Chapter 10: An Escape
I groan, low and tired, rubbing at my eyes. I toss my blanket off, padding across my carpet in my nightgown as it tumbles back in place. The buttons down the front have come undone from my tossing. I step out of my room, reclasping them when I spot sabatons in my hall. My eyes look up and up, confused as to why a suit of armor is here when I see... someone is in the armor.
"Ah!" I scream, stumbling back, hands flying from my gown as I catch myself with hands behind my back as I hit the floor, my feet raising into the air from the momentum. My nightgown twists and lands around my hips. "Mael!" I scold, fixing myself to glare up at the silver-haired, anxious man with a frown on his lips.
"Lady Elizabeth," Mael greets, pointedly looking away from me with pink growing on his cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, voice high as I come to a stand and grip the buttons at my chest in a tight fist.
"I've been assigned the morning shift as your guard," his voice is tight with unease and I know exactly how he feels as I glare.
"I want someone different," I hiss, feeling that same sting of rejection all over again.
"Ellie... we were kids," Mael's stance sags with his words, a vision of the little boy I knew, the friend I had played with for a little while after my sisters left flashed over this grown man's face. He still has those sad moon eyes, his lips still auto-frown as if his base expression is one of deep concentration. As a child, it had looked strange but on this man's face, he's grown into it.
"I wouldn't have done it to you if the roles had been reversed," I note.
As a child, I'd been allowed in the city, my own playground of kids and adventure. Seeing Mael and remembering, the taunts came back to me, words echoing. 'She's a traitor, promised to the enemy!', 'A fancy princess can't play with us', and I remembered how gangs of kids would snub their nose at me but take any treat or toy I'd offered greedily. As Mael and I persisted, at his insistence as he was allowed among their ranks, the abuse grew angrier, fiercer. 'Step any closer and we'll hurt you!' and 'It's your fault our gates are closed! My dad is out there and he can't come back!' I'd dared that day, a box of cookies held out and when I stepped closer... they hadn't been bluffing. I flinched at the memory, rubbing my temple and Mael notices, wincing, his hand raising up as if he can do something years too late.
After Mael and the other's actions, I'd been barred in. The city closed off to the world and me, closed in at the castle. My father had been furious, demanding I give names, "Who would dare throw rocks at my daughter?" ranting about, "how much an innocent girl can take so young!" When I refused to speak one word against my attackers, my father had turned to Mael and a scowling stubborn Mead. Mead had helped me home and Mael had followed running after us much too late. Mael had cowered knowing his fault and Mead had glared at everything around us. That had been the day we met. Mead, a younger child than me, was more loyal than anyone, even Mael- who I had known for years. He didn't snitch, following my lead with an adamant scowl.
"I know that's true," Mael concedes, straightening and looking fierce. "I'll make it up to you. If it comes to it, I'll die defending you," his face is determined, resigned to his fate and his tone is so serious I flush at his words. My tender feelings were wiped clean after he threw the stone that stole my balance. It was Mead, such a small boy then, who protected me. He picked up that same bloody rock and threw it back with a howl. Yelling, "You bunch of bullies! Pig-headed, ugly-faces! She can't control her life or her father's laws any more than you!"
I'd lost Mael that day but I made my first true friend, all on my own. He'd come and play at the castle sometimes, never taking a thing... until his parents died and he had to step up for his siblings. Things changed after that, but I stand by him as he had done for me. Our friendship doesn't wane when our long times apart become weeks and weeks of separation.
I go back to my room, knowing I can't demand Mael leave his new position but I can demand answers. Without a bath, I change my clothes, ignoring the unpacked bag blocking the way to my closet. I'd made it home yesterday afternoon and there had only been Jelamet waiting for me. No guard, as I told her in exciting detail everything I could think of. Not skipping one event. She gasped at the news of Twigo, smiled deviously at me sneaking to Meliodas' room and laughed when I told her how I wrapped myself around him in my sleep while he kept his hands over his head as if trying not to touch me. Even telling her about my first kiss, she'd smiled, grasping my hand, telling me, "He's a good one, Ellie."
What has changed from then to now? Something has occurred as I had a personal, full armored fighter outside my door! I dress, skipping on shoes and rushing past Mael. He follows and I scowl, making my way through the castle to my father's chambers. It's quiet but when I knock I hear him clear his throat, "Come in!" he gruffs. I slip in, making sure to shut the door behind myself before Mael got any ideas.
"What a pleasant surprise this morning!" My father beams. I look him over as I notice a plate of half-eaten breakfast at his side. He stands, coming around his desk to greet me. He's still in his blue and white striped pajamas, his dark hair ruffled to one side as he clearly must have mushed it against a pillow while he slept.
"Why do I have a guard?" I skip the greetings and he stops.
"When Lord Meliodas is around, you don't need one," My father says, guarded. That wasn't my question and I fold my arms, waiting. If there is one thing I know, my father could outlast me in a stalemate like this. I step forward, asking again and he sighs. "I heard about Twigo, just to be safe-"
"Sir Meliodas took care of him. He said so himself," I retort and my father flushes, scratching at his beard but I know he believes me as he sighs, long and weary.
"He personally has my gratitude," the tough man before me puffs his chest out in a long inhale. "I can't fault him, I'd have done the same if given the chance." My father's rough hand comes up to scratch at his mustache. "Did you have a good time with the vampire clan? I heard about Zeldris-"
"Yes, but stop trying to distract me. Why the guard?" Lord Bartra rises up, looking as if he is confidently leading a nation even in his pajamas. He grabs me by the shoulder, leading me to his desk and when we reach the far end, he releases me. He walks around it, ruffling through the scrolls and parchment until he finds the one he's looking for. My father clears his throat, looking at me with side-eyes before sighing.
"It would be safer if you know, to be on your guard. I've been told not to scare you, with the upcoming outings Lord Meliodas has planned but... you are capable and I feel the King underestimates you." My father put his glasses on, picking them up from the desk and situating them on his nose. He inhales a long breath when I nod, feeling strange confidence overtake me. Does my father think I am capable of taking care of myself? With how overprotective he's been I never would have thought it. "There have been a string of abductions and the situation changed. Someone was taken from their own home, stalked, and you fit the victim's profile."
That isn't what I was expecting.
"What profile do I fit?" I ask, a slew of questions coming to mind with this new information, "How many have been taken?" I move closer, trying to see the parchment. "Can I be bait to help stop them?" Instantly his grip on the parchment squishes the paper up.
"No!" He commands. His voice deepens, lowering to a harsh warning, "Don't even entertain the idea, Elizabeth." My father's eyes narrow at me steadily and intensely until I nod, relenting. He accepts it, turning back to his desk while trying to unwrinkle the page with long swipes of his palm. I can make out the Demon King's seal and a list of names with a lot of written information, but I said the wrong thing as my father dismisses me. If I would have acted less interested would he have shared more?
The days pass on repeat, Jelamet has a few nice days and we do her chores together. I had different guards at different times and some good comes of it, as I no longer eat alone... but now I don't do anything alone outside of changing and bathing. A warrior in armor is always outside of every door. Some hate the job, others relax while on duty but some watch me critically. Hendrickson and Ludociel are the ones I note with the angriest eyes.
Ludociel actually gives Jelamet a hard time about being unable to do her duties. He'd underestimated her though, as she snapped right up, telling him to keep his long nose in his own business. "You don't let a man tell you who you are, dear girl," she speaks loudly in front of him, mumbling about working all her life and that her old bones are still capable.
Sir Meliodas and I are to have tea today and I ask to take it in the gardens as the sun is pleasantly warm. Not a cloud in sight, the rays beat on my back. I even wear a summer dress, anticipating the weather to stay the same. Jennah helps me set a table up with chairs on the little hill of our garden and I grow nervous as the time ticks closer. I'm shaking out the tablecloth to cover the small round table when Mael, my guard for the day speaks, "Your guest is here, Lady Elizabeth."
I look and he's being lead by Zaneri, the pair of them speaking but his eyes are already on me. The last I saw him, I'd kissed him and kind of ran away. I flush, unable to keep his gaze. "You can go, Mael." I hush to him, when he doesn't move I look over blankly to see what he is doing. After a moment, he nods, strolling away. I watch him go and I see Sir Meliodas give him a passing glance when he walks by. Jennah joins Zaneri and the two stroll away, leaving just the two of us.
With my nerves strung too tight, I have a hard time looking at him, so I make myself busy like I had when we first met. Pouring tea, arranging things and taking my seat with trembling fingers. He sits, holding his cup in both his hands and when I look, he's zero-faced and seemingly relaxed as he sips his first taste.
He's in a loose white shirt with looping ties in the front. It hangs off his shoulders and I notice his one shoulder is sitting slightly lower than his other. If I touch him I'll know for sure but I think he's been fighting again. Does he need healing?
"You have a guard now?" Sir Meliodas asks when his cup is lowered, his Adam's apple bobs deliciously as he swallows and I frown. I am not supposed to know... but I can tell Meliodas, he won't be upset with me or do anything with my father, right?
"Apparently people like me are being abducted." I explain, "Do you know about that? What about me is similar to the victims and do you know what's being done?" My hands clasp together under the table and I bite my lip, embarrassed so much comes rushing out. Sir Meliodas looks at me for a long while, his gaze roaming my hairline, down the slope of my nose and stops at my lips. His hand comes up, his finger brush along his bottom lip and I flush, wondering if he's thinking about it too.
"I do," he confirms, "My brother and I are working towards finding them, more so now than ever before." I frown, confused. "We are well known. So far, the perpetrators have only taken couples of mixed races that are easier to overpower." So it's a hate crime group? One who doesn't like people to go outside their own race? "I didn't think you'd be assigned a guard. You only leave with me."
His words are true, but they sting and I can't meet his eyes as mine water. The topic changes, our tea is finished and today he doesn't prolong our time. "I have to go." He utters, "Will you walk me to the fence?" I agree and when we arrive he waits looking at me and I flush, unsure what he expects but I know he does expect something. "I'll see you in three days." He speaks blankly, turning and going when he's done waiting, hands in his pockets as he meanders away.
We take tea in my rooms the next time, and I wonder if perhaps he hadn't liked my kiss. He'd touched me so often at the ball and now, he is blank and respectful again. He's closed-lipped about the criminals but it's on my mind with my guards constantly around. I read through the demon history book, finishing the one with the amazing illustrations and I don't like how they skimp over the soul-eating in it. That had been a major treaty point.
The next novel I pick from my stack next to my bed is children stories, old wives tales for demon children and I smile at the cartoonish images at the start of every little story, each with a lesson.
Being stuck here, when things are happening in the world, it tastes bitter in my mouth because I know more of what I am missing now. I'd had the sweetest taste of the world and now that it is gone I wished I hadn't experienced it, as my view changes. Before I'd felt stuck, caged but I had been resigned to my fate. Now, I am restless, flapping around in my prison wanting to slip from my bars for another taste. An addict wanting a fix.
It is two weeks later, a constant repetition in my days of tea, Jelamet's chores, and being followed by guards, that something happens. Meliodas had left the day before, looking back at me through the gate of the castle for minutes on top of minutes before he'd turned and went. I'm in my study, the book of demon's children stories open in front of me as I read, sitting crossways over my cushy chair. My legs dangle over the arm, bouncing and poking out from my dress with my nose between the pages. It is quiet until I hear Hendrickson give a surprised, "You can't come whenever you please!"
I look to the door, concerned as my book lowers to my lap, my fingers playing on the edge of the hardcover. It opens and in strolls Meliodas, casual pants with a patch on the knee and a loose pullover shirt. He doesn't look like a Lord at all. "Yo, Elizabeth," he smirks, grinning more as he looks around. With a dismissive wave to the parcels, he teases, "You've hardly made a dent in your gifts." I move, my bare feet touching the floor.
"Lord Meliodas?" I ask, surprised but pleased.
"I've escaped and I thought, 'Why not break Elizabeth out too?' So here I am." He explains, grinning as I stand, excited. "Wanna come?" He questions and I toss my book to the chair.
"Yes!" I exclaim, and when I rush to him, he offers his hand. I take it, eager, and he guides me to my room demanding I wear my least fancy outfit and comfortable shoes when I go in to dress. Hendrickson is angry, I hear him in the hall questioning Meliodas. 'Have you spoken to Lord Bartra?' 'Where are you taking Lady Elizabeth?' 'This is highly inappropriate without an escort, I'll attend-' Meliodas cut him off with a firm no, that, 'we'll be fine' and I rush to take my dress off.
I pick a button up shirt and stretch pants. My flats are slip-on and I flush hotly as I grab a ribbon to tie my hair back. I skid into the hall, fussing with my long strands as I move to Meliodas. "We're taking a sky manta." He mentions, "I hope you can fly it because I've never done it before." My laugh echoes in the hall as I tell Hendrickson goodbye. He stares after us, alarmed. Hendrickson knows when I am with Meliodas I don't need a guard so there isn't much he can do about this.
A sky manta is in the front of the castle, the flat black beast resting over the greenery, pushing down bushes from its weight but as we approach it flaps its wings, rising up. I couldn't believe I will actually be leaving, but seeing our ride before us, the pleasantness of reality settles in. Meliodas takes my waist and I flinch at the unexpected touch, he doesn't acknowledge it, grabbed my hand and he kicks off the ground, taking me with him as we land on the beast's back.
I grow warm in his hold and when my stance is steady, he releases me. The harness is already attached and I ease down on all fours to crawl up the unsteady-feeling beast's back to take the reins. Its flesh is smooth and the cartilage makes the animal feel solid. "Where to?" I ask, turning to him and see Meliodas sitting, cross-legged, face blank behind me. I feel my bones vibrate in anticipation. It doesn't matter the destination, if all we do is ride this Sky Manta around, I'll be happy.
"Vaizel," he points in a direction. I haven't ridden a manta in years but the basics are the same as I ease the reins and the beast abides. We rise into the air and with the beast's flapping, we bob softly. As we near the sentry guards flying above our city, I tense but they let us pass. Shock jolts through me. It shouldn't, I'm allowed to go anywhere with Meliodas. The views are breathtaking and after a while, with a steady pace, I release the harness and motion for Meliodas to come up here. He stands, walking toward me and I laugh when he stumbles into me, catching himself with a hand on my hip as I reach for his arm in case he slips. I teach him how to direct the Sky Manta and hand over the reins.
"What's in Vaizel?" I make conversation, looking out at the world from up so high. Patches of farms and lines of worn paths decorate the vast green below us. The sky is clear and the sun felt nice gracing us with its heat.
"A festival," he answers, pointing out a town and I crawl, not confident enough on my feet to test walking. I look over the other edge of the beast's head to see tiny ant people moving around. "We should be there in a few moments," Meliodas notes and I smile at him. His hair flaps in the wind and I'm glad I tied mine back or it would be a bush of tangles. "We're undercover today, just regular people, so don't address me as sir, or lord or Meliodas. My regular alias is Captain but we'll have to give you one."
"No one's seen me in years. I doubt anyone will recognize me as Lady Elizabeth." I answer but he shrugs as if that didn't matter.
"It's part of the fun to be someone else, to be who you want to be." I frown at the tone in his words, grabbing the straps to steady myself as I come to a seat beside Meliodas. He hands the reins back as if he is uncomfortable being in control of the beast.
"Who do you want to be, Meliodas?" I inquire and he looks at me when I glance at him. His eyes are endless depths of green.
"My alter ego, Captain, and your lover," he answers and I flush looking away, eyes wide knowing it's for pretend but finding the words affecting me as the butterflies thrash about. It will eventually be true, this man is meant to be my lover, preordained. I mull over the thought and find it, not unappealing as a little thrill opens inside me. My hand comes to my lips and the pads of my fingertips are nothing like how I remember his lips to be. "Would you like to go by Ellie or Liz or Beth or... something else entirely?" He hasn't answered me, not truly, but I let it go, excited he brought me.
"Liz is nice," I tell him and he nods, testing it on his tongue. I spot the town before him, as he's staring again. The city is below a cliff side and I can see at the top of the cliff a wide circle stage with people setting things up. The town is busy, people below milling about, spreading into the houses on the slope. Meliodas points in the distance, into the trees at the top of the cliff and I angle that way.
When the Sky Manta lands, I unhook the whistle, looping it over my head and untucking my hair from the chain around my neck. "She'll come back when she's called, can hear her whistle from miles and miles away," I explain and he nods. Meliodas jumps down first, helping me off the beast with an offered hand. I thank him and the Sky Manta before he guides me toward the circle I saw from above.
Vaizel is much bigger on the ground. Even with us above everyone on the cliffs, the size is intimidating. I can see little stalls, and markets with people milling around but as we near the round white rock sticking out from up here I can tell what it is. An arena. A table is before it with a bald, muscled man sitting at it. I gaze to Meliodas at my side but he's already watching me.
"Is this one of those underground fighting rings?" I ask, flushing, "It's very much above ground." When Mead had explained it briefly this wasn't what I imagined. He laughs, I watch as his head is thrown back and chin arches high. The contours of his neck are pleasing and I'm warm as my thoughts urge me to tuck my face there... to do something? I shake my head. When I look again, his eyes are soft, face blank.
"No, this is an above-board competition," he explains, walking on toward the table. His steps bounce on the grass, "I wouldn't be comfortable bringing you to the alternative fights I partake in. Those places get pretty rowdy." Meliodas grins, he scratches at the side of his head and the bald man pushes a page to us as we approach.
The arena is a wide area in the center, a tent is to the side and I see a couple there. A very tall man with a very short fairy girl but from their embrace, I know they are together. Another demon is here, purple, hulk-like and looking like a monster. He's arranging something inside of his side satchel and I flush, thinking, 'That's what I had been expecting when I'd first met Meliodas'.
"Good to see you here Cap," the bald man gruffs, he returns the greeting and I smile to the round pin-head man. His shoulders are overly large making his skull look small but it helps draw the eye away from the boil on his forehead. "You competin'?" The man asks me and Meliodas chuckles, stepping toward me to pull me by the waist into his side.
"She's my lady," Meliodas, or 'Captain' says, and the bald man's hazel eyes grow wide. The man looks me over, then to Meliodas and frowns as if he doesn't see how we work. Meliodas chuckles even harder before guiding me to the tent. Is this part of our playing pretend? "This is where fighters and their guests wait between matches. Our own viewing area and it keeps the spectators back."
The two of us head that way but we stop before the roped-off section. The tall man inside, detangling from his blonde fairy partner, calls out excitedly, "Captain!" Meliodas raises his hand in a wave but keeps his other around my waist. The man and I look each other over. His head touches the top of the tent so he hunches under to step over the rope. He's in red leather, his stomach showing ripped muscles and his red eyes roam the pair of us. "To be honest, Cap. I thought you were into men," the man chimes with a wry grin. Meliodas laughs more enlivened than I've heard in a long while as he detangles himself from me.
"Ban, this is my lady, Liz. Liz, this is my friend Ban and behind him is Elaine," Sir Meliodas introduces us. I wave to them both. Meliodas, the captain, is more at ease here than he'd been at the ball. The Fairy girl is wingless, it means she hasn't reached her full maturity. Goddess wings could be evoked and dismissed but once a fairy grew wings they couldn't be removed unless taken. They can fly with their magic any time though. Her yellow hair floats around her shoulders, her tawny eyes sparkle as she slaps at Ban's shoulder.
"Ban, you can't just say stuff like that," Elaine scolds, holding her hand out to me and I take it. She's chilled, our fingers brushing before we pull away. "It's nice to meet you Liz and to see you again, Captain," she soothes, smiling. I look at the chairs behind them, noticing the bowls of water, wash rags, and bandages. "First time?" Elaine asks.
"Yeah, I'm a bit nervous. I've never seen... uh, Captain fight before," Ban snorts, taking Meliodas by the head and bringing his fist down to ruffle his hair. Sir Meliodas grins and he allows the assault.
"Too bad you're about to see him lose." Ban quips, "Our tally is, what 361 out of 720 matches, in my favor?" The tall man peers down at the chaos of hair under his arm and Meliodas maneuvers out, cocky.
"You must be dreaming, Ban. It's 361 in my favor." Meliodas fake slaps at Ban and the pair start an elaborate hand-slapping dance. Up high, down low and then jumping or crouching to hit the hands of the other. The two are laughing, and I watch it for a moment until Elaine sighs, drawing my attention.
"They've been like this since I've known them," her tone is exasperated but her eyes shine with joy. I hear Ban dig in while the slaps speed up to a blur, "You better make it to the final round to settle the score!" Meliodas is grinning as he replies, "Right back at you!" If I'd been doing what they were, I'd have been concentrated and strained but Meliodas is serene. Brows up, eyes free of tension, and his lips expressive.
"I've never seen him look so... open," I hush to myself but with Elaine right here, looking at me, she hears. She is smiling when I give her a startled glance, she tells me how close Ban and the Captain are. A human and a demon. I wonder briefly if this is the man my sister had thought was with Meliodas. The purple Demon exits from under the tent behind the two, his face, located on his torso, sneering as he turns to go toward the town below. I watch where he goes, noticing the stairs that lead down.
Sir Meliodas will fight that beast? I frown, worrying as I look to the arena, then to the supplied bandages under the tent. I don't want Meliodas to get hurt and the thought nags at my insides like a lightning bug trapped in a jar that sparks every few moments to get my attention. Elaine touches my shoulder.
"He'll be fine," her voice is soft and understanding. When I turn, her expression shines in the same. "Captain's been doing this for years." I attempt a smile, glad she is here.
"Have you been to the festival yet?" I ask and she nods, opening her bag hanging at her side to pull out a wooden beaded necklace. With a smile it dangles long in her fingers, the different colors and shapes making the piece look like a child put it together.
"Every time Ban and I go someplace new, we buy a bead and add it. Soon, we'll run out of chain." She giggles, pointing to the black one on the end. "This is Vaizel's." A happy bubble grows in my chest as I note she'd been to so many places with her lover. That must be nice and I am glad for her. "Are you and Captain going to explore the town?"
I want to, but I don't know the answer. She waits for my reply and I smile, hopeful as I look to Meliodas. The hand-slapping stops when Meliodas dips and swipes Ban's legs out from under him. The tall man flings backward, laughing on his behind.
"Of course we are!" Meliodas assures, grinning over at me. With him distracted, Ban takes advantage and with a spin, kicks his leg out for Meliodas. I reach out, trying to warn him but Meliodas just hops up, jumping Ban's leg like a rope. They both grin and he comes over to me, steps long and happy.
Elaine whispers, "I'll see you later." Ban gives a wave over his shoulder before gathering up the fairy in his arms. He smells her hair before saying, "Don't be late, Captain." Then he grins, "And even though we just met, I know you can do better than this ass-hat, Liz." My lips part as an uncomfortable, "Oh," escaped my lungs, but Meliodas looks delighted as he takes my hand, guiding me to the steps the demon had taken down to the bustling village below.
There isn't a railing, just rough cut grooves in the side of the jutting cliff side that wraps around the elevated stage. I grip Meliodas' hand as he leads us down. "We'll have to stop at 'Ol' Wilsons' he has this barley ale that you have to try." He points, and I follow, noting the activities below. "There must be music, they started a dance circle." I see the ladies below, ribbons in their hands as they twirl in the center of a crowd. "Are you hungry?" he asks.
"No," I whisper, answering absently while following as I take in the buildings, set up stalls and people selling wares. There is too much going on for me to be worried about my stomach. When we reach the ground I square up to Meliodas' side, keeping hold of his hand. We start our journey. A man tries to sell us a vase, his pottery work at his back on a table. Another woman with an overly large hat holds up a novel, declaring it, "the most amazing adventure there ever was," but I'd read it ages ago and I rank it at least fourth.
"Oh!" I exclaim, pointing to the puppet show, shadows playing on the building behind them with their antics. We don't stay as my attention is fleeting and I pull Meliodas along, excited as I spot 'Old Wilsons' the building he had mentioned. He takes the lead to guide me there, smirking back at me as he holds open the door.
The tavern is dark and dingy. The bar has a few bodies on stools, but each table is full. There are four of them, groups sharing food and frothing drinks. People know him here, arms waving and bellows follow him of, "Long time no see," and, "I knew you'd be back." Or, actually, they know 'Captain'. We walk through the tables, to the bar.
He joyously announces once there that, "This beautiful lady finally accepted my advances," waving over me when he let go of my hand. The man on a stool opposite Meliodas doesn't believe him at first, when Meliodas orders our drinks he asks me off to the side, "Are you actually dating the Captain? I've never seen him with a woman before." He had red hair, a dirty face, and crooked teeth. His clothes are well kept though. I don't know the answer, just tell him, "I like him." When Meliodas returns, the man's face drops to face his mug.
Meliodas hands me a cup and I grip it with both hands as if it is tea. The stine is too large for that but I attempt it. He laughs, tapping his wooden mug to mine before tipping it back, drinking his with large gulps. I don't do that, I look at the white foam over the amber liquid, giving it a sniff. It smells like bread a bit. With a tentative taste, I sip it. My nose fizzles and I crinkle it up until the flavor hits my tongue and I ease.
Oh... that's not bad. I take another taste, relaxing and when I look over I laugh, pointing to Meliodas' mouth. He has a beer mustache, the foam on his upper lip. Meliodas swipes at it, grinning at his hand, eyes dancing when he meets mine. "Well?" He asks, nudging his head to my mug.
"It's good!" I announce and I jump, spooked as the lot of the patrons howl at my words, raising their stines for a toast. I flush, embarrassed at the fanfare. The bartender, an old woman with stringing white hair calls out, "Thanky miss!" I hadn't known the bar was waiting for my approval.
We stay for some time, 'Captain' taking me around telling each person, "This is Liz, my lady," and I grow warm with each proud smile he flashes at me. Meliodas is showing me off. I'd worn my least fancy clothes, my hair is pulled out of the way and after coming here by sky manta I'm sure the fly-aways are crazy... yet, among these people, he acts more enlivened than I've ever seen, more interested in me.
The wanted board draws my eye, as under the criminal's section is Master Twigo's face. I step toward it, looking over the profiles of the other wanted posters. Scared men and smirking women span the board. Beside it are missing people and I think it is strange that four of the missing posters have two faces on each one. I read the caption on the first one, 'Ester, of the human race and Unfertho, of the demon race- missing, last seen together leaving Ester's home...' it lists the town and the reward. Couples are missing.
An elbow brushes my back and I turn to see Meliodas behind me, glowering at a laughing mustached man who raises his mug up high toward us. The man beside the mustache man pulls him in and starts whispering, as soon as the man is released he looks alarmed over at Meliodas. "Sorry, man. Won't happen again." He shifts in his seat, shoulders hunched.
"The poster," I point, touching Meliodas' arm and he turns to see Twigo's face. I believed him when he said he'd taken care of him. Had this place not updated their boards? He shrugs, eyes glinting and... for the first time since we left my floating island, his face zeroes out. I wonder if he doesn't want to discuss it for my sake. I honestly don't remember much from that time. I let it go and we move together to another table, away from the mustached man.
After I finish my drink, in that span Meliodas has three, we head out to join those in the sun. He takes me to watch the dancers. On our way across the busy town, Meliodas 'saves me' from a runaway cart with a dramatic flourish that has me giggling when he scoops me up and places me back down. It hadn't come close but he bows low as if receiving so much applause from the act.
We are eating apple tarts, holding hands as we walk when a boy comes jogging through the streets announcing, "The Fights to begin in half-hour, fighters report!" His little vest is bright with the Vaizel Fighting fists emblazoned on its back. I watch his dark head bounce as he goes down another block to repeat his yelling.
My tummy grows hard, and I offer Meliodas the rest of my treat. He accepts it, walking us to the stage as he bites where my mouth had been. He licks his lips, swiping up along the smooth skin and his poking pink tongue warms a pool in my core. I shiver and Meliodas notices, looking over at me with curiosity. "I've only seen others train before," I tell him, looking up at the stage, the white rock jutting out in its curve. I am hoping with the topic shift he won't pick up the scent of my arousal.
"It's basically the same, only more bloody," he notes, taking the lead and switching which of his hands holds mine. "Of course, it's just a game, a competition," he shrugs. On the way up, I watch the bounce of Meliodas' light hair and the curve of his neck to his shoulders. He'll be okay. I don't know how well he fights, I can only extrapolate out but if he lost half the time against a human...
With my ability, I'll just intervene if he is going to be killed.
Up top, a crowd is already gathered. A few called out to us, "I have gold on you, Cap'n", and I look to see who had spoken but the group is moving. It sounded like a man. We head toward the tent, a group of men are animatedly talking to one another beside it and when we walk past a low whistle sounds. Meliodas frowns, releasing my hand. Gently, he reaches to touch my waist, the contact sends my heart into a race and from the pressure, he guides me into the tent. Once behind the ropes, his hand drops away.
The monstrous purple demon is there. A bulky dark man at his side, his clothes darker than his skin and a blue sash over one of his eyes and tied at the back of his head, curved to accommodate his nose. Ban and Elaine are sitting together on the same chair, her legs dainty across his lap with his arm lazily around her waist.
The chairs are folding wooden rickety things and the entire second row behind the first is free but I walk along the front to take the far seat, next to the bandage table. After a breath, Meliodas takes the one beside me, between the Ban and Elaine sandwich and me. That same boil man comes by, telling us gruffly, "Waiting for two more," while walking on.
"Meliodas..." I whisper and he looks over while I flush, "Captain." I correct and he smiles, easy and uncaring, waiting for me to continue. "Will you be careful?" I ask, my hand moving from my lap, brushed his leg before I retreat to clasp them to my chest.
"Are you worried?" He questions and I nod. "So, you'll patch me up, after?" He sounds hopeful and I frown, agreeing again. A woman, lean and lengthy hops the ropes, climbing up on the seat of a chair to step over it and sit in the back. Her hair is cut short, her outfit a jumper of red and black and she's cute. I draw my attention away as Meliodas says, "Liz," I frowned at his seriousness, his head leans toward mine as he starts whispering intently, "You can't heal me until we leave. Endurance is part of the fun but... I don't want you drawing any attention to what you are."
Why? I meet his gaze, his eyes an endless field of green. I bite my lip, looking at his and I flush too hot to keep our closeness up. With an adjustment to my shoulders, I face forward and Meliodas chuckles, his hand stretching across the back of my chair. From his position, his finger runs up the side of my arm farthest from him.
Meliodas' shoulders are pressed into mine before he resists and I look to see Ban had his arm pushing him. "We're drawing," he stands, picking up Elaine and depositing her back in the chair as Meliodas excuses himself, taking my hand to squeeze before going with the other fighters. A round bald man is already up there talking to the boil man and he does have a jar of something in his hand.
It is Elaine and I in the tent and I move down to take Meliodas' seat to be beside the small woman. She points to the growing spectators around the arena and I follow the trail of her hand to see them all. A line of people are coming up from the stairs, backed up and blocking other's paths. "They get rowdy so watch for thrown mugs or anything else they have on them. I got nailed in the head once, Ban forfeited his match, jumping out of the arena to knock the thrower out." She giggles, "We're not allowed back there as it started a fight in the spectators."
I'm not sure if I should laugh or be appalled but I settle for a grin, snorting through my nose as she asks, "How did you meet the Cap'n?"
We haven't prepared a backstory, so I skim the truth, "We were set up, mutual people we knew." I answer, shrugging and looking away as I hear Meliodas and Ban give a howl. They are both holding out their sticks to one another.
"They must be facing one another in the first round." Elaine explains and she smiles. "One of us will get to go home early." When I don't smile at her words, her little elbow moves to tap mine and I try to make my face look reassuring. I don't want to go home, I don't want him hurt and I am not sure I am going to like this.
The boil man draws the attention of the crowd, announcing the pairings, the rules and intimidating the lot of them. I barely listen, my gaze is drawn to Sir Meliodas, grinning and already half fighting with Ban. After each got in a side punch, the two separate, stepping up to the platform. The competitors wave and play up to the crowd, all of them except Meliodas. His eyes find mine and I smile, truly and deeply. His expression mirrors mine and then goes beyond it, exuberant in its glee.
I may not like this, but Sir Meliodas does. That's what matters. Seeing him like this, I think I finally met the real him and my heart aches because he hadn't been himself up to now. As Sir Meliodas he is closed off and angrier, judging by the demon aura he gave off at the Vampire ball. Here, he's 'Captain', a new person, but open and happier. This is the true Meliodas and he's destined to give this up, give himself up, to be king.