“I am in Mars’ temple and Jenna in Apollo’s temple.”
Hector smiled to himself. He was the messenger, and could freely enter any of his siblings’ temples so that would not pose a problem for him. “I will be delighted to call on you both next time I am home.” He watched Jenna and Luke ride down the driveway of the estate. Of course he could catch them in Rome. Luke was fascinating to talk to, but it was Jenna who got his pulse moving. Rome suddenly was so much more diverting.
Minerva was torn as to what to do. She did not want to see Mercury get hurt, and could not betray his trust, but she needed to get Jenna and Mars together as quickly as possible. It was their destiny. Mars had been in a terrible mood since Jenna had vanished yet again and he could not trace her. She realised how troubling it must be for her brother, to have control over most of the known world yet totally unable to manage one small individual.
She found him behind his desk scowling.
“I do love that face almost as much as Jenna does,” she teased, making his brows furrow deeper.
“What do you want, Minerva. I am in no mood for visitors,” he snapped.
“So I can see, cross patch. I came to help you with your current problem.”
“You know where Jenna is?” He looked up eagerly.
“I have it on good authority she is returning to the Laumus Estate today. Go there early tomorrow and bring her home.”
“You think she will see me?”
“Yes. Be humble and beg her forgiveness.”
“I am a God,” he growled. “I do not beg.”
“Then you are destined to spend eternity alone.”
Mars snorted loudly. “Perhaps I should just drag her back to Rome.”
“I would like to see you try,” Minerva laughed. “You are forgetting she can wield the one weapon that can kill you.”
“A fact I am unlikely to forget. And just how did you hear of Jenna’s return?”
“I am not about to betray another’s trust. But I did hear she is back there today.”
“Thank you,” he said unexpectedly.
Minerva left her brother contemplating his next move. She wondered how men would function without women to push them in the right direction.
CHAPTER 13
Marcus felt unusually nervous as he rode up the long driveway of the Laumus Estate. He was unsure what Jenna’s reaction would be to his arrival but he had to bring her back to Rome. She had been gone long enough and now it was time for her to take up her place again by his side. A servant met him on the front steps.
“Tell your master I am here to see Jenna Duvall,” he instructed.
He paced up and down on the terrace impatiently, finally Sextus appeared.
“You have Jenna Duvall staying with you. I need to see her immediately,” he barked his orders.
“And you are?” Sextus responded.
“Marshall Vilnus.”
“Are you not a little out your jurisdiction here?”
“I have jurisdiction anywhere within the Empire. Now please bring Jenna to me.”
“It might take a while,” Sextus was refusing to be coerced. “She is out working on the estate and I am not sure of her exact location. Perhaps you could return tonight?”
“I will not. If necessary I will find her myself.” He strode to the end of the terrace. “Which direction is she most likely to be in?”
Sextus pointed to the west side of the estate, so Marcus went to the east. He was quite pleased to be able to surprise her, it would give her less time to think of a reason not to ride back with him.
“I’ll be thrilled if I never see a bloody olive again,” Jenna groaned as she continued pulling them from the tree. After a few days off, the task of olive picking had not improved at all.
“For some people this is much needed employment, so quit bitching,” Luke retorted.
“I want to be back in Rome,” Jenna moaned. “Beautiful baths, clean streets, and olives served to me in a bowl.”
“By the Marshall of the Peace. How romantic,” Luke teased. “Aren’t you forgetting, you chose to come out to the provinces to avoid him?”
“Of course I’ve not forgotten why I left Rome. I just think I’m in a better frame of mind now to face him.” It was amazing what a few days of hard manual labour could do to harden one’s resolve.
“You’re missing him, aren’t you?” Luke probed.
“No. I am so totally over him. I am however missing Amelia, Julius and Ares.”
“Amelia has her centurion to keep her entertained. And Julius will be taking good care of Ares. So you have nothing to worry about. Perhaps you are eager to see Hector again?”
Was it the male attention or Marcus she was missing? She felt something squelch under foot. “Oh gross, a rotten lemon.”
“Is that how people insult each other out here in the sticks?”
“No, you fool. I stepped on one,” she laughed.
“Now enough talking, your basket is only half full. You’ve been slacking.”
“Have not,” she scowled. “You’re taller than me and can reach all the really juicy ones higher up.”
“So I can,” he grinned and threw an olive at her head.
“Stop that,” she hissed back, throwing one but it went wild of its mark.
“I’m probably one of the few people you can’t bark instructions to,” he threw a couple more at her head.
“That’s it, Luke.” She bent down and picked up the putrefying lemon. “You’re so going to get slimed.”
He darted off, hiding behind bushes, making sure she did not have a clear aim. She was patient and bided her time. She heard a rustle and saw him the other side of a bush. The minute he moved, she threw the lemon and got him square in the face. Or rather, she got a stunned Marcus.
“Oh crap,” she giggled. “I thought you were Luke.”
“Do I look like that boy?” he scowled, removing bits of lemon from his face.
“No. But what were you doing skulking behind that bush?”
“I came to bring you back to Rome. And what were you doing chasing Luke through the grove?”
“We were sorting out our differences. And you’ve had a wasted trip, I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Marcus took a firm hold of her arm and led her to a nearby pergola, it was a good spot to talk frankly. “Will you at least let me apologise for messing everything up?”
“Very well, but an apology will not change my mind.”
“I know you think me shallow, that your birthmark cooled my feelings for you, but that is so very far from the truth.” He took her hands in his. “I’ve been waiting to find the woman that bears that mark for most of my adult life.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Every member of our family sees a seer when they reach adulthood. Mine made a prophecy that my life match would bear the mark of Mars upon her.” He kissed her hands. “I never really expected to see anyone with such a symbol upon them, let alone the woman I cared so deeply for.”
Jenna felt her world starting to waver. “You believe me to be your life match?”
“Yes.”
“But if you care for me, why such a horrified reaction?”
“I’m male. I have always used the prophecy as an excuse for never taking a wife. When I saw it before me, I panicked.”
She turned away from him. “The first time I decided to go all the way with a man, I did not expect to be rejected. You completely humiliated me.”
“Which is why I am here, to beg your forgiveness.”
“You would beg for something?” she was stunned.
“If it will prove to you that I care, yes. I will even go down on one knee.”
It was Jenna’s turn to panic a little. “I hope that is just to apologise, not to…propose?”
“Now who sounds a little worried,” he grinned. He dropped to one knee. “Jenna, my love, will you forgive this fool before you?”
This was not fair. Looking down into
the black eyes, she knew she could not fight this. “Yes,” she murmured.
No sooner had she said the words than his arms were tight around her. God she had missed him. He pulled her deep into the pergola so they were shielded from any prying eyes. His kiss was making her feel weak, draining her of all her arguments. She really had not gotten over him, all her feelings were still there, buried underneath the surface. And he was bringing them all flooding back. With just one kiss.
“I have been distraught without you,” he sighed heavily. “I have been out of my mind that I might not find you.”
“How did you know I was here?” She wondered who had squealed.
“A mutual friend of ours,” he responded, his grip tightened as he kissed her fervently once more. He released her eventually. “Please come back with me.”
“I’m not sure I can leave here. I’m due to stay a few days longer.”
“I am not returning to Rome without you. If you stay, then I will have to.”
“That’s ridiculous. You are needed in Rome. Without you there, the city will fall into chaos.”
“Without you, I don’t care.”
“This is emotional blackmail of the highest order,” she hissed.
“I never said I fought fair,” his eyes twinkled a fraction. “Now is that a yes I see hanging on your exquisite lips?”
“I can’t just leave. I have to speak to Sextus and Luke.”
He led her out the pergola. “Very well, but I can’t wait long.”
A thought occurred to her. “Did you come here alone?”
“Yes. This was a personal matter, it would be wrong to deprive Rome of its much need military force.”
“But you set yourself up as a target.”
“It is nice to know you care. But rest assured, there is not one man in the provinces that could challenge me.”
“Just one woman,” she smiled.
Her meeting with Sextus was brief. He obviously was not thrilled she was returning to Rome but could understand the pressure the Marshall was putting on her.
“How about you, Luke?” Jenna asked. “Did you want to ride back with us?”
Luke laughed. “Do you really think the Marshall wants me riding with you? He has fits enough when I get within a few inches of you, I can just imagine how he would react if you told him I was coming along. No, me and every vital part of my body are going to stay safely here until Gaius comes to collect me.”
“No sense of adventure,” Jenna sniffed.
“I’m your friend, that is adventure enough.”
“Jenna,” Amelia squealed. “We weren’t expecting you back.”
“No. I kind of got press-ganged into it. Marcus turned up at the Estate insisting I return with him.”
“And you gave in just like that?” Amelia felt incredibly guilty as it was her fault Marcus knew Jenna’s whereabouts. But by the look of it, they had patched up their differences, so she had done the right thing.
“No. He gave a pretty convincing, heart-felt argument.”
“You have the willpower of soggy Kitkat,” Amelia sighed.
“I guess I got that from you.” Jenna looked down to see Ares pawing at her dress. “Did you miss me?” She picked the kitten up and gave him a big kiss.
“Julius has been every day. He and that cat are almost inseparable now.”
“And has his big brother been in tow?”
“Of course. I needed someone to accompany me out as you had deserted me.”
“Whilst I’ve been hard at graft, breaking my back picking damn olives, you’ve been flirting with Captain Courageous. There is no justice.”
“Hey, you elected to go.”
“True.”
“Is Luke back as well?”
“No. For some reason he didn’t relish the Marshall’s company.”
“I’m surprised Luke hasn’t asked to be transferred to a different era which is much less dangerous.”
“He would be bored,” Jenna grinned. “Now spill the beans. What have you and Augustus really been up to?”
CHAPTER 14
Marcus had just arrived back from the Senate House when Aius announced he had visitors. It was Laurentius and Octavia.
“Marcus, you don’t look a day older than when I left,” Laurentius took his hand.
“That is because I don’t have a wife,” he laughed.
“I heard that,” Octavia feigned outrage.
“You are looking even more stunning,” Marcus embraced her fondly. “Now come on through. Wine for our guests, Aius.” He led them out to the peristyle. “How long are you back in Rome? Your scroll did not say.”
“It looks like it’s a permanent move. Trajan wanted me back here. I have a feeling he has another position to fill and needs to win me over first.”
“Strange, Trajan does not normally go for subtle. He says it as it is.”
“Well, whatever his reasons for recalling us, we hope to enjoy Rome for a while.”
“And I have heard a most alarming rumour at the Baths this morning, Marcus,” Octavia fixed her eyes on him.
“There are many rumours floating around the bath house, most of them with no foundation of truth.”
“It is said you have formed an attachment to a young temple handmaiden.”
“That is not rumour, just common knowledge.”
“A temple maiden? Surely not.” Octavia sounded bewildered.
“It gets worse,” Marcus goaded. “She is a foreigner as well.”
“Marcus, how could you?” Octavia was shocked. “You should be aiming to settle down with a lady of noble birth.”
“How positively dreary,” he grinned. He had forgotten how easy it was to tease Octavia.
“Use your head, Octavia,” Laurentius butted in. “Do you think Marcus would be happy with a lowly handmaiden? There is obviously a lot more to this than he is saying.”
“Why don’t you join me for dinner tomorrow and you can meet her?” Marcus offered.
“She dines with you?”
“Yes, you’ll be glad to hear she is fully house trained. My family already adore her and I hope you will too.”
“I’m getting the feeling this relationship is serious,” Octavia scrutinised him.
“It is. Now enough about me, how are the children?”
“Dextus and Portia are fine. They have very few memories of Rome, but Dextus is keen to get to the Colosseum and Circus Maximus.”
“A true Roman,” Marcus smiled. “I am sure Trajan will have invitations for you to sit in his box. Have you seen him yet?”
“I am due there later this afternoon,” Laurentius announced.
“Then dinner tomorrow would give us plenty of time to catch up and talk about what Trajan has in store for you.”
“That is if you are not called out to a riot.”
“Most trouble usually happens during the day so my evenings are reasonably quiet.”
“We heard about the attempt on Trajan’s life,” Octavia sounded enthralled. “I take it you were close by?”
“Yes, but I was not the one to save his life. That fell to another,” he gave half a smile.
“Who?”
“I am not permitted to say.”
“Well, we mustn’t keep you from your duties,” Laurentius stood up. “We will see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes,” Octavia’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Marcus. “I am keen to meet this woman who has captivated you.”
Marcus watched them leave. He wondered how they would react to Jenna. Just thinking about her made him want to ride over to the temple but try as he could to focus on other matters, Jenna kept coming to the front of his mind. He did have to make sure she could join him for dinner the following evening, so there was good reason to go.
Jenna was still reeling from the shock of getting an invitation to attend a private meeting with the Emperor the following day. He would send two Praetorian to collect her and her guardian. Cassandra had rushed off back to McVale to find
her something suitable to wear to the Palace. Never had a student set foot inside that building.
Then Arianna had dropped by.
Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Page 8
