Chapter 13: Overprotective

Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

A/N: I apologize for not updating sooner. R&R plx

Elizabeth's POV:

I waited with Meliodas at the designated meeting place. He was relaxed with his eyes shut, hands behind his head, leaning against one of the trees surrounding us on the outskirts of a tiny village. I played with my hair nervously, I wasn't sure how to be a leader of any kind, but I did know that we needed this fighting to stop. I just hoped Ludociel wouldn't undermine me every chance he got.

"I expected you to be late." Ludociel's voice echo's as he approached. I should have felt insulted, but I didn't want to start this with arguing. I saw him eyeing Meliodas suspiciously. "You couldn't come alone?" He gestured to the demon with distain.

"He's a part of this, and I would appreciate it if you would be nice to each other." I sighed. The demon would listen to me if I asked, but the goddess was too far stuck in his ways to even consider the option.

The demon hadn't moved from his spot or even acknowledged the goddess. I wish I could read his mind but with his eyes closed I can't read his green eyes either. I didn't want this to become a regular thing.

Ludociel said nothing in response to my statement and moved on ignoring Meliodas. "The first step the Supreme Deity has requested is that you go to Belialuin and see if you can convince the child with the ability of infinity to join us."

Meliodas was suddenly next to me. "Don't you think that's a bit foolish? The mages have sworn no allegiance to any side, and claim to stay that way. They could attack Elizabeth for even speaking to the girl."

"Why is this thing talking to me?" Ludociel complained looking disgustedly at him. The demon didn't seem to care, and patiently waited for an answer.

I glared at Ludociel. He couldn't seriously believe his status as an Archangel over shadowed the demon being a prince. I sensed Meliodas tense with irritation.

Ludociel made an unpleasant noise with his throat before finishing with, "It's just a risk we'll have to take." He shrugged like it was no big deal. It probably wasn't to him or my mother, they aren't putting their lives on the line.

"Then why don't you go?" He challenged.

"I am the commander of the goddess army and the leader of the Archangels." He appeared as if this was obvious and didn't need any other explanation.

"All the more reason you should go. Placing Elizabeth into a hostile environment for one mage this early, even if she does have the power of infinity, seems like the Supreme Deity is just using this as an excuse to kill her daughter." Meliodas crossed his arms not even the slightest bit concerned at how murderous the goddess was staring at him now. I thought about what he said and I wondered if he could be right. I fought back tears at the thought of my own mother sending me on a suicide mission.

"The Supreme Deity is not anything like that." He yelled fury clouding his features. "Besides it needs to be Elizabeth if she is going to be the face for our allies."

"Fine, but I'm going with her." Meliodas hooked my waist pulling me closer; making my face blush at his boldness in front of the Archangel. I don't protest, having him there with me would make me feel better.

Ludociel turns to focus on me. "A demon showing up with the goddess of the clan is asking for trouble." Before I got a word in to object, he changed tactics. "Mael should accompany you. If you feel uncomfortable going alone."

I felt Meliodas' arm stiffen around me. He dropped his gaze, his bangs covering his eyes shielding his emotions. I know he's only worried about me, but I know Mael wouldn't do anything to cause me any harm. Ludociel's expression is that of triumph as he sees me contemplating his view. I wanted to tell him no, Meliodas would come just to get that smug look off his face; but I do want Meliodas safe. "Alright tell Mael to be ready soon, and send a message to the mages we are coming."

He grinned with satisfaction before bowing and taking flight.

When he was out of sight the demon slowly pushed my back against the tree trunk he had been occupying earlier. His arms formed a cage and I peered at him in shock. I expected some anger, but this? "He's going to be alone with you?" He growled lowly under his breath.

I placed my hands on his cheeks, I didn't want him to hide from me again. "You don't have to worry about Mael, he won't do anything to me."

"I'm not worried about him hurting you. I don't like other people touching what's mine." His breathing picked up. "What are you going to do if he makes a move on you?"

I tried to imagine Mael doing such a ridiculous thing, but I shook my head. "We're just friends."

"That might be how you feel about him, but what does he think about you?" He kissed my lips persuasively. "What would you honestly do if he cornered you and forced himself on you?" He shoved his hand up my dress to mimic the actions. I couldn't bring myself to fear what he was doing when I had a picture of last night still fresh in my mind. "Elizabeth focus." He told me as I moaned from his hands, finding it unbelievable that I wanted him again so soon.

"I just don't see it." I frowned honestly.

He removed his hands and pulls me against him. "Fine, but if I get any inkling that he is trying to take what's mine I will end him."

I giggled. "Are all demons this possessive?"

"Most, yes." He captured my lips with his again. "Once we usually find someone we have a connection with we don't hesitate to defend what we believe is ours." He moved us so we're sitting below the tree on the ground, putting me in his lap. "I love you Elizabeth." He whispered in my ear sending a shiver down my spine.

"I love you too Meliodas." I laughed when he nuzzled his face into my neck. "Now that we have time to waste. Let's talk." I grinned and he looked weary. What could he be thinking of that would cause him to be uneasy about a conversation?

"About?" He actually looked nervous which was utterly adorable.

"How about your past relationships?" I put my head against his chest and gazed up at him innocently.

He groaned. "I wouldn't really call them relationships."

"How come?" I was genuinely curious.

"Relationships require emotional attachment. I've never been attached to anyone as much as I am to you. All the women before you were just something to do to pass the time, or to fulfill needs. I can't even remember what they looked like or their names." He was running his hands over my wings stroking them lightly. It was thrilling but soothing at the same time, I never had had anyone touch me like he does. So strong but gentle.

"Why me?" I asked before thinking. I wasn't sure if my heart could handle what he said.

He hummed. "At first I found you irritating but I could tell you were different. It was like a puzzle trying to figure ulterior motives out. I couldn't tell if you were sincere or not. The fact that you looked at me and showed no fear from my reputation caused me to be fascinated. Most goddesses see demons and can't hide the hatred in their eyes but you? You didn't seem to loathe us the way the rest of your clan does."

My face felt on fire. "I'd never met a demon before I stood before your army."

He tilted his head confused. "Really? I guess that shouldn't be hard to believe considering you hadn't left the Celestial Realm. You were probably told we were blood drinking, Soul eating, ghoulishly foul creatures, right?"

I wanted to deny it but he sounded more amused than irritated. "Is any of it true?"

"The soul eating is, but I never personally liked to do that. I always found killing others more fun than taking their lifeforce and magic. I didn't like to taint my body with what I considered to be lesser beings." He stared at my face like he expected me to be appalled by his behavior but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to mourn over the lives he'd taken when he's here with me now. I knew he had done terrible things before I had even met him, and it really doesn't excuse it but I'm a person who believes in second chances.

"Have you killed anyone since we've met?" I braced myself for the answer. Hoping it was zero but at this point I wasn't sure what to expect.

"You know I have. The barkeep who poisoned you. I was also in that battle as a favor to my brother before I knew you were there." He held up his hand. "Please don't ask me how many because when I get into that state of mind I don't see faces, I only see targets." He turned away from me.

I didn't want to see all those target's, as he called them, faces. I try to think of a different topic we could discuss. "Tell me about your brother. You're the oldest right?"

His mood switched at the mention of his brother. "Zeldris." He says the name with sadness. "I wish I had been a better older sibling to him. When we were fleeing the battlefield, he looked at me with so much anger. I'm not sure I will be able to make it up to him ever." I saw tears forming in his eyes. "Chandler told me because I left the Vampires who were, best way to put it were slaves, rebelled."

I wasn't positive I was following his thought process. What did the vampires rebelling have to do with his brother? "And?" I pressed gently when he didn't continue.

"The Demon King was furious and sent Zeldris to slaughter them." A tear slid down his cheek and he blinked in surprise before quickly wiping it away. He probably didn't want me to see it thinking it was a weakness. "Zeldris was in love with one of the royal family. I didn't even know about it until after I had encountered you."

I gasped, now I could see where this was going. Zeldris had to murder the woman he loves. My heart ached for the demon I didn't even know. I wondered what Meliodas would have done if his father had given that order to him. I couldn't see myself being angry with him. I hope Zeldris' love understood his actions in the end. The Demon King seemed like a terrible parent causing so much emotional pain to his children.

My mind flashed back to my mother and the conversation we had when she yanked my hair and threatened my life. I guess the two gods weren't that different after all. "It's not your fault." I reach for his hand needing the comfort.

"But it is. Had I not shifted the change of power in favor of the goddesses, they wouldn't have rebelled and Gelda would still be alive…" He held me tighter, he was probably thinking the same thing I did.

"But it's not. If they had been planning a rebellion then it was just a matter of time before it happened anyways. You can't take the blame for this." I kissed his cheek wanting to take the tormented expression away. "I am sorry that your brother is going through a bad time right now. I'm sure you'll make it up to him some day."

He didn't get the chance to respond, we heard footsteps coming toward us. He pulled us to our feet. Mael walked over with an irritated look on his face. Meliodas held me securely to his hip. Was he trying to make Mael angrier with his display?

"I'm ready whenever you are Lady Elizabeth." He informed me in that formal tone he knew irked me. I prayed he wasn't going to be this way the entire time.

I attempted to move away from Meliodas, but he wouldn't allow it; making his grasp on me stronger leaving no visible space between the two of us. I turned my attention to the demon curiously. His face has changed to unreadable as he and Mael were glaring daggers at each other.

"Meliodas." I tried in vain to pry myself from his grip, the more I fought, the more the difficult he made it. "We won't be gone long." I hoped reassuring him will cause him to let me go but his eyes were still focused on our company.

"Give us a moment." The demon growled to the intruder. He swept my feet out from under me and hurriedly carried me until we're out of ear shot. "I don't like this." He said finally releasing me.

"I don't either but it is better than me going alone." I argued. He knew I was right, but he still wanted to dispute it. I sighed. "I will be in and out. I have the Orb you gave me in my pocket so if something does go really wrong, I will use it."

He nodded with that unhappily. I started to march toward where Mael was impatiently waiting when his voice called out, "Elizabeth, promise me you'll come back." He had such a miserable look that I almost ran back to him. I wished I could put his mind at rest but the quickest way was to get this over with.

"I promise." I shouted to him before waving; when I reached Mael, we both took flight. I was hoping he knew the way because, I had no idea where the city was. He was silent and hadn't said a word since Meliodas had left him rudely waiting for us.

I keep myself from talking, I didn't want to be the first one to break the silence. He cast glances back at me. I couldn't tell if he was making sure I was still following, or if it was because he wanted to say something but decided against it. The suspense was killing me.

My mind wandered back to the conversation with Meliodas earlier while I stared at the Archangel's back. Where was Meliodas getting these wild ideas that Mael and I might have feelings beyond friends? I couldn't remember one time where I thought of him anything more than that. I was also aware of Jelamet's feelings toward him, I had tried to get her to confess to him on many occasions but she claimed that he seems to be interested in someone else. I hadn't seen him ever talk with many other females except in combat when it was required so I had no clue who she thought he is into.

Why was Meliodas so sure that Mael would do something? I thought of all the times we had been alone together and just chatted for hours with no hint of any kind that he felt any different. Had something changed and I was being completely oblivious?

"We're almost there. It's just another half a mile." He broke the silence. "Stop daydreaming. You'll forget where you are." He grinned easily like all the irritation earlier disappeared or never existed.

I smiled back. I'm sure the demon was just being overprotective of me. I needed to stop overthinking things. In the distance a large settlement came into view. It was beautiful. I had never seen architecture like this. I could actually feel the magic in the air. The buildings were unique and stacked almost on top of the others in a cozy but efficient living space. Normal structures wouldn't have stayed up without the magic helping to keep them from toppling over. Flowers in all shapes and sizes that I couldn't name were covering the grassy areas in between.

We landed by the iron gates on the left side. We could have floated down into the city but we didn't want to make a bad impression. Men in long robes come to greet us.

"We know why you are here, and as much as we do not approve of these meetings Merlin has requested to at least hear you out." One of them stepped ahead of the others with purple robes and sandy colored hair. "I will take you to see her but you will have only 30 minutes."

Mael and I bowed in respect. They led us to a sitting room. "The Demons have already sent their own envoy to talk with her as well. You will have to wait a few more minutes until she's done with him before you will be allowed to enter." He left us alone and Mael began to pace.

"Who would he have sent? Did he somehow know we were going to be talking to her?" He appeared to be talking mostly to himself when the door opened and the demon in question came out. I had only seen him once before on the battlefield and my heart picked up speed.

"So, I see my brother was too chicken to come himself." The demon mocked as he fixed his gaze on the Archangel. "Leave us goddess. I want to speak to this harpy alone."

"I will do no such thing." Mael placed himself in position in front of me.

I don't want to be alone with him either but it would also be bad if they caused a scene, "Mael, I'll be fine. Go, it'll only take a moment." I could see him about to refuse so I speak again, "We can't ruin this, my mother would be disappointed if we get thrown out. I can take care of myself."

"Fine, but I will be right outside the door." He grudgingly walked away before closing it behind him sealing me in with Meliodas' brother Zeldris.