Chapter 14: Guests
A knock wakes me but I roll over, pulling the covers up over my head silently. I hear my door open, soft steps across my carpet and then the sure sound of the old plate being removed from my bedside table and another fresh one to take its place. "You've not eaten anything in two days." Zaneri's voice hushes, worry deep in her tone. "Please try." I expect her to go when I don't respond but it's quiet for too long as I wait for the door to shut once more. "She left you everything, she loved you most, Ellie. I know it's hard but she planned for her end, she expected it."
My thick throat coats anew, my eyes well and leak sideways as I'm laying. My lips tremble but I suffer quietly as I don't want to speak to Zaneri. Given years and years to prepare for this and I still am not ready. Nothing is left, the nightmare void is inside me and I feel as if I can't breathe, as if I'm stuck under the water in my bathtub, but this time I'm not strong enough to pull myself out for my last-minute gasping breaths.
The wetness of my pillow bothers me after a few hours and I push it off the edge of my bed, wiping my face on my blanket as I flip to the other side. Sunbeams sneak in between my curtains, dust glowing gold as it dances in the light. I watch, dripping tears and wondering why I am trying so hard to breathe when it feels like there is no reason too. I consider cleaning up but as I move a few inches I feel overwhelmingly tired and just too weak.
Perhaps this is how Jelamet felt at the end. Her strength in life, the very life energy she lent me so often has parted with her, and I'm not sure if it will ever return. When I traveled from the Fairy forest, Griamore struggling to fly with his own wounds as I clutched my dying sister to my chest, I found Jelamet had died. The cruelties piled on as Veronica was in and out of her own troubles all that night. I hadn't a wink of sleep keeping her with us before Jelamet's funeral began in the morning. My relief for my sister the only softness I felt as I endured the ceremony.
Another plate of food comes and I don't turn over to look as I hear the commotion, staring instead at the spot on the floor Meliodas and I had sat not a few nights ago. The slip of paper with the Star of the Night crudely drawn on it is still there. Tears spring forth once more as I know what it is now: Meliodas' demon mark. He's haunted me for so long and I suspect everyone knew and just let him waltz circles around what little I had in life.
"Ellie?" A deep voice shocks me, my hunched shoulders tensing. Why is my father here? "A missive regarding you has come. I am not sure if it will cheer you. I know you've been growing to like Lord Meliodas." Fear jolts down my spine as I think something may have happened to him too and I can't handle any more loss.
My bed dips and slowly I roll to see my father, dressed down casual and he smiles sadly to me as our eyes meet. I blink, not processing that my dad is here as he's always so busy. Yet, when the vision of him doesn't fade my eyes fill and new tears start to trail down the tracks that feel engraved into my skin. His twisting up lips quivers before he takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry for your loss, sweetheart. I know she was very important to you." He sighs heavily, "to our whole family."
Before I know it, I'm moving, falling into my father's arms as I shake with tears. He's warm and safe and I feel all the heavier when he embraces me, making way for more tight sorrow to fill me. "Elizabeth," he hushes against the side of my hair. "I want to talk to you about taking over the Goddess clan. You will rule wonderfully and now that you are free, it means you can shadow me all over the realm- I know you want to see the world."
Slowly, I lean back, detangling as I suck back the thick feeling in my throat. "Free?" My brain is sticky, catching up as I process that a missive has come about me. Nothing is ever about me, the world doesn't know I exist and I take a deep breath. "Is Meliodas alright?" With the back of my hand, I wipe off my face. Father straightens, scratching at his head before pointing to the rolled-up parchment on the table beside my bed.
"He's fine," my father assured. "The arranged marriage is off. I am sorry I doubted you. I thought you were falling for him but it seems you were just angling for a way out and he let you go." He stands and vaguely I register the movement of the bed under him as I stare unseeing at the cracked window across the room where the sunlight is dim. It is my fault, isn't it? His hand heavily pats my head and I blink. "I'm proud of you." He hushes, "Please eat, she would have wanted you to. But, it's okay to take your time, with healing."
I don't process him leaving but it feels like only a second when I blink away the tears and look around to see I'm alone. The rolled-up missive is on my end table over my stack of books on demon culture and mates. I reach, hands trembling as I grip the paper pulling it to me and it shakes as I open it. The letters blur and I have to wipe at my eyes. It's just as father said and my head spins. Does Meliodas know what I've lost?
How can he do this? But I told him, while looking up at his full demon form with the carnage and my bleeding sister beside me, that I didn't want him. It had all happened so quickly, the feelings so raw, my anger burns anew. I toss the stupid paper over my shoulder, glaring and tearful as I finally get up from my bed. My legs wobble, a strange war of sorrow and outrage clash inside me as I look to my bathroom door.
A bath will be good, maybe trying to drown the nightmares out will help like it used too. Yet, as my steps slowly tap across the floor, slipping the nightgown from my shoulders, I know I won't. No one is around to scold me for making such a mess anymore, nor to comfort me. She could always tell with just a glance when I needed her and with Meliodas breaking off our engagement I wonder if anyone will know me as well ever again.
In a daze, I bathe, not bothering to attempt and face my fears of the black suffocation as I know now what my nightmares are. My self conscious had been warning me about Meliodas. But how did I know about his power like that? Had something happened when we first met all those years ago, a sliver of a memory that still existed? The person I could ask is gone and I stand, dripping and cold as I pull the plug for my bath before reaching for a towel.
There is one person here who I might be able to talk to.
I don't bother brushing or drying my hair and slip on my easiest outfit only remembering when I last wore it while entering the great hall. I'd been Liz in these clothes. A soft nagging tugs at the haze and I wonder if Meliodas will move on quickly. He's a handsome man, next in line to the throne and Lord of the demon clan while his father holds the title of King over all of us. Of course, he will have no trouble replacing me.
What's one more person forgetting about me?
Slower, I drip across the floor as I meander in the emptiness. We have a sick room and I stop before it, staring at the wood and wondering if the stubborn old fool was here in the end or refused to leave her room. I am not sure I want to know and I blink away tears as I enter with a shaking breath. Veronica is sleeping, a checkered blanket over most of her and a new head bandage around her skull. Zaneri is cleaning up supplies at her side and she meets my gaze sadly.
"She just fell asleep, she had a rough night," she whispers regretfully, dropping her eyes to her feet and awkwardly looking at the now organized medical supplies. "I'm," she stops, her head shaking from side to side, "Jelamet didn't want you to be here when she went. She wanted you to remember her as strong and..." Zaneri's wide expression meets mine, "It was peaceful."
I walk to my sister, bending to kiss her forehead imbuing it with health and healing before turning to the door. "Thanks," I whisper, heading right back to my bed wondering why I ever left it, to begin with. What reason do I have?
︵‿︵‿୨ ୧‿︵‿︵
"Miss Elizabeth," Jennah calls through the door. My eyes are crusty and I groan as I roll over. I wasn't sure if I slept a few hours or a whole day away. I sat up, my clothes are wrinkled and when I feel at my head I know my hair dried messily and matted but it aches from too much rest. My mouth is dry and I try to swallow to wet my tongue so it doesn't stick. "We set your guest up for tea in your sitting room."
My guest? "Meliodas?" I ask, hopeful but my eyes flit to my end table only to remember I had thrown the missive. Our letter of separation is no longer there.
"Miss Gelda." Jennah answers, "I know usually Jelamet helps you dress but I can attend you." Her offer is well-meant but I roll out from under my covers, hastily tie my hair back and open the door with no other preparations to myself. "It's fine," I mutter to her as I pass thinking it feels too much like a betrayal to let another woman do what Jelamet had. It's silly, but it's where I am.
I had forgotten about Gelda. She had written to me and I had invited her for tea planning for it to land after my trip to the giant's clan. It had slipped my mind with Meliodas turning into a monster, killing those attackers and almost my sister, and then finding out Jelamet died. My mind whirls, trying to remember what exactly her letter had said. She has concerns about Zeldris and thought I could help?
My guess is Margaret and Gelda have drifted due to both of their duties and that perhaps she remembers me as fondly as I remember her. I open the door, barely catching Jennah's expression of wide-eyed horror down the hall. With a heavy roll of my eyes, I step in, shutting the door behind me as I see Gelda is regally dressed in blue satin and standing by the window with her hands folded together in front of her lap. She looks to me, eyes welling and set in deep sorrow but in a blink, she looks more alarmed than anything else.
"Are you okay?" She questions, motioning to the tea and moving to pull a seat out before coming to me and with a soft hand on my shoulder, guided me to the table. It's as if she is hosting for me rather than the other way round. I sit, flushing before jolting into action and pouring us our cups, the steam pleasantly filling the air.
"Not at all," I answer, unable to muster a fake smile. "But, I understood from your letter that you need my help with something?" She situates herself at my side, looking to her cup before side-eyeing me as if debating even bringing whatever it was up. I peer down at myself wondering what about me is so strange. I'm always barefoot, my day dress is wrinkled from sleeping in it and seems a size too big but I figure it's from my utter absence of appetite. Even now as I look across the cheeses and snacks on the tray beside the teapot my tummy rolls.
The pretty vampire fiddles, tucking a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear and after a moment she clears her throat with a high pitched cough. In this time I prepare and sip my tea, no longer finding comfort in the liquid as it links me to the two people I've lost. Jelamet who started this habit and... Meliodas. Who I am not sure I ever really had in the first place. Even with our last encounter, I think he should have spoken to me about what I wanted before abolishing our arranged marriage.
Or, he realized exactly what he doesn't want- me. Scared, easily brought to hysterics. It's not like I'm fun to be around or regulate my emotions well. I find myself staring ahead, my cup to my lips, frozen as I breathe in the steam. I'm weak in every area that I value in a person and slowly my eyes fill as I think of the cruelty I unwittingly inflicted on him. I asked him not to hide himself and then when he was forced to protect me from those criminals and showed me who he really is, I pushed him away.
Of course, he'd reject me too.
"Ellie?" Gelda's soft lilt inquires as if talking to a sleepy babe and I blink away my tears in a rush, not used to hearing my childhood nickname from anyone other than my family. "We're in the same boat, I know I haven't been around much since I was a kid and that mostly I was here for Margaret but since we're to be family-"
"We won't be," I whisper, my eyes flash to hers, her expression one of confusion. "He called the whole thing off. But still, if I can help you, I will." Gelda shakes her head no, as if in denial.
"That's not how it works." She bites her lip, taking a cookie from the tray of food but simply pulling it apart as she sighs. "I know that for sure. No matter how much I fight with Zeldris or try to find a way out, there isn't one." This time, confusion colors my face. "You are the only person who will understand! He just keeps smelling me and following me around and overreacting to everything that comes in my path. My lady maid fixed my button and he... snapped her wrist for touching me." She shivers, and instantly I balk. "What?!" I ask, appalled as my arms plop to the table top in my shock.
"It was an accident, he just moved so fast. You should have seen his face, just as shocked and instantly apologetic, careful." She reaches for me and her palm touches over my forearm. I understand and she sees it in my eyes. "He didn't mean it, I know, but it's terrifying to think of him grabbing me in that way. He swears he cannot hurt me, that it would be like ripping out one of his own hearts but..." Gelda trails off and slowly my brain clicks on. "It's just, her horror and pain flashes in my mind when I'm sleeping through my day and when he touches me I can't help but be overwhelmed."
Gelda is confusing her matehood with what Meliodas and I had. I open my mouth to correct her but she's like a bubbling well, having started and unable to stop as if so relieved to finally confess. "He's everywhere. Says separation is torture for him this early and even getting this day away from him, scheduled in advance, took so much pleading. I am used to doing as I desire and with my father in full support of this, finally giving me a place among the royals, I feel trapped." Her eyes fill and her tears are pink as they fall down her cheeks, tinged with blood. Slowly her voice changes with her thickening emotions, "Zeldris is nice in small doses, so I was hoping that you would have a solution. How do you get Meliodas to keep his distance?"
My mouth opens and nothing comes. Her violet eyes shining, her brows furrowed and I don't want to hurt her when she seems to be crumbling. We stare, my own eyes filling as I see myself in her and I wince before I confess softly as if that will prevent the blow, "Lord Meliodas and I are not mates. He would have told me. Or someone would have." My mind flashes to the Vampire Ball where Zeldris found Gelda and after when I asked what would happen if he finds his mate once we've been married.
It's then though, that I think of the power, my dream and my reaction to Meliodas going full demon before me. A flicker of an old memory starts and I push it down as my heart races with its onset, my tummy flipping uncomfortably. My emotions spike, raw, and fear violently thrashes about inside. "Besides," I start, my voice wobbling. "Meliodas leaves me alone all the time. We'd go days, more than a week before seeing one another and..." I trail off. He would sniff me. "But he wouldn't touch me unless it was necessary, he was most careful not to." My head shakes from side to side in denial of nothing and everything with the motion.
"Oh!" Gelda's teacup clashes harshly into the saucer on the table, I can tell her hands are shaking from the noise as it rattles just like Jelamet's did in her later years. "Elizabeth, I didn't know you didn't know." Her voice is squeaky and I blink blankly as I turn my head at a snail's pace to meet her wide anxious eyes. "I mean, it's stupid to not tell you, to not know all that is at stake when making your decisions, and of course being mated is forever. I guess for them at least, that's why there is the guide for mates that don't have the same instincts." She's speaking but it's at a low hush, not really talking to me but more as if she's processing her thoughts out loud.
"Tell him you are scared or show him," I whisper, remembering how Meliodas reacted so softly to my emotions. I shake my head negatively again, denying it. "He's not my mate, he would have told me. He left me alone, he called off the marriage." Gelda's contemplativeness fades and she stills, unblinking as I grow unnerved with how her chest doesn't rise and fall from her lack of breathing. "It's different," I tell her, convincing myself. "He wants you to want him so show him how to win you over."
I stand, unsteady on my feet as the table jostles and Gelda seems to snap back alive. She apologizes, seeming to flush paler in her emotions and she takes my elbow as if I need assistance. I dip from the hold, thinking of Jelamet once more. "Ellie, yes. Thank you. I uh, well thank you for the tea, I know the way." She backs away, eyes moving down with her frown.
"Would you like to stay here for the night?" I offer, remembering she confessed to escaping to our palace when she needed a break from her own. "Margaret's rooms are always clean and ready, you can have some peace before going back home and to Zeldris." Her shoulders perk up, her dull eyes sparkling with life once more as she smiles at me as if I've answered her prayers.
"Some alone time will be much appreciated. Does she still have the shutters on her windows? I love her still for that, so we could spend the day together." Her shiny orbs mist over as I nod, finally acting the host as I usher her out. I notice then, as she bends to pick up a bag, that she must have packed for this just in case. I lead her down my hall and then to Margaret's rooms. "Whatever you want to be brought up, all you need to do is ask. I'll pop in and don't hesitate to do the same. I'm going to clean up a bit."
Gelda's eyes soften, her hand coming up to touch my shoulder as she silently breathes, "Thank you," before nodding and heading into my sister's rooms. I watch her stroll in and turn to the bedroom with her bag loosely hanging in her grip, her stroll slows as she takes a deep breath obviously relaxing in solitude. After her explosion of emotion earlier I'm sure she needs a recharge and isn't getting peace at home, not with Zeldris.
I ease the door closed so as not to disturb her and make my way to my own rooms with one focus. As soon as I'm in my hall I take off at a faster pace to wedge my bedroom door open and almost slam into my bedside table in my hurry. In a matter of moments I have, 'An Other Mate: A Demon Reference Guide', pulled from the stack, items scattering and a different book hits the floor that I have no regard for. With shaking fingers I pry it open, the spine cracking from lack of use indicating it must have been sent a while ago, maybe years ago. I'd opened this gift a few weeks ago and haven't thought about it since, having just shoved it with the other books waiting in line for me to get to.
Nerves bubble in my tummy as a piece of parchment is inside the front cover, Meliodas' handwriting in black is scrawled across it. I pull it free from the pinching of the spine and turn it right side up to read.
My Dear Elizabeth,
I have studied this every day since we met and I know if I don't send this today I'll lose my nerve. I know it's scary, I endeavor to never frighten you again and I'm sorry about the instinctual reaction when I met you. How I wish I had any control over it back then, but I do now. I hope with everything I am that this book can clear things up or at least inform you of what is going on. If you have questions, I'd love to be the one to answer them. We can figure this out together, as soon as you're ready, I'll wait as long as you need.
-Meliodas
My heart races, my head feels light and I plop heavily into a sit jolting when the bed's edge catches me on my descent. The note and book are gripped tightly in my hands but lower to my lap as I stare unblinkingly at my wall. "He would have told me," I speak, thinking back on all the opportunities he's had and how it would be so stupid to keep me in the dark. For him to treat me like my father does! But the darkness creeps and I turn to look at the missive I'd tossed across my room, he made choices for me, took away my options. He lied and manipulated, why wouldn't he keep this from me too?
Meliodas hid his very form from me until I pulled it out of him. We were to have no secrets left between us and I flush just thinking of what we would have gotten up to in the fairy forest if we hadn't been hunted down and interrupted by those criminals. Denial comes easier, thinking back to all the time we spent apart, how he barely touched me, and his kindness is just who he is. I flush, focusing on the book to get a better understanding of mates in general.
If nothing else my understanding might help Gelda.
I flip to the beginning but skipping the introductory chapter, noticing Meliodas' inked scrawl in the margins. 'Don't push her,' and 'learn her languages'. I blink at the note remembering the card he wrote on when we first met, when he had prepared questions. With a heavy sigh I turn to chapter two and start reading.
'When demons find their mate it's an overwhelming experience for both demons, it takes days and sometimes weeks to pull them apart from the allure but when a demon is mated with another, not of their race, things can end badly, quickly.' I shiver, that flickering image in my mind of yellow hair flapping chaotically in a dark swirling vortex and I'm reminded of my nightmare. I blink, trying to calm down as I read on.
'What it is like for your mate when you awaken before her, with the power surge and the darkness surrounding her, depending on the race it can be very alarming.' And beside the sentence is his scrawl, 'She's made of light.' The novel text is clearly meant for a demon to read and I shiver as I know the answer as to why Meliodas' handwriting would be all over this book.
My chest closes up. I stand, dropping everything as I rush to my bathroom barely making it before I'm retching the little bit of tea I had managed with Gelda. I fumble for the bath knobs and start a scalding bath as I'm suddenly freezing. "No." I whisper, pulling at my hair as I rub at my eyes. Then my father's confession that I was his only bargaining chip after the war trickles into my awareness.
It wasn't an arranged marriage! He was allowing the mating if our clan was granted certain liberties. I feel sick again but as I gag nothing is left to come up. My people lost the war, we should have been dismantled for our lead role in opposition to the demons but... because of me? "No!" I say firmer, "I'm useless, I'm not anything. He canceled the whole thing."
On wobbling legs I stand, all but falling into the bath, still filling and wearing my dress. My head spins, my body shakes and the contrast of the heat against my chilled flesh shocks me into an open mouth gasp. With a thrashing wiggle, I pull my dress up, tossing it to slap wetly on my floor. Jelamet knew! A raw anger bubbles in me, it fizzles through my other emotions replacing them with a burning. "Everyone knew!" I shout, laying back to scream when my head sloshes under the water.
It dawns again, as I rise gasping for breath and splashing as I flip my hair from my face, that my life has never been mine. I've never made a single choice for myself. My life was determined since childhood and I've walked the path set before me with so little complaint. No longer! I shut off the water while furiously scrubbing myself down, taking breaks to scream into the suffocation when other realizations arose. Veronica's utter resentment of Meliodas without ever meeting him and Margaret's comments at the vampire ball about accepting the situation.
Why? Why leave me in the dark, but Meliodas especially?
I pull the plug, standing violently and making a mess of the bathroom one last time. I am a storm of determination as I find the missive of Meliodas calling off the engagement, shoving it into the 'Other Mate' book along with his note and tossing it to my mattress. In a rush, I toss what's important to me atop the bed as well. With my alter ego Liz in mind, I dress, packing clothes that are easy to move around in. With my pack stuffed with everything from my bed I put on shoes and head to my study with that stupid peacock cat.
I need the gold.
All of it.
I hide pieces in different pockets, filling a sack and tying it tight to shove into my bag as deep as I can force it so it doesn't jiggle. I look to the gifts Meliodas sent, then the little orb of amber with the flower in it. I have to travel light, I can't be sentimental. Besides, my current goal is to smack Meliodas into next week and none of these things aid me in my pursuit. I'm tying my hair back, giving a last glance around when I hear a door opening down the hall. I creep that way as a knock sounds.
"Miss Elizabeth, another guest has arrived," Zaneri calls into my room before pushing the door open with one hand, a plate of food in the other. I walk that way, wondering who would ever visit me? Gelda is here already. My mind wanders to Meliodas and I frown wondering if he's changed his mind or couldn't stay away. She looks nervous as she tucks her hair back and pushes her dress down before bending into my room.
"Who?" I ask, and she jumps, the plate jostling but she catches it before anything tumbles to the floor. When I reach her, I take the food, picking at it. She smiles, pleased before clearing her throat. "Prince Zeldris, he says he's looking for Lady Gelda but since this is your home he is calling on you. I set him up in the trophy room." Zaneri looks to my hair, then the pack on my back before I answer her unasked question. When she gives me a small smile in approval that fades as I list off food and supplies I need for my trip.
With the plate in hand, shoving my mouth full as I go, I head to Gelda first. I knock, going in when there is no answer. I smell the steam and I try to smile, knowing she's bathing. I debate whether or not to invade her peace but after so long of being kept in the dark myself, I can't knowingly do it to another. When I'm at the door I swallow the last of my bread and muffle out her name. The water sloshes within. "I just wanted you to know that Zeldris is here. I'm going to go see him but I can send him away so you can still have some peace."
Silence follows and I take a breath, fearing she hadn't heard and I'll have to repeat it. "Gelda?" I inquire as she sniffles and I frown knowing what she's feeling. "No, I'll see him, let me get myself together." I nod, slap my forehead because of course, she can't see that before calling out an affirmative. "You can take as long as you like. I understand. I need to speak to him anyway so I'll buy you some time." Her soft sobs continue and my rolling anger focuses on Zeldris, eyes already narrowing as I hike my sack up while making my way to the trophy room.
It's quiet, of course, the night had settled around us but with the streams of moonlight and lit sconces, it's aglow where I'm heading. Rather than turn toward the trophy room, I take a detour to my sister's sick room. I peek in, she's alone and propped up in bed with a book. She never reads and as she looks up with a bored expression drawn from the noise her eyes sparkle in life. I'm glad to see it and some of the anger curbs knowing she's okay.
With the door shut behind me, I go to her bedside, arranging her as I explain exactly what I'm going to do and exactly how sorry I am for this happening to her. She grips my hand, squeezing my fingers tight. "Take Griamore." But my shoulders sag as he's worse off than her. "Just because you are his mate doesn't mean he is yours. Do you know how rare it is for an other to survive?" I don't, I haven't finished the guide book yet. Her fingers dig into mine and I hold in my wince as she pulls me in closer, "Promise me you won't let him hurt you."
"Of course," I breathe, tensing as I never thought he would. Even in full demon mode, his power swirling and tearing apart my sister, it hadn't touched me. My eyes widen before I kiss her forehead, pulling away after fixing her blankets and finally going to Zeldris, my uninvited guest. I try to process as fast as I can before reaching where he's waiting but I still feel like I'm standing on a crumbling foundation when I turn down the darker wing of the castle.
The portraits glint in the shadows and I'm glad I only have to go to the second door rather than down the darkened hall. I don't even consider knocking, just simply enter. The room is lit, a fire is going and the heads of animals look creepy with the flickering reflecting in their eyes. A sword, a powerful goddess relic is over the mantel and Zeldris turns from it due to the sound the door makes. A table is set with tea and snacks but it looks untouched.
"Do you want to start with Gelda or your dumbass brother?" I ask as I walk across the room. He stands up straighter, gazing over me with an open expression. "Do you want tea?" I motion to the table, reaching with a raised brow watching him from my peripheral vision.
"No. Tea is disgusting. I don't know a soul who enjoys it." I pause at his tone, giving him a double-take. He winces before amending, "I mean, no thank you, but I'll sit with you while you take yours." He inhales, seeming to hold it as he nears me but I don't care about his refusal or his snark.
"Meliodas doesn't like tea?" I turn from the tray, abandoning it as something to do with a scowl. One look at Zeldris' face, as if it is the stupidest question with the most obvious answer, and I let a long string of curses flow from my lips. Of course Meliodas was withholding about that too, yet my anger burns quick as I wonder if he endured because I'm most likely his mate. That he didn't care what we did as long as he got to see me.
I shove the thought away, liking my anger more than the edging softness and I'm quick to shut it down before this particular 'infection' spreads. Zeldris speaks, in awe, "I never would have thought you knew such an array of naughty words, nor that you would ever use them. I don't even know what a zounderkite is." I look Zeldris over, his dark slacks and button-up reminding me of Meliodas and when I meet his eyes I hate that his green has flecks of gold too. I point to the chair, raising my brow but I'm not surprised when he gives me a startled look before following my direction.
"Listen," I start. "I'm leaving this godforsaken castle tonight and if I can help it, I am never coming back." His lips tighten, fading paler as he truly focuses on me. "So I'm going to help you before I go. Gelda isn't a demon. She doesn't want you nor love you." His eyes darken, "and if you want her too, which you do..." I frown, hating that pricks of tears start at the back of my eyes, "learn her languages."
My mind swirls around the possibility that Meliodas, in his hyper-awareness of my emotions cut his own instincts down to nothing in order to give me room. Is part of this my fault? I clench my fists before refocusing on Zeldris. If Meliodas would have just spoken to me about any of this beforehand it would have unfolded differently. "It's intense for you, well, I hear it is in the beginning but this is earth-shaking for her too. Give her some time, ask her what she needs. She's always put up a strong show, hates showing anyone how she feels, it's mostly because of her father and the courts but you have to pick up on the little hints like I had to with-" I shake my head, my eyes closing. "Have you read the 'Other Mate' book?"
"I'm reading it now, I didn't know I'd... well I didn't pick this either." His voice is soft, his tone an apologetic one but his words are steady. I don't know him well enough but I still guess that this is about as open as he gets. I nod, looking at my chair but deciding I'm not staying long enough to get comfy. "Where are you going?"
"To slap your stupid brother in his stupid face," I mutter and his laugh fills the room drawing my gaze. His head is tipped back and his eyes crinkling but it trickles off harshly. With a seriousness I haven't seen from him he stares into me. "He left, at first I thought it was a tantrum but he, he relinquished his position. I'm heir to the throne and current Lord of the Demon lands." In a rush I sit, folding my fingers before me as he tells me everything he knows, where he might be and offers to help. "You are family, Elizabeth. I know he would kill me before killing himself if anything happens to you, so let me come with you."
I sigh, closing my eyes. I'd planned on going to Mead but with me intending on relinquishing my own title to escape here I wasn't sure if I can guarantee his siblings a place to safely stay while we are away. Mead found Meliodas last time, underground fighting rings and all, and snuck into the demon kingdom to hand deliver my letter. Then an idea sparks. "Do you have transportation?" His eyes narrow. "As family, seeing as I just found out I'm your brother's mate, I need a big favor." After I explain, his eyebrow quirks and his smirk comes quick as if his mind is whirring with options.
"What do I get from the deal?" He asks, a tad cocky but also curious. The door clicks and he stands at attention, fidgeting with his shirt before I look to see a beautiful and well put together Gelda stroll over, self-assured. "A happier mate," Gelda answers his question and when she stops beside our table she reaches for me. Our hands clasp softly as she speaks to me, "Thank you for your kindness this day." My smile is watery and I stand, offering her my seat.
When she steps to it, our hands separate and she smiles so softly at the tray. "Would you like some tea with me, Lord Zeldris? It seems we have much to talk about." He agrees, eagerly and I snort, giving him a side-eye that he meets guardedly as if fearing I'll out him. Stupid demon men. I roll my eyes as he clears his throat. "I'll gladly assist your escape. Please be careful and please find him before he... before he does something even more stupid than he already has." I try to smile, saying my goodbyes.
My father is furious. He's heard by the time I make it to the kitchens and gather my sack of food but I give him not a glance as I make my way out of the castle. "I won't allow you to chase after that monster!" He bellows as I head to the gates.
"I relinquish my title, I'm an adult. Unless I'm charged with a crime there is no way for you to hold me against my will a moment longer." My father is appalled, but as I cross to the other side of the gates he resigns himself, looking to the guard that drops down. "She's well within her rights, I've bound her too long. Give her a manta." I don't have time to say a word as he spins on his heels with a howl, bounding up to the castle in a rage. Still, I'm grateful and when I reach Mead the kids are absolutely thrilled to be invited to a completely different kingdom. Their packs are spilling over with seemingly everything they own and at the castle Jennah and Zaneri take them to Zeldris.
Mead is quick to outline the base rules of the outside world as we mount the Sky Manta. "I'm in charge here, Ellie. This is my domain, but I am thrilled to finally take you on an adventure." Mead is all toothy grins and although I try to match it, I can't bring myself to in spite of the fluttering excitement in my tummy.