“Are you out of your tiny little mind,” she spat. “Your brother is in the box.”
“And there’s nothing he can do about it. This is with the Emperor’s approval.”
The sneaky little backstabber, Jenna grunted to herself. And then an idea formulated. Trajan said he wanted some Arulian spirit and who was she to let her Emperor down. Brutus deposited her in the chariot and as he untied the reigns, her scarf fluttered away from her.
“Oh not again. Please Brutus,” she whined and gave him her best sorrowful eyes. “That one is my favourite.”
“For you, anything,” he beamed.
As soon as he was a few feet from the chariot, Jenna grabbed the reigns and started off around the track, leaving one stunned and very surprised Brutus. He stood there with his hands on his hips shaking his head, almost in disbelief. She wasn’t going at any great pace, but fast enough for her. The crowd were hooting with delight, especially those that didn’t support the Blues.
Jenna had two options, she could either ride straight out through the gate and leave Brutus totally humiliated or she could cut him some slack and play to the crowd. She begrudgingly chose the latter and rode around, slowing the chariot by him.
“Are you going to get on this time?” she shouted loudly as she trotted by.
He tossed his helmet into the crowd as he leapt up beside her, snatching the reigns from her. “You play one very dangerous game, lady,” his blue eyes were full of fire.
“As do you,” Jenna retorted. “Why do you like to antagonise your brother so?”
“Because he’s arrogant and so full of himself,” Brutus shrugged.
“Have you looked in the mirror recently? So are you.”
“I’m nothing like him. I enjoy myself.”
“But it is still all about you, isn’t it.” Jenna jumped down off his chariot as they pulled into the riders’ enclosure. “Now how the hell do I get back to the Emperor’s box from here?”
“I’m sure my dear brother will materialise in the next blink of an eye to ensure your virtue is still intact,” he grunted sourly.
It was actually Arianna who appeared. “I thought it was safer to have me collect you than Marcus.” She gave Brutus a slap on the back of the head. “If you are so desperate to become a eunuch, just say. I will be more than happy to remove your equipment right now. No more baiting your brother. This is the last time I step in as mediator.”
She linked her arm through Jenna’s. “Come. There is a passageway that will take us directly back to the box. Trajan wants to congratulate you. He was thrilled.”
“He was?”
“Yes. We all loved it. Except for Marcus. He would have preferred it if you had run Brutus over with the chariot.”
“The thought did cross my mind,” Jenna giggled.
“So where did you learn to ride a chariot?”
“One time at school we were given the opportunity to try handling different chariots and carts. Me being me, I went for the one with four horses not two.” And it was a beautiful phaeton not an ancient heavy chariot.
“Jenna, my dear,” Trajan kissed her cheek. “That is an end to a race I will not forget in a hurry. And nor will Brutus, I imagine.”
“You said you wanted some spirit,” she grinned.
“Now, we must sadly leave. Please feel free to enjoy the hospitality here.” He squeezed her hand.
“You must forgive his theatrics,” Pompeia spoke as she followed her husband. “He does have a most mischievous streak in him.”
“I’m beginning to realise that,” Jenna smiled.
“That was amazing, Jenna,” Julius’ eyes were round like saucers. “You rode Brutus’ chariot.”
“Next time he might think twice about who he absconds with,” Jenna tweaked his nose affectionately. “Are you ready to head back to the temple?”
“If I have to,” his shoulders slumped a little.
Jenna understood. It heralded the end of his dream day. He would revert back to street urchin. “Hey. Don’t be sad. This could be the first of many outings for you. Don’t forget that.”
“But not to play the part of a noble.”
“Not everyone is born to a noble family, but people can become Roman nobles.” She bent down and whispered in his ear. “Many of our Emperors were born to good families, but in the provinces like Ithaca and Spain. They worked their way up, largely through the army and into the biggest seat of power in the world. Trajan himself was born in Spain.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. That is why education is key as well.”
“With Augustus joining the Praetorian, there will be even less opportunity for him to teach me.”
“Maybe I can talk to a few friends to see what we can do.” She patted his shoulder. “But at least now you can see what hard study and commitment can achieve.”
Jenna said her goodbyes to everyone and headed out the box. She presumed Marcus was outside, he was. Still pacing and snorting like a rampaging bull. He said nothing, just mounted up and extended his hand.
Augustus and another centurion would escort Amelia and Julius home.
“You’re going to burst a blood vessel if you don’t relax,” Jenna murmured. He glanced at her briefly, his eyes so black it was almost a little frightening. “Other than carrying me to his chariot, Brutus never got to even touch me.”
“It’s the principal of the issue. You are mine and he deliberately made a play for you.” Marcus voice was very low.
“Firstly, I am not your property. Secondly, in making a play for me, Brutus got humiliated in the process. It could not have been more clear to the crowd that Brutus had been given a resounding rejection.” She tightened her hold around him. “If you stopped and used that limited brain of yours once in a while, you’d release that Brutus only does this to try and get you to lose your temper. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
Marcus snorted and rode faster.
“Slow down, there are too many people on the streets.”
“Are you giving me instructions now?” he growled.
“Ok, time for a sense check. There is going to be no snapping at me because you’re pissed at your brother. I don’t want you injuring some poor child because you’re in a bad mood, not with me on board. You’re either going to slow down and be sweet, or I walk.”
He muttered something she did not understand and brought Hercules down to a walk. “Better?” he grumped.
“I guess one out of two is better than nothing.”
CHAPTER 19
Jenna noticed Amelia was a little more eager than normal waiting for Augustus to appear.
“Is there something I should know?” she quizzed her friend.
“About what?” Amelia responded.
“About why you’re acting like your prom date is about to arrive.”
“I’m not. I’m just excited to see Augustus.”
“Me thinks you lie,” Jenna giggled. “I bet my washing privileges for a week that lover boy has something special planned this afternoon.”
“Maybe he does, I’m not sure. But I hope so.”
“Such a hussy,” Jenna sighed.
“Are you seriously trying to tell me Marcus has not made a move on you yet?” Amelia tried to push the focus back onto Jenna.
“He’s tried and been slapped,” Jenna laughed. “Let’s just say, it’s complicated.”
“It always is with you.” She glanced out the front. “Time to go.”
Amelia slipped out before Jenna could grill her further.
“You have not been waiting long?” Augustus asked.
“No. I was just trying to escape Jenna.”
“Something we all try and fail to do,” Augustus laughed.
“So today is your last day as a centurion?”
“Yes it is.”
“Are we eating at your house?”
“No. I thought we could do with somewhere more private.”
“More private?” Amelia was curious
. “Where are we headed?”
“You will see soon enough,” Augustus was giving nothing away.
They walked hand in hand for a while until he stopped before the doorway of an average looking villa. He turned the handle and entered.
“What is this place?” Amelia glanced around the simple atrium.
“This villa belongs to an acquaintance who rarely has need of it. He has given it over to me for the evening.”
“Nice friend,” Amelia murmured heading into the living quarters. It was obviously quite a well to do friend as although the villa was not opulent, it was simply and elegantly furnished.
“I believe drinks and food are waiting for us in the peristyle,” Augustus steered her out to the courtyard.
It was small, but perfectly for the two of them. And whoever this friend was, he had laid on a decent spread. She flopped down on some cushions and took the wine that was offered.
“Has Julius drawn breath since the Circus yesterday?” Amelia asked.
“No. He’s still going at full speed. And who can blame him. Not only did he sit with the Emperor, he got to award one of the ribbons. No child will ever forget that.”
“He was lucky to have another young boy there too.”
“He is keen to see Dextus again, but I keep telling him, the child is a noble.”
“Strange as it might see, Augustus, there is no law saying nobles and commoners cannot mix.”
“I know, but perhaps his parents may not be too eager.”
“The father is lovely. The mother a bitch. We’ll see who wins.”
“Fine. Now enough talk about my family.” Augustus fed Amelia some fish. “I want to talk about us.”
Amelia had a moment of panic. When people usually wanted to talk about relationships it either signified the end or the moving on to something more permanent. He obviously had not brought her there to dump her, she just hoped to God he was not about to propose. “Us?” she squeaked.
“Yes. I have not had much experience with relationships, either Roman or Arulian,” he started to say.
Oh hell, time to cut him off just in case. “Neither have I, so let’s just see how things go,” she said brightly, downing a large swig of wine.
“My thoughts exactly,” he smiled.
Thank God for that, Amelia sighed, stuffing a piece of meat in Augustus’ mouth to prevent him saying anything further.
“How much training do you need to undergo before you’re let loose on the Emperor?”
“Not a great deal as I am already an experienced centurion. My biggest headache will be trying to fathom out the Imperial Palace.”
“We will miss you on the streets.”
“But at least a Praetorian has some time away from guard duties, so we will be able to spend undisturbed periods together.” He took the goblet out of her hand. “Talking of undisturbed time, we have plenty of that right now.”
His kiss was more urgent than usual, highlighting his true agenda. Little by little, his hands started to wander, soft and exploring. She reciprocated. A small moan of disappointment escaped her lips when he stood up.
“Come, I think we best make use of the bedroom.” He pulled her to her feet and carried her through.
Standing next to the small double bed, Amelia realised this was it. There was no turning back now. She was at that point in her life that every girl loved and dreaded. The first time.
“Are you alright?” Augustus stroked her cheek.
“I’m fine,” she smiled, reaching up to kiss him. She felt him undo the clips to her dress, it fell away to the floor. As his hands started their roving once more, she decided she needed to even up their state of dress.
“It might sound strange, but I have never undressed a centurion before. Where do I start?” she breathed against his skin.
He responded in true male style and whipped off his armour and tunic in a second. He really did have a beautiful athletic build, which Amelia was happy to explore in detail. She gave a surprised squeal when he tossed her onto the bed. As he dropped down beside her, she gave herself over completely to the new feelings that were starting to build deep within.
Jenna was thrilled to hear Luke was back at Mars’ temple. With Amelia out for the afternoon, she needed some entertainment so headed over to see him.
“The harbinger of doom has arrived,” Gaius grunted as he saw Jenna arrive.
“What it is to be appreciated,” Jenna sighed dramatically. She gave Luke a kiss on the cheek. “You have been sorely missed.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Have you seriously been picking olives all this time?”
“No. I moved up the production line to packing,” he grinned.
“Lucky you.”
“I was actually getting a good grounding in Roman business in the provinces. It was quite an eye opener.”
“And headache giver with all that wine consumed. You should have brought some amphorae of olives back, they would have made excellent presents for your family.”
“You might be interested to know that I rode back with Hector. He was very keen to find out more about you.”
“Was he now? Such a sweet man.”
“He has asked if you and I will join him tomorrow at some show at the Circus Grantium. Performers and acrobats from around the Empire are performing, I think.”
“Cool. Sounds great.”
“Good, because I’ve already said yes.”
“I hate being predictable,” Jenna groaned.
“So how has life been? Other than pining for me.”
“Great. You missed our second outing to the Circus Maximus, but from the Emperor’s box this time.”
“Gaius told me. I’m pig sick at that.”
“I also met with Trajan at the Palace. They’ve got some interesting developments underway in the Isis and Via Lata that they hope Maia will be heading up with Pompeia’s backing.”
“Really? I’ll have to pay her a visit tomorrow and get the inside scoop. And what have you done with Amelia?”
“She’s out with Augustus. He takes up his role with the Praetorian tomorrow.”
“One less red cloak to scowl at me,” Luke grunted. “I don’t suppose Marcus has been transferred to Athens?”
“Nope,” Jenna grinned. “He’s still as dark and moody as ever. And do you realise I have been in this temple several minutes and have not yet felt up Mars.” She ran her hand down his wonderful biceps. “How I have missed you, handsome.”
“Go on, admit it. It’s the bloody statue you came to see, not me.”
“Damn, my secret is out.” Sadly the statue did not leap into life as the one down on the Laumus Estate had. “But it has such allure.”
“Don’t you have anything you need to be doing?” Luke sighed.
“Yes. But annoying you is far more fun,” she grinned.
“Oh lucky me,”
“I do actually need to get back. You can walk me across the Forum,” Jenna linked her arm through his.
They had barely made it to the Forum when Marcus came into view.
“What is it with this guy,” Luke shook his head. “The minute I get within a foot of you, there he is growling like a bloody Rottweiler.”
“Maybe he fitted me with a homing device,” Jenna suggested.
“Well, I’m headed back inside for my own safety.”
“Chicken,” she giggled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jenna headed towards Marcus. “Are you following me Marshall?”
“Just making sure you stay out of trouble,” he grunted. “I see the boy is back.”
“Yes. And I obviously need to remind you that Luke is a friend, so quit trying to intimidate him.
“Is it working?” Marcus gave half a smile.
“Yes. But it’s getting me cross.”
He jumped down off Hercules and walked beside her. “I’m glad I’ve managed to track you down. Laurentius and Octavia are hosting a party in a few days’ time.”
“That’s nice for
them.”
“We have been invited to attend.”
Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Page 13
