Athenodora shifted uncomfortably. "You don't have to continue," Bella said, placing a hand on Dora's pale hand in a comforting manner. Dora shook her head. "I want to tell you this," she said, insisting on continuing.

"When one of those soldiers spotted me, they couldn't stop themselves. They grinned evilly towards me and started chasing me. I was able to avoid them until I took a wrong turn and ended up with a dead end. They had surrounded me, ready to assault me but then Caius came."

Bella released a breath, she didn't knew she was holding. A fond smile graced Dora's face as she remembered that day.

"Caius defeated all of them. He saved me. He was a vampire already when that happened. I trusted him from that very moment. We spent a few more together and I fell in love. Hard and fast. He told me about vampires and mates. He was sure I was his mate."

"He took me to Aro and Marcus. Marcus confirmed our relation and in the next fortnight, I was turned and married to Caius," Dora said, a grin on her face and a dreamy look in her eyes.

"We spent a decade or two in Greece. During that time, Caius, Aro and Marcus were building their troop of gifted vampires to defeat the Romanians. After the long war between us and them, we defeated them and shifted our base from Greece to here."

Bella was astonished. Dora's memory was clear, her way of describing things was impeccable. "You remember all of this?" Bella asked, still staring at Dora like she is an other worldly creature.

Dora let out a melodious laugh. Her laugh echoing around the gardens. Little did they know that Caius and Aro watched the two ladies interact. Caius smiled at the sound of his wife's laugh. He still remembered the day they met.

He fell in love with her when he first saw her. The blonde, young lady with the most beautiful eyes. He still remembered the light pink and white dress Athenodora wore with the translucent shawl. Unbeknownst to what he was, Dora had asked for help.

Aro looked as his brother looked lost in his own world. He could spot the happiness in his expression, anyone could. But Aro also saw the underlying sadness in his expression.

Aro was aware of Dora's fondness of children. He had went in her mind more than once and he knew that she wanted to become a mother, though it was impossible for a vampire.

He knew Caius was aware of Dora's wish. Any husband would be. Caius was no telepathic but he didn't need to be one to understand what Dora was feeling. He knew the moment he turned her, he didn't just took away her humanness but also took away her opportunity to become a mother.

Caius and told Dora about it but she had only smiled and said, "I am good with that until you are there with me and I know you are there with me forever and more."

Her words still rang in his ears. The Love he felt for Dora was infinite. It would never end or never fail. He was a cruel man but he had always respected women. May it be for his love for his mother or for his love for his wife. He would never disrespect a woman.