Page 14 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna’s eyes snapped open at Devin’s words. She traced a finger around his nipple as images flitted through her mind of happier times. Ballet classes as a child. Performing in The Nutcracker with her parents on their last night alive. Did she dare ask? Anna chewed her lip as she felt her body moving gracefully across the stage in a beautiful white costume that sparkled in the stage lights. “Could I...” She swallowed. “Could I take a few more ballet classes and... maybe perform again?”

Her two ballet classes a week had been her only anchor to reality for the last few years. Dancing reminded her of her parents and the happy times she’d had with them growing up. Though the last year she’d struggled to do much beyond going through the motions. What was the point?

But now, the tiniest spark of hope lit in her heart. She was like a drowning person seeing the surface of the water an inch above her face.

Devin didn’t answer and she bit her lip as her heart fell. She’d asked for too much.

“I don’t have to perform. Maybe just one more class a week? Or a place here that I could use and something to play music on. I could dance on my own.”

Still no answer. She squeezed her eyes shut. Had she angered him?

She opened her eyes and lifted her face the tiniest bit to look up into his face. He stared up at the pink canopy above the bed, as if lost in some memory. She didn’t dare move.

After a few minutes, he still hadn’t spoken, and Anna looked away and pressed her lips together, preparing herself for his disapproval. And likely punishment. Her heart ached. How could she have even dared to make such an audacious request? She should have taken more time to consider?—

“Yes, Baby. I think I would like to see you perform again, if the ballet master thinks you’re up for it.” He smiled. “I’ll call him in the next week or so and see what I can find out.”

Anna gasped and sat up on her hip. “Really?” She searched his eyes, wondering if she’d misheard him.

Devin nodded and she threw herself onto his chest, hugging him hard. “Oh, Devin. I love you!”

He hugged her back and kissed her head. “I love you too, Baby.”

Anna lay across his chest, smiling as her heart danced in her chest. She sighed, hardly believing everything that had happened. Maybe this new life wouldn’t be so bad after all. Maybe it could be good!

“What time is it?” He glanced at his watch. “Shit, it’s noon already? Damn it. I have to leave. I have a meeting this afternoon that I can’t avoid and work to catch up on.”

Anna rolled off him and watched as he stood and stretched. “I’m sorry, Baby. I wish I could stay.”

Forcing a smile, she nodded, her body tingling with shame for thinking he’d spend the day with her. He was a busy, important man. She shouldn’t expect so much from him. He’d given her so much already.

“I’ll be back tomorrow to visit.” He stroked her cheek and kissed her gently on the lips before turning to retrieve his clothes. “Rest, Anna,” he said as he dressed. “I know Jack’s been rough on you. There’ll be no more of that sort of thing. You’re safe in here.”

“Okay.” Anna smiled, looking forward to easier days ahead.

He kissed her on the top of her head as he fastened the top button on his shirt. “I’ll have lunch sent up and you can do as you please the rest of the day. Well,” he smiled, “really, you can do as you please as long as I don’t need you. No one will bother you or hurt you while you’re in here.”

“Thank you, Devin.” She sat up and kissed him on the cheek.

“Happy Birthday, Baby. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Glancing back with a smile, he turned the doorknob, stepped out into the hallway, and closed the door behind him.

She sank back onto the bed and beamed up at the canopy, her heart brimming with pure joy. Devin had turned back into the man she’d loved as a child. He loved her! She sighed, the thought spreading over her like warm honey.

Curling onto her side, she smiled and gazed out the window. She liked the sheer curtains. She could see through them to a happy blue sky. Her heart continued to dance in her chest and she stood, ready to go out into her courtyard and feel the sunshine again.

Before she took more than a few steps, though, someone knocked on the door. She quickly dressed and went to open the door, but the knob wouldn’t turn. She tried again, turning harder, and the knock sounded again.

A female spoke from beyond the heavy wooden door. “Mistress?”

Anna pulled the knob again. “I can’t open the door.”

“I can open it, Mistress. Step back so I don’t hit you.”

Anna stepped away and the door opened. A girl a few years older than her walked inside holding a tray with a large silver dome on top, along with a glass of water. She was a few inches taller than Anna, with long blonde hair and brown eyes. A plain silver chain adorned her neck. She wore a long purple dress that fluttered gracefully as she moved to put the tray on the table near the door.

The girl turned to greet her with a bowed head and a small curtsy. “My name is Maggie. It is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to serving you.” She gave a cheerful smile, though her eyes betrayed a tinge of fear.

“Hi, Maggie.” Anna bowed her head as Maggie had. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” She stood awkwardly for a moment, not knowing what to do.

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