Page 209 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

He shook his head. He hated the rules. Hated that he couldn’t just rescue Anna, steal her away to Germany and keep her safe. Damn the bonds and rituals and rules! Alex watched as his father approached Anna. “Has she been okay with you?”

Kurt nodded. “She’s sad, but...” He frowned. “Determined to please me.” He pressed his lips together. “It was so much easier when I didn’t know what was going on.”

“Easier?”

Kurt sighed. “When I didn’t know she belonged to you. When I thought?—‍” He shook his head. “I love spending time with her. I love—‍” He shook his head again.

Alex nodded. “I appreciate you keeping her company.”

“I wonder if it would have been better for Vati to step in.”

“He won’t sleep with her.”

“I know.” There was a pause. “I know why we’re doing this, but please don’t make me do this again.”

Alex gave a tight smile. “I hope we never have to.”

A few minutes later, Anna felt a warm body move in close behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Wilhelm standing there. He turned her around and hugged her to himself.

“Liebling, it will all work out. I know it hurts right now, but you will feel better soon.”

“Why does Alex hate me?”

Wilhelm pulled her away and cupped her cheek. “He does not hate you. He is trying to protect you.” Anna tried to look away, but he gave her a stern look. “Would I lie to you?”

She knew Wilhelm wouldn’t lie, but Alex was so cold. Maybe Wilhelm just didn’t think that Alex hated her.

Kurt walked up at that moment. “I heard what happened. Are you alright, Anna?”

Wilhelm guided Anna into Kurt’s arms. Kurt held her and Anna leaned her head against his chest. The two men spoke softly in German while Kurt stroked her hair and she calmed under his touch.

Isaak came by a while later. “Anna, how are you doing?”

She nodded and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry about—‍” He paused. “I know you can’t go to New York, but would you be content dancing with my company?”

A flicker of hope lit in Anna’s heart. “You want me to dance with you?”

Isaak laughed. “Of course. I’d much rather have you here than send you to New York, but I thought that if you had the opportunity to leave...” He glanced at Wilhelm. “I spoke to Devin, and he... agreed to allow you to join the company, if you’d like to.”

“I’d like that very much.”

Isaak laughed. “Wonderful. I’m so glad. I’m bringing you in as a soloist until the board members understand your value. Then I’ll be able to promote you to principal.”

Anna stared at Isaak. New dancers always began in the corps. “Thank you, Isaak. I’ll try not to let you down.”

“I have no fear of that, Anna.” Isaak smiled warmly. “When you get back from your trip, you can begin classes with the company. I’ll have you spend September and October learning the repertoire and Nutcracker will be your first performance with us.”

Anna grinned. “It was already my first performance with the company.” She’d performed in the first act of Nutcracker the night her parents died.

Isaak frowned for a moment, then laughed. “That’s true. But this time you won’t be in the first act.”

“I won’t?” Nearly all the roles were cast with principal dancers in the second act.

“Just because I can’t give you the title of principal doesn’t mean I won’t use you as one. I was thinking Arabian.”

“Arabian? You’re going to have me partner?”

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