Melitta ruefully met Gannicus's gaze as both looked at the broken amphora of wine, a consequence of her tripping over the threshold of his cell.

"I had thought to share drink with an old friend." Melitta said as the guard closed the door behind her. She stepped forward slowly; then knelt before Gannicus's sitting form.

"Is that all I am? Friend?" He asked quietly.

"Gannicus…let us not talk of such matters. I am sorry for shattering the amphora. It was Mulsum. A gift from Tullius for Dominus." she quietly replied.

"A boon it broke then. I do not care for honey in my wine, and even less for the man who sent it. Honey serves only to mask the bitter taste. " His reply was subdued, and his eyes shifted from her face down to the ground.

"A blessing in such moments. You are to be sold to Tullius tomorrow." ." She leaned towards him and waited until he met her eyes again. To her surprise, he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Oenomaus warned of it…should I fall to Crixus."

She was surprised at the rush of anger at hearing the words. "You let Crixus win," Melitta could hear the tremor in her voice, and hated the weakness. "Why would you do such a thing?"

His face was pained. "I cannot stay within these walls: to gaze upon you every day and be denied your touch. I have never turned from challenge…yet find myself without strength to face this one."

She looked at him, sadness overshadowing her lovely features. "Then it is for the best." He could hear the tears chocking her voice, and lowered his gaze once more, nodding in agreement. She closed her eyes, begged forgiveness from her husband, and for the first time in her life, gave in to her feelings.

Gannicus felt her shift, and looked up to see her leaning towards him. "Because despite my words," she murmured "I stand as weak."

Gannicus looked at her in shock for a few moments. Then, without hesitation, his fingers wove into Melitta's hair, as he took her mouth up in a passionate kiss.

Gannicus could feel her fingers caressing his face, and then lightly moving over his hair, neck and shoulders. The taste of her was intoxicating, as powerful as it had been during the night of pleasures. This kiss was even better, because she had come to him, willingly. There were no Roman masters here to please, no coercion. Just him, her, and this moment he never wished to end. They slowly moved to his cot, lips not parting for more than a few moments as both devoured each other greedily. Melitta fell back on the bed, and Gannicus latched onto her neck, kissing and sucking on the smooth column of flesh.

Her dress was shed in a hurry, his subligaria following soon after. Skin slid against skin, as the sounds of pants and moans filled the small cell.

I am ruined for anything after this a distant part of her mind noted, as she arched into his thrusts, white-hot pleasure skittering up her spine, Nothing can surpass …there is nothing after this.

The thought scattered as he hitched her leg over his hip and thrust harder, the new position leaving Melitta raking her nails down his shoulders, moaning in delight. Gannicus slowed down in response and she sobbed in displeasure.

"Gannicus!"

"So greedy," he murmured, kissing her neck lazily. His hips were slowly driving into her, aiding in her madness. In response to his taunting, she tightened her muscles, and was pleased to hear a low moan and a hitch in his breathing.

Melitta moved her hands to Gannicus's face, locking her gaze with his. "This night is the only night we have." Her hand moved to his hips and she pushed him in deeper. He squeezed his eyes at the pleasure, and then met her gaze again. "I have a right to be greedy."

Gannicus lowered himself to her, resting on his forearms. One hand came to brush away the single tear that had escaped "Then let us indulge this one night, when we are one, so that the memory can sustain us until death welcomes."

"Gods," she moaned as he started thrusting again, "Harder!"

Gannicus rolled over, letting her on top and him as Melitta braced herself. As she straddled his thighs, she shivered at the sensation. His hands went to her breasts, strumming her nipples as she lifted herself up and speared herself onto him, hands on his shoulders, hips rolling as she took him in. He paused and then took hold of her hips to angle himself better. At the increase in sensation her head fell back with a moan.

His head fell back, eyes on her as he drove up. She was beautiful like this, a part of him thought hazily. But then he had always found her beautiful. That had been the problem.

He struck the thought from her mind as she swiveled her hips and ground down, the base of his cock teasing her clit. She squeezed once, twice, then stopped, smiling at his mischievously. This was the woman he had fallen in love with- absent weight of duties and marriage.

"Oh, who is the tease now?" he panted.

In response, she thrust down again. He moaned, then suddenly pulled himself in a sitting position, taking a nipple into his mouth and sucking. Melitta grasped his head, clenching the fine hair between her fingers. She was so close…!

A harsh knocking interrupted her thoughts, and she thought she could hear Naevia's voice, calling her name. But before she could force herself to get up, Gannicus grasped her hips and started thrusting hard and deep. Melitta tossed her head back, letting out a loud moan as the pleasure crested. She could feel his seed flooding her insides, and for a brief, mad moment hoped it took root. A tangible reminder of their love.

In the aftermath, Naevia's voice was even louder. "Melitta! Melitta! You must hurry, something terrible has happened!"

"A moment Naevia!" she shouted back, gasping in air.

Panting, she stood up, stumbling to her clothes in the corner, carefully avoiding the shattered amphora. She heard Gannicus getting up slowly as well. As she put on the dress, she felt Gannicus's hands on her, turning her around and carefully tying the knot. His gaze met hers, tears in both their eyes.

"I love you." The kiss was bittersweet and full of longing.

"And I you." A single tear slid down her cheek as their foreheads touched.

"Melitta!" Naevia's voice was hysterical.

She kissed Gannicus one more time, and then walked out of the cell, facing the crying girl.

"What has happened?" she asked urgently.

"Dominus is dead!" With those few words, the world shifted again.