Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

They wandered out to the front of the temple. “Augustus?”

  “Yes. He’s taking you over there on his way home.”

  “Augustus, two temple maidens in one day. Rome will be rife with gossip,” Jenna teased.

  Augustus was definitely getting used to her. Previously he would have turned bright red, instead he just ignored her baiting. He pulled her up behind him and waved goodbye to Amelia.

  “How is Julius?” Jenna asked. “I’ve not seen him for a few days.”

  “Mother’s not letting him go too far at the moment as he seems to keep getting himself into trouble.”

  “He’s just bored, he needs an outlet for all his exuberance.”

  Augustus grunted in response.

  “Come on, can you remember what it was like being ten?”

  “Yes,” he let out a frustrated sigh. “The only difference was I had to face my father to be disciplined. Julius is lucky, we’re too soft on him.”

  “He doesn’t need punishment, just guidance. There is no bad in him at all. And Ares is missing his playmate.”

  Augustus laughed. “That’s bribery.”

  “Yes it is.”

  “I’ll speak to mother to see if she’ll release him from his curfew.”

  “Thank you.”

  They arrived shortly at Marcus’s villa and Augustus swung her down.

  “I’ll no doubt see you tomorrow,” she smiled.

  The door opened before she had a chance to knock. “Good evening, Aius,” she smiled. “I hope you are well.”

  “Yes, my lady,” he bowed formally and took her wrap and cloak. She was determined to get him to loosen up one of these days. “They are expecting you out in the peristyle.”

  She barely made it up the steps before Marcus appeared. He looked incredibly handsome in his black toga.

  “I’m not late, am I?” Jenna asked.

  “No, my dear. But I wanted a few moments alone with you before you meet my friends.”

  “Oh, what for?”

  “I can hardly do this in front of them, can I?” he murmured and kissed her. With his mouth creating havoc on her hormones, all of a sudden Jenna wanted him to send his friends home, she wanted him to herself.

  “That feels a little better,” he kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I would say not. You’ve teased me now with what I can’t have during the evening,” she gave him her best seductive look.

  “You’ll just have to wait patiently,” he brushed his mouth over hers, tempting her. “Now come on through, or my friends will think I’ve absconded.”

  Jenna felt a flutter of nerves as she came face to face with Marcus’ close friends. Laurentius was tall, with a head of beautiful silver hair, and had such a welcoming aura to him. His wife, Octavia, appeared the complete opposite. She was petite, with light brown hair, piled high on her head, and had a very pinched face. She was the epitome of a Roman noble.

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Jenna,” Laurentius put her at ease right away. “Marcus has told us much about you.”

  “I guarantee none of it is true,” she smiled. “I understand you are back from Athens?”

  “Yes. Back to the centre of civilisation. Have you been to Athens before?”

  “Very recently,” she recalled that wonderful dream with Mars.

  “So what does a temple handmaiden actually do?” Octavia looked down her nose at Jenna, setting her hackles right up.

  Be nice, she told herself, these are Marcus’ friends. “We keep the temple in good order for the many worshipers and distribute the offerings to the poor. And make sure the fire are always kept burning.”

  “How quaint,” Octavia took a sip of her wine. “At least it does not seem too taxing.”

  “Not at all. I’m only in Rome to study the city and its people, so it gives me plenty of time to do what I have to.”

  “A woman studying?”

  “Yes. Where I come from women are educated to the same high level as men,” she looked smugly over her goblet at Octavia. Digest that, bitch, she thought. “Have you seen the Emperor since returning?” she looked over to Laurentius.

  “Yes, this morning. It seems Trajan is keeping us in Rome for a while but I know he is trying to sweeten me up for another posting.”

  “I will go almost anywhere except Britannia,” Octavia shivered at the thought.

  “I have spent a great deal of time in Britannia. What is it you dislike so much?” Jenna could not resist challenging her, she was dissing the homeland after all.

  Octavia’s mouth flapped open and shut a couple of times, she was clearly not expecting that question. “Well, it is cold and hostile.”

  “So is Germania and Gaul.”

  “The country is incredibly backward, it is so very far from civilisation.”

  “I’ll grant you the country was backward before Rome invaded, but it now possesses one of the best spa towns in the Empire. Acquae Sulis.” Bath. Where her parents’ house was and a city she loved. “But everyone sees places through their own eyes.”

  Marcus had remained remarkably silent. He had seen the best and worst of Jenna, but tonight she was very much on the defensive, with Octavia at any rate. Perhaps it was time to move into the dining room.

  Jenna loved being sprawled out next to Marcus but not when there were others around. She missed the intimacy of eating alone with him.

  “So tell us about your parents, Jenna?” Octavia continued with her condescending tone. “Are they free people, traders?”

  “Arula is under its own rule. My father was an Ambassador which is the equivalent of an Envoi. Sadly both my parents died a while ago, so I manage my own life.”

  “An Envoi as well,” Laurentius’ eyes lit up. “Where were his postings?”

  “Most of them in exotic, far flung countries across the world. The closest to home would be Egypt.”

  “Egypt would be a wonderful posting.”

  “I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It has such an intriguing and varied culture.” Jenna picked at the food that was laid out in front of them.

  “It’s all perfectly safe,” Marcus murmured. “No crustaceans.”

  “Thank you,” Jenna gave him a grateful smile.

  “Do you have any siblings?” Laurentius asked.

  “Unfortunately not. I was an only child.”

  “There is nothing then to draw you back to Arula?”

  “Actually there is a lot. Rome is fascinating but there is much I miss about home.”

  “Rome is the most advanced city in the known world,” Octavia sounded quite put out. “What could you possibly get in this Arula that you can’t here?”

  “There are some food and drink items which I miss. But largely it is the freedom for women, to have our voice heard. Also, I ride every day in Arula, here I have very little opportunity.”

  “You ride? How extraordinary,” Octavia was positively horrified.

  “It is true. Jenna has even won over Hercules and he allows her to ride him when my back is turned,” Marcus’ black eyes twinkled.

  “Such a lovely animal,” Jenna sighed.

  The plates were cleared and the next course brought in. “I understand you have two children. What are they in to?”

  “Dextus is ten and set to become Rome’s next greatest swordsman,” Laurentius looked at Marcus with a grin.

  “I know another testy ten year old who will fight him for that spot,” Jenna smiled. “What of your other child.”

  “Portia is just eight.”

  “And what does she like to do?”

  “She’s a girl, she is not expected to do anything,” Octavia responded coldly.

  Jenna was on the point of asking Octavia what her problem was. The woman had been nothing but catty since she arrived and being the good twenty-first century girl she was, Jenna had managed to keep her manners in place, but they were fast slipping. Friend of Marcus or not, one more snide comment and Octavia would be wearing her wine.

  “I fo
rgot to enquire how your meeting went this afternoon?” Marcus asked out the blue. He looked over to Laurentius and Octavia. “Jenna was invited to meet with Trajan this afternoon.”

  “Really well,” Jenna could not help but smile. She had spent part of the afternoon with Rome’s greatest Emperor.

  “Did you put the problems of Rome to rights?”

  “I learnt some interesting facts. He is keen to upskill the Praetorian to my style and I did mention there were a couple of very good possible tutors from the fight I saw the other night. The one which you got so uptight about.”

  He shook his head. “I knew that would come back on me.”

  She heard Octavia snort loudly.

  “Is there something wrong?” Jenna glared at her.

  “Oh please. Since when does a common temple servant advise an Emperor on how to train his soldiers? Really Marcus, you should not encourage the girl’s delusion.”

  It took every ounce of Jenna’s self-control not to launch a platter of food over Octavia and then batter her with the empty tray. Instead, she slid gracefully off the couch. “Please excuse me,” she murmured and slipped out the room. She was seething as she stalked to the front door, she even was through it with her cloak and headscarf before Aius could get there.

  “Please, my lady. You can’t leave without the Marshall’s knowledge.”

  “Then please give him my apologies. I won’t sit at a dinner table and be insulted by some jumped up harpy.” She swished out the courtyard, her cloak making her exit all the more dramatic.

  “Octavia,” Laurentius barked at his wife. “That was plain rude of you, insulting Jenna like that.”

  “Are you buying the story that she is a nobleman’s daughter who has the ear of the Emperor?” Octavia spat. “You must be drinking something very different to me in that case.”

  “There is a lot you do not know about Jenna, so hold your tongue before judging her,” Marcus said slowly.

  “She’s a pretty girl, Marcus. I can see what attracts you, but she is hardly a suitable match for a Roman noble of your standing. Take your pleasure then be done with her,” Octavia flapped her hand dismissively.

  Marcus leapt angrily off the couch. “You once asked who the person was who saved Trajan’s life, it was Jenna. She not only uncovered the plot but was also fought alongside the Praetorian. She is a truly exceptional swordswoman and I have seen her in action many times. In fact her fighting style is almost legendary on the streets.” He paused whilst Aius spoke to him. “And now it seems Jenna has already left, so I won’t get the satisfaction of watching you apologise.” He turned to Laurentius. “I am sorry, my friend but our dinner ends here as I must ask you to remove that acid-tongued wife of yours from my house. I need to track down one very cross temple handmaiden.”

  He stormed out his dining room to his bedroom to do a very quick change into his usual uniform. Within the blink of an eye he was riding out into the night. He was steaming that Octavia could speak to Jenna in such a manner. Had Roman etiquette really sunk so low?

  He spotted a cream cloak up ahead hugging the shadows. It was the wristband that gave her away. He pulled Hercules alongside her and they walked together in silence. She spoke eventually.

  “You really should not be around me when I’m angry, Marcus,” Jenna’s voice sounded pained not cross.

  “But I am not the cause of your anger, I hope.”

  “That harpy is your friend.”

  “Soon to be ex-friend if she ever speaks to you like that again.”

  “Well, have no fear, the opportunity won’t arise.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I most certainly won’t be in their company in the foreseeable future.”

  Marcus jumped down off Hercules, it was going to take a lot more than a few words to bring Jenna around, she had been deeply hurt. He led her into a deserted little plaza and sat down on a bench, pulling her onto his lap.

  “I am sorry Octavia insulted you. She is known to have a tongue on her but I have never seen her act so venomous before.”

  “It is irrelevant. I plan to meet no more so called nobles,” she sniffed.

  He ran his hand through some stray curls. “I am afraid they are eager to meet you.”

  “So they can insult me too?” She pushed his hand away and tried to get up but he would not let her.

  “No one else would dare. I think Octavia always thought she would have a say if ever I eventually decided to attach myself to someone. It irks her that she knows nothing about you.”

  “That still gives her no excuse to treat me like something she’s scraped off her shoe.”

  “True. And I’m sure she’ll apologise next time she runs in to you.”

  I won’t hold my breath, Jenna thought to herself. “Can I go home now, I’ve had a trying enough evening,” she mumbled.

  “Not yet, my love,” Marcus cupped her head with one hand.

  His kiss could win her over any day, it was just not fair. As the upset of the evening starting to fade, her hands slipped under his cloak, caressing his wonderful biceps. It was suddenly just her and him again.

  “I need to get you back to your temple,” he groaned.

  “You’re not usually in such a rush to do that,” she breathed in his ear, running her mouth down the side of his neck.

  “If I don’t, you’ll lose a lot more than your temper tonight,” he growled deeply as he stood up and set her up front on Hercules. He scarcely had a hold on his mortal form, in fact he was in grave danger of losing it all together.

  CHAPTER 17

  It was a day for squeals all round. First Jenna got the invite to join Trajan in his box at the Circus Maximus the following day.

  “It says here plus two guests. I guess that’s you and Luke,” Jenna beamed.

  “Luke is still not back from Laumus.”

  “Damn it. Is he just hiding or does he really like olive picking for some warped reason?” Jenna hissed.

  “But I know a young boy who’d die to be there,” Amelia smiled.

  “Of course, but we’d need to get him something suitable to wear.”

  “I guess we might have something back at McVale.”

  “I’m sure Sarah in the Wardrobe Department would be willing to knock something up. We can stop by on our way back from the Baths.”

  The second squeal came later that morning from Amelia. Augustus had stopped by with the good news. He had been accepted into the Praetorian. Jenna had never seen Augustus looked so thrilled, it was truly his life’s dream.

  “When you do you start?”

  “I need to report to General Dexter in three days’ time.”

  “We will miss you on the streets,” Jenna pulled a sad face. “But I am sure you will still be stopping by.”

  Amelia shooed her back inside so she could have some alone time with Augustus. “I am so very happy for you,” she took hold of his hand.

  “Will you celebrate with me?”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow, we are invited to join the Emperor at the Circus Maximus. Which reminds me, could you make sure Julius is here, washed and very clean by midday?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “He doesn’t know it yet, but he is joining us.”

  “Really? But he is a commoner.”

  “The invitation did not say noble, just Jenna plus two guests. And whilst we might be fairly well born where we come from, we are foreigners in this city and apparently they ranked after commoners.”

  “I cannot argue with Arulian logic,” Augustus sighed. “The day after tomorrow?”

  “That is perfect. What did you have in mind?”

  “An early dinner, followed by much pleasure,” he murmured running his hand down her bare arm.

  “Behave,” she swatted his hand.

  “I don’t intend to.” The look in his eyes made her stomach flip. Was that going to be the night she left something behind in Rome?

  Mars
was in his study when his sister flounced in.

  “I’m not disturbing, am I?”

  “Yes,” he grunted.

  “Too bad,” Minerva flopped down on a chaise.

  “I do have the security of Rome to tend to, sister,” he sighed wearily. “What is it?”