Black Rose • Mikaelson

5. His Juliet, her Romeo

WE WAKE EVERY MORNING AND QUESTION whether we're a sinner or a saint. We wonder what determines a sinner from a saint. Is it if one goes to bed with a man unwed? Is it if one lives a numerous amount of lives? Is it if one drinks the blood of another? If it is, I suppose I would be a sinner. Down to the very last letter of the word. I bed a man unwed. I have lived over a thousand lifetimes, and the red liquid running through another's veins is my feast. Then again, however, willing to give my life for my one true love should classify me as a saint. I suppose we're all sinners in a sin driven world.

I turn fast on my heels to come face to face with my reflection. Beside my own reflection, is the face of my lover. He smiles at me. I return the smile and turn to face him head on. My smile doesn't last long when Ivonna's words from just the night before rings through my head.

"Niklaus told me the other night how it's easier to beg for forgiveness, then ask permission. Maybe you should follow the lead of your lover."

I take Niklaus' hands in mine and lead him over to the bed. His frown displays his worry. I caress his face in my hands and give a sad smile. I had worries of my own. I had planned on taking this secret to my grave, seeing that I wasn't kicking the bucket anytime soon — that was going to be an eternity. I wonder how Elijah would take it when he gets word of what we've done. Nik presses his lips to my palm, drawing my attention back to him.

"Nik, I need to tell you something," I frown. "Something you may not like."

Nik's frown falls deeper and his hands move to my wrists. My heart constricts in my chest. I didn't want to relive two weeks before I got here, anymore than I wanted to tell it. I can't help the tear that slips down my cheek. Fear of losing someone you love is like no fear you've ever felt.

"Two weeks before Ivonna and I came to New Orleans, we ran into some witches back in Rome. We had taken a trip there before I was to follow you here." I frown.

"I don't understand what's not to like." Nik shrugs.

"I'm not finished, my love. I didn't plan on coming to New Orleans right away. Not at all, to be honest. Not until you specifically asked me too."

I finally lost Nik with where this conversation is going.

"The witches were pissed with you and somehow knew how close we were. Besides the fact we're both originals. They had a dagger with a white oak handle and they planned on using it against you. It wouldn't kill you but once shoved into your heart, no one could take it out besides the witch that put it there. It would of been like death. In order for me to get that dagger, I had to give up a vial of my mother's blood."

Niklaus shoots up as if my touch burns his skin. It's an expected response. What's going to be unexpected is the words he wishes to spit in the moment of his anger. He paces back and forth, his fist balled in anger until he swings them across the table, knocking everything to the floor. Once again, as expected.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Niklaus growls.

"That I was going to save your life." I frown.

"By giving up the one thing that could kill you! My love, you are an incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman but that was a moronic idea."

Even if he attempts to cushion the blow of his insult, it's still there.

"You would have done the same thing in my position."

"Because I love you!"

"You don't think I love you? It is why I made the choice. I was faced with an impossible decision and I chose the one I could live with. Do you really expect me to put myself before you? I wouldn't be able to survive the thought of losing you forever. Only a vial of my mother's blood would be no use to any witch."

Niklaus huffs a breath and runs his hand along his face. I stand up off the bed and wipe away a few stray tears before Nik's eyes fall back on me.

"Maybe we should finally call it quits," My heart constricts at my own words. "For good, Niklaus. All this worrying isn't good for either of us."

His brows fall and he stares at me as if I've grown another head. It feels like my heart ripped in two. Niklaus and I often go through periods where we've called it quits. Always in the spur of the moment, always in the heat of our anger. Heartbreak and I are old friends. Catching up every so often for a tub of ice cream and tears. Nik crosses the room over to me and kneels in front of me. He wraps his arms around my thighs and lays his head on my legs. He finally looks up, tears dotting the corner of his eyes. I try to keep my expression from showing what my heart feels.

"You are a goddess, Nadia, in looks and personality." Niklaus says.

I don't know if I should smile or just stare. If I were to smile, did it mean we no longer needed to have this conversation? I choose to just stare, pursing my lips at my British bastard. Nik slides his hands back and forth along my inner thighs to soothe me. By now, the tears in my eyes matches his. Only mine free fall down rosey cheeks, however.

"How can we keep doing this, Niklaus? We are ruining each other. I will never be able to love someone as I've loved you." I frown.

"Because I love you and you love me. We have tried to walk away many times before, Nadia. Each time has failed, that means something." Nik squeezes my thighs.

I slide my body down to sit in front of Niklaus on the floor. I caress Nik's face, sliding my thumbs back and forth across his cheek bones. He presses our foreheads together, holding onto what's left of my weary soul. I close my eyes for a brief moment, inhaling the scent of him. It's a familiar scent — my favorite scent. Fresh pine trees and aqua reef. It's what puts me to sleep most nights. I've had to find substitutes many nights.

"I love you with everything in me. You are my Romeo, I am your Juliet. However, there's a reason the same love story is known as a tragedy." I frown.

I press a lingering a kiss to Niklaus' lips and repress our foreheads together. I want to hold on forever for what's left of our shaky relationship. I don't know how any longer. We'd still be in the same position if I hold on. I finally stand and cross the room to my vanity stand. I wipe away any evidence of tears from my cheeks and turn back to look at Nik. He's still sitting on the floor, frowning at me. I imagine my expression matches his. I comb my hands through my hair. Nik still frowns at me, waiting for me to say something.

"I just need time, Niklaus." I sigh.

"Take all the time you need, my love." Nik nods.

I doubt he be so eager to agree when he hears the rest of my words.

"Romeo and Juliet had time to write their love story before their tragedy. We've had time to do the same — over a thousand years. Maybe this is our tragedy."