Chapter 1

Amelia shivered in her chair. The dark night crept in through the window and carried the winter chill. Along with the cold, the fog also crept in, and its white shreds floated like specters in front of her. The princess wrapped herself in her green blanket as she returned to her book. Her eyes returned to the text, although every now and then, her gaze would jump from the ink and, once again, escape through the open glass. Through that window that was an invitation, a secret.

The night didn't carry a noise. She kept waiting. She was waiting to hear the sound of gravel, or the grass in the garden crunching. However, there was nothing. No whistles of the wind, no gossiping maidens down the hall. Nothing.

And, she was about to go back to her reading when the first sound was heard: a rustle of a cloak, a murmur of someone reciting a spell. The girl jumped out of her chair and, suddenly, he was there. A figure stood out in the night, and a deep voice said: "I'm sorry I'm late."

"Zelgadis! You've come!"

"Well, of course."

Amelia ran to meet her and they both embraced. He smelled like grass, she smelled that roasted chocolate. Seconds ticked by as they squeezed, as he breathed in that dark, bitter smell.

"So? What do you want to do today?" He said with her still in her arms.

She finally detached herself from the chimera and pointed to the round table. On the wood, rested a board with some black and white pieces, a chess game.

"Again? Don't you get tired of winning?"

"Never," she replied.

Zel grunted and allowed himself to be dragged across the room to the table. And, on the way, he stole a little kiss from the princess.

One, the girl thought. And: only four left.

Amelia ran to close the window, then calmly went to meet her. They played with smiles, while the horses pranced and the towers marched past. Finally, they finished the game in a draw.

"Another," growled the chimera.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he answered, and sealed her affirmation with a kiss.

Two. She counted, and closed her eyes.

Five was the magic number she had set for herself. The number of kisses she wanted to enjoy before dealing with the mess.

In the next game, Amelia lost her queen and two bishops. A wicked smile was already creeping up the chimera's mouth but, before it even curled up, Amelia's voice was heard: "Checkmate."

"Shit."

"Another?" She asked mischievously.

"Another."

This time it was she who gave the kiss and Zel, who closed his eyes upon receiving it. The gesture came with little caresses and, for a moment, it was almost as if they were back together. His blue fingers played with the outline of the girl's arms. He smiled and continued his advance down her body. His fingertips touched first her palm and then her fingers. There, he squeezed them lovingly and lifted them, bringing them up to her lips. "Well played," he said between kisses.

Those, for some reason, she decided not to count.

"Another? Asked the princess for the third time.

"No, thanks. I'm already satisfied with my three defeats."

"And what do you want to do now?"

Here Zelgadis smile stretched. He moved closer to the girl and whispered: "I have another idea."

The smile died after the whisper, giving rise to a small silence. The room was dark and she was shivering with excitement, or perhaps, with cold.

Zel took her face in his blue hands. It was as if her chimera drank from her features. He focused his gaze on her brown eyes and then went down to her lips.

Three, she kept counting.

"Do you want to continue?" He asked after the kiss.

She nodded strongly. And wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up. He carried her a few steps. Then, he dropped her on the bed. The girl's hair contrasted with white sheets, with the pink duvet.

He dropped her without any delicacy, like a bundle. And Amelia let out a cry of surprise. Her brow furrowed as the sheets crumpled and she gasped in protest: "Zelg ..!"

A kiss cut off her complaints.

That one was the fourth.

"You'll see. Justice will punish you for that" she snapped.

"Oh, we'll see." the chimera answered.

He then slid his hand down her stomach. His bluish skin was always cold at first and she jumped at the contact. The duvet crumpled with them as it responded to their gestures. His fingers brushed her hip now and she felt his touch warm and his smile twist.

The games and caresses increased the rhythm while their temperatures rose and their bodies scattered on the pillows. The duvet was relegated to the floor and the bed, in protest, creaked. Then, a hand brushed a bare back and one of them let out a moan.

Chimera and princess smiled. And, as they gazed at each other, the last kiss came.

That one was the fifth so, when her lips parted, Amelia let out a big sigh. "Zelgadis? I think we need to talk."