Page 112 of Captive Bride

He presents a vial of green liquid that’s in a little glass bottle with a tiny cork on it.

“This is my solution. Isobel will drink it. It will induce a sleep-like death. Everyone will think that she’s committed suicide. We’ll have the show of a funeral. As far as the Capulets and the Montagues know, Isobel will be dead, overburdened by the despair of this war.”

I tighten my hold on Isobel’s hand. Thinking of her being dead for even a second makes my stomach twist in uncomfortable knots.

But still, we let the priest go on.

“And then, she’ll awaken. And Tristan will be right here with me, and I can marry you two in secret, saving you from the Governor and keeping Isobel free from being forced to testify against Tristan in court, should the need arises. If you’re married, you can’t testify against each other.”

I look at Isobel, and she looks at me. I know we’re both thinking the same thing.

This is a crazy plan. But, at the same time, it might work. If everyone thinks that Isobel’s dead, if they see her unmoving body for themselves, the Capulets might back off from ever trying to find her again.

It could mean her freedom.

“I know it’s a long shot, Tristan, but it’s the only way she’ll be safe, and the only way that you two can be together safely.”

She holds out her hand, and the priest gives her the vial.

She looks at me and shows it to me.

I don’t know what to do. I want to escape the city with Isobel and forget this whole thing.

But I know in my heart that wherever we escape to, they’ll find us.

The Capulets will never rest until their princess is back in their hands.

“Tristan?” she says, looking up at me. “What do you think? It just might work. Maybe faking my death is the way out of this thing.”

“Yeah maybe, but I think we need to talk about it more, Isobel.”

Just as I say these words, the unexpected happens. There’s a commotion outside, and then someone busts down the door. It’s the police—I’ve been found.

We’re surrounded.

Someone must’ve snitched.

I hold Isobel’s hand tightly, but the cops drag me away.

The second I’m not holding her any longer, I realize how much of a mistake this was. We never should’ve stopped by the cathedral. I should’ve just gotten out of the city with her, like I wanted to.

There are tears in her eyes as they take me away. There are too many cops for me to shoot my way out of this one.

Isobel starts to cry, and I feel horrible that I’ve let her down.

I vow to get out of this somehow, someway.

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