Page 221 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“We don’t have to treat her as such, but there’s no way to undo it.”

“What about the bonding ritual? And not performing it?”

Vati sighed. “By not performing it, she will remain autonomous, but she will still be a slave and Mistress.” He glanced at Alex. “That’s what she asked about when she called—if she’d ever be free. I had to tell her no.”

Alex winced. “How did she take it?”

“As well as could be expected.”

Alex ran his hands through his hair and then leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I wish I could go to her and tell her everything would be alright. Eventually.” Vati opened his mouth, but Alex held up his hand. “I know why I can’t.” He clenched his jaw. “I just hate how I have to stay away from her to protect her.” He clasped his hands together and stared as his skin turned white and pink with the pressure. “You can’t visit her. I can’t be with her.” He looked up. “What do we do to assure her everything will be okay without revealing too much?”

Vati stayed quiet for several minutes, then grimaced. “Perhaps we should send your brother.”

“Kurt?” Alex sat up. “To do what?”

“To visit her. To reassure her in person that we love her.” He scrunched his face. “To give her some connection to us.”

Alex sat back in the chair. “Do you think he would?”

Vati shrugged. “He’s been restless since you returned. Perhaps giving him something to do might... help him not feel so out of place. So displaced.”

The idea of sending his brother in his stead—again—didn’t sit well with Alex, but Vati was right. Kurt had been displaced by his return. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask.”

Chapter 115

Anna ate dinner and then went back to the theater, her mind jumping between Hugo and Alex. Aaron wasn’t dancing and hadn’t been home when she’d left. Which was probably a good thing. She wasn’t ready to talk about what she’d learned from Wilhelm, and Aaron would have known something was bothering her.

Hugo knocked on her dressing room door as she was breaking in her new pointe shoes. “Are you nervous?”

“Yeah. I mean, a little. I’m nervous now, but I know once I’m on stage, I’ll be fine.” She shrugged. “It’s weird, but it works for me.”

Hugo laughed. “I understand. It doesn’t happen to me all the time, but I’ve had that before.”

“Do you get nervous?”

“Yeah. Sometimes. I’m nervous about next Thursday.”

“It’s a fantastic ballet, Hugo. I’m honored you’re having me dance with you.”

“You help make it great, Kittycat. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Anna bit her lip and looked away. She had decided she would talk to him after the performance, and was thankful he was being sweet and kind as usual, but not as touchy-feely as she had expected, considering they were planning on having sex tonight. But she didn’t know if that would happen after she shared her story with him. She truly cared for him and wished things were different. She sighed. The story of her life. But at least this time, she didn’t have to worry about him getting killed.

He left to get ready for the show. Firebird wasn’t until after intermission, so she had a while to wait, although she wanted to watch him dance from the wings. After her hair and complicated makeup were done, she stretched until she heard the music beginning. She wandered out to the wings and saw Hugo doing some last-minute stretches.

He grinned when he saw her. “Hi, Kittycat.”

“I wanted to see you dance since I missed it last night.” She chewed the inside of her lip. “Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’m glad to have you in the wings for me.” She grinned and he winked at her. “See you soon.”

Anna watched from the wings, enthralled by his dancing. She loved watching ballet as much as she loved doing it, and before she realized it, Hugo was taking his bows with the other dancers and Anna was clapping hard for him.

“You were wonderful!” She beamed as he walked to her.

“Thanks.” He grinned and kissed her cheek lightly.

The other dances flew by as well, then came intermission. And then it was time for Anna to step on stage for the first time in New York City. And oh, was it exhilarating! She felt herself transformed into the Firebird, flying across the stage, flitting around as the exotic bird and saving the Prince.

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