Summary: When Zeldris is stationed with the Vampire Clan, he meets Gelda, the king's daughter. A passion ignites between them that threatens to bring down the uneasy alliance between Demons and Vampires.
A/N: So here's the thing. I don't write lemons, or limes, or cantaloupes, or watermelons, or whatever else. I really struggle with romance. And when that romance involves sex, forget it. So I have decided to challenge myself and write one in the effort to learn how. This fic is the result of my experiment.
This is my version of the story of Zeldris and Gelda. It will be four parts in total. Part One is more introductory, but I promise you that the last three will earn this M rating. So please be warned, there is explicit material ahead!
I'd like to dedicate this first part to my dear friend BettyBest2, who gave me loads of advice and feedback while I struggled to bring this to life. I admire your talents and your ability to put up with me.
So thank you for reading. Since this is an experiment and writing exercise for myself, I appreciate any and all feedback. Especially since publishing this might have given me hives. :D
Part One
Zeldris followed Meliodas up the long stone staircase that led to the castle of the Vampire Clan. He kept his expression stoic, even as he stole glances around to the intricate carvings around him. Images of past kings and warriors of the clan warned visitors as they approached their sanctuary, accompanied by pictures of what happens to their enemies. At the top of the steps, large stone doors stood closed, carved deeply with writing Zeldris could not read.
The Vampires were an ancient clan, but small. They possessed a great amount of power, and the demon king wanted to use that power for his war. They were there to finalize an agreement between their kinds, and Zeldris was determined to prove that he was ready to take a larger role in the looming Holy War. If that meant coming along with Meliodas to this barren, sorry excuse for a kingdom, then that is what he was going to do.
The doors began to open as they approached, and the two demons entered the castle. It was silent and empty, and they were greeted by a single vampire, dressed in old, elegant clothing. Zeldris thought he looked as though he could collapse under the weight of his heavy, rich coat. "This way," he said, as the doors shut behind him. Meliodas followed the vampire down the echoing corridor, but Zeldris paused a moment to watch as the doors closed. Once they were shuttered, all of the light from outside was snuffed out. He turned and stalked forward in the darkness to catch up with his brother.
Torches lined the walls, providing the only light inside the castle. The hallways remained silent as they were led down one, then another. A set of doors opened, and they entered the throne room. It had high ceilings, and more carvings in the stone walls of vampires. Zeldris took it all in as they crossed the silent room, their footsteps echoing loudly. He briefly wondered why the Vampire Clan, with all of the power they possessed, lived with such unadornment. The starkness of the castle was in direct contrast with what he had observed the times he had traveled to the demon king's own palace. His clan's stronghold was filled with members of their race, soldiers and messengers moving constantly in the hallways, the sounds of voices and armor echoing everywhere. The severity of this place made the vampires seem almost primitive.
The king sat on his throne, also carved out of the rock, watching them approach through narrow eyes. He was tall and broad, his large upper body draped over the side of the chair as he leaned on one elbow. His torso was bare, except for a heavy dark cloak that draped on his shoulders, and his dark hair hung down to his legs. He wore no crown, but held a giant sceptre in one hand, that had a pointed spearhead on the top.
The king regarded them suspiciously as they approached without announcement. Zeldris looked around as they moved through the silence. There were no rich ornaments in the room, no tapestries or drapes, nothing that would suggest the wealth or power of the Vampires. The only courtiers were a handful of overdressed figures scattered in the shadows of the vast room.
Meliodas strode forward. "King Izraf," he said. "My name is—"
"I know who you are," he growled slowly. They regarded each other a moment, and Zeldris' eyes quickly darted around for any threats. "I know why you are here."
"Then you agree to the demon king's terms?" Meliodas asked.
"I'm still considering," the king responded, shifting in his throne.
Meliodas scowled at him. "The demon king's patience is growing thin," he said darkly. "So is mine. Your answer, now, Izraf."
Zeldris stood behind his brother and to the side. He was sure that Izraf felt he was very intimidating in this silent place, but the captain of the Ten Commandments was not easily intimidated. He could not help the smirk that formed on his lips, a part of him hoping that Izraf would refuse after all and give him and Meliodas a chance to have a little fun. The king glowered at him for a long moment before continuing, "He can guarantee me my kingdom?"
Meliodas nodded. "To reward your aid against the goddesses, the demon king will allow you to expand your kingdom. You will have all of the humans you want—once he rules Britannia," he warned.
Izraf nodded and leaned back in his chair. "The numbers of our clan has dwindled, and that is the only reason why I am agreeing to this alliance. We will aid your king and lend our powers to his cause, and you in turn will not interfere as I use the humans for our own needs. I accept your terms under one condition." Meliodas lifted in chin in question as the king gestured to the side. "My daughter will not participate in this war."
Both demons turned to look at the young woman who stood to the king's right. Zeldris could not help his eyes widening when he saw her. She was, in a word, breathtaking. She wore a soft white dress that stood out against her delicate skin in the dimness of the room. Her long blonde hair, so unlike the king's, was pulled back to frame her face. Delicate features and large eyes accented her beauty. Zeldris wondered how she could possibly even exist in a place like this. This castle was empty, a shell of a kingdom, and such a stunning vision stood out almost blindingly in the dark. She was the only thing in the room, in fact, that seemed to have any life at all, outside of Izraf's blustering hubris.
As Izraf and Meliodas continued their discussion, he found himself watching her, his eyes drawing back over again and again. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. He noticed the way she stole glances at her father, the way her eyes stayed demurely on the floor. Her hands fidgeted before playing with the necklace that hung around her neck, then smoothing down the soft fabric of her dress that hugged her body. Zeldris felt his blood start to churn as he wondered what those hands would feel like on him. Her skin looked as smooth and delicate as porcelain, and his vision dimmed as he imagined seeing all of it.
Finally her eyes glanced over at him, and he quickly turned away. Zeldris pursed his mouth together, pushing back down on the swelling desire that had begun to pulse inside his mind, blocking out everyone and everything else in the room. He cleared his throat and tuned back into the conversation as he heard his name.
"Zeldris will stay here and report back on your accomplishments," Meliodas stated.
Zeldris looked at him in surprise. He had had no idea he was being stationed here. He clenched his jaw in frustration, uninterested in a post watching a bunch of half-dead vampires try to rally themselves. He would be better served in the upcoming battles. "Meliodas," he hissed, but the glance his brother gave him over his shoulder made it clear the conversation would have to wait.
"No," the king said. "I don't need one of your—"
"You will allow this," Meliodas interrupted. "Just until you have proved your usefulness to His Majesty." His tone made it clear there would be no argument or debate allowed.
Izraf gripped the arms of his throne. He could see that the king was trying to get a hold of his temper, and Zeldris rubbed his fingers on his palm, ready to draw his sword if necessary. But then after a tense moment, the king gave a curt nod. "I'll allow it, temporarily, but—" He turned his glare on Zeldris. The look was more than cold; it looked murderous. Zeldris frowned, wondering what had brought the king's ire on him. "Don't think I haven't seen your eyes on my daughter," he shouted, his voice tight with anger and accusation. "She's not for the likes of you."
Zeldris' eyebrow arched in surprise. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gelda look up at him, her eyes widening and her mouth open in surprise. He resisted the urge to look at her again, wondering what she thought of this outburst. As if this king could possibly think he could command him.
He was about to give a retort when Meliodas said evenly, "If he touches her, I'll kill him myself. You have my word on this."
Zeldris' contempt for the king twisted into anger. He looked at his brother furiously, but Meliodas turned and walked out. Zeldris stalked him through the doors of the throne room. When they were in the hallway, he grabbed Meliodas by the arm and yanked him backwards. "What the hell is this?"
"Take your hand off of me," Meliodas warned. The two stood perfectly still for a moment, until Zeldris relaxed his grip.
"You didn't tell me I was being left here with these things," Zeldris managed through gritted teeth. He didn't know what made him angrier: the fact that he was being left with a king who had just insulted him, or Meliodas' apathy towards the situation.
Meliodas yanked his arm away and growled, "You will do as you are told. The king does not trust these Vampires, and neither do I. You will tell me anything that goes on here." Zeldris did not bother to respond, simply clenching his fists as he reluctantly accepted the command. Meliodas paused for a moment before looking back over his shoulder. "I was not lying to the king, either. Stay away from that girl. She's the king's daughter. You have no idea what that means to this clan."
He started back the way they had come. Zeldris watched him go, seething. He would stay because the king ordered it, but he'd be damned before he let Meliodas or anyone else tell him what he could or couldn't do.
.o0o.
Gelda walked down the hallways as she did every day as night approached. When the sun was finally down, the doors would open to the darkness, and the Vampire Clan was free to go out and hunt. Not that she ever did. Her father did not allow her to leave the castle, declaring it too dangerous. Her meals were brought to her by the others.
Every evening she walked the hallways, waiting until darkness covered Britannia. Then she would go out onto the grounds and escape the oppression of the castle. She hated the silence, and the emptiness, and the way everyone looked at her. Her life was nothing more than a display. The fact that she was royalty, the king's own daughter, was like a terrible farce.
The royal Vampires, the leaders of their ever dwindling clan, possessed powers that rivaled both the highest ranking demons and the great Holy Knights. They could harness this power even in the daylight, but at night, their power increased exponentially. This was how they managed to maintain their grip on the small kingdom Izraf controlled. This cursed pile of rocks.
Gelda, however, had shown no inclination towards such power. The king was critical of his daughter, and beyond disappointed with her lack of power. Despite being the king's only child, she did not show any potential to being able to display the destructive talents the others possessed. The king saw this as a failure, her failure, and it made him bitter. Her father had made it clear that her one purpose in this life was to bear the next king of their clan. And until he decided how and when that would happen, she was a prisoner to his will.
So Gelda walked the hallways, escaping his scrutiny, escaping the heavy silence, escaping the prying eyes of the dwindling members of their royal family. She could not hope to escape this life completely, so she sought the relief of solitude. And with that solitude, she had discovered a secret she was determined to never let anyone else know.
Her walk this evening was different than every other one she had done for centuries. She had someone to think about. There was someone new in the castle, a demon assigned to watch their clan as they prepared for war. Gelda had not been interested in the strangers who came to see her father, and had not paid much attention to their negotiation. She had kept her head down, her mouth closed, and stood in presentation as was her duty. But when her father had his outburst, she was caught by surprise. She had thought she had spied the demon looking at her, but his eyes had moved from hers so quickly she could have sworn that she had imagined it.
Her father thought that this demon desired her, which had sent a thrilling shiver up her spine, even as it filled her with terror. The thought of what the king would do to them, do to her, if his accusations and suspicions were true made her go cold, as well as what she knew she would have to do in return.
Her mind lingered on the demon as she walked, and she was so wrapped up in the swirling questions that she jumped in surprise with the sound of the main doors grinding open. Gelda picked up her pace a bit, hurrying to get out onto the grounds before anyone could stop her.
The ground was uneven, but she knew her way without even looking. She picked her way among the rocks until she was out of sight of the doors. There was a little alcove she had discovered in the side of the castle, and the only way to be spotted there would be from one of the tallest parapets.
Gelda was halfway down to her hiding spot when she realized the demon was following her. She nearly stumbled when his energy touched hers, her mind swirling as she wondered why he would possibly be there, but she forced herself not to look for him. For a minute she considered turning around and returning to the castle, but she was too curious to see what he wanted, so she continued on ahead.
When she reached the alcove, she quickly spun around to catch him, but he was nowhere to be found. Disappointed, Gelda folded her arms. "You can come out," she called. "I know you are there."
She heard a laugh behind her and she whirled around. The demon was perched on a boulder, crouching down as he watched her. Gelda took a deep breath. "Why did you follow me?" She hoped the sternness in her voice would keep him from noticing how hard her heart was beating.
Zeldris smirked at her. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
Gelda did not answer. Instead, she took the opportunity to inspect him closer. He was handsome, certainly, with dark wild hair and a youthful appearance. He wore the dark longcoat of a ranked soldier, and he kept a rapier strapped to his side. His eyes were hard set on hers, and his smile displayed more arrogance than warmth. She knew without question that he was both brash and dangerous. But even as she bristled at his arrogance in answering her, she could not deny that she found it exciting.
"I come out here to be alone," she said coldly.
"Huh." Zeldris stood and hopped down from the boulder. He walked slowly towards her, and Gelda did not move. She assumed she must look like easy prey to him, and that she could be snapped up in an instant. And in some ways, she was.
He stepped up to her, and they locked eyes. Gelda steadied herself as she tried to read into his expression. Their heights were nearly even, and she focused on remaining still, unwilling to give anything to this demon. She knew that if he felt any weakness from her at all, he would pounce. But the sheer vitality that came from him drew her in, and she found it hard to even want to resist. "What is your name?" he finally asked, but again she did not answer. He must have thought she was hesitating, because she watched as his eyes moved up and down her form. "My name is Zeldris. I'm here from the demon king."
"I know," she answered evenly. "I am King Izraf's daughter."
Zeldris nodded, and then stepped away from her, looking around. "Is that what you Vampires do at night? Come down here and sit among the rocks?" He used his foot to push a large stone off to the side before turning to look at her again.
"Most of the others are out hunting." She folded her arms, growing uncomfortable under his gaze. She was suddenly embarrassed, although she did not know why.
"And you don't hunt?"
"No." Gelda turned and took a few steps, trying to move out from his stare. "My father does not permit me to leave the castle grounds." A flash of heat blazed up her neck and face, and she cursed herself. Why would she tell him this? But then she decided it didn't matter, that he would find out eventually anyway.
His smile now was almost unbearable, and she concluded he must have seen her blush. She wished furiously that he would just leave. "Your father has a lot of rules regarding you, doesn't he?"
Gelda tightened her lips. "Only the one, actually."
Zeldris gave a harsh laugh. "Really? What rule is that?"
Lifting her chin, she summoned all of her wits and answered, "That I am to be left alone."
A wave of satisfaction washed over her when she saw his eyebrows dart up in surprise. Gelda struggled to remain stoic as she fought the urge to laugh. "Well then," he finally said, the arrogant demeanor back as quickly as it had gone, "it's a good thing that I don't answer to the king."
Now it was Gelda's turn to be surprised. No one had ever dared to go against her father before. She had certainly expected a retort of some kind… but this? Even this little interaction, this perfectly harmless conversation, risked them both being exposed to his wrath, for no other reason than simply because. She was thrilled and flustered at the same time, and as he walked back towards the path that led back to the castle, she suddenly did not want him to go. "My name is Gelda," she called out after him.
Zeldris only gave a nod before he started striding away. Gelda watched him go, both hoping and dreading that he would turn around, but to her disappointment he did not glance back even once as he walked out of sight.