Summary: Elizabeth learns of a holiday held in high regard among the demons. It is a celebration she has apparently been expected to not just attend, but to lead. So why has she never heard of it? What is Meliodas hiding from her and why?

A/N: Welcome! This is my first fanfic and I am excited to see what others think. I welcome and encourage any positive comments as well as constructive criticism, but please don't hate just to hate. This takes place in a Alternate Universe where the original Holy War was successfully ended by Meliodas and Elizabeth. They are now happily married and ruling both clans. Zeldris and Gelda also are married and helping rule the demons. The Four Archangels are alive. The Ten Commandments exist with some small changes, primarily Aranak and Zeno never died so Drole and Gloxinia were never recruited. Additionally, Meliodas and Zeldris carry the Commandments of Love and Piety respectively.

With all that in mind, this story plays on the idea that hey often have to spend long periods of time apart to rule both kingdoms and so there is a lot about each other's cultures they never learned. Elizabeth learns about one especially important holiday and vows to participate this year, not fully knowing what she was getting herself into, but determined to follow through nonetheless.

"I am so glad I convinced Zel to come visit with me. Meliodas has been away a few weeks and he would never admit it, but I think he misses his brother. And of course, it means I get a bit longer visit with you so everyone wins," Gelda gushed as she sat down at the small table I had set for tea in one of the smaller dining rooms of the palace. She was right, a longer visit would be nice. We had grown close in the years since the war ended and I adored our visits, but Zeldris never liked when Gelda traveled for too long away from him so she often never stay more than a day. This time she happily told me they would be staying for at least three days.

Gelda's gaze took on a look of expectance as she sipped her tea lightly before asking, "When are you coming to visit the Demon Kingdom next? While I love coming to visit you for tea and catch-ups, I do wish we could spend more time together there as well." Somehow, I had a feeling she already had an answer she was hoping to hear.

I narrowed my eyes playfully at her, cluing her in that she wasn't fooling me with her seemingly innocent question. "I'm not sure. As I am sure you know, Meliodas plans to return with you and Zeldris in a few days, but we haven't planned my next visit yet. Why?" I saw just the slightest of downturn of her lips at my response. She was trying to hide her disappointment. "That look on your face tells me you have a time in mind so out with it Gelda. What were you hoping I would say?"

"Well the people miss their Queen. Obviously, you have the goddesses to rule as well, but still. You spend so little time in the Demon Kingdom. There have already been murmurs hoping you would attend the Midwinter Festival this year," Gelda replied. She was trying to appear nonchalant, but I couldn't figure out why.

"Midwinter Festival?" I asked. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but nothing specific came to mind.

Gelda looked at me shocked. The hand holding her tea lowered away from her face as she spoke incredulously, "Surely Meliodas has talked about it. It is such an important holiday after all." I racked my brain at her response, but came up empty.

I blushed shyly and looked down at my lap, embarrassed at my lack of knowledge. Gelda continued, her shock and disbelief still written clearly on her face, "You and Meliodas have been married for several years now, how could he not have told you about this?"

She mumbled under her breath briefly, too quiet for me to catch what she said before beginning her explanation. "It's a huge celebration, one of the biggest all year really. It celebrates the day of the year where the night is the longest. As creatures of darkness, our powers are strongest at night so the day of the year with the longest night is our most powerful night of the year."

"The day the night is the longest? Oh, we goddesses call that the Winter Solstice," I brought a finger up to my chin as I thought more about what Gelda had said. "Meliodas has always said he had to be home for that time, but never went into much detail why. I guess I never thought to ask either. It does make sense that would be a major holiday to demons. We goddesses celebrate the Summer Solstice after all."

Gelda rolled her eyes at my response before lightly chuckling and shaking her head. "Well, preparations for this year's festival have already begun so as I said, many are excited and hoping you come this year. Your absence is always noticed and the people wish to have their Queen there leading the event. And I for one would love to have you there as well."

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "I doubt the demons even acknowledge me as Queen, let alone hope for my presence."

Gelda pursed here lips and furrowed her eyebrows. "Elizabeth, you don't believe that do you?"

"Of course I do. I am a goddess, why would they want me leading anything?"

Gelda quickly put down her tea before turning to me and grasping my hands in hers. She gazed deeply into my eyes as she spoke, "Elizabeth, yes you are goddess, but you are married to Meliodas, their king. That makes you Queen. You may not have ever had a formal coronation ceremony there, but you are Queen. And yes, you may not have been anyone's favorite initially, but that is history now. You helped end the war. The people are grateful the fighting is over and peace has reigned ever since. And in the time that you and Meliodas have ruled the clan has prospered more than ever. The people are happy and know that they have you to thank for that. You are beloved there Elizabeth. There will always be a small few who don't accept you because you are a goddess just as they don't accept me because I am a vampire, but the majority do cherish you. They want their Queen there to lead and celebrate with them."

My eyes stung as tears welled at the sincerity in her eyes and the intensity I saw just beneath the surface urging me to believe her. I had never really considered the possibility that the demons would like me, let alone love me.

Even before Meliodas and I were wed I considered the demons my people just as much as the goddeses were. I wanted to make their lives better and have worked hard with Meliodas, Gelda, and Zeldris to do just that.

I turned my gaze to down to our still-joined hands as I processed all Gelda had said. As the first silent tear fell I met Gelda's gaze again whispering, "I feel terrible now. I never meant to insult them by being away."

Gelda smiled lightly, lifting a hand to wipe away my tear, "No one is insulted Elizabeth. They know you have two kingdoms to run. The people just miss you. Especially during major events and holidays."

I nodded, returning her smile. "Of course I will come then. How could I say no?"

Gelda's smile stretched wide with glee as she embraced me rambling about how much better the ritual and festival would be with me there.

As we separated and returned to our attention back to the tea it was my turn to ramble, "So tell me more about it! You told me why the day is so important, but how is it celebrated? Did you mention there is a ritual? Would I have a part? Oh, will I have enough time to learn everything properly? I don't want to disappoint anyone."

My curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to know everything there was now that I decided to attend. Already in my mind I was thinking about scouring the royal library or asking Meliodas for books to help me learn. The autumnal equinox had passed a few weeks ago so there was a little over two months until the Winter Solstice, but was it enough? Would I be ready?

My train of thought trailed away as I noticed Gelda's eyes widen slightly as she chuckled nervously. I caught a blush rising to her face as raised her cup to her lips as if to hide it.

"Yes… there is a ritual held in front of the elite of the clan, but perhaps you should talk to Meliodas about that…" I cocked my head at that response and opened my mouth to question her about it when she rushed to continue, "But don't worry, you have plenty of time to learn about the whole holiday, including the ritual. It really isn't complicated. Most of the days leading up to it and the night of truly are just a grand festival"

My brows furrowed at how strange she was acting, but I nodded my head nonetheless, accepting her response.

"Enough about that. Let's change the subject. How are things here with the goddesses?" Gelda asked. I gazed at her for a second before deciding not to push and let her steer the conversation in a new direction.

We spoke for hours about all kinds of things. Our catch-ups always did last for a while when we hadn't seen each other for more than a few weeks. When the teapot had emptied I had a smaller one brought for me and a few glasses of blood for Gelda. I always made sure to keep a small supply available for her to make sure she felt welcomed and had her needs met.

As evening approached, our chat winded down. I promised to show her around the gardens and the town the next day before we parted ways for the night. She went to find Zeldris, joking he would no doubt be pouting I had kept his wife from him for so long. I called after her that I would have dinner sent to their room then to make it up to him, causing Gelda to chuckle lightly agreeing that food always did improve his mood.

After giving the instructions to have dinners sent to both Gelda's room and mine to a passing servant I headed straight for the library, still curious about the festival and its ritual. Thankfully, the royal librarian, Carmela, was still there. She wasn't familiar with the festival let alone a ritual that went with it, but admitted our library's knowledge on demon life, customs, and culture was severely lacking.

She sheepishly admitted the clan never thought there was ever much need to have a section on it before other than to know about the strengths, weaknesses, and common war strategies of demons. Apparently, once I wed Meliodas there was an effort made to start gathering more books about demons, but it had proven quite difficult.

As I left Carmela promised to scour the few books we did have for any information and let me know immediately if she found anything. She also planned to redouble her efforts to get more books on the demon kingdom, apologizing for not being able to better help me.

In the hallway I let a small bit of power out to try and feel for Meliodas' power. Once I found him, I walked slowly, letting my mind replay my talk with Gelda about the Midwinter Festival, trying to see if I could glean any more information from the memory.

Gelda doesn't blush or embarrass easily so for her to do that stumped me. I tried thinking of what the festival could contain that would cause such a reaction, but came up blank.

I strode into the private study that connected to our room and found Meliodas scrutinizing some scrolls at his desk. I knew he could both hear and feel me approach, but still he didn't look up so whatever he was reading must have been important. I came around behind his chair to peer over his shoulder.

Several scrolls littered the surface of the desk. I frowned slightly that all of them were written in the demonic language. Meliodas often received a few reports while he was here, but never this many.

I turned my attention to the one he was holding in his hands. I had been studying the language since before we were wed, but still wasn't fully proficient so I couldn't read the whole thing. From, what I could make out it seemed to be a report about a small group of demons that had gone rogue and attacked a human village recently.

"How much of this can you understand?" Meliodas' sudden words made me jump. He gazed up at me, mirth gleaming in his emerald eyes.

"A fair amount, but not everything. Some demons attacked a human village?"

"You're getting better," Meliodas remarked with pride. "While you and Gelda gossiped over tea, Zel brought me up to speed on what I missed over the last few weeks. He brought me the most important reports so I could read them myself."

"Is this attack the first or has there been many?"

"This is the first as far as we know, but he mentioned that not all the demons were caught so he's worried about another attack. And of course, he doesn't want to risk this escalating and starting a war so he has the Commandments working hard to get this settled."

"Sounds serious," I commented.

He nodded and sighed. "Guess it's a good thing I am going back soon. Zeldris is great, but at the end of the day this is my responsibility as king to handle situations like this."

Meliodas's eyes darkened just slightly as he looked back and the report. A sure sign of his worry.

I put my hands on his shoulders and gave him a light kiss on the cheek before beginning to rub his shoulders. "I am sure everything will be fine. There is nothing you and Zeldris can't handle, especially with the Commandments to back you up."

Meliodas placed one hand over mine and squeezed gently. "You're right. Come on, this can wait another night. I smell food in our room."

I let him lead to our room and listened to him catch me up on everything else about his day while we ate.

When we were finished eating and had placed everything outside the door for the servants to clear, we settled onto the bed. He sat at the head supported by our many pillows and put arm around me as a nestled into his side, my head resting on his shoulder and one hand one his chest so I could feel his heartbeats.

"Elizabeth what's wrong? You haven't said a word about your tea with Gelda and usually you can't wait to tell me all about it."

I frowned slightly. "Why have you never told me about the Midwinter Festival? Or asked me to attend?" I answered softly. I could feel Meliodas stiffen under me.

"Elizabeth-"

"Gelda told me it is a very important holiday for demons and that my absence over the years has been noticed. She said the people want me to be there, hope I will help lead the event even. So why didn't I know about it?" I could feel his eyes on me so I pulled away and sat up to face him.

"I never meant to hide it from you, I just didn't think it was something you would want to participate in," he answered cautiously.

"Why wouldn't I want to? The demons are my people too. I want to be there for them, especially if they are asking for me. I always assumed they didn't like me because of what I am and that is why you try to keep me away, but Gelda assured me that isn't the case. So why Meliodas?"

Meliodas turned away, no longer meeting my gaze. I reached across the gap and gripped his chin, turning his head. His eyes grew wide as I forced him to look at me. "I want answers Meliodas. You knew I cared and wanted to be a good ruler, even if the demons didn't want me. Now I hear that the demons not only know that, but that they appreciate my efforts and have asked for me to be around more. Why haven't you ever told me? Why do you encourage me to spend so much of my time here and so little there? Why didn't you tell me I was expected to be a part of such an important holiday and was disappointing so many when I wasn't?"

With each question my voice grew slightly harsher. By the end I was angry. He was always the one saying it was ok for me not spend much time in the Demon Kingdom. I always thought it was to protect me from the hatred of the people, the hatred of those who rejected having a goddess marry their king. But if that wasn't true then what was he hiding from me. Why keep me so in the dark?

When he didn't answer right away, my anger only grew. "I want answers Meliodas," I demanded, my tone cold and assertive.

"It's been a while since you were like this," was all he said.

I could only look at him confusedly, cocking my head slightly to the side. A shadow of a smile crossed his face as he explained, "One look at you used to strike fear into the hearts of so many in my ranks back when you were known as Blood-stained Ellie. You were quite the formidable opponent. Your passion, your anger, and most importantly, your strength as you demand answers from me right now, it reminds me of that time."

I let go of his chin and scoff, "Good maybe that will scare you into answering my questions."

I just stare at him, waiting for him to respond. After a moment, he sighs heavily. "I have been here for some of the major celebrations goddesses hold. They are always so full of joy and light. The Midwinter Festival could not be further from that. Your people used to regard mine as evil incarnate, as savage animals driven only be power and desire. You know that isn't true, but it may as well be during that time."

He's right, through him I learned so many great things about the demon race. They weren't what I had been told they were growing up. In fact , in many aspects they were no different than any of the other races. Getting others to see that is what has allowed us to have the peace we do now.

"It can't be that bad. I spent time in the kingdom when the end of the war was celebrated. There was nothing bad about that festival."

Meliodas shook his head. "That was celebrating peace after a time of war so long and devastating many didn't know if the clan would survive. It was different. Midwinter is the epitome of demonic. It is about truly embracing our darkness, about celebrating the night we are at our strongest and letting our inner demons be free. It is about celebrating our strength and passing it on. It is a time of power and gratification, nothing more. We live only to revel in our darkness. We drown ourselves in fighting, food, booze and sex."

I considered this answer. He was right, that was nothing like how festivals are celebrated here. We celebrated with love and laughter. Our festivals consisted of music, games, and other entertainment. The palace would even give away grand prizes to honor some holidays. It was about lifting up each other and spreading joy. What Meliodas was describing was the opposite. It was purely self-indulgent.

I spoke slowly, considering my next words carefully, "That is…different to be sure. But Meliodas you are the king and I your queen. I may not have that same darkness to let free and drown myself in for Midwinter, but I should still have known and been given the chance to be there, especially if that is what my people expected of me. You always are sure to be there for it and now I will be too."

He opened his mouth to protest and I quickly raised my hand to stop him. "I already promised Gelda I would go and I will keep my word Meliodas."

He frowned and was quiet again for a moment. I could almost see the wheels in his head turning as he thought about what he said next, "There is something you should know before you do."

"What is it?"

He looked away, blushing lightly. My curiosity was piqued as I remembered Gela doing the same earlier. "There is a ritual takes place late on the night of Midwinter when our darkness is truly at its strongest. It is traditionally led by one or two of strongest demons in the clan and their partners. If they have no partner, then a suitable stand-in is found. Zeldris and Gelda have been the ones to lead it for years now since I refused to do it without you."

"Part of me wants to say that is sweet. The other part knows there is more to it than what you are saying. Gelda blushed just the same when she mentioned the ritual," I replied carefully.

He briefly met my gaze before quickly looking away again. He took a deep breath, as if bracing himself, before continuing, "The whole thing starts with the pair or pairs of demons leading it mating in front of the elite of clan that are gathered together."

"And when you say they mate you mean-"

"Fuck," he clarified quickly, the blush on his cheeks deepening.

This time it was me who blushed and looked away. Well, I guess I understood now why Gelda thought it best I hear this directly from Meliodas. I feel Meliodas place a hand over mine and squeeze gently.

"The idea essentially is a show of power and a continuing of the strength of the race," he explains. My deep confusion causes me to forget my embarrassment temporarily and meet his gaze once more. "There are several things that can strengthen the demonic power within us, especially those of us that are high ranking. Strong emotions such as wrath or fear for example, as you have seen many times, is the most common. Another is if many demons are together. That's why there are ten Commandments; when enough of them are together their combined demonic presence strengthens each of them significantly past what they would be on their own. In the midst of Midwinter when our inner demon is at its strongest, all of those things are even further amplified. So, the leading pair or pairs let their own darkness rule, fueled by the darkness of those around them, the lust between them, and the pull of Midwinter. Lost in the raging inferno of their own demonic power they fuck viciously. Driven by that much darkness, it is almost animalistic really."

As he explains his eyes lose focus, darkening until they are obsidian and his mark appears on his forehead. His voice shifts lower, taking on a tougher tone.

I bring my free hand up to gently trace the edges of his mark. Meliodas closes his eyes and leans into my touch for a moment before continuing. "It eventually also leads to an all-out orgy between those present, the strongest of the race. Inevitably, many demons are conceived that night and the theory is that with all the extra demonic power present those conceived that night will be even stronger than the ones that came before them, ensuring the clan stays powerful."

I bite my lip nervously. I can see how even just explaining this to me is affecting him greatly. The rise of his demonic power pulls forth my own goddess magic. I can feel my eyes shift to orange as the familiar warmth of my power spreads throughout my body.

Despite being opposites our powers would never harm the other, but that didn't mean they didn't still rise to meet each other. I continued tracing the spiral as light begins to spark at my fingertips and dance across his skin. I lose myself in the sight for a moment, avoiding thinking too much about the question burning in my mind.

A moment passes before I finally begin to ask, "I am glad you never led it without me, but did you-"

"No!" Meliodas growls, cutting me off. His eyes suddenly snapping open and staring at me. "It was always extremely difficult, the pull of that much darkness and that much sex is overwhelming, but after I fell in love with you I never took part in any of it again. As prince, and later king, I couldn't miss the ritual, but I always just observed and drank. I refused to touch or be touched without you."

I smile, "Thank you. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you." The confirmation of his faithfulness flooded me with relief and happiness.

"I would imagine it though, what it would be like to take you in that state, drunk on my own power and driven near mad with lust for you," he smirked deviously. His hand traveled up my arm before sliding down my chest, grazing the side of breast before moving under to cup it gently. His thumb reached up to skim across the fabric covering my nipple. Despite the layers of clothing between our skin, my nipple began to harden and I arched into his touch. I could feel my arousal awakening, warmth and desire beginning to pool low in my belly.

"I would imagine what it would be like for you to be there at my side. How I would rip the clothes from your body and lavish you with pleasure until you were delirious with bliss and couldn't take it anymore. I spent hours thinking about how you would taste, how you would feel. I would daydream about every single thing I would do to this sexy body of yours. I would get so lost in my imagination of it all I could almost hear the way your screams of ecstasy would echo through the room. My favorite part was envisioning how you would look with those pretty white wings framing your angelic face, my hellblaze licking uncontrollably at your skin making you writhe beneath me, your voice dripping with need as you moan my name and beg me to finally fuck you."

I lost myself in his description, his words fanning the flames of my desires. I could almost feel what he was describing as stared into his dark eyes, shining with mischief and lust. My whole body suddenly felt too warm. I squirmed slightly at the feelings swirling through me, pressing my thighs together trying to get anything relief from the pressure building at my core.

His hand dropped away from me and his smile faded. He lowered his head so his wild, blonde hair covered his eyes as he continued, "I envied Zeldris as he and Gelda began the night each year, but I resolved that you were too pure for it. That you should never be tainted by that night and all the debauchery that comes with it. You're a goddess and not just any goddess, the daughter of the Supreme Deity. Asking you to be a part of all that seemed insane to put it lightly. So, I never told you about it. Now that you know though, you are right, the choice should be yours Elizabeth."

He met my gaze again. I watched as he reigned in his emotions during those last sentences. His impossibly dark eyes showed no feelings now, his expression blank and tightly controlled. I took a few breaths to calm my arousal and focus back on the conversation at hand.

In my mind I replayed everything he had said, skipping over the provocative daydream. I carefully considered what it meant for me to not only attend but lead all of this. For a moment I question if I can do it. The ritual for the Midwinter Festival sounded… sinful. It sent a shiver through me just to imagine what it would be like to be in the midst of it all. It felt like it went against everything from my clan and my upbringing.

And yet, I needed to do it. I could understand now why this was such a vital celebration. The demons were my people and my not being there for this could be seen as me not truly being committed to them and their prosperity as a race. I would prove to them I was. Of course, satisfying my own curiosity and desires was a plus too.

"I am glad you told me all that. I need to be prepared since I will be a part of it this year," I stated simply. "I made a promise to Gelda, but more importantly I have a duty to my people to be there and lead them in the vital task of guaranteeing the future of the race."

I could see him searching my face for any sign of a waver in my resolve. When he found none he finally relented, "You always were stubborn once your mind was made up."

A/N: So there is Chapter 1! I expect there to be 4-5 chapters for this fic and hope to update once a week at the latest. The explicit content will come in later chapters. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this! Let me know your thoughts! Thanks for reading!