye. A magical grip forced Twilight to roll onto her back, a nervous grin played upon her lips as she stared up into her lover’s eyes. Teal eyes full of love, lust, and no shortage of righteous vengeance. Luna licked her nose, then kissed it softly. “—You will repay me for each and every one of your slights today.” Twilight managed to swallow a whimper of need. But only just. “I-I thought the deal was that your nights belonged to me,” she teased. “Hang the deal,” the Night Princess scoffed as she drew in near, that wicked, vulpine smirk grew into a toothy grin. “Tonight your rear belongs to Luna.”