Silk Skin and Smoke (Age Gap)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Augustus' POV

"Are you sure I shouldn't come?" Emil pestered me for the fourth time. I shook my head, gathering mine and Tallulah's belongings. I was in the privacy of my own wing yet he felt the need to follow me.

"I feel there should be more than one Royal present." He raised his tone. I dropped my bag, turning to my brother abruptly.

"My mate is asleep, and you're up here raising your voice at me? You may be royal, but you are only royal because of me. I can handle Realm myself. It is your job to watch over mortal lands when I'm not present. Do your fucking job." I was fed up with his presence. Maybe I was too harsh but I had other pressing matters to tend to. My brothers feelings weren't at the top of my list.

"Augustus..." I heard tulips voice from behind me. I turned and saw her standing in the hall, my white cotton sheet wrapped her naked pale skin. She pulled it tight seeing Emil present.

"Sorry to wake you Tallulah. I'll see myself out." He spoke up before turning.

"Emil." My mate called after him, seeing the pained look in his eye. He made his exit, his shoes echoing down the stairs. Tallulah went to follow him but I snatched her arm, stopping her in front of me.

"You're not going downstairs like that." I told her calmly. She pulled away, finally meeting my gaze with her narrowed stare.

"You hurt his feelings." She had a look in her eye, it was different than any other look she's given me. Harsh yet sorrowful. Disappointment.

"He'll live." I assured her before trying to pull her in for affection. She had to have been sore or in pain from our intimacy. I wanted to look her over before she got up for the day. She tugged away from me as I went to peel the sheet back.

"He loves you. He worries about you. He tells me all the wonderful things about you when you're not around. And you hurt him?" She ranted. I sighed. If only she knew what kind of stress I was under. I didn't have time to think about feelings.

"I will make amends amore mio, I promise. My brother and I have had far worse fights." I stepped forward to take the sheet from her but she held it tight, glancing at our bags on the floor.

"Are you leaving?" She had switched her attention so quickly.

"We're leaving to Realm today." I wasn't going to ask her to join. She was my mate, the queen. She had to come.

"Is this about the emergency last night?" Her eyes melted into that familiar innocent little girl. I reluctantly nodded.

"Everyone from second Sanction is gone. My presence is needed. Our presence is needed." I explained. Her eyes widened.

"Gone?" She repeated my words while her mind ran a mile a minute. I took my chance to discard her from the sheet while she was distracted. She looked lost to thought while I analyzed her skin. I'd bruised her pretty good with my harsh grip. Her thighs and hips were riddled with my fingerprints.

"I should have been more gentle." I whispered, grazing her purple skin with my fingers. She followed my gaze to her legs.

"That's odd. It didn't feel that rough." She whispered. I leaned into her side, pressing my lips to her temple.

"What about here? Do you hurt here?" I asked her as I slid my hand between her little legs. She shook abruptly as I felt my fingers over her soft folds.

"A little." Her voice was breathy and light.

"I'm sorry amore mio." I whispered into her hair, grazing the pad of my finger over her warm button. She jolted as my arm encased her.