Kronos nodded, his face inscrutable, and went to stand in front of Anna. He knelt down and spoke softly to her. Alex couldn’t hear what he said, and it took every ounce of willpower to stay where he was.
*****
Devin was having a hard time concentrating on anything for long. Horrifying images kept coming to mind and he shuddered at each. Anna had torn open his mind and shown him everything he had done to her from her perspective. If Alex hadn’t stopped her, Devin would surely be dead. He felt every lash he ever dealt, every emotional scar, every heartbreak. His human brain could barely comprehend it all.
It had taken everything he had left to come to his own defense before the world Elders, and he had very little energy to try to rally one more time.
Now, he watched as the Immortal Father spoke to Anna. Alex had told him he wanted her free. Didn’t Devin get to answer the question?
“No, Devin. You do not.” Sebastian stood over him as a stern guard. “You do not deserve to have her. You have proven yourself...unworthy.”
Devin narrowed his eyes, but then sighed. Anger would get him nowhere. He suddenly felt very tired. He put his head in his hands and waited.
*****
Wilhelm saw the grief in Alex’s eyes as he watched Kronos speak to Anna. Alex loved her so much, but Wilhelm was proud that Alex was willing to let her go. It spoke loudly of the man he had become and he was so proud, even as he grieved the loss of Anna himself. She would no longer belong to Wilhelm, either, once the bonds were broken. But if it meant her being free of Devin, then it was worth it. Even with the pain in his own heart.
Kronos stood and helped Anna to her feet, and then nodded to Tom. Kronos led Anna to the side of the stage and looked expectantly at Tom.
Tom gave the Immortal a nervous look, and then glanced sorrowfully at Devin. “Devin, you are one of my oldest friends, but we cannot let you continue down this path. Your selfishness has wreaked havoc on our country and has spilled over to affect the entire world. We, the American Elders, do deem you unworthy of the position of Elder. Come and kneel as we strip you of the symbols of your position.”
There were numerous murmurs as Sebastian helped Devin to his feet. Devin jerked as though trying to flee, but Sebastian's hands on his shoulders prevented it. He shook so badly he could hardly walk to the center of the platform. “Don’t do this, Tom. Please. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t—”
“No, Devin. It’s too late.”
The American Elders surrounded him as Tom removed his robe, leaving him naked in front of the entire room. Javier removed Devin’s Elder ring from his finger, and Brandon produced a tool that looked like wire clippers, but thicker, and handed it to Tom.
Wilhelm winced as he realized what was going to happen. Devin’s cock piercings would be removed. Knowing how well-seated his own were, he couldn’t imagine it would be painless. Tom turned to Alex and held out the tool. “Would you like to do the honors?”
Alex raised a brow and looked at Wilhelm. It would be a true insult to allow a foreigner to remove his piercings, and even more so, a foreign Elder-Son. It couldn’t get much lower than this for Devin.
Wilhelm nodded and Alex accepted the tool from Tom.
*****
Alex was surprised when Tom turned to him, but gladly accepted the task. Watching Devin up close as he was de-pierced would be a very pleasant assignment.
He took the tool from Tom’s hand and went to crouch in front of Devin. Devin’s eyes grew wide as the Elders grabbed his arms and head to hold him still while Alex worked.
“I should just cut it off,” Alex growled softly as he grabbed the soon-to-be-former Elder’s cock. “But that would be too easy a punishment. You should endure some semblance of the pain you put my wife through.”
He actually heard Devin whimper as Alex put the tool to the first piercing at the top of his cock. Amusement lit his eyes. “Shall I show you mercy?” He squeezed and heard the snap as the metal broke and he pulled the piercing out and dropped it on the floor. He didn’t cut him. He had no intention of doing so, but didn’t want Devin to know that.
Devin was shaking. “P-p-please,” he begged in a hoarse voice. “Don’t hurt me.”
Alex grinned wickedly as he placed the tool at the next piercing. “How many times did my Anna say that to you?” Snap. Devin jumped at the sound. Snap. Snap. One by one, the piercings were pulled and dropped to the ground.
When the normal piercings were all gone, Alex studied the spikes. “How do we get this one out?”
Devin’s face turned gray again and the only reason he remained upright was because of the grip the other men had on him. Alex had a feeling there was no way to remove this one without pain. He glanced at Tom for direction.
“They all need to be removed,” Tom said softly with a nod.
“Oh, God!” Devin whimpered. “Please...just cut the spikes off. Don’t pull it. Please.”
Alex hesitated, not because of Devin’s begging, but because he wondered if an honorable man would do such a thing. He would essentially be ripping Devin’s cock apart. There was a definite appeal to the thought, but he had made it through the ordeal without lowering himself to Devin’s level. Would this do what he’d been trying to avoid?
He looked at his father, who was watching carefully, and he nodded. Alex looked at Kronos who also nodded. Lastly, he looked at Anna.
*****
Anna stared, frozen, as she watched Alex carefully remove Devin’s piercings while Devin begged and whimpered. Alex could have just ripped them out, but he was showing Devin mercy, something Devin didn’t understand. She didn’t know how she felt about Devin avoiding pain.
As awful as Devin had been to her, she still felt sad as he was humiliated in front of the room. He had been so proud, so confident, and he was reduced to a whimpering mess. But he had done the same to Alex.
The memories of Alex’s jealousy and insecurity returned. Her heart ached for Alex. She loved him, so much. Kronos had offered to free her of not only her slavery and her obligations of being an Elder-Mistress, but also of her marriage. She and Alex had married so he could protect her from Devin. When that was no longer needed, would Alex still want her as his wife? Would he still love her?
Alex mumbled something about Devin’s last piercing, the spikes that had caused her so much pain. She saw him hesitate and look at Wilhelm and Kronos for guidance. Alex was a good man. A very good man, who wasn’t driven by revenge, even though he had every right to tear Devin apart.
When Alex looked at her, her heart pounded at the love she saw and felt. She opened her heart to him and felt every ounce of his love for her. She knew right then and there that she could not let Kronos break their marriage bond. They belonged together. He was a part of her and she was a part of him. To separate them.... Was Kronos powerful enough to separate two rivers that joined together into one? Which drop of water belonged to which river? It was impossible to know. It was the same thing with their souls, their spirits. To remove Alex from her would be to remove herself.
Anna smiled at Alex, hoping he could feel her own love for him. His eyes softened and he gave her a gentle smile, and she knew he knew. She sighed in happiness.
Alex looked back at his task and as he reached for the band of metal just below the crown of Devin’s cock, Anna briefly wondered if she would feel the pain. In slow motion, Alex’s hand moved upwards and there was a terrible ripping sound and then Devin let out a horrifying scream.
Anna winced and closed her eyes, leaning back against Kronos. He squeezed her shoulder gently. She didn’t feel any of Devin’s pain and was relieved. When she opened her eyes, Devin was huddled on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his body shaking with silent sobs.
He was alone in his suffering. Like she had always been.
*****
There was a sick gratification in hearing Devin’s scream as Alex ripped the horrible piece of metal from Devin’s cock. It was surely only a fraction of the pain Devin had inf
licted upon Anna over and over again, but Alex was satisfied that he had finally been able to hurt Devin physically.
With a grim smile on his face, Alex stood over the huddling, trembling, crying man who had caused Anna to do the same thing countless times. Devin would likely never be able to have sex again, which Alex thought was fitting. The man would be lucky to be able to pee.
The room was silent, save Devin’s whimpering. All the men watched in horrified fascination as Devin was de-Eldered. A warning to any man who would consider doing something similar in the future.
When Devin had quieted, Kronos went to kneel behind him and put his hand on his head. “I remove the Immortal essence from your body. When it is gone, you will no longer be an Elder.”
Devin stiffened and hissed as, Alex assumed, Kronos drained him of every drop of Immortal essence. When Kronos stood, Devin lay still, staring off into space and making Alex wonder if it had killed him. He blinked once and Alex knew he was alive.
Kronos turned to Anna and motioned for her to come to him. Anna did and the Immortal put his hands on her head. “I free you from your bonds of slavery,” he said quietly.
Alex grunted as he felt a sharp tingle in his head. Devin jerked on the floor. Alex looked at Anna and his heart swelled at the beautiful smile on her face.
“I free you from your obligations as an Elder-Mistress,” Kronos said.
Alex’s stomach began to churn as he realized what was coming next. Kronos would sever their marriage bond. He closed his eyes against hot tears and clenched his fist. When the bond was severed, would it shred his heart to pieces? It certainly seemed that it should.
“The woman standing in front of you is a free woman,” Kronos said loudly.
Alex opened his eyes and saw Kronos standing behind a smiling, peaceful Anna. The Anna Alex knew from their wedding day. Oh, he didn’t need to think about that day. It hurt too much.
“She is no longer an Elder-Mistress. She is no longer a slave.”
When would Kronos deal the final blow? Waiting was going to drive him insane.
“Do you acknowledge this?” Kronos asked the men in the room.
Affirmations in every language were heard throughout the room and Anna grinned up at Kronos. The Immortal gave Anna an affectionate smile and then guided her over to Alex.
Alex blinked rapidly and set his jaw against the coming severing.
“Behold your free wife, Alex. Take good care of her.”
Alex’s jaw dropped open as he stared up at Kronos. “What?”
Kronos grinned. “You are a worthy man, Alex. I saw your thoughts when I asked if you would free her. Only a man who is willing to let her go free is worthy of this precious creature in front of me.” He gave a deep chuckle, then added in a soft, affectionate tone, “Besides, she wouldn’t let me sever the bond.”
Alex looked down at Anna, who was looking up at him with an adoring smile. “Is that okay?” she whispered.
A huge grin split Alex’s face and he grabbed her around her waist and he held her so tight, he was afraid he might break her ribs, but she was holding him almost as tightly.
“Oh, my Anna. My precious Anna.” He murmured into her hair as tears streamed down his face. He tipped her chin up and kissed her. “Ich liebe dich, mein Frau, mein Liebe, mein Leben. I love you, my wife, my love, my life.”
“I love you, too,” Anna said, gazing lovingly up into his eyes. “My husband, my love, my life.”
Epilogue
In the darkness, an ear-piercing scream echoed through the small room and into the hallway, down the stairs and into the main house. The screams occurred regularly, but no one desired to have them muffled. At least not for now. There was a level of satisfaction that came along with the terror-filled sound.
Devin sat straight up in bed, drenched in sweat, eyes darting around the dark room, looking for the source of his pain. His shirt was as wet as if he’d been out in a rainstorm; the blankets as well. The room reeked of sweat and fear. No matter that the window was kept open at all times, nothing would rid the room of the smell.
He was alone. Alone with the nightmares that had haunted him for months. Ever since the night he’d lost Anna and his life as an Elder.
How long had he been here? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? Did it matter? He would be here until he died, haunted by Anna’s memories.
He did everything he could to keep from sleeping, to keep the nightmares away. The nightmares that Anna had placed in his mind. But no matter how hard he tried, eventually sleep overpowered his will and he slept, and dreamed.
And screamed.
*****
“...Happy birthday dear Anna...happy birthday to you.”
Anna grinned as her friends and family finished singing to her. She was twenty-six today and it was by far her best birthday ever. Her heart swelled with happiness as she hugged Alex and then blew out the candles.
The celebration took place in the dining room of the Kunze Landgut, which had been outrageously decorated for Anna’s birthday. Alex had insisted on going all out for her birthday since he’d missed so many. He’d told her he had presents for every year he’d missed and indeed, when they walked into the elegant room, a huge stack of presents stood in the corner.
Not only were Alex’s family there to celebrate, Aaron, Seth, Tony, Greg and Stefanie were there too. Then again, Stef was at the house a lot. She and Kurt had become engaged a few weeks prior. Kurt had stayed with Anna and Alex in New York during Nutcracker and, to Anna’s delight, he and Stef had hit it off. When Alex and Anna moved to Germany after the first of the year, Stef and Aaron had come with them and the three of them had been dancing with the Stuttgart Ballet since.
Aaron had completely recovered from Devin’s attack and was dancing as wonderfully as ever. He and Anna had danced Sugar Plum in their last American Nutcracker performance. Aaron had told Alex that they weren’t moving to Germany and leaving him behind. Anna was happy Aaron had come, even though it had taken him a while to get over Cameron. He and Cameron had decided that, as much as they liked each other, they didn’t see a future together. Aaron had seemed to hit it off with a few of the women in Stuttgart and Anna liked teasing him about it.
Devin had been taken to St. Petersburg with Vlad and imprisoned in the same room Alex had lived in while there. He would spend the rest of his life in that small room. There was no chance of escape.
Applause erupted around the table and Anna giggled.
“What did you wish for?” Stef asked with a laugh.
Anna grinned. “I didn’t. I have everything I could ever wish for.” She hugged Alex again.
Alex kissed her cheek. “I am happy to hear that.”
They ate cake and laughed and talked and Anna thought it the most wonderful day. When it was time for presents, Anna stared at the pile in bewilderment. “It will take me days to get through all these,” she said with a grin.
“I’m okay with that,” Alex grinned.
Aaron handed her a card. “This is from Hugo and Jasmine.”
Hugo and Jasmine had started dating shortly after Nutcracker rehearsals began. With Jasmine healed, it turned out she was a really sweet girl and Hugo had fallen for her. They were a very cute couple and Anna was so happy for both of them. Anna opened the envelope and pulled out a cream-colored card. She laughed. “Looks like we’ll have a few weddings to go to this summer,” she said to Alex, handing him the card.
Alex grinned. “Good for them.”
Anna began working her way through the presents, piling books and jewelry and clothing and fur coats next to her and laughing the whole time.
“I have many years of presents to make up for,” Alex said with a grin and a shrug.
After all the presents had been opened, she grinned and looked at Wilhelm, who smiled at her with a sparkle in his eye.
“Alex,” she said, turning to him and giving him a long kiss. “This is by far the best birthday I can remember. You are the best friend and husband I could imagine
.” She kissed his cheek. “Now, I have a birthday present for you.”
Alex frowned in confusion as Anna handed him an envelope. “My birthday isn’t for several months.”
Anna shrugged. “I couldn’t wait. It’s kind of time sensitive.”
Alex chuckled and opened the envelope. He pulled out a card and laughed at the silly picture of a baby on the front. He opened the card and a slip of paper fell out. He picked it up and froze when he looked at it.
Anna swallowed nervously and glanced at Wilhelm, who smiled encouragingly. She looked back at Alex staring at the black and white photo. He looked up at her with wide eyes, brimming with tears. “Really?” he whispered.
Anna nodded and bit her lip. Alex lunged at her, hugged her tightly and kissed her passionately. She faintly heard the other’s asking what was going on. Only Wilhelm and Ilsa knew what the photograph was of.
When Alex finally pulled away, his eyes were so filled with emotion, it brought tears to Anna’s eyes. “Is that a good present?” she asked in a soft voice.
“The best I could imagine.” He grinned and picked up the photo and showed it to the others in the room. It was a mess of white and black lines with a little circle on the one side. “We’re having a baby,” he announced proudly.
Shrieks from the women and shouts from the men echoed in the room as Alex and Anna were hugged and congratulated. Anna was back in Alex’s arms the moment they were done and he hugged her again.
“How did you get pregnant without me knowing?” Alex murmured in her ear.
“I asked your dad how to do it. I wanted to surprise you.”
Alex grinned at his father. “Danke, Vati.”
Wilhelm walked over and patted his son on his shoulder. “I’m sure you will be as proud of your son as I am of you.”
“A son?” Alex asked, wide eyed.
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 48
