My lip quivered as I watched the two most important women in my life leave.
It was just hitting me now, how big of a change this was.
I was grown now, and mama would no longer be there to talk me through things and hold my hand. There would be no more words of reassurance and warm maternal embraces. As much as it was frustrating that she didn't take the news of my mate well, she was still my mama and I would miss her.
I sniffled as I was pulled into Azrael's chest, the gentle swipes at my cheek making me realize that a few tears has trickled down my face.
"I'll take care of you, you know that right?" He murmured in my ear.
I nodded and fisted the material of his shirt as he held me. I didn't want to think about it too much and get overly emotional.
"I'm just gonna miss her." I whined inaudibly as he pet my hair.
"She can visit you anytime baby, I promise."
I offered no response and only squeezed him tighter.
The daemon sighed and I shivered as his ringed fingers grazed the side of my neck; I noticed how they lingered on the dip near my clavicle, and I reminded myself to ask him about the marking situation later.
"What can I do to make it better little Rose? I don't like seeing you upset."
My bottom lip found it's way between my teeth and I pulled away from him a bit to wipe the wetness from my face.
"I...can we go to the village you mentioned?"
Azrael's relaxed face set in a frown.
"I don't know about that..."
"Please" I pleaded with my signature puppy eyes. "I promise I'll hold your hand the entire time—I'll do anything you say!"
I looked up at him, desperately wanting him to cave in and say yes. Although movement in my peripheral triggered my short attention span and I turned to see a familiar face scurrying around with an arm full of plates.
Her auburn hair was tied up in a high bun, allowing for a clear view of freckled skin and green eyes.
"It's you." I voiced in realization.
The girl appeared startled, not expecting me to call her out, but as she looked up at me I smiled, happy that I was right about her being the girl from the garden.
"Princess" She acknowledged quietly before lowering her head once more.
I felt Azrael stiffen a bit at the title, and I myself, shifted uncomfortably. I remembered that it was Prince Ronan who had mentioned it to her.
"Please, don't call me that. My name is Rose." I offered with a friendly lilt to my tone.
"I'm Astrid..."
Her eyes softened a bit as she realized that I didn't pose as a threat, but they were back on guard when she flickered her gaze to the man behind me.
"I need to get back to work." She mumbled under her breath and turned around in a hurry.
"But—wait!"
I pouted as she scurried out of the room and looked up at Azrael in confusion.
"Why is everyone so scared of you, you're not even mean!"
"How do you know her?"
I frowned as he ignored my statement but replied anyway.
"I saw her at the garden yesterday. She's nice, do you think she'd want to be my friend?"
He seemed to relax at my answer.
"I don't see why anyone wouldn't."
I grinned up at him and he looked down at me, the corner of his lip twitching upwards as he did.
"I'll take you to the village."
"Yay!" I squealed.
"But only if you listen to every word I say."
"Yes, yes I will—"
My eyes widened as his hand found my throat and he forced my head upwards.
My breathing was shallow as I tried not to make it obvious how winded the action made me feel, but with his thumb on my racing pulse, I knew my efforts were futile.
"I'm serious Rose. I don't want us drawing any unwanted attention. Most of these people have never seen a faerie in their life and while I won't hesitate to deal with any problems, I know you wouldn't like that."
My mind flashed back to the servant boy and his reaction towards me—my expression sobered up when I realized my mate was right.
"Oh...we don't have to go then, I don't wanna cause any trouble."
"We're going." He insisted while cupping my cheeks. "Just be good for me, yeah?"
His eyes locked on mine expectantly with a raised brow.
"Yes daddy." I whispered. My cheeks flushed as I voiced the pet name even though all the servants had left us moments ago once they cleared out the space.
He gave my nose a kiss and I whined in protest at the ticklish sensation.
"Hold my hand."
Azrael grabbed my palm before I could even offer it to him and pulled me through the doors to leave the castle.
Before we walked out though, he slid on a pair of black tinted shades and I swear to the gods I felt my lower parts flutter at the sight.
"So pretty." I whispered; although I bit my lip right after—I didn't mean to say that out loud.
"My baby's a sweet thing, isn't she?" Azrael murmured down at me. "I'm just using them to hide my eyes but I'm glad I have your approval."
My body buzzed from the attention but I had to look away from his piercing gaze as he towered over me. It was effortless how intimidating he was, how small he made me feel.
"Let's go before someone notices we're gone."
My brows furrowed at his words as he pulled me outside.
"Are we not allowed to leave?"
"Nope"
At first my lips parted in surprise but then I giggled at how nonchalante was about disobeying the rules.
"You're so bad Azy." I teased; all while my heart was thrumming in excitement at the prospect of doing something that we shouldn't.
"Oh Rosa, you have no idea."
My breath caught in my throat as I noticed the sudden shift.
"How do you do that!" I squeaked while clinging onto his arm.
Azrael chuckled but I was waiting for an answer because it was definitely Bael who said that to me.
"I'm being more lenient—like you said."
I grinned at his response.
"Well tell him I said hi!"
The daemon lips twitched up in amusement.
"He can hear you."
"Oh ya."
~
Surprisingly the walk wasn't long, I estimated about 15-20 minutes if we were being exact.
While I was buzzing with excitement previously, I couldn't help but slightly shiver in nervousness and hide behind Azrael's large frame as we approached the busy village.
It was strange to see the area littered with wooden cabins and houses when people in my world lived in trees.
Although similar to back home, there was a market; it was crowded and noisy, with sellers announcing prices and produce to gain the attention of passerby's.
As I looked around, I gripped Azrael's arm in slight discomfort, quickly noticing that the village folk were dressed in muted, earthy tones while I was the odd one out in stark white.
"I should've changed into something more appropriate."
I whispered to the daemon.
Azrael shook his head at me and pulled me in the direction of the food stands, with some resistance from me.
"You look fine. If anyone asks, you're a guest of the royal family and I'm your guard."
"Okay—"
"Would you like to purchase some of my jewelry miss? My husband handcrafted them himself, such beautiful pieces, see? How about this bracelet? The stones are amethyst, very rare and beautiful, just like yourself."
The middle aged woman came out of nowhere and spoke a mile a minute. The piece was beautiful and the stones she was referring to were placed on the gold band with such delicacy, it was obvious someone had spent a lot of time on it.
But while I did admire the jewelry, I couldn't help but step back into Azrael's chest, feeling slightly overwhelmed.
"The bracelet is beautiful, you're husband did an amazing job. B-but I-I'm afraid I don't have any coin—"
"She'll take it."
I gaped up at the taller man as he passed the women a handful of gold coins, the amount being much more than the homemade piece was worth and certainly more than I had ever seen myself.
"Y-you don't have to..." The words barely made their way out of my mouth before he was passing the bracelet over to me. I didn't even get the chance to thank the woman as she had scurried off the moment the gold had touched her hands.
"It suits you." The daemon murmured as he took the bracelet from my shaky hands and slid it on my wrist.
"Thank you." I murmured.
Azrael placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me through the market while I tried not to worry too much about the expensive accessory that felt alien against my skin.
"Do you want to try one?"
I shivered as his lips brushed against my ear, and I shook my head, even though he had been watching me stare at the purple looking fruit for a few minutes.
"We'll take a small bag of the purpura ."
"Wait, Azrael—"
I pouted as he ignored me, and my stomach clenched as I watched him hand off another few gold coins to the seller.
"Please don't spend so much money on me."
I pleaded as he took the bag from the man in one hand and my palm in the other before walking again.
He glanced down at me with furrowed brows.
"Why? If you want something I'll buy it. You don't have to worry, I told you I'll take care of you."
His words didn't comfort me the way they should've. Maybe I was just overthinking things but watching him dish out who knows how much in gold was not making me feel good. It felt like such a waste, did I really deserve that much?
"But I don't need anything, really." I glanced up at him through my lashes before looking back down. "You should save your money for something more important—"
He stopped in his tracks, making me look up at him in confusion but that quickly turned to unsettlement as I took note of his hard expression.
His jaw ticked as he watched me, and while I couldn't see his eyes behind the tinted shades, I knew they were blazing.
"Why would you say that?"
My eyes widened at his tone, and I shrunk into myself in intimidation. With the way my heart was pounding against my chest, each beat making a reverberating thrum, I was sure he could hear it.
"Say what?" I squeaked, not even bothering to think back to my previous words.
"How could you think that there's something more important than you?"
"W-wait."
I whined in distress as he released my hand. My heart sunk to my chest with such intensity I felt like I was going to be sick.
Suddenly, I was pulled flush against his chest, but I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around him to settle the initial fear of rejection that overcame me.
"Rose you're my mate." He whispered in my ear. "I didn't mean to upset you but it offends me that you think I would value something more than my most precious gift."
Instinctually, I whimpered. I didn't mean for him to think that at all.
"Azy, I'm sorry. I-I just...I never had a lot of money back home so I'm not used to spending much...I know that you care about me, I've never doubted that. M'promise"
We must've looked odd, hugging in the middle of the busy market, but I couldn't find it in myself to care. I didn't mean to insinuate anything of the sort; sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut.
Azrael sighed, and his body relaxed at my words.
"No, don't apologize baby. I overreacted."
His thumb drew small circles in my side—the motion appeared consoling, as if he was regretful of his actions.
"Money is a privilege and I shouldn't be so careless with it."
He took my hand gently and lifted it to his lips to press a kiss to my knuckles.
"But I also want to spoil you. I want to satisfy your needs and your wants. You'll let me do that yeah?"
I blushed at his soft words but nodded; they sounded so genuine coming from him and knowing that he wasn't this way with other people made them mean even more.
"Let's get out of here, these people are pissing me off."
I bit my lip, confused, but as I pulled away from him I understood what he meant.
After our little display, more people were giving us questioning glances and I shuffled into my mate's side as I heard the murmur of someone nearby.
"I swear those two aren't from around here. Especially the girl, she has such exotic features; what is she?"
I clung onto Azrael's arm as he led us out the market, noticing as people stepped out of our way as if it was instinctual.
Thankfully we managed to escape the peering eyes of the village without anyone approaching us. We moved over to a more residential area, which contained small cabin like houses scattered in no necessary order.
It was quiet, I noticed. Probably because most of the people there had gone over to the market for shopping.
Azrael and I walked hand in hand, which was probably best because there were a few fleeting moments where I saw a pretty bird or a small child and pulled against his hold to take off and coddle the cute little things. He wasn't very happy when I did that.
My ears perked as I heard the babble of a baby after a brief moment of silence. A young woman rounded the corner of an alleyway with the infant on her hip, and his tiny fist gripping a handful of her hair.
I cooed at the baby even though we were a bit away, and couldn't help myself as I went to move in their direction.
However, I was yanked back into a muscular chest and felt a warm breath on the side of my neck.
"If you do that one more fucking time, you won't be able to sit for a week." I gasped as I felt his fangs glide along my skin, the weapons taunting me in my vulnerable position. "What did I say to you before we came here?"
"T-to listen to you..." I answered in a shaky breath.
"And what else?" He lulled as he drew back from my neck, leaving my muscles more relaxed than they were a moment ago.
"To be good."
Azrael hummed in agreement and started walking again, with my hand still in his capture.
"That's right. I know you want to explore baby but not today. I'll take you somewhere else another day if you're a good girl for me. How does that sound?"
I was nodding along in excitement before he'd even finished. More adventures? Yay!
"Yes please, I'll be better, I promise!"
Azrael chuckled at my enthusiasm and handed me the bag of fruit that he bought earlier.
"Here, you can eat these on the way back."
~
I giggled as Azrael and I snuck back into the palace, my sandals slapping against the marble floor.
He was pulling me along with him, and while he was walking at his usual pace I had to quicken my steps just to keep up with his long strides.
I squealed as we turned a corner and almost crashed into a young man and woman who were carrying a stack of boxes.
"Sorry!" I yelled out behind me, as we continued on our way.
Azrael shushed me but laughed right after I tripped over my own feet when attempting to go up the stairs.
"And where have the two of you been?"
My annoyed glare was interrupted by a feminine voice, and I turned my head to face a regal figure with perfectly styled hair—the Queen.
There was another girl standing next to her who appeared just as sophisticated.
Her hair was dark and long, her brown strands rivalling the length of my own as they brushed her hips and flowed in glossy fashion.
Her grey eyes appeared scrutinizing as she looked me up and down before they flickered over to Azrael and I frowned as they lingered a bit too long for my liking.
"Around." My mate finally spoke. He leaned his body against the staircase and folded his arms in what appeared to be annoyance.
The girl tore her eyes from Azrael's arms to glance down to my wrist, and I rushed to cover the bracelet with my other hand.
"You were at the market." She mused in distaste.
She caught Azrael's eye and tilted her head slightly, the maneuver appearing so refined even I was entranced.
"What's a Royal doing in such filth?"
The daemon appeared un phased by her statement, as if he was used to hearing the rude sentiments.
"Trying to get far away from you. I thought that would be obvious."
I was surprised at the banter, and my stomach twisted in an unfamiliar way; it was a new feeling, an uncomfortable one, but I was able to pin it down to this single interaction—I didn't like that he knew her.
"Well" She gasped mockingly. "You've certainly hurt my feelings."
"Enough Brielle, by the gods the two of you could go on forever."
The Queen sighed then looked to Azrael.
"You're lucky I caught you both instead of your father. Don't go off wandering again unless you want certain privileges revoked."
She glanced at me for a brief moment before gently tapping Brielle's shoulder as a signal to follow her.
I noticed that the girl barely acknowledged me besides her initial scrutiny. I hated to think the worst of people but I couldn't help but feel like she purposefully ignored me—as if I was someone insignificant or not worth her time.
"Sorry about that." A deep voice brought me from my thoughts.
"Who was that?" I asked a bit more sharply than I meant to.
I felt my skin warm in realization and I backtracked, my eyes lowering to play with the bracelet on my wrist.
"I-I mean, how do you know her? She's pretty..."
A finger under my chin lifted my head so that my eyes were once again locked on his.
To my surprise he held an amused expression, his lips slightly quirked up in a smirk.
"Brielle is the Queen's personal maid—or lap dog is the better term. She moved to the castle when we were both teenagers. If she's here, she must've just come back from time off."
I frowned at what he was saying. So he's known her for years then; and she lives here? But they didn't appear to get along from what I've seen.
"Are you friends?" I asked hesitantly. From that short interaction it didn't appear so, but maybe it was more complicated than that.
"We used to be." He shrugged. "But she grew unbearable over the years. Wealth does that to people."
My shoulders slumped in relief, albeit I never would've considered myself the jealous type.
I don't think I would have a problem with Azrael having girlfriends—wait, no, I mean friends that happen to be girls.
But there was something about Brielle...maybe it was her beauty and overall gracefulness that left me worried.
"Are you happy with that answer?"His low voice hummed. I could hear the smile in his voice.
I narrowed my eyes at him playfully and proceeded up the stairs, more than happy to leave him behind.
"I don't know, why should I be?"
Azrael growled softly at my dismissal and I giggled, picking up my pace as I reached the top floor.
"I saw that look you gave her. You're jealous, aren't you."
My mouth opened in slight surprise as I paused to look at him; I didn't realize I was being so obvious.
Still, I refused to give him the satisfaction of being right, so I put a confused look on my face: slightly furrowed brows and a gentle pout on my lips.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He grabbed my arm just as I was about to scurry down the hallway, while the other grabbed my neck and pulled so that my back was flush against his chest.
"That face you're making?" He growled against my skin. "I expect to see it again when I put you on your knees."
I couldn't help the needy whimper that escaped me, and the slight yelp when his teeth tugged on my ear. He seemed to love doing that.
"What?" I breathed while placing my hand over the one that was wound around my neck.
He didn't respond, only placing chaste kisses along my jaw, making me moan a bit too loudly but I was silenced by his lips.
My head was tilted back slightly as he tried to take control, but I was playing hard to get. I bit his lip as I denied his tongue entrance and I tried not to smile as his chest rumbled in annoyance.
"I'm starting to think you're a bit of a brat." He husked after releasing me from his hold.
My eyes gleamed as he relented but my breath hitched at his next words.
"But that just means I'll have to start putting you in your place."
"No!" I squealed as he reached out towards me.
I ran, which was harder than usual because I was laughing more than breathing.
I knew the way to his room from here and I panted and giggled as I made the right turns.
He was being slow on purpose, letting me enjoy the chase which I'm sure he liked just as much.
My dress spun as I entered his room and I stood in the middle of it, my head turning frantically to try and find a hiding spot.
For a boy he was quite neat and his room was sparse of anything that would be of use to me.
Given my unproductive lingering, it wasn't long before I was swooped up in strong arms and tossed on the bed.
"Got you." Azrael whispered. The sound made my body thrum in pleasure.
"You're supposed to let me win, daddy." I pouted underneath him.
He brushed his hand against my exposed chest before smirking down at me.
"But that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?"
With pursed lips I stared back at him, and he matched my energy.
It was quiet for a moment as we simply admired each other, soaking everything in.
I placed my hands on his face and traced his jaw with my thumb as he clenched it; I blushed and pulled away, suddenly quite aware of the throbbing sensation I felt down below.
"I'm ready"
The daemon furrowed his brows while I played with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Ready for what?" He questioned.
I bit my lip and peered up at him from under my lashes, suddenly feeling vulnerable and small.
My finger brushed against his piercing as I tried to distract myself.
"For your mark. I want it. I
...I want you to mark me."