The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared

by Marissa Honeycutt

  “He seems to just want to be able to see Anna,” Tom commented, trying to calm his friend. “Is that so unreasonable? How would you like to not be able to be with her?”

  Devin turned his narrowed gaze to Tom and studied him for a long time. Finally, Devin relented and sighed. “You’re right. He only wants contact. That isn’t unreasonable.” Though he didn’t seem happy, Devin stood and held up his hands. The room quieted again.

  “Perhaps I was a bit...hasty in forbidding contact with Anna,” Devin admitted slowly through gritted teeth. The room had turned against him and he knew it. “I lift my ban on your contact with Anna.”

  Anna looked up at Devin with frightened, but hopeful, eyes.

  “And visitations?” Wilhelm asked with an arched brow.

  Devin’s jaw clenched but he nodded.

  Wilhelm smiled broadly and looked at Anna. “I thank you for your willingness to change your mind, Devin.”

  Devin sat down and looked directly into Anna’s eyes. “You may go to him. If you embarrass me or misbehave in any way, I will punish you when we return home.”

  Anna couldn’t hide the happiness in her heart, even in the face of Devin’s anger. “Yes, Devin,” she said quietly.

  “I forbid you from marrying Kurt or from making me look bad in front of any of the Elders. You may not tell anyone what goes on at the Gatherings or in my private meetings. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Devin.” Anna tried to sit still, but wanted to run across the room so badly, her legs ached to stand.

  “Go.”

  Anna hesitated for a moment, looking at Devin, but he nodded stiffly and Anna ran as quickly as she could across the room and into Wilhelm’s open arms. She could feel Devin’s disapproving stare, but she couldn’t help herself. Wilhelm held her tightly and kissed her head, stroking her hair and whispering in German to her.

  Vlad stood to speak again and Wilhelm sat down, pulling Anna into his lap. She leaned her head against his comforting chest and listened to his heartbeat. She looked up to see Kurt looking at her with longing. She reached out her hand to him and he smiled brightly. Wilhelm pushed her gently up and she went to sit with Kurt.

  “Anna,” Kurt whispered, stroking her cheek. She rested her head on Kurt’s chest and reached behind her for Wilhelm’s hand. Anna closed her eyes and sighed. This is where she wanted to be.

  When the dinner was over, the plates were cleared and the tables were pushed to the sides of the room. The girls were led in wearing short dresses similar to what they wore at the spring and summer gatherings and the revelry began.

  Anna stood nervously and looked at Wilhelm. “How may—”

  Wilhelm shook his head. “Nein, Liebling. You are not to be used tonight. Kurt and I are going to take you to our room and make up for the last year and a half. We have a lot of catching up to do.” He gave Anna a heart-melting smile and nodded to Kurt.

  Kurt took her hand and they followed Wilhelm to where Devin sat with Tom and Oscar.

  “I want to thank you for changing your mind, Devin,” Wilhelm said in a humble tone. “I did not want to start any trouble. I just wanted to be with Anna. I hope you can understand that.”

  Devin narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin. “She will return to me.”

  Wilhelm nodded. “As much as I detest the thought, I will not argue. She cannot stay with me for long periods of time. This I know.” Wilhelm paused. “I was wondering if you would be willing to let her return to Germany with me. I believe she has some time off dancing? I will return her before the end of the month. You have my word.”

  “I was looking forward to having her to myself for a few weeks,” Devin protested.

  “You have had her for a year and a half without any interference from me.”

  “She was with Peter.”

  “That is not my problem. I have been forbidden from any sort of contact with her. You owe me.” Wilhelm’s eyes flashed and Anna could sense his anger. Anna had never seen him fully angry before but knew that he and Alex had similar tempers; she knew enough to be afraid.

  Devin’s jaw clenched. “Give me a date you’ll return her.”

  “I will let you know before you leave.”

  They glared at each other for a long minute before Devin nodded. “Fine. But if you try anything—”

  “I am not you, Devin. I keep my word.” Wilhelm turned and walked away before Devin could say anything else.

  Anna stared wide eyed as Devin’s face turned red in rage. He turned his gaze onto Anna before Kurt tugged at her hand and led her away.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Kurt opened the hotel room door and Anna walked into a room of gold and blue. She immediately spotted a picture of Anna Pavlova on the far wall.

  “Oh!” she exclaimed walking over to it. It was the picture of the famous ballet dancer in her Giselle costume.

  “This is the Mariinsky suite,” Kurt explained. “We were hoping you would be able to come and see it.” He moved to stand behind Anna and put his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

  Anna turned in his embrace and looked up at him. She stroked his cheek, rough with evening whiskers, and looked into his dear face. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered.

  Kurt’s gaze intensified as he looked down into her eyes. “And I, you, mein Engel. So much.” He leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers. She pushed up onto her toes and kissed him hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck, determined to show him how much she missed him with her kiss. He backed up until his legs hit the couch and sat down, pulling Anna down to straddle his hips. She pressed her hips forward, making him moan softly against her mouth. Oh, how she had missed him.

  *****

  Wilhelm knocked softly and opened the door of the adjoining suite. He had called Ilsa and given her the joyful news that Anna would be returning home with them for a few weeks. Ilsa was ecstatic and assured him that all would be ready for their return in a few days.

  He looked around the living room and didn’t see any sign of his son or Anna, and wandered closer to the bedroom doors when he heard soft moans and gasps.

  Wilhelm’s heart gave a twinge of jealousy, but he pushed it away. It was right for Kurt to be with her. He was young and unmarried. Kurt would be a good husband to her. Wilhelm needed to accept the fatherly role to her again. That is what she needed, not a fifty-three-year-old lover. Still, her soft moans aroused him and he turned to go back to his room, determined to think with the proper head.

  He took a cold shower and lay down in bed, trying to sleep. To have Anna so close and in his son’s bed was proper, but painful. The shower hadn’t done what he had intended and now his cock was throbbing with desire for her. He wrapped his hand around himself and stroked himself slowly, imagining Anna’s sweet body next to him.

  He heard a whisper of sound and opened his eyes to see a slender shape in his doorway, illuminated by the moonlight. He sat up on his elbows. “Anna?”

  She stepped forward, wrapped in a robe, dark hair streaming around her face. She was a vision of pure beauty.

  “Why are you here? Is Kurt all right?”

  She smiled timidly and walked slowly toward his bed, untying her robe and letting it fall to the ground. “He is. He thought I should come be with you.”

  “Anna, he is young and good for you. I am an old man.” His voice cracked like a pre-teen as he gazed on her perfect breasts, the circles of her nipple piercings glinting in the moonlight that trickled through the curtains. His eyes trailed down her perfectly toned stomach and the gentle swell of her hips and thighs. He licked his lips as his eyes strayed to her bare pussy lips.

  “You’re not old, Wilhelm,” she said softly, coming to sit next to him on the bed. She reached out and cupped his cheek. “I love you both,” she whispered. “I need both of you.”

  His cock throbbed at her words. She trailed her hand down his chest and stomach, pushing aside the blankets and gazed at his cock. Before he could stop her, she bent
down and took him into her hot, wet mouth. He fell back on the pillow and moaned low as she sucked on him. His hand came to rest gently on the back of her head, stroking her silky hair and whispering words of encouragement and love. God, he loved her.

  “Anna, it is not right that Kurt sleep alone.”

  She looked up at him and backed her mouth off his cock. “I’ll go get him when we’re done, if that’s okay. I want to sleep between you two.”

  “Anna, you do not have to do this,” he protested, and then groaned as she swallowed him down her throat.

  “I want to,” she said after a few minutes. “I’ve missed you both so much.”

  Wilhelm fought within himself. She came to him willingly. If he rejected her, she would be hurt. If he allowed her to continue, he would feel that he went back on his decision to remain fatherly. But her throat made it hard to stay determined. Sex was, after all, how she felt things. To reject her sexually would hurt her unlike it would a normal woman. It would hurt her to the core. Sex was her love language.

  He tugged on her hair gently and she looked up at him with nervous eyes. “I want to kiss you,” he said in a husky voice and pulled her up his body and pressed his lips to hers. He would show her how much he loved and cared for her. He would show her how much he’d missed her.

  Wilhelm rolled her to his side and then onto her back and kissed her and explored her body with his hands. When he reached her pussy, he gently pressed a finger inside her core and she sighed and arched her back.

  “Oh, Wilhelm. Please!” she begged, spreading her legs wide.

  “Not yet, Liebling,” he murmured against her mouth. “I must explore every inch of your body and see where you have changed since we were last together.”

  Two hours later, Anna tiptoed back to get Kurt and found him fast asleep in bed. She turned to go tell Wilhelm and found him right behind her.

  “We can stay in here,” he whispered. He kissed her and led her into Kurt’s bed and lay down next to her. She curled next to Kurt and Wilhelm curled his body around her, so thankful that he was hers again.

  *****

  Anna felt herself waking, but desperately clung to her dream. She was safe in Kurt’s embrace. Devin had relented and let her be with them again.

  But no, awareness took hold and she sighed unhappily and opened her eyes.

  “Why do you sigh so sadly, Engel?”

  Anna turned her head and laughed in delight when she saw Kurt lying on his side next to her. His head was propped up on his bent arm, his blond hair disheveled from sleep. It hadn’t been a dream; it was real!

  She looked behind her, but Wilhelm wasn’t there.

  “He had to make a phone call,” Kurt explained when she looked back at him. “Is that why you sighed?” he asked, looking hurt.

  Anna shook her head emphatically. “I thought...all this...was just a dream. That I was in Devin’s room and not here.”

  Kurt grinned. “Nein. You are here, and here you will stay.”

  “I’m so glad,” Anna whispered. She reached out to touch his face, now very scratchy, and smiled. Her heart swelled with emotion as she gazed into his eyes.

  He curled a piece of her hair around his fingers. “Still so beautiful, mein Engel.”

  A discreet cough made Anna turn to look at the doorway. Wilhelm stood there wearing only pajama bottoms, no shirt, with a broad smile on his face.

  Anna smiled at him.

  “We need to get dressed and get breakfast. The service begins at ten.”

  Anna bit her lip. “I don’t have my clothes. They’re in Devin’s room.”

  Wilhelm smiled. “I spoke with him and he is sending them over. The front desk sent up some toiletries so you could begin getting ready.” He held out a white gift bag and then set it on the dresser near the door.

  Kurt grunted as he sat up. “I would rather stay in bed.”

  Wilhelm chuckled. “Duties, my son. They are never ending. But at least we have our Anna back.”

  Kurt leaned over and kissed Anna. “That is true. The day cannot be bad if she is here.”

  Anna blushed and looked down at the bed.

  “I will send your clothes in when they come,” Wilhelm said, and turned and walked away.

  Anna turned to look at Kurt.

  “Shall we shower?” he asked with a glint in his eyes.

  “Together?”

  “We can save water.” He laughed and pulled her to her feet.

  *****

  Wilhelm was shrugging on his shirt when he heard the knock on the door. He went to open it and saw Ian standing there, holding a large suitcase.

  “I’ve brought Anna’s things,” he said in a deep voice, looking around.

  Ian wanted to see her? “She is in the adjoining suite getting ready,” Wilhelm said slowly, watching the big man’s face. He stepped back and allowed the man inside.

  The slightest hint of disappointment flashed through his eyes but was gone instantly, and he nodded. “I believe the maid got everything, but if something is missing, let me know.” He put the suitcase down and looked at Wilhelm. “She’s...okay?” he asked quietly.

  Wilhelm was surprised at the question. This was Devin’s right hand man. Why would he care about Anna’s wellbeing? “I would never hurt her,” Wilhelm said, lifting his chin defensively. “Neither would Kurt.”

  Ian hesitated. “I know,” he said quietly, almost gratefully, which again surprised Wilhelm. “She got pretty banged up yesterday afternoon.”

  Wilhelm raised his brow. “Did you have anything to do with it?”

  Ian shook his head. “I would only do so if Devin ordered me to,” he said intently, as if trying to convey something unspoken. “He generally prefers to do it himself.”

  Wilhelm nodded. “I could see that being the case.” Maybe Ian wasn’t the evil monster he’d always assumed him to be.

  “She...doesn’t heal like she used to,” Ian said. “She had bruises on her back and arms last night.”

  Wilhelm nodded. He’d seen them this morning. “I will make sure she is all right, and keep her by my side. No harm will come to her while she is with myself or Kurt.”

  Ian looked like he wanted to say more, but just nodded with a grateful look on his face.

  Anna walked into the room and smiled when she saw Ian. “Thank you, Ian,” she said softly.

  Ian looked at her, searching her face for something, and then he smiled. “You’re welcome, Mistress.” He glanced at Wilhelm and then back to Anna with a tenderness Wilhelm had never seen in the man’s face. He looked back at Wilhelm. “If you need anything....” He trailed off and then nodded and left the room.

  “Did you get your—” Kurt walked into the room and smiled. “Ah, good.” He pulled her suitcase into his room and Anna followed.

  She glanced back at Wilhelm. “He’s not a bad man, Wilhelm,” she said motioning to the door. “He only does what Devin tells him to do.”

  Wilhelm nodded and she disappeared into the other room. He stood for a moment, thoughtful. Ian’s care for Anna surprised him. Wilhelm tucked the information into his brain to think about another time. Perhaps it would prove useful later.

  He returned to the bedroom and finished dressing.

  *****

  Anna leaned against Kurt as they rode down in the elevator to the main floor. Wilhelm stood on her other side and would occasionally reach out and touch her, as if to assure himself that she was really there. She liked the assurance that he was there as well.

  They walked to the ballroom where they would eat breakfast. The tables were back in place and most of them had men sitting around them. The other Elder-Mistresses were there as well, dressed in pale colored dresses that made them look elegant and aloof. Anna looked down at her black dress and wondered if she’d dressed appropriately.

  “Anna, you are not like them,” Wilhelm said softly. “It is all right. You look beautiful.”

  They sat down at the table they’d sat at the night before and within m
inutes had plates full of delectable breakfast foods in front of them. Anna sat between Wilhelm and Kurt.

  Several other men sat at the table. Wilhelm and Kurt introduced them to Anna after greeting them in German. Three of the men were younger. Sons, Anna assumed. She looked at them warily until Kurt put his arm around her and gave assurance that they wouldn’t hurt her. She ate quietly while the men spoke around her in German. She might not have understood what they were saying, but she still felt more comfortable at this table than she had at Devin’s table.

  Anna could feel Devin’s gaze from across the room and looked up at him. She gave him a timid smile and he frowned, his eyes cold and disapproving. Tommy sat next to his father and he smiled at her, but she only returned a timid nod. She didn’t want to upset Devin any more than he already was.

  After breakfast was over, she walked with Wilhelm and Kurt out to a line of waiting limos. The distance was short, just over a river and onto a small island to what Kurt said was a former fortress. The line of cars and limos awaiting their turn to drop off their passengers was long, though, and extended to the bridge, which made Anna nervous.

  She stared out the window at the water below and shivered.

  Kurt put his arm around her. “I know you do not like bridges, Engel. I am sorry.” He nuzzled her neck. “We will be moving soon.”

  Anna leaned her head on his shoulder and traced the blue ribbon that crossed his chest diagonally. The same ribbon Alex had worn to the New Year’s Eve party after they were married.

  “We should have brought yours, Anna. I am sorry,” Wilhelm said softly, remorse evident in his eyes. He wore the same ribbon as Kurt. “Ilsa would have remembered.”

  “It’s not necessary, Wilhelm. I’m not—”

  Wilhelm frowned. “Do not even say it Anna,” he said in a stern tone. “You are. Your position in our family has not changed. You are still Herzogin.”

  Anna shrank back at his tone and he softened his gaze.

  “I should not have said it like that, Anna. Forgive me.” Regret filled his eyes as Wilhelm reached out and stroked her cheek. “I hate what he has done to you,” he added in a whisper.