He brushed his lips against hers and she sighed. “Wilhelm,” she whispered. His lips pressed harder and she was made breathless by the passion in his kiss.
“I wanted you last night too, Liebling,” he said breathlessly against her lips. She could feel his cock hardening against her hip and moved against him, making him gasp and then moan.
She worked at the buttons on his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders and onto the floor. When she reached for his pants he groaned and murmured in German.
Quickly, they removed each other’s clothing and fell back onto the bed. He sucked on her neck and nibbled his way down to her breasts, taking a nipple in his mouth and sucking on it as she moaned loudly. The passion in his touch and his eyes lit her on fire and made her desire him more than anything in a very long time.
“Wilhelm!” she cried as he kissed his way down to her pussy and sucked her into his mouth. She moaned loudly and buried her hands in his thick hair as he licked and sucked her intimate place. “Oh! Oh!” she cried and then screamed out his name as he brought her to her release. She held his head against her tightly and flexed her hips against him.
When the waves of pleasure subsided he slid up her body and thrust into her with one smooth movement. They both sighed at the sensation of being joined together.
“Mein Anna,” he murmured. He lifted his face and gazed deeply into her eyes. They were full of such passion it overwhelmed her. “Open yourself to me, mein Liebling,” he whispered, almost hypnotically.
He kissed her and began moving. His movements were long and languid and she did what he asked. She felt herself opening up to his body, allowing him in deeper than any other man, except Alex. Immediately, she felt light headed and felt as if he were melting into her body and she into his. She was no longer accepting him into her body; there was only one body. One body and one mind.
A rush of sensation that she hadn’t experienced in a very long time tingled in her body and slowly built as Wilhelm’s movements quickened. She heard him groan and thrust very hard and she screamed out his name again and floated in mid-air as he emptied himself into her.
“Yes!” she cried out, though she didn’t know why. She wanted him, all of him, inside her. She wanted him to own her, to take possession of her body like Alex had long ago.
They floated together as he throbbed inside her and she accepted him deep inside. When he had emptied himself he shuddered slightly and then rolled to his side, pulling her with him.
She snuggled close to him and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Chapter Forty
Kurt barely spoke to Anna during the rest of their time in St. Petersburg, and she didn’t blame him one bit. She’d resigned herself to his coldness as the limo approached the driveway to the Gutshaus. But when the home that Alex had grown up in came into view, tears started running down her cheeks and she couldn’t stop the sobs from wracking her entire body. Kurt practically leapt across the distance he’d put between himself and Anna in the vehicle and wrapped his long arms around her. She sobbed into his chest while he held her tightly, kissing her head and apologizing for being so cold to her.
He rarely left her side after that and doted on her as much as any woman could hope for.
They walked around the gardens most afternoons, talking and just being together. Derek and Sofie walked with them most of the time. Anna couldn’t believe how much the children had grown. Derek was now eight and Sofie, who had been a toddler when she’d first met her, was now five. Derek spoke fluent English and he loved showing it off in front of his father and Anna. Although Sofie was still learning the second language, she eagerly showed Anna all the pretty flowers that were still blooming.
Three weeks into her stay, Anna was relieved to find she could walk the halls of the Gutshaus without bursting into tears with every turn of the corner. Yes, she missed Alex terribly, but she finally felt at peace with his death. Perhaps it was because of Kurt’s loving presence. She stayed with Kurt in Alex’s old room, which he had moved into shortly after Alex had died.
One particularly fine day, Kurt and Anna sat on a bench in one of the gardens while Derek chased Sofie around, both giggling and shouting.
Kurt held her close. “I still love you, Anna,” he said softly. He turned to her. “Do you know that?”
Anna nodded. “I do.” She smiled tenderly at him.
“You are so different than the girl I met at Devin’s place all those years ago. You have turned into a beautiful woman.”
She smiled at the memory of their first meeting. She would have never in a million years imagined she would end up here. She looked up into his eyes, bright blue and kind. He was a very different man now, too.
“Anna, I...my feelings...from when I visited you in California...they are the same. Or perhaps stronger.”
Anna nodded. She could see that. She still adored him as well.
He took a deep breath and took her hand. “Anna, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Anna inhaled sharply and stared at him. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Oh, how she wanted to say yes! To stay here forever in the peace that surrounded them. But Devin had forbidden it and she couldn’t disobey.
“Kurt...,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. “There is nothing in the world I would like more than to be your wife.” His eyes lit up and he smiled broadly. “But I can’t.” His face fell, breaking Anna’s heart.
“I see,” he said softly. He swallowed and stared out at the trees across the path.
“No, Kurt, you don't understand.” She cupped his cheek and turned his face back to hers. “Devin forbade me. Before he let me go to you that night at Vitaly’s funeral.” Anna’s heart ached for the sadness in his face. “He forbade me from marrying you. That is the only reason I can’t accept. I promise.”
Kurt looked at her doubtfully and then sighed sadly. “I know you would not lie about something like that.”
Anna shook her head. “There’s nothing else I could imagine wanting more,” she said softly. “But I can’t do what is forbidden.” She didn’t want to find out what would happen if she even attempted to do so.
He took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “He cannot stop me from loving you, though.”
“No, he can’t,” she said with a soft smile. “Nor me from loving you.”
They were silent for a few minutes. “Maybe he will change his mind.” But they both knew that would never happen.
*****
A few days later, Wilhelm took Anna to the Schloss.
Anna heard Kurt and Wilhelm arguing in Wilhelm’s office before they left. She didn’t know what was said because they were speaking German, but she could tell by their tones that Kurt was very angry.
Anna was waiting in the sitting room near the office and looked up when the door opened. Kurt’s face was red and he glared at his father.
He stopped short when he saw Anna and his eyes softened. “I am sorry you had to hear that, Engel,” he said stooping and kissing her on the temple. “I will see you tonight.” He turned and frowned at Wilhelm and then quickly made his way up the circular staircase to the third floor.
Wilhelm watched Kurt with a sad expression. She stood and walked to him. “Is everything okay?”
Wilhelm absently stroked her hair. “Ja, Liebling. I told him he could not come and he became angry. He accused me of not trusting him and thinking less of him than I thought of Alex.” Wilhelm looked at her. “It is not true, Anna. I think him very capable. He has worked so hard these last few years. I am so proud of him.” His face flinched and Anna guessed that he was thinking about Alex.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and he hugged her. “I know you are, Wilhelm. I can see it. He knows too.” She leaned her head against his chest. “Why can’t he come along?”
“Because it is a matter for Elders. If Alex were here...well, he would not be there either.” Wilhelm sighed. He stared into nothing for a few moments and then shook his
head. “We must go. They will be waiting.”
*****
Anna was taken to a room to prepare when she arrived. Her hair was brushed and she was given a simple white silk gown to wear. She looked down and noticed her breasts looked fuller, or was it just her imagination? It was almost as if...but, no. She hadn’t been with Kaveh and she’d been apart from Devin for almost a month. She rubbed her face, worried. What was going on? She couldn’t be pregnant. Who would have...?
Her mind drifted back to the last time she’d been with Wilhelm. After he had disciplined her and they’d had a very, very passionate lovemaking session. He had said years ago that a pregnancy could happen if she was particularly emotionally attached. She had felt Wilhelm and herself floating together; becoming one body. Had she inadvertently opened herself up to get pregnant? Oh! What would Wilhelm say? What would Ilsa say? What would Kurt say? Oh, God! Devin would be furious!
But she hadn’t meant to do anything like that. It had just happened. She—
“Mistress?”
Anna jumped at the male voice that interrupted her disturbing thoughts. She looked up and saw an Immortal standing in the doorway. She couldn’t remember his name, but he had been here the night of her wedding to Alex.
“I am Gavin,” the Immortal said with a gentle smile and a deep, resonating voice. He had no accent, which surprised Anna. “I will take you to the Elders.”
Anna stood nervously and smoothed her dress, conscious of how her breasts strained against the fabric. Gavin’s eyes flickered down her body briefly and he smiled when he looked back at her face.
“You are with child?”
“H-how did you know?” she asked softly, crossing her arms across her stomach, which was still as flat as it normally was.
Gavin smiled. “You look as you did when you married Alex, though you are not as far along. A few weeks maybe.”
“I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to!” She blinked back tears of fright.
“Mistress, no one would be upset here. They are not your other Master.”
Gavin motioned to the hallway and Anna walked with him down the dim hall.
Anna stared at the ground as they walked. An Immortal wouldn’t gain anything by lying to her, but she still didn’t think anyone would be happy with it.
Gavin led her into the same chamber where her marriage to Alex had been confirmed and consummated. She glanced over at the fireplace where she and Alex had become one person. It was cold and dark.
She bit her lip and blinked away the tears as she tore her eyes away and looked at the ground. When Gavin stopped, she looked up to see all seven of the German Elders in front of her. What had she done to bring them all together?
She knelt quickly and lowered herself into a bow.
“You may sit up, Anna,” Wilhelm said softly after just a few seconds.
Anna sat up and stared at the ground with her hands resting lightly on her thighs. She was ashamed to look at Wilhelm.
“Anna, we gathered today to speak to you about your dreams.”
Anna looked up in shock. “My dreams?” she asked without thinking and then clapped her hand over her mouth. She had spoken without being given permission. Frightened tears welled up in her eyes as she stared, terrified, at Wilhelm.
Wilhelm smiled tenderly at her. “You may speak freely here, Anna,” he said gently, glancing around at the other Elders. They all looked at her kindly and nodded. “And be at ease. We just ask that you be respectful.”
“Yes, mein Herr,” she said softly, looking back at the ground.
Wilhelm introduced the other Elders to her: Edwin, Gerhard, Justin, Juergen, Hansjoerg, and Oswin.
“How long have you been having dreams about Alex?” Wilhelm asked.
“Since I was twelve,” she answered to the ground.
“Please look at who is addressing you, Anna,” Wilhelm rebuked lightly.
She looked up, ashamed. “Yes, mein Herr.”
“And they began after your parents died?”
Anna nodded. “Yes, mein Herr.”
“Tell us about it,” Hansjoerg said.
Anna told them about seeing Wilhelm and Alex fighting, and then appearing in Alex’s room. The memories were sad, but not as painful as they had been.
“And this was what really happened?” Hansjoerg asked Wilhelm.
Wilhelm nodded. “Ja. Alex saw her that night. We didn’t see her in my office but....” He gave a wry smile. “It was a heated argument.”
“Did you have other dreams?” Edwin asked.
Anna nodded and told them about seeing Alex throughout the years, including the few days before they met in real life.
“Did you dream of him once you met?” Oswin asked.
“A few times,” she answered. “When he left to come back here, I dreamed of him, but they weren’t dreams. They were real. He called me after one because he was worried about me.” Anna swallowed back tears. It was getting difficult to maintain her composure.
“And then you began to dream of him once...you learned he was dead?” Wilhelm asked in a very gentle voice.
Anna nodded. “I started dreaming of an empty room for several nights and then....” She looked at the ground. “I went home and...wasn’t in touch with reality for a while.”
The Elders continued to ask questions and Anna tried her best not to get upset. But when they started asking for more details about what Alex did and said, she broke down and sobbed. A woman came in a few minutes later and took Anna back to her room to rest and eat lunch. She lay on the bed for a while after she ate.
Wilhelm came in a while later and sat behind her on her bed. He stroked her hip. “Are you all right, Anna?”
Anna rolled to her back and looked at him. “I’m sorry, Wil...Master,” she said softly. “I tried not to cry.”
He nodded and smiled sadly. “I know, Anna. I know. It is all right.” He stroked her hair. “I know the questions are difficult, but they are necessary. We are not trying to hurt you. Do you understand that?”
She nodded. There was no sign of malice in their faces as they asked their questions. If anything, they looked very sympathetic. “May I ask why you are asking?”
Wilhelm grimaced. “You may ask, Anna, but I do not have an answer to give you. Your dreams are...intriguing.” He sighed. “We just need to know about them. Does Devin know you dream of him?”
“No. I’ve never told him. He’s never asked.”
“Gut.” Wilhelm looked pleased. “I would ask you to keep it that way.”
“Yes, Master.”
He studied her face carefully and then his eyes traveled down her body. She was reminded of her pregnancy. Should she tell him? He had a right to know, but would he be angry?
“Master?” she whispered.
“Ja, mein Liebling?” he responded, a strange, passionate, look in his eyes.
“I....” Anna bit her lip. Her stomach churned as she imagined his disappointment. “Do you...remember the last time we made love?”
Wilhelm smiled. “Of course. It was wonderful.”
A brief smile fluttered across her face and then she bit her lip again. “Master, I’m so sorry,” she said with a broken voice. “I’m so sorry!”
Wilhelm pulled her to a sitting position and held her close. “Anna, what are you apologizing for?”
She pulled away slightly. “I—I did something and....” She took in a shaky breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Wilhelm inhaled sharply and froze. “How do you know?”
“I’ve been pregnant enough to know my body, and Gavin confirmed it.” The tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I didn’t mean to, Master. But when we...I guess I did that trigger thing and...I mean, I think it’s yours.” She trembled. “Will Ilsa hate me?”
“Anna, you did nothing except what I asked you to.”
“What?” She blinked at him several times. “What you asked me to?”
“Liebling, I made love to you with the intention of conceiving a child. Perhaps I should have spoken to you first, but I did not want Devin to think you complicit in the act.”
She could do nothing but stare at him.
“Anna, I know this is near the time Devin gets you pregnant, and hurts you and increases his powers through it. If you are already pregnant, he cannot fulfill his plans. It may weaken him enough to...to help.” He stroked her cheek. “It will also give me an heir to follow Kurt.”
“You know it’s a boy?” She was still trying to recover from her shock. He knew! He had done it! She was carrying his child and he wanted her to do so.
“There is a very high likelihood. Elders can...do that sort of thing in certain circumstances.”
“But what about Ilsa? Won't she be angry?”
“She knows already. I told her when we returned home.”
Anna paused and looked at him, his beloved face that looked so much like Alex. And she would likely bear him a child that looked exactly like him. “Oh, Wilhelm!” she cried softly and leaned forward into his arms.
He held her for a long time. “You and Kurt can marry and raise the child here and he will become Elder after Kurt, as is proper.”
Anna shook her head. “I can’t marry Kurt,” she whispered. “Devin forbade me.”
“There are ways around that, Anna. Do not worry about it. We will find a way.”
Anna slumped into his arms and sighed. Wilhelm would take care of it. She could be sure of that.
“I promised I would look after you, Anna, and I will.”
“Does Kurt know?”
“Ja, I told him after he told me what you said when he asked you to marry him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because the longer you did not know about it, the safer you would be from Devin. Your ignorance would keep him from learning about it. But,” he chuckled. “You are too smart.”
Anna giggled softly and Wilhelm hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Liebling.”
The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared Page 24
