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Illario was looking at himself in the small mirror hanging in the small room that had been his virtual prison for the last two months. He examined the place on his cheek that had been nicked by the dagger Viago had thrown at him at dinner. All things considered, the dinner went as well as it could. Illario walked away alive and with all his limbs still attached. He considered that a win. So the Fifth Talon threatened his life? Wouldn’t be that last time, and since Illario and Allona were going to welcome a child in several months… he could assume it would be threatened several more times.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Illario called, still looking in the mirror. There would be no scar on his cheek. Allona had settled him in his room before she stormed off to confront Viago. Illario was glad he wasn’t at the end of that inevitable tongue-lashing. If he knew anything, it was that those two specific de Rivas were stubborn. Especially if they were convinced they were right.
Illario glanced in the mirror to see who was entering. The figure of his cousin stood in the doorway. Illario sighed. Lucanis was the last person he expected to see. Illario turned around and sat on the edge of the small table pushed against the wall.
“First Talon.”
“Illario.”
Illario shook his head, “if you’re looking for Allona, she ran off to spend her own quality time with her own cousin. Probably in the midst of a yelling match, if you want to catch a show.”
“I can’t imagine a more frightening prospect than being stuck between Allona and Viago in an argument.”
“Try being the reason for the argument.”
“You do know that is entirely your fault, correct?”
Illario sighed once more, “Is there a reason you’re here, Lucanis? Or did you just want to see what misery my poor life choices have brought me?”
“Actually, I came to ask what color to knit the baby blanket.”
Illario looked up. He couldn’t help but smile softly as he heard the word baby. He relaxed his shoulders, which he hadn’t realized were tense. In response to Lucanis’s question, Illario shrugged and said, “Well, considering the child will be Allona’s… peacock blue would be a safe bet.”
“You do know that you don’t deserve her, right?”
“Something every de Riva, save Allona, has told me repeatedly.” Illario paused, “I’ve also said it myself, repeatedly. Especially this week.”
“She spent three days refusing to eat, not leaving her room… she wouldn’t even talk to her siblings. She only broke out of her stupor after I came and talked to her.” Lucanis paused and continued softly, “Because she knew I would understand still loving an idiot who caused so much hurt and betrayal. Different kind of love, but love nonetheless.”
“You do know I never wanted you tortured… it was a chance for freedom for both of us. You from being under Caterina’s control, and for me to finally prove that I am worthy to be something other than a second choice.”
“You always were shit at planning. Convincing and persuading, yes. Planning? Absolute shit.”
“Thank you for your kind words, cousin,” Illario said with a scowl as he slowly walked over to the bed and sat on it, using the headboard to prop himself up. “And in the end… you still became First Talon and I can probably never work properly as a Crow again.”
“At least you still have Allona,” Lucanis said, settling down on the foot of the bed.
Illario smiled, “she’s quite the woman. She had been the only person to accept me as I am. She didn’t compare me to you, tell me that I could do better. She didn’t try to use me to gain prestige or as a money bag. You know, one of our first fights was about me buying her clothing.”
Lucanis studied his cousin, “You truly do love her, don’t you?”
“With every fiber of my being. I wanted… want to give her the world, the life she deserves. None of this,” Illario gestured vaguely. “And I don’t mean this room. The life we lead as Crows. She’s had to privately deal with things you wouldn’t wish on your enemies. Allona deserves more. Especially now.”
“Especially now that you two are going to be parents.”
“Yeah…” Illario laughed, “Maker… I’m going to be a father.”
“That is such a weird thought. Out of the two of us… why was the least likely one of us the first in a long-term relationship and the first to become a father?”
“Trust me, if you would have told me this five years ago, I would have thought you were drunk. But there’s something about those de Riva twins…”
“Who really aren’t twins, but don’t try to tell Kal that.”
Illario laughed. It felt weirdly normal to laugh with his cousin again. He kind of missed it.
“Hey, Lucanis?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I ask a favor of you?”
Lucanis quickly glanced at his cousin, and snapped, “Illario… do you really think that you are in any position to ask a favor of me?”
Illario rolled his eyes, “ok, fine… consider it a favor to Allona.”
Lucanis narrowed his eyes slightly, “I’m listening.”
Illario took in a breath and started explaining, “You and I both know that Caterina won’t accept this child if the baby is born a bastard. Your kid? She probably would. Me? She would only begrudgingly accept them…”
Lucanis sighed, “What do you want me to do, Illario.”
Illario grinned, “I owe you, cousin.”
“This isn’t the only thing you owe me for, Illario. Or did you forget you tried to have me murdered?”
Illario waved his hand, “Psht, that’s basically an Antivan family right by now. But yes, I’ll add it to the list of those I’m indentured to for the rest of my days. Right… I need you to go into my chambers. On my dressing table is my mother’s jewelry box. I need you to get a specific ring.”
“Is it the one I always caught you playing with?”
“Yes, and you were always an asshole to me about playing with my dead mother’s jewelry.”
“Hey, I was 10.”
“So was I!”
“So… what are you going to do with it?”
Illario looked at Lucanis, his head tilted in confusion, “has your boyfriend’s dumbassery rubbed off on you or something?”
“Leave Kal out of this. He’s… him.”
“Occasional professional dumbass. I know. And what does one usually do with rings and the person you hopelessly love, Lucanis?”
“Oh.”
“Yes… oh. So… will you do it?”
Lucanis got up with a sigh, “Fine… for Allona. But you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“I get to be there when Viago finds out.”
Several hours later, Illario was lounging on his bed, the ring secured in the dresser drawer in a small velvet pouch. He was flipping through one of Allona’s books. A nice bit of smutty escapism if not a touch unrealistic. Allona burst through the door with a very self-satisfied look on her face.
Illario followed her with his eyes as she marched over to his meager wardrobe and threw the doors open. Illario watched as she started removing his clothes and draping them over her arms.
“Pet?” Illario slowly asked.
“Hmm?” Allona replied, not turning from her task.
“What are you doing?”
“You have eyes,” Allona finally turned towards him, “what does it look like I’m doing?”
Illario paused, a half smile on his face as he hadn’t seen the brat side of Allona come out in what seemed like ages. He’d let it pass. For now.
“It looks like you’re removing my clothes. So I guess the better question is, why are you removing my clothes? Generally, the clothing is on me when you choose to remove them.”
“Because they don’t belong there,” Allona responded in a tone that implied the answer was obvious.
Illario raised an eyebrow, “if my clothes don’t belong in my wardrobe, where do they belong.”
Allona smiled brightly, “In my closet, of course.”
“That’s an awfully long trek for a set of pants each morning.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ll be moving with them.”
“Well, at least I’ll have more space. Your closet is bigger than this whole room.”
Allona turned her head to just flatly stare at Illario. “Illario, my sweet, my beloved…”
Illario laughed as he pushed himself off the bed and walked towards Allona. He took the pile of clothes out of her arms despite her protests and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“How’d you convince your cousin to let me move to your chambers?”
“Oh, just reminded him I am very much a de Riva…”
“So you wore him down until he uttered the de Riva ‘fine’”
Allona eyed him, “The fact that you recognize it AND have a name for it.”
“I’ve been on the receiving end of yours on more than one occasion, dear. And I lived to tell the tale.”
Allona gave him a Look and added, “I also mentioned that as the father of this baby, it was your duty to take care of me. So I was either going to permanently move into your room, or you can be relocated to mine.”
Illario chuckled and murmured “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Allona tilted her head, “where’s that from?”
Illario shrugged, “I don’t know, some Fereldan playwright. Now, to your… our chambers?”
Allona smiled at him, “I do enjoy the sound of that, you know. Ours. One day… Anyway, are you sure you’re ok carrying that? You’re still healing.”
Illario gave her a look, “While I do love your doting on me, it’s nice to feel useful for a change. Plus, do you know how long it’s been since I was out of this damned room? Aside from where I got this wound that will leave me with a scar that find both rugged and handsome, tonight’s dinner was the first time in weeks I had been outside of this room.”
Allona’s eyes narrowed, “fine, but if you feel weak when we get to the rooms, you rest.”
Illario nodded towards the door, “Only if you promise the same thing.” Allona returned to the wardrobe to grab her own armful of clothes. While she had her back turned to him, Illario quietly opened his bedside drawer and slipped the little velvet jewelry pouch into his pocket. He flashed Allona a smile when she turned around with her arms full of clothes.
They quickly moved his things to where Allona's chambers were. Allona looked around her closet as she set the last of Illario's clothes on the pile sitting on her dressing table. She walked over to where she hung her leather Crow suits. She and her fingers across the material. Illario came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.
“Guess these can go. Don't think I'll be needing these...” She glanced over her shoulder at Illario, explaining, “I told Viago I am putting in a for an indefinite hiatus from contracts.”
Illario looked at her, “are you sure? Won't you miss it?”
Allona shook her head, “honestly, no. I keep thinking of my mom. I can't risk leaving this baby, and you, behind. I was always a Crow out of obligation to Viago. He knows this. It was why I was gone for so long. He understands… begrudgingly. I did promise him that I was still going to keep up on the poison work.”
Illario wrapped his arms around her and rested his Chin on the top of her head, letting his hands on her stomach. He felt her hands rest on top of his. They stood like this in silence in Allona's closet for a few moments.
“To new beginings,” Illario said softly, thinking of the ring still in his pocket.
Allona turned suddenly and looked up at him, her head tilted in a questioning manner.
“Yes?” Illario asked her.
“Let’s take a walk. It’s good for you to be up and about.”
Illario laughed, “no matter how much you wore Viago down, I doubt he gave us permission to leave here.”
“Have I ever shown you my favorite place here?”
“The library? We’ve been there several times, Allona. I have some quite fond memories involving that table you use as a desk.”
Allona paused as though remembering said memories herself. Shaking her head, she laughed, “that would be the easiest guess though, wouldn’t it? But now, come one.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to follow her. He willingly did so, even as she stopped to get an ornate key key out of the top drawer of her desk.
“The place needs a key? Intriguing.” Illario said, raising a brow.
“Just you wait.” Allona said, pulling him out the door.
Hands entwined, they walked down the halls. Illario ignored the glares, glances, and whispers of anybody they encountered in the hall. He was sure the gossip about Allona’s conditioned had spread like wildfire. He figured he’d better get used to it. They came to a large door and Allona pushed it open, and lead Illario to a garden area.
“A garden?” Illario asked, somewhat surprised. While he knew Allona liked pretty things, she never struck Illario as “the garden” type.
“Well… not this garden. Come on,” Allona said, tugging his hand once more.
“Such impatience.”
“Get used to it. It will probably get worse once this baby starts growing.”
“Remind me to pay for ingredients for Kal to make you all the apple danishes and cream puffs you so desire.”
Illario was guided across the garden to the far corner where a sizable plot of land was surrounded by a high, wrought iron fence. He glanced at Allona as she turned the key into the lock on the gate. The gate opened with a soft creak.
Allona looked at him and gestured to the gate, “welcome to the Death Garden.”
“Death garden?”
“Mmhmm. Everything in here, Viago and I can cultivate for crafting poisons.”
Illario looked at the plant ext to the gate. He glanced at the shrub next to him. It was medium sized with dark green, oval-shaped leaves. Small, dark purple berries dotted the branches. Beneath the plant, a small sign was labeled “deadly nightshade.”
“How did you become interested in poison? It’s kind of a given, seeing who raised you, but none of your siblings seems to have the love and knowledge you do.”
“Well… it is mostly due to Viago. Most people find his lectures about poisons boring. I found them fascinating. It’s always intriguing, learning people’s passions. Plus…it was a chance for me to have some one on one time with my cousin. I think he was actually pleased to see me take an interest,” Allona paused, “and I may have read a few mystery novels featuring femme fatales and they usually used poisons to kill bad men. Highly inappropriate reading for a 9 year old, really.”
Illario looked around, “so, this is your favorite place at the villa?”
“Mmhmm,” Allona answered. She let go of his hand and walked over to a bench surrounded by colorful rhododendrons. Illario took in the image of her there, surrounded by pink, purple, white, and red blooms. Allona almost looked like a fairy princess straight from a fairy tale story his mother would read to him as a child. He walked over and sat next to her. Allona leaned against him and rested her head against his shoulder.
“This is one of the few places I know I can have a quiet place to be by myself. The only people with a key are Viago and myself. And Viago didn’t even give me a key until I became a full Crow.”
They sat for a while, Illario listening about how Allona helped Viago care and cultivate the various plants. How some of the plants she also used in some of her healing salves and potions. Illario let her talk. He missed her voice, how the more enthusiastic and emotional she was, the quicker and higher her voice got. He was going to make sure he would never, ever miss a single moment of her again. He stuck his hand in his pocket and closed his fingers around the the velvet bag.
“Allona? I want to show you something.” Illario said. Allona shifted and looked at him curiously. Illario pulled the bag out of his pocket and dumped the ring into his hand. He picked it up and held it in his hand. Even in the fading, evening light, the large, princess cut topaz sparkled with a dazzling rainbow of colors: deep purples, vibrant blues, rich greens. Trails of smaller diamonds looped around and down the sides, all set in shiny, white gold.
“This was my mother's. It was always my favorite piece of hers. The colors captivated me. One day, when I was playing in her dressing room while she was getting ready for an event, she took this from me and said, “I hope you one day find somebody who brings as much color and light into your world that makes this stone seem dull, Piccolo, and when you find them, give them this and cherish them forever.” And… I know I have.” Illario reached over and took Allona’s left hand and slipped the ringer on her finger.
“Illario?” Allona said, in a stunned whisper.
“I know this isn't how either of us imagined this. But with every that has happened… it's only cemented the fact that I know I cannot live without you in my life. I need you ,and our little one when they come, to be by my side forever. You will always be the best decision I ever made. Allona de Riva, will you do me the greatest of honor, and become my wife?”
Allona's answer came in the response of her throwing her arms around Illario's neck and peppering his face with kisses. Illario laughed as he pulled her into his lap.
“I assume this is a yes?”
Allona grabbed his face with both hands and gave him a long kiss.
“I love you, mio bell'uomo. Of course, I'll marry you!”
Illario smiled as he tucked a strand of Alana's hair behind her ear, “I don't know about your cousin, but you do realize Caterina is going to want this wedding before the baby is born.”
Instead of looking horrified, Allona's eyes glittered in anticipation, “Ooooh so much planning! I need to tell Esha… I need to tell Zia Nonna and Sammi about the baby AND the wedding… and figure out a dress… where we'll have it… and… figure out how to tell Viago.”
“Speaking of that…”
“Hmm.”
“Lucanis requests to be there when he finds out.”
“What? Why?”
“Let's just say that I owe it to him.”