Page 309 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna gave a choked laugh. “Why would any woman not want to marry you?”

“She’s very, very special. And I hurt her very badly in the past. I don’t know if she would forgive me.”

“Oh.” Why couldn’t she be the one Alex loved? Why did she have to be an Elder-Mistress? The reality of her situation suddenly hit her like someone had smacked her across the face, and she burst out into tears. “I’m sorry!”

She jumped to her feet and ran through the garden and into the entryway. She covered her mouth to stay quiet and glanced up when she heard voices traveling down the staircase. The long, narrow room near the staircase was empty, with only a few lamps lit. She rushed to the end of the room and curled into an antique armchair facing the wall. Hugging her knees to her chest, she leaned her head against the back of the chair.

Life was vicious.

She wished Alex had just left her alone. That he’d never saved her from her fate with Devin. Then she wouldn’t have been plagued by the excruciating agony of hope. Aaron. Tommy. Ben. She would never have known them. Never would have known the misery of heartbreak. She would have lived out her life in her room at the Manor, blissfully unaware of happiness and love.

Footsteps echoed through the entryway and approached. Alex kneeled next to her chair. “Anna, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”

“I’m sorry, Alex. I still must be tired. That’s why I’m crying.” She forced a smile and wiped at her tears again. “I’m glad you found someone you want to marry. I hope you’ll be very happy with her.” She paused. “Do you love her?” Oh, why had she asked that?

Alex brushed her hair away from her face. “With all of my heart,” he said softly.

Anna looked away, unable to stare into his beautiful blue eyes. “She’s very lucky.”

“Nein. I am the lucky one.”

She clenched her fists and shook her head, exasperated. “Then why are you here with me, Alex? Why aren’t you with her?”

Alex’s eyes widened and he stared at her for a long moment, then he laughed gently. “Anna.” He cupped her chin and made her look at him. “I am with her.” Anna tried to look around, but he held her chin. “It’s you, Schatzi. You are the woman I want to marry. You are the woman I love.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open. “You . . . want to . . . marry me? Why?”

“Because I love you, Anna.” Alex scooted closer. “I know I hurt you by leaving you. And by keeping my distance. But it was the only way I knew to keep you safe until I could learn how to protect you better. If I hadn’t failed you when you were younger...” He shook his head. “Things would have been so different. But I will make it up to you, Anna. I promise.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. “I love you with all of my heart. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Anna couldn’t think. She stared blankly at the sparkling diamond ring Alex held out to her, not really seeing it. The whole situation was unreal. Alex wanted to marry... her? He... loved her? It was too good to be true. At least, it seemed too good to be true. She searched his eyes and then opened her heart to read him once more. The love that radiated from him stole her breath away.

Alex was the one person in the entire world Devin couldn’t take away from her. Alex knew exactly who and what she was, and he still loved her. There was no obstacle between them like there always would be with other men. He was her Master. Like Devin was. But Alex loved her. She felt safe with him. He could stand up to Devin. He could protect her.

She looked into Alex’s hope-filled eyes. “You really... love me?” she whispered, afraid she’d misread him like she’d misread Devin.

“Ja, Anna. I love you. With everything that I am. I have for a long time. I just couldn’t tell you for fear of what Devin would do to you if he knew.”

Devin’s angry eyes filled her mind and she shivered. He would be so furious at the thought. “Will he... let me marry you?”

“He doesn’t have a choice.” The determination that filled Alex’s eyes was frightening. But she knew it was determination to protect her, not to hurt her. “But it’s up to you, Anna. I won’t force you. I want you to marry me because you want to. Not because you feel obligated to.”

Alex could make her do whatever he wanted her to do. All he had to do was command her to do it. But he’d never done that. He’d always given her choices. Devin made her do things she didn’t want to do.

Her heart filled with joy and hope. Real joy and real hope. For the very first time. She smiled. “Yes, Alex. I will marry you.”

His eyes lit up unlike anything she’d ever seen, and he grinned wider than she’d ever seen him grin. Her heart felt like it would burst with happiness, knowing it was her answer that had made him so happy.

He pulled her out of the chair and hugged her tightly to his chest, then pulled back and cradled her cheeks with both hands. “You have made me the happiest man.” He crushed his lips to hers. She clung to his neck and kissed him back with abandon.

He pulled back a while later and took her left hand. “In Germany, we don’t usually give engagement rings, but I couldn’t ask an American girl to marry me without a ring. When we return to San Francisco, my friends would kick my ass.”

Anna giggled as he slid the ring on her finger. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. The center diamond was round and perfect. And huge. On either side were three smaller round diamonds, descending in size as they moved away from the center stone. “It’s beautiful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I never knew I could be this happy.”

“I always want to make you happy, Schatzi.” Abruptly his expression changed and he searched her eyes. “Anna, are you okay with what I told you about myself?”

Anna nodded. “You’ve accepted me for who I am. How can I not accept you for who you are?”

“I won’t do it forever. Once I am Elder, I will retire. But I promise, I will always protect you. Being my wife will keep you safer than you have ever been before. Men will think twice before hurting you.” He stroked her cheek with his hand. “I never want you to be hurt again, Schatzi.”

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