Mark of Mars

by Juliet Anderson

  “My apologies, Jenna. I did not intend to startle you.”

  “Sorry, I was deep in thought,” she flustered, trying to regain her composure.

  “What was occupying your mind so deeply?”

  “Olympus.”

  Aurelius lifted an eyebrow. She really did have a knack for taking him by surprise. “Are you planning a trip there?”

  “I wish. I am curious to know where the legend first started.”

  “You will need to talk to a God to get that question answered.”

  Jenna glanced at the statue. “I tried, but he was a little unresponsive.”

  Aurelius laughed. Yes, he had been tempted to use a little theatrics but had decided against it. Jenna was far too curious for her own good. It was therefore about time he switched the line of questioning back to her.

  “Do you usually get a response from a God?”

  “No, but I can but hope.”

  “One day you might just get an answer.” He ushered her towards to door. “Now I need to return you to Apollo before he complains about the lack of attention you are giving him.”

  “Yes, the Gods have so very fragile egos, it is best not to upset them,” Jenna retorted mischievously.

  Aurelius fixed her with a stern look. One day he will see her show a little humility. But for now, it was amusing to see her run rings around Mars.

  CHAPTER 18

  Amelia and Jenna met Augustus outside the Baths of Trajan, they were going to spend the afternoon with Augustus’ family.

  “Am I being brought along to divert Julius’ attention so you two lovebirds can get some time alone?” Jenna eyed her friend suspiciously.

  “Nothing of the sort,” Amelia responded defensively. “It’s not seemly for a temple maiden to spend time alone in a man’s house. And Julius will look forward to wresting with you again.”

  Jenna snorted. “Reduced to a baby sitter.”

  Amelia laughed. “At least you cannot say that life here is not varied.”

  As expected, Augustus was waiting for them. “My mother is thrilled you are able to join us. She is keen to meet you.”

  “Where is it you live?” Jenna asked.

  “On the outskirts of the Isis region. We have a small apartment.”

  Jenna followed behind Augustus and Amelia as he led the way. She had already seen the grandeur of Marcus’ villa, now she was looking forward to seeing how your everyday Roman lived. Again it surprised her how the scenery changed. The fine buildings became more ordinary and the streets less busy. It was not a particularly rough area they lived it, it was just a little run down. Augustus led them into a courtyard which was overlooked by four apartments.

  He pointed to the first floor apartment on the right. “This one is home.”

  The girls followed him up the wooden steps and into a small living area. “Mother, our guests are here,” Augustus called out.

  A small, middle-aged woman appeared through a doorway at the back of the living room. Her hair was greying and her hard life showed on her face. Her brown eyes sparkled though. “Welcome, welcome, I am Syla,” she enthused. She came forward and took hold of Amelia’s hands. “I am so pleased to finally meet you. My son has talked much about you. ”

  Amelia glanced sideways at Augustus wondering what he’d been saying. He just pulled an innocent face. “Mother, this is Jenna, Amelia’s friend.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you too.” Syla slipped her arm through Amelia’s and led her over to a padded bench. “Come, let me get you something to drink.”

  Jenna heard a loud squeal as Julius put in an appearance. “Jenna,” he flung his arms around her waist. “I was hoping you’d come too.”

  She ruffled his hair. “It’s good to see you again. Have you been practicing your reading?”

  “Yes,” he sighed, trying to pull her back outside. “Now you can help me practice my sword fighting.”

  “Jenna has just got here, Julius. Let her be for a moment,” Augustus grunted at his brother.

  “You’ve got Amelia to play with, I’ve got Jenna.” Julius ignored his brother and dragged her outside.

  Augustus could not help but chuckle at Julius’s statement. How he would like to play with Amelia, but it was so rare for them to be alone. He headed over and sat down next to Amelia, indicating discreetly to his mother that perhaps she might leave them alone.

  “I must finish in the kitchen,” Syla stood up.

  “Anything I can help with?” Amelia offered.

  “No, you are the guest.” She disappeared off.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” Amelia looked at Augustus.

  “There is one thing,” he murmured and cupped her face with one hand. “You can kiss me.”

  She tried to wriggle out of his grasp as his mouth brushed across her. “Augustus, we are in your parent’s living quarters.”

  “If you’d prefer to go to my bedroom, I’d be more than happy to oblige.”

  Amelia felt her cheeks colour and swatted his shoulder. “You should be ashamed, Centurion. Suggesting such a thing of temple handmaiden.”

  “I can but hope,” he grinned wickedly. “But we are alone for a few minutes, so I want to kiss you.” He pulled her back to him and made her temperature rise several degrees.

  He released her on hearing his mother return. All he’d done was get himself very hot and bothered. He took the goblets from her before she scuttled off again. He hated to admit it, but he was actually a little lost. He had no real experience in how to progress a relationship. Sure, he’d had women before, but had never ventured into a lasting relationship. He had known Amelia for some weeks now, and was starting to feel more than attraction. It did not help that she was a temple maiden and therefore had to act with some degree of decorum.

  “Tell me about your childhood. I am curious to hear what it was like growing up in this city.” Amelia filled the silence. In reality she asked the question to stop her mind wandering too far in a certain direction. She might still be a virgin, but she was pretty clued up on sex. Who wasn’t, especially at eighteen? But sex in Roman times really got her imagination going; they were, after all, world renown for their exploits. She just wondered if they lived up to their hype.

  “My mother and grandmother largely took care of me. My grandfather taught me to read.”

  “Did you have friends to play with?”

  “Of course.” He looked like a naughty child as he recalled his earlier years. “There was a group of us who hung around at a nearby plaza causing havoc.”

  “What sort of things did you do?” She was curious. It appeared kids loitering in groups on street corners was not a modern things by any means.

  “Sword fighting mainly. With sticks or wooden swords, of course.”

  “Did you know then you’d become a solider?”

  “Pretty much. I’m not literary or skilled in any particular area, so there were not many other avenues open.”

  Amelia ran her eyes over him. “I bet you were actually quite a handful when you were young.”

  “Me?” he gave her his best innocent look. “I was the perfect child.”

  “Shall we ask your mother?” she teased.

  “Perhaps not,” he murmured and pulled her to him again. His kiss erased most thoughts from her brain.

  The sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs made them jump apart.

  “Can Jenna take me to Jupiter’s temple?” Julius tore into the room. “Please, please, please.”

  “I’m sure Jenna would prefer to sit and have a quiet afternoon,” Augustus said flatly.

  “It’s fine,” Jenna appeared in the room. “I’m quite happy to take Julius. It will be a lot less stressful that an afternoon of wrestling with him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” She glanced at Amelia. “You’ve no problem with us going for a while?”

  “No, I’ll make sure Augustus behaves,” Amelia grinned.

  Julius let out an excited
squealed and dragged Jenna back out the apartment. “Alright, slow down,” she squeaked. “I’m not planning on running there.”

  “Sorry, but I’ve been wanting to go for ages.” He sounded so excited.

  “I thought Mars’ temple would be more to your liking. It has the most amazing statue of Mars in full battle gear.”

  “I need to make an offering to Jupiter.” Julius smiled up at her. “I want to ask him to bring my father home.”

  Jenna felt her heart sink. She knew that could never happen. “You know Gods don’t always answer prayers. So don’t get your hopes up too much.”

  “There are many ways to get a God’s attention. This is just one. I plan to try them all.”

  She stroked his hair fondly. It must be awful having your father away fighting for your Empire, yet knowing you may never meet him. Or when you do, you will be almost an adult. She might miss hers, but at least she got to spend fourteen years with them.

  “In that case let us get to the temple before the sun goes down.”

  “Have you been there?”

  “Oddly enough, yes. Senator Aurelius took me the other day.”

  “You know the Senator?” His eyes bulged. “He is almost as powerful as the Emperor.”

  “He’s a very sweet man,” Jenna smiled warmly thinking of Aurelius.

  “Why does the Marshall have you watched?” Julius asked out the blue.

  “What makes you think that?”

  “I heard Augustus tell mother that the Marshall had him watching Apollo’s temple.”

  “I believe the Marshall is concerned with our safety.”

  “Why?”

  Jenna had forgotten how many questions curious young children asked. “I got caught up in the middle of a riot the other day with your brother. Marc…The Marshall wasn’t too happy. I think he thinks there might be repercussions.”

  “You fought in a riot?” His eyes were like saucers.

  “Yes. It was not planned, but once in the middle of it, I thought I’d better help out your brother.”

  “I wish I could have been there to help you.”

  Jenna laughed and rested her hand on his shoulder. “I think we would have made quite a team.”

  Julius fell silent for a few minutes before his next barrage of questions. “How far is Arula?”

  “A long, long way from Rome.”

  “But you’re staying here. You’re not going home?”

  “To be honest, I don’t know how long Amelia and I will stay. It all depends.”

  “On what?”

  “How we get on with the city. We’re still quite new.”

  “Augustus likes Amelia. A lot,” Julius beamed. “He won’t let her leave. And if she does, I think he will go with her.”

  Sadly that was not possible, Jenna sighed. “Between you and me, I think Amelia likes your brother too.”

  Jenna felt much more relaxed when they came to an area of the city she recognised. “Do you come to this part of the city often?”

  Julius shook his head. “They don’t want children from the Isis region here.”

  “You should be able to walk where you want. Rome is a free city, for its citizens at least.”

  “I like it, it’s pretty. Are we nearly there yet?”

  “Almost.” It was getting busy, so Jenna took hold of his hand. “Just up these steps, across the Forum and into the temple.”

  Julius almost darted behind her when he caught sight of the statue of Jupiter. “It’s alright,” she laughed. “He doesn’t bite. At least he didn’t last time I was here.” She pushed Julius forward. “Go make your prayer. I’ll stay here.”

  She watched the small boy head over to the altar and lay the offering he brought, before standing before the statue. He seemed routed to the spot for a while. He bounded over to her when he was done. She prayed, if there really was a Jupiter, that he would answer the poor child’s prayer.

  She took hold of his hand and exited the temple. “Come on, let’s get you back home.”

  The Forum was heaving and as they crossed down the long fight of steps, someone knocked her hurrying past. She lost her footing and let out a painful squeal as her ankle turned over. Julius grabbed hold of her before she fell any further. The reason for the man’s hurry was evident, several soldiers were after him.

  “Are you hurt, Jenna,” Marcus voice made her jump.

  “Just my ankle,” she winced. “It should be fine in a moment. Don’t let me stop you from your chase.”

  He laughed unexpectedly. “I have soldiers to do that.” He knelt down in front of her and touched her ankle. “It is warm.”

  “Of course my skin is warm. I’ve been walking and it is rather hot.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Is she always in a bad mood, or is it just me?” Marcus aimed his question at Julius who just giggled.

  “We’ve been to see Jupiter,” he announced proudly.

  “And did he have anything to say?” His father always had plenty to say.

  “I hope he will answer my prayer.”

  “Do you mind me asking what that prayer was or is it private?”

  “I want my father to come back from Britannia.”

  “Is he with the Fifth?”

  Julius nodded. “He left when I was a baby.”

  “Let us hope Jupiter is in a responsive mood.”

  A thought dawned on Jenna. It was not beyond Marcus’ power to call in a favour with Emperor Trajan. He, apart from Jupiter of course, was the only one who could recall a soldier from their tour of duty. She would have that conversation with him later.

  “You’re in no state to walk on that ankle.” Marcus swept her up. “How do you fancy a ride home, young Julius?”

  His face said it all. “I’d like that but Jenna said we could visit Mars’ temple.”

  Julius it seemed was going to get the most out the situation. She resisted the urge to correct him.

  “Is that so?” Marcus lifted a brow in surprise.

  “Yes, Jenna has told me it has a very impressive statue.”

  “Really? I shall be only too pleased to take you both.”

  Marcus carried Jenna over to Hercules before standing her on her one good leg. After he leapt up into the saddle, he pulled her up behind. Another centurion took Julius on his horse. Jenna watched the young boy’s face as they rode through the city, it was a picture of pure happiness.

  They dismounted close to the temple.

  “I can walk from here, Marcus.”

  “Why aggravate the injury. Besides, I enjoy carrying you.”

  “Gaius will be concerned if he thinks I am injured.”

  “Very well, but you will hold my arm and let me take some of the weight.”

  She shook her head. Gaius would have kittens if he saw her arm in arm with Marcus. “I will enter Mars’ temple unaided. I do not want the God of War to think I am weak.”

  “He thinks you’re anything but that,” Marcus murmured under his breath.

  Julius’ face as he saw Mars in full battle gear was astonishing. “Is he not the most impressive thing you have seen?” she said softly to Julius.

  “Awesome,” was his response.

  Luke spotted them and headed over. “Who have we got here?”

  “This is Augustus’ brother, Julius. We seem to be on a bit of a temple tour at the moment.”

  “What have you done with Amelia?”

  “She’s with Augustus and his mother.”

  She noticed Luke’s expression change. “Let me guess, a vision in black?”

  Luke shook his head. “Is he stalking you?”

  “No,” Jenna laughed. “He gave us a ride over here after his clumsy soldiers nearly knocked me over.”

  “Probably set them up,” Luke muttered and retreated a safe distance.

  “I thought you couldn’t enter the temples?” Jenna turned to find Marcus standing behind her. “Especially armed.”

  “I’m a servant of Mars. He therefore expects me to ente
r his temple armed.”

  Jenna turned back to the statue and ran her hand down Mars’ arm. It felt even warmer than usual and sent a strange sensation through her, tingling majorly around her birth mark. She heard Marcus make a strange noise.