The Life of Anna, Part 1: Enslaved

by Marissa Honeycutt

  He trailed kisses down my neck and to the tops of my breasts. I leaned my head back and moaned again. He pulled at the top of my dress, exposing my breast to the cool air. I gasped as he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  “If your dress was not so long I would push you up against the wall and fuck you right here.”

  I could feel my body respond with dampness between my legs. “I’d like that,” I said hoarsely.

  “Are you wet for me, Engel?” he whispered.

  “Ja,” I replied, trying out some German.

  He groaned into my breast. “I like you speaking German.” He sucked my nipple again, biting gently.

  “Oh, Kurt,” I moaned. I could feel my pussy swelling, ready to take him inside me. He pushed me against the wall and began pulling up my skirt. Oh God. He’s going to fuck me right here. “Oh, please,” I moaned again.

  Suddenly, the door beside us opened. Kurt leaned forward, sheltering me partially from the door, and we both looked over to see Alex standing in the doorway, frowning. “It’s about to start.”

  “Do not look at me that way, Brüderlein.” Kurt glared at him. “You have used this area, too.”

  Alex growled something in German.

  Kurt looked a little startled and helped me fix my dress. He kissed my cheek and winked. “We will continue later.”

  Alex snapped something else in German and Kurt dragged me out of the stairwell. I gave Alex an apologetic look as we passed him. He shook his head and frowned as he closed the door behind us. Kurt led me to one of the center boxes and into the first row of seats next to Wilhelm. Kirsty was sitting in the row behind and Alex sat next to her.

  I looked around, enraptured. The gigantic, round chandelier that hung in the middle of the sky-blue ceiling had always reminded me of the sun. The carvings around the stage were the same gilded horses and warriors that Jenna and I had made up stories about when we were younger and waiting for the performance to begin.

  The lights faded, the music began, and the golden curtain went up, transporting me into the story. The dancers were beautiful. The music was beautiful. I felt alive for the first time in years. There was no one here but me. My heart danced alongside Princess Aurora and the fairies. I felt my body straining to be free. Free to dance. Free to fly.

  Too quickly, the first act ended. The curtain slowly closed and the music faded away. The lights came back up and I blinked, trying to gather my senses.

  “Intermission, Engel.” A voice and the sensation of someone touching my arm invaded my hazy thoughts. I looked to my left and blinked, the face slowly coming into focus. Kurt was staring at me with an amused expression on his face. “Are you back on Earth, Engel?”

  I blushed and nodded.

  He held out his hand and we stood. “You enjoyed that, ja?”

  “I did,” I said softly. My heart was dancing in the clouds. “It was amazing.”

  Kurt smiled. “Let us get something to drink.” I followed him into the mezzanine where drinks were available. Wilhelm was sipping a glass of wine and talking with a couple near the stairs.

  We walked by Alex surrounded by a small group of women, including Kirsty. He gave them all a brilliant smile and said something, and they all giggled. Alex seemed very at ease around the opposite sex. Something told me he had charmed countless women over the years.

  Kurt handed me a glass of iced tea and got a glass of wine for himself. One of the women standing with Alex glanced over and waved at Kurt. He smiled and raised his glass in greeting.

  “Do you want to go over there, Kurt? I don’t mind.” I didn’t want to keep him from socializing.

  “Nein, Anna. It would be unwise to leave you alone. Someone might steal you away.” He grinned and took a sip of wine. “I am glad you are enjoying yourself. Devin said that you danced when you were younger?”

  I nodded looked at the floor nervously. “Yes. I mean, I still do. I take a couple classes a week, but nothing like I used to.”

  “Jack let you take dance classes? Interesting.”

  I nodded. “But he wouldn’t let me perform. I was just thankful he didn’t completely cut me off from dancing.” I gave him a half smile. “Devin told me that he’d let me take more classes during the week and, if I was good enough, start performing again.”

  “Are you any good?” he asked teasingly.

  I blushed. “I used to be. My parents are-” I stopped before I said they were the statues downstairs. “My parents both danced and were very good. People used to say I danced like them.”

  “They danced professionally?”

  I nodded.

  “Where?”

  “Here.” I motioned in the general direction of the stage. “They were principals here...before they died.”

  Kurt nodded thoughtfully.

  “Excuse me, Miss.” A man in a blue and gold uniform approached me. “Are you Anna Perkins?”

  I took a nervous step back and nodded slowly.

  He handed me a folded piece of paper, gave a little bow, turned, and left.

  I glanced at Kurt, then frowned down at the paper before slowly opening it. Who could have possibly sent me a note?

  Anna!

  I saw you sitting in Alex’s box. You’re out in public! Without Jack!

  Come backstage after the performance! Please!!!!! I miss you!!!!

  Love, Jenna.

  “Who is Jenna?” Kurt asked.

  I folded the note and pressed it to my lips. “My best friend. She’s a dancer here. We’ve not spent more than a few minutes together here and there since my parents died. I haven’t talked to her in a few months...,” I trailed off. We only were able to talk when we happened to meet somewhere in the studio. Usually the bathroom because I didn’t have to worry about being seen. Jack’s spies were everywhere. But Jack didn’t own me anymore; at least that’s how I understood it. Devin owned me.

  “Do you want to go see her after the show?”

  “Oh, Kurt. No. I don’t want to inconvenience you-”

  “Nonsense, Anna. If she has taken the time to write you that note with all those exclamation points....” He laughed. “You should see her while we are here.”

  I looked up at him and smiled gratefully. “I would like to see her.”

  “I will ask Alex if he can help us get back there after the performance. He knows the mazes back there. I have been back a few times...” He shrugged, mischief in his eyes again.

  “I used to know my way around back there, but it might have changed.” I smiled at the memories. “Thank you, Kurt. You’re wonderful.” I leaned up and kissed him.

  We finished our drinks and the lights flickered. Wilhelm walked with us as we made our way back to our seats. He and Kurt were talking about something but I stopped paying attention once I walked back into the theater. I was lost in the beauty of it again, happy memories filling my heart like they hadn’t in years.

  “Alex,” Kurt said, sitting in his seat and turning to his brother. “Can you help Anna and I get backstage after the show? A friend of hers sent her a note asking her to see her afterwards. I do not remember how to get back there.”

  Alex looked at me and smiled warmly. “Of course. I’d love to.”

  “Alex, I have to get to the airport after the show.” Kirsty pouted at him.

  Alex frowned at her. “This will only take a few minutes. I’ll make sure you’re not late.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me and then looked away as the lights dimmed.

  I gave Alex a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

  I tried to contain myself as the music began anew and the lights dimmed, but within a few minutes, I was soaring in rapture yet again.

  Prince Désiré walked out on stage and I leaned forward in my seat and stared. He looks so familiar.... I quickly opened my program to see the name of the dancer. Aaron Schroeder. I knew him. I danced with him in my last performance. Once he got over the fact that he was dancing with an eleven-year-old at his graduation performance, he w
as kind to me. I liked him a lot.

  “What is wrong?” Kurt whispered in my ear.

  “I know him. The prince.”

  Kurt cocked his brow with amusement in his eyes. “Really?”

  I nodded and looked back at the stage with affection. Aaron had always been an amazing dancer. Eight years of maturity had made him even better. As he danced, I could almost imagine being on stage with him again. I sat with my chin in my hands and watched him dance with his partner, enraptured by his grace and amazing agility. Lucky Princess Aurora.

  When the performance was over, I clapped as hard as I could and stood with the rest of the audience when Aaron came out. It was a wonderful performance.

  Chapter 13

  While we waited for the theater to clear a bit, Kurt stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He swept my hair over my shoulder and nuzzled my ear. “Oh, Anna, I cannot wait to take you home and make love to you,” he whispered.

  I smiled and tilted my head. He nibbled the back of my neck and I let out a little sigh while pressing my hips into his. I could feel his erection against my rear.

  He groaned and pressed back. “That is what you do to me, Engel.”

  I giggled.

  “Mein Gott, Kurt. Can’t you keep your hands off her for one second?” Alex stood with his hands on his hips frowning at his brother.

  “Why should I?”

  Alex growled.

  “I think he might be jealous,” Kurt said in a loud whisper.

  Alex snapped something in German. Kurt did likewise. I looked at Wilhelm, afraid, as they began to argue. They kept their voices soft, but very intense. Their words were harsh in their native language.

  “Alex! Kurt!” Wilhelm exclaimed softly.

  The two brothers instantly stopped arguing, but continued to glare at each other.

  “Just because few people understand you, does not give you the right to act that way in public,” Wilhelm whispered sharply. “Mein Gott, are you children again?” He shook his head in disbelief. “I apologize, Anna and Kirsty. I do not know what has gotten into my sons tonight.”

  Alex cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “Shall we make our way backstage?”

  *****

  We used the staircase Kurt and I had kissed in to go down to the lower level of the opera house. Kurt winked at me as we walked by the spot where he’d pushed me against the wall. I blushed. As we walked down a long, dimly-lit hallway, Alex and Kirsty were talking in soft voices, though it sounded like they were arguing. A door at the end of the hallway opened up into another hallway, this one brightly lit. The dressing rooms.

  I squinted as we walked, trying to adjust my eyes to the light. I still couldn’t see when I heard someone squeal my name right before I was trapped in a tight embrace that knocked me back a step. I stood there, frozen, not knowing what was going on. I deducted that the person hugging me was female, but other than that, I had no idea.

  She leaned back and looked at me. “That’s no way to greet your best friend,” she chided.

  “Jenna?” I hardly recognized her in her stage makeup. Her dark blond hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “Of course, silly.” She nodded excitedly. “I’m so glad to see you!” She hugged me again. I hugged her back timidly. “What are you doing here? Jack let you out? What are you doing with Alex’s family?”

  “Oh, um. I met Kurt last night….”

  She grinned at me. “Nice going, Anna.”

  I blushed.

  “So, how come you’re here? Why did Jack let you out?”

  “Oh, I...I don’t live with him anymore.”

  “He let you move out?”

  “Kinda...more like he had me move out.” She gave me a strange look. “It just happened this week. I don’t really understand what’s going on. But I’m staying with Kurt tonight. I’m sure I’ll understand more later.”

  She grimaced. “You always have weird things going on, Anna.”

  “But I might be able to dance more,” I added with a smile, trying to change the subject. “Maybe even perform again...if I’m good enough. Maybe with the school.”

  “Oh, Anna. That would be great. It was such a shame Jack cut your dancing back. I never understood why he did it.” She hugged me again. “So, can we be real friends again? Like, talk and stuff?”

  I looked at her sadly. “I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on. I think I might be able to see you more....”

  I heard a man laughing nearby. “Heh. I should have known the whispers were about you, Alex. Oh, and Kurt too. Why am I not surprised? Hello, Wilhelm.”

  I turned and saw a tall man walk behind me and greet Alex with a handshake. He had light brown hair and was wearing only a pair of navy blue sweat pants. His back was all lean muscle and perfectly defined. Definitely a dancer.

  Kurt saw me looking at the newly arrived man and grinned. “Aaron, I think you have a fan.” He nodded in my direction. “She said she knew you.”

  Aaron?

  Aaron turned. He stared with his denim-blue eyes for a moment, head tilted. “Is that my little Giselle?”

  He remembers me? He always called me his little Giselle after he accepted me as his partner. I nodded and bit my lip.

  He walked over and stopped in front of me, tipping my head up with his hand. “It is you! All grown up.” He grinned. “You grew up good, Anna,” he said in a softer voice, affection filling his eyes.

  I backed away, knowing I needed to be focusing on Kurt, not Aaron. But Aaron’s touch...did something to me.

  Alex cleared his throat and walked over to us. “You know her, Aaron?”

  Aaron laughed, his blue eyes sparkling. “I do. The partner I didn’t want.” He put his arm casually around my shoulders and looked at Alex who grimaced. Aaron rolled his eyes and grinned at Alex. “I got stuck dancing with her for my graduation performance.”

  Jenna grinned at me; Alex looked confused.

  “She walked in with Delia and I was told that I was dancing with a twelve-year-old. I flat-out refused. Until I danced with her. Then it turned out it wasn’t so bad.” Aaron looked back at me. “I’d love to dance Giselle with you again.”

  Kurt took my hand and pulled me away, laughing. “You really were telling me the truth when you said you were a good dancer.”

  I shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

  “You’re still good, Anna,” Jenna said. “I’ve watched you in your classes.” She looked at Aaron. “She said she was gonna take more classes again.”

  “Maybe,” I corrected. “I don’t know anything for sure.” Though Devin said he’d make the call. I smiled. “I’m hoping to.”

  Aaron looked at me and grinned. “Anytime you want to practice partnering, Anna. I’m available.”

  I blushed. “I think he likes you,” Kurt whispered in my ear, which made me blush even more and shake my head.

  “Don’t listen to anything he says, Anna,” Aaron laughed. “He’s full of shit.”

  “Alex, I need to get to the airport,” Kirsty said loudly with her arms crossed and a pout on her face.

  Alex looked at his watch and nodded. He looked at everyone. “I’m sorry, Kirsty is right and I promised her I would get her there in time. I will see you all later.”

  Kirsty gave brilliant smiles to all the men, glared at me, and ignored Jenna. Alex gave a slight bow and the two of them turned and walked away.

  “Bitch,” Jenna muttered under her breath after they were gone.

  The men laughed. “I told you, Anna,” Kurt said.

  “Anna, I have to get going,” Jenna said. “Give me your number and I’ll call you on Monday so we can get together.”

  I stared at her. “I don’t have a phone number.”

  She frowned at me, looking hurt. “Okay, I’ll give you my number.” She found a pen and wrote a number on my program. “Call me. If you want.” She hugged me and gave me a sad smile. “I really want to spen
d time with you, Anna. I miss you.” She turned quickly and walked away.

  I watched her leave and swallowed back tears. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I had no idea what was going on past tomorrow afternoon.

  “She’s just worried about you, Anna,” Aaron said. “She has been for years.”

  I looked back at Aaron. “How do you know?”

  “Our mutual concern about you kinda bonded us together. She’s the little sister I never had.” He smiled. “You pretty much disappeared after your parents died and she couldn’t talk to you about it, so she came to me. We’ve been friends since.” He grimaced. “I still don’t understand why you pulled back from dancing.”

  I bit my lip. “It’s a long story.”

  He studied me for a while then sighed. “Listen, if you are ‘back from beyond’ and allowed to socialize again, I’m having a party next Sunday night to celebrate the end of Sleeping Beauty. I’d love for you to come if you can.”

  I glanced at Kurt. He was my only reason for being out of the Manor. “Oh, Aaron, thank you. But I don’t know if-”

  Kurt smiled at me. “I will be gone by then. We are leaving that morning to go back to Germany. You should go.”

  The thought of Kurt leaving made my heart ache, but I smiled at him anyways then looked back at Aaron. “I’ll see what’s going on. My life is rather...confusing right now. I’ll see.” I had no idea if Devin would let me to go a party thrown by an old dance partner. I had a feeling he would say no.

  Aaron smiled and wrote his number on the program. “I live out in Lake Street. I can pick you up if you need a ride. Call me.” He kissed my cheek and I closed my eyes at his touch. “It’s really good to see you, Anna. I gotta run. I’ll see ya later, I hope.” He shook hands with Wilhelm and Kurt then disappeared into a dressing room after giving me one last smile.

  I looked at Wilhelm and Kurt and gave them an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would take so long.”

  Wilhelm smiled. “Not a problem Anna. It was not that long. And I am glad you were able to see some old friends.”

  *****

  We took the limo back to Alex’s house. When we arrived, Kurt said goodnight to his father and took me directly upstairs. I glanced back at Wilhelm as we went up the stairs. He chuckled and walked into the living room.