Minerva stared in awe at her younger brother, she had never seen him fight like this before. She watched in fascination as their fight continued outside. It was almost reminiscent of when they were teenagers. But the power each possessed now was immense and mixed with jealousy and desire, it was proving to be a lethal combination. Several small building, fountains and statutes had been decimated as they continued their testosterone-fuelled battle. At the rate they were going, half of Olympus would be destroyed.
“Father,” she called, “I think we could do with your intervention.”
A moment later Jupiter appeared and surveyed the damage. “You called me just in time, daughter.” He glared at his two sons. “Stop this now,” he thundered. They both completely ignored him and continued beating each other to a pulp.
Jupiter roared, tossing a lightning bolt at the pair. They flew apart from the force of the blast. Getting to their feet, they glared at their father.
“What is this fight about?” he growled.
“Jenna,” Minerva piped up. She was enthralled that a mortal could illicit such passion in a God. Three to be precise.
“I see. Both of you in my study now,” Jupiter shouted. It was worse than when they were hormonal boys. It was an amusing sight though, both standing in front of him, bruised but defiant. “I am aware Jenna is very special, but I will not allow you to beat each other to death over her. Mercury, she is the prophesised woman for Mars, but he cannot stop you from being friends with her. She is a fascinating creature. Mars, if you do not get a commitment soon from Jenna, then you are indeed in grave danger of losing her to someone else, possibly your brother.”
“She is destined for me, father,” Mars spat.
“But if you cannot win her heart, she will never be yours. She has a strong mind and will select whoever she thinks worthy. Bear that in mind next time you want to beat the crap out of each other.”
Jupiter stared at the empty space left by his two sons. Was this the prophecy come to pass? Jenna did come with a health warning after all.
CHAPTER 21
Jenna was not looking forward to the evening. She had just about got used to Roman dinners, but a big party with drink flowing was not her idea of fun. Not in the ancient capital at any rate.
Marcus picked up on her bad mood right away. “If you really don’t want to go, I will take you back to the temple,” he grunted.
“I already said I’d go,” she snapped, “so let’s get it over with.” Not only did she really dislike Octavia, she had the start of a headache coming on. Marcus also did not seem in a particular jubilant mood either.
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Jenna’s mood was lifted by the sight of the villa, it was lovely. Laurentius was as welcoming as ever.
“Delighted you both could attend. Jenna, Aurelius and his family are here so you should know at least a few people.”
If Arianna was here, then perhaps the evening would not be a complete waste of time. Marcus was grabbed immediately by a couple of senators, leaving Jenna free to track Arianna down.
“Why the long face?” Arianna asked.
“I’m not really in the party mood,” Jenna grimaced.
“Do you not have such things on Arula?”
“Yes, but they are a little different.”
“How so?”
“There is a lot to drink, but also a lot of dancing and music and general noise and riotous behaviour.”
“I would dearly like to see you behave riotously.”
“This resembles more of the type of affair a senator would throw when wanting to be elected to something.”
“Welcome to Rome,” Arianna grinned.
“Ah, I see. Trying to win local favour.”
“Something like that. Now I understand from a mutual friend, you were at the Circus Grantium recently. How was it?” Minerva dug for details.
“Rome’s rumour mill running rife?” Jenna shook her head. “It was terrific. The tigers actually terrified me.”
Minerva laughed. “You’re supposed to be fearless.”
“Not of four legged animals with very sharp teeth.”
“Were you with your friends from the temple?”
It was Jenna’s turned chuckle. “Something tells me you already know who I was with. It was a really lovely man I met down near Pompeii. We were supposed to be going with Luke but he got called away at the last moment.”
“A word of warning, friend or not, my brother does have a very ugly, jealous streak.”
“Now I understand his blacker than usual mood tonight. But as I have told him on numerous occasions, he cannot control who I associate with.”
“But you do care for him?”
“Marcus? Yes. But where I come from, it is usual to have men as friends as well as women. I get the feeling Marcus thinks I’m going to be having passionate sex with every man I meet.”
“What can I say, he is an old-fashioned relic. You need to emancipate him.”
“I try, but it is like trying to soften a lump of marble.”
A rather loud woman came and grabbed Arianna. “Arianna my dear, we need you to settle an argument for us,” she screeched and dragged her away, leaving Jenna alone.
She felt very much out of her depth. Sanctuary was at the far end of the peristyle, next to a lily pond. She was screened from most of the guests and sat trailing her hand over a lily pad. She suddenly wanted to be back in the temple, back to what she knew. Not sitting here in the midst of some pseudo-political event with fake people jostling for power and prestige. Through the foliage she could see the unmistakable outline of Marcus. He appeared relaxed, every now and then she could hear his laughter. At least he was no longer scowling. Maybe it was her who brought out the worst in him. They really could rub each other up the wrong way at times. But then they were complete opposites.
“It is so obvious to everyone that you do not belong in Roman society except Marcus,” Octavia’s dulcet tones grated on her last few nerves.
“I have no desire to fit in,” Jenna grunted. “I don’t wish to waste my time with insincere people, which is what most of the nobility is made up from.”
“You are not concerned how that will affect Marcus’s career?”
“He is already at the top of his profession. The only person I have to impress is Trajan and we already get on very well.” Jenna turned to face Octavia. “I have no idea why you dislike me so much, and to be honest, I really don’t care. Life is short enough without having to deal with unpleasant creatures like you, so I’m going to take myself home.”
“You’re deserting Marcus?” Octavia sounded surprised.
“He’s supposedly an adult. I’m sure he can manage by himself.” Jenna turned and collided with a slave carrying a pitcher of wine. Her evening was getting better and better.
“I am so sorry, my lady,” the poor girl was mortified.
“It was my fault,” Jenna sighed. Luckily she was not too badly soaked.
The slave dabbed at her dress. “You have some down your back, my lady. Will you allow me?”
Jenna let her undo the shoulder clip so she could wipe off the splashes of wine. “Thank you.” She heard a monumental gasp from Octavia and turned around.
Octavia had gone completely white, staring at Jenna as though she had morphed into Medusa. “Are you having a seizure?” She was half hopeful the spiteful cow was about to drop dead. That would be karma indeed.
“That mark,” Octavia’s voice was scarcely above a whisper as she pointed to Jenna’s shoulder.
“It’s my birthmark,” Jenna shrugged.
“How…how long have you had it?” she stuttered.
“I thought the clue would be in the name. From birth.” Clearly Octavia was short of a few brain cells.
Jenna watched Octavia rushed off as if the hounds of the underworld were after her. Jenna shook her head, that woman was seriously deranged. Now however she had a perfect excuse to head back to the temple, having been marinated in the
local wine.
She made her way unnoticed to the front door and slipped out before anyone spotted her. She knew Marcus would be upset that she left without him, but he was obviously having a good time else he would have sought her out. As she walked home, something Octavia has said stuck in her mind. Marcus’ company was sought after by the nobles, he was one of them by birth. As a foreigner, she could not really move in their world. But then Marcus’ and her life could never by permanent anyway.
A frustrated groan escaped from her. Tonight had just highlighted the difference between their two worlds. Excluding the different millennia, she and Marcus really did move in completely different circles. A wise person would end the relationship now before it got too serious. She knew however that he would not let her go without a fight, it was not in his nature.
And what the hell was up with her head? It was pounding dreadfully. The temple was a welcome sight and within a matter of minutes, she was curled up in bed with Ares, a cold compress on her head. Actually the cat was lying on the cold compress on her head.
Marcus was pacing up and down outside the Curia Julia, waiting for his father to come out. He needed his assistance. It has been two days since he last saw Jenna t at Laurentius’ house, the only information Amelia would give him was that she was not well.
He had a feeling there was something far deeper going on than an actual ailment. But he could not set foot inside Apollo’s temple. His father could just about get away with it.
“Marcus, this is a rare honour,” his father looked surprise.
“I need your help, father.” It grated on him to say that.
“How so?”
“I need you to enter Apollo’s temple and to let me know what is happening to Jenna.”
“Your brother will not be happy. Mercury could enter freely.”
Marcus snorted. “I am worried about her. They say she is sick, but we know she cannot be seriously ill. She still carries some of my life force.”
“The poor girl can be unwell, Marcus.”
“I know, but as she deserted me part way through the evening, I need to make sure it is not me she’s mad at.”
“Why would you think she is annoyed with you?”
“She’s female, there is no logic to her mind,” Marcus shrugged.
Aurelius laughed. “If she heard you say those words, you would be in trouble.”
“Will you visit the temple?”
“Yes, if I must. But you can walk with me. I have a few queries on the recent activity in the Via Lata.”
“The feeding houses for the poor children seem to be reducing some of the issues.”
“You have seen that first hand?”
“Yes. The children are quick to learn that if Rome is willing to feed them, then perhaps it would not be good to bite that hand.”
“If only the adults could have the same point of view.”
“Life is never that easy. But I am sure if the Senate were to address some of their issues, they would fall in line as well.”
“Small steps,” Aurelius sighed.
They recognised the small figure descending the steps from the temple.
“Young Julius,” Aurelius beamed. “How are you?”
“Well, thank you, Senator,” he replied formally.
“Have you been visiting Jenna?”
“Yes, we were supposed to have a reading lesson today but she’s still quite sick.” He looked thoroughly unimpressed.
“She is teaching you to read?”
“She is trying.”
“Are you able to run back in and ask Jenna if she is up for seeing Marcus and I?”
The little boy scampered back inside, returning moments later. “She says she is sorry, but she is still in bed resting her head.”
“Then we will leave her in peace,” Aurelius gave Marcus a firm look. An interesting idea crossed Aurelius mind as he saw Julius wander off. “One moment, Julius. If you are at a loose end this afternoon, I have a few errands that need running.”
“I would be happy to help,” he smiled eagerly. Errands usually meant extra food or coins.
“What are you up to?” Marcus asked.
“Julius is fast becoming an important figure in Jenna’s life. There are not many places she goes and that little boy is not shadowing her. You want to know what Jenna does, Julius can unwittingly be your eyes.”
“You can actually be quite underhand, father,” Marcus sounded almost impressed.
CHAPTER 22
Jenna knew Marcus had called a few times for her but she really had felt out of it for a couple of days; now she had got a grip on her headache.
“I’m glad her ladyship has finally arisen,” Amelia grinned.
“I almost feel like a new woman,” Jenna yawned. “But one in desperate need of a bath.” She picked up Ares and cuddled him. “This little guy seems to be getting positively tubby. Is Julius overfeeding him?”
“I think that kitten gets fed better than us,” Amelia moaned.
Jenna screwed up her nose. “I really do stink,” she grunted. “Is Cassandra back yet?”
“Yup, so let’s go. You can walk downwind of me.”
“Such a comedian,” Jenna scowled. “Have you seen much of Augustus since he joined the purple hand gang?”
Amelia chuckled. “He stopped by last night briefly whilst you were drooling on your pillow. I’m hopefully going to get to see him tomorrow for a few hours.”
“You can get the inside gossip from the Palace,” Jenna’s eyes lit up. “He certainly does have his uses.”
“He’s male, Jenna. They wouldn’t know a juicy titbit if they fell over it.”
“True,” she shrugged. “We will just have to train him.”
The Baths had worked their wonders once more and Jenna was feeling back on top of the world.
“I thought I might drop by Marcus’ villa on the way back,” Jenna announced. “I know he stopped by the temple a few times, I did kind of run out on him at Laurentius’.”
“But that was because of the Bitch Queen, wasn’t it?”
“That and I felt like shit.”
“Fine. I’ll see you back at the temple.” Amelia headed off in the direction of home.
Jenna felt kind of weird knocking on Marcus’ door. It was the first time in fact she had actually stopped by his villa of her own volition. Excluding the time she went in via the roof, of course.
“My lady,” Aius smiled and admitted her. “Is the Marshall expecting you?”
“No, Aius. I thought I would stop by. Is he in?”
“He is with someone at the moment. I will let him know you are here as soon as he is free.”
Jenna waited patiently in the living quarters, then started to get bored. Perhaps she should come back another time. As she headed towards the atrium, she heard raised voices from his study. It was certainly no senator he was meeting with.
“I don’t care, Marcus, I have to tell her,” the female voice was familiar.
“I forbid it. I will not have her upset unnecessarily.”
“But she has to know.”
“What good will come of it, it is in the past?”
“The deed cannot be undone, but she should be aware of the truth.”
“The truth will only hurt her.”
The woman sounded desperate, tormented even, whilst Marcus just appeared to be getting angrier. Jenna had heard enough and opened the door to the study. She was shocked to find it was Octavia with Marcus. Her eyes were red and puffy, the woman had obviously been crying hard.
“Jenna,” Marcus said gruffly. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you, but you appear to have your hands full already,” she scowled, turning to leave. It was obvious Marcus was not pleased to see her.
“Jenna, there is something I need to tell you,” Octavia blurted out, much to the annoyance of Marcus.
“You will hold your tongue, Octavia,” Marcus barked loudly standing up.
“No.
I must tell her.”
Jenna had a pretty good idea what Octavia wanted to get off her chest. “It’s fine, Marcus. Whatever relationship you and Octavia once had, it matters not to me. It’s in the past.” Actually she hated the thought he could have got physical with such an old hag, but each to their own.
Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Page 15
