The next morning, Claudita was the first to wake. She could feel warm arms around her, and looked across to see Cleitus, who was still fast asleep. No doubt he was exhausted after last night, so she thought it best to let him sleep. However, she couldn't resist kissing his perfect lips. As she did so, she felt the arms tighten around her. Cleitus was waking up.

"I'm sorry, Cleitus, I didn't mean to wake you. You need your rest, but I had to kiss you,"

"I'm very glad you did, for I hope to wake up this way for the rest of my life, with the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms,"

"You flatter me, so, husband," Claudita quipped, removing herself from his embrace and pulling back the sheets on the bed. She picked up her robe from the floor and pulled it around her tightly, before making her way to the window and pulling open the wooden shutters, gazing out onto Cleitus' balcony and over the city.

"It is very beautiful here. I shall enjoy living with you," Cleitus removed himself from the bed and pulled on his own robe, before walking over to his wife and placing his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. Claudita brought her hand up and gently stroked his face, as she turned into him and kissed him deeply.

"So, what are our plans for the day, husband?" Claudita asked, as she headed away from the balcony window and over to the breakfast table, where a servant had placed a jar of water and a variety of fruits.

"Unfortunately I must meet with some of the soldiers. I don't know what Alexander has planned yet. But my sister Lanice can keep you company, if you would like that?" Cleitus asked his wife. Claudita nodded.

"Our first day together as husband and wife, and you're already performing your duties. I hope this isn't what to expect for the rest of our lives, Cleitus," Claudita quipped at him, giving him a small pout. That was an excuse for him to kiss her, well, it wasn't as if he really needed any excuse. She was his wife, after all.

After a few minutes of kissing, Cleitus pulled away from his wife as they both sat down to eat breakfast together.

Later that day, Claudita was walking with Lanice through the Forum, arms linked together as they spoke happily.

"I am so glad that my brother finally met someone as wonderful and beautiful as you. Now I have someone to spend time with, when you're not with Cleitus of course," Claudita smiled at her sister-in-law.

As they continued to stroll, they came across Hephaestion who was out by himself. Lanice was not particularly fond of the young man, he had always seemed to be the closest person to Alexander and had hindered her brothers' success in the cavalry.

"I must go, my dear. I shall speak with you later, if that is alright?" she asked Claudita. Claudita nodded her agreement as Lanice swiftly left.

Hephaestion smiled as he came upon Claudita, hugging her tightly and kissing her lightly on the cheek. He would be lying to himself if he wasn't a little disappointed that she had married Cleitus. The two had grown up together, and had been friends for a very long time. They even shared their first kiss together under an orange tree in the old grove.

"My beautiful, beautiful Claudita. How are you on this fine morning? Should you not be with your husband?" Hephaestion asked her. Claudita smiled at his compliment to her, and stroked his arm gently.

"I should be with him, always, but he is meeting with Alexander and the others. Why are you not there, Phai?" She asked, using her childhood name for him. Hephaestion shook his head.

"I chose not to go. I decided to spend the morning trying to figure out my taxes. Something very dull indeed," He told her. Claudita's eyes widened at this. She loved anything to do with numbers, and was keen to offer her services to Hephaestion.

"I can help you. You know how much numbers please me. Oh please, Phai. Let me help you," she asked. Hephaestion knew he could not say no to her, and nodded his head in agreement to her question. They soon linked arms and were on their way to Hephaestion's quarters.

Once inside, Hephaestion presented Claudita with a small goblet of wine.

"To celebrate your marriage to Cleitus," he told her raising the goblet and toasting to her. She did the same, and took a mouthful of the dark liquid.

"Thank you, Hephaestion. You know you don't have to do that," she told him. He nodded.

"I know, but I wanted to. Anyway, it is only a glass of wine. Now, would you like to help me get started on these taxes?" he asked her. Claudita's eyes lit up, and he knew her answer was yes.

After a solid hours work, Hephaestion observed that the soldiers would be breaking for a while, if Claudita wished to go and see Cleitus.

"I would love that. I shall come back here, I promise Phai. See you soon," Claudita embraced him, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out the door. She casually strolled through the city and accepted congratulations from some passers-by, before she came to where the meeting was being held. Hephaestion was right. The men were indeed coming out, and Claudita was so pleased to see Cleitus walk through the stone door, she ran toward him and leapt right into his arms, catching him off guard as she kissed him deeply.

"Well, it looks like someone's pleased to see you, Cleitus," Alexander commented. Claudita smiled between her lifelong friend, and her husband. Cleitus was in no hurry to put his wife down, and Claudita was in no such rush to leave his arms.

"Has the counsel finished for the day, my love?" Claudita asked Cleitus. He shook his head, hoisting her up further so she wouldn't fall. She gave him a slightly disappointed look, but she understood. Alexander observed this, and felt a pang of guilt wash over him. He was, after all, the reason that this new husband and wife were not spending their first married day together.

"Listen, Cleitus. You're finished for the day. In fact, I don't need you for the rest of the week. Now, I suggest that you take this time to enjoy your beautiful bride," Alexander told him. Cleitus was about to protest, but then thought better of it when Claudita jumped down from him and discretely started to stroke him.

"Thank you Alexander. You are a wonderful friend," Claudita said, giving him an enormous hug and taking a hold of Cleitus' hand as they strolled back through the city.

"Home seems so far away. Do you know of somewhere closer where we can go, that's private?" Clauidta asked. Cleitus smirked, he knew what his wife wanted.

"I know a few private places, but I don't want to take you there," Cleitus told her. Claudita was a bit confused, but pushed that feeling to the side when she swiftly pulled Cleitus into a dark and deserted alleyway, just off the main forum.

"It's completely empty down here, there's an old building that used to be used by the local blacksmith. Everyone thinks it's an old wreck, but it's not. Alexander, Hephaestion and I used to come here when we were younger," Claudita explained, leading Cleitus down the alley way and past some old wine barrels before entering the old building.