Oh, My Dear Juliet

The rain poured hard over the men's black cloaks, soaking them to the bone as they made their way through the dark and winding streets. The three men walked briskly towards the entrance of the vampire ball. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting an iridescent shadow on their figures. 

"So how exactly do you plan on sneaking our way in here, Romeo?" Malichi asked, his voice barely audible over the pounding rain.

"Just because we're wearing masks doesn't mean we will actually fit in," Julius remarked, his tone laced with skepticism as he adjusted his black wolf mask.

Romeo laughed, the sound echoing through the empty streets as he tied the golden crow mask on his own face. 

"What's life without a little risk?" he joked, his eyes glinting with mischief. 

The three men were on a mission, determined to crash the vampire ball that had been the talk of the kingdom for weeks. After their morning fight with a few of the vampire warriors, they were more than ready to stir up some trouble. But for Romeo, the real lure was the chance to see his secret lover, Rosemary.

Romeo, the prince of the sea, and Rosemary , a lady-in-waiting for the princess of the night, belonged to the two wealthiest kingdoms in the land. Their families had been locked in a bitter feud for generations, each vying for dominance and power. Romeo’s family ruled over the seas, while Rosemary’s family held control over the land.

The sounds of arriving guests echoed through the dark air, and the clattering of hooves on the cobblestone streets signaled the arrival of the elite. 

The three men paused outside the imposing gates, the rain-soaked cloaks they had been wearing now stashed in a nearby bush. War was not new to these men, their bodies bearing scars and their minds hardened by battle, yet entering this ball seemed to be an even more daunting task. 

With a shared glance they began to approach the threshold. The flickering torches lighting the path to the castle entrance beckoning them forward, urging them to take the next fateful step into the heart of their enemy's territory.

"What's the plan if we get caught?" Malachi’s voice quivered with apprehension as he glanced around the dimly lit corridor. Romeo, the ever confident one, let out a hearty laugh in response. 

"Well, I guess we run," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Julius playfully shoved Romeo, a devilish grin on his face. 

"Well, you have fun with that, running away from a castle full of vampires," Julius retorted, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"You bet your ass I will," Romeo replied. 

The guards at the door eyed them suspiciously, but with a confident smile and a smooth lie, the group managed to slip past unnoticed.

As they entered the ballroom, a wave of dark red washed over them. The once imposing black walls of the castle now seemed to ooze with crimson. The grand chandeliers overhead bathed the room in a haunting light, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows across the dance floor.

Julius’s nerves were palpable "Romeo," he began, his eyes darting nervously around the room, "we stick out like sore thumbs." His voice was barely above a whisper over the sweet songs of a violin. And he paused momentarily to adjust the collar of his shirt concealing the gills that lay underneath. 

 "You two stay towards the walls and try to evade any guards that might be lurking about," Romeo instructed, his voice steady and composed. "Just don't draw attention to yourselves, and we should be fine."

The boys nodded in understanding, each heading towards separate ends of the room to blend in with the crowd. Romeo's keen eyes scanned the dance floor, searching for the familiar figure of Rosemary. She had sent him a raven earlier that week stating that she would be wearing a silver gown and a black lace mask. As he moved through the crowd with practiced ease, Romeo observed each guest with precision, keeping a careful eye out for any sign of danger.

Julius, hidden in the shadows near one of the pillars, remained vigilant, his senses on high alert. Malichi on the other hand found himself surrounded by a group of young ladies, who seem to be a little overly interested in his not so funny jokes. 

Romeo moved deeper and deeper into the swirling mass of guests. Then, amidst the sea of masks and gowns, he saw her, standing alone in the center of the ball room. Her silver gown shimmered with each flickering flame, casting an ethereal glow around her as she moved with grace and elegance. Her long brown hair cascaded in soft ringlets down her back, framing her delicate features like a halo of warmth against the cold stone walls of the castle.

Romeo approached Rosemary with a certain softness in his step, his heart racing with anticipation. As he reached her, he gently placed a delicate hand on her waist and with a swift movement, swooped her into a dance. Rosemary, gasped in surprise. The music swirled around them, guiding their movements as they twirled and swayed together in perfect synchrony.

Upon the end of the song Romeo and Rosemary stood silent, their gazes locked as the music faded into the background. In a moment of vulnerability, Rosemary lifted her mask, revealing her pale face to Romeo. But to his shock and dismay, it was not Rosemary standing before him. His heart sank as he came to grips with his mistake, the realization hitting him like an icy wave. 

The woman standing before him was a stranger, yet she was also the most beautiful woman Romeo had ever laid eyes on. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through him.

"I'm guessing from the look on your face I'm not who you expected me to be," the woman said.

"No, not entirely, but still a nice surprise dancing with a beautiful woman like yourself," Romeo responded, gleaming a handsome smile. The woman blushed at his compliment.

"Well, you are rather light on your feet, sir. May I ask your name?" she inquired as they escorted themselves off the dance floor.

"That is confidential information, madam," Romeo joked. "What's yours?"

She smiled at him. "Juliet," she said softly.

A comfortable silence settled between them, only to be interrupted by the sound of a crash and a few piercing screams. Both their eyes darted towards the commotion, a sense of unease creeping over them. 

"Get those Udinians out of here!" a guard shouted, chasing after Malachi. The boys had been caught, and panic filled the air. Romeo looked nervously for Julius, who was already making his way towards the back entrance.

"What is going on?" Juliet asked, her voice filled with concern.

Romeo took her hand gently in his. "Thank you so much for the dance, but unfortunately, that's my cue." And with that, he ran after the guards and Malachi, disappearing back into the night as fast as they had appeared, leaving Juliet behind in the chaos of the ballroom.

As the golden glow of the morning filtered through the ornate windows of her chamber, Juliet, the princess of the night, sat lost in thought. The soft candlelight illuminated the delicate features of her face, casting shadows that accentuated the worry lines on her forehead.

Her chestnut brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose waves, the strands catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. With a gentle touch, her maid carefully brushed away the remnants of the day, each stroke a soothing caress against her scalp.

Her mind drifted back to the enchanting ball she had attended earlier that evening. The memory of the mysterious man who had swept her off her feet lingered in her thoughts, his piercing gaze and dark black hair standing out in stark contrast to the familiar faces of her own kingdom. A sense of longing tugged at her heart as she replayed the dance in her mind, the music still echoing faintly in her ears. Who was he, and why did he seem so out of place yet strangely familiar in her world of nobility and tradition? 

Juliet dismissed her maid with a soft smile, and walked gracefully onto the balcony, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. The rising sun cast long shadows across the gardens below, yet none could touch her. 

As she gazed out at the lush greenery, the bushes rustled faintly, drawing her attention. Her eyes narrowed as she peered down, her senses on high alert. Ready to confront whatever or whoever may be lurking in the shadows, she tensed, her muscles coiled like a spring.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the foliage, his features obscured by a metallic grey cloak. Juliet's breath caught in her throat as recognition dawned upon her. It was him, the mysterious man from the ball, his presence both unexpected and thrilling. 

Juliet watched in awe as the mysterious man skillfully scaled the wall of her balcony, his movements fluid and graceful. 

As he leaped over the balcony railing with a thud, landing skillfully in front of Juliet, the air crackled with tension. The morning light cast a soft glow on his figure, outlining the contours of his cloak as he turned to face her stunned form. The man reached up to lower his hood, revealing a tousled mane of dark hair and eyes that shone like emeralds. 

“What in the world are you doing here?” Juliet asked. Glancing around the room to make sure there was no unexpected company.

A half-smile played on his lips as he spoke. "We were interrupted earlier, and I regret not being able to tell you my name.” A faint blush tinted Juliet's cheeks as she met his gaze.

"All right then, out with it," she challenged. 

Encouraged by her reaction, he leaned in slightly, his eyes locked on hers. "My name is Romeo Udinian," he confessed. Juliet's gasp was barely audible, her mind reeling at the revelation. Romeo, an Udinian Prince – a name that struck fear and disgust in the hearts of her family. 

What kind of man was he to sneak into her family's ball, to dance with her in the grand ballroom where eyes and whispers followed their every move, and now to risk everything by standing before her, revealing his true identity?

The thought of the danger he had willingly placed himself in for the sake of a clandestine meeting with her left Juliet both bewildered and intrigued. She couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her at the recklessness of his actions, the forbidden allure of their undeniable connection.

"And what is it exactly that you'd like me to do with that information?" she asked, her tone laced with defiance. "Swoon over you? Like I'm sure every other woman does where you come from."

Romeo’s expression remained unreadable, his emerald eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. A flicker of amusement danced in his gaze, as if he found Juliet's boldness rather intriguing.

"Oh, my dear Juliet, I assure you, I did not come here seeking your adoration," he replied, his voice low and velvety. "Yet I also can't deny that you've clung to every corner of my mind since that dance,"

Juliet's heart raced, Everything about him tempted her – his enigmatic charm, his dangerous allure, the way he seemed to understand parts of her that she herself had yet to discover. This was wrong, she told herself, a dangerous game that could lead to ruin for both of them.

"What if tonight we forgot about our titles?" Romeo’s words sent a shiver down Juliet's spine, his breath warm against her ear. 

“Are you insane?” Juliet spoke, moving herself toward the other end of the balcony carefully avoiding the creeping sunlight. “We only just met and if you need a reminder, I am your enemy,”

Romeo followed her, his confident footsteps echoing on the ancient stone floor.“You can’t deny this connection, Juliet,” he said softly, his hand reaching out to gently grasp hers, a silent plea in his touch.

Juliet's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions as she pulled her hand away from Romeo’s gentle grasp. "I am arranged to marry a Lord of my own kingdom," she stated firmly.

"Well, do you love him?" Romeo asked.

Juliet hesitated, her gaze drifting to the horizon where the first rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. "Love is a luxury that I cannot afford," she replied quietly

“What if you could love me?” Romeo asked, his voice filled with a quiet desperation as he watched Juliet begin to pace the balcony.

She couldn't help but laugh, a bitter sound that echoed off the stone walls. "You really are crazy," she said “You are an Udinian, and I am a Vrykolakas. Our worlds are not meant to intertwine."

"Give me a night," Rome begged, his voice raw with emotion. "Give me a night to show you what could be." 

Juliet paused, her gaze softening as she looked at him, torn between the pull of duty and the yearning in her heart. "I just want one night," he pleaded, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hope. 

A moment of silence stretched between them. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "One night."