Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “Thank you for meeting with me, Jenna. I did not want us to part the way we did. I wanted the opportunity to see you this one last time to apologise.” His voice was soft and controlled.

  Jenna felt like he had kicked her in the stomach. Yes, she knew the relationship was over, but to hear it from his own lips was worse than she could have imagined. “It is I who should apologise. I did plunge a dagger into your thigh.”

  “After I got violent. I left you no choice.”

  “What are your plans now? Will you continue on as Marshall of the Peace?”

  “Yes, I see no reason to terminate that position.”

  “The noble mothers will be pleased. You are at the top of the eligible bachelors again.” Saying that hurt like hell, even though it was true.

  “Then they are to be disappointed. I can only marry the one prophesised.”

  “I still maintain there must be more than one that bears this mark.”

  He shook his head. “Just the one. You are truly unique.”

  “But that would mean you spending the rest of your rather long life alone,” Jenna was horrified at that thought.

  “If I cannot have you by my side, then I would rather spend eternity alone.”

  Jenna felt like her heart was breaking all over again. “No, that is so wrong.”

  “Is it? I almost killed the most precious person in my life. Do I not deserve to spend eternity by myself?”

  “Absolutely not. You are good and honourable.”

  “That counts for nothing when the woman I love despises me.”

  “You…you love me?” Jenna murmured. It was something she thought she would never hear him say.

  “Yes,” he responded. “So very much. And that is the problem, I do not know how to handle the emotion.”

  Jenna’s willpower broke and she rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his chest. “I could never despise you, you idiot. I love you too.”

  “Still?” those black eyes gazed down on her.

  “Yes. I never stopped.”

  She never thought a kiss could produce so many emotions. The feel of his mouth on hers once again brought such overwhelming joy, following by a flood of tears at the release of so much built up anguish, then fear and back to happiness.

  They held each other for the longest time. Marcus spoke eventually. “You mentioned my life lasting an eternity. Does that mean you have accepted my deity?”

  Jenna nodded. “Yes. Looking back the signs were all there, I just never thought it could be true. Your mortal and immortal forms are very similar, as is your character.”

  “Are you willing to love both of us?”

  “I already love one and admire the other’s physique, so I will try. It’s just that ego that could get in the …..” Marcus silenced her the only way he knew how.

  “You were saying? He asked a few minutes later.

  Jenna’s mind was a complete blank. His kiss could do that. “I don’t recall.”

  “Will you come back to Rome?”

  “Yes. In a few days’ time. It has been a while since I was home and I want to stay for a bit.”

  “I was hoping you would say that,” he grinned. “I am keen to see what your world is like. And Minerva is far too curious as well.”

  “Does Rome not need its Marshall?”

  “Probably. But as I have spent the last few days in Olympus recovering, a few more days will make no difference.”

  “Recovering from what? I thought immortals didn’t get sick.”

  He took hold of her hand and kissed it. “Celestial bronze is the one thing that can kill us, especially if we are pierced in the heart. Our weapons, ironically enough, are all made from such bronze.”

  “Oh no,” Jenna’s hand flew to her mouth. “I could have killed you?”

  “Had you aimed higher, yes. The effects were rather painful, but it was nothing less than I deserved.”

  “But why carry weapons anyone can injure you with?”

  “No mortal can lift celestial bronze. Apart from you, of course. But that is because you are designed to become my wife.”

  She rested her head against his chest. “I am not without blame. I should have reigned in my temper too.”

  “Our life will be anything but quiet,” he teased, pushing a golden curl behind her ear.

  “Of that you can count on,” she squeezed his hand. “I’m from a millennia where meek and subservient are not words we understand.”

  “And it is this world I am keen to see. You have already inspired the Emperor to do great things for the city.”

  “I feel so dreadful leaving Trajan without so much as a word.”

  “He will have to learn that not even Emperors can get an Arulian to fall into line. Or should I more rightly say Briton.”

  Jenna looked at him a little guiltily. “When did you know?”

  “When I first visited McVale, I saw the charts in Professor Daniels’ office. It took me a while to realise that Arula was just a tiny island attached to Britannia.”

  “It is now called Great Britain.”

  “Great?”

  “Yes. We took over from the Roman Empire and used to rule approximately a third of the known world,” she grinned.

  “From such a small island?”

  “Yup. Small but mighty. In fact we’re still pretty fierce now when pushed.”

  “Tell me about it,” he kissed her once more before finally releasing her. “I think we should re-join my sister otherwise she will come barging in here wondering if I am behaving.”

  “Seeing you dressed like that I may not behave,” Jenna threw him a mischievous look. “In fact if you are staying a few days, I will have to take you shopping.” Skin tight black jeans and a skinny black top were coming to Jenna’s mind. Quite delicious.

  Arianna was beaming as Jenna and Marcus appeared in the living room. She knew instantly everything was going to be sorted between them.

  “This is a most unusual drink,” Arianna sipped on a cup of tea.

  “Tea. It is our national drink. Non-alcoholic drink,” Professor Daniels responded. He was looking very happy and it was not hard to understand why. He was in the company of one very beautiful Goddess.

  Jenna sat down and poured one for Marcus. “You are more than welcome to have wine if you wish, but it is much stronger than the kind you drink in Rome.”

  “I want to get used to your ways,” he took the cup from her.

  Arianna took a small Florentine and bit into it. “This is utterly delicious. What is this strange dark matter?”

  “Chocolate,” Jenna grinned. “The downfall of many a woman.” She stuffed a small brownie in her mouth. “These are my favourite.”

  “So what have you two decided?” Arianna broached the subject.

  “I will return to Rome but not for a few days yet. I have missed coming back to my home here and want to stay a little while longer.”

  “And I will stay too. It is important I understand more about where Jenna has come from,” Marcus announced.

  “Is that wise?” Professor Daniels asked. He was not too keen having a Roman deity running around outside his time zone.

  “Yes. My family can handle any issues that arise in Rome.”

  “Wonderful. What have you got planned for us?” Arianna beamed. She had no plans of going home if her brother was not. Besides, she needed to stay just in case his temper flew again.

  “We will need to purchase you some clothes to wear whilst here. Then perhaps you can view what remains of the Baths. Sadly though, Arianna, nothing of your temple.”

  Arianna picked up a copy of Marie Claire that was on the table and thumbed through it. “Is this the sort of thing you wear?”

  “Yes.” Jenna glanced outside, the sun was still shining. “Perhaps we might go for a quick ride this afternoon?”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  “I have spare clothing for you to wear, Arianna,” Jenna thought for a moment. “I’m sure I saw my la
te father’s riding clothes in the attic. Those should fit you, Marcus.” Jenna looked over to Professor Daniels. “Will you be riding too?”

  “No, I’m not that proficient in the saddle.”

  “Fine. Let me forewarn Mrs Grainger you are staying. Please use the pool or whatever you want.”

  A short while later, Jenna was having heart palpitations at the sight of Marcus in tight jodhpurs and riding boots standing in the entrance hall. It was unfair that the man could almost make anything look good. Arianna was admiring her butt in the hall mirror.

  “I am liking these very much. They certainly show off a lady’s best asset.”

  “Do you have a large stable?” Marcus asked as they walked over to the stable block.

  “Not any more. We have just four horses, which are largely kept fit by the estate manager and his team.”

  “How large are your grounds?”

  “Not very. We’ll ride around them.”

  The horses were already tacked and waiting for them when they strolled into the yard. Marcus headed straight for the chestnut gelding. “He is impressive. What is his name?”

  Jenna laughed. “My parents had a love of all things Roman. They named their horses after certain deities.” She winced as she said it. “This is Apollo.”

  Arianna looked at the grey mare. “What is her name?”

  “Minerva.”

  “Sacrilege,” she rolled her eyes. “And your bay?”

  “Juno.”

  “At least one is not named after our father,” Marcus grunted.

  Sam, the young estate worker, was staring at Arianna with his mouth draped upon. Jenna shut it for him. “Could you help Arianna into the saddle, Sam?”

  The young man nodded and gave Arianna a boost before helping Jenna. Marcus was tall and athletic enough to swing himself up on the horse.

  “You are riding without your helmet?” Sam asked.

  “Yes. My friends do not ride with one, and we are not going far, so I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she smiled down at him. She was also still immortal so it made the wearing of one redundant.

  “Your saddles are not as comfortable as ours,” Marcus complained.

  “English saddles are not designed for comfort,” she grinned, giving Juno a gentle nudge.

  It was a stunning ride with the sun shining and the horses were on their best behaviour. In the distance, Jenna spotted one of the estate Landrovers. She could see Marcus staring at it curiously.

  “We have replaced horses as our mode of transport with that,” she pointed in the direction of the vehicle. “You will ride in one tomorrow.”

  “Can it go as fast as a horse?” Marcus asked.

  “Just a bit faster,” Jenna grinned.

  Arianna was looking up at the sky. “That is not a bird I recognise?”

  “Nope. That is another form of transport we have for travelling longer distances. It goes extremely fast through the air.”

  “Will we take one of those?”

  “Sadly not. You need specific papers to travel on those.”

  “This land is nothing like the Fourth or Fifth legion has portrayed it.” Marcus studied the horizon. The countryside was beautiful and green, and it was not as cold as he had first experienced on Arula. He had been particularly impressed with the gardens around the house.

  “You have luckily come on a sunny day in late springtime. In winter it is wet and cold. The legions are also pushing north, where the weather is much cooler.”

  They picked up the pace as they travelled round the estate. “You must have been happy growing up here,” Arianna inhaled the sweet air.

  “Yes, it was the perfect location. In the countryside, yet close enough to the best city in Britannia.”

  “Did you not tell me that slavery does not exist here?”

  “Yes, it was abolished a long time ago. Some people still have servants but generally they are paid employees.”

  “Like your Grainger?”

  “Mrs Grainger is in charge of the household and is more like family. She was working for my father long before I was born.”

  Marcus pointed to a building in the distance. “What is that strange looking house?”

  “That is a place of worship.”

  “A temple?”

  “Of sorts. We have varying types and sizes. That is a small country one. Tomorrow, you will see rather a magnificent one. It is situated right next to the Roman Baths.”

  “I am looking forward to sampling the Baths here,” Arianna announced.

  “Sadly the Baths are just ruins, although the nateo still remains, but it is not for using. It’s is green and fairly unpleasant. The bedroom you have will have its own bathing room. If you want to swim, the house does have a pool as well.”

  “Will you show me more of the house?” Marcus asked.

  “Of course. You can go anywhere.”

  The ride back was exhilarating. It reminded Jenna a bit of the trip to Cabrillus, but this time she was on home turf.

  Mrs Grainger accosted them as soon as they arrived back. “I’ve made up the bedrooms for your guests. And dinner will be at eight.”

  “That’s wonderful, thank you.”

  Jenna showed Marcus and Arianna to their bedrooms. Arianna was impressed. Roman bedrooms were usually quite sparse, these were anything but.

  “This is quite luxurious,” Arianna ran her hand over a plush chaise. “You have both a reception room and bedroom in one.”

  “Our bedrooms are not designed just for sleeping. Many children have all their entertainment in their rooms so we make the space as comfortable as possible.” Jenna pointed to a stack of magazines on the table. “I asked Mrs Grainger to put those in your room. I thought you might enjoy looking at our fashions some more.”

  Arianna flopped down on the chaise and grabbed the top one. “This will keep me occupied for a while.”

  Marcus pulled her into his room. “Don’t leave me yet, we have had very little time alone. There is much in this room I do recognise.” He flipped on the lights. “These I remember how to work.”

  After a quick run through of modern plumbing, Jenna moved on to the television. “We don’t need to always go out for entertainment. This provides it for us. It is like being at the theatre but in our own home. Things to watch and listen to.”

  “It is a bit like that black tablet you had at McVale.”

  “Yes, it is similar but this has a much bigger screen.” Jenna tuned into the classical music channel. “You might like to listen to this. Anything more modern might blow your brain.”

  “I am not that much of an old relic,” he grunted, pulling her down onto the bed.

  After a rather intensive bout of kissing, Jenna noticed his eyes had turned gold. “Does it hurt to keep up your mortal shield?”

  “No. But it fails when my emotions are stretched.”

  “Then drop it for me. I guess I need to get used to both sides of you.” She caught her breath as he lay there, golden and gorgeous. “There’s no need to shimmer either.” With her head resting on his shoulder, Jenna could not have been happier. “Your parents must not have been happy for you to come here?”

  “My father resigned himself to the fact he could not stop me, besides he was curious. My mother did put up a good fight, but with Minerva and I both insistent on coming, she had to give way.”

  “What would your father find interesting that I have not already told him?”

  “He understands a little about your governing houses, but would like to know more.”

  “He would be better talking with Professor Daniels. I am not particularly good with politics.”

  “Really? My father would say otherwise.”

  Jenna laughed. “I’m more than happy to voice my opinion, but I have no great knowledge of politics.” Something struck her as she was lying there. “You are unarmed?”

  “No, my love. My sword is never far from me.”

  “Those jodhpurs are tight enough. If you are hiding a
sword in there, you are very clever.”

  Marcus chuckled. “Just because you cannot see it does not mean it is not there.” He shimmered brightly as he changed into more recognisable golden robes, his faithful sword at his side. “Does that put your mind at rest?”

  “Yes,” she reached up and kissed him.