Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  As she turned around angrily to face him, he kissed her. She pushed against him, but he persisted until eventually old feelings started to creep up to the surface. He continued kissing her until her lips felt positively raw.

  “That’s better,” he exhaled running his lips over her forehead.

  “What do you want, Augustus?” Amelia glowered at him. She hated him for awakening dormant feelings.

  “I am not well versed in relationships. In fact I have never really had a proper one before,” he gazed into her soft eyes. “But do not take my absence for lack of feelings for you. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

  “You have not stopped by for a long time,” Amelia looked away from him.

  “Not only has the Praetorian been on high alert, but Trajan has appointed me as his personal guard.”

  Amelia’s head snapped up. “You’re Trajan’s personal guard?”

  “I am,” he smiled. “But this does conflict with me wanting to spend time with you.”

  “That was a quick promotion.”

  “I think the Marshall might have had something to do with that. Probably because Trajan’s former protector was the one who abducted Jenna.”

  “I am pleased for you.”

  “Good. But it means we must not waste the precious little time we get together. I have access to that beautiful villa again. Would you spend another afternoon with me?”

  “Now?”

  “No. But soon. I long to be with you again undisturbed.”

  “I bet you do, Praetorian.”

  He kissed her softly. “Was that a yes?”

  “It might be,” she responded coyly.

  A little while later, Amelia watched him leave. It was unfair to wish it, but she still wanted him to be a centurion so she could see him regularly. He had achieved more than his life’s ambition in the Praetorian, but at what cost? Could their relationship really survive the snatches of time they managed to get here and there? She gave her head a shake. Their relationship could never completely survive, she had to return home one day.

  Julius had barely drawn breath from the time they had left Apollo’s temple. Jenna had asked him about his schooling and he was in full flow. It made her smile that he was so eager to learn. Having had a taste of the noble lifestyle, the young boy was desperate to be part of that world. It amused her that each day he was starting to look less and less like the street urchin. In fact Senator Aurelius and his family had practically adopted him.

  “How long do you think until you will be able to take your lessons with Dextus?” Jenna asked.

  “Senator Aurelius and my tutor have spoken at length. If I continue progressing, it will not be long. It will be fun having my lessons with someone else.”

  “I’m sure Dextus will be happy too. I know Laurentius is keen for you to visit again.”

  “Can I go tomorrow? I like Dextus’ house. It is not as grand as Senator Aurelius’ but it is more like a home.”

  “Lived in, is the word you are looking for.” And she knew just what the young boy meant. The Domus Flavus was more like a museum than a home. “But I do believe Senator Aurelius feeds you well. You are suddenly growing, young man.”

  “Mother is happy with that arrangement. It means she can save money on food.”

  “Your apartment must seem quiet now. Augustus is permanently at the Palace and you are not often there.”

  “I think she is just pleased I am no longer hanging around on the streets.”

  “We all are,” Jenna ruffled his hair.

  “Did Augustus and Amelia have an argument?” he asked out the blue.

  “What makes you think that?”

  “She was not too pleased to see him.”

  “Their relationship is almost as complicated as mine and the Marshall’s,” Jenna sighed. “I think Amelia is concerned that Augustus’ absence is down to lack of feeling.”

  “He likes her a lot. I know that because I’m his brother.”

  “And you know all about the workings of the heart, do you?” she grinned.

  “Yes. I know there is someone else who loves you other than the Marshall,” he beamed.

  “You?”

  “Apart from me and the Marshall.”

  “Who?”

  “Mars.”

  “And what makes you think that?” Jenna chuckled.

  “He told me in Olympus. Something along the lines of no-one abducts the woman he loves. I did tell him he was in for a whole heap of trouble because the Marshall liked you too.”

  Jenna shook her head. Only a child could get away with chastising the God of War. But then again, did he not get an easy time with her either. His poor ego must have taken a battering of late.

  They headed up the stairs to Julius’ apartment and froze at the entrance to the living room. Syla was in a most passionate embrace with a fairly tall, well-built man. Jenna felt Julius tense right away. It was only natural for a son to feel protective of his mother, whatever the age. Jenna caught the look on Syla’s face, it was one of pure happiness.

  “There are some benefits in being the Emperor’s daughter,” she whispered in Julius’ ear. “It might not match Mars’ gift, but I hope it comes close.”

  He looked slightly bewildered at first then it dawned on him who the stranger was. “Is that….?”

  “I’ve never met him, but I would hazard a guess it is.”

  He flung his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. “You are the best.”

  The man turned on hearing the noise out front, he looked so much like Augustus. Jenna’s lasting image was one of Julius hurling himself at his father, the man he had not seen since he was an infant.

  Her eyes were positively watery as she walked out the courtyard. Julius had saved her life, she was pleased to have done something monumental in return. And she was glad Trajan had acted so swiftly.

  She walked back via Mars’ temple. She wanted to have words with the God of War. It irritated her not knowing whether or not he truly existed. Was it mass delusion or had he really saved her life?

  “Yikes, it’s the harbinger of destruction,” Luke pulled a face.

  Jenna swatted him. “I love you too.”

  “That is not a word used in this temple.” Luke pointed to the statue. “The God of War does not do love.”

  “Shame,” Jenna sighed running her hand down the statue’s arm. “He is, after all, the perfect male specimen.”

  Luke laughed. “When you start feeling up statues, I leave.”

  Jenna stared at the statue. Had she really seen him in the flesh? Was she living proof of his existence after all? “Do I really carry your life force in me?” she murmured.

  “You do,” a soft voice spoke in her ear.

  “I’m immortal?” she breathed.

  “The effects are not permanent. Not yet at any rate.”

  “Meaning?”

  “If you agree to marry me, I will make you immortal.”

  “That is twice now you’ve proposed marriage. You should be careful, one of these days I might hold you to it,” she teased.

  “I do wish you would.”

  “I would only marry a man who I believe would be faithful to me. You are not known for being celibate.”

  “Perhaps that is because I have not met the woman I want to share my life with until now.” His voice was so silky smooth, Jenna’s knees felt positively week.

  “It will take more than a few well-practiced words to win me around,” she sighed.

  “I saved your life, does that not help my cause?”

  “It does. But as magnificent as you are, my affections truly lie with another.”

  She felt his hand stroke the side of her neck. “The Marshall is a worthy adversary. Go to him, I believe he is in the Trajan Forum.”

  Jenna instantly sensed his departure, was that down to the life force they shared? She was still no clearer to having the definitive proof she needed. The change in her blood could be down to the same liquid she
had been given previously and nothing to do with Mars. Her only tenuous link was Julius. He had seen the same as her, if not more, and he carried Mars’ insignia. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. She was pretty sure the Gods did exist but it was her twenty-first century mind doing its utmost to disprove the fact.

  Whatever the case, night was starting to fall and she needed to get back to Apollo’s temple. As she stepped into the Trajan Forum he was waiting for her, sitting tall and looking wonderful in black.

  “Dare I ask where your escort is?” he shook his head.

  “I thought I was protected by Mars,” she smiled.

  Marcus extended his hand and swung her up onto the back of Hercules. “That is an impossible task, even for a God.”

  Jenna wrapped her arms around him. “Take me home.”

  “Which one? You have two.”

  “Temple home please.”

  Yes, she truly did have two homes. Rome 100AD and Bath 2015AD.

  EPILOGUE

  Mars caught up with his father in Olympus. He needed his advice.

  “This is a rare privilege. Normally the only time you visit is when summoned.” Jupiter looked up from his desk.

  “I need your advice.”

  “About Jenna, I assume?”

  “Yes and my prophecy.”

  Jupiter sat back and waited for Mars to continue.

  “Whilst I was in Arula, I saw different charts of the world. One thing that did catch my attention was the fact that Arula is not a country in its own right. It is attached to another rather larger island.”

  “Why would Jenna say it was its own country?” Jupiter frowned.

  “Because that other country is Britannia.”

  Jupiter’s jaw dropped open in surprise. “Jenna is a Briton?”

  “Yes. A modern one at least.”

  “It is kind of ironic that are soldiers are dying in their hundreds trying to conquer that inhospitable land, yet two thousand years later, those Britons are now popping through a gateway into ancient Rome.”

  “Her connection with Rome actually goes even deeper. I saw images of her family home. It is located in a city she calls Bath, but its ancient name is Acquae Sulis.”

  “I have heard it is supposed to be one of the best spas outside of Rome.”

  “She is certainly fond of the city.”

  “So, what is your dilemma that you need advice on?”

  “The first part of my prophecy is complete. Due to her two near death experiences, she is joined to me by my life force. I can understand the boundaries of time can keep us apart if we let them. But it is about the bands I cannot fathom.

  “In Jenna’s world married couples appear to wear gold bands. Does this mean we are to live in her time? That would certain extend my life span. All our lives actually if we were to decamp. And is that what happens when our popularity starts to fade?”

  “What makes you think we fade?”

  “Because we do not exist in her time, she all but said that.”

  “Curious,” Jupiter nodded. “Go on.”

  “Or, am I supposed to use the gateway to conquer Britannia before any more lives are lost?”

  “You mean have Gaius set it to our current time?”

  “Yes. We would be in the north of Britannia before anyone knew we were coming. Instant access to it.”

  “Do you think Jenna would marry the man who destroyed her homeland?” Jupiter shook his head. Sometimes his son really did not think things out fully.

  “She is due to marry a God not a man,” Mars grunted. “And she has no choice in the matter, it is destined.”

  In eight hundred years, his son had learnt nothing about the inner workings of the female mind. “This is Jenna we are talking about. You cannot command her to do as you wish.”

  “But her father can,” Mars shot his father a look.

  “Just remember she has the option to return to Arula should she so wish.”

  “Over my dead body. She does not leave Rome again.”

  “And are you the brave person going to tell her that?” Jupiter could not contain his mirth. “If so, I want ringside seats for that event.”

  Mars stood up, it was clear he was going to get no answers from his father. “I’m glad you are taking my problems so seriously, father.”

  “If you continue to try and dominate Jenna, it will be over your body, my son. Please remember that she does have the power to terminate your existence.”

  “I am the God of War. It is highly unlikely that she could actually hurt me,” Mars snorted. Ignoring the time she broke his nose, twice, and held his sword to his heart. Actually the sooner he made her his immortal Goddess, the safer he would be.

  Jupiter had a wide grin on his face as Mars left. The eruption of Vesuvius was going to be nothing compared to the battle that would ensue should Mars not soften his stance. The God of War had met his match in more ways than one.