Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  Florentina laughed as Benedictus made a spluttering sound. “I am considering becoming a campaigner for equal rights.”

  Trajan laughed. “You would have my vote. On a more serious note, we are starting to instigate a whole programme of public works aiding the children of the poor. If you are interested in volunteering your time, my wife Pompeia would be delighted with any help. The same offer is made to you too, Antonia. I have roped Jenna in to help oversee the work as well.”

  It was Governor Marcellus and his wife Flavia who slithered in first. Trajan gave Jenna wink.

  Flavia scowled at Hector who was sitting just a bit too close to her daughter. “I don’t believe we have been introduced?”

  “This is Hector. Senator Aurelius’ son,” Trajan announced. Sure enough Flavia’s scowl turned into a wide smile. Had she been able to, she would have sat her daughter on Hector’s lap.

  “So nice to meet you,” she cooed. “And I am delighted my daughter is making friends already.”

  Tiberius wasn’t too far behind. He rested his hand proudly on his daughter’s shoulder. “I trust you have been learning much about the ways in Rome.”

  “Yes, father,” Florentina rolled her eyes making Trajan laugh.

  “Your children are a credit to you both. I have actually just been trying to recruit them into becoming an integral part of a couple of new initiatives I am working on.” Trajan stood up. “I will set up a meeting to talk further. Benedictus, you are welcome to take part in both options should you wish.” He turned to leave then glanced back over his shoulder at Florentina. “Rome’s first Senatora. I like that.”

  Florentina dissolved into a heap of giggles. “Emperor Trajan is most wicked.”

  “Would you mind explaining what he meant by Senatora?” Tiberius was lost.

  “The Emperor was talking to Benedictus about a career in the Senate and asked me if I had aspirations to join too. I think I’d be excellent at the first woman Senator.”

  Jenna looked at the stunned faces on Tiberius and Marcellus. “The Emperor was merely teasing Benedictus as he was horrified with the idea of equality.”

  “I never thought an Emperor could be so funny,” Florentina beamed.

  “Even Emperors can have a sense of humour,” Jenna shook her head.

  Marcellus pounced on his son. “Trajan has a place for you in the Senate?”

  “Perhaps.” Benedictus was only too aware how grasping his parents could be so was fairly evasive. “He is working on some new initiatives which he wants to talk about.”

  Marcellus and Flavia were looking very smug. Their son had caught the notice of the Emperor and their daughter the attention of a highly eligible noble. And Tiberius too could not believe his beloved daughter had received an invitation from the Emperor to help with his initiatives. He suspected it all centred around the rather outspoken young lady next to her. If rumours were correct, she had the favour of the four most powerful people in the city. That was definitely an acquaintance he would not discourage.

  Marcus appeared by Jenna’s side. “Do you mind if we leave shortly? I have a feeling I will be needed in the Isis region soon.”

  “Of course not. It looks like some of the guests are already disappearing.”

  Jenna said her goodbyes to Florentina, Antonia and Benedictus. “I hope we will meet soon at the Circus Maximus. I will remind Trajan of your invitations.”

  “There is no need to wait until then. I will drop by the temple to see you, if I may,” Florentina smiled warmly. “We can talk more about the projects the Emperor has you involved in.”

  “I’d like that. I’m there most days.” She turned to Benedictus. “I hope we have not caused too much pain.”

  “I shall have nightmares,” he laughed. “More so of Florentina sitting in the front row of the Curia Julia.”

  Riding back to the temple, Jenna felt quite exhausted. It had been a while since she had talked virtually non-stop for an evening. And mixed with a lot more wine than usual. Marcus pulled Hercules up to the side of the temple and lifted her down.

  His kiss was hot and seductive. “Spend the night with me, Jenna,” he murmured, kissing her neck.

  “You know I can’t. Cassandra is expecting me back.”

  “Then I shall have to settle for a few hours. I still want to peel that dress off you.”

  “No,” she replied, her hands sliding under his cloak and stoking his biceps.

  “Keep that up and you won’t even make it inside,” he groaned.

  “We have had a beautiful evening, and have not even argued once,” she kissed him softly.

  “And we could finish it in spectacular style.”

  “I am tired and have had a very long evening.” She brushed her mouth across his once more. “I will see you tomorrow. Take care in the Isis region.”

  She hurried up the steps before she changed her mind. Spending the night with Marcus was something she very much wanted, and the reasons not to were starting to disappear. One day very soon she knew it would happen, probably on the trip to Cabrillus. She would be away from the temple and the prying eyes of Rome, it would just be her and Marcus. Not forgetting the rest of his family.

  CHAPTER 8

  Jenna was tidying their quarters when she heard the voice coming from the main temple.

  “You are an affectionate little fellow. I’ve never known a temple to have a cat before.”

  “It’s a new custom I’m introducing to Rome,” Jenna headed out to meet Florentina. “And watch him. Behind that cute and fluffy exterior hides a blood loving monster.”

  “Where did he come from? He’s beautiful.” Florentina stroked an adoring kitten.

  “He was a gift from Marcus.”

  “It must be thrilling to have such an ardent admirer,” she sighed enviously.

  “Marcus and I fight continually,” Jenna laughed. “It’s very much old world meets new.”

  “Actually it’s the new world I would like to talk to you about. Do you have time?”

  “Of course. Why don’t we head out to the Forum Romanum?”

  Florentina spoke as they walked through the near empty streets. “I have always been aware that people sought our company for social standing but at the banquet, I saw something new. You are not part of the Roman nobility and hold the favour of the highest ranked officials in the city. It is they who seek you out. They relish your company because you want nothing from them.”

  “I guess I’m a bit of a novelty.”

  “It is more than that. They can relax around you, be themselves. I don’t think many people have seen the side we did to Emperor Trajan.”

  “Because I am an orphan, we have something a bit like a father-daughter relationship. He tries to look out for me and I give him grief.”

  Florentina smiled. “That is what I am talking about though. You barely even change your ways around the Emperor. Most people expected you and the Marshall to sit by the Emperor, yet you wanted to mix with people your own age and he obliged willingly. In fact I’m sure he spent a much more enjoyable evening speaking to long-serving captains instead.”

  “He did actually. He’s not one for the social scene.”

  “Being fresh to Rome, I would like to grow that culture myself, perhaps even brush it off to other people.”

  “I think Benedictus and Antonia would be good supporters.”

  “Yes,” Florentina chuckled. “Benedictus, although he does not quite share our views, he believes in achieving everything by honesty. If he does become a protégé of the Emperor in the Senate, he will have to set the standard for this new breed.”

  “Yes, the Emperor is keen to fix the problems in the city and to do that, one must understand how the everyday citizen lives. I did ask Marcus once how the Senate were going to solve the problem of the unrest when not one had ever set foot in the Isis or Via Lata.”

  “Most Senators would have an attack of the vapours at such a suggestion,” Florentina pulled a face. “But you are right. M
any believe the city is there to just line their pockets.”

  “And they will sadly find themselves out of a job.”

  “I thought the Senate was for life?”

  “An Imperial decree overrules anything else.”

  “True. My father is naturally curious what Trajan is aiming for. Not that he has any burning ambition other than to serve the Empire. He always will be a military man.”

  “I understand your father’s unease. He has the right credentials but does not fit into the scheming of some Roman families. That is why Trajan favours your father, the military is and always will be in their blood. Trajan’s aim, I believe, is to try and get young nobles from leading families, like yourself, to set an example. If you and, say, Benedictus, were to offer your services in helping out in the poorer districts for allotted periods of time, it would speak volumes to the others.”

  “And say what?”

  “These nobles serve the city selflessly and in return have the ear and favour of their Emperor.”

  “I see your point, that is quite the incentive. But do you not think some parents will push their children to do this so they can get the favour?”

  “Oh I’m sure they will, but Trajan is quite crafty. His ear and favours will only lean towards those he believes have no hidden agenda. He has learnt to play their game too.” Jenna glanced around. By accident or design, they had walked to the Trajan Forum. “As we’re here, did you want to meet Luke? The temple of Mars is just up ahead.”

  “He was the rather adorable young man with you at the procession, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes. And you will not find him quite so adorable when you hear how rudely he greets me.”

  They headed into the temple and Luke was as welcoming as ever. “Are we due an unnatural disaster?” he raised his eyes to the heavens. “And shouldn’t there be a hound from Hades snapping at your heels.”

  Jenna turned to Florentina. “See what I have to put up?”

  “Does he not mean a hound from Pluto?”

  “Yes. But we’re from Arula and Hades sounds much scarier to us.” Jenna turned towards Luke. “I’m only going to introduce you to Florentina if you’re in a pleasant mood.”

  As Luke headed over, his attitude and stance changed as he recognised Florentina. “You..you’re General Tiberius’ daughter.”

  “Yes,” she smiled. “I do remember who my father is.”

  “Sorry, that was a dumb thing to say.”

  “I will forgive you as you are a friend of Jenna’s.”

  Jenna slid over to the statue of Mars, on the pretext of giving them some privacy to talk. The marble was warm as ever as she ran her hand down his arm. She only ever hallucinated when no –one else was in the temple. “I have missed you and the trouble you bring,” she murmured.

  “It is you who cause the trouble,” she heard him whisper in her ear, but when she turned no-one was there. She was starting to imagine him again.

  What she didn’t imagine was the figure in black walking towards her. “Something told me I’d find you here. And your escort?”

  “I was walking with Florentina.”

  Marcus nodded. “I did not think you were a follower of Mars. Your father, yes.”

  “I actually came to see Luke,” she smiled a little shyly.

  “Really?” Marcus was pleased.

  And so was Luke. Not only had this attractive young noble actively sought him out, but it might keep the Marshall from glaring at him quite so much.

  “I shall get you ladies home,” Marcus announced. “The sun will be going down soon.”

  Florentina said her goodbyes to Luke then followed them out. “I am quite capable of making my way back to my villa unescorted, Marshall Vilnus.”

  “I’m sure you are, but you’re getting an escort anyway,” he grunted. He barked at a centurion who was riding by.

  “Centurion Acherus, will take you on the back of his horse,” Marcus instructed.

  Captain Acherus followed Marcus to General Tiberius’ villa. They rode into the villa’s courtyard the same time as the General.

  “Marshall Vilnus,” General Tiberius dismounted and headed over to them. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes. I am just delivering your daughter home safely.”

  “I was visiting Jenna,” Florentina put her father at ease.

  Tiberius lifted his daughter down. “Thank you for returning her safely. Can I offer you some refreshment?”

  “Regrettably I have to get to the barracks,” Marcus declined politely. “But I do hope to catch up with you soon.”

  Florentina smiled up at Jenna. “If you are free tomorrow, please stop by.”

  “I will,” Jenna grinned.

  Tiberius rested his hand affectionately on his daughter’s shoulder as he watched the Marshall ride out with Jenna. “You are moving in higher circles than myself.”

  “Purely by accident, father.”

  “Your mother will be thrilled.”

  “Please don’t tell her. Jenna is a friend, not a means to gain popularity with Emperor Trajan.” Florentina looked at her father imploringly.

  “I could refuse you nothing,” Tiberius linked his arm through hers.

  Florentina breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was her mother sticking her nose into her fledgling friendships. Jenna was such an interesting and fun person to be around, she felt she could really be herself. And Luke was even cuter than she first thought. She had a feeling was she going to become an ardent supporter of Mars.

  Minerva spotted Mercury about to leave the house. “You’re looking exceptionally well-groomed. I hope you’re not planning on seeing Jenna?”

  “I do love to bait Mars. But no, it is Antonia I am calling to see,” his eyes twinkled.

  “Be gentle with her, she is young and impressionable.”

  “I know. It is nice to be appreciated for a change.”

  “Has mother said more to you about Cabrillus?”

  “Yes. She has nagged me into going. I would much rather stay in Rome as the only point of interest in Cabrillus will have my brother attached to her.”

  Minerva shook her head. “I forget how you males constantly like to have your egos stroked.”

  “I’m happy to have any part of me stroked,” Mercury grinned heading out the door.

  “Pig,” Minerva muttered at his departing figure.

  “Who is?” Juno appeared.

  “Mercury. Have you let Mars know we are headed out in three days?”

  “Not yet. He is in with your father at the moment, so I will break the news to him later. The sooner we get him and Jenna together formally, the more we can relax.”

  “I think our troubles will still be far from over. Mars greatest challenge will be getting Jenna to accept his deity.”

  “Why do you think she will find that so hard to accept?” Juno queried.

  “She herself once said her brain is not wired to believe in such a thing. Not truly.”

  “Has she not seen proof enough yet that we exist?”

  “Her futuristic mind always manages to distort the facts into something more manageable. Yes, she saw Mars and I at Laumus, but she believes she was dreaming.”

  “I think you worry too much. Once she is under his spell, she will accept all that he has to offer.”

  Minerva was not convinced. Jenna could be very unpredictable.

  CHAPTER 9

  Florentina was losing patience with her mother. She wanted to talk to Jenna about issues that really mattered but every time she tried to take hold of the conversation, her mother would prattle on about something else. She could see from Jenna’s face that her friend desperately wanted to escape.

  “It’s a lovely day outside,” Florentina stood up. “I think we would both benefit from a walk.”

  Jenna leapt to her feet eagerly. “Good suggestion.”

  Druscilla wasn’t taking the hint. “I’ll join you ladies.”

  “Mother,” Florentina muttered.
“Jenna and I can hardly discuss the virtues of the eligible bachelors in the city with you around.”

  “Oh, oh I see,” flustered Druscilla. “Of course, I’ll leave you two alone. Anyone in particular you will be talking about?”

  “Mother,” Florentina rolled her eyes.

  They breathed a sigh of relief when they were well away from the villa. “I’m so sorry, my mother does like to go on.”