Illario Dellamorte Appreciation

“I’m a necromancer.”

Illario stared at Adelina from across the table as she waited for him to say something. Panic started to set, wondering if it was too much or too soon. She nearly left the tavern altogether, thinking that maybe he needed time to consider it, but she waited for a response instead. 

Viago had warned her against telling people that she was a necromancer since most wouldn’t understand her background. Many Crows were already suspicious of her magic since it was different from nearly every other Crow. 

However, she had believed that Illario could be different. Her magic wasn’t inherently evil nor was it blood magic. She mostly worked with spirits, truly, and she would explain that as soon as Illario said something. Anything.

Illario, however, wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He had reassured her that Viago was overreacting, but this was a rare moment where he understood where the Talon was coming from. Necromancy was highly frowned upon outside Nevarra, and he grew a little nervous about how the rest of the Crows saw her who did know.

“Does Isa know?” Illario asked, surprising her.

Dela blinked once before she found herself smiling and laughing under her breath. Illario wasn’t horrified. At least, not immediately. He was asking for a point of reference, though.

“She does know. She knew before Viago did,” Dela explained, seeing him start to relax. “And it sounds a lot worse than it is. I work with spirits rather than with the, well, dead. Necromancy is just the common word for it.”

“Ah, I see,” Illario replied, giving a smile in return. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried for a moment.”

“Viago wouldn’t let a traditional necromancer run wild,” she reminded him with a chuckle. 

“I suppose not.”

“I will say that you took it better than he did. Isa had slap him upside the head to let me get a word in.”

“That sounds like Viago,” Illario remarked, shaking his head. “How did you even manage to get into that area of expertise? I thought that was something Nevarrans were taught, or rogue mages.”

“There had been some sort of mix up when I was younger. I was supposed to meet with a circle of mages outside of Antiva, but I believe I was supposed to meet with them in Tevinter. Me and a few of my fellow Fledglings ended up in Nevarra instead. The circle there was shocked to find a group of Crow children looking to learn magic, but there was a writ of order. Their hands were tied, and we needed to be taught. So, we were taught,” Dela answered with a small smile.

“So you aren’t the only Crow with necromantic magic?”

“I wasn’t, no.”

Illario frowned as she glanced away. House de Riva had a reputation of losing mages at a rapid rate before Viago gained control. It didn’t take a genius to guess what had happened to her fellow Crows. 

“Still, the teachers in Nevarra were kind to me, and I was grateful for their time and energy. They were worried that we would do something untoward to them, but everyone parted ways with their lives intact at the end of our training,” Dela explained before sighing. “It was when we got home that the trials began.”

“Trials?” Illario repeated in confusion. 

“I say trials, but that was what we called it when our former Talon wasn’t around. We would get these insane contracts that would usually be done by two or three seasoned Crows for us to do alone. I managed to scrape by because I got lucky. My targets weren’t expecting spirit magic, which gave me an edge.”

“Did any of the mages survive?”

“About half of the de Riva mages I know are alive still. Most were adults when I met them when I was a Fledgling,” she answered before waving her hand. “But I don’t think you want to hear about my sob story, though. That’s not why we’re here.”

“It is why we’re here. I want to get to know you,” he reminded her.

“Yes, but I think the current me is much more interesting than the past me, don’t you think? Besides, now you know more than most of the Crows do,” she countered.

Now that made him smile. Knowing that he knew more about her than the average Crow filled him with satisfaction. She chuckled at his grin, not realizing that he would have that reaction. 

“I should tell you more things no one else knows if that’s the reaction I get,” she teased as he lifted his shoulders. 

“I wouldn’t mind. It’d be good in case I have to make anyone jealous,” Illario remarked, making her roll her eyes playfully.

“And who would that be? I don’t have any suitors, and I’m not around anyone enough to strike up a casual conversation.”

“I would say you have one suitor.”

“You would, would you?” She hummed, not sure what to say otherwise.

“Are you worried it’s a translation error?” he asked before clearing his throat. “Tienes un admirador, mi amor.”

“You said that I have an admirer then,” she corrected, her cheeks growing hot at the endearment at the end.

“Same difference, is it not?”

“I can see why you are good at your job.”

“And you are rather good at deflecting,” Illario pointed out, leaning forward. “Why is that?”

“Because I am not used to being flirted at constantly like this. I don’t know how to deal with it,” Adelina answered honestly, her eyes meeting his. 

Illario hummed with a smile, enjoying that answer far more than he should have. She was beautiful, and he had expected to hear that people flirted with her all the time. To hear that she was unused to it meant that she wasn’t seeing other people at least. 

“Do you dislike it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Should I flirt with you more so that you grow used to it?” Illario suggested, tilting his head.

Adelina stared at him with wide eyes as she blushed. She bit her lip, unsure what the right answer was. He chuckled as he leaned forward a little, deciding to play dirty. Just a little, at least. 

“Mirándote, lo único que siento es hambre. Quiero consumirte para entender cómo funcionas y qué te hace desmoronarte. Quiero conocer tu cuerpo y tu alma, cariño, pero no creo que jamás me saciaré,” Illario told her, looking at her through his lashes.

His voice never rose above a whisper, and he didn’t think that her face could blush so deeply. He grinned, sitting up a little, feeling a little too proud of himself as she glanced to the side.

“Unfair,” she muttered, hardly looking at him. 

“Which part?”

“Your voice. The language. The words. Take your pick.”

“My voice, huh?” he repeated as she flicked her gaze back to him. “I didn’t realize you appreciated my voice so much.”

“I find that hard to believe. You weaponize it,” she argued. 

“I don’t think you’ve seen me weaponize anything yet,” he informed as she stared at him.

“Perhaps when we aren’t in public?” 

“Afraid that I can’t be subtle?”

“I’m worried that it’s me that won’t be able to be subtle,” she corrected, glancing around the room at the people around them.

“A pity, then,” Illario sighed, following her gaze to see the amount of people in the tavern. “I’m sure these people would love to hear you sing.”

“Illario,” Adelina scolded with wide eyes, surprised by him.

Illario laughed before holding up his hands while she tried not to smile with him.

“Apologies, I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist,” he replied as she rolled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t overstep.”

“You didn’t, but watch it,” she warned lightly, raising an eyebrow. He smirked.

“Watch you? Gladly,” he teased.

“You are terrible.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“I bet you have,” she huffed with a laugh. 

Illario leaned forward with his forearms resting on the table. She sighed, staring at him, wondering what he was going to do now. 

“You know, if you’d like we could get out of here and actually get something to eat instead of just getting a drink,” Illario offered, surprising her. “While they have good wine here, their food is, well, not great.”

“And where are we going to get something to eat this late? I think our options are limited to the taverns catering to travelers,” Adelina pointed out.

“There’s always the villa,” Illario mentioned as she raised a brow at him.

Illario furrowed his brow in confusion at her reaction before he held up his hands again, leaning back in his seat. 

“I promise that the idea was just to have something to eat rather than to get drunk. I promise nothing more is expected than food,” Illario replied before she smirked.

“I suppose. And if we run into Isa or your cousin?”

“Then I follow your lead because I wouldn’t know what to do other than ignore them.”

Adelina laughed before she nodded, agreeing to head back to the villa for a bite to eat. Illario grinned, leaving enough coin on the table for the wine and a nice tip for the waiter as well. 

Adelina expected to sneak into the villa either through the back door or perhaps a window. However, Illario brought her straight through the front door, regardless of who saw them. It was pretty late, so she had expected more secrecy that he was giving them. 

She followed Illario to the kitchen, and he started searching through the pantry for something quick and filing for them. Adelina wandered around the kitchen a little, impressed how large the area was. The de Riva estate had a good kitchen, but this one was better stocked with more advanced equipment. It was also clearly designed for a staff to manage it. She wondered if they still had a staff or if Lucanis just cooked most of the time. 

Illario produced another bottle of wine from his family’s vineyard along with a tin of cookies, crackers, and some dried meats. It was a smaller meal, but it was one that he could throw together in a few minutes. She smiled at him, thankful for the effort and the food. 

“This is great,” she smiled, reaching for a cracker first. “Do you help keep the kitchen stocked?”

“I generally let Lucanis keep the place stocked, honestly. He prefers cooking when he isn’t on the job,” he answered with a shrug. “So, you can thank him for the snacks, really.”

“Eh, he’s not the one who brought me over to share them,” Dela reminded with grin. 

“You are right.”

“Of course I am.”

Illario chuckled at that, pouring them each a moderate glass of wine. She thanked him again as he handed her a glass, and she leaned her hip against the counter to face him. 

“So, how many lucky people have been brought back to your villa?” she asked, taking a sip. He hummed, glancing to the side as he thought.

“That I snuck into the villa? Too many to count,” Illario admitted before clinking his glass with hers. “To share a late-night snack in the kitchen? Just the one.”

“Just me?”

“Sí, just you.”

“Now I feel special, then,” Adelina chuckled, her red cheeks giving her away. 

“Only now?”

“More special, I guess. I didn’t realize that this was out of the ordinary for you.”

“I think you’ll find that I am willing to be very unordinary for you,” he informed with a wide smile. 

“Is that so?” she grinned. 

“Very much so,” he affirmed, leaning towards her. “And I will continue to show you just how special you are for as long as you’d like me to.”

“Even if that’s indefinitely?” she teased.

Illario reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles gently before meeting her gaze. Her eyes widened in response to his intensity. Although it didn’t frighten her. She found it intriguing. Endearing, almost. 

“Especially if it’s indefinitely,” he reassured, gently pulling her closer. 

“Should tell Lucanis,” a gruff voice sounded behind them.

Adelina didn’t pull away from him, but she did look over her shoulder to see the First Talon in the doorway with glowing violet eyes. Illario frowned with a glare as she sighed.

“Spite,” she whispered as Illario turned to her. “Did we wake you?”

“Not sleeping. Heard commotion though. Came to investigate,” the demon answered with a huff. “Didn’t expect cousin and second necromage to be here.”

“Illario invited me for a late-night snack, Spite. I hope that’s alright,” Dela smiled before the demon grumbled. 

“Don’t need to ask. Isa’s cousin. Always welcome,” Spite informed her before glancing at Illario. Adelina thought to correct the demon about being Isa’s cousin, but she decided to explain it later. “Don’t trust bad Crow.”

“Illario isn’t a bad Crow,” she continued before patting Illario’s chest. “He was kind enough to invite me to dinner. That’s not bad, is it?”

“No, guess it’s fine,” Spite groaned before rolling his eyes. “Going back to bed. You. Should tell Lucanis. In the morning.”

“We’ll talked to him, Spite. You can remind me if I forget,” Dela smiled before waving.

The demon narrowed his purple eyes before piloting Lucanis’s body back to where they slept. 

Once he was out of earshot, Dela exhaled in relief. She was partly afraid that Lucanis was going to wake up while Spite was walking around and talking to them. She was glad that they were just heading back up to his suite to rest the body. 

Dela was also glad that Spite didn’t come into the kitchen swinging as well. That would be difficult to explain. 

“Why do you know Spite so well?” Illario asked curiously.

“I don’t need to Lucanis to speak with Spite. I can hear Spite when he’s close, so we end up speaking when I’m around Lucanis and Isa. It was a way to give some distractions to the demon while Lucanis was working, but we only did it twice before I met you,” Adelina mentioned with a smirk. 

“Ah, so that’s why Lucanis knew you when you came over for dinner,” he remarked before furrowed his brow. “How did you not run into me?”

“We tried the first time at the estate to make sure that Spite would interact with me in a complicated environment that he wasn’t familiar with. Just in case. The second time was at the villa, but I have no idea where you were,” she answered with a shrug. “I’m sure you were either on a job or doing something similar. I don’t think you were at the villa, or I’m sure Lucanis would have introduced me to you.”

“Did he introduce you to Caterina?”

“No, he didn’t think that was necessary. Although I think I should probably meet her now.”

“Now?” he repeated. “Why now?”

“Unless you don’t want her to know about me,” Adelina mentioned with a raised brow. 

“If I introduce you to her, she won’t leave you alone, you know,” Illario warned. While he wasn’t the golden child, he had a feeling that there would be quite an interrogation when Caterina found out that he had a more consistent relationship.

“I can’t imagine a conversation with Caterina would be worse than a bad contract, hun.”

“You say that now, but you haven’t experienced her scrutiny.”

“No, but I’ve dealt with a lot over the years. Besides, if Isa can charm her, who says I can’t?”

“You know, that’s a fair point,” he admitted, reaching over for a cookie. “Alright, we’ll plan a time to speak with Caterina, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

“You don’t want to take some time to think about it? We only had our first date today.”

“Oh, so we’re not counting the lovely contract, even though I was horribly oblivious?” Adelina chuckled as he lifted his shoulders. 

“If you want to, we can count this as our second date,” he amended. 

“I think we are at our fourth or fifth date, at this point. We had several excursions that could be considered dates on that contract,” she pointed out. “There was the actual party. We had the scouting mission. You did take me to dinner before headed home.”

“How did you not realize I was hitting on you then?”

“I thought you were being nice.”

“I was, so you weren’t wrong,” he sighed.

“I just tend to be a little oblivious, so you might to be a little blunt with me,” she offered. “Meaning that if I will be expecting more dates and sweet words if you take me to meet your grandmother.”

“If you meet Caterina, you are here for the long haul, cariño, I promise,” Illario replied, kissing the palm of her hand. 

Adelina smiled at him, feeling a little silly with the adoration in his eyes. She wondered if he had looked at her with the same expression the whole time. A part of her hoped not as she felt bad it took so long to figure it out. The other part wished that he only looked at her like that. 

Illario watched her stare at him again, but he noted the smile on her lips. She wasn’t just studying or watching him. She was admiring him, and he was more than happy to let her just stare into his eyes for the rest of the night. 

“The long haul sounds nice,” she whispered, leaning against him instead.

This was definitely something he could get used to.

Tag list: You have been added because you agreed to be tagged or you liked this post. 

It was barely past midday, yet the numbers and letters were already swimming before his eyes.

Illario leaned back in his chair with a groan, rubbing his face. He had worked late into the night and had risen this morning before the sun came up to join Mira in their usual morning training bout. The pounding in his head had greeted him when he opened his eyes and had only grown worse since he had taken his seat at the desk hours ago.

His stomach was growling, reminding him he hadn't eaten since the small breakfast he had made himself this morning.

He needed a break.

Pushing away from his desk, Illario stood and stretched, only now noticing the stiff pain in his back. His ribs still hurt where Mira had kicked him during their morning training.

Trudging along the hallways, he was greeted by one of the servants Lucanis had sent over to help with the chores, allowing Illario to actually have time to do his new job.

It had felt strange at first to suddenly have three others living with him and Mira on their quiet little island when it had been only them before. He had been distrustful, fearing they were only there to check on him and report back.

But other than taking care of the laundry, cleaning the rooms, and cooking meals, neither of the new additions to their household paid him any special attention.

Upon entering the kitchen, Illario was ready to quickly slip into their cellar pantry and find a bite when his eyes caught sight of Mira standing by the stove, stirring a pot of something deliciously smelling.

Normally, he would have tried to sneak up on her and press a quick kiss to her bare neck, but after their training bout this morning, he wasn't sure that was wise.

They had quarreled. No, that wasn't entirely true. They had done their normal routine, then a practice fight, just bare hands, no weapons this time. He had landed a hit to her face that had been aimed for her shoulder. He tried to apologize, but Mira's already sour mood that morning it only went downhill from there.

After that, he landed a second hit, this time to her back, when she didn't spin out of the way fast enough; she stopped talking altogether.

That was hours ago.

Maybe he should just return to his desk. It wasn't like he didn't know what hunger felt like or how to function without food. Caterina had made certain of that. The feeling of his stomach clenching painfully, then going numb after the second day with only the occasional cup of water was still vivid in his mind.

Back then, Lucanis had borne it so stoically when Caterina simply said, "Another day." It had made the burning rage in Illario flare all the brighter. Right then and there, Illario had sworn to himself that he would never again allow himself to go hungry for anything he craved.

Cautiously, he took a few more steps, watching her shoulders tense, then deliberately relax again. She knew he was here, but didn't glare at him. A good sign. Yet he wasn't so foolish as to take this as an invitation to go closer or even speak, so he just sat at the table and waited. Once she was done cooking her food, he would fix something for himself.

Mira sighed heavily, her back still to him, then muttered, "Anything I can help you with?"

"No, amore, I- I just wanted to quickly cook something, but you are already here, and I don't mean to rush you, so-"

She nodded and kept stirring. Silence fell over the kitchen, heavier than Illario had become used to over these past months. For painfully long minutes, he stared at his twiddling thumbs, wishing he could go back to this morning and change what had happened.

He must have hurt her more than he had realized. It wasn't the first time either one of them ended up with a bruise or two, but then, he had never hit her face. That small details somehow made it worse.

Finally, he could hear the clinking of plates and cutlery. Looking up, he found Mira sliding into her seat, a plate of steaming pottage before her - another sat close to him.

"You made me food…"

Mira's hand stopped halfway between her plate and mouth. She frowned. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you are angry with me."

She set the spoon down and calmly stated, "I am not."

"I just thought-" He motioned to her face and the deep purple bruise on her cheek. "Because-"

A sharp sound escaped her throat. "You thought I was pouting because you landed a hit?"

"No. I thought you were angry with me for hurting you."

One shoulder moved in a half-hearted shrug. "We were training. Accidents happen."

Her tone was dismissive, not of him, just her injury. He knew that, but it still felt like she was dismissing him with the same shrug. Like she had done before, back when they were nothing to each other.

He was about to call her out, when he saw something flicker in the steel-grey of her eyes. Not regret, but similar.

"I am sorry, Illario," she finally said. "I am not angry with you, but myself." She nodded toward his plate, and only started talking again when the first spoonful hit his tongue. "I was distracted this morning. Over something small and silly. My form was off because of it, and those two blows you landed only sent the message home."

"What message?"

"That I have become idle and slow. The past weeks have been so quiet - no one trying to kill us, no job to hone my skills but taking another fucking, scenic walk around the island." She raked her fingers through her hair. "And now, I start complaining, like a child."

Illario reached out and took her hand. "You are not. You are bored out of your skull."

Mira threaded her fingers through his, watching their hands rest on the table. "Maybe I could ask Lucanis for more work?"

A cold, sharp pain stabbed behind Illario's ribs. Just for a second, before he corrected himself. She didn't say other work, just more work.

"You could," he said carefully, then slowly shifted his features into a playful pout. "You aren't planning on leaving me, are you? Going out into the world to be all heroic, while I drown here in ink and self-pity."

She snorted and told him that she was not.

"Besides," Illario grinned. "If you were to leave now, I'd have to assume that you can't stand the fact that I beat you in a fight."

"You did not beat me," Mira replied, a sharp edge in her tone now. "Admittedly, you've got your old shape back, but I'd still wipe the floor with you - lost form or not."

Illario leaned back, watching her with a challenging expression. "Maybe we should have another bout later. See if this distraction wasn't just an excuse for you losing your edge, amore."

"You're on," Mira growled.

While they were finishing their meal and then clearing away their plates, Illario knew he would eat his words later. But she was talking again. Smiling even, though her bruise made her wince.

Hours later, their second round of sparring done and the grime and sweat of the day already washed off, they lazily drifted in their small sun-warmed pond.

Their match had ended without a clear winner. Both of them had found themselves face down in the dirt more than once, laughing when they pulled the other down with them.

Now, there was silence again. Not the cold and heavy kind from earlier, but rather comfortable and warm and-

Illario: Very, well, Talon. Illario Dellamorte, Master Assassin, and the lesser of Caterina Dellamorte's grandsons. Do you need my middle names as well? I have an impressive array of dead relatives catalogued in that list.

Viago: No.

Illario: Your loss.

Viago: I shall have to bear it. Now, to the business at hand. Tell us about your new friends.

Illario: laughter You, of all people, should know I do not have any friends. But I will generously assume you mean the Venatori, in the spirit of cooperation. What do you wish to know?

Teia: Why them, Illario? Why our enemies?

Viago: We will get to why later—

Illario: Why not now? Venatori are easily manipulated. They were arrogant, disorganized, powerful, and incredibly stupid. Venatori are singularly focused on their glorious ambition, and pay little attention to anything else. They're willing to cut deals with anyone they think they can double-cross—"

Viago: With so much in common, I think my confusion about your degree of amity can be excused.

Teia: Vi! Illario, just tell him what he wants to know, or we will all grow old while you two bicker like old women with a grudge about their niece's wedding banquet two decades ago.

Illario: I am being quite cooperative. The Venatori do little work on their own, but a large amount of money can do a lot work for you if you spend it correctly.

Viago: Numbers?

Illario: In Treviso? Not much more than what you saw. They are not welcomed by the Antaam, no matter how much either one takes in power from these so-called old gods.

Teia: They're not working with them?

Illario: No. They are two different knives, only likely to succeed when wielded separately. Useless in the same fist.

Viago: So you have nothing?

Illario: I have less than that. My cousin sits where I once aimed. My allies are scattered, my cousin won't even do me the courtesy of a quick death, and my city still sits under the thumb of an invading army lead by a madman.

…

Illario: Oh, don't give me that look. If you have someone pull the green leather books from the shelf nearest the fireplace in my room, I can give you something to at least keep me breathing the air outside of Velabanchel for the night.

Viago: Are they trapped?

Illario: I am wounded by the accusation. Of course they are.

Teia: Illario.

Illario: Nothing your people should have any trouble with, Teia, I promise. I have Venatori supply lines, contacts, and smugglers they lean on frequently. Schedules, routes, estimated numbers and a couple of their codes.

Teia: Any names?

Illario: For the cultists? Only the lower level lackeys, or those so high up they can't remain hidden, like Zara Renata. There should be more than enough in there to track them, though, or at the least hobble their network.

Viago: You had this information for how long, Dellamorte? How many of our people did you let die while you gathered your insurance?

Illario: It wasn't insurance, it was my plan. The Venatori eliminate the Antaam, the Crows do what we do best and eliminate the Venatori. Treviso is free.

Viago: With you as First Talon.

Illario: As I should have been! I have done everything I was ever asked to do, but somehow this is too far? Too much? It is not enough. It has never been enough.

Viago: That your grandmother and cousin are still both alive to stand in judgment over you should be enough of an answer to that.

…

Viago: Is that all you have, then? All you are? Failed ambition, overwrought hair, and some information about supply lines?

Illario: I am also a very snappy dresser. But if you insist, do ask your questions Viago. Perhaps we will find there is a small bit more to me than my very public failures.

• ───────────────── •

Tags are always no pressure, check this fun thing out, with no expectation of response ❤️

@serensama, @woundedsoul12, @davrinsleftpectoral, @blackwall-my-tiny-husband, @serialsforbellara, @notyourmamasdeerbat, @strugglinggranola, @aetherflowers, @necromanticsoul, @jukkaricity, @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai, @elishnord, @pixiedurango, @aiyestel, @tkwritesdumbassassins, @sandcastlekings, @sorcerousadventurer, @the-font-bandit, @tarasmom, @talkmagically, @potatofantiger, @redheadsramblings, @viagosbrother, @chaosherald, @iicaru2, @handsignals, @wickedadaar, @kogarashi-art, @vishantikaffar, @mushrooms-x-moss, @nyx-de-riva, @redaresss

Lucanis walked back towards his office from the library at the Dellamorte Villa when he noted that Illario was staring out the window nearby. The Talon walked over next to his cousin to see nothing out of the ordinary. Pursing his lips, he glanced around, surprised that he hadn’t caught his cousin’s attention yet.

“Illario?” Lucanis asked, staring at him. 

Illario quickly turned his head toward Lucanis with a surprised look before he sighed. Lucanis furrowed his brow, concerned about his reaction.

“What has your head in the clouds, cugino?” Lucanis asked as Illario hummed. 

“I’m just thinking about the last contract I went on,” he replied.

“Oh, yes, I saw that report. Congratulations, by the way,” Lucanis offered. “That was a clean job. The client was very happy with the outcome, and he sent over an additional sum as a thanks as well.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking about.”

“I had a feeling. So, what were you thinking about?” 

“The Crow I was on the contract with,” Illario sighed. 

“Adelina? What about her?” Lucanis asked, placing his hands behind his back.

“I can’t get her out of my head, and I don’t think she even cares that I exist,” he complained, closing his eyes. He folded his arms, shaking his head a little. “I have no idea how to manage it.”

“You’re bothered by the fact that Adelina hasn’t responded to your flirtations?” 

“Is that so terrible?”

“Of course not. I just found that surprising,” Lucanis answered, turning away. 

“Which part?” Illario wondered.

“She doesn’t seem like your type, I suppose. You also usually don’t care this much if someone doesn’t respond to your flirtations. You tend to move on pretty quick.”

“Generally, yes. There’s something about her that has me captivated, though.”

“Is it because she doesn’t have any interest in you?”

Illario frowned at him for a moment before rolling his eyes.

“I felt this way since I saw her the first time. Before she didn’t reciprocate my banter,” he explained.

Lucanis stared at his cousin for a moment before dipping his head. He hadn’t expected that answer, either. 

“Is that why you asked for Adelina to join you on that contract?” Lucanis guessed.

“Yes. It didn’t pan out like I had hoped. She hardly recognized that I was there aside from when she needed to interact with me on the contract,” Illario commented. 

“Well, I would maybe try to ask her out to dinner or something instead of doing a contract together. Don’t you usually do that?” the Talon reminded him.

“Usually, yes, but I wanted to try something different this time. I thought that it might have worked,” Illario mentioned before laughing to himself. “It works with you and Isa.”

“What works for Isa and I isn’t going to work for you and Adelina. Adelina is a different person, and we are practically opposites as well,” Lucanis reassured him with a smirk. Illario rolled his eyes again. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, though. I would just speak to Adelina like an adult instead of inviting her on a strange contract out of the blue.”

“Isa and Adelina are more similar than I think you realize,” Illario complained, not actually sure if that was true.

However, it seemed that the de Rivas were trained too well against his charms. It hadn’t bothered him when it was just Isa, but now he was irritated that Adelina was trained against it. Damn Viago and his paranoia. 

“Well, Isa likes coffee. Maybe you could start there. Maybe Adelina likes coffee as well,” Lucanis offered, deciding not to argue with his cousin. Illario sighed before he nodded.

“I’ll at least talk with her and see if she’d like to do something,” Illario sighed as Lucanis placed a hand on his shoulder. 

Adelina stared at the strange invitation that was handed to her before finding herself in front of Isa’s room. It had been a subconscious response, as she wasn’t entirely sure what to do next now that she had the letter. She knew the cousins best, so it made more sense than seeking out Viago. 

Isa opened the door a few seconds later, and Adelina realized that she hadn’t been keeping her footfalls quiet like she usually would have. Isa likely heard her stop outside her door and wait.

“Dela?” Isa asked, confused. 

Adelina looked up to meet her gaze before sighing. She could explain the situation, but she thought that just handing her the letter made the most sense. 

Isa gave her a concerned look before reading over the message Adelina had been given. It wasn’t something Isa had expected to read, either.

Señora Adelina,

Thank you again for accompanying me on the last contract. You performed with perfection and grace, and I am grateful I was there to witness it. 

I was wondering if you would want to meet on more casual terms. Perhaps for coffee or a nice lunch, if you’d like. I am also open to other possibilities as well. I find that I miss your company, señora. 

I hope to hear from you soon.

Illario Dellamorte

Isa blinked before rereading the letter, bringing it closer to her face. Adelina thinned her lips, realizing she wasn’t sure what reaction she had wanted from her fellow Crow. 

“Is... is Illario asking you on a date?” Isa whispered, mindful that Viago could be in his office. 

“I think so,” Adelina admitted before frowning. “I’m just not sure why.”

“You don’t know why?”

“Well, I’m more confused that he is asking me, and through a letter as well. Is that usual for him? He seems more straightforward.”

“He usually is,” Isa admitted, noting that his behavior was strange. “But I think he’s trying something new with you, which is interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because it means he’s serious this time. Well, that’s not fair. It’s not that he hasn’t been serious before, but things haven’t worked out for his serious relationships in the past.”

“So, he’s being more formal than he usually is?” Adelina guessed before Isa handed back the letter. 

“This is the most formal I’ve ever seen him. He is not formal, until right now,” Isa clarified. “I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Do I need to be worried?” 

Isa raised a brow at her, examining her. Adelina exhaled, aware of that look. Isa was reading her, which would be annoying if it wasn’t helpful. 

“Do you want to be worried?” Isa countered.

“A horrible question.”

“Do you want to go on a date with Illario?”

Adelina clenched her jaw as she glanced to the side. 

“I hadn’t considered it before the letter. I didn’t think he saw me like that, but I will admit it puts the contract and his attitude towards it in a different light,” she admitted as Isa nodded. 

“It sounded like you two got along pretty well during the job, though. From what you’ve told me, at least,” Isa offered.

“Did Illario talk to you about it?”

“Illario mentioned that it went well, but he didn’t say anything more than that. He seemed like he had mixed feelings about the contract.”

“Well, he didn’t want to seduce the target, but the target seemed to be taken with me instead anyway. I ended up seducing and poisoning the target, and Illario wasn’t thrilled with the outcome,” Adelina sighed.

“Well, that would explain why he never talked about it, given the new context. He likely wanted to seduce you instead, but it didn’t work out like that,” Isa teased. 

“I was focused on the job,” Adelina groaned. 

“I’m sure Illario was too aware of that, but it seems that he’s willing to try again if you’re interested.”

Adelina exhaled, feeling undecided. Viago’s concern from before the contract popped into her mind, but she pushed it away. It was too soon for her to be worried about her Talon’s reaction. 

“Are you interested?” Isa asked bluntly.

“I mean...” the mage muttered with slight fidgeting. “I think it would be fun, at least.”

“Fun’s all you need, right? Send him a letter about what you want to do, but I would also give him a time frame.”

“Alright.”

Illario,

I thought we agreed to drop the formalities? Especially if you want to take me out as you mentioned. 

And I think it would be fun to spend more time casually with you as well. Coffee does sound nice, but I would also be interested in getting a drink if that’s better for you. I’m flexible.

I’m also free for the next few days. I haven’t requested a new contract yet, but I was hoping to get back on the job by the end of the week. I would like to see you before I go off on another contract.

Dela de Riva

Illario wrote back after he received the letter from Adelina, saying that he would love to have a drink with her. While he did enjoy a good cup of coffee, wine was much more his style. He even gave her a more concrete time, and she had agreed. He really hoped that she knew that this was a date, though. He had tried to take a more neutral tone with a light romantic tint to his wording to make sure that it didn’t sound like he was seducing her. 

He sat at a booth at the tavern they had agreed on. It was a nicer one than the ones along the dock, and he hoped that it would impress her. It was one that he would frequent on special occasions at least. 

It wasn’t very long before he saw Adelina walk inside the building, and she took his breath away. She was wearing a nicer dress than what she wore at the party during the contract, and he found that it suited her very well. It was a long black dress with lace details, and Illario wondered if she lied to him about being a mage instead of a seductionist like he was. 

Her eyes lit up when she saw him, relieved that she was in the right place. Adelina walked over to the table, and she sat down across from Illario, who stood as she took a seat.

“I wasn’t sure I was in the right place at first,” she mentioned as she lifted her shoulders.

“I am glad you found the place,” Illario replied. “It’s good to see you, Dela.”

“I was surprised to get your letter, but it was a pleasant surprise,” she admitted with a smile. He hummed, a little surprised himself. 

“Really? I thought that I was being clearer than I was, then,” he mentioned as she shrugged.

“I thought you were looking for a professional for the contract. I didn’t think that you were looking to get to know me personally or to flirt with me specifically.”

“I was flirting, though.”

“Because it was a part of the contract, though,” she reminded with a laugh. “You were supposed to act like my husband. Aren’t you supposed to flirt with your wife?”

“I wasn’t supposed to be a good husband, though. I was supposed to appear to cheat on you, if you remember,” Illario sighed with a weak smile. “It was part of the reason why I wanted to switch up the job a little. I didn’t want to cheat on you, even if it was for a fake relationship.”

“Then it seems that I’m the one with egg on my face, then. I turned out to be a poor wife.”

“Only because I didn’t explain myself properly. You were just looking to complete the job, which you did in record time, by the way.”

“The target was overeager, and I think the idea of getting caught by you spurred him on,” Adelina chuckled with a shrug. “I’m just glad that I had a chance to put on my poisoned lipstick before he pounced.”

“I agree. It usually takes me three times as long to complete the contract,” Illario chuckled. “I don’t have your access to poisons, after all. I have to usually stab my targets in the back or push them from a high window.”

“Sounds horribly messy.”

“It can be. I find that it can be satisfying, though.”

“Fair enough,” she hummed. “I’m still surprised that you invited me here.”

“What has you so surprised? Even knowing that I wasn’t acting in Rialto,” he asked, leaning forward on the table.

“Well, I don’t exactly look approachable,” Adelina pointed out. “I’ve been told I look intense, and I just assumed that was a turn off. It’s not really something I can control.”

“Who’s been telling you look intense? How so?”

“Peers, mostly, and I think it’s the way I tend to stare, I suppose. My eyes look... soulless? I think that’s a good translation.”

“What did they say exactly?” Illario asked, concerned. 

“It was a long time ago. I think they said something along the lines of privi di vita. It’s missing something. I always thought they said that they were soulless,” Adelina answered with a shrug. 

Privi di vita. Devoid of life.

“They clearly have no idea what they’re talking about,” Illario replied, shaking his head.

Her eye color was lighter than he usually saw, and he would admit that the way she looked out at the world could be unnerving. However, it was the way she stared at the world like she was daring it to attack her that he had noticed. He had found the light bluish green color of her eyes pretty, but he couldn’t understand why they said they were privi di vita. 

“I’m glad you think so,” Adelina laughed, shaking her head. “I know I have an intense look. You don’t have to lie.”

“You aren’t as intense as you think you are.”

“You saw me on the job.”

“You are no more intense than any other de Riva than I encountered,” Illario chuckled.

He wondered if that de Riva intensity he had noticed was something trained by Viago, or if it had something to do with her previous Talon. Isa had talked about the horrible man before Viago managed to do away with him, which would explain why Viago was the way he was as well. 

“Truly?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” he answered with a smile. 

“It sounds like you know a lot about the de Rivas, then,” Adelina remarked with a sharp look in her eye. 

“I’ve spent a lot of time around Viago and Isa, especially recently. I thought you knew that,” Illario reminded her.

She watched him for a moment before dipping her head. He raised a brow at her before she watched him for another moment.

“You do have a tendency to stare, I’ll admit. Not that I mind, of course,” he commented with a laugh. “You stare like you are studying for a test.”

She turned away quickly with a blush spreading across her cheeks. Sighing, she turned back to him, seeing that he was just smiling at her still. 

“I suppose you aren’t wrong,” Adelina admitted with a sigh. “I don’t mean to stare, but most people don’t notice as much as you do.”

“So, what are you thinking about then?”

“You aren’t what I expected, so it’s hard to reconcile that with what I already know.”

“Ah, so you’re trying to solve me like a puzzle,” Illario grinned.

“If you want to think about it like that, then yes, I guess so. You don’t hate it, though,” she chuckled with a smirk. 

“No, I don’t,” he agreed, leaning back. 

She noted that he looked more comfortable now. She wasn’t sure what had changed, though. She rested her arms on the table so she could lean forward. 

“Why not? Most people don’t like a steady gaze on them. Especially Crows,” she pointed out.

“If one person is watching me closely, then I have an alibi, don’t I? Being known as the Traitor Crow makes life difficult if no one is watching,” he explained. She blinked at him with wide eyes, not expecting that answer. “Before the gods, I would have hated it, sure. Now, it’s like a safety blanket. If I know that you are watching, I know that no one can accuse me of doing anything.”

“A different perspective.”

“One that I think will be beneficial.”

“Is that the reason why you’ve taken a liking to me?” Adelina asked, more bluntly than she had meant to be. 

Illario faltered, also not expecting that question. He cleared his throat before he shook his head.

“No, it’s a bonus, if anything,” he admitted as she raised a brow. “I was captivated by you the moment you walked into the villa the first time we met.”

“Really?”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m not,” Adelina answered, continuing to watch him. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Why doesn’t it make sense? Are you saying that I can’t make my own decisions?” he asked, tilting his head to the side. 

She took a deep breath before she turned for a moment. The waiter came by with a bottle of wine and two glasses as Illario thanked him. Adelina offered a kind smile before turning back to Illario with a nervous expression. 

“You can absolutely make your own decisions, I’m just saying they might not be informed decisions,” she clarified before frowning. “When it comes to me, at least. You don’t know a thing about me.”

“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? So, I can get to know you, and you can get to know me,” Illario argued gently, wanting to reach out to her.

“Well, yes, but-”

“Then if you’re worried about it, tell me what you think I need to know. I doubt it will do anything to change how I feel about you.”

Adelina bit her lower lip before she took a deep breath. Illario placed his arm on the table, gently reaching out to her in case it helped. She shook her head and relented.

“Viago told me not to tell anyone,” Adelina chuckled with a smirk.

“Then he’s probably overreacting,” Illario teased, hoping to put her at ease. She looked at him for a moment before she exhaled.

“I’m... a necromancer.”