I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you/That every long lost dream led me to where you are/Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars/Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
The tavern is mostly empty when I walk inside, a sense of relief washing over me when I realize I'll be able to make it to my room without much of a hassle. Reagan waves me over to the bar, handing me a snifter of brandy.
"You got your usual upstairs waitin' for you," he says, scrubbing at the bar with his rag. Downing the liquid, I nod my thanks and head up to my room where I knew Ivan would be patiently waiting and probably reading one of my brother's tales. I'm greeted by a large grin as I step inside, the room lit only by the two oil lamps I own.
"I was beginning to worry," Ivan says softly, standing up and holding his arms open. "No one's safe out on the streets at night." I grimace slightly as he says this, dark thoughts trying to creep past the barrier I've built. I'm pulled into a tight embrace, Ivan kissing the top of my head. "Has your brother written anything else? Another story or poem?" I shrug, sitting on my bed and gesturing for him to join me.
"He's written a poem for a certain young lady that's managed to catch his eye," I answer, smiling as my friend's eyes light up with anticipation. "I take it you want to hear it?"
"Of course, Miss Poe, your brother is a genius when it comes to writing!"
"It was many and many a year ago in a kingdom by the sea," I recite the poem softly," that a maiden there lived whom you may know by the name of Annabel Lee; and this maiden, she lived with no other thought than to love and be loved by me. Shewas a child and Iwas a child, in this kingdom by the sea, but we loved with a love that was more than love—I and my Annabel Lee—with a love that the winged seraphs of Heaven coveted, her and me…."
"Is that all?" I shake my head, smiling as I think back to all the smiles Emily Hamilton had caused to bloom on Edgar's face. He deserved to be happy after everything he's endured, after all the sorrows.
"And this was the reason that, long ago, in this kingdom by the sea, a wind blew out of a cloud by night, chilling my Annabel Lee. So that her high-born kinsmen came and bore her away from me, to shut her up in a sepulcher in this kingdom by the sea."
Ivan looks awed, one of his arms wrapping around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him, allowing me to lay my head on his shoulder. "It's beautiful," he whispers, looking down at me with tear-filled eyes. He was an emotional person and had no problem expressing himself, though it sometimes came as a shock. "I-it reminds me of you. The description of her beauty, I mean." Blushing, I look away from the man. I've known him for five years and he seems to love giving me compliments even though it made me feel awkward.
"Ivan, I believe you're biased," I laugh, tracing the swirling patterns on my quilt. He just grins, using one finger to turn my face to meet his and pressing his lips against mine softly. Unlike my other regulars, Ivan didn't come just to have sex, he came because he knew I needed a friend. "Are you staying the night?" He nods slowly, playing with a lock of my dark hair. "Help me with my corset." He undoes the stays, gladly helping me out of the annoying garment. Taking a deep, needed, breath, I remove my skirt and top before pulling on a sheer, white chemise to sleep in.
"Come here," he whispers, eyes showing the love he feels for everyone and everything. I lay next to him, looking out the window across the room.
"'Twas noontide of summer, and mid-time of night, and stars, in their orbits, shone pale through the night," I whisper softly to no one before falling asleep. Edgar would tell me that line when I stayed at his house for the night even if it was nowhere near summertime, our own version of sweet dreams.
I smile up at Theodore as we make our way home from the theatre, loving the way his blue eyes shone in the moonlight. Being so tall and broad-shouldered, Theodore intimidated most people, but I only ever felt safe around him. He's a good-natured man and a hard worker, his arm warm around my shoulders as we make our way down the deserted street.
The night was clear and a dusting snow covered everything around us, almost glowing under the streetlamps. Everything seemed so perfect, Theodore chatting away about the house he was working on. We'd move into that house after we married, just two weeks away until we could share a home and have a child.
Everything that once seemed so perfect moments before disappears when the shadow of a man steps in front of us, his knife dripping red.
I wake with a start, breathes coming in panicked gasps. I haven't had that particular nightmare in years and I wonder what triggered it now? Ivan lets out a long breath, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling my back flush against his front. I need comfort and the alcohol is too far away, so Ivan will have to do. Turning, I give his lips a soft but long kiss, beginning to feel him respond.
"What a pleasant way to begin the morning," he mumbles against my neck, kissing his way down to my shoulder. I quickly do away with my chemise, giving him access to my breasts. He takes full avenge of this, one hard peak disappearing between his lips as one of his hand begins to knead the other. I moan, arching into his touch, fingers tangling in his short hair.
Suddenly the door to my room is kicked in, allowing several of the Baltimore Police Department to file inside after a detective. I pull my quilt up to cover myself, beginning to blush. "I'm sorry, sir," I say to the man who looks to be in charge," but I'm a little busy here and you'll have to wait your turn like all the others."
"Are you Sarah Elizabeth Poe," the man demands, keeping his gaze averted with lips twitching slightly in disapproval. I assume he's a detective instead of an actual officer since he's absent a uniform, but dressed in fine clothes. "The sister of Edgar Allan Poe?" A feeling of unease washes through me at his question, making me shift uncomfortably in my small bed.
"Yes."
"I need you to accompany back to the police station as soon as you are dressed properly." God, please tell me Edgar is alive. I can't handle another man I love dying, I just can't! I nod, telling him I'd meet him downstairs. As the men file out again I ask Ivan to help me with my blasted corset, knowing it was going to be a long day.
"Do you want me to come with you," he asks worriedly as we walk down the creaking stairs to the main part of the tavern.
"No, Ivan, I'll come see you as soon as I can to tell you why they bothered us, I promise." He nods, looking over at the man I spoke to earlier.
"Miss," the man offers me his hand to help me into a coach. "I am Detective Fields and I will be the one to question you at the station while we wait for your brother."
Dammit, Edgar, what the hell did you do this time?
"'Twas noontide of summer, and mid-time of night; and stars, in their orbits, shone pale through the night" is from the poem Evening Star by Edgar Allan Poe. The song at the top is Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts.