Meliodas closed the door to the room where Dr. Dana lay, barely clinging to life. Elizabeth was sitting inside by the bed, watching him earnestly for any signs of recovery, or of worsening. He wondered if she looked that way when she sat at his bedside the day before. He had to admit, it felt good to have someone care that much about him again.

Leaning against the door, he sighed heavily. This entire situation had slipped well beyond his control, and he hated that. He had never in his wildest dreams expected to pick up Princess Elizabeth in his wanderings around Britannia; never had expected the Holy Knights to veer so far from their purpose of serving and protecting the kingdom. Now they were after him, the princess, and his sword; the three had to be connected, and he dreaded to learn how.

It's best to just go, he decided. He would leave Elizabeth here to look after the doctor. The town seemed relatively safe, especially when he compared it to Baste, where the Holy Knights were based. Taking Elizabeth directly into harm's path was something Meliodas definitely did not intend to do.

"Where's Elizabeth?" Hawk demanded as he descended the steps to the first floor. "Is she coming or what?"

"She's taking care of the doctor," Meliodas answered. "Come on, let's slip away while we can." He headed out the door with the boar fast on his heels, his mind still occupied by Elizabeth.

.o0o.

All at once, Meliodas was awake. He stared at the ceiling of his tent, wondering how he had gotten there. Moving to sit, he felt a weight on his body, and looked down. Silver hair came into his vision, and suddenly the past twenty-four hours came roaring back: the orders to destroy Elizabeth's camp, his flight from his own army, the fight with Estarossa. And then Elizabeth, her soft lips on his, her soothing hands on him, the hurt look on her face when she spoke of the Holy Knights, her smile as she teased him. Her power exploding out to kill the general. Her tears as he held her tightly.

Memories crashed on top of him, and he shook the lingering sleep away. His plan had been to go, and instead he had stayed here all night? He felt disoriented for a moment as the reality of his situation fell into place, as well as the knowledge that once again, he had ignored his instincts.

Elizabeth was still fast asleep, as far as he could tell. He cursed himself silently for falling asleep as well; what was he thinking? They were in a camp full of people who were determined to kill them. He knew the girl would be too exhausted to keep watch for them, and that it would be up to him to keep them safe. But now that he thought about the previous day's events, he supposed it made sense that he would have needed rest.

Some time in the night she had completely wrapped herself up around him. Elizabeth's head was heavy against his chest, her arm wrapped around his waist, her hand on his hip. One of her legs covered one of his, and Meliodas had his own arm around her, pressed against her back.

He couldn't remember ever waking up this way before. He was a demon who took what he wanted, including women; he did not sleep with one curled around him in comfort.

Yet Meliodas was loath to disturb her, so he took the opportunity to simply rest and enjoy the peace of the moment—another first. He slid his hand up her back until his fingers slipped into her hair. He knew already it was silky to the touch; but now that he could take his time, he realized just how thick it was, how beautiful. He found just the simple act of combing his fingers through her hair enthralling.

Her arms were thin, but as he ran his other hand along the length of the one draped over his stomach, he could feel the muscle beneath her smooth skin. Elizabeth did not move or make a sound, so he risked moving his hand lower, sliding along her side. Her waist was tiny before flaring out to curvy hips, just what he liked. His hand smoothed over the shape of her hip and skimmed over her backside. Meliodas could feel his heartbeat pick up instantly, and before he knew it his hand was trailing along the underside of her thigh.

As his hand trailed its path along Elizabeth, his own body awoke, his desire beginning to kindle. Meliodas swallowed, willing himself to stay in check even as he could not help but wrap his fingers around her slim leg. His hand slid back up, trailing towards her center. He grit his teeth and used every ounce of his willpower to still his hand, digging his fingers into the soft flesh of her thigh. Elizabeth stirred against him, and Meliodas puffed out a harsh breath.

He thumped his head back into the lump of a pillow and listened to his blood pulsing inside his head. Saying that he wanted her was a gross understatement; the desire to touch and taste every inch of her suddenly, violently thrummed through him. But he could not do this. Would not do this to Elizabeth. Her innocence and beauty called out to his own dark nature, and he wanted to take it for his own, to consume her completely. It would be so easy to roll on top of her now, to pin her down and take what he wanted. It would make no difference if she fought him, but something told him that she would not, in the end; he could see it now, her mouth open as she moaned, her body angled against his, her skin hot and flushed as he used his mouth and hands on her…

Meliodas ignored his instinct and his need, quickly snatching his hand away from her leg as she shifted against him. Her body pressed against his side, and he groaned inwardly as her chest flattened on him and her thighs squeezed against his. Her knee brushed between his own legs, and he grunted as he froze. Then Elizabeth gave a deep sigh and lifted her head. She blinked in surprise down at him, her eyes sleepy and her hair a bit mussed, and Meliodas could not help his own chuckle. He smoothed a hand across her cheek, brushing her hair from her face, and Elizabeth's eyes softened as she smiled down at him.

"You stayed," she whispered, and he nodded even as he swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. Then she blushed a soft pink and shifted away from him, sitting up in the bed. "Thank you." Her tone was a bit bashful, which surprised him; after all, they had just spent the night wrapped around one another.

Meliodas slid to a sitting position, looking her up and down. "Do you feel better?" he asked, feeling a sense of embarrassment sweeping up his spine. If only his brothers could hear him now.

But Elizabeth simply bit her lower lip, her eyes turning away. "A bit. But what happened yesterday… I'm afraid," she confessed softly.

He frowned, leaning forward to place his hand reassuringly on her knee. "You have nothing to fear as long as you are beside me," he promised her.

"That's not what I meant." Elizabeth took a shaky breath. "You aren't scared of me? Knowing what I am—what I can do?"

"What?" Meliodas shook his head. "How could I be scared of you?"

"I killed someone," she whispered. Elizabeth closed her eyes tightly. "I could hurt you too."

Meliodas watched the pain in her features with a jumble of confusion and amusement. "Elizabeth, you aren't a killer. I would know."

She looked at him then, her expression unreadable and guarded. "Why won't you tell me the truth of who you are?" He started to stammer out an excuse but she shook her head. "Please, don't lie to me," she said fiercely. "I saw the reactions from the others when you told them your name. I know you are more than just a soldier."

Her eyes were pleading, and Meliodas was suddenly more anxious than he could ever remember being in his entire life. She deserved the truth. She trusted him and he should return that trust. But why couldn't he just be honest? "I've done my share of killing," he finally admitted.

The disappointment on her face felt like a punch in his stomach. "I understand," she murmured.

"Elizabeth," he said suddenly, harsher than he intended. He reached out for her, sliding a hand into her hair again. "I will tell you everything. I promise. I just need to make sure we are safe first. I need you to be safe. Do you understand?"

Slowly she nodded. "I feel the same way," she admitted. "If something happened to you—" Her eyes went wide as she realized what she had said, and her cheeks flared in embarrassment.

The corner of his mouth went up in a sly half-smile. "See? You aren't a killer. You acted to protect me." He shrugged and went on, "It doesn't matter anyway. He's just one soldier in a war. Plenty more die every day."

Meliodas thought to reassure her, but Elizabeth gave him a shocked look that made him shrink back a bit. "I took his life away. His family will never see him again. It matters to them."

"He tried to do the same to you!" Meliodas exclaimed.

"I don't care why. I still killed him."

He twisted his mouth into a thin line, frustrated by her irritation with him. "Do you think he would be sitting and crying over you if he had killed you?"

"It doesn't matter!" she hissed at him. "Why can't you understand that? I didn't want to kill him."

This time when she moved away, Meliodas allowed it. He sat on the bed staring at the floor, her words turning over in his head. No, he didn't understand. He had wanted to kill the general himself, wanted to see his blood flowing in a river from his body, wanted to see the realization in his eyes that he was going to die. He felt that way about the other Holy Knights who had hurt her. He felt that way about the druid that had looked at Elizabeth with disgust as she pleaded for their understanding. He felt that way with his own brother, who had threatened her.

Meliodas understood wanting to kill. Wanting to kill had made him strong; it had made him the vicious and callous tool that he was. It had allowed him to carry out countless orders and spur on the violence of those in his command. It was a familiar feeling that had accompanied him for more years than he cared to count. But now, with Elizabeth, he wanted to feel… something else.

"Elizabeth!" He quickly pushed up and off the bed to stand. The druid girl was a few feet away, and turned to look back at him. But he found himself unable to speak, even as she raised an eyebrow at him.

How could he begin to explain? How could he begin to tell her who he was, and who he wanted to become now? Meliodas took a step forward, but before he could say anything the tent flap opened and a druid stepped inside, interrupting them. "Lady Jenna wants to see you," the woman said curtly.

Meliodas tensed, ready to lash out at the intrusion, but Elizabeth moved immediately towards the exit, so he had no choice but to follow.

They were led back to the large tent at the center of the druid camp, and Jenna was waiting for them when they arrived. "I must say, I'm surprised you are still here," she said as way of greeting. "I half expected you to be gone."

Meliodas glanced at Elizabeth. She made no indication of speaking, so he said, "The thought crossed my mind."

The druid huffed a laugh and folded her arms. "You'll be pleased to know the Holy Knights who attacked you returned to the camp." Meliodas could feel Elizabeth tense beside him and he narrowed his eyes. "They confirmed your story, that Elizabeth delivered a warning before the general attacked." Jenna's eyes slid from Elizabeth to Meliodas, and back. "Elizabeth will not face any charges for killing him."

"How gracious of you," answered Meliodas angrily. "As if you could have doubted Elizabeth's word on the matter."

Lady Jenna gave him a withering look. "All the same, while you are in this camp you will refrain from situations which would force Elizabeth to use her power again." He bristled, but she dismissed the tension coming from him as she turned her attention back to the druid girl. "Elizabeth, do you really intend to leave with this demon?"

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he turned to see her reaction. He watched as Elizabeth struggled to keep her expression even, and then her gaze turned to him. They locked eyes for a long moment, and he tried to read her emotions, finding it impossible. But to his relief, she nodded. "I do."

Lady Jenna sighed, walking towards her. Meliodas went to step in between them, but Elizabeth moved too, and a moment later she and the druid leader clasped hands. "I wish you would stay," she said. "But I know I can't stop you, so I won't try."

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said. She smiled at her warmly as her eyes flickered up to Meliodas. "I just feel… I need to go with him. I'm meant to do this."

Jenna nodded, squeezing Elizabeth's hands in hers. But Meliodas could not help but gape at them, hearing Elizabeth's words. She's coming with me.

"Before you go," Jenna said to her, "I need you to help the others, and debrief them, help them to prepare for the battle. Can you do that?"

Elizabeth nodded, her smile fading as her expression became determined. Then Jenna looked over at Meliodas. "You'll stay here and fulfill your part of the deal."

Meliodas frowned. "I don't want Elizabeth going anywhere on her own."

"I'll be fine," Elizabeth said reassuringly. Before he could protest further, she was gone, and Jenna turned to him. He expected her to try to order him, and he squared his shoulders in preparation; instead, she surprised him by saying, "You don't need to worry about her here. No one would harm an Apostle of the Goddesses." She chuckled as Meliodas raised an eyebrow at her. "The general, yes. He was an exception."

"If anyone tries to hurt her," Meliodas said evenly, "I won't hesitate to kill them."

Jenna nodded, considering him for a long moment. "You are in love with her, aren't you?"

He sucked in a breath, his skin suddenly burning. The druid smirked. "I can see my answer in your reaction. I don't know how this happened. The demon prince in love with the Apostle."

"I'm not in love with her," he growled.

"If you say so," she answered with a shrug, her nonchalance grating heavily on his nerves. "Now come, you have a lot to tell us about what to expect from this battle." With a wave as if to keep the conversation from continuing, she turned back to the table, and Meliodas followed, forcing his racing thoughts to quiet.

.o0o.

It was hours later, at sundown, when Meliodas saw Elizabeth again. He had spent the entire day with the druids and the Holy Knights, explaining the positions and strategies of the demon army, describing their numbers and abilities. There was a collective gasp when he informed them that the Ten Commandments traveled with them, and their terror gave him a secret satisfaction. He knew that most of them knew who he was, but he ignored their stares. Jenna had him go over their plans for attack and possible routes to infiltrate the camp while the Holy Knights asked details on their formations. They went over maps and lists, and finally Meliodas inspected their own defenses, giving suggestions on improvements.

By the time he returned to his own tent, Meliodas felt nothing but revulsion. He had just given over the secrets of his own army, his own clan, some of which not even all of his own soldiers knew. In all truthfulness, he wasn't even sure if it would be enough to save the humans. He begrudgingly admired their determination to fight back against this attack, but deep down he thought they should just run. Now that they were armed with his information, they seemed more confident; all except Jenna, who had spoken to him quietly when the meetings finally came to an end.

"What are our chances?" she had asked him, and Meliodas had looked her in the eye and said, "It could be either way."

She nodded, looking unsurprised. "I would expect nothing less. Five more days?" He nodded, and she let go a deep breath. Jenna looked at him closely; she tilted her head to the side and said, "The advantage would surely swing towards us if you stayed and fought with us."

"Absolutely not." His nerves were worn from the hours of explanations, and his voice betrayed his irritation. "I've committed treason here today. All I want now is to take Elizabeth and go. Do not try to stop me."

"I gave you my word," she replied with a sigh. "To be honest, as much as it pains me to let you go, I know you will keep her safe." Jenna reached out and gripped his arm unexpectedly and said fiercely, "She is important. You must keep her safe."

Meliodas nodded and pulled his arm away. Without another word he left, walking quickly through the camp. The need to see Elizabeth filled him suddenly. He wanted to know she was all right, to speak to her and hold her and have her by his side. Hurriedly, he passed others who moved out of his way, and as he thought of her in the tent waiting for him, Jenna's words came to the front of his mind.

You are in love with her, aren't you?

He pushed open the flap of the tent, sighing in relief that she was there. Elizabeth looked up from her place on the bed, where she was eating from a bowl of food. "Meliodas!" she exclaimed, her smile bright as he stepped inside. The sound of his name caused a shiver to go through him, the relief at seeing her at war with the sickness from his betrayal. She held out a hand and gestured for him to join her. "Come sit. You look tired," she said.

Meliodas immediately walked over to the bed, climbing in to sit beside her. You are in love with her, aren't you? The question rattled around in his head as she told him about the work she had done during the day. "I have two packs for us, with supplies," she was explaining as he watched her, barely listening. "I didn't know exactly what you would want to eat, so I packed a bit of everything."

She continued talking, but his eyes fixated on her mouth, the way her hands moved as she spoke. They were leaving soon, but he could not focus. What was he doing? What was she saying? His brows went down as his chest constricted in worry. You are in love with her, aren't you?

"Meliodas?" His eyes snapped back to hers, which were full of concern. "Do you need to rest a bit? It's almost completely dark, we can wait to go when you think it's best."

He opened his mouth to agree, but nothing came out. Elizabeth gave him a small smile, and incredibly, she reached up and swept her fingers in his hair. You are in love with her, aren't you?

"I'm the son of the demon king," Meliodas said. Her hand stilled as his words came out in a rush. "I'm the captain of the Ten Commandments, and a general in the demon army. One of the highest ranked, in fact. I have thousands of demons in my command." To his mortification, his voice began to shake as he spoke. "That demon I fought yesterday was my brother. He saw you and he knows about you and he will never, ever stop coming after us. Not until I kill him, anyway. I've killed thousands of your—"

"Shhh," she breathed. Meliodas choked on his words as she shushed him, shaking himself as her fingers continued to caress his scalp. You are in love with her, aren't you? "Didn't you hear me?" he said, his voice rising in anger. "Do you not understand who I am?"

"Is this what you've been worrying about?" Her voice was so calm, so sweet, that he just stared at her in disbelief. Elizabeth slid closer to him, one hand pressing tentatively on his chest, the other tucking back a lock of his hair. "I already knew you were a demon. I knew what that meant. I knew you have been fighting—we've all been fighting." Her hand slid down his face to cup his cheek. "Nothing you have done matters. All that matters is who you are now."

You are in love with her, aren't you? He tried to speak but she went on, "You saved my life. You protected me and defended my honor. You kept me safe against an enemy and betrayed your own kind for my sake." Her smile pierced through the thick agitation that had settled over him. "I know exactly who you are, Meliodas."

Her words left him utterly stunned. Trepidation laid like a blanket on his mind, as everything pressed in at once. General, protector, prince, savior, demon… He was at once doubtful and sure, restless and calm. You are in love with her, aren't you?

"Elizabeth," he whispered, his hands sliding up her arms, feeling her shiver at his touch. When they reached her back, he pulled her forward. He pressed her body against his, taking a sharp breath as he felt just how perfect she was in his hands. The hand on his chest pushed against him firmly, while the other curled in his hair; then she tilted her face as his dipped down, sealing them into a kiss.

They lingered there for just a moment, their lips pressed together tightly; then Elizabeth moved, her arms wrapping around his neck as she slid into his lap. Meliodas was caught by surprise by her bold move, but eagerly grabbed her by the hips to settle her against him. His hands roamed her body as she kissed him deeply, and all of his anxieties evaporated.

Soon she was moving against him, her hands sliding inside of his shirt. Meliodas followed her lead, pulling off her clothing as the need to feel them skin to skin flared brightly. There was no teasing or shyness between them, only a sharp sense of urgency as their hands slipped over one another, both demanding and curious. Once their clothes were shed, the excitement burned suddenly hot, and Meliodas felt almost feverish with his desire for her.

He had expected Elizabeth to be coy, or hesitant, or timid with him; instead her hands roamed his muscles lustfully, her mouth hungry as she kissed his lips and neck and shoulders. Meliodas' doubts were replaced with a voracious desire, his body responding in kind as her own covered his when she straddled his lap. He tasted her skin, kissing and biting her, and the demon inside of him thrashed as he grabbed her body roughly. She groaned into his mouth, her hair falling down around them, her breasts pressed against his chest, her sex grinding against him, and Meliodas was completely overwhelmed by the touch and feel of her, the sounds that escaped her, the impassioned heat that burned from her.

Then Elizabeth knelt up, her arms tight around his shoulders, before sinking her body down over his, their eyes locked together. Meliodas dug his fingers into her hips, leaving marks he was sure, but uncaring as his body was finally wrapped in her tight, wet heat. He watched through the haze of his own desire as her head dropped back; then she was moving, bracing her weight with her tight hold on him as she moved her hips up and down. He thrust upwards to match her in a punishing rhythm, his demon side flaring suddenly with her erotic moves. Their joining was raw and fast, her body perfect, the way she tilted herself around him beyond seductive.

Her fingers pulled tightly on his hair as she cried out his name. Then Meliodas watched as she came undone, his own release exploding as Elizabeth shook in his arms. Her body squeezed around his almost in a stranglehold, and the pleasure that rippled through him in this moment absolutely shattered him. Then it was over, Elizabeth still trembling against him, her body limp as she pressed her burning face into his neck.

The tent was now covered in darkness, and he was glad that she could not see his own expression, which he was sure was as vulnerable as he felt. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, cradling her hard against him as he turned his lips to her forehead.

"Elizabeth," he breathed, panting as he caught his breath, and she lifted her head, her nose brushing along his. You are in love with her, aren't you? He felt her shaking breath against his cheek, could practically hear her heart thudding just as hard as his own, and he turned his face to capture her mouth with his.

This time, however, it was slow, and passionate, her mouth yielding and soft. Meliodas felt her shift from his lap, his body slipping from hers; but he held her just as tightly, tipping her backwards to press her into the bed. Leisurely he kissed her, his hands gentle this time as he touched her. Now that they had satisfied their frenzied lust, he took his time, exploring her body with his hands before moving his mouth down to taste her soft flesh, the sweet and saltiness of her skin. He kissed every inch of her, testing where to tease, where she wanted a firm touch.

Elizabeth sighed as he pleasured her, her own boldness gone, now simply pliant under his caresses. But the sounds of her soft moans and the easy way she moved under him stirred his blood even more than her frantic excitement; by the time he leaned over her again, Meliodas could feel his desire for her just as intensely as before. Elizabeth reached her hands out, grazing his skin with her fingertips; and this time, this time, when she spread her thighs open, he slowly sank into her with a deep shudder of devastating bliss.

You are in love with her, aren't you?

This time he moved slowly, watching her, savoring her. This time his own inner demon stayed quiet, allowing him to enjoy the way she shivered at his touch and rocked her hips with his. This time, instead of her lustful calls, she moaned softly into his ear, murmured against his lips. He drove them slowly, steadily, towards a wholly different ending that was deeper and more passionate. This time, as her body clenched around him, he knew everything had changed.

.o0o.

Hawk was unusually quiet as they walked, for which Meliodas was grateful. It allowed him to think about what their next move was, and how he could get Ban out of prison with the least amount of trouble.

That's what he should have been thinking about, anyway; instead, Elizabeth filled his mind. There was absolutely no denying the familiarity of her now. It went beyond her name and her smile and the inarguable need he had to protect her. There was also her determination and her sweet nature. The way she cared so deeply about others, even those that hurt her. The way she seemed to constantly throw herself directly into danger to protect others.

Meliodas snorted at that. He was the most dangerous thing out here, not that she would know it.

He wondered what she would think of him if she knew everything. If he sat her down and told her the truth about who he was, and what he had done, and why the Seven Deadly Sins had been forced into hiding. If he confessed all of his sins to her.

Well, that was something he did not intend to do. Confessing everything to her? That was a sure way to send her running straight in the other direction. Meliodas sighed, shaking his head. Best to evade her questions, and keep her focused on their quest. He would keep her safe and help her deliver the kingdom without telling her everything.

He told himself that, but deep down, there was another reason too: if she did reject him for what he had done, he might not ever recover.