Chapter Text
What was the old rhyme? Three Crows for a wedding?
More like three dragons, Lucanis mused as he gazed at Rook across the table. The Qunari was leaned back, an easy smile on his face as he kicked his feet up. He was never one to be too serious, even when discussing such delicate matters.
“So we have to invite all the Crow houses. Even the minor ones,” Lucanis sighed as he poured over the extensive guest list. The entire city would turn out for this wedding no doubt. Security would have to be doubled. No tripled.
He envied Neve and Fen. Their affair had been small. Private. A luxury not afforded a First Talon and his Groom to Be.
“Luc,” Rook called as he reached out. His fingers barely brushed the Crow's sleeve. Calling to his love. Trying to calm his nerves. “Everything is going to be fine. Ashur said he will bring every Shadow Dragon he can spare. We will have more than enough people here,” he reassured.
“Besides, who would really be brave enough to crash the wedding of two god killers?” he added with a chuckle.
Lucanis let out the breath he had been holding. Rook's easy way breaking through his nervous energy. He finally answered his lover's call and collapsed into his lap with a satisfied hum. Fingering the betrothal dagger strapped to the Qunari's chest. The intricate steel designs bringing him comfort as he rested his head in the crook of his dragon’s neck.
“And your brother?”
The question brought a tenseness from Rook that Lucanis didn't miss. They had a simple plan. A plan even Caterina had signed off on. Now they just needed to set things in motion.
Rook had a troubled brother. Lucanis had a troubled cousin. Now if the Maker could just cooperate a little longer-
“Brick will be there. I will make sure of it,” he promised.
Brick. Short for the Brickhouse the man was built like. Lucanis wanted a word with whoever came up with these code names.
“Good. I will do what I can to ensure Illario is on his- best behavior.”
For all the good it would do. But that was for Brick to sort out. Rook had reassured his brother was more than a match for the fallen Dellamorte. And seeing as no Crow would agree with a union with his cousin, this seemed like the only option.
“Mierda, just let this go smoothly-” he grimaced as strong fingers hooked under his chin. Tilting his face up as Rook gave him a reassuring smile.
“Amatus, everything will be perfect. We already got through the hardest part. Caterina gave us her blessing. The rest of this- is nothing.”
Lucanis wished he had that much confidence. His love giving him his enduring strength for such matters. Killing contracts was easy. But navigating politics? That was a whole new specialty. One his Rook seemed particularly skilled at.
“Thank you,” he said as he rested his forehead against the Qunari's. “For everything.”
“Don't mention it,” he chuckled in his easy way. “Though I am curious how Illario took the news.”
The sharp inhale of breath told Rook all he needed to know.
“You haven't told him yet, have you Luc?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Mierda-” the Crow winced. Earning him a disapproving growl from his oversized love.
“I would suggest you get to that soon then,” he warned as he nudged Lucanis out of his lap. Making it clear that he expected his love to act now rather than later. “I will meet you for dinner tonight,” he reassured with a kiss before he left Lucanis standing there. A sigh escaped him as he readied himself for the task ahead.
Meeting with Illario was never pleasant, and it would be even less so today.
*****
Lucanis sighed as he placed his hand on the door of Illario's study. Once, he almost lived in this wing of the Dellamorte Estate. He and his cousin had been more like brothers, and he longed more than anything to go back to that time.
He hoped, for his sake, that Rook was right about their plan.
“Cousin!” Illario was just a little too enthusiastic to see him as he draped across his chair with his feet over the armrest. He looked the picture of perfect ease, though Lucanis could see how his eyes flashed about the room.
Wants an exit. Just in case.
He ignored Spite's low growl beside him. The demon had promised to behave. For Rook. But Lucanis kept his hold on his control tight just in case.
“Illario. You seem well,” he nodded as he took a seat across from his cousin. He wanted to appear non threatening. Friendly maybe.
You do a bad job.
Ok so maybe his hand hovering next to the daggers at his thigh was a bit too obvious.
“Oh come now,” Illario chuckled as he swirled a glass of Antivan Brandy. “I'm sure you didn't come here just to exchange pleasantries, cousin.”
Lucanis hated that knowing look. How Illario could always read him so easily. Could even finish his sentences sometimes.
“Actually I came to discuss the wedding,” Lucanis began. To his cousin's credit, he simply smiled at the topic.
“Ah yes. The impending nuptials between Thedas’ most eligible bachelor, and his assassin abomination-”
Blood and ash. Let Spite have him.
Lucanis’ hands clenched at Illario's words, but he kept his breathing even. Both to keep Spite calm and himself.
“Yes, my wedding to Rook,” he just agreed as he didn't want the tension. But he couldn't avoid allowing one dig at his cousin. “And with one Dellamorte wed, the other houses will be curious when our- fallen member will also be settling down.”
Illario choked on his drink, though cleared his throat and regained his composure.
“I'm sure the other houses are lining up to take that role,” he chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. “But I'm not interested. In marriage or any sort of arrangement.”
“Actually,” Lucanis couldn't help but smile as he saw Spite bouncing with glee. Delivering this news was going to be the best part of his day, he decided. “The other houses have turned down all negotiations. From both myself and Caterina.”
Illario jumped to his feet, face shocked at his cousin's words. Being rejected was a new concept. He was Illario Dellamorte. Men craved him and women pined for him. How dare they-
“That is why Rook has a plan.” Lucanis was enjoying this way too much. He was reminded of when they were younger. When they would torment each other across the estate. Always in trouble but always having each other's backs. Illario would come to realize this really was what was best for him, in time.
“I don't want to hear of any plans,” the man spat as he made a dramatic show of slamming his glass on the table beside him. “Whatever you and Rook have cooked up, leave me out of it-”
“Caterina has agreed.” The words were quietly spoken, and the color immediately drained from Illario's face. “She has already made the necessary arrangements with the Viper. You will meet your intended shortly before wedding. So please, try to behave.”
A mix of emotions flitted across Illario's face. But he finally settled on a sneer as he placed his hands on his hips.
“You could at least tell me her name,” he grumbled.
“His name is Brick. And he is Rook's brother,” Lucanis stated as he stood to leave. He had enough of his cousin's company for one afternoon. And Spite was in way too good of a mood as he watched Illario sink back into the chair.
Illario ran a frustrated hand through his hair as the door closed behind Lucanis. This was almost as bad as his fall from grace. He was trapped with no choice but to accept the proposal. He would have to cooperate. He wouldn't cross Caterina again, and he wanted to remain in to good graces of House Dellamorte and the other Crows.
“Mierda!” He took his frustrations out as he threw his drink against the wall. The glass shattered, and he huffed as he racked his brain for ideas.
But suddenly, it came to him in a flash.
“I will just have to make him want to break it off,” he mused with a devious grin. Yes, that could work. They would have to accept if this Brick rejected him.
Brick, what kind of dumb Minrathous name was this? Hopefully he was as unappealing as his name, because Illario hated admitting how lonely his bed had been these last few months.
“It will all work out,” he reassured himself. He would just have to make himself unlikable, which seemed to be his specialty lately.
Now, to set his plan in motion.