Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars) Read online

  “Yes.” He linked his arm through hers. “Between visiting the Palace and picking up Julius.”

  “Sorry, it must have slipped my mind. My schedule today has been rather hectic.”

  Marcus was a little put out at being forgotten. He was never overlooked and it irked him majorly. “You will have to make it up to me.”

  “Actually, I do need to get back to the temple.”

  “Are you turning me down?” Marcus was astounded.

  “Yes. Sorry, but I need to sort a few arrangements out.”

  “Maybe I should just drag you back to my villa.”

  “Do you want your nose broken again?” Jenna retorted.

  “Do you want to spend the night in jail?” he snapped.

  “How about I ask Hector to come and release me?” she squared up to him. Their playful banter had turned serious somewhere along the route.

  A noise up ahead interrupted their argument. Jenna spotted several centurions; obviously a brawl of some sort.

  “Stay here,” Marcus instructed.

  “Woof,” Jenna responded sourly.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m not a bloody dog, Marcus.”

  He hissed something before disappearing amongst the centurions.

  Jenna had never passed the obedience test at dog training so slipped into a neighbouring street and around the fight. She was not far from the temple and the light was still good. She felt guilty for forgetting about spending time with Marcus but her life was somewhat topsy-turvy at the moment. Having to come to terms with the fact she was Trajan’s daughter was one thing, but Laurentius was now trying to make her a true sister to Portia. She also had to make sure Amelia had any time she needed with Augustus, whilst always looking over her shoulder for a myriad of different assailants. And soon the Britons would be coming to Rome. Sadly though as prisoners and exhibits.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Minerva,” Mars grunted, “Have you come to torment me too?”

  “Oh my poor brother,” Minerva giggled. “Has Jenna got under your skin again?”

  “She is permanently under my skin.”

  “Let me guess. You got overbearing and she put you back in your place?”

  “I am a God. I should not be put back in my place. Or overlooked.”

  “Ah, now I see the issue. Your ego has been battered.”

  “Are you making fun of me?” A growl rumbled in his chest.

  “Just when I think you are learning how to handle Jenna, you revert to your old self.”

  “Did you come here for any particular reason or just to irritate me?”

  “Whilst I do love to irritate you, there is a purpose to my visit. Mother wants to head to Cabrillus shortly after the banquet.”

  “And?”

  “And you are coming. With Jenna of course.”

  “What makes you think Jenna would agree to such a trip?”

  “She already has. Mother asked her the other day when she visited.”

  “And she is happy to go with me?”

  “Us, remember. Yes. I will remind her in a day or two.”

  “I take it we will all ride?”

  “No. I’ll transport with the others. You and Jenna can ride. You could certainly do with the time alone.”

  Mars thought about the trip. It was the perfect opportunity to get Jenna out of Rome, to really spend time with her. He knew his family would give them the space they needed. He hoped Jenna would fall for the romance of the villa and its location, and be in a very receptive mood. As long as they didn’t talk, they would be fine.

  “Are you even listening to me?” Minerva scowled.

  “Sorry, I was preoccupied. Enlighten me?”

  “I was asking how you’re going to reveal your deity to Jenna. After all she has been through, she still does not genuinely believe we exist.”

  “Once I have her completely under my power, I will show her. Although something tells me she won’t altogether be surprised. My mortal and immortal self are reasonably similar.”

  Minerva wondered if Mars was underestimating Jenna again. She had a feeling Jenna would not take the news quite as calmly as her brother envisaged.

  Jenna ran into Hector close to Apollo’s temple.

  “Are you working or up to no good?” she teased.

  “A mixture of both,” he grinned. “I had business near here, but was also hoping to run into to you.”

  “Well, you have.”

  “I know. You might have heard talk on the street of a small little procession due to happen shortly.”

  “I’ve heard a faint rumour.” It was all everyone could talk about.

  “I was hoping you’d watch it with Arianna and me.”

  “I said I’d go with my temple sister Amelia. So if you’ve no objection to two of us, then yes.”

  “Since when did a man object to escorting two lovely women,” he gave a smug grin.

  “And Arianna will be there?”

  “Of course. You can bring Luke too, just to show you my intentions regrettably are strictly honourable.”

  “Sure, I’ll ask him. In fact you can walk me over there now if you haven’t got anything better to do.”

  “Can’t you remember the way?”

  Jenna swatted his arm. “I’m supposed to only go out with an escort, otherwise your brother bursts a blood vessel. Actually, I’m surprised he has any left.”

  “He always gets his own way, so it will do him good to be challenged.”

  “He certainly gets that,” Jenna giggled.

  “Are you planning any more trips of out of the city?”

  “Your mother has invited me to join you all at Cabrillus.”

  “Great. Remind me when that is happening?”

  “I gather communication is not that good with your family,” Jenna surmised.

  “No. We all tend to do exactly what mother wants when she barks.”

  Jenna laughed. “You mother is so sweet natured I cannot imagine her barking, shouting or losing her temper at all.”

  “That cool placid exterior hides a fiery lady indeed. When mother’s temper flies, she makes Mars look positively tame.”

  “I cannot say I have ever met the God of War so cannot make a comparison.”

  Hector smiled to himself. He had meant to say Marcus, but Mars worked just as well in this situation. Being around Jenna made him forget his guise.

  “So when are we going?”

  “A day or two after the procession I believe. Like you, I just do as instructed.”

  “Somehow I think that is rarely the case.”

  “True.”

  It did not take them long to reach Mars’ temple. Luke was thrilled to see Hector.

  “I normally worry when Jenna pays a visit,” Luke grimaced. “It usually means something hissing cloaked in black is following.”

  Jenna laughed. “Did I not mention that Hector is Marcus’ brother?”

  Luke looked horrified. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Me too, he is quite the most odious brother.”

  “I was apologising for insulting him.”

  “We do that plenty,” Hector flapped his hand dismissively.

  Jenna left the two men talking and headed over to her beloved statue. “Hey handsome,” she murmured. She got no response as she stroked his arm. “Have I upset you?” Still nothing. She gave her head a shake, it was obviously a major hallucination she had had previously. Marble did not ever talk back. However the man in black striding into the temple did. He always had plenty to say. Sadly there was nowhere to hide from the very dark scowl that he wore.

  “I rest my case,” Luke glanced at Marcus then Hector before retreating a safe distance. If they were brothers, then fur was about to fly.

  “Marshall Vilnus,” Hector drawled. “What a pleasant surprise.”

  “What are you doing in this temple?” he growled.

  “I was escorting Jenna. According to your instructions, you did not want her unaccompanied out on th
e streets.” Hector refused to be intimidated by his brother, even though he was in his temple.

  “You’ve escorted her, now leave.”

  “Marcus,” Jenna snapped. “That was plain rude.”

  “I don’t care. I don’t want him around you.”

  Jenna wished she was standing closer to him, she would have broken his nose again. “I decide who I want to be around. And right now it certainly isn’t some arrogant dick with an over-inflated ego.” She stomped towards the front of the temple. “I would advise you to keep out my way for the next day or so else I might just stab you with your own bloody sword.”

  She swept out the temple seething. Of all the overbearing, dominating asses, he really topped the list. Had he not learnt that he could not control her? Was he really that thick that he kept on trying? She stalked quickly across the Trajan Forum, then remembered she was supposed to take Portia shopping. Veering in the direction of Laurentius’ villa, she tried to calm down before she got there. The trip to Cabrillus would be a bundle of laughs if Marcus kept snapping at his brothers for coming within a foot of her. Although she imagined Arianna kept all her brothers in line when she needed to.

  “Jenna,” Laurentius greeted her with a huge smile. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes,” she attempted a smile. “Why would you think otherwise?”

  “You are frowning so hard your eyebrows are almost joined.”

  Jenna managed a small laugh. “Sorry. I’ve just had a major rant at a mutual friend of ours.”

  “Ah,” Laurentius nodded. “What has he done now, dare I ask?”

  “It’s a cultural thing. A modern emancipated woman on one side, a domineering old relic on the other.”

  Laurentius laughed heartily. “I do hope some of your culture brushes off onto Portia. My dear daughter could learn a lot from you.”

  “I shall try and initiate her into the art of the modern woman.” Jenna did not want to ask the question but she had noticed that Octavia hadn’t been present the last couple of times she had visited. Not that she actually wanted to see her vile birth mother, she was just curious. “Is Octavia away at the moment?”

  “She is visiting with her parents. We thought it best to have some space given recent revelations.”

  “We all make mistakes when we’re young.” Jenna did not want to defend Octavia, but she could understand why she did what she had.

  “I know, none of us have lived completely pure lives. But she lied to me from the outset. If you remember, we were betrothed when she fell pregnant. I was madly in love with Octavia at the time, so had she been honest with me, I would probably have adopted you as my own.”

  “Then you had a narrow escape,” Jenna grinned. “This nightmare you see before you could have turned your hair white within a few years.”

  “You have a valid point.” He called for Portia and the little girl came running. “Are you ready to go out with Jenna?” he asked gently.

  “Yes, papa,” she nodded.

  Jenna noticed that Portia bore very little resemblance to Octavia. She had much softer, more appealing features, and her eyes were stunning. Looking from her to Laurentius, she could see no resemblance whatsoever. It set her mind racing. Was Portia really Laurentius’ child? Then she felt bad for even thinking it. But Octavia had had an affair before, and leopards rarely changed their spots.

  Jenna held out her hand for the girl. “Let’s go spend all of your father’s money. The Trajan Market is awaiting.”

  Portia beamed and headed out the door eagerly. Girls loved shopping whatever the era.

  It was fun for Jenna too. Being a temple handmaiden, they did not have money to spend, so even though she was not buying for herself, it was a treat to look and sample everything. She’d had a quick look in the pouch Laurentius had given her and almost choked. He was one generous father indeed. Perhaps she should go for that delayed adoption after all!

  Jenna established very early on that Portia had had very little exposure to the outside world. Most of the young girl’s life had been behind closed doors.

  “Did you go out at all in Athens?” she asked.

  “Only if there was a big celebration. Otherwise I would stay in the villa with the servants.”

  “So you have never been to a market?”

  “No,” Portia shook her head.

  “It’s busy and rather chaotic, but there is so much to see.” Standing on the edge of the market, Jenna pointed to the columns of the Trajan Forum. “If for any reason we get separated, head for those columns and I will find you there.”

  Portia tightened her hold on Jenna’s hand in response. “There are a lot of people,” she whispered.

  “This is half empty. In the morning it is even worse.”

  They wandered from stall to stall, Portia was keen to look at as many things as she could. She was particularly fond of brightly coloured beads and purchased a few bracelets. Then several ribbons and adornments for her hair. And a new doll.

  “Is Mama in trouble with father?” Portia asked out the blue.

  “Why would you think that?” Jenna responded cautiously.

  “They were arguing then he sent her away.”

  “Being married is not always as easy as it looks. Sometimes couples need a little time apart.”

  “So she will come back?”

  “I imagine so, but only your father can answer that. If you are missing your mother, you should tell him. Sometimes adults only think about themselves, they forget there are children to consider also.”

  “Are you going to live with us?”

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  “Papa said I should treat you like a sister.”

  “I guess I am of sorts. But no, I won’t be moving in.”

  “Shame. You’d keep Dextus in line. Sisters are nicer than brothers,” Portia grumbled.

  “That is so true,” Jenna laughed. “Now let’s head home.”

  They were only half way across the market, when they heard the commotion. Portia squeezed Jenna’s hand tightly. “What’s happening?”

  “Trouble,” Jenna grunted. She really was a beacon for every riot in the bloody city. As the fight broke out, there was literally a stampede towards the far end of the market. Being so small, Portia was in great danger of being trampled. Jenna picked her up and held her close.

  “I’m scared,” the girl whined.

  “It will be fine. The Marshall and his soldiers will sort the trouble out. We just need to get out the market place.” Easier said than done. Hundreds of people were trying to get down one partially blocked exit. For Portia’s safety, Jenna headed to a less congested spot.

  The rioters it seemed were intent on creating as much trouble in the city centre as they could. As they got closer, Jenna started to think about her options. She was happy to wade in and give the soldiers a hand, especially as she was still partially immortal, supposedly, but she could not leave Portia unattended. She was responsible for the girl. She would just have to be satisfied with defending themselves should anyone be foolish enough to think they were easy pickings. And where the bloody hell was Marcus?

  Jenna retrieved the ever faithful dagger strapped to her thigh and watched the mayhem unfolding. Eventually someone came towards her, she disarmed him with ease, and stepped back to Portia’s side.

  “See, no problem,” she smiled down at Portia’s scared face.

  Portia hid behind her, not altogether convinced. Then a small group came her way. Out of nowhere it seemed she was surrounded by soldiers dressed in black, similar to Marcus’ attire. They were fully armed and decimated anyone who came near them at remarkable speed. They stayed until the marketplace was calm before virtually disappearing. Before they left, Jenna caught at good look at one of their wrist bands. It bore Mars’ logo. Did they work for Marcus as his elite guard or were they sent by the man himself? She felt all flushed just thinking about Mars and how gorgeous he looked wearing just a wrap. Enough daydreaming, she told herself.
>
  “I guess that is our cue to leave,” Jenna picked Portia up again and headed to the now clear exit.

  Portia had her arms tight around Jenna’s neck. “I’m sorry, I’m not brave like you.”