Shadows Of Sin

Chapter Two

"Ashe, nicknamed Princess of the Shadows, your ex, grand bitch, Demon's hoe. All of them work, and I have one of those pesky goddesses to thank for the last two." I took a deep bow, my hood coming off as I raised my head, making direct eye contact with Meliodas, whose eyes widened slightly.

Finally.

_

He stared blankly for a moment, before grinning and giving me a wave. "Hey Ashe, long time no see!"

I couldn't help but feel disappointed by his reaction. I wasn't sure what I'd expected, but it definitely wasn't such a... casual reaction. But 3000 years was a long time, and people change as time passes, so it wasn't surprising that Meliodas had also changed.

Demon or not, he was still a living being and hence susceptible to change.

I stared into his emerald eyes, a blank expression appearing on my face, but I quickly forced a smile, not wanting to put too much thought on the fact that despite it having been thirty centuries, he didn't seem at all bothered by not having seen me throughout the lengthy period time.

Maybe I was overthinking things, or maybe he really hadn't thought of me at all.

Meliodas turned back to everyone else, but I noticed the way his eyes lingered on my chest before he did, causing me to slightly regret allowing Merlin to design my outfit: it was a black crop top that zipped up at the front and black shorts (both made out of a flexible material so it would be easier to fight in), while she'd told me to keep my wild hair out instead of putting it in a ponytail like I'd usually do.

When I'd allow it to freely cascade down my back in its choppy layers, I couldn't help but think of- and quite painfully miss- Derieri, who's hair was similar to mine.

Merlin asked the mage named Vivian where Elizabeth was and as the pitiful mage made her escape, Meliodas stopped anyone from going after her, stating that getting Elizabeth was far more important.

I couldn't stop the pang of pain I felt at his words. Nor could I understand how someone could be so dedicated to someone; to go as far as dealing with their death every couple of years just so they can see them again. Just so they can fall in love with them again. Over and over.

If that was love, what label could be given to what me and Meliodas had once shared, because I was once convinced that he truly was the love of my life.

With my thoughts wondering, I hadn't noticed when Merlin transported us to the palace, right outside the king's room.

"It appears to be my unworthy disciples handiwork." Merlin explained, referring to the barrier surrounding the king's room. Meliodas made his way forward, raising his sword and I had to stifle a harsh laugh as Merlin told him he wouldn't be able to break the barrier, and yet she managed to do so by simply opening the wooden door.

Despite some of our differences (and the fact that she'd literally handcuffed me with a really pretty bracelet), Merlin seriously amazed me.

Perfect Cube: A spell from the Demon world able to deflect any kind of power; I vaguely remembered Chandler the Pacifier Demon explaining it to me, as well as how to cancel it out, though I'd never quite managed to get the hang of it, and his constant praising of Meliodas didn't help either.

How had an amateur like Vivian managed to get her hands on this kind of spell?

"Mel-" I began, but was cut off as a head of mint ran into the demon's arms.

"It hasn't even been a day since we've been apart. But I've missed you so much, I couldn't stand it!" She exclaimed, as she nuzzled her face in Meliodas's neck. My nails made deep marks in my palms as I watched the scene before me.