AN: Okay, I have this horrible feeling that I'm going to insult somebody, but then again, I've written this the way I wanted it to go so far, so I'm not about to stop now. Take it or leave it, kids. Oh, and if you're under 18 you really shouldn't be reading this (Yeah right, like that stopped me when I was teenager! sigh). But I have to say it. You're warned.
Oh, and we have FANART!! Go check it out! http : / / corax333 (dot) deviantart (dot) com (slash) art (slash) Amilia-and-Zelgadis-92687933
Take out all the spaces and replace the (dots) with real dots and (slashes) with real slashes, and you're home free to some ZxA goodness. :D Lovely! :D
Not just a child's infatuation.
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Amelia woke up, and stared at the ceiling. She didn't even turn to look at Zel. Many days had passed like this. Waking up (almost) beside him, doing work together, spending the evenings together. When she first heard about this idea that he should be her bodyguard, she was thrilled. She'd so enjoyed the thought, and even more so the days they'd spend together. But then she'd found out what it entailed. Yesterday's drama had made it painfully clear to her. What she'd been standing in the hallway fearing so much wasn't that her groom might leave her due to the "misunderstanding" of the situation. No, what she'd feared was that her dad might ask Zelgadis to leave.
She was more in love with him now than she had ever been. And on top of that she was used to him. He'd become a part of her everyday life, and she just wasn't sure she could live without that part.
Well, she would just have to, wouldn't she?
The more she was around him the more she was beginning to doubt that she could go through with this, and it pained her. Why wasn't she so strong that she'd be able to set her own feelings aside for the greater good of her people? Then again, her father had implored her to listen to her heart on those matters. Everything else would be unjust.
Her only trouble was that she'd be calling off a perfectly good alliance with no alternative. It wasn't as if the chimera she had her mind set on would just love her out of the blue. His voice called her out of her thoughts.
"Amelia?" he sounded a little worried.
She looked at him and smiled reassuringly. She had been staring at the ceiling like it was an enemy to down-stare, after all, and it must have alarmed him.
"I'm fine." She answered, before he'd asked the question.
They went down for breakfast in silence. A silence that made it clear to the both of them that they were thinking about the temporary nature of their arrangement.
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Of all the things she'd somewhere imagined Xellos would do to her if he had the guts to kidnap her, Filia hated to admit that simply being chained to a pillar in a completely dark room, even with a bloody blindfold on, wasn't really among her first 10 favourite possibilities. Of course, she wouldn't want to have anything to do with the bastard, and certainly not on a more intimate level, but she'd somehow imagined that there was something more intense between them. Somewhere in the dark corners of her mind she'd somehow hoped he'd swipe her off her feet, take her somewhere secret and make hot, passionate love to her.
She sighed and shivered. This was just stupid. She secretly made a mental note to get herself a boyfriend. If she was seriously considering the Namagomi as a mate, she really needed to get laid.
She heard him enter the room, but couldn't really pinpoint him. How long had she even been here? It seemed like a long time, but then again, she was just hanging there, only allowed down to eat or go to the bathroom and the likes. She couldn't even burst out of the shackles. Then again, she didn't have to. As long as the Namagomi thought he'd stopped her by holding her here, her backup-plan had time to fall into place.
"So, my little gold..." He was behind her, probably walking around her. "How are you enjoying your imprisonment so far?"
She shivered again. He was walking closer towards her as he spoke, still circling, closing in on her. She gathered some courage. Stalling him, that was essential.
"Actually, I find it rather dull, Xellos." She said, pointedly, taunting, but also honestly.
He laughed, and she could feel the huff of air near her left cheek.
"Really, Filia-san? Dull?" he asked, sweetly. "What were you expecting, then?"
She swallowed, and tried to regain herself. Stalling him. Not letting him get to him. She had to be calm and collected to accomplish that.
"From you, Namagomi, I expected the worst!" she spat, giving the chains a little tug, although not quite as furiously fighting as she would be if she hadn't taken a precaution. Also, she hated to admit, this was somewhat... Exciting.
"And what might that be, Filia-san?" His tone was oddly innocent and suggestive all at the same time.
"Anything from horrible death to rape." She answered, trying to remain unaffected by him, and miserably failing.
He stopped in front of her. A hand shot out to tug some hair behind her ear, and settled on the pillar behind her, using it for leverage.
"Either can be arranged, if you're so disappointed in me not living up to your expectations, Filia-san." He said, now leaning in over her, his warm breath tickling her face. She was silently thankful for the shackles holding her, otherwise her knees might have given out on her. Her breath came out ragged and shallow, and she figured that she might come to a situation where she'd have to offer herself to the damn Namagomi just to keep stalling. All for the greater good, of course. This was a sacrifice, she'd be a martyr, of course. It had nothing to do with the dull ache in her abdomen. He withdrew, to her disappointment, and went back to circling her.
She was tempted to dare him to do his worst, but figured that there was a distinction between being brave and just plain stupid, and that there was no point in intentionally crossing that. Instead she settled for mildly self-assured.
"You wouldn't." She said pointedly, and hoped her face was indeed turned towards his. "I know you wouldn't kill me, and as much as I hate to admit it, I also know that you'd never rape me."
He made a silent "ah" sound, as if he was being found out. She could hear him pacing close by her left side, and she was sure that he was having his sly smile on, with both eyes open, by now.
"You're right, Filia-san." He started, and then his voice dropped dangerously in both volume and tone. "Because rape is non-consensual, and I get this vibe of you that you just might consent, if I were to make a move on you."
Her heart leaped, and she did her best not to let her panic show. How had he figured that out? She'd tried so hard to hide her attraction.
"Oh, is that so?" she managed, but her voice was thin and shaky.
"Yes." He answered, and actually sounded a little puzzled. "And why might you do that? What would drive the prudish little dragon to give herself away to a Mazoku?" he leaned in again. "All in all you've been taking these two and a half days a little too well, my little dragoness." A gloved finger stroked her from the ear to the tip of her chin. She held her breath. "I wonder why you are so calm about it all.."
She found she couldn't breathe. If he knew that she was attracted to him, she'd never hear the end of it. He'd mock her forever, and with their respective lifespan, that was quite long.
"Could it be..." he leaned closer. "That this little dragon..." she could feel her heart ice over. "...was smart enough.. to make a back-up plan?" his tone was maliciously sweet, and it almost came out between gritted teeth.
She breathed again. Safe. Or rather, she was. But the plan? The conflicting emotions in her face gave her away.
"I see.." Xellos' voice was now a mix between his 'business'-voice and something a little more agitated. Of course, she figured, he didn't like to be tricked. He was the trickster after all.
He'd said two and a half days. That should have been sufficiently time for her plan to work. Even if she told him, he'd be unable to prevent it. She found herself smiling despite herself. This would teach him.
"Underestimated me, didn't you, Namagomi!" she almost laughed. "You might have stopped me, but Amelia knows about your scheme now!"
She was sure that he was looking at her with a questioning look painted on that smug face of his right now, as she heard him step back from her.
"You've had no magical contact with her, I've checked that much, goldie." He spat out, as if trying to call her bluff.
"I knew you would. Which is why I went with a plan so simple you wouldn't even bother to think about it." She said, her tone victorious. "I simply send her an express-letter."
The silence fell upon the room like a ton of bricks. Then she could hear him start a furious pace out of the room. She decided to cross the bravery-stupidity line and gloat a little.
"You were right, Namagomi. Simple IS best."
He stopped in his tracks for a short second, then continued. She knew she'd have to pay for this later, but Amelia was safe, and she'd just outtricked the trickster. Whatever came now, well, she'd face that with her chin raised and a smug smile on her pink lips.
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Amelia sat in her office when a letter was brought in. Initially they both reacted on the door being unlocked with extreme caution, but were both relieved when it was just messenger with a letter. From Filia no less. Amelia sighed, steeling herself for an apology from the golden dragon, saying she wouldn't attend. She knew Filia would know her well enough to see through her cheery remarks on how she looked forward to the wedding.
Zel checked it for any curses or spells, but found that it was clean. However, when she opened the envelope, there was another envelope inside. The first thing it said was "DO NOT OPEN IF LINA-SAN OR ZELGADIS-SAN IS AROUND!" and underneath that there was a warning that she should read it carefully and think about it.
Zel, seeing the writing on the envelope, turned around, and promised not to read over her shoulder. She was almost about to ask him if she could trust him not to look, but figured that it would just sound too ridiculous, seeing how he obligingly had kept his eyes closed during their bathing sessions. She decided just to open the second envelope.
Dear Amelia.
If I haven't reached you before this letter does, then there's reason to believe that something has gone awry, but do not be alarmed, Amelia dearest, I will find my way out of it. If I am not present at your wedding however, there is cause for alarm. But this is not about me, this is about you and your wedding.
I am informed that you're currently together with Zelgadis again. I know how much you love him still, and I would until recently have urged you to follow your heart. However, I must warn you not to call off the wedding with Prince Orin. This is all a part of a Mazoku scheme, and they've somehow tricked Lina-san into helping them. They fear the strong union of two white kingdoms, and so I must implore you to sacrifice your own interest for the greater good.
Kindest regards
Yours, Filia.
Amelia quickly folded the letter and looked over her shoulder. No, he hadn't seen. She sighed with relief, and he half turned to eye her.
"Something good?" he asked, thinking the sigh was connected to the letter.
"Well..." she said, thinking hard for a convincing lie. "She said that she's coming, and she might be a little late because she's gotten... tied up in some business, but that I weren't to worry." There, sticking with half of the truth. It was a lot better than straight out lying. She still hadn't gotten the hang of that. Probably never would.
Zel still looked sceptic.
"Why would she send you a letter about that? And why weren't either of me or Lina supposed to read it?" he asked, and she noticed that he really tried not to sound suspicious, only interested. Too bad he failed the noble attempt.
"Because..." she started, then thinking about her comment on Zel. "..It contained a lot of personal stuff. And I think the reason Lina can't be told is because she'd worry, or something..." The last part naturally didn't come out very convincing, seeing how it was a flat out lie, but she hoped Zel would buy the "personal" part of the excuse, as it would double as an excuse for Lina. He knew how she was, and how it was better not to trust her with any personal information, lest you'd be teased or blackmailed.
He nodded, indicating that he took her word for it, and it didn't come up in conversation again the rest of the morning. It did however give her a lot to think about. Another little element had been added to the puzzle, and she all of the sudden understood why Zelgadis had been summoned into all of this. And she was playing right into it. She could feel her Justice-side fighting for control, but she repressed the urge to stand and make a speech about how they would be punished for their evil deeds. Her values had always been love and justice, and now the one was in the way of the other, and she wasn't quite sure how to handle it. Sharing her frustrations with Zelgadis was out of the question, and the letter had told her not to tell Lina. She absentmindedly chewed on her bottom-lip, and figured she'd have to sort it out somehow.
Giving up on getting any further work done, they simply sat and talked until lunch. Zel probably noticed that she was a little absentminded, but if he had, he didn't let her know. She was thankful for that.
After lunch, she sat with Lina and Gourry in the park. Lina could use the fresh air, she said, and Amelia knew it wouldn't be long now. Lina looked like she was ready to burst, even though Amelia knew there should be a couple of weeks left. Of course this influenced her mood.
"You'd best be telling me if there actually were any intimate details about last night that I need to hear about!" she said, complaining. "I'd have to fireball either one of you if I wasn't the first to know!"
"Lina-san! Nothing happened!" Amelia almost whined.
"It's funny, though, 'cause that's not what I heard!" she said, looking at Amelia with a side-glance. "And it's not what I hear it looked like either."
"But that's not..." Amelia started, but gave up. She gathered that Xellos might have ratted on them, and he'd of course tell Lina. "Look, it might have looked bad, but really..."
"You're telling me that there's nothing there, then?"
Amelia's silence spoke for her. When she did get around to speaking, she figured that she just might as well steer the conversation in the direction of the question that'd been bothering her.
"Even if there was something..." she said. ".. And even if Zelgadis was interested... Wouldn't it be better for the people if I-"
"Is this the same Amelia that said that love should conquer every obstacle?" Lina interrupted, with a slightly outraged tone. "Is this the same Amelia who fought for love and justice?"
Amelia shifted on the bench, feeling a little uncomfortable.
"But it would be selfish..." she said.
"You're barking up the wrong tree here, Amelia!" Lina exclaimed, with a little smile. "You're talking to the selfish and irresponsible sorceress that once endangered the entire world for this dumb blonde." She affectionately padded Gourry's arm, and he smiled warmly at her. "So I think it's better to be selfish than to just do what you think everybody else want you to do. You at least know what you want to do: You're just guessing what everybody else is thinking. If you do what you want, at the very least you'll be happy. And if you're happy, really happy, then I guess the people who love you are too."
The swordsman nodded, and added:
"I also think you should follow your heart, Amelia. It's a lot harder to follow one's emotions than one's mind, because they don't speak as loud. I guess that's why I have an easier time hearing my emotions than Lina had hearing hers, because her mind was speaking too loud!"
Lina nudged him, and he smiled at her warmly.
"Anyways." He continued, while looking at the both of them with a warm smile. "It's true that the good protector is willing to sacrifice his life for what he protects. But it's just plain stupid to just throw away life without reason for it. The good protector knows when to sacrifice himself and when not to. If I just wanted to die for Lina then she'd be without a protector. Same goes with a leader and a people, I guess. It doesn't serve your people that you sacrifice your own happiness just for the sake of bein' a martyr or what not."
Amelia, suddenly feeling very small but significantly less troubled, squirmed in her seat under the gazes of two very concerned and loving friends. They were right and she knew it. The people wouldn't gain from her unhappiness. So she'd have to make a decision based on what she genuinely thought was best for herself as well as the people.
She figured she'd have to think it over, and hopefully she'd be able to take a little talk with her father about it too. He, much like Gourry, was much better at just listening to his emotions. Maybe he could help her hear her emotions too.
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Having to stay alert all the time was taking its toll. And so Zelgadis used the sparse time between his shifts to get some sleep. Unfortunately, when he was this exhausted, he was very much prone to having nightmares. Feeling weak did that to him.
But these nightmares were different. Not only did Rezo turn him into a monster, but he was also faced with Amelia dying, like she did when that son of a bitch Phebrizzo had toyed with their lives. He held her lifeless body to him, almost crying, feeling the reality dawn on him, as he realised that she was gone. His good, but naïve friend, the one of the group, who he somehow cared more for than the rest. He'd failed to protect her. And, now she was gone. He couldn't stand the thought. It was like he couldn't wrap his mind around the concept. She was too important to him. He just couldn't fail her like this! But she was gone regardless.
That seemed like the first part of the weird dream. The second part was the one worrying him. Amelia was alive, which of course was an undisputable improvement, but there was something wrong. They were in her office, like they'd been so many times before, and she'd asked him a question, turning around as she did so. Time had stopped as they looked into each others' eyes, and then he'd reached out, softly brushing her hair away, and resting his hand on the nape of her neck, slightly tilting her forward. Her hand mimicked his, and brushed his soft, dark purple strands away from his pale skin. Zelgadis, both existing as a part of the dream and an observer, wretched his mind to figure out what was wrong with the picture.
They moved closer together, her forehead slightly ducking, so that his soft lips kissed it instead of hers. She then looked up at him in silent shock, suddenly realising his interest, and took the first step, kissing him directly on the mouth. The whole scene was so sweet, he simply couldn't wrap his mind around why it seemed so off.
Then it struck him. He was human. This was what could have been if he'd found his cure in time. A malicious part of him reminded him that if he'd just found it, then she wouldn't be forced into a loveless marriage. Then he'd be there. To love her, watch over her and protect her.
Then another internal voice pointed out that he was too weak to protect her, if he was human. The whole reason why he'd gotten into this mess was because he was weak, always choosing the easy way out. Asking Rezo for power instead of training, choosing solitude when he was afraid to open up to friends, pushing her away...
The image blurred, and he was once again a chimera, stoneskin and wire hair and all. She didn't look so pleased now. As a matter of fact, she was silently protesting to him kissing her, not openly pushing him away, but withdrawing as he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. It was obvious it hurt her. His hard skin bruised her lips and her forehead was being scratched by his wirehair. And as much as he wanted to tell himself to leave her alone, he simply found he couldn't. The painfilled contorts of her face would forever engrave themselves in his mind, as his hands started roaming. He tried to be gentle and patient, but it was just beyond his capabilities. He tried not to crush her with his weight, and she urged him to continue, in spite of the pain, as he knew she would, meekly yielding to his needs. As he settled himself inside her, she cried out in pain.
Then a blinding light surrounded him, and the vision and his presence in it disappeared as he stood before Orin. It was obvious he was going to fight him, seeing how he'd already drawn the sword.
"Why couldn't you just leave her alone?" he asked, almost lamentably.
Zel reached for his sword, but found it was missing. It didn't matter. He knew he deserved no right to defend himself on this matter.
"I couldn't..." was his weak defence.
"Why?" Orin demanded.
"Because..." he tried his best to figure out why, and while he was thinking his dream representation answered for him. "..Because I love her, and I know she loves me. I couldn't just leave that alone."
He was taken a little aback by this, knowing now full well that this was only a dream. He didn't love Amelia. She sure didn't love him, not any more. Not as anything but a friend anyways.
"You monster! You deluded, selfish monster!" Orin hissed, the deep scowl marring his handsome face. "She was a child when she had a crush on you. She loves everybody. You have no right to desire her in such a way! Do you honestly think it is anything else than left over feelings from a puppy love crush?"
Zel found himself unable to move, or retort for that matter.
"The scenario might just as well be this!"
And then the whole world blurred again. Zel found himself on the palace grounds. He knew something was off, and knew he had to find Amelia before something happened to her.
He found her in a rose-garden, distinctively reminding him of one of the castle's numerous gardens. She was sitting, with her back towards him, on a stone bench. He'd make his way to her, and then everything just turned gruesome.
Like if he was possessed he would throw himself over her, pinning her down against the stone-bench with both arms and legs, trapping her underneath him. She screamed like mad, but he apparently didn't care. He grabbed around her wrists with one hand, leaving the other one free to roam over her upper body. He groped her breasts, enjoying their softness, and squeezing them tight.
He then ripped the front of her dress open, and licked those perfectly full breasts. They got marked, red and bruised under his harsh ministrations. His free hand then slipped up under her dress, all the while she was protesting and struggling. Mumbling a spell under his breath he made the stone of the bench heed his will, and form a cuff-like grip around Amelia's wrists, allowing him to use both hands to ravish her.
He spread her legs widely apart, forcing each on its respective side of the bench, and he crawled onto her, using his knees to keep her thighs apart. She had stopped screaming and started crying, begging for mercy. But the pressure in his groin would rather ignore such a plea than to be ignored. He pressed himself against her, making her winch in pain and cry out loud. He then hovered above her, trying to rearrange the pool of dress so that it wasn't in the way, but quickly got so annoyed with it altogether that he ripped it off in a rage, and threw it aside. Her long, slender, well-shaped legs were now in full view, and her panties slightly revealed. He grabbed around her hips, and lifted her a little from the bench. Then he grabbed the panties where they met at the juncture of her legs, and ripped them open.
The black curls of her womanhood came into view, along with the slightly concealed folds. Not particularly caring if she was in an awkward position or not, he grabbed her hips again, lifted her a little more and placed her hips on top of his, grinding himself against her through the cloth of his pants. She whimpered in pain and cried.
It was all so surreal, yet it seemed so plausible. He tugged down his pants enough to allow him to free his throbbing erection, and positioned himself at her entrance. She screamed as he forcefully, without hesitation snapped his hips forward and plunged into her.
Then he woke up. Gasping for his breath with that last scream still ringing in his ears. Wide eyed and shocked he looked at his hands, but not for the usual reason. It had added to that. He was not only still a monster, but also a monster, which was destined to hurt the one person he cared most about. And in the most betraying and horrible way too.
He tried to make sense of it, sitting in his bed. It was almost time for his shift to start anyways, but… Why would he have sexual fantasies, or what in his freakish mind might pass for one, about Amelia? She was one of the few persons he cared about. Like a friend, or perhaps even like family. Okay, admittedly, perhaps something closer than that. But surely he wasn't that much of a monster that he'd do such a thing to anybody, and certainly not to her. He never even intended to let a woman endure the inevitable pain of making love with him, let alone force one. Why was he even thinking it?
It alarmed him. Granted, the little princess had grown attractive, and very much so. He was neither so blind, nor so proud that he wouldn't give her that. And he couldn't deny the moments where he'd let his guard down, his self-control slip, and almost kissed her. Yes, he was attracted to her. But she was still Amelia. Still his friend, still somewhere the kid he had to protect. And more so now than ever, considering the attempts on her life.
Then he felt the presence of something evil and despicable. It was standing in the corner of his room, leaned against the wall, with a smug smile and narrowed eyes.
"My my, Zel." It said. "It seems like you're finally starting to discover the little princess undeniable appeal. And here I was, starting to doubt your sexuality."
Zelgadis glare snapped to the face of the mazoku. If he'd been more awake and less fatigued by the dream, he'd have tried his luck in killing the bastard.
"If I didn't know you enjoy seeing other people miserable and struggling, I'd ask you why you were here." He kept the tone from being snarling, while finding his shirt.
"In all honesty I was here with intent to intercept something, but it seems like I was too late for that. However, seeing how you're still around, I see that this has taken care of itself." Xellos droned, talking more to himself than the chimera.
Zelgadis looked at him with narrowed eyes for a second, not liking how little of that comment he actually understood. Something was going on, but perhaps the Mazoku was still playing his game on their side. He decided to ignore it for now.
"So, what are you doing in my room then?"
"Well, actually I'm here to ask you if it is wise to let the little princess have any authority over her bodyguard." He said, and tilted his head as if truly wondering.
"Hmm?" Zel asked, still putting on his clothes, trying not to get upset or angry or anything else the damn demon might enjoy.
"Well, it just seems inefficient to me that she's in a position to order her bodyguard off-duty, even if she feels like he could use some time alone with his wife." Xellos said, looking at the door with a wondering shrug. "I know you're on duty in 10 minutes, but those are still 10 minutes where she's totally unprotected…"
Xellos didn't have a chance to finish his sentence before Zel was out the door. He wasn't quite sure what the Mazoku was trying to pull, but if he was telling the truth for once, this was bad. As if on cue, Gourry and Lina walked around the corner. Lina wasn't looking too good, and Gourry was most likely walking her to the healers, so she'd be well enough to eat at the dinner. It seemed like Gourry could handle the situation, but Zelgadis was more alarmed by the fact that Amelia wasn't with them. His paces towards them were quick, on the verge of running.
"Where is she?" he asked in a stern voice, looking directly at Gourry.
"Her room…" Lina said in a pained voice, hunched over and grabbing her stomach.
"She said we should go ahead, so-" Gourry started, but the chimera was already gone.
He ran down the corridor, heart in his throat. Maybe he was overthinking this, but a moment alone was all it would take. The only hope was that if she were indeed attacked, she'd be able to defend herself until he'd reach her.
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Amelia had welcomed the break from Gourry and Lina. These last days had been really tough. She'd never thought it'd be so hard to be watched 24/7 but… It just seemed insufferable at some point. When she slept, she was afraid what she might reveal in her sleeptalking, when she was awake, she was afraid she might make any wrong moves or even worse make a bad impression on Lina-san or, Cefied help her, Zelgadis
Having him so near made her forget that she wasn't back in the old days. She'd almost forgotten she were to be married. Having him so near made her feel very strange, actually. It was different from back then. Sure, he made her tingle and edgy and jumpy and warm and fussy and all that. On top of that there was the whole issue about her being used to having him around. But there was something more to it. And of course the very friendly and teasing tone that'd evolved between them wasn't helping her much.
She wanted so desperately to take one of those teasing moments and hold it. Or even better, perhaps let the tease go a little too far.
She sat down on her bed. It was actually quite a nice thought. She tried to imagine what it would be like. First she'd make one of her stupid slip of tongues or just generally a little mistake, she was really good at that when he was around, and he'd tease her with it.
Or even better, last night where he'd fallen into the pool, and the entire incident that followed. What if they hadn't been interrupted?
The tone between them had of course been too honest and not nearly teasing enough, but with a few slight adjustments to reality, it made a pretty good scene.
If she'd been a little more bold and teasing, the hand that eventually came to rest on his chest would have started drawing lazy circles. He would then be in little doubt what her intentions were, but he'd probably have asked regardless. She, in turn, would reply something like she was doing what she'd always wanted to, and stepped a little closer, starting to kiss his collarbone.
Still fantasizing, Amelia's hand almost intuitively crept underneath the hem of her skirt and found its way down her panties. It'd been a while since she'd had the chance to ease her tension. Again she felt frustrated by the constant surveillance, as well as the constant excitement one of her bodyguards provided.
Her mind raced on as her index-finger slipped between her folds and found the bundle of nerves, that so ached for attention. She was already pretty wet, but she had a little time to spare before dinner, and this might be her only chance these days. It'd probably be fast but good.
Her hand's circle motion sped slightly up, as her little fantasy became more intense. Her mind made some convenient adjustments to reality and continuity as her breath became more ragged and the pace wilder. She knew it wasn't very likely he'd let her touch him like that, but her mind allowed it and she enjoyed the images so. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip, trying to silence her gasps, pressing herself down into the mattress as she silently cried his name between clenched teeth.
She could feel the orgasm build up in her, and she wanted so much to be released. The pace became even more frantic.
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When Zel turned the corner to the corridor with her room, he heard something.
A muffled cry carrying his name!
Dammit! I'm too late!! he cursed as he launched forward in a jump, effectively bursting in the door to Amelia's room, rolled over and was in no time on his feet with his sword drawn. Amelia yelped and jumped to a sitting position on the bed, quickly rearranging her dress.
The silence fell on the room like a ton of bricks. Zelgadis looked around, positively confused. No enemies. But surely he hadn't imagined her cries. Scanning the room for potential enemies he turned towards her. He looked down to check if she was okay, but was temporally stunned by the redness of her face. In all his time knowing her, he'd never seen her this flushed.
"What happened, Amelia?" he asked, sheathing his sword and kneeling down beside her bed.
"Uhm.. nothing?" she lied, her face trying its best to grow even more red and avoiding his gaze like her life depended on it.
"Don't try to pull that one on me." He said, almost growling. "Something happened! And why didn't you follow Gourry and Lina?!"
"Nothing happened, Zelgadis, I assure you.." she tried, in a rather low voice, and did her best to sound natural, which, given the situation, wasn't very easy. Had he heard something, or had he just jumped in on intuition after learning that Gourry and Lina had left? She sure hoped the latter was the case. "L…Lina wasn't feeling well, so I let Gourry take her to the infirmary. I didn't think I was needed there with them, so I… I just thought that I.." She really tried to look and sound natural. But failed. Miserably.
Zel still looked at her directly and very sceptically. He was just about to consider if this was a fake Amelia when his nostrils caught the smell in the air. His fine tuned senses would have picked it up instantly, if he hadn't been too preoccupied with her safety. But now they were banging on the door of his mind, trying to tell him something he clearly had missed.
What was that smell? Subconsciously having some idea of what it might be, he didn't openly sniff, but instead just noticed the smell when he took a deep sighing breath through his nose. It smelled like a mixture of Amelia's personal smell, sweat and… something else.
Amelia got up and went behind the dressing-screen to change for the dinner. The moment she got up his nose was able to locate exactly where that strange smell was emitting from.
The shock hit him harder than Filia's Mace-sama ever had, as the pieces of the puzzle fitted together.
Had she just been..? Had he actually walked (burst) in on her while she was..?! It couldn't be! She was Amelia, for Cephied's sake! Surely she didn't… Well, of course she did, but..
His mind was actively fighting the thought. Sweet, little, innocent Amelia surely wasn't masturbating, and even if she was, there was no way in hell he could allow himself to accept, let alone imagine, or even worse; realise that he'd walked in on her while she was doing it! He felt his mind crash and burn, but the information gradually sank in. Yes, Amelia had been… playing with herself, and yes, dammit, she had been crying out his name.
The last part of the information was especially hard to swallow.
Definitely not just a child's infatuation anymore, now is it? a darker side of his mind remarked.
He looked absentmindedly at the dressing screen. Could he have imagined it? Was that strange nightmare still having some effect on him? The line of thought itself definitely had some effect on him. He could hear her struggle with the evening gown and wanted nothing more than to slip behind the screen and grab her. She wanted to, right?
Wrong! Maybe he'd heard wrong, or maybe it was part of some bigger fantasy, one where he perhaps was the villain some prince were to rescue her from. He couldn't tell for sure if she actually wanted him or somebody else. And he knew for sure that the person she wanted at best was the person she thought he was, but she had no idea what kind of monster he really was, as she daily proved. And surely she didn't want him in that way.
But oh, how the thought did appeal tormentingly much to him anyways.
He cursed under his breath as he felt himself react to the thought. It had to be the more demonic part of him, he decided, instinctually reacting to the seductive smell of Amelia's.. intimate fluids. His line of thoughts was beginning to become more and more interrupted as he felt himself become more and more aroused. This was bad. He had to get out, and fast! He had to be around people, or something terrible might happen.
"I'll meet you in the hallway, Princess.." he said, forced, but tried his best to contain his voice, and hurried out of her room. He'd been so preoccupied that he'd even forgotten to drop the formalities. But then again, right now he'd really rather be a little too formal with her than a little too informal.
Breathing heavily and cursing he leaned against the wall. This little mishap had not exactly made his day any better. He needed to forget this, preferably instantly!
Thankfully, Lina and Gourry came staggering back as he was standing there, effectively dragging him out of his train of thoughts. Lina didn't look too good, but far better than she had earlier. It wouldn't be long. A couple of weeks at the most. From now on it'd be hard for Gourry both to guard Amelia effectively and to be there for his wife. Zel knew he had to figure out some alternative plan. But there was only 5 days left to the wedding anyways. Of course the assassins probably would make it five very intense days, but still. Some had to have given up by now.
Amelia stepped out of her room, looking like a (very expensive) dream, and greeted her friends. Lina said something inaudible that probably was a compliment AND a complaint combined.
There was a little reception banquet for the guests that had already arrived. They were all surprised that none of their friends had arrived. Well, save for Martina and Zangulus, that was. They were both there, being as obnoxiously loud as ever. Martina actively sought out Lina, to gloat, probably this time over the fact that she'd gotten children before her.
But other than the two Xoana-clowns, none of their travel-companions or travel-related acquaintances had arrived. Then again, they'd probably be there at the very last moment. Amelia though seemed a bit worried, and frequently asked them if they'd seen Filia. Zel gathered it had something to do with the letter Filia had sent her. But she didn't seem like it was any issue to panic about. Yet.
Zel spotted Lina and was slightly alarmed by her pale look and her panicked eyes. She wildly gestured to Martina, who was coming their way. She was also fighting to get through the crowd to hold Martina back. Zel figured that whatever came next would be bad. Every past experience with the ruler of Xoana indicated that.
Amelia seemed to first spot Martina when the green-curled girl was standing right in front of them. She of course wore something as tasteless as ever, only this time something that seemed more like a ball-gown. They both silently prayed they'd be spared for talks about the monstrous Zomelgustar.
"So, you two were the last ones, huh?" she said, nudging Amelia in the side. A slight slur in the voice gave away where all the welcome drinks had gone. "And I would have thought that you and stoneface would beat Lina and Gourry. You didn't seem as thick-skulled as her, but I guess I was wrong!"
She laughed, and Zel blanched. Not just because of the laugh. Actually, the laugh had very little to do with it, this once. Amelia tried to stop her, reaching out a hand on her arm, with flushed cheeks.
"Actually... Martina?... Uhm.. Actually I'm not getting married to Zelgadis." She said. It seemed like she'd really rather have just ignored the whole situation. But there was no way to just ignore this. Worst case scenario Martina would rise in church claiming that it was the wrong guy waiting by the alter.
The greenhaired girl looked at her with a surprised look.
"You're not?" she asked, blinking.
"No."
"But you two are practically glued together tonight!" she argued, as if offended, like she'd been intentionally mislead.
"He's acting as my bodyguard." Amelia explained, her voice uncharacteristically low.
Martina looked from the one to the other, as if still not quite believing them. She then looked thoughtful for a while, and scratched her chin.
"Oh, well, that's what I get for not really reading the invitation!" she then burst out in her obnoxious laugh. "I guess I just assumed that it would be you two. After all, you were almost as obvious as Lina and Gourry!" Another burst of Martina-laughter.
Zel wished he could get away with strangling the broad, and looked around to see if he could spot her husband. Perhaps if Zangulus turned up, she'd turn it down a little. However, there was no such luck, and he guessed that aforementioned husband was out on a good spar with Gourry by now.
Martina grabbed Amelia's arm, wiping the last tears of joy away from her eyes, and looked at her sternly with a wicked smile.
"But that makes it a whole lot easier!" she said. And both Amelia and Zel wondered what she was talking about. Martina's voice thankfully became little more than a whisper as she leaned in on Amelia. "Lina-chan told me that she'd tried to give you some... advice. But I know how she sucks at such conversations, her being such a prude and all, so I figured I'd give you some insight on good positions and such. After all, you're new at this. But now that it isn't Rocky here we're talking about, that makes it a whole lot easier! I mean, if it were him, you'd probably have to ride him the first many times until you adjusted, and that would be... well... a little onesided? And you'll probably find yourself using your healing-spells in a whole new way!" She giggled. "But anyways, I'm here for you, should you need advice before the wedding night."
Zel could feel the blood drain from his face, and Amelia had it just opposite apparently, her cheeks all red.
Zel really wished he hadn't heard that. The last thing he needed was the mental image of the princess sitting naked, on top, impaled on him. He tried to pretend he hadn't heard it, and if he'd had a normal human hearing, he probably wouldn't have. But he had heard. And even worse, Amelia would know that he'd heard. He somehow hoped they'd just burry the subject along with the rest of this silly conversation and pretend it hadn't happen.
"Th..thank you, Martina." Amelia stuttered, her voice thin and cracked. "But I think I'll manage."
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The dinner was unfortunately uneventful enough to let Zel's mind wander. He was becoming more and more convinced that this had all been part of his weird dream, and that he was imagining things due to fatigue.
He needed sleep.
Amelia somehow noticed that. After the dinner, as soon as it was acceptable to leave, she grabbed his arm and practically dragged him upstairs. She quickly fetched her book on black magic from the library and then headed to his room. Wide-eyed and confused he protested as she opened the door and went in. She then sat down on a chair and opened the book.
"There. I can read just as well in here." She said with a beaming smile.
Very confused, the chimera just looked at her. Why was she sitting in his room, reading? To his relief Gourry and Lina followed, Gourry with a table, and Lina with some books. They all sat down in a corner of his room, and pretended it was the library.
"If you've got nothing better to do than stare, why doncha just lie down and sleep, Zel!?" Lina hissed over the edge of her book. She looked grumpier than ever.
So that was their plan. To give him a chance to sleep, while still on duty.
"I don't need sleep." Zel lied, trying to pull his all-purpose-stoic-heartless-magic-using-swordsman-monster-number again. If he were weak enough to succumb to trivial matters like sleep, he'd be of no real use to the group.
Lina sighed, and some angry hormones threatened to ally themselves with her bad temper, and dragonslave the stubborn stoneface, when Amelia gave it a go.
"Surely you need to sleep sometimes, Zelgadis." She said with a smile. "Just like you need to eat. After all, you're only human."
She tried, he had to hand that to her. But it was having just the opposite effect.
"Hardly." The cold answer flew back at her, and he sighed.
Lina was beginning to chant something when Gourry desperately covered her mouth and tried his luck.
"But Zel, it's not like you're doin' anything but just standing there anyways." He then seemed to drift in association. "I like to nap whenever I have tha chance. 'Specially when people are talking about stuff I don't get. Or outside in the sun is good too. On a hot day.." he trailed off, catching Lina's glare he came to his point "You should too!"
Zel scoffed. They were obviously worried, which only made it all the more important for him to keep his façade.
"ZEL! SLEEP! NOW!!" Lina growled in a high-pitched voice behind Gourry's hand.
It was a warning shot, he knew, and he was just about to protest when Amelia got up from her chair. She gave him that flirtatious gaze she'd been practicing a lot these last couple of days, and started walking towards him. With a determined look and swaying hips she was making him back away from her, cornering him. Memories from earlier today and fantasies alike flashed over his mind as she leaned towards him, effectively making him back into his bed, loose balance and fall down in a sitting position on it.
She leaned forward, showing him an ample amount of cleavage, thanks to the dress and placed a hand on his shoulder, softly whispering in a husky voice "I know what you need, Zel-ga-dis-san.." making him certain that this was all a part of some dream or daydream due to lack of sleep.
His disbelief in the situation made it so much easier for Amelia to finish the sleep-spell and cast it on him, without him having any time to dodge or prevent it. He instantly fell to the mattress.
"I'm sorry, Zelgadis, but…" Amelia fretted, looking slightly guilty with clutched hands.
"Naw, doncha worry. If he hadn't been so damn proud, he'd have taken a nap voluntary!" Lina exclaimed with a dismissing wave of her hand. "Gourry, go tug him in, or something. Can't have him weak up with a stiff neck."
After having tugged the sleeping chimera in, Gourry sat down beside her. He'd found a book on knighthood. Amelia reminded herself that she needed to grant him one as soon as she was entitled to. That was, of course, if he hadn't gotten one way before then.
"Poor Zelgadis…" Amelia said, looking at him. "He has pushed himself too hard these days."
"He looked especially out of it when we encountered him in the hallway before dinner." Lina remarked thoughtfully, looking up from her book.
Amelias cheeks flushed a bit. She still had no idea just how much of the situation the sleepy chimera had grasped, but she sure as hell didn't feel like explaining that the reason why he might be so phased out could be because he'd walked in on her masturbating.
"Oh? He did? I didn't notice." Amelia lied.
She could see on the both of them that it would have served her cause better, if she hadn't said anything at all. Gourry, could apparently see right through her, and Lina didn't believe a word she was saying. Gourry didn't have to hear the words that came out of Amelia, because he could read her emotions right off her, and Lina could analyse the tone of her voice and she knew Amelia too well.
Their knowing looks made Amelia's book on black magic incredibly interesting. She fixed her gaze on it, and dared not to look up for a long time.
Obviously they didn't know what exactly had happened. If they had, their looks would have been quite different, and Lina would either have made fun of her, or wouldn't have been able to handle the embarrassment of the situation and done something to lighten the mood and change subject, such as randomly fireballing something, or beating Gourry up.
"And that was a particularly nasty stunt you just pulled, Amelia." Lina insisted, giving her a sly look. "I'll have to admit it was damn effective."
Gourry nodded. Then he too looked at the floor-observing princess.
"You sure knew how to use his weakness against him." He said. "Tactically really nice, but I hope you're not just leading him on. That would be kinda mean.."
For that remark he earned an elbow in his side from Lina and a scowling look. For all she cared, Amelia was free to rub in Zel's face what exactly his pigheadedness had leaded him to miss out on!
After a few quiet hours, the couple decided to retire, and asked Amelia if she'd feel safer following them to their quarters and sleeping there or staying in Zel's room. There were also always the possibility to call some of the palace guards to stand watch, but between the three of them they agreed that staying in Zel's room was better for many reasons. First of all, no assassins would even LOOK there in the first place. Second of all, Zel would probably wake up, if he sensed danger, even if he was sleeping. A sleepspell was pretty easily reversed by conventional means, such as noises, shaking or in Zel's case, having a gut-feeling that something was off.
At least they all conveniently pretended to agree on that fact.
And third, Lina thought to herself, only 5 more days for Amelia to figure out if she was really serious about marrying her white prince, or if she'd come around. This was perhaps a bold decision, but if the shit hit the fan, Lina promised herself she'd explain it all to Phil, or at least die trying! Besides, he'd already opened for the possibility himself. Of course that didn't naturally entail that he'd let her marry the chimera, but they'd cross that bridge when they found it. If they found it.
Amelia too had this third advantage in mind when she made her decision. Sure, she'd spend lots of nights with Zel, but that was with him guarding her in her sleep. This was different. She figured that come tomorrow, she'd have made her mind up.
As soon as Gourry closed the door behind him, she looked at Zelgadis' peaceful sleeping form. She moved the chair and sat down right beside his bed, within reach of his face.
She looked at him, brushed a few stray wires away from his face and sighed. She'd thought she was well over him, but now she had to admit that if he asked her to, she'd elope with him anytime, leaving Sailrune, her people, justice and her father behind. Running right into a Mazoku plot, and she wouldn't care. It somehow both reassured and bothered her to no end knowing that he'd never ask that of her.
She unconsciously moved from the chair to sit at the edge of the bedside, still brushing her hand through his hair and over his face. She loved the feel of his skin, like a stone warmed in the sun. Not exactly rock hard, but more than just solid, with a smooth and lukewarm feel to it. Perhaps that's why she'd always taken every opportunity to hug or touch him. Although that might also have been force of habit. Both her father and she were very physical in their expression.
She slowly leaned downwards, making herself comfortable in half horizontal position, beside him. She was going to sleep in that bed anyways.
The thought kinda thrilled her. Sure nothing would happen, since he was out cold for at least 8 hours or so, and even if he wasn't, the only plausible thing happening was him telling her to get in line. But still. She'd have a chance, most likely her only chance, to sleep in his arms. She wondered if she should allow herself to lie there. It was intruding on his privacy after all. Not to mention it'd look pretty bad if anybody walked in.
He was lying on his back; hands sprawled out to either side. It was like he was inviting her to lie there, although she knew that wasn't the case.
She decided that she wouldn't pass up this chance, and that he could scold her tomorrow, which he probably would anyways, since she'd cast that sleep-spell on him.
She fitted perfectly lying beside him, with her head resting on his shoulder, and one arm and leg draped over him. She sighed contently. This felt right. So very right. She'd almost been lying like this before. But then again, that as when he'd jumped in in-front of her to save her from Gaav's deadly strike. It hadn't exactly been something she'd thought back on with pleasure, but she still remembered how it felt lying there. It felt right.
Trying to shift a little to a more comfortable position, she realised that her dress was not only getting in her way but also being crinkled. She reluctantly got up, and scanned the room for something to sleep in. Finding only the spare set of the tunic and pants-combo he always wore (now dried) and a PJ, she opted for the latter. Zel's clothes would be severely crinkled tomorrow, seeing how he'd sleep in them tonight, so he'd need the spare set. However, he wasn't going to use his PJ, so there was no harm in taking it, was there? She couldn't see what harm it could do, so she quickly slipped out of the fine evening gown and into the PJ. The shirt came to mid-thigh, and was way too long on the sleeves too, but it didn't matter much. However, the pants were way too big. They rode dangerously low on her hips, threatening to fall down every second. She gathered it wouldn't matter much, though. With a little luck she'd wake before Zelgadis, and even if she didn't the shirt alone was at least half-decent.
Looking down at herself she decided that it would just have to suffice, and got back into bed. She pulled the covers over herself, and slowly lowered her head to his shoulder and upper arm. An arm was unintentionally but naturally draped over his chest, and she hugged herself a little to him. Yes, this felt right. And it was worth it all. He could yell at her all he would tomorrow, (and she had no doubt in her mind that he would!) but she wouldn't regret a thing of it.
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AN: Yes, I'm a sadistic old bat, okay? I like seeing characters squirm. The better and more complex the character, the better the squirm.
If you think this chapter is a bit "too much" (I know, for instance that some people can't stand the thought of self-sex, somehow seeing it as even more provocative than real sex! Oo the fuck?), I am seriously sorry, but it ain't going to chance. And there's probably a more of this stuff coming up. (Little less on the tease and more on the actual getting the relationship moving). I won't throw in sex just for the heck of it, so don't worry. No matter what this chapter might indicate, I actually do care for the story, and don't aim to ruin it. ;) So there.
Luv ya. ;)