I don't know what I was expecting, but this far exceeded any of my expectations. I don't know if I mentioned if I like darker fics in my prompt, but this is just how I like them. I think you nailed Illyria in ways that many people find hard, with her coldness. You've left Buffy with an impossible decision to make, and heros are the ones who have to make those choices.

Wonderful stuff you've written here.