Page 92 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

They sat at the table they’d been at the night before, and within minutes, plates full of delectable breakfast foods were placed in front of them. Anna sat between Wilhelm and Kurt.

Several other men joined them as they ate. Wilhelm and Kurt greeted them in German and Anna greeted the older men she vaguely recognized from her wedding to Alex. Anna didn’t recognize three of the men who were in their late twenties and early thirties, and she assumed they were Elder-Sons.

Setting her fork down, she stared at her plate, her appetite vanishing for fear of what they might do. Yet, after greeting her politely, they immersed themselves in conversation and food, effectively ignoring Anna. She watched them for a while and then resumed eating. The men conversed in German around her. She couldn’t understand what they were saying, but being at their table was far more comfortable than being at Devin’s.

Anna felt someone watching her and looked up to see Devin staring at her from across the room. She gave him a timid smile and he frowned, his eyes cold and disapproving. Tommy sat next to his father and he smiled at her, but she only returned a timid nod. She didn’t want to upset Devin any more than he already was.

After breakfast, she walked outside the hotel with Wilhelm and Kurt to a row of waiting limousines. The journey to the cathedral wasn’t long, just over the river to a small island that Kurt had said used to be a fortress.

The line of cars and limos waiting to drop off passengers stretched far, reaching all the way to the bridge. Anna stared out the window at the water below and shivered, remembering her parents’ watery death.

Kurt put his arm around her. “I know you do not like bridges, Engel. I am sorry.” He nuzzled her neck. “We will be moving soon.”

Anna nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, tracing the path of the blue ribbon that crossed his chest diagonally. It was the same ribbon Alex had worn to the New Year’s Eve party after they were married.

Wilhelm sighed. “We should have brought yours, Anna. I am sorry.” He wore the same ribbon as Kurt. “Ilsa would have remembered.”

“It’s not necessary, Wilhelm. I’m not?—‍”

Wilhelm frowned. “Do not even say it, Anna. Your position in our family has not changed. You are still Herzogin.”

Anna shrank back at his tone and he softened his gaze.

“I should not have said it like that. Forgive me.” Regret filled his eyes as Wilhelm reached out and stroked her cheek. “I hate what he has done to you,” he added in a whisper.

Chapter 53

Anna walked with Kurt across an enormous courtyard, heading toward the impressive Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. The cathedral, an imposing structure of yellow and white hues, stood tall in a Baroque architectural style. Its towering golden spire, crowned by a majestic golden angel clutching a cross, captivated Anna. Intricate carvings decorated the front and sides of the building.

Kurt intertwined his fingers with Anna’s and she sighed. It felt so right, being with him, though Anna couldn’t help but search the crowd for Peter’s familiar face.

Hundreds of people stood around, talking in small groups or standing quietly, staring up at the cathedral. Dignitaries, heads of state and, of course, the Elders and their Sons had all gathered to pay tribute to Vitaly Vladislav Ivanov, the Elder of St. Petersburg, Russia. There were very few women, though. Elders did not attend events like these with their wives.

“Anna!”

Anna turned at the unexpected sound of a woman’s voice. Peter’s mom, Jackie, was hurrying toward her.

Anna smiled brightly and stepped forward to greet her. The two women hugged before Anna introduced Jackie to both men, whom she eyed suspiciously. “Jackie is Peter’s mother,” Anna explained, and Wilhelm nodded. She looked at Jackie. “Wilhelm and Kurt are my late husband’s father and brother.”

Jackie looked at the two men again and then at Anna before taking her hand and pulling her a little to one side. Anna resisted stepping away too far, though, as she tried to read Jackie’s intentions. She could only register concern and... hurt?

“I feel like I’m playing catch-up,” Jackie said softly. “Sometimes these men don’t see fit to keep me in the loop. But... everything between you and Peter was... fake?”

Anna chewed her lip. “He came to keep an eye on me. I... I care for him a great deal, but we went into it knowing it wasn’t real.”

Jackie slowly nodded. “He shared a few details about what happened. I didn’t even know he’d gotten married until yesterday.” Hurt flickered in her eyes. “I had hoped...” She shook her head. “You’re a good girl, Anna. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Her gaze shifted to Kurt, her expression intense. “If he ever hurts you...”

Anna put her hand on the older woman’s arm. “They’ve never hurt me, Jackie. Quite the contrary.” Anna swallowed back tears. “They saved me.”

Jackie searched her eyes and then nodded. “Would you mind if we came to see you dance again sometime? We can’t always get here to see Peter, and we loved watching you.”

Anna nodded and smiled. “I would love that.”

“Be sure to find Peter if you can. He’s been looking for you. If I see him, I’ll let him know you’re here, if he hasn’t already found you.”

Anna nodded and watched her walk away.

Wilhelm, Kurt, and Anna made their way slowly to the cathedral. Wilhelm stopped every so often to speak briefly with another Elder. Kurt kept her close to him, a firm grip on her hand in the increasingly packed crowd.

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