Mark of Mars

by Juliet Anderson

  “I have seen one performance at the Theatre Marcellus, but to be perfectly honest, I found the drunken brawl outside the theatre more entertaining.”

  Aurelius chuckled. “I have to agree with Jenna, the particular performance she saw was excruciatingly bad. I know because I had the misfortune of seeing it too.”

  “How do you find our baths?” Claudia took over from Arianna.

  “Wonderful. Handmaidens usually use a private chamber to bathe but it is delightful nonetheless.”

  “Do you have anything similar back in Arula?”

  “All houses have their own water supply so there are no public baths.”

  “Each house has its own bath chamber?”

  “Yes, at least one. Although they are not as grand as the ones you have.”

  Jenna found it hard to admit, but reclining on a couch next to Marcus was very pleasant indeed, even when he fed food to her, she felt no awkwardness; actually she rather enjoyed it.

  “I could get used to this,” she sighed as he dropped a piece of meat in her mouth.

  “I very much hope so,” he murmured softly. Jenna was glad she was lying down, as the look in his eyes could melt steel.

  “I notice you’re unarmed, Marshall,” she teased. “I thought I was highly dangerous?”

  “You are, but I am beginning to learn that a different weapon to my sword will disarm you.”

  She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Tell me more.”

  “I shall demonstrate later.” He ran his eyes over her, making her temperature rise instantly.

  Once again the plates were cleared away, hands washed and the dessert brought in. And what a strange mixture it was. Cakes, fruits, oysters and snails. A seriously weird selection by any standard.

  Marcus looked at her sympathetically. “No oysters then?”

  “No. Cake would be good though and fruit.”

  “No snails?”

  “Where I come from snails and oysters are served at the beginning of a meal. It would seem very strange to eat them with cake.”

  “But as Rome is the more advanced society, we must be the ones who are right?” he challenged.

  “I shan’t answer that, Marshall, on the grounds I could offend our hosts,” was her diplomatic response.

  “Have you travelled to many places?” Arianna was off again.

  “Yes, it is my weakness I am afraid. I love seeing new cities and cultures.”

  “Where have you visited?”

  “I’ve been to Egypt, Athens, Gaul, Germania, Britannia and many other countries well beyond the reach of the Roman Empire.”

  The women looked at her in amazement. “And you travel to these places alone?”

  Jenna smiled. “No, of course not. I used to travel extensively with my father and mother. He was an Ambassador. After they died, I kept travelling but with companions.”

  “How did you find Athens?” Aurelius asked.

  “The city was lovely but Athenians are a strange breed.”

  “I am curious about Britannia,” Brutus spoke. “The Fifth legion is there at the moment. From what I understand it is a cold, hostile land full of barbarians.”

  Jenna tried not to laugh. “The Britons are a most unusual race. Yes, the country is damn cold and wet, and of course they are hostile, Rome is invading. But they are also warm and inviting people.”

  “Your father took you and your mother to such a wild country?” Claudia sounded shocked. “Did he not fear for your safety?”

  “My father might have been an Ambassador, but he was also one of the most skilled swordsmen that ever lived. A skill which he instilled on his daughter from the time she could walk.” She could feel her cheeks flush, she knew Marcus was staring at her.

  “He taught you how to handle a sword?” Brutus asked incredulously.

  “Yes, and there have been quite a few occasions where I have been very grateful for his instruction,” Jenna smiled softly. Aurelius flashed her a knowing smile. Marcus just grunted.

  “And what of Egypt? Is it so very different from Rome?” Claudia steered the conversation down a different avenue.

  “It is very exotic. The river Nile is just stunning and the land around it so rich and fertile.” She would never forget the river cruise she took down the Nile with her parents. It was the last trip they would ever take together. “They worship another set of Gods and Goddesses so that really took some getting used to.”

  “Are they so very different to ours?”

  “A few are similar. For example, Ra is their Sun God, instead of Apollo, and is considered to be one of the most powerful gods.” Jenna saw Brutus give a triumphant smile to his sister, then she remembered he supported Apollo. “Anubis is their God of the Dead whilst Osiris is the God of the Underworld, similar to Pluto. The rest of the Gods and Goddess are largely centred around celebrating life and nature, far more spiritual than the Roman Gods. Even their statues bear no resemblance to yours. Many of the Gods feature with the head of an animal. Anubis for example has a jackdaw for his head. They do not possess the vanity of Roman Gods.

  “Their worship of the Gods is different as well. They believe very much in reincarnation and the afterlife. That is why the Pharaohs are buried in huge pyramids with so much treasure. The Egyptian Gods are revered. There are no stories of them fathering children or destroying a city in a tantrum. They are far more connected to the earth. A mortal is unable to touch an Egyptian God.” Jenna glanced up to find five sets of eyes staring at her intently. Oh hell, had she spoken too bluntly?

  “I apologise if I’ve offended anyone. I have been exposed to so many different cultures and their deities, I can sometimes speak too matter-of-factly about them.”

  Aurelius spoke first. “There is nothing to apologise for, Jenna. You are quite right in that our own Roman gods are far from perfect. It is just a little painful sometimes to hear the truth.”

  “Tell us more about Arula,” Arianna piped up. “In fact, speak in Arulian.”

  Jenna grinned and looked at Marcus. “You are the most arrogant, chauvinistic pig I have ever had the misfortune to meet. But there are things I would like to do to your body that should make me blush,” she said in English in such a gentle tone.

  Arianna laughed. “Despite the soft voice, I don’t think she was whispering sweet words to you, Marcus.”

  Marcus’ black eyes bore in to her. “Knowing Jenna, it was probably a threat.” He stood up. “I’ll be back in just a moment.”

  Brutus grinned at his sister and spoke in Greek. “Do you think the foreigner speaks Greek?”

  “Unlikely, because her Latin is excellent,” Arianna replied.

  “So what do you think of her?”

  “She’s strong. She needs to be if Marcus is interested in her.”

  “I’m more interested in her for me. She’d definitely be the conquest of the century.”

  “Brutus,” Claudia reprimanded him. “It is very rude to speak in a language our guest does not understand.”

  Jenna laughed and spoke in Greek. “Actually I do understand it very well. In fact, Brutus, I probably speak more languages than you can count to.”

  Arianna descended into fits of giggles. “She has you all figured out, brother.”

  Brutus turned pink and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

  Marcus re-appeared moments later. “Did I miss something?” he looked around at the laughter on everyone’s face except Brutus.

  “Just Jenna putting your brother back in his place,” Arianna grinned.

  Jenna could feel Marcus’ eyes on her again. He was pleased.

  She could not believe how quickly the evening seemed to disappear. She knew exactly how she was getting back to the temple; with Marcus there, it was obvious.

  She gave Aurelius and Claudia each an embrace. “Thank you so much for such a wonderful evening. I really have enjoyed myself,” she gushed.

  “I am so pleased to have met you,” Claudia said warmly. “And I hope t
o see you again soon.”

  Marcus slipped his arm through hers and led her out of the residence. “Alone at last,” he smiled.

  Jenna’s stomach did another somersault, perhaps being alone with him was not such a good idea. The streets were well lit by torches at the front of private residences. The area of the city they were in was wealthy and therefore there was little activity on the street late at night.

  “So how did you find your first Roman dinner?” he asked.

  “It was very interesting. Aurelius and Claudia are just lovely. So warm and welcoming.”

  “As you seemed to have enjoyed the dinner, perhaps you would dine with me tomorrow?”

  Nice try, she thought to herself. “Aside from the fact I am already busy tomorrow, I could not dine alone with you. That would not be proper.”

  “You can cancel your plans and spend the evening with me,” he said flatly.” I can assure you that you would come to no harm.”

  “I hate to break it to you, Marcus, but one thing you cannot control is my life. I will certainly not cancel my plans,” she chastised him gently.

  He muttered something she did not understand. Jenna tried not to smile; he looked like a sulky child.

  They were in sight of the temple. “Thank you for walking me back. I will be fine from here.”

  Marcus grunted and pulled her into the shadows. Jenna let out a little squeal of surprise. “What are you doing?”

  “Something I’ve wanted to do all evening,” he growled and wrapped her tight in his arms. His kiss was electric. She knew he could produce sparks, but this was like lightening being shot through her. He was not soft and gentle, but fierce and passionate, his tongue tantalising her mouth. Her arms were around his neck, as he had her pinned up against his chest. She could feel his body heat resonating through his tunic. Hell, what was he doing to her?

  “Marcus, I…I should get inside,” she sounded quite breathless.

  “Not yet,” he murmured, running his lips down her throat. “You’re too damn gorgeous to let go. Are you sure I cannot persuade you to come back to my villa? I promise you will not be disappointed.”

  Jenna giggled softly. “Why is it that all men consider themselves to be Gods in the bedroom? You never hear one say ‘I’m hung like a dormouse’ or ‘sorry, I’m crap in bed’.”

  “I can assure you I am a God in the bedroom,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath driving her wild. He took hold of her hand and ran it slowly across his abdomen. “And as for my size, you’re more than welcome to check.”

  Jenna snatched her hand back quickly. “I’ll pass on that for now.”

  “Spoil sport,” he grinned wickedly before raising her blood pressure just a little bit more. He kissed her until her lips were tingling.

  “I really have to go, Marcus.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.

  “I am not holding you captive,” he murmured huskily, relinquishing his hold on her body, but not on her lips.

  They continued to kiss for a while longer. She was finding it almost impossible to stop, he was like a drug. Every kiss just deepened her desire to take this to the next level. But she knew once she crossed that line, there was no going back. She finally managed to wrench herself away and ran up the stairs to the temple.

  CHAPTER 21

  The next morning Jenna was surprised to find Brutus in the temple.

  “What brings you here?” she asked.

  “You, of course. Now I know where you hide, there is no escape. I have to admit, a temple was the last place I would have thought to look.”

  “A temple is probably the last place I would have expected to see you.”

  “Hey, I’m a great supporter of Apollo.”

  “Of course, you carry his emblem when you race.” She picked up Ares who, for some reason, had taken a dislike to Brutus and was hissing at him, hackles fully up.

  “Talking of racing, the Blues have a practice session booked at the Circus Maximus later today. Would you like to watch us?”

  “I’m sure Amelia and I would, but it all depends on whether we can get Gaius to accompany us.”

  Brutus gave a wry grin. She was not so stupid as to come unchaperoned. “Fine. I will wait for you outside the riders’ gate.”

  Jenna watched him leave. She really wanted to see what went on behind the scenes at the Circus, but was she playing with fire? He was Marcus’ brother and they had already had an altercation over her. If Gaius and Amelia were present, then it should pose no problem. Besides, she wasn’t bound to Marcus, despite what he thought. She squealed as Ares sunk his fangs into her hand.

  “What was that for, you black brute?” she hissed, tapping his nose lightly. “You’re almost as jealous as someone else I know.”

  She caught up with Amelia in the back of the temple. “How do you feel about spending the afternoon watching a group of fit blokes ride around on horses?”

  “Sounds good. Where do I sign up?”

  “We have an invite to watch the Blues practice at the Circus this afternoon. I just need to see if Gaius can take us.”

  “As long as the Reds aren’t there. I’m not sure I want to run into Axia after our last meeting.”

  “No, it’s just the Blues.”

  “And Brutus?”

  “Yes, Brutus will be there. But I want it put on the record that I am only interested in his riding skills.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. As long as you’re happy going, I’ll ask Cassandra if dear Gaius could escort us. “

  Amelia laughed. “Oh, he is going to be so thrilled.”

  And he was. Both girls said it would be an amazing opportunity for them to see behind the scenes, to learn what it felt like to be suited up and ready to go into the racing arena, to see the horses and how they are trained. They came up with so many reasons for going, Gaius found he could not turn them down. Secretly he was also a fan of the Blues.

  True to his word, Brutus was waiting outside the riders’ entrance. His handsome face lit up on seeing them.

  “I was beginning to think you were not going to come.” He nodded politely to Gaius.

  “We weren’t sure we could, but found an escort at the last minute,” Jenna replied nonchalantly.

  “Well, I am delighted.”

  He led them into the enclosure. It was not as big as Jenna thought it would be. She was amazed that on race day, so many horses and chariots could fit into the space. He showed them around the various stables. They watched some of the horses being tacked and harnessed up to the chariots.

  “How long have you been racing?”

  “It’s been a few years now. I just love the unpredictability of it. No two races are the same.”

  “Do you race with the same horses each time?” Jenna asked.

  “Always. I’ve spent a long time training them, they respond to my every move.” He led Jenna towards a small stable at the end of the enclosure. She noticed that Amelia was not following; she already had a swarm of admirers vying for her attention. “These four are mine.”

  They were all beautiful greys. Jenna wandered in, completely fearless and stroked one. “They are quite stunning. Which one is the lead?”

  “The stallion, of course,” he grinned. “It would not do to have a mare lead.”

  Jenna rolled her eyes at him. Men were all the same, no matter which era. “Where are they usually stabled?”

  “I have a house with stables just on the outskirts of the city. The horses need plenty of exercise so being close to open fields is important.”

  She continued to rub the nose of the mare she was standing by. “Do you need to harness them up for practice?”

  “I should, but I would much rather talk to you.”

  “You might be male, but can you not do two tasks at one time?” Another trait that was universal through time, men were useless at multi-tasking.

  Brutus laughed. “Ouch, that was low. Very well, but you can assist.”

  He thre
w her a bridle. “Lead that one out into the yard.” Jenna obediently attached the bridle and led the lovely grey mare into the yard where some helpers were waiting to harness the horse next to Brutus’ lead stallion. She watched in fascination as a series of leather straps bound the horses together in a two by two formation before the chariot was attached.

  “Do you practice against a team member?”

  “Yes. But it is very different to when we are actually racing. I would never dream of endangering any of the horses or myself in practice. However in a race, I will do what it takes to win.”