Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

He did not have to wait long to be able to question Mars on the areas that interested him most. “What of their weapons?”

  “Some regiments still carry swords, but it is largely for decoration and parades. They have much more dangerous weapons that are made from iron and fire out a small iron ball. It can kill a man instantly. They also have much more dangerous weapons which Jenna would not talk to me about. The Professor did mention them though, and I understand they can destroy entire countries from a distance.”

  “How do they keep the peace on the streets?”

  “They do not use the armies for that, they are for defence only. They have another legion altogether who deal with the peace, she likened them similar to my position, but having many different levels.”

  “What did you see of the Government?”

  “Not much. They are housed in an extraordinary building in Londinium. Jenna said if you wanted to talk politics, Professor Daniels was the best person to speak to.”

  “How strange. Our modern Briton usually has plenty to say.”

  “I did discover that she truly loves her home, that she could never give it up permanently. All her memories are there and I would not ask it of her.”

  “So what is to happen?”

  “I guess we find a way to spend our time between two worlds,” Mars shrugged. “I am a God, nothing is impossible.”

  “Thanks the Gods she is back,” Laurentius rolled his eyes. “Rome has been in decline since you deserted us.”

  “Very funny,” Jenna grunted.

  “And you have returned our Marshall of the Peace too. We are saved.”

  “Perhaps I should give you another dose of Bella Donna,” Jenna kissed his cheek fondly.

  “The children will be delighted you are back. Portia has plagued me non-stop with questions about when you are next going to visit.”

  A high pitched squeal announced the young girl’s arrival. Jenna picked up and cuddled her. “Have you missed me?”

  “Yes. You are not to leave the city again,” she pouted.

  “You sound very much like someone else I know.”

  “Will you take me shopping again? Please, please, please,” Portia pleaded.

  “Yes. If your father will allow it.” Jenna looked over at Laurentius. “It is he, after all, who has to hand over the money.”

  “You will soon discover that men will do anything for a quiet life.”

  “If that was really the case, Marcus and Trajan would not argue with me,” Jenna responded.

  Octavia joined them out on the peristyle. “I understand you’ve been with Marcus?” she asked knowingly.

  “Yes. And no, there will be no great announcement.”

  “I thought you were working out your differences?”

  “We were. And believe it or not, we are a long way from any resolution.”

  “I think I almost pity Marcus,” Octavia sighed. “For so long he has tortured the noble ladies of Rome with his aloofness, and now he is finding out what it is like not to get what he wants.”

  “He is learning that he needs to ask nicely, not instruct.”

  Laurentius grinned. “I have a feeling our dear Emperor is suffering the same fate too.”

  “Perhaps. Now I need to get back to the temple before Apollo has me up for neglect.”

  “Are we shopping tomorrow, Jenna?” Portia was not going to let her go too easily.

  “I cannot tomorrow, but the day after is possible,” she looked over at Laurentius for confirmed.

  “The day after tomorrow,” he confirmed.

  “We can get more pink feathers for Marcus,” Portia announced proudly.

  Jenna left with a broad grin on her face. Marcus was being turned into the epitome of a metro-male whether or not he liked it.

  CHAPTER 25

  Jenna was thrilled to be meeting up with Florentina, Benedictus, Antonia and the other young nobles Pompeia had invited to inspect their work in the Via Lata. They congregated close to the Trajan Forum as Luke was helping Pompeia lead the group.

  She was quick to pick up on a change in body language between Luke and Florentina; her matchmaking skills were obviously working. “Is there something I should know?” she whispered to Luke.

  He just gave her an irritating grin in response.

  “It is good to see you back,” Florentina slipped her arm through hers. “Did you enjoy your trip out of town?”

  “Yes, it was most beneficial. You and Luke seem to be getting on well.”

  “He is decidedly cute,” Florentina gave a shy smile. “He’s been showing me more of the work that is going on in the Via Lata.”

  “Oh, he has, has he?” Jenna turned to see a small group of Praetorian enter the Forum with Pompeia. “Looks like our leader is here.”

  Pompeia made a bee line for Luke as they headed off towards the Via Lata. It wasn’t quite a snub, but it was close to it. She could understand why Pompeia disliked her, she was a constant reminder that it was her who was infertile not Trajan.

  Benedictus caught up with her. “Do you mind if I ask for your advice on an issue?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Emperor Trajan has offered me a place in the Senate,” he said quietly.

  “Congratulations. And you want me to accept a seat too?”

  He gave a short laugh. “I’m not even going to respond to that. No. But he wants me to take over the late Senator Livius’ house.”

  “Lucky you. Position and wealth at such a young age.”

  “He is hoping that other young nobles will see what honour and service to the city will get them. Also he wants me away from my family’s influence, so I can be my own person.”

  “I see the logic in that. So what do you need advice on? You seem to have most things figured out.”

  “Senator Livius’ widow and children are still in Rome. I have no experience running a household, I will need to spend all my time learning the role of a Senator.” He looked quite awkward. “Would it seem out of line if I asked Livius’ widow to resume her role running the household? Her children could then be raised as nobles once more.”

  “Give her the option. After all, she should not necessarily be blamed for her husband’s crimes.”

  “I have just one minor doubt at the back of my mind. What if she was in collusion with her husband in trying to poison Senator Laurentius?”

  “Let her know you are willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. However, should you so much as get a stomach ache whilst she runs your household, she will be the first to fall under suspicion.”

  “True, she will be the first anyone will look at.”

  “How old are her children?”

  “The son is twelve and the daughter almost sixteen.”

  “Almost marriageable age,” Jenna grinned.

  Benedictus shivered. “I plan to enjoy my eligible bachelor status.”

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “I guess I can’t argue with that. I have no plans for marriage for a while yet.”

  “Really? The rumour on the street is that you will be wed soon.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  “So you hold little affection for the Marshall?”

  “No, I like him very much. But my life is kind of complicated.”

  “That figures,” Benedictus smirked.

  “But you should run your suggestion via Senator Aurelius. He is one of the wisest and fairest people in this city.”

  “I will.”

  “How are you finding the change from the city centre?”

  Benedictus glanced around. “It is a little run down, but nothing too dramatic. Remember we have been exposed to the barbaric outlands.”

  “Are you likening this to Britannia?”

  “Sorry, I forget your fondness for that land.”

  “I have the feeling you will make an excellent Senator. One who actually visits the areas of the city that need to be helped.” Jenna looked over to Antonia, even she was not that phased by the poverty.

>   “I hope so. It is my aim to serve the city well.”

  They arrived at the shelter and Pompeia ushered everyone inside. Luke, Florentina and Jenna held back as they had already experienced the shelter several times. She didn’t miss the fact Luke and Florentina were holding hands. Perhaps she would give them a few minutes; it must not be easy trying to get time alone with each other. She slipped back inside the shelter and listed to Pompeia talk about what was needed. Despite her feelings for the woman, Pompeia obviously cared deeply for the city and Jenna commended her for that. It was so easy for her to sit in her ivory tower and ignore the poverty on the streets, but that was not how she spent her life.

  Most of the nobles seemed fairly engaged with what she was telling them. It was easy to spot the few who were there at their parents’ insistence and who had no interest in helping the disadvantaged children secure a better future for themselves.

  Maia managed to grab a few moments with Jenna. “I cannot believe that so many young people are willing to donate their time.”

  “Sometimes they just need a cause to fight for. Most of them were probably totally unaware of what goes on in their own city. Remember too that young noble women lead a very boring life here, so to be able to actually do something worthwhile has quite the appeal.”

  “But their input will make such a change to the children, especially in the Isis where we are due to open a shelter next.”

  “Talking of changes, how is General Dexter doing in winning you over?”

  Maia laughed. “He is such a sweet man, but I am still not sure I want to be married again. He will want a wife and my heart is set on helping the children.”

  “Another woman who is not keen to marry,” Jenna raised her eyes to the heavens. “I am delighted I am not alone.”

  “You torture the poor Marshall so,” Maia scolded her gently. “And I do not see Luke here, has he not come with you?”

  “He is busy being not so noble with a certain young noble outside,” Jenna grinned.

  “Florentina? I thought I detected something last time they were here. Whilst she is a strong supporting of our work, I had a distinct feeling her mind was more on Luke during her last visit.”

  The shelter started to empty out, that was their cue to leave. Luke and Florentina met her outside, both looking rather smug with themselves.

  Jenna resumed her conversation with Benedictus. “When do you move into your new accommodation?”

  “Hopefully within the next few days. The Emperor is keen to get his new Senators up and running as soon as possible.”

  “Before the front seats start to get occupied again?”

  “Exactly. He wants us sitting in full view.”

  “You know you’re going to upset many senators, being fast tracked as you are?”

  “Yes. But we are acting for the city, not for a popularity contest.”

  “Actually I think you will be very sought after. Especially by the noble mothers.”

  Benedictus laughed. “True. My own mother’s efforts in finding a suitable husband for Antonia are at the forefront of my mind. I feel so sorry for the daughters, being paraded around like a good horse to the highest bidder.”

  “And you will have plenty.”

  “Perhaps I should try winning you over?” Benedictus joked.

  “Only if you want to take on Marshall Vilnus. He is a little on the over-protective side.”

  “He has managed to carefully side-step the marriage market for such a long time, maybe I should ask him for his advice.”

  “I’m sure he’d be only too happy to tell you how to stay single for a while longer.”

  The group started to drift off as they reached the safety of the city centre. Soon it was just Jenna, Florentina and Luke left.

  Realising Luke and Florentina would welcome the time alone, Jenna decided to head to Marcus’ villa to see Dominicus. The little donkey was delighted to see her and be fussed over.

  “You are starting to look a bit tubby,” she stroked his ears. “We really need to find you something meaningful to do.”

  A thought crossed her mind. The Laumus Estate could benefit from a donkey to carry the large baskets of olives from the orchards to the packing shed. Perhaps she would mention it to Gaius.

  “You’d enjoy being out on a country estate,” she mused running her hand down his neck.

  “I’m sure he would. So what are you plotting?”

  Jenna looked around to see Marcus leaning against the entrance to the stable, looking magnificent as ever.

  “I thought we might be able to put him to good use down in Laumus. He would have only light work but it would keep him fit and active.”

  “Arrange it then.” Marcus walked over and kissed her. “Hercules is not happy having to share your attention with one half his size and stature.”

  “Poor Hercules,” Jenna rubbed the horse’ nose. “We can’t have you upset, can we?”

  Marcus slid his arm around her waist and steered her towards the front door. “I don’t care what your plans are, you are going to spend some time with me.”

  “An order, Marshall?”

  “Most definitely,” his black eyes twinkled. “After all, you did say you could never turn down an offer from Mars.”

  “Are you going to shimmer for me?” she said huskily. She was definitely getting more accustomed to his immortal form.

  “For you, anything.”

  They had barely made it to the bedroom, before Marcus let out a deep growl.

  “What is it?” Jenna studied his handsome face.

  “A riot has broken out,” he grunted.

  “You sense them, don’t you?”

  “Yes. And although it is the very last thing I want to do, I need to go.”

  “Then go. We can postpone this to another time.” Jenna was disappointed but his job came first.

  “Tonight?”

  “I cannot tonight. I am on temple duty.”

  Marcus let out a frustrated hiss. “Then tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I promised to take Portia out. It will have to be the evening.”

  “At least I get you for a whole evening,” he kissed hard.

  “Go save the city,” Jenna nipped his bottom lip.

  “Aius will arrange an escort back to the temple,” Marcus shouted on his way out. “You are most definitely not walking alone.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Jenna responded. If a riot had broken out, then the path to Apollo’s temple should be virtually trouble free. Unless of course the riot was on the way there.

  CHAPTER 26

  “Jenna,” Portia squealed loudly as she entered the atrium.

  “I see someone is excited,” Jenna hugged her.

  “I like shopping with you,” the young girl’s face was shining.

  “I was hoping for a quiet afternoon,” Laurentius pulled a face. “But it seems Dextus and Julius are re-acting a fight from the Colosseum.”

  “And Octavia?”

  “At the Baths. I should have been quicker and made my exit first.”

  Jenna laughed and kissed his cheek. “Women think on their feet. She saw the opportunity and was gone before you even considered it.”

  “True,” he grunted, handing over a pouch of coins. “Make sure you buy something for yourself as well.”

  “A temple servant has no need of anything.”

  “The betrothed of a senior official does. Now stop being difficult.”

  Jenna was dragged out the door by an impatient Portia. She was glad that the riot they had got caught up in last time had not dampened the young girl’s enthusiasm.

  “Was there anything in particular you wanted to buy?” Jenna asked.

  “Some more ribbons and jewellery, I think.”

  “We’ll see what the market has to offer us today.”

  It was busy as ever and Jenna enjoyed wandering from stall to stall with Portia, she was as excited still as she was on her first visit. Going out was such a novelty for the girl.
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br />   “Look at these pretty necklaces,” Jenna found a stall with jewellery suitable for a young girl.

  “I like that one,” Portia pointed to a bright blue beaded bracelet.