Page 64 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He took her hand in his. “She told me if I didn’t marry her while I was home that she would end things. We’ve known each other since we were children. I couldn’t lose her.” His expression was pained. “She knows enough about The Brotherhood that she doesn’t complain about me being gone, as long as I visit her often.”

“Doesn’t she mind you being here with me?”

“Yes, she minds, but she knows it’s only temporary. She is a good choice for a wife. A proper wife is difficult to find.” He paused and looked at his hands. “If I thought I had any sort of chance to take you for a wife, I never would have married her. But Devin will never let you leave here, and I have to return to Russia sometime in the near future. Dedushka won’t live forever.”

“Does she know you . . . love me?”

“I didn’t tell her in so many words, but I didn’t deny it when she accused me of it.”

“She must hate me.”

Peter laughed sadly. “I wouldn’t recommend meeting her in a dark alley.”

Anna was quiet for a few minutes. “When did you get married?”

“Monday. We flew to Gibraltar.”

“Didn’t you have to go through the Elders? Germany is very strict about approvals and stuff.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “Germany’s strict about everything. No, as long as Dedushka approves, that’s all that matters. It’s also not as big a deal since I’m not next in line for Elder yet.”

Anna had never struggled with sleeping with married men before, but she felt uneasy with the idea that Peter had been married less than a week. “Do you... love her?”

“I do.” He shrugged. “We’ve been together for so long, I suppose I couldn’t imagine my life without her.” He glanced at Anna. “But being with you these last few months has been...” He sighed. “I hate to imagine my life without you either, but we both know this can’t last.”

Anna nodded. “I know.” She looked down at her hands in her lap.

“I want to enjoy the time we do have together. I don’t want anything to change... if that’s possible.” He gave her a tender smile.

“I don’t want anything to change either.”

He leaned forward and kissed her. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Monday morning, Anna saw Peter staring at his wedding ring as he sat on the bed.

“What’s wrong?” She kneeled behind him and kissed the back of his neck.

“I don’t know if I should wear this while I’m here. I don’t want anyone asking questions.” He turned to look at her. “I don’t want people to think badly of you.”

“I don’t know if anyone would think of it as a wedding ring. We don’t wear ours on our right hand.”

“You do.”

“I married a German. I had other rings... I don’t know what happened to them...” She paused. “But no one’s ever taken much notice of my ring.”

“Would you be uncomfortable if I wore it?”

“It doesn’t change anything if you wear it or not.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Peter, it’s not my place to tell you to wear it or not. I’m only a slave.”

Peter frowned. “You’re not a slave to me.” He cradled her cheek and kissed her. “I’m sorry I ever made you feel that way.”

---