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Minrathous looked defeated. Small parts of the city had started to come back to life, but most of it was still. Yes, the blight was long gone and the streets had been repaired, but the city still felt broken. Full of rubble, empty buildings and silence. Scorch marks still stained a few walls as did the lingering scent of death. There was hardly any movement on the streets, no small markets and no joyful screaming of children playing, just the occasional wagon of goods trundling towards another small area of life.
Lucanis followed and tried not to feel too guilty. The city clearly had a long way to go before it was fully recovered, and he'd been too busy dealing with the last Antaam in Treviso and Antiva to spare it much more than a vague feeling of resentment for keeping Yvonne away for so long. Now he'd seen it however, it was hard to feel resentful with the state the city was obviously in. Even Spite was quiet as he walked to beside Lucanis.
He stopped outside of a building that was so different from the rest of Minrathous he couldn't help but smile. The doorway was painted in bright colours and the murmur of conversation practically leaked outwards.
Spite took one look at the building and announced happily "Smells like chocolate and hope. Rook’s Here.” Lucanis smiled, pushed the door open and followed the voices. He froze when he finally spotted Yvonne in a large room full of desks and paperwork, her auburn curls almost blinding as they reflected the sunlight. Her back was to him so he stepped into the room and dropped his bags to the floor silently. "Yv, I…” His carefully planned words seemed to flee.
She whipped around sharply, shock and hope visible on her face. “Lucanis? But I thought-” Whatever it was that she had thought was lost as Lucanis pressed his lips to hers, almost desperately. He hadn't realised quite how much he'd missed her, how strange and difficult the last four months had been without her until their lips met. Her hands reached up to run through his hair as she deepened the kiss, evidently as uncaring about the stares of other Shadow Dragons as he was.
By the time he pulled away they were both struggling for breath. He smiled at her sheepishly. "I should have started with hello.”
Her blue and green eyes sparkled in amusement. "Maybe, but it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun that way.”
Lucanis grinned and dropped his voice so that she had to lean closer to hear. “I know I said that as First Talon I can't leave Antiva, but your Viper hand-delivered a contract that I couldn't refuse. Especially not when it means that I have an excellent excuse to visit the woman who has my heart.”
"A working holiday?” She tried to frown but ruined it when she started to smile. "I think you will need to stay here, your apartment in the city was destroyed in the final battle.”
"Well, that is a shame,” He shrugged. He had only really liked the apartment for its view of the city, and there was an infinitely better one here anyway. "Do you have space here for a roommate? One who has brought ingredients and Satinalia gifts with him?”
Yvonne’s eyes widened. "That explains why you’ve got so many bags then.” Four. Trying to carry them all through the city had been a challenge. Although he’d tasted enough Tevene cuisine to know that it was a necessary struggle. "You didn't have to Lucanis. I haven't been able to get you anything.”
Lucanis shook his head and smiled. He didn't want or need anything. Except her. And Minrathous was barely standing, unlike his home thanks to her. It felt like the least he could do. "Gift shopping is and should be very low on the agenda when trying to bring a city back from complete devastation.” He grinned. “Besides, you are my gift. One that I will greatly enjoy unwrapping later.”
“Hang on,” Yvonne said suddenly as she lead Lucanis up to the small studio apartment said been given while working with the children downstairs. "Satinalia isn't until Saturday.”
Lucanis frowned. “It's already Satinalia in Antiva – lasts a week at home, a week of carnevale, feasts and balls. And a lot of very unhealthy food. Which is why I brought so much wine.”
She watched him lift multiple bottles of wine from the bag and looked at him seriously. "It would be rude of me to refuse such a cultural tradition really.”
Lucanis smiled and handed her a glass. "Absolutely.” He glanced at the ingredients again. “Is pasta alla Norma okay for dinner? It shouldn't take too long.”
She didn't answer; she just took a large gulp of wine and walked around the counter to stand next to him. Lucanis turned to look at her, and her lips were on his faster than he would have thought possible. Her hands touched the collar of his shirt in an effort to pull him closer as she sucked his lower lip. It took a single glance at her eyes, and the already blown pupils, for Lucanis to know exactly what came next. Dinner could wait.
Careful not to break contact with her mouth, Lucanis picked her up and carried her towards the small bed behind a shabby bookcase. It barely looked big enough for two of them. Yvonne grinned and started to kick off her boots.
Lucanis stopped her with a look and he bent down at the edge of the bed to remove the other slowly. He removed the rest of her outfit just as slowly, paying particular attention to her breasts and neck. She shivered and moaned, then gasped as his hands and mouth moved lower. When he had taken everything off, he leaned forward with a slight grin to place multiple kisses on her inner thigh and her already wet sex.
“Lucanis-” She broke off with a loud moan as his tongue found her clit. He placed a hand on her hip and waited. "Don't worry about me. I just want you. All of you.”
Lucanis frowned uncertainly. “I want it to be good for you as well. I don't mind.” He normally quite enjoyed watching her fall apart. It often seemed to be the only time she forgot to worry about everything.
“I do though. Please?” He rose to his feet in a single movement and started to remove his clothes, deep in thought the entire time. She smiled as he climbed on top. “It's your gift anyway. Seems only fair that I should be able to kiss you while you receive it.”
Lucanis leaned forward to kiss her briefly as he slowly sank into her. This was a feeling he was certain he would never get tired of, the delicious warmth and tightness always made him gasp. He waited for a signal from her to continue, knowing that it always took longer for her to get used to the feeling of fullness.
She eventually rolled her hips slightly and returned her attention to his lips. Lucanis set a slow pace, very conscious that he wouldn't last very long at all as she hooked a leg around his waist. The expression on her face as he moved again told him that it might not matter.
His lips ghosted over her sensitive elven ears and he was rewarded with a quiet moan. Lucanis smiled as he continued to thrust; he could never hear that sound too much.
They were both new to this, both learning together but something about the searing look in her eyes said that she was close. He realised he was too. The rising pressure and tension threatened to snap at any moment. Yvonne cried out in pleasure, her fingers digging almost painfully into his back, as he lost the rhythm of thrusts. His own release followed moments later, pushed over the edge by the feeling of her walls contracting around him.
As he laid next to her on the tiny bed and tried not to fall asleep, he spoke. "Seems like a good time to make dinner. And then maybe, round two later?”
Lucanis stood in Yvonne’s too small kitchen and tried not to smirk as she glanced yet again at the neatly wrapped gift on the table. He had placed it there the first night he had arrived, and it was still there two days later. She was trying to wait until Saturday apparently, but her eyes seemed to be drawn to it. “You should open it. It won't bite.”
Yvonne blushed and shook her head. “If it stays unopened, I can pretend you haven't got to go back tomorrow.”
Ah. He’d been dreading that as well. These few stolen days had been blissful. Even the contract, to kill one of the last Venatori in the city, had been easier than expected. But their time together was nearly over. Caterina had only agreed to help for a few days after all. "You need it, it's an important part of the question I need to ask afterwards.”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, but she slowly reached for the box. Lucanis quickly stepped away from the mushroom stock he’d started and smiled as she gasped. Inside the box was a delicate white gold necklace with three rubies and diamonds in a cascade.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the small teardrop rubies. “Lucanis, it's beautiful! But I can't-“
Lucanis spoke over the objection he knew was coming. “I deliberately had one made that was small enough you could wear it under your shirt if needed. So it doesn't have to be on display all of the time. But one that is beautiful and impressive enough that you could wear it to an event.”
She looked at him quizzically but pulled him in for a kiss anyway. “Thank you,” She bit her lip. “Can you help put it on please? And tell me about this secret question?”
Lucanis smiled and stepped behind her. "it wasn't meant to be a secret at all. But somebody wouldn’t open the first part of the present,” Yvonne’s pointed ears blushed. “The necklace is part of a set. The rest of it is not as subtle. It was all designed for the big social events that are common in Antiva. Like the Satinalia ball that Caterina always hosts on Saturday evening. That's why I have to go back tomorrow. But I would be honoured if you would come with me? For just the evening? I could have you back by Sunday morning?”
She froze. It lasted long enough that Lucanis started to worry he'd offended her.
Spite suddenly appeared next to her with a frown. “She wants to. But worried. About everything.”
Lucanis spoke again. “I've already spoken to Dorian, he was actually the one who suggested coming back in the morning. He's a bit of a sap when it comes to relationships.”
“I don't have anything to wear though. And my scars…” She looked down in an attempt to cover a frown.
Lucanis watched, suddenly uncertain what to do. He knew she was always bothered by the scars that covered her entire body, that in some dark way she felt like she deserved them. He just wished that she could see the amazing and beautiful woman that he did. He reached forward gently and placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look up. "Yvonne, I didn't mean for this to cause any worry. I just thought it was a better way to say goodbye for now, spending an evening dancing together.” Her frown disappeared at that, to be replaced by an almost radiant smile. "And I brought… There is a second gift. One that Teia helped with. I think it might solve both problems.” He pointed towards a large box that she hadn't noticed by the bed, kissed her forehead and walked back to the mushroom risotto he was meant to be making.
He couldn't help but grin as she unwrapped the dress and let out a small squeak of excitement.
He supposed he probably should have expected it. The instant he and Yvonne had stepped out of the eluvian, Teia had taken her hand and pulled her away to go and get ready for the ball ‘properly’. Which of course had meant no last afternoon of lazy walks around Treviso that ended with drinks at Cafe Pietra, just a brief and disconcerting conversation with Viago about wool and the toxicity of the dye. He’d spent hours trying to take his mind off everything, but it was difficult to not feel a strange sense of excitement as he had dressed in his three-piece suit. He’d always hated these social events, disliking the crowds, the noise and the dancing. But knowing that Yvonne would be there made it seem so much more appealing. Even if he did have to deal with the usual people trying to force him to dance.
He stopped paying any attention to them though as soon as an announcer spoke. "The Seventh Talon, Andarateia Cantori, and Rook, Yvonne Mercar.” His breath caught as her mismatched eyes searched the ballroom and eventually met his. She beamed and he was quite sure he did exactly the same.
The black ballgown was as stunning as the tailor had said it would be. Numerous people turned to stare as she made her way towards Lucanis. The closer she got the more detail he could see in the intricate lace that covered her arms. Arms that very quickly found his neck as he lifted her for a kiss.
There was a sudden hush around them, followed almost instantly by furious whispers. Yvonne's eyes widened. "Well, I've never been more annoyed that I have to go back to Minrathous tomorrow."
Lucanis smiled softly. "I love that you feel you need to go back though. That you want to put every ounce of effort into repairing the city. Even if I do wish you could stay. We will just have to make tonight a night to remember, won't we?” He offered her his hand. "Will you dance with me?”
Yvonne grinned and took his hand. "I've never been able to say no to that face. Especially when it's something I've been looking forward to all day!”
Knowing that she loved to dance was the only reason he had come up with this idea in the first place. And as he watched the delighted smile on her face grow when he pulled her close after a dip, he decided it had been well worth the effort. A perfect ending to what had been a perfect few days. Well, nearly...
"I have a very important job for you,” Lucanis said as the music ended. “You might need to wait five or six months, so nobody can guess the ulterior motive. But I need you to find a contract in the city that demands the Demon of Vyrantium. Preferably one that will take me a long time to compete.”
Yvonne's smile could have outshone the sun.