Page 321 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Usually an Elder-Mistress belongs to an entire country with one particular Elder as her Master.”

“Oh.” Devin did things so differently.

Sebastian stood and held out a white silk robe. “Here. Put this on.”

Anna stood and let him help her into the robe. He led her through the Schloss to a pair of wooden double doors. He knocked once. There was a response from the other side and he pushed opened the doors onto a large chamber very similar to the one where Devin had killed Ben.

Anna’s throat tightened and she paused, closing her eyes at the memory. Although the pain of Ben’s death was still poignant, it had softened into a dull ache deep in her heart. She would always love Ben. Nothing would ever change that. But she knew she was meant to be with Alex.

Sebastian put his hand on her shoulder and she opened her eyes. “Are you alright?”

She gave a tight smile. “Just some bad memories.”

“You are correct that your place is with Alex. But that doesn’t diminish the sincerity or significance of your love for Ben.”

Anna exhaled slowly, thankful for his understanding. “Thank you.”

“Ready?” He motioned to where seven men wearing white robes sat on thrones arranged in a large semi-circle. Wilhelm sat in the center.

She nodded and followed him inside. Brenton and Gavin stood just inside the room and walked ahead of Sebastian and Anna. They were dressed as they had been at the Beaches, as was Sebastian.

“These are the German Elders. I will be speaking in German, but I am only telling them I have brought you to them,” Sebastian said in a low voice. “When I tell you, bow to them as you would any Elder. If they speak to you, address them as Mein Herr.”

“Okay.”

Brenton and Gavin walked to the side and Sebastian stopped in front of the Elders with Anna at his side. Anna stood with her head bowed and hands clasped in front of her. He spoke for a long time in German. Then there was a back and forth between the Immortal and the Elders for several minutes.

Sebastian moved behind Anna and removed her robe. Looking down, she saw the protrusion of her belly—evidence of her weight gain—and for the first time in her life, she was self-conscious about being naked in front of men. She unconsciously moved to cover herself, but Sebastian held her arms at her side.

She blinked away the tears as the Elders studied at her. Shame flooded her, but she tried as hard as she could not to cry. She didn’t know what she’d been eating that had caused this, but she needed to be careful from now on. Men didn’t like fat women.

“Anna,” Sebastian whispered. “Greet them.”

Relieved to be allowed to move, Anna took a step forward, dropped to her knees, and bowed low. Sebastian said something in German and the Elders responded in one voice.

“You may sit up, Mistress,” a voice said. It sounded like Wilhelm.

She sat up, but stayed staring at the floor.

“My lords,” Wilhelm said in English, kneeling in front of Anna. “You have given us a precious gift in your Daughter. We will care for her to the best of our ability.” He brushed her hair back from her face and cupped her chin, lifting her face to his.

Anna cautiously lifted her gaze to meet Wilhelm’s, expecting to see disappointment on his face, but there was not even a hint of negative emotion. Memories of the first time she’d kneeled before him warmed her heart, and she saw, once again, the kindness in his eyes, so different from what she’d grown accustomed to from men. A hesitant, nervous smile played at her lips as warmth spread through her body.

“Will you accept me as your Master, Mistress?”

Anna furrowed her brows. Would she not marry Alex tomorrow? Was Wilhelm taking her from him? She searched his eyes, not knowing how to respond.

Wilhelm’s expression softened even more and he tilted his head. “I have a son who is worthy of you, and if you are willing, would have you for his wife. He will be a good husband to you.”

She smiled. “Yes, Mein Herr,” she said softly. “I will gladly accept you as my Master.”

Wilhelm said something to the others in German and then led her to a door in the back of the room that opened up into a small room with a bed. “Anna, we will each come and be with you. Then you will belong to us all. Normally this does not happen all in one night, but we made an exception because of your unique circumstance.” He sighed and led her to the bed. “I wish I had time to make love to you properly. I am sorry.”

Anna smiled. “It’s okay, my lord. I understand.”

Chapter 148

Alex awoke as the sun peeked through the windows, surprised he’d slept so well. Whatever had been in that drink had worked marvelously. He felt uncomfortably engorged, but his cock was mostly flaccid. It would have been uncomfortable and embarrassing walking around with an erection all morning.

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