Our First Fall (Melizabeth)

24. Power

Mr. Millian had gathered a handful of copper coins and a few seeds. He offered them to me, trying to pay me for the third day in a row. I refused it every time and now is no different. "I help because I want to, please keep it." I begged, using my hand to close his fingers over his offering. "Just send a messenger if you need me," I amend, motioning to the fuller, playing children out front.

I felt good about what I'd done here, the sick house was almost empty. Just the old man that refused my services and the little white-haired girl who still had a fever but is on the mend. Her mother hadn't left her side, wrapped in cloth even in the warm sick house. Delphine had regained consciousness today, eating some broth and growing stronger.

The fields were growing, the sick house in recovery and they knew where to find me. For the first evening, I didn't have anything to do. Mina would probably accept some help but she'd already told me things were done in advance with how much extra time I've put in with her.

I knew what I wanted to do. The idea had taken root in Megadozer that fighting didn't mean killing. Meliodas had offered to teach me weeks ago when we'd started meeting at the theater and with him already training the newest recruits it couldn't be much hassle to add me to the mix. Besides, he is the most skilled fighter I knew and he would never hurt me. I took to the skies, careful to keep my dress in place over my behind. I'd worn the one we'd bought in the market district, the swoop neck had made me uncomfortable at first but I did like how free I felt.

My movements were unhindered.

Pip had taken Estarossa today. I missed the fur-ball. He was getting bigger and bigger as the weeks passed and Meliodas thought he might have some wolf in him. I didn't see it. He was too round but Meliodas seemed proud about it so I never disagreed out loud.

I flew to the training ground, looking for Meliodas until I spot him, there. For a moment, my breath was stolen. I haven't seen him like this since I first met him on the battlefield. Demon mark swirled on his head, darkness seeping from him and his face cold and impassive. I wasn't afraid, no, it was more like his power automatically triggered my internal warnings that danger was about. With a steadying breath, the warning bells calmed and being near him felt comforting.

The troops I pass ranged from misshapen hulk demons to early teenage looking kids paired off in the round, cut out pits. Obviously, they must be old enough to fight but I could see what Meliodas had described to me so many times. Some of the pairs stopped their fight to stare, sneer and one white-haired man-boy called out "Lady Elizabeth!" but got slammed in the head by a monstrous, literally two-faced demon who gave a glare in my general direction. Ouch.

I flew on, ignoring them. Meliodas turned from his task, grinning at me as I dropped down to take the hand at his side. The other hand of his delved directly for my chest, the cleavage there was thoroughly felt before he greeted me with a smiling kiss.

"I approve, Elizabeth. Wear this one all the time." He said that about any dress I had that showed even a little skin. His head dips to stick his face there but I swat at him, halting him and his smile widens. A little hand action was fine, I still wasn't sure if that was really the way demons declared themselves to one another, but if he started nuzzling or sucking on me... no.

"She struck Captain Meliodas." A demon in the pit before us hushed, scandalized. I turned in that direction and a thin dark haired demon displayed utter alarm and looked at me as if I just signed my own death sentence.

"And I'll do it again if he doesn't behave." I chide, smirking at Meliodas as I straighten my dress and take his hand again. "I have a request." My tone faded softly as I get to the end of my words while addressing Meliodas.