1632
She hovers in the shadows with the hope that they will shield her from the one she watches. He speaks softly in a far corner of the tavern with a dazzling female. Debating whether to approach him or simply leave, she whispers, "How devilish you look, talking so coyly with that lovely woman."
Cupping her hands around her untouched glass of liqueur, she continues, "Does she yet know her fate, my guilty angel? Will you show her all that time has made you in one moment of splendid glory?"
But what am I saying? She wonders without speaking. She's quite safe, of course, as you are not one of us, the undead. However that was managed quite baffles me.
She looks up quickly to find his eyes on her. Do you hear me, dear poet? Do my unspoken words fall upon an open mind?
He begins to stand up and she silently orders him, Do not search for me.
Without realizing what he may have meant to do, he returns to the conversation with the beautiful young stranger. Her silver laugh rings out across the room.
She closes her eyes and wills herself to not leave her seat. Oh! would that it were possible for me to take you by the hand and lead you back to me!
Opening her eyes, they swiftly return to him, blazing. And you, caught unaware by this sudden advance, would submit to my touch. She starts at her own fevered words.
No, not my touch.
She sighs and admits to herself, It would be foolish to delude myself into thinking all might be as simple as that. Physical delights are beyond me now, as you well know. My desire for you is altogether different.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she slowly stands up and begins crossing the floor towards him. Have you any idea what seeing you does to me?
As he glances up, she slips just outside his gaze and sinks into a nearby chair. He frowns as one trying to recall a fading dream, then reaches out and takes a hesitant drink from the glass before him.
But, by the God I am sure I have forsaken, I swear I will never so completely damn you. I wish for you only to live this eternity without the pain I bear.
She rises and walks in a half circle around to the back of his seat, concealing herself in the welcoming darkness all the time. She extends her hand, yet refrains from touching him. But all these words that you truly need to hear so that you may understand will never reach you. Everything is such a mystery, is it not, my love?
And I alone could change that for you, yet I never will. I apologize, my wandering troubadour, I truly do.
Stepping back further into the blackness of the tavern she whispers, too softly for anyone but her to hear, "Ah, master Pierre, if you only knew that I was too late to save you the moment I laid eyes on you! If you only knew . . . "
A second later, she has disappeared into the night.
