Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “Don’t worry about it. You complain you have one, I complain I don’t. We’re never happy with what we have,” Jenna shrugged.

  “True. Anyway, I was partially telling the truth about talking boys. I want to know more about Luke.”

  “It sounds a little odd that although we are friends, I know virtually nothing about him. Other than he is rather clever.”

  “How come?”

  “We only met travelling from Arula. And as you might have gathered, I like people for who they are not their background. Let’s head over to the temple and you can grill him yourself.”

  It didn’t take them long to get to the temple. Sadly Luke wasn’t around. “He’s gone to see Maia in the Via Lata to check on what is happening,” Gaius informed them.

  “It was a nice thought,” Florentina felt a little deflated.

  “Being a General’s daughter, I’m surprised you give up so easily,” Jenna fixed her friend with a firm look. “We know Luke is in the Via Lata. You said you wanted to understand more about Trajan’s proposed works. So let’s go.”

  “Isn’t the Via Lata supposed to be in the riot area?”

  “It’s been fairly quiet recently. Although natural disasters always happen wherever I go, so I can understand your reluctance.”

  Florentina laughed. “I’m a General’s daughter, as you so rightly said. Courage is in my blood, so lead on.”

  “Now you’re talking my language,” Jenna beamed.

  “How do you know we will run into Luke?”

  “He’s a creature of habit, and always takes the same route.”

  Jenna noticed Florentina stepped marginally closer to her as the scenery started to change. Gone were the beautiful houses and immaculate streets, replaced with run down houses and shacks.

  “I had no idea this part of the city was so decayed,” Florentina’s eyes were wide.

  “Rome doesn’t like to admit this part exists. But we’re working on improving it.”

  “Who is this Maia that Luke is visiting?”

  “She is a widow who used to feed many of the street children on the offerings from Mars’ temple. Trajan now supplies her with a steady supply of provisions from the Imperial Palace and also has built a shelter for her from which to work.”

  “Why did he select her?”

  “It was a request from someone who saved his life,” she responded nonchalantly.

  “Do you often spend time in this area?”

  “To be truthful, no. This is Luke’s domain. I cover the area south of Apollo’s temple.”

  “Is that not a little rough too?”

  “Yes. But generally the street kids don’t hang around the city centre. The poor things just get moved on.”

  “Probably because the nobility don’t want to see poverty. It does not sit well with them.”

  “Exactly. If those who in power would actually recognise that Rome is not all affluent, then they could instigate real change. I’m not talking about a utopian society, but one where children at least do not have to starve.”

  “You care deeply about this issue, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I think everyone should be given the chance to improve their life. Whether or not they take it is up to them. “

  Up ahead, Jenna caught sight of the building Trajan had commissioned; it was a great deal better than a simple shelter. It contained an ample kitchen and store room, many tables and benches, and basic washing facilities.

  Luke was helping Maia clean up after her latest sitting with some of the children.

  “Jenna,” Maia came forward to greet her. “What a lovely surprise.”

  “I came to see the new building. It’s certainly bigger than I thought.”

  “Yes. The Emperor was most generous. And have you brought another volunteer?”

  “This is Florentina. The Emperor is keen to enrol her into one of his initiatives so I thought I’d show her one first hand.”

  Maia took Florentina’s hand. “You are most welcome. Come on in and I’ll give you a brief account of the work we do.”

  Luke sauntered over to Jenna. “Is Florentina genuinely interested in what Trajan is trying to achieve?”

  “Yes. Although her reason for coming here was actually twofold. We called at the temple and Gaius said you were here.”

  “She wanted to see me?” his face lit up.

  “Yes. Don’t let it go to your head. I’m sure she can take some medication for whatever is afflicting her.”

  “Haven’t you got somewhere to be?” he grunted.

  “I could not possibly leave a delicate noble lady unchaperoned. And in such a rough area too.”

  “You’re right. I’m crap with a sword. You do all the fighting for me.”

  “My hero,” Jenna pulled a face. “But you can play the macho part and walk us back.”

  “You’re too kind.”

  Jenna was pleased Florentina was showing real interest in what Maia was telling her. In fact they had to break up their conversation, as there was not too much daylight left. And Jenna has already had a bad experience in the Via Lata.

  “How did you find it all?” Luke asked as they set up off.

  “Humbling. My eyes were opened to the stark realities of life.”

  “I hope it was not too distressing?”

  “On the contrary, I find myself with renewed energy. I was never happy being the pampered daughter of a Roman noble, and now I can put my status to some good cause.”

  Luke felt Jenna tense before he saw the trouble. “What the hell is it with you? I come to this area countless times and find it trouble free. You set foot in it and trouble follows.”

  “What can I say, I’m gifted,” Jenna retorted, reaching for her dagger.

  “Can we go around?” Florentina asked, moving a little closer to Luke.

  “We’ve already been picked as possible targets. They’ll follow us.”

  “What are they after?”

  “Money, jewellery. A bit of fun.” Jenna moved Luke and Florentina to the corner of the little square they were crossing. She wanted their backs to be protected. “Don’t show them any interest, there is still the faintest hope they will walk by.”

  No such luck.

  “Two pretty ladies. Want to share?” one rough individual asked Luke.

  “Sadly not.” He responded curtly. “Before you take another step, you might want to know that one is protected by Mars, the other by a rather vicious general.”

  “As neither is standing here, I don’t think they’ll mind us relieving you of a few possessions.”

  As one man stepped forward, Jenna went into action. She’d missed a good scrap. “Anyone else?” she asked as the man lay bleeding on the ground.

  She never got to throw another punch or kick. A tight arm snaked around her waist and deposited her next to Luke. Seconds later, the small group of men were dead. Her elite troops. Jenna reacted quicker this time and grabbed hold of the lead man’s wrist. Portia had been right, his skin did shimmer. His face too was vaguely familiar.

  “Your name, it is Ajax, is it not?”

  He nodded. “Yes, my lady.” Then he and his troops were gone.

  “You have your own protection detail?” Luke asked incredulously.

  “I guess Marcus thought it too greater task for one man.”

  “It would have been nice to have known that in advance.”

  Jenna glanced at Florentina. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes,” she smiled. “You are forgetting I’ve survived the barbaric outland of Britannia.”

  Both Jenna and Luke laughed at her comment.

  “Did I say something amusing?”

  “Jenna and I have a rather different view of Britannia. It reminds us a great deal of Arula. And to us the Britons were a very warm and welcoming people. But then that might be down to the fact we were not invading.”

  “True,” Florentina nodded. “And I apologise if I offended either of you.”

  “Our laughter s
hould have told you otherwise.” Luke took her hand. “Shall we get you back to the safety of your villa?”

  Ajax was at the forefront of Jenna’s mind as they walked through the city. That was the name Julius had given her for the guard who had supposedly escorted him to Olympus. Was it possible Olympus really existed or was Julius just deluded into thinking that. But if Ajax was mortal, why did his skin shimmer and how the hell did he move so fast? It was a question she didn’t really want to think about too much.

  Jenna said her goodbyes to Luke and Florentina when they reached the General’s villa. “I will see you in a few days. I’m accompanying Senator Aurelius and his family to their estate in Cabrillus.”

  “Oh. Will you be gone long?” Florentina asked.

  “Three days, I believe. You can always substitute me with Luke.”

  Luke uttered a rude response before Jenna left them. He would be only too happy for Florentina to devote her free time to his company.

  Jenna hurried along the now empty streets towards the temple, hopefully she didn’t run into Marcus. Not that she didn’t want to see him. It would be argument that ensued when he realised she was unaccompanied. But then if she had an elite troop assigned to her, what was the point?

  “Jenna,” Arianna caught up with her. “Just the person I was on my way to see.”

  “Perfect timing.”

  “Mother wanted to let you know that we are leaving for Cabrillus tonight. Marcus cannot leave until tomorrow morning, so he will pick you up at sunrise.”

  “I’m travelling alone with him?”

  “Yes. You will be saved the constant whining of my family, they do not do long rides well.”

  “I have ridden with Marcus before, so it should be fine.”

  “As long as he remains silent,” Arianna added.

  “Quite.”

  “And he would not be so silent if he knew you had no escort.” Arianna fixed her with a sharp stare.

  “But he is not going to know, is he?” Jenna smiled sweetly.

  “No-one has ever stretched my brother as you do. It is good for him. I will see you in Cabrillus tomorrow afternoon.”

  Jenna hurried inside the temple. She needed to pack up a few items for tomorrow. Ares thought it was a new game and tried to get inside her bag.

  “Much as I would like to take you with me, I don’t think you’d like the ride,” she kissed the black kitten.

  “With any luck Julius will be around to divert his attention, otherwise I will be riddled with cat scars,” Amelia grunted.

  “How’s Augustus?”

  “Delicious as ever,” Amelia sighed wistfully. She’d just spent the afternoon getting up close and personal with him.

  “Hussy.”

  “Hey, something tells me you’ll be joining our ranks very shortly.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I think this whole trip has been engineered around you and him finally getting it together.”

  Jenna had a pretty good idea that Amelia was right. Marcus’ family were only too keen for her to join them officially and what better way than to get the two of them together far out of Rome with no interruptions. Not that she had any objections, she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

  CHAPTER 10

  “I’m surprised you can leave the city for so long,” Jenna commented as Marcus lifted her up onto her horse.

  “I have a reliable stand-in,” he shrugged, mounting up himself. “Besides, I have not announced my departure.”

  “How far is it to Cabrillus?”

  “We should be there by mid-afternoon.”

  “Along the coast?”

  “Yes.”

  Once through the city gates, they pushed the horses into canter and left Rome far behind. The further they travelled north, the lusher the scenery became, it was truly stunning. They rode in silence for part of the way, enjoying the early morning sun.

  “What were you doing in the Via Lata yesterday?” Marcus asked out the blue.

  “Visiting Maia.”

  “Did that boy take you?”

  “No,” Jenna felt her hackles go up right away. “Luke was already there. Florentina wanted to see the work that Maia was doing.”

  “And you took her without an escort?” he asked incredulously.

  “I already have one, do I not?”

  “Those guards are there as a last resort. They are not readily visible.”

  “Look. How I run my life is my business. If you’re going to continually take me to task for doing things my way, I’m headed back to Rome right now,” Jenna snapped.

  “Your life is very much my business, Jenna. Not just because you are destined to spend it with me, but you are also Trajan’s daughter. He has ordered that you are never alone.”

  “Again, he can order all he wants, I am not a citizen of Rome and he has no claim on me whatsoever as his daughter.”

  “Are you going to continue with this belligerent mood all morning?”

  “If you continue being a dick, yes,” she retorted.

  Jenna moved her horse into gallop and left Marcus behind. She knew it would not be long before he caught her up, but she knew if she didn’t put some space between them, they would end up having another fight. The scenery helped clear all negative thoughts from her mind, and a little while later she felt much calmer. Only Marcus could wind her up tighter than a spring. She glanced back behind and was surprised to see just open road. No Marcus. Perhaps he was really giving her space.

  She carried on for a while long, not really paying attention to her route, the horse seemed to have a fair idea of where it was going. At least she hoped so.

  The landscape became much rockier and steeper. Below her she was watching a poor donkey trying to climb up the hill carrying far too greater a load. The creature kept stumbling on the loose rock. The two boys with it were oblivious to its struggling and kept hitting the animal with a stick. Not one to support cruelty to animals, Jenna stopped and tied the horse to a tree.

  “Stop that at once,” she shouted to the boys. “Do you want to kill that poor animal?”

  “What’s it to you, lady?” one boy sneered and wacked the animal again.

  “The load is far too heavy for such a small animal,” she snapped, climbing down the hill.

  “He’s just lazy,” the other retorted.

  “He is also missing a shoe,” Jenna pointed out.

  “So, we can’t afford to get him a replacement.” As the boy with the stick went to hit the poor donkey again, Jenna snatched the offending object from him.

  “Would you like me to put that load on you and beat you?”

  The boy didn’t answer.

  “I thought not. Now take that weight off his back.”

  “Do it yourself,” was the response as both boys left her to it.

  Jenna stroked the donkey’s nose. “Easy boy. We’ll get that horrid load off you.” She released the straps and the two saddle bags fell to the ground. “There’s not much we can do about your shoe until we get to a village.”

  She glanced back up the hill and realised why the two boys were so keen to leave her. The little bastards had stolen her horse. Actually Marcus’ horse to be correct. And her belongings.

  “Bloody marvellous,” she puffed out her cheeks and sunk to the ground. In the middle of god knows where, with no money or goods to barter with. Had she really pissed Marcus off enough that he had deserted her? She was in the shit again. Why did this always happen to her? The donkey rubbed his nose against her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, boy,” she scratched his ears. “It looks like it’s going to be a long walk to Rome before we get you that shoe.”

  Tears of frustration started to trickle down her face. She was fed up with courting disaster nearly every day. Perhaps it was time to return to Bath, her time zone of course, and give up on this crazy life in ancient Rome. Accidents and bad things did not usually happen to her there, and when they did, she was equipped to deal with
them.

  “Perhaps Gaius would let me take you and Ares home,” Jenna mused as she stroked the donkey’s nose. “You’d like my home, you’d have your own paddock and stable.”

  “The only home that donkey is going to know is my stables,” Marcus’ voice made her jump. He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet.