A Soul Lingers ~~ Part 1
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Elizabeth opened her eyes. Not fully, but enough to see what was before her: a drab ceiling. A heap of warmth cradled her frame uncomfortably, that heap supposedly being Meliodas. I’m too hot, I’m sweating, this is uncomfortable, she thought helplessly; mind screaming at her body to move. The skin between her thighs and underarms stuck to themselves and her back was slick with perspirant.
After a few meager attempts she managed to wiggle free from Meliodas and lay on her side. Back to her husband. Elizabeth sat in thought with herself.
What will I do today? She had the normal tasks to complete as Queen of Britannia, of course. Like overseeing the castle gardens, making sure the stocks were in order for winter, and preparing for the Winter Star Feast. Those things could not fall behind no matter what. Still, there was something else. Something more than strolling the castle gardens and planning future events.
Oh, yes, I’m a mother. With newfound confidence, she lifted her body from the mattress and plucked her silk robe from the edge of their bed. The floors were icy from the impending winter season and the boards creaked as Elizabeth tip-toed to the bedroom door. Her hand reached out, fingertips ghosting the glassy doorknob, only to be stopped by a voice.
“El..? What are you doing, honey?” Meliodas was propped on his elbows. His nightshirt hung off of his shoulder, displaying a small portion of the scars he accumulated over the past three thousand years. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her waist timidly. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and furrowed her brow, confused by his question.
“I’m going to wake Tristan, of course.” She tread lightly. Meliodas’ eyes suddenly fell, from which she couldn’t tell why. In a more confident voice, “…the maids will be fixing breakfast soon. He needs to be awake or he’ll miss the most important meal of the day.”
There was a pause between their bodies. Elizabeth by the door, and Meliodas frowning in the bedsheets. Suddenly, but rather slowly, Meliodas peels back the covers and makes his way to her. His eyes soften but that dreadful frown remains. Elizabeth lets out a heavy breath when he places a hand over hers. His skin is incredibly warm, even with the calluses on the pads of his fingers.
“Honey… I think you’re confused.” Meliodas looks up into her eyes as he squeezes her hand. Those rich ocean eyes, ones he’d seen hundreds of times, were raw with sleep and confusion. It made his hearts shiver with discomfort.
“Tristan… she-..” he stops himself. “My love, come back to sleep. It is too early to be up. We can wake in just a few more hours. Come.”