Our First Fall (Melizabeth)

34. Engagement

"...for Elizabeth I will do anything..."

My head pounded, the strangest dream of voices echoed in my head. Meliodas and Loduciel had been... negotiating over me? I shot up, realization struck as the words made sense. The fighting has started. The war... No, no. I shook my head as if to shake the thoughts away. I didn't want Meliodas to betray his people, not for me!

Where was I? The room was decorated in reds, the floors covered in lush rugs and all the luxuries were here. A tea set, a desk, a sitting area with cush looking furniture. An open doorway showed a bathroom and my wings fluttered thinking of a bath.

Wings!

I reached back feeling my feathers with reverence, so grateful they were back. Soft, fuzzy blankets were around my waist but I'm naked! I stood, my body aching so nicely with my stretch. I felt like I did after a fever. As if I'd been still for too long and my muscles had seized up. I had to find Meliodas. Before I could go searching though, I needed to meet my other needs, such as finding any clothing that fit so I wasn't flying around with my assets showing.

A chest of drawers had a few things. Pants and a shirt that were too small. It didn't button in the front over my breasts. I grabbed a strip of silk and tied it around my neck to cover the exposure like a scarf. I took care of business in the bathroom, noting someone had washed me. I flushed, dismissing the unease as I left the room all together.

The hall is tall, made for flyers but my door let out on floor level, accommodating for walkers. Was I somewhere the races coexisted? I chose a direction, seeing the paintings of goddesses with swords, arks and riding pegasus in great battle scenes. The walls were windowless. 'This must be The Light of Grace...' Meliodas flew me here in time and because of his speed I was healed.

Where was everyone? Empty rooms and empty halls. I went in a circle, ending up back where I started. One of the doors I passed must be a stairwell or a place for me to glide down. With another lap I tried all the doors, finding along the inside wall a looping over-large stairwell. A giant could use them they were so massive and I flew down, opening each door I came to in an attempt to find the main level, or a person.

"Hello!" I called out, hearing people on this level, two floors down from where I awoke. I stepped down to the tile, the walls a soft blue and the open airy feeling reminded me of the demon clan. The colors and smells though, reminding me of the fairy one.

"Lady Elizabeth!" A voice called and I turned, mid-flight to see Nerobasta, of all people. "I'm glad to see you up." She said, and her voluptuous chest bounced as she stopped before me, seeming to mean it. "I can bring you to Ludociel, I'm sure Mael and the others will be relieved to see you."

I followed, asking about Meliodas and she scowled. "Don't concern yourself with trash, Elizabeth." She chided and I bristled, my power rising up in me but she spun to open the massive door before us and a wide chamber was there. I'd been away too long, I had forgotten the feel of their scorn.

"You have no idea what you're-" I hissed angrily until I saw who all was in the chamber. Key council members, the four archangels, fairies, giants and a handful of Lance Corporals. Most smiled at me, others looked on with worry but Ludociel clapped.

"Elizabeth! Your dedication and sacrifice to your clan did not go unnoticed." Ludociel praised. "She was fatally wounded while on an undercover mission, one she excelled at. Her information will be vital in the upcoming battles." I flushed, not liking what I was being thrown into. These were the top Stigma leaders. "If not for her, we would have never been able to probe into the demon territories." I looked around. Gloxinia was here. He waved and I gave a little smile, weary that my letters had been used. I had tried to write as least useful things as possible. "Take your seat."