Chapter 52

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 at the sight of Kurt lying 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 chewed his lip. “Is that why you sighed?”

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.” She reached out to touch his face, now very scratchy with whiskers. Her heart swelled with affection 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 pajama bottoms and a broad smile on his face.

Anna beamed.

“We need to get dressed and eat 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 already 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 turned and disappeared through the doorway.

Anna turned to look at Kurt.

“Shall we shower?” His eyes glinted with mischief and Anna smiled, her heart warming with the idea of being with Kurt again.

“Together?”

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

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

“I’ve brought Anna’s things.” He leaned forward, peering into the room.

Ian wanted to see Anna? “She is in the adjoining suite getting ready.” Wilhelm watched the big man’s face. He stepped back and allowed him 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?”

Wilhelm was surprised at the question. This was Devin’s right-hand man. Why would he care about Anna’s well-being? “I would never hurt her.” He lifted his chin. “Neither would Kurt.”

Ian hesitated. “I know.” He gave a grateful smile, 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 spoke intently, as if trying to convey something unspoken. “He usually 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 shifted on his feet. “She had bruises on her back and arms last night.”

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

Ian opened his mouth, as if to speak, but clamped his lips together and nodded with a grateful look on his face.

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

Ian searched 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 nodded and left the room.

“Did you get your—?” Kurt walked into the room. “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 motioned to the door. “He has to do 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 the corner of his mind to think about another time. Perhaps it would prove useful later.

Anna leaned against Kurt as they rode down in the elevator to the main floor. A chill ran down her back, but she shook her head. There was nothing to be frightened of or concerned about. She was with Wilhelm and Kurt. All was right in the world... for the moment. She refused to think about anything beyond her time with them.

Wilhelm stood on her other side, occasionally reaching 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 into the ballroom they’d eaten dinner in the previous night. The tables were back in place and most of them had at least a few men sitting at them, eating breakfast. A few of the other Elder-Mistresses were there as well, dressed in pale-colored dresses that made them look elegant and aloof. Anna glanced down at her black dress, wondering if she’d dressed appropriately.

Wilhelm ran a gentle hand over her hair. “Anna, you are not like them and that is perfectly fine. You look beautiful.”

They sat at the table they’d been at the night before, and within minutes, plates full of delectable breakfast foods were placed in front of them. Anna sat between Wilhelm and Kurt.

Several other men joined them as they ate. Wilhelm and Kurt greeted them in German and Anna greeted the older men she vaguely recognized from her wedding to Alex. Anna didn’t recognize three of the men who were in their late twenties and early thirties, and she assumed they were Elder-Sons.

Setting her fork down, she stared at her plate, her appetite vanishing for fear of what they might do. Yet, after greeting her politely, they immersed themselves in conversation and food, effectively ignoring Anna. She watched them for a while and then resumed eating. The men conversed in German around her. She couldn’t understand what they were saying, but being at their table was far more comfortable than being at Devin’s.

Anna felt someone watching her and looked up to see Devin staring at her from across the room. 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, she walked outside the hotel with Wilhelm and Kurt to a row of waiting limousines. The journey to the cathedral wasn’t long, just over the river to a small island that Kurt had said used to be a fortress.

The line of cars and limos waiting to drop off passengers stretched far, reaching all the way to the bridge. Anna stared out the window at the water below and shivered, remembering her parents’ watery death.

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 nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, tracing the path of the blue ribbon that crossed his chest diagonally. It was the same ribbon Alex had worn to the New Year’s Eve party after they were married.

Wilhelm sighed. “We should have brought yours, Anna. I am sorry.” 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. 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. 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.