Chapter 14: Days Six to Twelve
Accelerated schedule, heading towards the end.
Full chapter on AO3 here.
Lucanis counts the days since he and Spite last saw Rook. There are a lot of breakdowns but a lot of healing. Lucanis shows Viago a truth he didn't dare hope for and Viago gives Lucanis a gift in exchange. Illario asks to never be left behind, and Bellara has the idea of a decoy dagger.
It was just before dawn. Assan and Illario had pushed him out of bed, so he had retreated to the comfort of the kitchen. He was midway through preparing the breakfast ingredients when Viago walked through the door.
It was the first time Lucanis found himself alone with Viago during the Talon’s stay in the Lighthouse. He knew it wasn’t anything personal; Viago avoided everyone except Emmrich. Conversation was short, with Viago obviously distracted but not so distracted that he didn’t test all the ingredients he had set out.
Once given clearance to do so, he cooked and set a plate of eggs in front of Viago. He hadn’t consumed enough coffee to watch Viago test the finished product made with the tested ingredients.
He was halfway back to the kitchen when Viago spoke. “You and Gemma.”
Returning to the table, he sat across from Viago and sipped at his coffee to hide the anxiety the words had brought to him and Spite. He had known Viago for so long and they had been almost friends, something he hadn’t had before this before this contract. Once, he had even thought himself feeling a connection to Viago, but after sending a gift that was not well received, he had not pursued it, and it faded.
He sighed inwardly. He was going to have to watch the Rook Book and the Neve Notes to avoid that though coming out.
Viago continued. “At first, I approved because I knew it would keep her in Treviso. If she wasn’t going to stay for me, at least she’d still be at home.” He remained focused on the plate of food. “But now, because of this, this horrible thing that has happened, I realize you truly do love her.”
Mierda, how could he be expected to hold himself together against this? Tears fell down his cheeks. “She is my everything. Truly. Forever.” Rook would want him to stay strong, to tell Viago the truth. “Viago, she was going to stay in Treviso, even before us.”
How did Viago not know? He was at a loss as to where to start.
Spite was right. To Viago, he said, “Meet me at the eluvian in an hour.”
“You need to see the explanation to believe it.”
“One, we're going to Treviso, and you can't go like that.” Viago was dressed down again, his hair in waves, but he looked and smelled clean. “Two, you should eat those eggs. Three, I have pastries in the oven.”
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