Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from The Seven Deadly Sins/ Nanatsu No Taizai. They all belong to the wonderful Nakaba Suzuki.
This story, however, belongs to me.
Shout out to lickitysplit as this is one of her favorite chapters ;P
Thanks for reading!
~8~
-You're My Salvation-
They appear as if from thin air with Zeldris looking cold and irritated as usual while Estarossa seems to stare at him in scrutiny. The ebony haired one advances towards Meliodas with interrogation in his sights. "What went on back there, brother?"
The demand is frigid as if Meliodas purposely blew their cover for some inane reason. For once lacking his usual playful air of deflection, the blond simply speaks somberly. His expression is devoid of interest. "Someone forgot to tell me the spell beads would eventually wear off. Had to fight off a Holy Knight who sensed me."
"And my demonic wolf..?" Estarossa adds in with a slow raise to his thin grey eyebrow.
The blood on his attire is obvious. "Yeah. It came at me. I defended myself. Sorry Esta," Meliodas explains tiredly while giving a slow nod in his older brother's direction.
This actually causes Estarossa to stare at him incredulous for a moment. The younger hasn't used that nickname since before their parents died. Something must be affecting him…
Zeldris doesn't seem to notice or care as he marches towards the blond with a deep frown. "If the demonic wolf was in this area, then surely you must have seen something suspicious."
The angered waves from his little brother wash off of him like water. Meliodas doesn't even blink. "Look even if there was, I never had the time to fully investigate, seeing as I was being attacked by wolves and electrocuted by Holy Knights," he points out offhandedly before turning his back and slowly making a move to leave, "I've had enough of this. I need to get cleaned up and a new set of clothes seeing as these are pretty ruined. I'll see you guys around."
The youngest bares his teeth at the obvious brush off and moves to correct the situation, "You can't just decide when you wish to leave, Meliodas. We need to find—"
"I said I'm leaving." The frigid response interrupts as rapidly as falling temperatures tend to.
The younger is quite finished with his attitude as he draws his sword, ready to gain Meliodas' submission through force. Meliodas eases his sword into place as a glower dominates his expression.
"You both enjoy doing things the hard way, don't you?" Estarossa voices without really looking at them. He sighs calmly as the loud resonance of a metallic clang rings through the air, heralding the start of their match.
Their strikes come so fast only a blur of motion can be seen where they meet. A furious roar sounds from Meliodas' throat as he unexpectedly throws a punch at his brother's jaw in the millisecond gap of their swings. Zeldris skids backwards before charging forward, nailing the blond deeply in his stomach. Meliodas crumples inward as he's sent backwards through the air, but as blood drips down his lip he aligns his body to spring off the tree his body collides with.
The power he uses to send himself forward is even enough to take Zeldris by surprise as the two crash in an explosion of massive force. Pinned and thoroughly winded from the attack, the younger isn't able to block the blows Meliodas begins to rain on him until he's bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth.
Catching the oncoming fist in a crushing grip, Zeldris tosses Meliodas behind him with a roar of his own. He then springs to his feet with his sword prepared to strike his brother down if need be. The blond's insolence has pissed him off beyond reason at this point.
Zeldris doesn't expect the mind shattering impact to his skull as Meliodas kicks him sharply towards the relaxing Estarossa. Blood pumping rapidly in his veins as his hands clench with tension not quiet released, Meliodas spits the gathered blood from his mouth bluntly. "I'm leaving." He eyes Estarossa to see if he has any issues before striding away from his points of aggravation.
Zeldris is on his feet and about to go after him until the eldest halts him with his voice alone. "Zeldris, just leave him. He's useless to us in this state."
The ravenette curses under his breath at the turn of events. His anger fuels the speed he takes when disappearing into the dark woods. Estarossa lingers a moment, contemplating Meliodas' off behavior. 'His power was more unstable than usual… something unsettled him. Whoever crosses his path next might end up on the wrong side of death's door.' With a wicked smirk the grey haired demon follows after his irritable little brother fading from sight.
~.~.~
His breath leaves in a heavy puff as he finishes rinsing the cool water languidly across his face. Meliodas is left to stare at his reflection from his leaning position over the calm flowing water. He'd traveled back to the makeshift home he and his brothers own although it's more of a storage than anything, seeing as no one ever really stays in it. The wooden building held no memories, only spare clothing and cold blades.
The sparkling creek is not too far from the building located in a less settled area of Britannia. He'd used it to take a refreshing bathing in hopes of cleansing more than the grime of war from his body. But the heavy weight of his encounter with Elizabeth still remains as he stares at his face, displeasing to himself, in nothing but a pair of dark trousers.
"Maybe it's for the best. We were going to have to separate any way. I just didn't think it would be so…" 'soon,' he finishes inwardly with a downward turn to his lips. No matter how he justifies it to himself, he can't deny the agonized tearing of his heart.
He shakes his head with a wry smile as his hand runs through his damp locks. Bitterness taints his admitting of the truth. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but there's no way you'll be able to fool your own heart." He shakes his head one last time while collecting his off-white short sleeved tunic from the grassy floor. It's pulled swiftly over his toned torso followed by a new pair of black boots. He makes sure to strap on his sheathed sword to his hip before abandoning the area once more.
Traversing under the moon's silver beams, Meliodas has no destination in mind as he lets his feet guide him. "I may not have Elizabeth anymore, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop fighting. I'm going to make sure my brothers or any other demon doesn't find out what she's up to. She will have a future… without me." He accepts with finality. He turns his eyes to his hands for a moment as he senses the unsettled way in which his power stirs beneath his skin. "I should have this under control by now, damn it. Why is it so agitated?"
Not finding an answer within himself, the demon treks over Britannia, letting his heart be his guidance for a moment. He sees the grass covered lands marked and dotted with trees, plants, and bushes, feels the refreshing wind as it moves and presses against him in opposition, and hears the rushing of the wind and beating of his heart. But at the same time it's as if he's in total isolation, surrounded by nothing but cold darkness. The bright warmth he once had to look forward to is now vanquished in an uncaring wave of the hand. The smoke from the flame that once burned bright is the only reminder that it once was there.
He slows down as the harsh reality of the situation drags down on him like dead weights strapped to his ankles. Meliodas finds himself walking towards a familiar set of hedges. His eyes lift up slowly with the weight of his mind to stare at the deep green shrubbery he realizes there's something behind. No, someone… Someone who he'd give anything to see right then. Dragging his hands up towards the prickly leaves, he grabs ahold then pulls them apart.
~.~.~
She had come to the meadow in hopes of having a familiar place to think things through. Sitting there now, she recalls the image of her demon and how she'd scarcely seen Meliodas like that. Only when he was struggling to control himself on the battlefield, but this time he appeared more frantic. The steady slipping of control was there, but there was also a sense of… something she couldn't quite place that laced his untamed energy. The way his power curled for him in billowing waves was more than enough to draw out her concern. His appearance only added gas to the flames. What could possibly be affecting him in such a way that he was rendered to such a state? And also, he'd never gotten angry with her before. Although she suspects that he was angrier at the situation than anything else.
As she lays down in the comfort of the plump grass to stare up at the twinkling bright stars back dropped by the dark night sky, she allows her worry to be voiced in a hushed murmur, "What troubles you my precious demon?" Elizabeth allows her eyes to close for just a moment…
...And opens them to the sound of people screaming, people fighting, people bleeding… everywhere. Eyes widening in horror she tries to rush about in her invisible state to the nearest person she sees. "I have to help. I must!" But then she recalls her task is to help the goddesses... But just flying past suffering people is not apart of her nature, she deeply understands as she tries fleetingly to heal as many as she can...
Being invisible during this battle doesn't necessarily keep her out of harm's way. Most if not all the beings here can sense magical energy. Thankfully they are more focused on each other or trying to hold the demons off, which gives her stuttering heart a chance a small sense of ease. She tries not to focus on the bloodshed around her. Her personal goal being to prevent as much of it as she can, but when nerve cutting screams begin breaking out, all sounding very similar, she frantically tries to seek out the cause of what's happening.
"R-retreat! Retreat! He'll k-kill us all!" The shrieks announce hysterical. Not long after, she can see goddesses, giants, fairies, and humans alike all begin to scatter and flee, but… something tries to halt them in a very gruesome way.
Her hands press over her mouth as she watches through eyes glazing over in tears. She sees people of different kinds torn into, ripped, thrown, and lacerated severely. Their blood spills across the area like a gory shower of rain. Their tortured screams scrape against her ears, begging, pleading, to be spared.
But no such reprieve is given.
Shadows hunt their prey relentlessly until every last drop of blood is wrung dry from their victims. It would have been better if they were simply slain in battle, but this… this is the twisted torture of a demon seeking to relish in the agony of one's suffering.
"H-how could they?" She whispers so quietly the pained empathy is easily carried away by the oppressive air of battle.
When those who can, vanish from the area, it becomes clear the demons left this single being to do their dirty work. And it seems he has no problem with doing so… Or at least that's how it appears until she takes a hesitant, very cautious closer look at him.
From what she can tell, he looks like a young male, no older than 100 at the most, covered in black markings down his right side. However they seem to be trying to spread further across his body. Looking closer into his face, she can see him fighting, almost struggling with himself as the markings seem to shift. He stares angrily down at the hands that just dealt the ghastly fates of those innocent being before.
'Why is he struggling? Don't demons enjoy this sick kind of torment?' She thinks bitterly, but finds it hard to think that way about the odd male who seems to grip his blond hair in pure frustration as he mumbles something heatedly to himself.
Drifting ever so closer in her invisible state, trying to figure out what he's saying. She freezes completely in place as her heart stills in terror when his hand, palm face up, shoots forward in her exact position. His piercing black eyes land on her as if he can see her through her cloak of invisibility.
"I… I d-d-don't want to hurt you!" He bites out roughly as his hand shakes under his struggle for control, "So y-you need to get out of here!" He demands before his eyes squeeze closed and his teeth bare in a grimace.
She grows more intrigued even as her heart kickstarts again, palpating faster than fleeing prey. Elizabeth drifts closer anyway and decides to reveal herself, gossamer wings and all. Her glowing appearance causes his eyes to open and focus on her astonished. She sees, for a moment in his wavering power, vibrant green eyes that take her breath away. The consuming black is back in place an instant later. 'His eyes are green? I don't think I've ever seen a demon's eye color before. I never thought it possible… I wonder if I can get that to happen again…' She considers slowly as she eyes the demon with slight trepidation. He doesn't want to hurt her and he hasn't… Maybe she can try to help him? The idea is insane, but she's never been known for making popular decisions.
"If you don't wish to hurt me, then you won't." Her tone is far more confident and somewhat biting then she actually feels inside as she addresses the strange youthful demon.
His brows lower in exasperation. "I s-slaughtered those people! Get the hell out of here before I kill you, too," His tone is raspy, coarse with a raw inner hatred. Even though he tells her this, he begins to lower his hand.
She notices while he doesn't the black markings that swirled down his right side are beginning to recede, leaving only the spiral marking above his right eye. She takes a chance and strides even closer studying the tensing of his body with apt attention. His clothes are in tatters, showing the cuts and bruises he must have attained in battle. The near lack of clothing also gives her a view of his oddly toned form for such a young male. "You may have killed them, but you didn't want to, did you?" She questions with interest lining her words. This odd demon is something she wants to figure out…
His head lowers allowing his bangs to cover his eyes from her. "No." The shame he feels for himself is obvious causing her heart to twinge in sympathetic pangs. To be the only demon who feels remorse and truly does not wish to take part in bloodshed… Forgetting herself, she finds her hands reaching out to clasp one of his as her innate power begins to seep into his unprepared system.
His head springs up in surprise revealing those gorgeous green eyes as he stares into her glowing orange eyes marked with the symbols known to the goddesses. "What are you doing?" He cries out as he feels the oddly warm energy fill him in a way he hadn't experience in a very long time. So caring and compassionate…
She smiles warmly as her soft laughter tinkles through the air. "I'm sorry. I can't help myself. When someone's hurting I have to try and help them."
He stares at her astonished before a tiny smile warms its way to his face. He closes his eyes in order to better bask in the way her soft, tiny hands feel around his and the caring warmth she provides. It's been so long… too long since he's felt something similar to this. Not since losing his mother.
Swallowing around nerves at seeing such a contented smile, she feels her face heat as her power returns to her. She does not let his hand go. The two stay like that for a while. Him trying to absorb what little happiness this small encounter managed to bring and her trying to understand this unique demon and the strange feelings he seems to invoke in her. It all changes however when he suddenly tenses and his eyes snap open, the greens of his eyes baring a deep seriousness that surprises her.
"You need to leave."
"What?" She's thrown by his change of mood. An odd sense of disappointment fills her when she sees no budging in his decision for her.
"Unless you want to run into two demons who are unhesitant in who their next victim is, I suggest you go," he explains further.
Understanding now, she feels a frown grace her face at the thought of leaving such an interesting being. She may have just met him, but… she feels like he'd become someone important to her… very important. She stays in place a little longer just staring into his captivating eyes in indecision. Him squeezing her hands clasping his gets her into motion. Turning away with great difficulty, she takes to the air, but not before asking, "What is your name?"
"...Meliodas."
~.~.~
Having only closed her eyes for a minute, she's surprised to find she actually fell asleep. Her lips twitch in a frown as she returns back to the waking world gradually. She can't seem to figure out why she's so warm, when she was sure the cool night air was enough to chill her skin before. But it feels quite nice, and there's this heavenly scent that she can't seem to get enough of… It's almost woodsy, fresh leaves perhaps? She can't put her finger on it, but it fills her every breath wonderfully. And there's something else as well. A sense of… something over her, like a twisting feel of foreboding; but it doesn't threaten her. It only seems to curl around her and brush against her skin so lightly it's near impossible to detect.
It causes delightful shivers to course down her spine.
She blinks groggily as her vision gradually clears. Elizabeth finds her next breath lodged in her throat when all that can be seen are eyes of green so dark they might as well be classified as black in the face of a familiar demon.
"M-Meliodas," she whispers after finding herself swallowing thickly. Now she knows where the warmth came from. His form over hers. Although not an inch of him is touching her, as if he's afraid to even make contact. But what about that teasing sense of touch that still seems to wrack her form… Her eyes wander over his face, before a thought occurs to her. 'His power…' The foreboding sense, it's his demonic essence reaching out, but why?
"Elizabeth… I know you probably don't want to see me right now, or ever again after earlier, but I wanted to apologize. It's the least I can do. What I really should do though is keep my distance, but I just…" he sighs tiredly as his eyes seem to dull, "wanted to see you. I keep telling you how much I want to protect you, but really I should be more concerned with the danger I present to you. I can't control myself, Ellie. I'm dangerous. You saw that first hand before. It could be a lot worse and you know this—"
"Shh..." she shushes softly, interrupting him while bringing her flower petal lips to kiss a corner of the wound upon his cheek briefly. Her healing power stretches forward to seal it a little. His flustered worry for her is downright endearing, but he's overreacting and that won't help the situation at all. "Now, were you thinking of hurting me then?"
"Never," he answers immediately with a rough edge to his tone she can't seem to place.
She kisses the wound again sealing it a little more as she moves down his face. "Exactly. You just wanted me out of the danger as soon as possible."
He exhales shakily for a moment before his voice filters through her ears. "But you were angry with me."
Her lips brush the wound again as she hums in agreement. "Yes… but that was because I just wanted to help. I wish I was strong enough to fight beside you. I don't want to be seen as a defenseless damsel."
Her nose is now beside his after her lips finish their journey across his damaged cheek. Seeking his eyes for his hidden emotions she finds them tightly closed, keeping everything to himself. "I could never see you like that, Elizabeth. You're the strongest person I know. You're able to deal with me, a reckless demon."
She giggles softly in adoration as her blue eyes stare beseechingly up at him, hoping to see his eyes. "You silly demon. You're anything, but reckless…"
His eyes finally open. Dark greens that are much clearer seem to speak to her, telling her how relieved he is to hear her say those words. His bangs tickle her face and his warm breath seems to fan over her lips, making her realize just how close they really are. She senses heat rush to her face rapidly while her eyes begin to flicker around his face as his hovering presence sinks into her further. She hopes to avoid looking into his eyes that seem to slowly study her every move, glazing over heavily with a deep, longing desire as they land on her quivering lips.
Her heart is flitting around in her chest so fast, she finds it impossible to stay still. Her hands tremble beside her in the grass, gripping and tearing at it as she takes in heated lungfuls of air through her parted lips. Elizabeth sees his eyes become hooded, seeming to darken them further as he moves closer if at all possible. He stops only when their lips are just barely brushing.
Her eyes flutter at the sensation. The warmth of his lips grazing hers sends rewarding shocks throughout her system and she finds her eyelids lowering as well. "Meliodas…" she whispers in a hushed breath enjoying every glancing of heat it causes her.
A low rumbling growl from his chest is all the warning she has before he dips his head down and captures her lips securely with his. A stuttering gasp turned whimper echoes in her throat as he gently works her lips into submission. His lips, slightly chapped from continued contact with fierce winds, seem to mesh and mold against her supple sensitive ones in a way that has her hands reaching for more… much more contact with the man above her.
Her hands sweep across his toned chest for only a second before her wrists are captured within his and pressed into the cool grass beside her head. His heavy weight finally settles on top of her with a pleasurable groan, leaving her breathless as a heady moan pours from her lips. He seems to take advantage of her momentary lapse of coherency by running the tip of his tongue over the smooth expanse of her bottom lip. The plump lip is then taken between his teeth and nipped gently.
Elizabeth gasps and squirms beneath him. Her hands wish to escape so that she can find some sort of outlet for the new, overwhelming sensations. Meliodas hums appreciatively at her motions, sucking on the captured flushed lip for a moment longer before dipping his tongue into her sweet, wet mouth.
Groaning in surprise, the rosy goddess feels her toes curl inward as his tongue seems to rub and caress every inch of her mouth painstakingly slow. The feeling is beyond incredible. Moaning as she attempts to mimic his gestures, the two end up in a passionate battle. Their panting breaths mix and mingle as the heat between them grows more intense.
It's when her legs tighten on either side of his in order to press him against her that he finds a deep lustful growl leaving him. Elizabeth freezes at the sound, having never heard such a dark, delicious want for her come from him before.
So she does it again.
The results are just as good as before, only she finds him pressing back roughly and this time she's the one giving such a sinful sound. Heat throbbing between her legs in a needy way, she tries to keep up the heavenly motions as he kisses her with a slow consuming hunger that has the blood in her veins simmering.
When his hands finally release hers and make contact with the hem of her shirt, just about ready to shred it to pieces, his senses seem to come back to him. He pulls back from her as if burned by the chastity that clings to her. Slight tremors wrack his form as the want to capture her in his hold again becomes a clear indicator of his wavering restraint.
The sudden loss of his presence on top of her is like being thrown into a vicious blizzard; it leaves her missing his touch to an almost overwhelming extent. The goddess sits up as her mussed hair comes to rest behind her back. She pulls her legs beneath her, squeezing her thighs against the bothersome throb that's settled between them.
Elizabeth raises a hand to push her hair behind her ear and stares at Meliodas' back with meek eyes, wanting to know what's troubled him. "Meliodas…?"
She sees him tense for a moment, before he exhales briefly. When he turns to her, his eyes are bright emeralds once more and a small loving smile is set in place. "What's up?"
Uncertainty dwells within her as her cheeks maintain their flustered hue since their lips first touch. She stares at him with perceptive eyes. "Are you sure you're alright? After everything? I still don't know what happened before you arrived at the village."
His expression hardly shifts only the twitch of his lips before he moves over to her side. The warmth of his arm wraps smoothly around her waist as his head rests on her shoulder causing her to redden even more. The rapid pounding of her heart the silverette experiences nearly breaks her rib cage. "I got into a little scuffle with that Gilthor fellow yesterday. I was actually trying to save him from my little brother, Zeldris in the end though."
This seems to bring a bit of insight to her confused thoughts on the matter as she brings her hand up to his on her waist, twining her fingers over his where it rests. "So that's what Sir Gilthor was talking about before… he said the demon he fought brought devastation shortly after," there's a pause in her speech as the near silence of the meadow settles in, pressing in around them from all sides.
"You lost control, didn't you." It's not a question.
"Yes." The confirmation is murmured low for her ears to hear.
Humming in sympathy, she nuzzles her head against his in comfort. She speaks softly against his mess of locks and inquires a theory she thinks might be correct. "Is that why you were so unsettled before, when you found me and Sir Gilthor? Your power seemed so volatile, even when you showed up here, but now it seems to have settled," she adds after an afterthought and realizing that it's in fact true. She can no longer sense it rolling off of him in agitated waves.
He seems to look at his remaining free hand that isn't clenched around her fingers weaved with his, only realizing the state of his powers as well. "I… don't think so. I think that was the reason at first, but when I first saw the two of you together… I didn't like what I watched."
The venom in his tone surprises her. "What do you mean?"
"I wanted to snap his neck for having his hands on you," he tells her bluntly as his hand closes into a tight fist before relaxing and moving back to his side.
She wonders if he's just joking as she moves her head back to stare at him openly. "W-what?" then it dawns on her.
He was jealous.
"Oh my— Meliodas were you jealous?" she questions with a teasing smile on her lips. For once she gets to be the one teasing. Giggling playfully, she actually feels like she has the upper hand, "You do know that he's already in a relationship with a goddess friend of mine named Marge?"
He lifts his head up to stare her in the eyes with one of his raised eyebrows innocent eyed looks that makes her feel like she hasn't accomplished anything. "Can't say that I did," he answers with a shrug. "Now why would I be jealous… when I have you right here all to myself," he points out simply before she feels his free hand reach up and grasp a generous handful of her chest.
Then squeeze firmly again and again.
Unable to cover her surprise quick enough, an embarrassed "Eep!" sounds before she whines his name with a pout. He can be so unfair.
Facial expression still the same, Meliodas simply tilts his head before giving one more squeeze after which he releases the poor flustered girl. Elizabeth waits with baited breath for his next advance as heat spreads across her reminiscent to a raging wildfire... Moving so that his lips are next to her heated ear, the demon's voice comes out low and sultry, "Elizabeth… you're my salvation. You help me gain control over my inner demon when nothing else ever could." His lips then close around a spot behind her ear where he sucks gently and teases the skin with his teeth.
"Ahh," Elizabeth emits a breathy moan as she tilts her head sideways giving him more access involuntarily. She shudders almost boneless as his free hand travels to the hem of her shirt, not even hesitating before making its way under. Oh goddesses, she doesn't think she can handle this much attention from him… "Meliodas… I t-think you've g-got it wrong," she rushes out through stuttering breaths.
"Really?" he asks as his lips travel down her neck sucking firmly, leaving licks and sharps nips in his wake.
"Y-yes!" she calls out as she feels his hand knead the skin along her smooth belly causing her to whimper softly. "Y-you're stronger than you b-believe. I h-have nothing to do with it," she confides, breathless.
He actually pulls back at this and stares into her glowing visage. Meliodas raises his hand from beneath her shirt to gently smooth the stray strands of hair from her face before cupping her tinted cheek. She's absolutely breathtaking. "Hmm. Now you're wrong. The thing is… my control relies on one simple thing," He chuckles in delight at her astonished visage. The question that arises in her eyes is one he's more than willing to answer. "My love for you, Ellie."
Her eyes widen as her breathing all but stops.
His eyes soften unbelievably to the point where all she can see in his liquid, molten green depths is love, adoration, and such deep, longing devotion. "You mean everything to me, Elizabeth. Making you happy and keeping you safe are what I live for. If anything happened to you, I don't know what I'd do. I love you too much, Elizabeth… I love you so much," he confesses in an honest tone, pouring his heart out to her with a soft curve to his lips. His hold on her is just as strong as it always was, but the meaning behind it finally being spoken aloud.
The goddess blinks slowly as hot tears travel the expanse of her cheeks. Her lips tremble as she smiles so widely you would think it impossible such an elated expression could exist.
He said he loved her.
He loves her!
"And I love you, too, Meliodas. So much. So, so much," she declares passionately around a throat tightened with wild emotion. Her arms reach forward in order to grasp him and pull the giddy demon to her, where her lips seek the warm guidance of his.
~.~.~
He stares into the stone basin filled to the brim with the purest of waters, located away from the prying eyes of snooping wanderers. She'd told him to only use this method of contact only in emergencies, but from the rosy smile on her face he knew she didn't really mean it seriously. As he leans over to gaze into the clear water, his vibrant blue eyes reflect back at him.
"My dearest Marge, I need to speak with you," he calls out clearly. He's unsure of how the whole thing works, but knows to have faith that she'll hear him somehow. Stepping away from the stones edge, the knight intends to wait for her.
One minute goes by, then two, the ten, but he stays with a boundless sense of patience, simply waiting within a secluded wall of trees only he seems to know about. The moon's rays weave through the leaves of the branches above him. They seem to fight to reach the forest floor and cast the area in a dull, soft blue. His senses strain for any sign of her arrival, but as always she finds a way to glide across the ground without even making a sound.
"Gilthor…" she greets softly calling his attention to her.
He rotates to see her smiling face framed in soft lavender tresses. Her warm mocha eyes are bright with happiness at seeing him again. He doesn't hesitate in sweeping her into a loving hold, his lips more than happy to meet hers. She returns the affection with enthusiasm before giggling sweetly and pulling back to stare into his impassioned blue eyes. "It's good to see you, Gilthor."
"And you, Marge," he tells her with tenderness leaking into the words. His brows furrow afterwards before continuing, "But our reason for meeting tonight is not a good one."
She blinks confusedly at this. "What has happened?"
He doesn't pause when going into details, "You remember telling me of the person goddess Elizabeth is spoken for, correct?"
At this, vibrant brown eyes seem to glow in delight. "Oh, yes! She and I were just speaking together of her relationship with him the other night. Oh, by the sound of things the two are very much in love," she laughs softly behind her hand before saying, "She was actually a little curious about the intimacies of a relationship and I was all too happy to share with her in great detail all the wonders there are." From the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Gilthor can tell the poor goddess was teased to no end. His Marge may appear to be innocent from first glance, but on the contrary she can be quite the bold woman.
His lips curl up fondly at this. Gilthor hates the thought of destroying her good mood, but she must be told of his discovery. "I met her significant other, Marge. He's not who we thought he was."
The solemn mood around her Holy Knight finally seems to register with her. "Who is he…?"
"He's a demon."
Her hands fly from their position on his biceps to cover her startled gasp. "A d-demon?"
"I told him that I wouldn't tell anyone of their connection, but I knew that you should be warned. He could be trying to find out information on the Coffin or have ulterior motives for Elizabeth—"
"No. I don't think so," she interrupts calmly.
"What do you mean?" a thin pink eyebrow raises in disbelief.
"The two have been together for quite some time, Gilthor. If he wanted to do her harm, it would have been done by now. I really do believe they're in love," she decides quietly.
"Are you sure, Marge? Was there anything about him in that vision you had about the ending of this war?"
"No. I hardly know anything from the vague images I received. All I know is that Elizabeth is directly involved and that whatever is to happen, must happen that night," she explains seriously.
"If you are sure. Then I will keep an eye on her as best I can. He may be different, but demons are not to be trusted," Gilthor states with finality.
Marge nods in understanding before leaning up and capturing his lips in a single lingering kiss. She pulls back after with a wistful smile. "I must be getting back now, Gilthor. Be safe."
"Take care of yourself," he tells her softly as she begins to stride away in graceful steps, disappearing from sight.
Once she knows she's far enough away from her knight, Marge lets the reality of the situation hit her. The part of her vision she kept hidden flashes clearly through her mind. "The blond haired demon from my vision was him? I should have known. The two's destinies are twined in a way I cannot understand, but whatever happens will affect them greatly in the end." Her thin brows furrow as she tries to further figure out what her premonition told her. She eventually gives up with a weary sigh. "Elizabeth... I just hope you're safe in the end." The goddess conjures her luminescent wings and takes to the air in the direction of the goddess realm, leaving the grave evening night behind her.
