Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars) Read online

Cassandra appeared in the back room. “The Marshall is here Jenna.”

  “Yikes,” Jenna pulled a face. “Guess there’s no getting out of this now.”

  “Nope,” Amelia grabbed Ares. “Don’t forget your cloak.”

  Jenna headed out to meet Marcus. He was in a black toga trimmed with gold and looked devastating. It was most tiresome that he could look so good with minimal effort.

  “You look stunning,” he took her hand and kissed it.

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  “Did you enjoy the procession?” he asked as they rode over to the Palace.

  “It was entertaining,” she mumbled.

  “You are very quiet. Is everything alright?” Marcus squeezed the hand that was on his waist.

  “Fine.”

  As they rode into the Palace courtyard, Jenna thought she might actually vomit. The place was heaving with guests arriving. She felt so out of place, she wanted to scurry back to the temple. Marcus lifted her down off Hercules but instead of leading her up the stairs, pulled her into a recess.

  “We’re not going anywhere until you tell me what is wrong?” he growled.

  “I can’t do this, Marcus. I’m not a Roman noble, I was not brought up to be like them.” She tried to pull away but he would not let her.

  “You are of Imperial blood, my love. You outrank everyone here. And you are from a race far superior.”

  “All everyone will see is a foreign temple handmaiden and wonder why I am with such an illustrious figure.”

  “Does it matter what people think of you?”

  “Not really, but I hate being talked about behind my back.”

  “People have talked about you since the moment you captivated me long ago. I am the one lucky enough to stand beside you.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb before dropping several light kisses on her lips. “People will be keen to meet you, because you hold the affection of Rome’s three most powerful people, four if we add Laurentius to that list. If anyone upsets you, just tell either me or Trajan and we will have them executed.”

  Jenna gasped. “You can’t do that.”

  “We can, and we will for you.”

  “Okay, let’s go in. But no killing people.”

  She held his arm tight as they headed up the stairs and into the main hall. As she removed her cloak, she heard his sharp intake of breath. “What? Is the dress wrong?”

  “You look exquisite. But you cannot expect me to sit dutifully next to you all evening when the only thing on my mind will be slipping that delicious silk off your body.”

  Jenna felt her cheeks start to burn. “It is too revealing, isn’t it?”

  “It shows just enough of your wondrous form to drive every male here tonight crazy with desire. I will have to be on my guard.”

  “Jenna,” Claudia soft tones reached her over the noise. “You look stunning.”

  Claudia always looked immaculate in Jenna’s eyes. “Thank you.”

  “You are in for quite a spectacle tonight. Almost everyone here will be clamouring for either Trajan or Marcus’ attention. It is almost embarrassing to watch their fawning. And the claws are always out, so let it wash over you.”

  “I will try,” Jenna sighed.

  With Claudia one side and Marcus the other, Jenna didn’t feel quite so vulnerable. The hall had been decorated beautifully, with marble statues and willowy ferns. Wine flowed from a fountain. Jenna was aware of many sets of eyes looking her way, but she tried to ignore them. People always looked at Marcus, he was hard to overlook.

  She caught sight of Trajan surround by a large group of people. As soon as he saw her he excused himself with undue haste and charged over. That gesture in itself caused just about everyone in the room to stare.

  “My dear,” he grabbed both her hands and kissed her cheeks. “You light up the whole proceedings.”

  “You are a shameless flatterer,” she grinned, feeling a little more at ease.

  “I have rarely seen a woman carry off black as you do so elegantly.”

  “Yes, something tells me the ladies of Rome will be wearing it tomorrow,” Claudia remarked.

  “And you compliment the Marshall so well.” Trajan looked at Marcus. “Did you forewarn her?”

  “The moment didn’t quite arise,” Marcus looked a tad sheepish.

  “Warn me about what?” Jenna eyed his suspiciously.

  Trajan leant in and spoke softly. “Marcus might have mentioned to several overzealous mothers that you and he were already betrothed.”

  “I’m sorry,” Marcus did his best to look contrite. “I panicked.”

  To his surprise, Jenna laughed. “Who would have thought the Marshall of the Peace needed to hide behind a woman.” She linked her arm through Marcus’. “I will attempt to keep your honour intact.”

  Jenna smiled dutifully to Pompeia as she sidled up to her husband. She was never quite sure how deep Pompeia’s involvement in her abduction went.

  Spotting Laurentius across the room, she released her grip on Marcus and headed over to speak to him.

  “You are looking much better. But I would still question whether you should be out,” she scolded.

  “As did I,” Octavia fixed her husband with a hard look. “But men supposedly know best.”

  “Yeah, right,” Jenna grunted.

  “When you two have quite finished,” Laurentius sighed, “I am back to full health.”

  “Have the boys stopped fighting yet on who is the better swordsman?”

  “No,” Octavia smiled. “I have a feeling that argument will run until they are fully grown. Your hair is amazing. Who does it?”

  “My temple sister is gifted. When I attempt to do it, it looks like a bird has taken nest.”

  “Portia loves to have play with hair.”

  “Yes. I was going to see if she was available to do Marcus’ tonight. I think braids with pink beads would be quite the hit.”

  “And then we could see how many men sported the same the next day.”

  Jenna could hear giggling behind her. It was two girls she had seen in the procession. “Sorry, have we crushed your image of Marshall Vilnus? Although I have to say, he does carry the look off very well.”

  “You were watching the procession in the Forum Romanum, weren’t you?” the brown-haired girl who had smiled at Luke spoke.

  “Yes, with Senator Aurelius and his family. I’m Jenna.”

  “Florentina.”

  “You are General Tiberius’ daughter, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. And this is Antonia, daughter of Governor Marcellus.”

  The other girl stared at her skin. “Pray tell me what you put on your arms to make them shimmer like that?”

  “It is pearl dust. We use it widely where I come from.” Jenna thought quick on her feet.

  “And your dress is most unusual. I don’t think I have ever seen a lady wear that colour out of mourning.”

  “It is the colour most favoured in Arula for the evening.”

  “Is that where you come from?”

  “Yes.”

  “It seems every exotic,” Antonia sighed.

  If only she knew it was the country she had just vacated, albeit a few years later. “It’s cold,” Jenna responded.

  “What brings you to Rome?” Florentina asked.

  “My studies,” she smiled.

  “You are educated?” a gentle voice spoke behind her. It was Governor Marcellus’ son.

  “Yes. Highly. How about you?” she retorted.

  “You will have to forgive my brother, Benedictus. He has few social skills,” Antonia scowled at him.

  Benedictus laughed. “Please excuse me, I meant no offence. You do not look like the type of woman to be educated.”

  “And what does that type of woman usually look like?” Jenna raised an eyebrow.

  “Certainly not like you,” he coloured a little. “But I am curious now as to what you have come to Rome to study?”

  “The city itself and the cu
lture.”

  “Have you travelled to many places?” Florentina asked.

  “Yes.” Jenna listed off the string of countries she had visited accordingly to the Roman map.

  “You’ve visited Britannia?” Antonia sounded shocked. “Why?”

  Jenna laughed. “It was one place my father wanted to go. I was rather taken with Acquae Sulis.”

  “That was where we were largely based,” Benedictus beamed.

  “Strangely enough, in the time we travelled through Britannia, I never remember seeing the Britons dressed as they were today.”

  Florentina smiled. “Father wanted Rome to see something different.”

  “How did you travel around Britannia?” Benedictus asked.

  “We rode.”

  “On horseback?”

  “No. On a goat,” she responded sarcastically making the girls laugh.

  “Sorry, I guess that was a dumb question.” Benedictus looked a bit embarrassed.

  “Rather. Yes, I am female and capable of riding a horse.”

  “Have you ridden much here in Rome?”

  “Not usually in the city centre. I’ve recently rode down to Pompeii to stay on a friend’s estate.”

  “Who was that rather attractive man you were with at the procession?” Florentina tried to ask as casually as she could.

  “Luke. He is a friend of mine from Arula. We travelled together.”

  “Is he a noble?” she cast her eyes around the room.

  “Yes, he is well born, but a foreigner. He is here to study also. You can find him in Mars’ temple.” Luke owed her one. She’d all but given Florentina his mobile number.

  “I think Trajan’s Praetorian guard is rather delicious,” Antonia tilted her head so she could get a good look at Augustus.

  “That is Captain Augustus.”

  “Do you know him?”

  “Pretty well. He is involved with my Arulian friend, Amelia.”

  Benedictus shook his head. “You will have to forgive them, they have been starved of male specimens to ogle.”

  “And you haven’t? Been starved of female specimens, that is.”

  “Of ones that shimmer, yes,” he retorted.

  Trajan materialised by her side. “I hope this Arulian wild child is not leading you young people astray?”

  Benedictus, Florentina and Antonia visibly blanched. It appeared they had never been that close to the Emperor before.

  “And pray tell how I would be leading them astray?” Jenna fixed Trajan with a look.

  “You could be giving them ideas about equality.”

  “Benedictus almost choked to death when he heard I was educated. I don’t think he’s ready yet to start supporting a Rome where women have the same rights as men just yet.”

  “You have equal rights in Arula?” Benedictus squeaked.

  “Yes. Women are educated alongside men, can vote, support themselves, manage their own lives and fight in our armies.”

  “And you don’t want to challenge this one to a fight,” Trajan grinned. “She has rather an unorthodox style.”

  “You know how to use a sword?” Benedictus was going to need therapy after this Jenna thought.

  “Yes. The pointy end goes into your opponent.”

  Antonia and Florentina dissolved into giggles.

  Trajan patted Benedictus on the back. “Don’t beat yourself up too much. Luckily her Arulian friends are not quite so hard on us Romans.”

  Talking about friends, Jenna glanced around Trajan to Augustus and winked.

  “I see Amelia has been busy,” he whispered looking at her hair.

  “What makes you think I didn’t do it myself?”

  “I’ve seen your efforts. They’re not pretty,” he smirked.

  Jenna wrinkled her nose at him and turned back to Antonia. “See, he’s not that nice, highlighting a lady’s shortcomings.”

  “Where’s the lady?” Augustus murmured looking around.

  Trajan laughed. He was enjoying the banter with the children, they weren’t that worried about impressing him. But he knew it would only be a few moments before their families descended.

  “I do so love the way you speak,” Florentina sighed.

  “I forget sometimes that people are not used to our bluntness. And sarcasm. In fact I think we Arulians invented it.”

  “So this is the young Arulian I have heard so much about,” General Tiberius joined his daughter.

  “This is Jenna,” Trajan introduced her.

  “And where is Arula?”

  “Not that far from Britannia, as it happens. We certainly have a similar climate to the north.”

  Tiberius glanced at Trajan. “Arula is not part of our territory, is it?”

  “No. And although I would dearly love to see it, I certainly don’t want to conquer it.”

  “Why ever not?” Tiberius was perplexed.

  “Does someone want to tell him?” Trajan glanced at the youngsters.

  “Arula has equality for men and women,” Benedictus spoke up.

  “Equality?” Tiberius sounded horrified. He was.

  “Imagine what that could do to the Empire if every territory started to demand the same,” Trajan grinned.

  “I think that would be a huge advancement,” Florentina goaded her father.

  “Imagine, women Senators,” Antonia joined in.

  “And Empresses,” Jenna added, patting Trajan’s arm affectionately.

  Benedictus shivered. “A woman in the Senate. Unthinkable.”

  “What makes you object so?” Jenna probed.

  “Women do not think like men.”

  “A good job, else nothing would get done,” she responded.

  Trajan looked at Benedictus in sympathy. “A wise man would back down now. Jenna does not lose the equality argument ever. If you want proof, ask Marshall Vilnus.”

  “Ask me what?”

  Jenna’s stomach did a little dance just at hearing his deep voice behind her. His hand rested on her hip, he was stating to the young women present that he was attached.

  “That you know all about Arulian fire,” Trajan responded.

  Jenna couldn’t see Marcus’ expression, but it made Tiberius and Benedictus laugh. She nudged him in the ribs in response, which made the girls laugh again. She spotted Governor Marcellus and his wife hovering. It must be dreadful for Trajan to be hounded continually. For a few minutes he had been his relaxed jovial self, with no talk of business. He was just a delightful host.

  “Well, there is no rest for the wicked. I need to announce that we are to move into the banquet room itself.” He looked at Jenna. “Your unique requirements have been catered for where necessary.”

  Jenna glanced at Marcus then back at Trajan. “He sneaked, didn’t he?”

  “He did. And quite rightly so. I’ve not yet had a guest die at one of my banquets and I would like to keep it that way.”

  Jenna noticed the puzzled expressions. “I unfortunately cannot eat any form of crustacean. To do so would make me very ill, possibly kill me.”

  “It is kind of ironic that she could take down an entire column of soldiers without breaking a sweat, yet a simple oyster could destroy her,” Marcus joked.

  “How’s your nose?” Jenna murmured looking up into his handsome face.

  He shook his head in response.

  “Jenna,” Arianna charged over to greet her. “I knew you were here somewhere. We were rather late.” She nodded towards Hector.

  “It always takes him an absolute age to get his hair just right,” Jenna teased.

  “I would call you out for such a remark, but I’d only lose,” Hector moaned. “And mess up my hair.”

  “Have you met?” Jenna looked from the girls to Hector.

  “Regrettably not,” Hector put on the charm. He had Antonia and Florentina simpering in seconds.

  “Hector is quite unattached,” Jenna whispered to Antonia, making her smile even wider.

  Right on cue, Trajan announced
that the banquet was due to be served. Hector was in his element. “Ladies,” he extended his arms to Florentina and Antonia. “Allow me the pleasure to escort you.”