I debated whether or not to post this as a couple of plot points are borrowed from lickitysplit's writing. In particular Gelda's power is similar to that in 'A Thousand Temptations' and the way she's treated by her clan to 'Sacred Inferno'. These are both brilliant stories, like everything else lickitysplit has written. Hopefully though you will feel enough of this is my own. If you're reading this lickitysplit I hope you don't mind - I'll take it down if you want me to.
Gelda was bored. Her father and the Demon King had been swapping over-elaborate pleasantries for what felt like hours with only an occasional obsequious laugh from her brother to break the monotony. Sighing inwardly, she was careful to give no outward sign of her feelings, settling her pale face into the perfect mask of a demure daughter. Her training at the vampire king's hands had been brutal; the slightest step out of line was punished and Gelda no longer tried to rebel. The last time, she had been locked away in a cold, flooded basement prevented from sleeping for days as she slipped closer to death. She would not dare again encourage the small amount of power she possessed to grow, even a little.
At a pause in the conversation Gelda raised her eyes slightly and she became aware of another presence standing next to the Demon King. She stole a look and was surprised to see a handsome face with cold black eyes and messy blonde locks, his careful expression showing nothing but stoic duty. Her curiosity grew, and she had to make herself lower her eyes back to the plush red carpet so as not to draw attention to her momentarily lapse.
"Meliodas", the Demon King rasped, "Escort Orlondi the Rose and the princess to the drawing room. King Israf and I have much to discuss". Instantly, the young man faced the King and bowed. "Your majesty" he breathed before swiftly leading Gelda and her brother out of the throne room.
Meliodas was bored. The conversation between his father and the pompous monstrosity that was Israf had grated sorely on his nerves. His fingers twitched with longing to return to the battlefield. Nevermind. The babysitting was nearly over. He could deposit these two and find Estarossa who would be only too keen to join him on an excursion to Britannia. He did not have to look at the vampires who walked slightly behind him to know that there was nothing of interest there. The boy was pathetic, barely any strength. And the girl... his steps faltered momentarily as he reassessed his position. There was power there certainly, faint but with promise. How had he missed it? He studied the girl as he picked up his pace. Intriguingly, rather then pushing out her power to try and impress him like most of the females who crossed his path this girl was suppressing it. He stole a glance and was unaccountably moved by the pale visage with which he was presented, piercing blue eyes deliberately lowered the only clue as to the girl's inner strength.
"What is your name?", he asked, his softened tone taking him by surprise. "Gelda, your highness", she responded. He did not wonder when she failed to return his question knowing full well the reach of his reputation, but for some reason he felt disappointment and resolved to hear her voice again.
When they arrived at the drawing room Meliodas opened the gold gilded doors and ushered his charges inside. The boy looked around in awe at the rich fabrics, running his fingers over a table inlaid with pearl. Gelda stood demurely waiting until Meliodas gave her permission to sit before choosing a chaise longue covered in purple velvet. She sat with her back straight, her perfect posture did not seem to come naturally. Meliodas suspected it was the product of hours of lessons in deportment and he found himself feeling sorry for the girl.
Shaking his head to rid himself of the unaccustomed emotion, Meliodas rang the bell commanding the servant who entered to bring refreshment for the pair. The boy confirmed Meliodas' earlier impression, it took little encouragement and just a few hours for him to drink himself into a stupor, just as Meliodas had planned.
Now alone, Meliodas sat next to the girl and he studied her carefully. She was beautiful he admitted, her pale blonde hair pinned back in an elaborate braid over one shoulder showing off her creamy skin. She was wearing a low cut silver gown with the high collar fashionable in the demon realm and he wondered how long the poor girl had been forced to sit while she was dressed and made up so as to best please his clan. This elaborate get up suited her only too well Meliodas considered as his eyes trailed to her breasts, but it was clearly not of her choice. She looked uncomfortable wearing it.
"Why are you hiding?", he asked again softly. She looked at him then, and he saw pain behind her dark lashes with a flash of disgust evident as her brother's prone body caught her eye.
"My father disapproves of power in women", Gelda answered making sure to hold her hands still in her lap. She had been severely chastised at the last function she had been forced to attend for unknowing tearing her silk handkerchief to shreds as she tried to hide her discomfort. Her busy fingers were hidden under the table so no one could see, but her maid had discovered the ruined garment later and had wasted no time informing Orlondi.
"He's a fool", Meliodas wanted to sneer but to his amazement he found his words sounded sincere and his hearts skipped a beat as Gelda looked up at him, curiosity showing in her raised eyebrows.
"Do you not mind when women challenge your power?", she asked.
He laughed then. "It's never happened. No one has really". His smile was cold but attractive, and Gelda found herself sinking into his gaze.
"Brother, you're late", a deep voice called from the other end of the room. A tall, muscular man with sliver hair stepped in. His dark eyes flashed before widening in interest as they fixed on the princess. "And I can see why", he said, his eyes dragging slowly up and down Gelda's form.
"Estarossa, this is Gelda, the vampire princess", said Meliodas relived that his tone was once more one of unrepressed boredom. Estarossa crossed the room quickly taking her hand. "Her father is with ours, discussing the alliance of our clans", Meliodas continued, a practiced sneer returning to his face.
"Charmed", said Estarossa, and Gelda felt the scrutiny of his gaze as her hand lingered too long in his. She worked hard to leave it there and not show her fear, fighting the urge to pull it away.
"Where are the others", Meliodas asked sharply, flashing his brother an angry stare.
"On their way", breathed Estarossa, backing away slightly and, to Gelda's relief, dropping her hand. "They were curious when you did not arrive".
On cue, three others entered the room, a peel of laughter following them in. A petite woman who Gelda was surprised to see wore nothing but a tight bodice and stockings, a slight young man with glasses and a bob of smooth pink hair and a small boy with the deepest black eyes Gelda had ever seen. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the immense power rolling off him and she studied his pale features set of beautifully by the dark spikes of his hair. Their eyes locked and the slight smile he wore fell from his lips.
"Gelda, this is Melascyla, Gowther and my youngest brother Zeldris". As if in response to the dark boy's power Meliodas let his own snap out and the room was suddenly heavy with crackling energy. Gelda gasped. What was her father thinking negotiating an alliance with this clan? If the mood turned sour the vampires could never hold their own against them. Caught off guard, she lost the tight grip on her own power causing it to flare out so that all in the room looked at her keenly.
"Interesting," murmured Gowther, stepping towards her. "Your power is of the mind is it not?", he said as he moved closer.
Gelda felt him studying her, and after her experience with Estarossa was relieved to see nothing but quiet interest in his approach. His curious manner and the safety she felt away from her father gave her a rush of confidence.
"I think so", she replied. "My father has never let me use my power properly so I'm not completely sure what I can do with it."
"Try now", whispered Gowther, picking up her hand and placing it on his temple. "Look at me", he breathed, and before she knew what she was doing Gelda felt her mind slip into his.
She saw a dark room, and felt an irrepressible sadness sinking over her as she tried to move. Feeling her way she slowly pushed onwards, sensing her feet sink into thick carpet as she stepped. Her confidence grew and her surroundings became lighter, then positively white as she saw a man sitting in a wheelchair, his back towards her. She walked to him through the hesitation she felt to rest to her hand on his shoulder. He turned then, and she saw another pair of black eyes gazing up at her, these ones warm and conveying understanding.
"What do I want Gelda?", he asked. "Tell me".
Images of stone walls filled her vision, the cold light from a small window overpowered by a strong, soft glow coming from many candles placed in crevices around the room as well as a large candelabra. This sat on a desk topped with green leather alongside dozens of books. Gelda could see bookshelves on the wall which were all groaning with volumes, the books stacked neatly with labels showing that they were organised carefully into different sections. A beautiful tapestry caught her eye as she looked round the room. She did not recognise the story it depicted but, unusually, it featured characters from all the six clans, even her own. The vampires usually got missed out of the legends, probably because they were mostly written by humans needing to document what had occurred so that knowledge was kept when their short lives came to an end. Unlike the demons, vampires lacked the dark allure of true evil and of course there was the matter of blood.
Gelda could sense that, although apparently comfortable, this demon with the kind eyes was intensely unhappy. He was crushed with his desire for freedom, to feel the wind on his cheeks and see the sun beating down on Britannia. Here he had restful learning and was grateful that he had all the time he could wish for to expand his knowledge, but he wanted to observe, to understand how the world worked. She gasped in pain as the vision overwhelmed her and her pity for him bore into her soul. Then without warning she felt a tug on her arm and the vision quickly faded into nothingness.
She heard muffled voices before becoming fully aware of her surroundings. "Your Grace," came a sibilant voice, and Gelda sensed MelIodas' energy as he roughly shook off the demon woman he had called Melascyla. Gelda was startled with the way his action made her instantly relax and she tried unsuccessfully to work out what had caused her reaction. When she opened her eyes Meliodas was gazing into them, a look of concern discernible through the strands of golden hair surrounding his face before his features smoothed into indifference as he saw her come to. He looked so attractive in that moment, as his dark smouldering eyes sought her own. Gelda could not believe herself when felt the need to suppress an urge to stretch out and pull him towards her, to taste his lips and weave her fingers into his hair. What was wrong with her? She pushed her desire down sharply.
"Well done", she heard a soft distant intoning. "That was excellent for a first attempt. I did not make it easy".
"What did you see?", asked another harsh voice she didn't recognise and Gelda sat up to see it was Zeldris who had proffered the question. His expression was careful but Gelda could sense sadness there and she fought an instinctive need to send out her powers to try and read him. What was she thinking? Was it not bad enough that she had used her powers once already?
Taking a shuddering breath she said: "I saw a man, he was in prison and has been for years. Who is he?". She looked up, taken aback to see expressions of cautious respect as she glanced around the room.
"He is my creator", said Gowther his voice sounding wooden. His head was angled down, his eyes obscured by the flash of light covering his glasses before suddenly his movements changed, becoming more fluid.
"I want to see you. I will train you to use the power you share with me, Invasion", Gowther said.
"No!", Meliodas replied, flashing a look of venom in Gowther's direction.
"Don't worry, she will not be affected by my Commandment. Her father has seen to that", came the reply.