“Do you have images of your home?”
Jenna pulled up her family home. She could not help smiling every time she saw it, it filled her with such happy memories. It was a beautiful Georgian house. Actually mansion was a better description.
“Is it located near here?”
“No. It is close to the city of Bath.”
“It is large,” Marcus looked impressed.
“Eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, four reception rooms, dining room, library, games room, study, kitchen and a stable block.” She took a deep breath. All of a sudden, she longed to visit home. It had been a while since she was last there.
“For just you and your parents?”
“Yes. It does seem a bit excessive but when my father was an Ambassador, we would entertain frequently and have numerous people to stay.”
“But now it is just you.”
“Yes.” She could never sell the house, it meant too much to her and her parents. Perhaps one day she would have a large enough family to fill it. She dropped the tablet on her desk. “I need to do a couple of things before I take you back to Rome.” She disappeared into her bathroom. Teeth-brushing was imperative.
She turned to find Marcus leaning against the doorway watching her.
“This is how we keep our teeth healthy,” she attempted to say, whilst frothing white at the mouth. She was aware she looked more like a rabid dog. She shooed him back out the bathroom. “I have to change back into temple dress, and you will not be viewing that.”
“That is most unfair,” he grunted.
“Whatever,” she responded shutting the door. When she reappeared, he was looking at her books, seemingly engrossed.
“I understand some of these,” he held up a couple of Latin ones.
“I would hope so, they are written in your language.”
“But these are not written how I would expect.”
“We have a way of producing books for the mass market. Those are not written individually.”
He picked up some magazines that were on her desk. “These are the fashions worn here?”
“Yes.” It amused her watching him flick through the magazines. “This is what men wear in your time?”
“Men wear anything from smart,” she pointed to an Armani suit, “to casual.” She found a picture of a guy in denims.
Marcus focused on one page. “And these?”
Jenna smiled. “Those are undergarments worn by men.”
“Judging from your smile, you approve of these?”
Jenna laughed. “No girl down can turn a man in tight pair of Calvin Kleins.”
“You would like to see me in these types of things?”
“I’d love to. You have the perfect shape.” She glanced pointedly at his butt. “And most of these items come in black.”
He laughed. “I’d like to see you wearing these?” He held up a page of a model wearing La Perla underwear.
“I’m sure you would,” she raised an eyebrow. “Men are the same whatever the time zone.” She slid an arm around him. “Are you ready to go back?”
“In truth I would rather discover more about your world, but yes, we should go.” He pulled her to him, brushing the blond curls off her face. “Are you ready to face your past?”
“I want nothing to do with Octavia. She made her choice eighteen years ago.”
“How about your father?”
“Does she actually know who he is?” Jenna responded scathingly.
“Yes,” Marcus smiled knowingly. “He was already married at the time, hence the reason she had to give you up.”
“Great, so he was a serial lothario.”
Marcus laughed unexpectedly. “Quite the contrary. But perhaps it is not my place to tell you about him.”
“Actually I would prefer to hear it from you than her.”
“You are of imperial birth, my love,” he whispered in her ear.
Jenna’s head snapped up. She thought she’d misheard. “Imperial?”
“Yes. He is your father. Now perhaps you can appreciate the secrecy of your birth.”
“Does he know it is me?”
“No. But I think Octavia may well have told him.” He kissed her forehead. “It is clear now why you are so drawn to him.”
“It’s genetic,” Jenna sighed. “How many other people know?”
“No-one other than my family. For your security, it should stay that way.”
“I agree. As far as I am concerned, Alexander and Amanda were and always will be my parents.”
He took her hand and led her to the door. “Let us go before McVale gets invaded by my family.”
Jenna headed down to Professor Daniels’ office. “We’re heading back to Rome.”
“Everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, Professor.”
The Professor glanced at Marcus. “Please try and keep her out of trouble, Marshall Vilnus.”
“That is a hard enough task for any man,” Marcus grunted. He was drawn back to the chart of Roman territories. “You will have to excuse me, but this chart fascinates me.”
“It’s probably not too good an idea to see the future,” Jenna tried to pull him away.
“I have no influence over the territories the Empire conquers.” He ran his hand down the Americas. “Have you crossed the ocean to this land?”
“Yes.” She pointed to South America. “This continent had a civilisation as old as the Minoan Empire.”
“But you do not study it?”
Jenna glanced at Professor Daniels. “Why is that, Professor?”
“Probably because the foundations set down by Athens and then Rome still rule our modern day lives. And Egypt was made popular by the explorers unearthing all the tombs. I guess we know so little about the Incas, and Aztecs too, that we prefer to study what we have here. Also, South America is not without its dangers.”
Marcus looked down towards Australia. “This continent?”
“A prison colony,” Jenna grinned. “Well, it was a few hundred years ago. Nowadays it costs a damn sight more than a loaf of bread to get there.”
He ran his hand up to Africa.
“Tiger and giraffe territory,” Jenna grinned.
“This is the Orient?”
“Yes.”
“And this expanse to the north?”
“Bloody cold,” she propelled him towards the door. “Now we really must get going.”
Jenna led him along the corridor to the gateway chamber. “Are we set to go through, Bill?” she called over to the security guard.
“Yes. All ready for you.”
She took Marcus’ hand and they stepped through together. Gaius was pleased to see them both back. Actually it was probably more Marcus he was happy to have back in his rightful place.
As she walked by the statue of Mars, Jenna ran her hand over his arm. Still warm and affecting her birthmark. Marcus let out a low growl beside her.
“Do you always have to touch that statue?” he grabbed hold of her hands.
“Sorry, there is something about it I find irresistible.” Her cheeks turned a little pink.
“You’ll get a better reaction running your hand over me,” his eyes twinkled.
“I thought I just had,” she smirked.
They headed out to where Hercules was tethered.
“Did you leave him here all this time?” Jenna was horrified as she stroked the horse’s head.
“I have soldiers who make sure he is cared for.”
“Did the nasty Marshall abandon you?” she rubbed his ears. “I should have him charged with neglect.”
“I was taking care of a more pressing matter,” he grunted.
“That’s no excuse. Perhaps I should take you to my homeland where we care for our animal properly.”
Marcus let out a frustrated sigh and jumped up into the saddle. “Quit pampering the horse. You’ll start to give him ideas.”
Hercules snorted as if disagreeing with his master.
> CHAPTER 24
Jupiter was in his study when it hit him. In all his years, he’d never felt it before. It was a sense of emptiness, something was missing, something was very wrong. It took a little while to put his finger on it.
“Mars,” he shouted getting to his feet. He could not sense his son’s life force, it was as though he’d vanished from the world.
Juno came rushing into the room. “Mars has disappeared,” she shrieked.
“I know, I felt it too.”
“He cannot be….” She could not say the words.
“No, my dear, I think that unlikely, but we need to call the family immediately.”
Only a God could kill one of its kind, although it was more theory than anything else. None of his children would dare harm a sibling, the consequences would be too terrifying. Although Mars had come close to ending Apollo on a few occasions. There was just one other person who could have harmed Mars.
With all his children appearing virtually immediately they were summoned, Jupiter spoke. “Mars has disappeared. What do any of you know?”
“He’s probably taken a trip somewhere,” Apollo yawned. “Why the fuss?”
“He is no longer in this world,” Jupiter growled at his son.
Minerva stood up. “I imagine he has gone through the gateway after Jenna. He threatened to do so if she did not reappear.” She was impressed he’d done it on his own.
Jupiter swore loudly. “He went through without telling anyone? Without protection?”
“He is a God, why would be need protection?” Minerva asked.
“Because he has no idea what to expect. His immortal powers may not work in her world.”
“I don’t think he’d be using them anyway,” Minerva shrugged. “He has already met some of Jenna’s people, so relax. I don’t believe he’s in any great danger.”
“Why would he not say where he was going?” Juno sounded in pain. She was, she was missing her son.
“Probably because he thought you might try and stop him. He wants Jenna, he’s gone to bring her back. There is nothing more to this than that. He will be home before night fall.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jupiter eyed his daughter. She and Mars were becoming thick as thieves these days.
“He will not abandon the city for too long. He is still Marshall of the Peace.”
“You seem far too at ease about his vanishing?”
“I’m actually pissed he went without me. I said I would go with him,” Minerva sniffed. She’d inflict pain on him later for that.
“You too?” Juno sounded horrified. “You would have left us worrying about you as well?”
“We are all curious about Jenna’s world. Who wouldn’t want to go see it,” Minerva shrugged. “I hope my opportunity comes soon.”
Jupiter comforted his wife after the children had gone. “Minerva is right, no harm will come to him.”
“What if he is unable to return?”
“Jenna and her people are time travellers. They come and go frequently so there would be nothing stopping him returning.”
Juno let out a frustrated wail. “I will so give him grief for doing this to me. Did he not think how we would react?”
“As Minerva said, Mars is not thinking with his head. And a man in love does act rashly. Now come, my dear. We will wait for his return.”
“You really are the crappiest of friends,” Amelia grunted as Jenna reappeared in the temple. “I’m just going to stop by Marcus’s villa,” she imitated Jenna’s voice. “That was three days ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Jenna held up her hands in defeat. “I had to return suddenly to McVale.”
“Yeah, Gaius said something about a family emergency. But you don’t have much to do with your remaining family, do you?”
“That’s not the family he was talking about,” Jenna sighed.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I was apparently adopted.”
“No way. You’re birth parents have just come forward after all this time?”
“Yeah, and not in the way you think. My mother recognised me from my birthmark.”
“But you’ve been here the last few weeks. How could anyone have seen it?” Amelia was lost.
“I didn’t say which time zone my birth mother was based in,” Jenna responded nonchalantly.
“Ok, sit and spill the beans,” Amelia looked none too impressed. “You’re not making any sense.”
Jenna told her almost everything.
“Holy shit, you’re really Roman born?”
“Apparently.” She picked up Ares and cuddled him. “Have you missed me?”
“Yes he has. And so has Julius. We really must find something worthwhile for that boy to do.”
“I’m working on it,” Jenna smiled. “How’s Augustus?”
“Good. He’s getting on well. And before you ask, no juicy gossip from the Palace.”
Jenna suppressed her smile. She had the juiciest gossip of all, but the identity of her father had to remain hidden even from her friend. If word got out who she really was, her life could be in danger.
“But you can do that favour you owe me tomorrow and keep Julius occupied.”
“Are you hoping for some alone time with the Praetorian wonder?”
“Yup, so you’re on child decoy.”
“Oh joy. Just don’t make it too long, I left my earplugs back at McVale.”
Mars stopped by his parents’ villa after he dropped Jenna off at the temple. He was only too aware of the earful he was going to get.
His mother acted very out of character and flung her arms around him. “I was so worried,” she hugged her son. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
He kissed her forehead dutifully. “I did not mean to worry you, mother. Once I had made my mind up to go through, I had to act right away before I lost the courage.”
“You are the founder of Rome and my right hand,” Jupiter was not so forgiving. “How could you have acted so irresponsibly?”
“I was retrieving the one who affects all our lives,” Mars responded bluntly. “Besides, Gaius is my temple servant so I knew I would come to no harm.”
Jupiter shook his head. “Do something so rash again, and I will end you myself.”
“How is Jenna?” Juno asked.
“Cross and still unwilling to accept either as her parents.”
“Understandable, but at least she is back where she belongs.”
“The trouble is she belongs in both worlds,” Mars sighed. “This might be the place of her birth, but Arula is home to her.”
“How was it?” Curiosity got the better of Jupiter.
“Strange. They like to embrace the past and everything appears to be a mix of ancient and new. Obviously I was not exposed to much, but I did get to see the full extent of Rome’s power. Although believe it or not, we still will only rule a small fraction of the world.
“What other lands are there?”
Mars grabbed a blank scroll and did a crude drawing of the continents from memory. “These are the territories that Rome has or will conquer. The rest are free.”
“You mean not yet conquered,” Jupiter smiled.
“Not all these lands are uncivilised.” He pointed to South America. “This continent has an advanced civilisation like ours, and also their own deities.”
“What of Arula?”
“I stayed within the confines of the Institute, it has a cold and harsh climate. But then I was not dressed as an Arulian.”
“What are their fashions like?” Minerva flounced into the room. She was still angry with her brother, but could not resist asking.
“Interesting. You would like them. Women wear all manner of garments, including some very tight trousers which show off all their curves. And the undergarments are quite the thing.”
“Undergarments?” Minerva was intrigued.
“Yes. For your breasts and lower body. All manners of fabrics and colour, they are highly alluring. Even f
or men.”
“Men wear such things?”
Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Page 18