She did not, however, trust Antonina's character, and feared lest, after her own death, Antonina might prove unfaithful to her house, although she had found her so helpful in emergencies, and might break the compact.

These considerations prompted her to a most abominable act.

She made the boy and girl live together without any marriage ceremony, in violation of the laws.

It is said that the girl was unwilling to cohabit with him, and that the Empress had her secretly forced to do so, that the marriage might be consummated by the dishonour of the bride, and so the Emperor might not be able to oppose it.

After this had taken place, Anastasius and the girl fell passionately in love with each other, and lived together in this manner for eight months.
Immediately after the Empress's death, Antonina came to Byzantium.