Work Text:
Illario,
Mi palomito, my sweet little dove. I know your abuela will give you this letter when the time is right. For if you are reading this then I am gone. I no longer kiss little toes or brush your soft curls. No more songs in the night as I rock you to sleep. My boy. My heart outside my chest. Every pride and every love as you sleep now at my side. A feeling I never knew until the day I heard your first sweet cry. The day you made me into a mother. The greatest joy I have known.
I wonder what man you will become. Afraid of the life Crows lead, but hope you can be more. Better than your father and I. I see his eyes with you. Though I must admit you have my nose. Will you be gentle as he is? A kind husband. A loving father. Or will my sins haunt me and give you my temper? My previous ambitions.
Your abuela wants me to wear the mantle of First Talon. To lead the houses once she is gone. A title I once coveted but now shy from. A role better suited to my sister if I am being honest.
Because one look at you, mi palomito, and everything changed. My hopes and fears shifted with one tiny clasp of your hand around my finger. Gold and glory hold nothing for me now. My single focus on keeping you safe. On seeing you happy. Watching you grow and thrive with my care. How proud I know you will make me, no matter what path life takes you on.
I hope this letter offers you some comfort. It is no replacement for my kisses on your cheeks. For drying your tears and hugging away pains. But a mother's love is strong. And know even if I am gone from this world, I am always with you. Always love you. Mi niño. Mi peque. Mi pollito.
With every fiber of my soul,
Tu mamá
Illario's hands shook as he finished reading the faded parchment. Silent tears streaming down his cheeks as he looked up to meet his cousin’s understanding stare.
“Where did you get this?” he croaked around the lump in his throat. Emotions threatened to drown him as Lucanis stepped forward. Hand hanging in the air as if to offer some comfort, though none was to be had on this day.
“I found it among the First Talon's artifacts,” he replied as he shifted uncomfortably, Illario frowning at the truth. Caterina's sins had been great, but this one was likely the most offensive. The most unforgivable as Lucanis continued with a heavy sigh, “I- you deserve to have this. Cousin, I'm so sorry.”
Illario refolded the paper with reverence. Tucking it in his breast pocket with care. Close to his heart as he shrugged off the offered hand of sympathy.
“Thanks, cousin,” he said tersely as he stalked across the room to pour himself a drink. Silently dismissing the other Dellamorte who slipped from the room with a worried glance back. He would return later to check on Illario, but for now he left the other man alone with his thoughts.
With a voice he could barely remember. Gentle brown eyes that he could only see for a flash and then gone. The scent of warmth and comfort wrapping him in its embrace. Roses and lavender. A mother reaching out across time to her son.
“I will make you proud, mamá,” he swore as he looked down into his glass. Swirling the whiskey as he let the memories come. Sitting alone with the ghost of the woman who had loved him most in his life. And wondering what his future would hold.