Page 331 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Do you understand what I’ve told you?”

Anna looked at him doubtfully. “I don’t think Devin will like it.”

“It doesn’t matter whether he likes it or not.” The fire in his eyes blazed once more. “Alex is your husband, and Devin must respect that.”

Anna looked back at her hands, not knowing how to respond.

“Trust me. Trust Alex. He’ll keep you safe. Life will be very different from now on.”

Anna knew Sebastian spoke the truth, but she still had a hard time believing him. She gave him a timid smile. “I’ll try.”

“Good. Now, I will go get Jutta and she will help you get ready. I’ll be back to get you in a little while.”

He left the room and a few minutes later, a young woman with dark hair and eyes came in. “Guten Morgen, Mätresse,” she said with a smile and a curtsey.

“Good morning,” Anna replied in English. She hoped Jutta spoke English.

“I am Jutta.” She pronounced it yootah. “Der Herzog asked me to attend to your needs while you are here. It is my honor to do so.” She curtsied again. Her manners and smile were so different from the girls at Devin’s Manor. Maggie was very sweet and Anna adored her, but she always had an air of fear about her. All the girls at Devin’s Manor did. Anna didn’t sense that in Jutta. She seemed genuinely happy.

“Thank you.”

“I will prepare you for the ceremony and then put you back together to go home with Herzog Alex.”

Jutta had Anna sit at a dressing table and pulled her hair out of the up-do, brushing it until it shone and fell in soft waves around her face.

When she was satisfied with Anna’s hair, Jutta went to a wardrobe and pulled out a white dress. Anna looked in the mirror as Jutta laced up the back. The fabric was silky and weightless against her skin. The cap sleeves had delicate lace details, while the bodice featured a low cut “V” in the front. Her back was bare, with open laces extending from her shoulder blades downward. It was long and brushed the floor. Jutta gave her white slippers to wear.

Jutta said something with a smile in German, then told Anna that Sebastian would be back in a few minutes to get her.

In the Elder’s Chamber, Alex paced back and forth, his white robe trailing behind him. Kaveh’s unexpected appearance at the German Manor had left him feeling unsettled. How had Devin known about the wedding? Had Alex overlooked some crucial detail in his meticulous planning? He prided himself on being a thorough strategist, but doubt gnawed at him. What had he missed?

His men would never betray him. His family, except for his parents, had only been informed of the wedding this morning, and he trusted them implicitly.

How had Devin found out?

Vati approached and put his hand on Alex’s shoulder, stilling his restless pacing. “Alex, we will figure it out. The important thing is that you and Anna are here. Devin cannot stop the ceremony. She is safe.”

Alex sighed. “I know. But I don’t like loose ends.”

“Seth and the others are working on it while we are here. Right now, you have other things to think about. Like your beautiful bride.” Vati’s eyes betrayed his affection for his new daughter-in-law.

Alex’s mouth tipped up into a smile at the thought of Anna as his bride. Sweet Anna. His bride and wife. This was truly the best day of his life. Vati was right. He shouldn’t be worrying about Devin right now. His men wouldn’t stop working until they found the answer.

There was a loud knock on the door and Alex looked up. Anna had arrived.

The Elders, wearing their white ceremonial robes, took their places in the normal semi-circle. Alex stood in the middle next to his father.

A fire crackled in the stone fireplace on one side of the room. A bed made of soft blankets and fur rugs was arranged in front of the hearth. It was there that Alex and Anna would consummate their marriage and bond. His body ached at the thought of being with her again.

The door opened and Sebastian walked inside with Anna following a few steps behind him. At first, Anna’s gaze was fixed on the floor, but Sebastian whispered something to her. As he did, she looked up and met Alex’s eyes, a soft smile on her lips. Sebastian had obviously spoken to her about the behavior expected from an Elder-Mistress. Seeing her confidence and grace warmed his heart. She didn’t need to act like a slave anymore.

Her hair fell around her face in soft waves. She wore a long white gown that showed off her ample cleavage very nicely. His cock twitched at the thought of sliding her dress off and kissing those beautiful, full breasts.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, and he couldn’t help but grin at her. She was so beautiful when she wasn’t scared. He would do everything in his power to make sure she wasn’t afraid ever again. It would be difficult, he knew, but well worth it.

She stopped a few feet in front of him and went to her knees to bow. The diamond of her engagement ring sparkling in the light and he beamed. He loved that the jewelry she wore was from him and only him. Except for Devin’s piercings, but Alex didn’t want to think about those right now. She would have his piercings again soon as well.

Chapter 153

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