Aurora had never been more proud of her sister as she had at the moment she glimpsed her standing there next to her new husband, exchanging their vows as man and wife. Lucretia looked simply beautiful in her wedding gown, her long hair plaited into an intricate style and behind a veil made of a garland of brightly coloured flowers. Fabricius, Lucretia's new husband, looked dashing in a plain toga and Aurora noted that upon glimpsing his bride, his eyes sparkled and the smile on his tanned face only seemed to widen. Aurora knew that he loved her and would take care of her for as long as he lived. Lucretia would be happy and that was what really mattered to Aurora.

The day had begun with a procession to the home that Lucretia would share with her new husband. Aurora watched eagerly, walking with her father and several cousins, as Lucretia led the party of people, hands gripped round a torch she had lit from the hearth of her family home. When they arrived at the house, she was then offered another torch and water and was carried elegantly over the threshold by her attendants.

'Doesn't she look beautiful?' Aurora's aunt, Julia, remarked as they entered the house after the bride.

Julia was the sister of Aurora's father and was Aurora's closest female relative besides Lucretia; she was also her chaperone, accompanying her wherever she went. She had thick blonde hair that reached her elbows and a youthful face that age had not yet touched; her eyes were brightly coloured and looked lovingly at her niece. Aurora smiled at her aunt and glanced back at her sister who had now met her groom with a bright smile.

'She does,' Aurora sighed and Julia wrapped her arm in hers as they walked together.

'Your sister looks so happy, little one,' she went on, watching her elder niece with affectionate and warm eyes. 'I think that this will be the making of our Lucretia.'

'How do you mean, ,my dear aunt?'

'She now has a new husband and a new home. Soon, she will become a mother. Her life has changed completely now.' Julia sighed and kissed her niece's forehead, stroking her cheek and scanning her face. 'I see so much of your mother in you.'

Aurora's eyes rounded at this and could only listen with lifted spirits as her aunt continued, her voice years away and filled with an warmth Aurora had never heard before.

'You and your mother are not only physically alike, my darling. You have that same fiery passion I saw in her. I cannot wait to see how your life will turn out, young one.'

'Why?' Aurora asked curiously.

'You are your mother's daughter, child. Any life you choose to lead will be passionate and thrilling, a life filled with laughter and with love. I can see that already ... '

Godric sat there by the fountain of the Soranus home, the moon hanging high over the sky and turning his pale skin a silver tone. His fingers lightly dipped the water to cause a rippling effect which he watched with a slight feeling of fascination. All was calm and quiet in the house tonight. The family had gone to the wedding of the eldest daughter, Miss Lucretia and many of the servants had been left behind to finish chores and duties before they returned. Godric, having finished all of his chores, waited anxiously for the arrival of the family. Well, he corrected himself, just one member of that family, to be exact.

Smiling to himself, Godric then thought back to the girl clouding up his thoughts. He recalled the day when she had saved his life before he could be beaten to death; without her intervention, he surely would have died there and then. His thoughts ran away with him and he imagined a future that concerned both him and Aurora. In his years as a slave, Godric had imagined what it would be like to be a free man and many of his fellow slaves had often expressed their views on the subject. Some knew that they would never be free, but their dreams and imagination comforted them with the possibility of freedom so they clung to that with every ounce of their being. Most wanted things like land and a home; some wanted a family and their children not to share their fate as a slave for the rest of their lives. Godric had never really wished for anything for himself should he ever be free; for many years, his main goal had been getting both Sweyn and himself through each day. Now, he thought of a future where he was the owner of a small house somewhere in the countryside, far away from slavery and the stresses of city life. There he would spend his days in the company of the girl who had been his saviour and perhaps they would raise a family of loved and happy children. He envisioned himself there, hand in hand with Aurora and leaning forward so that their lips were just within touching distance ...

Suddenly, Godric's ears pricked up at the sound of heavy footfalls and he leapt to his feet, alert to attend on the returned family. The master of the house, Lucius, arrived first, his face ruddy from a little too much wine at the wedding. His servants bustled around him before moving past Godric to guide him safely to his bedchamber. Then the young master, Cassius, followed and noticed Godric standing by the fountain, making his way over to him. When his own servants hurried after him, he waved them away with his hand.

'How now, Godric,' he greeted him.

Godric dipped his head respectfully. 'I am well, Master Cassius. The wedding was enjoyable, I presume?'

Cassius grinned. 'Of course. The party tomorrow shall be even more enjoyable, I believe. It already seems quieter without Lucretia here.'

'It must seem so, sir.'

Cassius took a look around him before leaning closer and whispering in his ear. 'Your brother is safe.'

Godric stiffened and listened more intently as he thought of the last remaining member of his family, the brother he cherished and protected for so long.

'Lucretia and Fabricius have taken him in to their household. Lucretia has promised me that she will look after him to the best of her abilities.'

'Thank you, sir,' Godric said, unable to fully express his feelings of gratitude.

'You shouldn't be thanking me,' Cassius said, now moving towards his bedchamber, grinning at Godric. 'Thank my sister. She is the one who has arranged all of this. She is too compassionate for this world ... '

Godric nodded and smiled at the young man as he disappeared into his rooms. He then glanced back where he glimpsed the beautiful Aurora making her way inside the house, her own flock of servants busying themselves behind her. She looked stunning in her gown with flowers fixed in her hair and her eyes sparkling like liquid gold. He remarked to himself that he had never seen anyone so beautiful in all his life. He would gladly gaze at her all day long if he could and be a content man in doing so. Her eyes caught his and she walked towards him, smiling. However, the dress she was wearing was too long in the front and she tripped up on the material. Godric rushed to her and expertly caught her before she could touch the floor. With his arms wrapped around her, he was merely inches away from her, feeling her smooth skin and almost close to hearing her heartbeat grow in volume. She blushed furiously and stared into his eyes. It was as if they were the only two people left in the entire world. Godric liked that idea.

'Mistress!' the servants cried, almost in unison, rushing towards her like a stampede.

Godric released her and she stood there, just gazing at him as though he mystified her. Her servants surrounded her in an instant and took her to her rooms, but not before she sent Godric a look that signified that the moment shared between them was something both of them had never experienced before. It was magical and surreal. Somewhere deep inside both Godric and Aurora, they knew that they were connected. Their bonds, it seemed, had already begun to strengthen.