“I am so sorry, Friar,” he cried out. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”
The friar placed a hand on top of Romeo’s head. “If you ask for forgiveness, Son, it will be granted.”
Romeo opened his eyes and watched his own image reflected in the water. The young man he saw there was completely unrecognizable. No longer was he a naive boy who daydreamed about love. Instead that boy was replaced by a man, who had come face-to-face with death, and lived to tell about it.
Only there was one person he never wanted to tell.
“You do not understand, Friar,” Romeo lamented. “I have killed Juliet’s cousin, who she loved deeply. When she hears of this, she will hate me, and without her, my entire world will turn to dust.”
The friar pulled Romeo away from the bucket, sitting him on the floor and wrapping a towel around him. “You are not the Almighty, Romeo, which means you cannot predict the future. All you can do is pray.”
“Pardon me, Friar, but praying will not end my banishment,” Romeo said, shivering.
Friar Laurence was about to respond when the sound of pebbles hitting the stained-glass windows of the monastery distracted him. “Hurry, Romeo! Conceal yourself. Someone is here.”
Romeo got up and scurried into the friar’s closet, which was filled with cloaks and robes for church services. He pushed himself deep into the back so the fabric would keep him hidden, and he listened as the friar called out, “Who is it?” Romeo could not hear the reply, but when Friar Laurence said, “Yes, indeed. One moment, my lady,” he had a wild hope that it was Juliet, coming to reunite with him so they could run away from Transylvania and never look back.
However, when the friar led him out of the cloak closet a few moments later, Romeo saw Juliet’s nurse standing before him. Her puffy eyes and drooping mouth made it clear to him that she was aware of what happened—but did that mean Juliet knew as well?
“Nurse, please be quick,” Romeo pleaded. “What news have you brought from my dearest love?”
“Juliet is eager to see you, sir, and requests your presence at the castle.” The nurse’s lips trembled nervously as she spoke.
Romeo glanced down at his red-stained hands. “Then I suppose she does not know about my fight with Tybalt.”
“Juliet knows,” the nurse stated, her voice laden with sadness. “Still, she yearns to be with her husband.” She held out her hand and opened it, revealing a sparkling turquoise ring. “This is but a small token of her devotion. Will you heed her call and come to the castle?”
Tears of relief and happiness welled up in Romeo’s eyes, but he could not quite believe what he was hearing. Did Juliet love him enough to overlook such an unthinkable sin as the cold-blooded murder of her own kinsman?
“She has forgiven you, Romeo, without you even having to ask. That is the purest love there is. Go to her,” the friar urged.
“But I am a fugitive, and the Capulets know I am the one who killed Tybalt. If they do not strike me down on the way to the castle, then the prince’s army will.”
The friar wandered over to large closet in the corner of the room and pulled out a white hooded robe with a gold rope belt. “I usually wear this when I go into town. If you put the hood up, most people will think you are me. Being in the nurse’s company will help, too. I doubt you’ll be approached by any soldier—human or vampire—while in her presence.”
Romeo cracked a small smile. “Thank you, Friar.”
“You must be aware of something, Romeo Montague,” the nurse said, pointing a short, stubby finger at him. “Juliet’s transformation into a vampire is nearly complete. I hope you are prepared to deal with all that it entails.”
Romeo put his hand over his heart. “Juliet is my wife, now and forever. My love for her will never be swayed.”
The nurse shook her head in dismay. “If neither of you will listen to reason, then God help you both.”
The next morning, Romeo was lying on his side in Juliet’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall as she slept. Her brown hair was fanned out on top of a pillow, her pale skin a stark contrast to the burgundy-colored satin sheets. Romeo did not want to disturb her, but he could not resist running one of his fingers down the length of her bare arm or planting a soft kiss on the back of her delicate neck.
His beautiful wife squirmed a little, but did not awaken, much to Romeo’s relief. They had been up all night long. The moment the nurse had smuggled Romeo into Juliet’s chambers and left them alone, their passions overtook them, so much so that the pain in Juliet’s changing body seemed to disappear as they held each other. Romeo smiled happily as glimpses of those heavenly hours passed through his mind—the urgent kisses and gentle touches. He could not comprehend what he’d done in his life to deserve such a perfect creature.
A gust of wind banged a tree branch against the window of Juliet’s room, startling Romeo. He checked on Juliet to see if she had been disturbed, but her eyes remained closed. Romeo slid out from underneath the sheets gingerly and placed his feet on the cool floor. Then he got up and stretched, raising his arms in the air and yawning. He walked over to the window and pulled the curtains open so light could filter into the dark room. Romeo stood there grinning, his chest and face now warm from the dawning sun.
But his quiet moment of contentment was broken by the sound of Juliet crying out in agony. Romeo spun around in surprise and found her sitting up in bed, squinting and holding her hands in front of her face.
“What is it, my love?” Romeo said, rushing over to her in a panic.
“The light! The light!” she replied, panting as though she had just awoken from a horrible dream. “Hurry, it burns!”
Romeo bounded back to the window. He yanked the heavy curtains closed and soon the room was as dark as night. Romeo chided himself for not remembering how the sun would affect his wife on this most significant day.
He turned back around to find her curled up in bed, sobbing. Romeo approached her slowly, his heart truly aching for her. He thought about what he might say to comfort her, but then realized that no words would bring his bride any peace, not even “I love you.”
As he sat down on the edge of the bed, Juliet crawled over to him and burrowed her face into his bare shoulder. Romeo rubbed her back with the palm of his hand and repeatedly kissed the top of her head.
“I am so sorry,” Juliet whimpered.
“Why are you apologizing? I am the one who is so absentminded,” Romeo said. “I did not give opening those curtains a second thought.”
Juliet sniffled. “That is exactly why I am sorry. You shouldn’t have to think twice before doing such a simple thing.”
“It will just take some getting used to,” Romeo said, cuddling her tighter. “Try not to worry.”
Juliet pressed her lips gently against his chest. “I fear that’s all I can do.”
“No, my sweet, it’s not,” Romeo murmured. “Look at me, Juliet.”
Juliet raised her head a little so she could gaze upon him with ruby-colored eyes.
“Just for a moment, can we pretend that this bed is…an uncharted island?” Romeo said with a small grin. “Very small and secluded. No one will find us here.”
From the smirk growing on Juliet’s face, he could tell this game might actually lift her spirits. “Where is this island exactly?”
“Oh, off the coast of Persia,” he continued. “It’s quite warm, and the sand at the beach sparkles like gold.”
“That sounds heavenly.” Juliet placed a kiss on Romeo’s cheek. “Can we smell the sea salt in the air?”
Romeo laid Juliet on her back, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Of course we can.”
“What about food?” Juliet asked as she brought her hands behind Romeo’s neck and laced her fingers with his.
“Food, yes, we will certainly need that,” Romeo said, kissing the inside of her wrists. “What if I became a fisherman and you gathered nuts and berries?”
Juliet pulled Romeo t
oward her. The faint scent of her perfume practically put him in a trance. “I don’t think you are the fisherman type.”
“Really? Why not?”
Juliet closed her eyes and sighed. “Because you aren’t a killer…of any living thing.”
Romeo’s eyes widened, surprised by the realization that Juliet had not brought up his showdown with Tybalt since he’d arrived in her chambers. Now here she was, showing him that she believed he’d never set out to harm anyone. At this moment Romeo felt that Juliet knew him like no one else did.
“You’re right, I’m not.” Romeo kissed Juliet’s lips as she ran her hands down his back.
“Tell me that we are never going to leave this island,” Juliet murmured.
“I wish I could,” Romeo replied with regret in his voice. “But we can pretend for a little while longer.”
All of a sudden Juliet turned her head away from him, her lower lip trembling. “Wishes are the only thing we have right now, aren’t they?”
Romeo’s pulse quickened—he didn’t want Juliet to become upset again.
“We have love. If we have that, everything will be fine,” Romeo whispered, kissing her on the softest part of her neck.
“No, Romeo. It will not.” Juliet wiggled out from Romeo’s embrace, sat up against the dark wood head-board of her bed, and looked at him with her smoldering eyes. “I want to believe that our love will conquer all—truly I do—but perhaps we’ve been foolish. Now that you are exiled, our plans to escape together are almost impossible. And today, I become everything I detest.”
Romeo tenderly laid a finger on Juliet’s lips and silenced her. “Do not detest yourself for something you cannot control. And we will figure out a way to be together. I am sure of it. My dear, how can you question the strength of our love, after how you have forgiven me for what I did to Tybalt? In all my life, I have not known someone so selfless, courageous, and loving.”
Now tears were streaming down Juliet’s cheeks, one after the other. Romeo swallowed hard, fearing that his wife might be having second thoughts. He cupped her face in his hands, hoping to calm her.
Juliet shook her head. “The nurse explained how Tybalt started the awful fight. I loved my cousin, but if he had respected the law, you would not have broken it either.”
Still Juliet wept, even harder than before. “But…but—”
“Are you concerned about whether I’ll still love you as a vampire?” Romeo interjected.
Juliet managed a small nod.
“Darling, my love for you today is greater than it was for you yesterday, and I will be true to you. Always,” Romeo said.
“But there is something important I have kept from you.” Juliet’s voice was as soft as the sheet that covered her body.
“Whatever it is, you can share it with me,” Romeo said.
Juliet wiped at her cheeks with her hands. “I do not know where to begin.”
Romeo leaned in and kissed her on the lips. “Just take a deep breath and the words will come.”
Juliet did as he suggested and drew in a long breath, then let it out very slowly. She swallowed hard and began.
“There is an initiation rite that I have to perform by midnight,” Juliet said in monotone.
Romeo’s eyes flashed with recognition. “Yes, your nurse had said something about that, but she did not fully explain.”
Juliet grinned a little. “She thought better of it, I suppose. She doesn’t approve of our marriage, but she still wants me to be happy. And if she’d told you, well, who knows what would have happened.”
“Why do you underestimate me, Juliet?” Romeo took her by the hands and kissed them.
“It’s not that. It’s—”
The door to her chamber flew open without warning. Romeo dove for his trousers, hitting his head on the bedpost, as Juliet covered herself by pulling the sheet up to her neck.
“Juliet!” her nurse proclaimed as she barged into the room.
Romeo had no time to be embarrassed as he threw on his clothes. He could see how distressed the nurse appeared—perhaps he and Juliet had overslept?
“Nurse! What is the matter?” Juliet asked.
“Maribel just came and told me. A few of the prince’s men are at the castle to interrogate the servants about Romeo’s presence at the ball. Apparently, the Capulets believe there are Montague sympathizers in our ranks.” The nurse grabbed a robe from Juliet’s closet and quickly handed it to her. “We must get him out of here.”
Romeo finished getting dressed as the nurse tended to Juliet. After she put on her robe, Juliet embraced him.
“My lord, my love, my friend,” she whispered into his ear. “Will you come back for me, despite the things you do not yet know?”
Romeo caressed the back of her neck. “I promise nothing will keep me away. Not even exile.”
Finally, Juliet was able to smile. “Good-bye for now, Husband.”
Romeo let Juliet go with great reluctance, and moved to the window overlooking the orchard. He would have to climb down the wall outside in order to escape.
“Wear this, sir. Just in case.” The nurse handed Romeo a wooden crucifix pendant on a long leather band. “Most everyone has gone to sleep in their chambers, but there may be a stray or two.”
Romeo took the pendant and put it over his head. “But what about—”
“I tied the dogs up, sir,” the nurse interrupted. “Now go, before the prince’s men find you.”
Romeo glanced at his precious Juliet, who was floating in front of him like an effervescent angel. “One kiss, and I’ll descend.”
Juliet placed her hands on the back of his head, their lips touching much too quickly. Then Romeo slid between the curtains and out into the sunlight, which his bride would never be able to see again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
As soon as the sun set, Lady Capulet barged into Juliet’s chambers, with her hands placed firmly on her hips and her lips tightly pursed. She floated straight toward her daughter’s secret marriage bed and began fluffing the pillows, one by one.
“I’m sorry to inform you of this on your birthday,” she said matter-of-factly. “Tybalt was killed last evening. Prince Radu and I found his head in the street. How despicable.”
Juliet stood at the foot of the bed, marveling at how unfeeling her mother seemed. How could she deliver such tragic news so casually—as though she were giving one of her servants a list of chores to tend to?
Lady Capulet glided over to Juliet, her eyebrows raised. Juliet tugged at the collar of her robe, closing it tightly so her mother could not see any of the pink love bites that Romeo had left on her skin.
“Do you have nothing to say about the loss of your cousin?” Lady Capulet asked.
Juliet did have something to say, but it was not about Tybalt. Even with moral corruption and starvation on the horizon, for a brief moment, she was tempted to tell her mother she had married Romeo.
How would her mother respond if she found out Juliet’s husband was a Montague? Juliet knew that it would strike both her parents down like wooden stakes to their chests, but only after they killed her first.
Juliet had to do what she could to stay alive, so that she and Romeo could flee Transylvania together.
Which included tolerating her mother’s insensitivity.
“The nurse told me about Tybalt’s slaying,” Juliet said, her tone downtrodden. “My dull mood must seem strange, but I think I’m in shock.”
Lady Capulet examined Juliet from head to toe. “Now is not the time to grieve, Juliet. The last step in your transition is tonight, which means your life depends on the strength of all your senses.”
Juliet had no energy left to combat her mother, so she just nodded dutifully.
Lady Capulet floated away from her daughter and sat down in a chair. She conjured up a folded fan out of thin air. Juliet flinched when it snapped open all by itself and began waving in front of her mother’s unusually sallow face.
“Speaking of
which, your father and I have talked about your distress over initiation,” she said matter-of-factly. “I think we’ve come up with a solution that might make you feel more comfortable with it.”
Juliet’s mouth suddenly went dry. Had her mother and father actually found a way to spare her from cannibalizing some poor innocent person? Perhaps they were capable of some human decency once in a while. “Please, tell me.”
“Tybalt was slain by that wretched son of Lord Montague,” Lady Capulet said. “Thus, he is the perfect candidate for your first taste of blood. Don’t you agree?”
If there had been any color left in Juliet’s face, it would have faded from view that instant.
“You and Father want me to…murder Romeo Montague?” Juliet could not believe that those words had fallen off of her tongue.
“If you do not, another one of us will,” her mother said. “There are plenty of Capulets who are out searching for him now, ready to snap him in two.”
Juliet could not move a muscle. Her mouth hung agape and her breath caught in her throat.
“Why do you look so shocked?” Lady Capulet plucked the fan out of the air with her hand and whipped it shut. “You need to feed on human flesh by midnight and this man slaughtered your cousin. Our family deserves revenge!”
“Not at the expense of my soul!” Juliet shouted before doubling over in sidesplitting pain.
“Look at you! You are in anguish and still hiding behind your morals. Romeo is not some innocent villager, Juliet. He is guilty of murdering your cousin, he deserves to die,” Lady Capulet said tersely.
“What gives you the right to decide what happens with people’s lives?” Juliet snapped back through gritted teeth.
“Well, as your mother, I suppose I have the right to decide what happens with you,” she said coldly.
Juliet redirected all the physical agony she was experiencing and transformed it into the courage to stand up for herself. “But I can decide whether or not to obey.”
Lady Capulet leaned forward in her chair, her lips pressed together tightly. “I spoke to your father about postponing your marriage to Count Paris tomorrow, and he outright refused.”
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