Zelgadis turned in his bed for what seemed the millionth time, unable to stay in one position for more that a couple of minutes. It was barely midnight, and morning seemed light years away. Time kept slowing down more and more, and it was unnaturally hot for this time of year. The night was hot and sweaty, the sounds somehow becoming louder and more disturbing to Zelgadis with every passing second. He finally couldn't take it anymore and he literally jumped out the bed, as if the sweat drenched sheets were burning his skin somehow. Not caring if he was wearing only a pair of loose pants, he headed straight for one of the smaller and less known palace gardens, hoping to cool his head.

            This garden was a favorite of his, somehow. It was small, bright and simple, and it would bring peace and feel your heart with optimism if you would only open yourself to it. Kind of like Amelia, Zelgadis thought. He didn't even try to block out these kinds of thoughts anymore... It was too difficult, and besides, he was too far along in this obsession to still deny it. He lusted after Amelia. There were other feelings as well, but he didn't dare dwell on them too much yet. They were just so new and out of character for him, and they were as disturbing as this night was becoming. Or maybe the night was disturbing because of them. How could he tell?

            He chose the path that would take him to the small secluded pond, for he hoped that would help him bring peace and cool himself. Deep in all kinds of dark thought he never noticed the figure until he was very close... Too close. Close enough to see every detail of the naked body lying on the ground in an artless position. She was still wet, and the water glistened on that smooth skin in the moonlight. Her dark hair clung to her forehead and face, and her eyes were closed, but he knew that if she opened them they would be an unbelievable blue... Amelia's blue.

            Zelgadis was stunned beyond belief and couldn't move any part of the body, and all logic deserted him in a fraction of a second. He never wondered why there was a naked and wet Amelia lying in the grass, he never got beyond the 'naked and wet' part. How could he? He was only a man, and although he usually possessed a fair amount of self control, it has fled somehow with all his other thoughts.

            She glowed. Somehow, she glowed. And every part of her... It was perfect. She seemed soft but firm and it seemed to him she was radiating heat. Her breasts rose and fell with every breath she took and the play of light and shadows on them and her stomach were tantalizing. He knew he should probably leave, and somewhere deep down he was aware she would probably be very angry if he was caught staring. He just... didn't care enough to leave.

                        His blood was on fire.

            He got on all fours and crawled softly and soundlessly through the soft grass without waking her. Now he was mere inches from Amelia's naked form, and the heat became palpable. Her skin was really as white and flawless as it looked from his previous position, he noted. Zelgadis knew there was still time for redemption, and that he still wasn't too far down the line. If he left now, nobody would know. No harm done.

            Oh, but there was. This scene was now permanently carved into his mind, and it was impossible to run away. He knew he would be seeing it every time he closed his eyes and every time he looked at her, and he just couldn't move. Her mouth was slightly parted, and they looked so delicious, just like every other part of her... If he would just reach out, stretch out his arm... He would touch her, feel her, and know her. His hand hovered above her stomach, and traced the line of her waist, breasts, shoulders, neck.  It was too much, and all his senses screamed at him, and he got up and ran as fast as he could, without looking back.

            *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

            Amelia was woken suddenly by a sound, she couldn't comprehend exactly what was it... Her back was stiff from sleeping on the hard ground, and she pinched her thigh in order to punish herself for falling asleep here, again. But it was so hard to resist... It was so hot, and after she had taken a swim, she wanted to lie down just for a moment... The writing has obviously taken its toll on her.

            Slowly she dressed herself and started on the path to the palace, and all thought about the weird sound that woke her left her mind.

A/N:

Back from my vacation. See you guys soon.