Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “How is he doing?” Jenna asked.

  “Improving,” Marcus nodded. “I have no doubt he will be fine by the morning.”

  “And you know this how?” Jenna quizzed.

  “Male intuition,” he shrugged.

  “I wasn’t aware such a thing existed.”

  Marcus flopped down next to her. “I guess there is no point in suggesting you return to the temple?”

  “You assume correct. Do you think I could sleep wondering how Laurentius was faring? Besides, I’m sure Octavia will need to rest at some time so I shall take her place.”

  Aris brought out some food later for them and Jenna took a plate through to Octavia. “How is he doing?”

  “His colour is improving and his sweats are reducing.” She stroked her husband’s bare chest. “I cannot think what would have happened if you had not stopped by. The stubborn old goat would probably have laid here in agony for hours on end.”

  “Such sweet terms of endearment,” Laurentius muttered opening his eyes slowly.

  “Octavia is right, you are a stubborn old goat. A woman has the sense to seek medical help right away.”

  “Nag, nag, nag,” Laurentius grunted. “Send Marcus in. At least he doesn’t give me an ear-bashing.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” Jenna chuckled. “He’s been cooped up with the children the last few hours, he’s anything but relaxed. Last time I looked, Portia was trying to braid his hair.”

  Laurentius laughed, then coughed and regretted it. His whole body ached. “I need to bathe.”

  “The only bath you’re going to have is with a cloth. Try and get out that bed and I will show you the meaning of pain,” Jenna fixed him with a glare.

  He glanced from Jenna to his wife, they both had the same look of disapproval. It made him shiver. “Fine. How about some wine and a little food?”

  “You may have watered-down wine. And some very plain dry food.”

  “I can’t guess where you get your bossiness from,” he grunted.

  Octavia laughed for the first time and gave Jenna an apologetic look. “Sorry, it seems you only inherited my bad qualities.”

  “I consider it a leadership skill, which is a definite quality,” Jenna touched Octavia’s shoulder. Her dislike of her birth mother seemed to be slipping.

  Jenna headed out to the peristyle to pour some wine for Laurentius. She stopped well short and did her best to not to make a sound. Marcus was fast asleep on the cushions with Portia on top of him, his hair proudly sporting two braids and a few brightly coloured feathers. If only she had her iPhone on her, she would have taken a picture. She backtracked to Laurentius’ room.

  “Sorry you cannot see this sight, Laurentius, but I’m sure Octavia would not want to miss it,” she giggled.

  Octavia returned with tears in her eyes. “Oh my dear, seeing the hard man of Rome with his hair sporting pink beads and elegant feathers, is quite the sight.” She wiped her eyes.

  “I’m glad you are both finding fun at my friend’s expense. Now weren’t you fetching me wine, Jenna?” Laurentius grunted, irritated that he could not see Marcus himself.

  Jenna headed back out and poured the wine before diluting it. Having given it to Laurentius, she thought she should put the children to bed. Dextus and Julius were happy to go. Portia was still fast asleep. Jenna lifted her gently off Marcus, who opened a sleepy eye. She indicated for him not to make a sound, she did not want to wake the child. Carrying her to her bedroom, Jenna managed to get her into bed and slip back out without her waking.

  Marcus had sat back up and was removing feathers from his hair.

  “You look most becoming,” Jenna giggled.

  “Hmm,” he grunted and pulled her too him. “As do you.”

  She pulled away from him a while later, they were at Laurentius’ villa after all. In the shadows she could see Aris hovering.

  “Is everything alright, Aris?” She asked the servant.

  “Yes, my lady. All the staff are wondering how the master is?”

  “He seems to be improving well. We hope he will be nearly recovered by morning.”

  “Wonderful news. And will you and the Marshall be staying the night? I can arrange for a bedroom to be made up for you.”

  Jenna blushed furiously as Marcus gave her a very naughty look. “There is no need, thank you Aris. We will remain out here should Octavia need us.”

  “Very well. I will make sure there is a servant on call in the kitchen all night for whatever you or the master needs.”

  Marcus pushed a blond curl back behind her ear. “So close to spending the night with you,” he sighed.

  “Ah crap,” Jenna hissed. “I’ve not told anyone at the temple where I am. Nor let Julius’ family know where he is.”

  Marcus pulled her back to him, irritated she had moved. “I already have. I figured you were too preoccupied with Laurentius to have given it much thought.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  “How about you show me your gratitude,” he breathed in her ear.

  After a very hot and steamy kiss, Jenna thought she’d better put some distance between them before things got out of hand.

  “Why don’t you see how he is doing?” Jenna suggested. “He must be getting tired of my face.”

  “I could look on that face for a lifetime,” Marcus smiled and rose. And his lifetime was an eternity.

  Marcus found Octavia asleep next to her husband. He touched Laurentius’ forehead, it was relatively cool. His friend opened an eye.

  “Very fetching hair braids indeed, Marshall.”

  Marcus reached up and felt them, he’d quite forgotten about them. Luckily he hadn’t been called out to deal with any trouble else he would have been a laughing stock. “It’s the latest fashion I’m sporting,” he grunted. “You’re looking a damn sight better.”

  “I feel it.”

  “And you and Octavia seem to have called a truce.”

  “Yes. I think it time we carried on with our lives. She has shown she still cares for me. Are the children asleep?”

  “They are. I was in great danger of having Portia apply make-up to my face.”

  Laurentius chuckled. “The ladies have already laughed enough at the braids and feathers.”

  “Oh they have, have they?” Marcus grunted.

  “Yes. I take it you and Jenna have also settled your differences?”

  “For now,” he grimaced.

  “When you mix two different cultures, a few fireworks are bound to ignite.”

  “Their relationship makes Vesuvius look like a small fire,” Octavia murmured reached up to feel her husband’s chest to gauge his temperature.

  Marcus snorted. “Can I get either of you anything?”

  “Are the servants still up?” Octavia was surprised.

  “Aris said one would be on duty throughout the night.”

  “I’m not sure what I want,” Octavia rose from the bed. “I’ll see what is easily available in the kitchen.” She squeezed her husband’s hand. “You must be hungry.”

  “Anything would be good.”

  “I’m fine,” Marcus responded. “We ate earlier if you remember.”

  “The children…” Octavia was a little muddled.

  “Fed and put to bed. Sadly they escaped washing.”

  Octavia smiled. “No problem. I’ll catch them in the morning.”

  “Now you are a little more with it, old friend, perhaps you would care to think who is trying to do away with you?” Marcus started his grilling after Octavia had left the room.

  “The list of suspects could be large,” Laurentius winced. “Trajan has asked me to look into claims of corruption in the Senate.”

  “There are many in the Senate who are corrupt,” Marcus shrugged. “That is nothing new.”

  “Trajan wants me to find hard evidence of high level corruption and those Senators found guilty will be stripped of their title, wealth and nobility, which will in turn be given to a more h
onourable candidate.”

  “That is a good motive for murder. Who were you investigating most recently?”

  “Senator Livius.”

  “When did you last have dealings with him?”

  “Conveniently enough, I was at his house earlier today. I thought his wine tasted particularly good.”

  “I think the Senator will be getting an early morning house search.”

  “There is a chance it was not him.”

  “The trouble with you, old friend, is that you like to see the good in everyone.”

  “And you see the worst.”

  Octavia reappeared. “Calle is preparing something for us. It should not be long.”

  Marcus retreated back to the peristyle where Jenna was fast asleep. It was quite bizarre that they had actually spent the night together a few times but were clothed on each occasion. Tonight seemed to be a repeat. He sincerely hoped in Cabrillus they would finally consummate their relationship. At least then his brothers would have to keep their distance. He dropped down next to Jenna and pulled her to him. She was only too happy to nestle in beside him.

  CHAPTER 5

  The clattering of dishes woke Jenna from a blissful sleep, her mattress was warm and soft. As she opened her eyes slowly, she remembered it was no mattress, but a rather gorgeous Marshall of the Peace.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” those black eyes gazed down at her.

  Great, Jenna thought. One delicious Roman and she had hair to rival Medusa, drool on her cheek and dragon breath. It was really unfair that he could look so perfect in the morning. She squeaked something in response and shot off to try and repair some damage.

  Emerging a short while later, she felt a little more refreshed. Aris had set out some delicious fruits and breads for breakfast.

  “Have you seen the Senator or Octavia yet this morning?” she asked.

  “Yes, my lady. The Senator is virtually back to health.”

  Loud squeals announced the arrival of the children. They headed straight for the sweetbreads.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Jenna intercepted them. “Strict instructions from your mother, you are to wash first.”

  “Wash?” Julius looked horrified.

  “Yes. Wash. All of you.”

  They reappeared several minutes later looking a lot fresher. “Much better. Now you can eat,” Jenna smiled.

  “How is papa?” Dextus asked.

  “You can ask him yourself, he is right behind you,” Marcus smiled. It was a huge relief to see his friend up and about. He had felt so useless, watching Laurentius in pain, knowing he could cure him with just one breath. But it was not permitted. The only person who could extend a mortal’s life was Jupiter. He had got away with saving Jenna because she bore his mark.

  Dextus and Portia almost knocked their father off his feet as they charged towards him.

  “Easy,” he laughed stroking their heads. “I’m not entirely steady on my feet.”

  Jenna thought it was time she and Julius left. The Senator needed to be alone with his family.

  “I should get back to the temple and Julius, you need to get back to your parents.”

  “And I supposedly have a city to keep in order,” Marcus rose with them.

  Jenna dropped a kiss on Laurentius’ cheek. “I am delighted you are back on your feet.”

  Portia demanded a hug from her and Marcus before they left, complaining most vociferously that Marcus had removed the braids she had taken so long to create. Octavia saw them to the door.

  “Thank you again for everything, Jenna,” Octavia looked at her with genuine affection.

  Jenna gave her a brief kiss on the cheek. Slowly but surely they were warming to each other. The early morning air was deliciously fresh and the streets still very quiet.

  “We should walk Julius home first,” Jenna announced.

  “No need,” Marcus caught the attention of passing centurion and instructed him to return Julius to his apartment. “Now it is just the two of us,” he grinned slipping his arm through Jenna’s.

  “Does Laurentius know who poisoned him?” Jenna asked.

  “We have an idea, and that lucky person is going to get a visit as soon as you are safely back where you should be.”

  “It was strange to wake up without Ares on my head.”

  “He sleeps on your head?”

  “Yeah,” Jenna giggled. “Although I still woke up with a black-haired male.”

  “Are you likening me to a cat?” Marcus scowled.

  “An adorable kitten,” Jenna attempted to soothe his fragile ego.

  As he watched her head up the steps and into Apollo’s temple, he realised he wanted to wake up every morning with her on his chest. Although he had the distinct feeling he would have to share his bed with Ares as well. Just as long as the kitten kept his claws and fangs to himself, they would get along just fine.

  Stopping only to wash and change, Marcus took ten trusted soldiers and their captain with him to Senator Livius’ residence. As he expected, the Senator had not yet risen.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Senator Livius looked about to burst a blood vessel.

  “We are here to search your villa, Senator. My men will ask all your staff and family to gather in the peristyle whilst we do this,” Marcus informed him bluntly.

  “On what authority?”

  “Mine. I act for the security of Rome and you have been cited as a threat.”

  “I am a leading senator of Rome. You cannot treat me like a common citizen.”

  “If you were a common citizen, we would have kicked down your door and we would not be having this conversation. Now take a seat before my patience runs out.”

  Realising he could not sway the Marshall, the Senator stalked off to the peristyle. Marcus had already briefed his men on what they were looking for. They found it quickly in Livius’ study. A bottle of Belladonna with some of its contents missing.

  Marcus spoke to the servants individually. The majority all confirmed Senator Laurentius had visited the day before. Other than Livius’ villa, the Senator had only eaten or drunk at home and the children were suffering no ill effects. All evidence was pointing to Livius. Marcus called him into his own study and showed him the bottle of Belladonna.

  “We retrieved this from your chest over there.”

  “Belladonna is not illegal,” Livius shrugged.

  “Someone who visited this house recently was given a lethal dose of Belladonna. About the amount that is missing.”

  “Senator Laurentius visits many homes,” Livius snapped. “There is no proof he drank it here.”

  “What makes you think I am talking about Laurentius?”

  “Because did you not say he died?” Livius blustered.

  “No. And the only reason you could think Laurentius is dead is if you administered the poison yourself. As it happens Laurentius has made a full recovery and the only place he visited where he consumed anything was here.”

  “His own staff could have poisoned him.” Livius was sinking fast.

  “Then his children would be dead as they ate and drank the same.” Marcus opened the door. “Take him to the jail, Captain.”

  “I am a nobleman, you cannot arrest me,” Livius thundered.

  “I think you will find the only person I cannot arrest is the Emperor himself. And when the Emperor hears about your crimes, you will be stripped of rank and wealth. Not that you will need either when you head to the underworld.”

  Marcus watched the Senator being carted away. It irked him that some members of the nobility really did think they were above the law, that they were untouchable. Perhaps this would serve as a warning to the rest of the corrupt officials, that the Emperor was resolute on ridding the city of corruption. There was nothing a nobleman valued more than his standing.

  He stopped by Laurentius’ villa to check his friend was still recovering well. Laurentius was only too happy to escape to his study for a few minutes peace.

&n
bsp; “It is warming to know my family care for my wellbeing, but they are virtually stalking me. Am I resting? Am I drinking enough boiled water? Am I hungry?” He rolled his eyes.

  Marcus laughed. “You scared them yesterday, the children especially. They thought they were losing their father. And why the boiled water?”