Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “You are injured?” he asked brushing the tears from her face.

  Jenna shook her head. “Just my pride. Those thieving boys stole my, sorry your, horse.”

  “They didn’t get far.”

  Her eyes went straight to his sword. “You didn’t…?”

  “No. They are young. I thought you could decide their punishment.”

  “Thank you,” she sniffed.

  “For what?” he tilted his head quizzically.

  “For coming back for me. I thought you’d deserted me.”

  He looked at her in amazement. “Do you really think I would leave you out here?”

  “I couldn’t see you,” she felt a tear escape. She wasn’t sure why she felt so emotional suddenly.

  Marcus held her tight. “You are the most precious thing in the world to me, Jenna.” He kissed her tear away. “Irrational, irritating, disobedient, but I would not change you for the world.” He brushed his mouth over hers softly. “Actually we might work on that disobedience….”

  Jenna silenced him the only way she knew could. She broke away after the donkey nudged her in the back.

  “Another male fighting for your attention,” Marcus sighed. “I think I might have to keep this one with me else Apollo really will start to complain.”

  The donkey followed them willingly up to where Marcus had left Hercules. “He will follow us to the next village. I will arrange for him to be shod and sent to my stables in Rome. Is that agreeable?”

  “Thank you,” she hugged him. He did have a big heart at times.

  The village was in fact just a few minutes ride away. There Marcus left the donkey, which Jenna had named Dominicus, with the blacksmith who would arrange for his transfer to Rome. Next, they stopped by the village magistrate.

  Jenna had already decided on a suitable punishment. “They asked a poor defenceless creature to carry over double its body weight, with a missing shoe. Perhaps the boys should be subjected to the same task, and when they falter see if they like being beaten with a stick.” She glanced at Marcus. “Is that too harsh?”

  “The penalty for stealing is death or the very least public flogging. I think the punishment is very apt.” He took hold of her hand. “Can we now get on our way?”

  Riding side by side once more with Marcus, Jenna felt the tension between them had cleared.

  “You have a very caring nature towards animals, don’t you?” Marcus asked.

  “Yes. We are a nation of animal lovers and often put them before ourselves,” Jenna admitted.

  “How strange. Why?”

  “I’m not sure. Perhaps it is because animals do not have a voice, cannot complain about ill treatment. And yes, it is a crime to inflict cruelty on an animal in Arula.”

  “A donkey is a beast of burden. It is meant to carry loads.”

  “So is Hercules. But how do you think he would feel it we sat six of you on him?”

  Hercules snorted, as if giving Jenna his answer.

  “And would you continue to work him hard if he lost a shoe?”

  “No, it would cause him to fall lame.”

  “So why inflict that injury on a lesser beast? Or work him to death?”

  “I see your point. At least your donkey will be well cared for now.”

  “I’m sure Hercules will be delighted to have a new stable mate,” Jenna grinned.

  They stopped in a small village to give the horses a rest and a drink.

  “Who else from your family will be at Cabrillus other than Arianna and Hector?”

  “I think just my Uncle Nero and his family.”

  “He doesn’t live in Rome, does he?”

  “No. He’s more of a seafaring man.”

  “How old are his children?”

  “They are grown up like us and will probably have their children too.”

  “You can get more hair braids,” Jenna teased.

  “My cousins’ children are somewhat afraid of me so thankfully that is unlikely.”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “Definitely not,” he retorted.

  “Does your uncle look like Aurelius?”

  “Yes, you should be able to see the similarities.”

  “Does your father have just the one brother?”

  “No. He has another, Hadrian, but they don’t along.”

  “Where does he live?”

  “Somewhere rather warm, I believe,” Marcus grinned getting to his feet. “Now enough interrogation, we need to complete our journey.”

  It was another few hours before Cabrillus came into sight. It was one of the most beautiful estates she had ever seen. The villa was built into the side of a hill and its many levels led down to the sea. The whole estate was surrounded by lush vegetation and flowers. It was quite simply breath-taking.

  “Wow,” she murmured, as they rode down the driveway.

  “You approve?”

  “Rather,” she breathed.

  Claudia stepped out into the courtyard as they rode up. “Welcome to Cabrillus, Jenna.”

  Sitting on the temple steps, Amelia dangled a ribbon in front of Ares. The kitten was showing an unusual lack of interest.

  “What’s wrong?” Amelia sighed. She hoped the kitten wasn’t getting sick. Jenna would be heartbroken if anything happened to him. And it wasn’t like she could rush him through to McVale; the Institute didn’t have any vets. She picked the kitten up, he didn’t even sink his fangs into her hand. Instead he snuggled into her.

  “I think he’s missing Jenna,” Julius announced.

  “But she only left this morning.”

  “Last time she left she was gone a while. He probably thinks she’ll be away a long time again.”

  “You’re quite intelligent really,” Amelia rubbed Ares’ ears.

  “Thank you,” Julius grinned.

  “How are your lessons going?”

  “Very well. I’m now being tutored with Dextus.”

  “That must be a headache for any tutor,” Amelia shook her head. “You two are nothing but trouble when you get together.”

  Julius laughed. “The tutor is scarier than most of the gladiators at the Colosseum.”

  “How is your father getting on with life in Rome?”

  “I know he’s enjoying being warm. He is still getting used to being home, and finding out everything has changed.”

  “Has he taken you to the Colosseum or the Circus Maximus?”

  “He’s promised to take me to the Colosseum soon. I might wait a while before I go to the Circus Maximus. Having watched my first race from the Emperor’s box, anything else would seem disappointing.”

  “A boy of expensive tastes.”

  “Are you waiting for Augustus?”

  “Yes. But sadly I don’t think he’s coming.” Amelia tried to hide her disappointment.

  “Perhaps the Emperor needed him.”

  “I guess so.” Amelia stood up and headed back into the temple with Ares.

  Instead of going home, Julius headed towards the Imperial Palace. He knew some of the Praetorian, so hoped they would let him into the courtyard to speak to one of the senior officers. They did.

  “I’m sorry Julius, Captain Augustus is not here at the moment.”

  “Is he with the Emperor?”

  “No. He had some leave this afternoon so headed into the city. He is due back later.”

  Julius left feeling let down by his brother. He had not stopped by the temple or his home, so where was he? As he neared home, he saw the recognisable form of his brother coming out a house with a scantily dressed woman clinging to him. The way he was talking to the woman made Julius’ blood boil. Amelia had been waiting patiently for him and here he was with another woman. He stomped home feeling disgusted with his brother, he no longer looked up to him, he was appalled by him. He would never betray someone close to him like that.

  CHAPTER 11

  Jenna’s head was spinning as Claudia led her to a stunning canopied area that overlooked th
e sea.

  “Come my dear, you look in need of refreshment.”

  “Most definitely,” Jenna sighed. “It is a lovely but long ride.”

  “And now I have to subject you to more of our family,” Claudia apologised.

  Jenna guessed the older man sitting down was Aurelius’ brother, the similarities were evident.

  “You must be Nero,” she extended her hand which he took.

  “Guilty,” he grinned. “I’m the better looking of us brothers.”

  Aurelius snorted. “He wishes.”

  Jenna giggled. “You are here with your children and grandchildren are you not?”

  “Yes. But I will save you from them until later. They are rather loud and I understand you are an only child.”

  “I am. But I would have loved to have grown up in a large family.”

  “In that case, you can have mine.” Nero looked around. “What have you done with that rather serious nephew of mine?”

  “I think he’s seeing to the horses.”

  “Was it a trouble free ride?” Claudia asked.

  “Sort of. I might have adopted a donkey on the way.”

  “A donkey?”

  “Yes. Some children were mistreating the poor thing terribly. And donkeys look sad enough at the best of times. So I rescued it and he now appears to have a new home in Marcus’ stables.”

  “You are starting to get a collection of animals.”

  “The trouble is I’m not entirely sure how I will get them all home when I have to leave Rome. But I’ll figure something out.”

  “Leaving Rome is not an option,” Claudia patted her hand. “Not only will Marcus not permit it, we won’t either and neither will Trajan.”

  Jenna decided now was not the time to get drawn into this long-running argument. Try as they might, no-one could stop her from return to her homeland should she wish it. What she desperately wanted to do was go for a swim. The turquoise waters were calling to her.

  “Do you mind if I explore the gardens?” Jenna asked.

  “Not at all, the villa and its grounds are yours to enjoy,” Claudia responded.

  Jenna headed off down towards the sea. The pathway led to a marble gazebo that was filled with hundreds of cushions and flowing voile drapes. It was very inviting indeed. Inside she found a stack of crisp white sheets, their equivalent of a towel. She kicked off her sandals and removed her dress and jewellery. Stepping out the gazebo with the sheet draped around her, she headed along the little wooden jetty. Jenna looked over her shoulder to check no-one was watching before dropping the sheet exactly at the moment she jumped off the end.

  The cool water was wonderful. She swam about for a while before heading back to the jetty. Marcus was sitting on the end watching her.

  “Who taught you to swim so well?”

  “I had an instructor,” Jenna crossed her arms over her chest, feeling very naked indeed.

  “I hope you did not swim naked for him.”

  “No. We have special garments for swimming in. And my tutor was female.”

  “Did you want to come out?”

  “Not with you standing there,” Jenna felt her cheeks turn red.

  “Even if I promise not to look?”

  “If you do, I will poke you in the eye,” Jenna grunted.

  Marcus got to his feet and held up her sheet. Jenna climbed up the small ladder at the end of the jetty with speed and into the waiting sheet. Marcus wrapped it around her, keeping her encircled in his arms. “You are quite delicious when wet and salty,” he murmured kissing her softly.

  “I should get dressed,” Jenna breathed, she was wearing far too little to be around Marcus. Actually she was butt naked apart from the sheet.

  “Don’t feel you have to get dressed on my account.”

  “I need to get back up to the villa,” Jenna was feeling quite unnerved.

  “What is the rush,” Marcus led her into the gazebo. “We are quite alone down here.”

  His kiss told her that he had no plans of letting her go, he was definitely in seduction mode. But Jenna was not in a frame of mind to give him want he wanted just yet. Perhaps tomorrow. A host of loud squeals came to her rescue. It seemed Nero’s grandchildren were after a swim too.

  Jenna made a grab for her dress and pulled it on quickly. “Not as alone as you would like,” she smiled as she attached her jewellery.

  Marcus muttered something she did not quite understand but his tone said it all.

  “Would you show me to my room, I should bathe properly before dinner?” she asked.

  He took her hand and led her up the pathway to the villa. The inside was equally as amazing, with incredible works of art filling the spaces. Her bedroom contained a huge bed with a gilt headboard, her own dressing room and bathroom. Her small bag had been delivered to the room and its contents put away.

  She stepped out onto the shady terrace and marvelled at the view below. Marcus rested his hands on the balustrade either side of her. “My room is right next door should you need me.” He kissed her neck enticingly. “For anything at all.”

  Looking up into those wondrous black eyes, Jenna felt herself melt. “Thank you. For everything.”

  “Everything?”

  “All that you have done for me today. I know I can be difficult.”

  “Stubborn perhaps,” he kissed her forehead. “But you follow your heart to do what you think is right.”

  “I should get bathe. My skin is starting to crystallise from the salt water.”

  “I will call you later for dinner.”

  Jenna headed back into her bathroom to wash off the salt. Then she made the mistake of lying down on that inviting bed for just a moment, it had been a long and fairly emotional day in the saddle. She just wanted to rest her eyelids for a moment. That was the last thing she remembered until morning.

  It was the smell of warm sweetbreads that woke her. A servant was laying a large platter out on the terrace.

  “Good morning, my lady,” the young girl smiled. “The Marshall asked that I put breakfast out on the terrace for you both.”

  “Thank you,” Jenna smiled. “I will be out shortly.”

  She ran into the bathroom and splashed water on her face before trying to make herself look presentable. Marcus was already seated once she reappeared.

  “You should have woken me yesterday,” she scowled. “Your parents must have thought me very rude sleeping through dinner.”

  “It was my mother who insisted I let you sleep,” he answered. “Hopefully now you are refreshed, you will be able to take on the rest of my family.”

  “Bring them on,” Jenna announced biting into the most delicious sweet bread.

  “Was there anything in particular you wanted to do today?”

  “I have no idea. What do you suggest?”

  “My cousins are eager to meet you so I suggest we get that over with first. Then perhaps if you are not too saddle sore, a ride through the lush forest adjoining the estate. After that maybe we could enjoy a swim and see where that takes us.”

  From his tone, Jenna knew exactly where he wanted that to take them. Her stomach flipped over several times just thinking about it. “That sounds perfect,” she smiled.

  Jenna just had to follow the noise to find Nero and the rest of the family.

  “Jenna,” Claudia rushed over. “I am delighted to see you fully rested.”

  “I do apologise, I didn’t realise I was quite so tired. I’ve not spent the whole day in the saddle for a while.”

  “Do you not ride regularly in Arula?” Nero asked.

  “Yes, but for recreation, so we don’t generally travel great distances.”

  Nero took hold of her arm. “There is no escape, I’m afraid. The family want to meet the woman that has finally got under their cousin’s skin. None of us ever thought he would fall in love.”

  “I don’t think that is a word in Marcus’ vocabulary,” Jenna replied.

  “Perhaps not, but his body langu
age says it all.”