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“Keep your eyes closed!” Lucanis murmured huskily in Fallon's ear, his tone gently amused as she attempted to sneakily catch a glimpse of her surprise.
Fallon huffed dramatically, but her lips curved into a smile as his hands flexed reassuringly on her shoulders and he continued to guide her through the Dellamorte family home. Patches of light and shadow flickered across her eyelids as he led her down the long candlelit hallway, their footfalls soft on the marble flooring. A door opened and Lucanis led her outside, the cool night air closing gentle fingers about her.
The temptation to try and see where they were going grew stronger and Fallon fought hard against the instinct to peek. Instead she listened to the night sounds for cues to their destination: the whisper of the breeze through the wisteria that grew in the walls of the old stone mansion, the distant sounds of the Treviso markets - hawkers advertising their wares, crowds of people chatting, and the laughter of children.
And of course, the ever present sounds of the canals. Fallon focused on that. On the lap of water on stone, the gentle bumping of gondolas against mooring docks, and the occasional splash of creatures in the water.
Her lips pursed into a grin as these sounds grew louder. “Are you taking me out on the canals?”
“Perhaps!” Lucanis teased, and he squeezed her arms as he helped her down some stone steps.
A moment later he pulled Fallon against him and swept her into his arms. She squeaked in surprise and he chuckled at her fear, apparently pleased to have caught her off guard. Lucanis held her tightly to his chest, carrying her princess style as he grunted and stepped into what must have been a gondola.
The boat rocked gently beneath them, and it was only Lucanis’ incredible balance that prevented them from toppling into the water as she wriggled.
“Stop that!” he chided, his tone rippling with amusement. “If you don't, your surprise is going to start with me dropping you in the water.”
Fallon clung to him tightly and giggled. “You wouldn't!”
“I might!”
She laughed again as he set her down on the bench seat in the boat. The surface was soft - plush with throws and cushions. She touched them carefully, rubbing her fingertips along the delicate fabric - silk. He placed a blanket over her lap and fastened her hands around a mug of something warm. The rich aroma of cioccolata calda reached her nose, and she inhaled deeply and took a sip.
“Keep those eyes closed!” He reminded her, and with a soft sound of effort, Lucanis began to propel them through the water.
Fallon lost all sense of direction as they journeyed through the canals and she stayed in darkness. Lucanis was skilled at moving on the water, and the air kissed her face and neck with delicate little touches as it swept by. The water splashed merrily against the gondola as they journeyed onwards, the night sounds of Treviso fading away as other sounds came to the foreground.
Sounds of nature - the chirp of crickets and the mournful cry of a night bird, the sound of wind rustling through grass and leaves. Something brushed against her face and Fallon jumped in surprise. For a moment she thought Lucanis had touched her, but he chuckled and she realised he was sitting on the far side of the boat.
She frowned. “What touched me?”
“Leaves,” he informed her, and she heard the sound of the oar bumping against the boat as he set it down. "We're almost there.”
The gondola rocked gently as Lucanis moved towards her, and this time she was ready when he scooped her into his arms. He stepped off the boat, and Fallon sniffed the air. Things smelled different now. Earthy and herby.
Lucanis set her on her feet, and pressed his lips to her ear. “You can open your eyes, mi princesa.”
She opened them slowly and gasped before she could stop herself. They stood under a huge weeping willow, the ancient twisted boughs stretching out around them and over the water. A curtain of greenery shielded them from the outside world, and the willow’s long branches trailed in the water, creating a melodious trickling sound as the water rushed around them.
Hundreds of tiny magical lights dotted the branches and trunk of the tree, and innumerable Treviso lanterns hung in clusters, the purple glass casting a lavender light through the clearing. It felt like being in a magical cave, as though Lucanis had somehow rowed them through the veil and into the fade. Fallon's eyes fell on the table and its bounty and she moved forward without being aware of what she was doing.
Lucanis had outdone himself, and she knew this could only be his handiwork. She could see her favourite pasta in a large burnished copper pot, along with a selection of cheeses, fruits, and chargrilled vegetables which had her mouth watering. There were also plenty of desserts to tempt her with - tiny cakes, tarts, and churros.
The scent was heavenly, and she snuggled against Lucanis as he stepped behind her and slid his arms around her waist. He kissed a trail along her shoulder and up her neck, nuzzling behind her ear as though intoxicated by her scent. His teeth nibbled against the skin of her throat and Fallon laughed and twisted free - unsurprised to see the violet light of Spite glowing from Lucanis’ eyes.
“Rook likes her surprise!” he declared confidently.
Fallon nodded. “I do. Thank you both.”
Lucanis shook his head and regained control. “Spite did nothing,” he muttered and rolled his eyes, “except get in the way.”
She laughed and slung her arms around his neck. “Well, I appreciate the effort, but Satinalia is your birthday! I'm supposed to be surprising you.”
He grinned and settled his hands on her waist, pulling her against him and beginning a show dance. Fallon dropped her head to his shoulder, happily losing herself in the familiar strength of his arms around her body. Marvelling that he still had the power to make her pulse race and drive her crazy with a look or a touch.
“You know,” she purred seductively as she straightened and looked up into his warm chocolate coloured eyes, “maybe after dinner we can make some Satinalia magic happen? I'm sure I could find some way to give you a birthday surprise.”
Lucanis smirked and brushed his lips over hers, then steered her towards the table and its bounty of treats. “My love,” he murmured softly, “every night with you is magic, but I'm not opposed to making a little extra magic tonight.”
“I didn't think so!” Fallon laughed, and pulled him down into a kiss. “I love you, mi amor. Both of you.”
“And we love you, mi princesa.”