“Don’t let me keep you,” she stood aside to let him ride into the main arena. He donned his helmet before setting off at a fairly fearsome pace, with one of his team mates close behind him.
“Hopefully you’re not finding this too boring, Gaius.” Jenna went and sat next to him in the seats by the starting gate.
“I guess there could be worse places to be,” he sighed heavily.
Jenna smiled inwardly. For Gaius it must be a bit like meeting your favourite football team at their training ground.
“Where’s Amelia?” she looked around for her.
“Turning another admirer down, no doubt. By the next full race, the Blues will be so despondent they will all lose in the first round.”
Jenna laughed. She was glad Amelia seemed to be having a good time. She watched Brutus race around and around the track, beginning little by little to understand the true skill it took to drive a chariot at that speed. He was very engaging to watch, the concentration on his face gave him such an intense look.
He eventually brought the chariot back to the yard. “Would you like me to take you around the circuit?”
Jenna shook her head. “You might be very skilled, but I prefer to ride my own horse.”
“Of course, I forgot you’re an experienced rider. Can you ride bare back?”
“Am I sensing a challenge coming one?” Jenna gave him a sideways look.
“Most definitely.”
She helped unharness the horses. The mare she was stroking earlier seemed very compliant, so Jenna, feeling brave, led her over to a stone seat which she used as a mounting block. She had not ridden bare back for a long time, but she could not turn down a challenge. She had seen Gaius go to talk to some of the racers at the far end of the yard, which meant he most likely would not see what she was doing.
“Well, are we going to race or are you too chicken?” she goaded him.
He jumped onto the back of the stallion in a flash. “You’re going to regret that comment, woman,” he laughed and followed her into the arena.
It was a close run race, four laps around the track at break neck speed but he beat her. By a nose. Jenna felt terrific, she had adrenaline well and truly pumping through her veins. Speed with more than a little danger thrown in, was so uplifting. And she could truthfully say she had raced at the Circus Maximus!
Brutus was looking very smug indeed. But she knew she had almost caught him. They rode the two horses back to their stable before dismounting. Jenna removed the mare’s bridle, giving her one last stroke on the neck.
“Last time I won a race here, I received a kiss from a beautiful woman.” Brutus was looking very mischievous. “What do I get this time?”
“A slap,” Jenna retorted. “Etiquette dictates that you should always let a woman win! Besides, you did not receive a kiss, you stole one.”
He slipped his arms around her waist. “I am rather eager to repeat that kiss,” he murmured.
Jenna wriggled out his grasp. “That is not going to be repeated. Even more so as you know I am sort of involved with your brother.”
Brutus gave a hard laugh. “As you have not yet laid with my brother, you can still be considered fair game.”
“I am not a creature to be hunted or trapped.” She strode over to the exit of the stables. “I must get back to Gaius. It is time we returned to our temple.”
He caught hold of her hand. “I want to see you again, Jenna.”
“Perhaps that is not a good idea,” she smiled at him. “In the meantime, thank you for a lovely afternoon.”
She left him looking a little confused in the stable and rejoined Gaius and Amelia. “I guess it is time to go?”
They thanked the rest of the team for their hospitality before heading back to the safety of Apollo’s temple.
Brutus stared after her departing figure for a long time. Had she turned him down? He hoped not but whatever the case, he was going to persist with her. He liked her very much indeed. She was different from any woman he had met before, so engaging, so full of life. One thing he knew for sure, his interest in Jenna would truly irritate his brother; it looked like Mars had a serious competitor in the race to win Jenna.
Amelia was buzzing. “That was amazing, Jenna,” she beamed behind closed doors. “It was like being at a private polo match and I was the only woman. I have never spoken to so many delicious young men in one afternoon. And turned them all down too!”
Jenna laughed. “Do you prefer red to blue perhaps?”
Amelia blushed. Yes, she definitely preferred the red of a certain centurion’s cloak. “You and Brutus seemed to be getting along well together. And I cannot believe you actually raced him around the track.”
“Hey, you know I can’t resist a challenge.”
“Tell me about it,” Amelia giggled. “I wonder how long it will take for that to get around Rome.”
“No-one saw it, did they?”
“Apart from the rest of his team, the stable workers and crew, no.”
Jenna gasped. “I thought everyone was occupied.”
“They were, until they saw a young woman racing bare back around the Circus, almost beating their lead rider.”
In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the wisest thing she had done. It seemed the only person who had not witnessed their race was Gaius. She just hoped that the crew were discreet and kept this quiet.
Marcus exploded with anger when he heard about it from Aius. He’d heard snatches of conversations from his centurions about Brutus meeting his match, almost being beaten at the Circus Maximus and had not paid much attention. Until someone mentioned the other rider was a woman. Aius, who knew every morsel of gossip floating around Rome, filled in the details.
“From what I understand, Brutus had some guests watching practice for the Blues. It seems a comment of his was not well received by one of the ladies and she challenged him to a race around the track. Bareback that is, not in a chariot. She almost beat him too.”
“Does anyone know who this mysterious woman is?”
“Not her name. Just that she was the one he was fixated with at his last race.”
Perhaps he had not hit his brother hard enough. He thought his message had been pretty clear. It was unlike Brutus to be so discreet though, he always made his shows very public. Well whatever he was up to, Marcus would put a stop to it right away. Jenna was his.
He tracked his errant sibling down at his stables.
“A visit from my dear brother,” Apollo drawled, brushing down his stallion. “I am honoured indeed.”
“I told you to stay away from Jenna.”
“Ah, now I see the purpose of your visit. More threats, is it?”
“Just one. Touch her and I will kill you.”
“We’ve moved up from violence to death. It must be serious,” Apollo taunted.
“Jenna is mine. I’ll not have you forcing yourself on her.”
“I don’t need to force myself on women, Mars. They like me. Most even find me irresistible. A novel concept for you, I know.”
“But Jenna doesn’t, does she? She can see through that false façade you have.”
Mars had hit a raw spot. He was right, and it annoyed Apollo no end. “Perhaps, but at least I can get to gaze upon her beautiful naked body every day. Something you will probably never get to do.” Apollo tossed the brush into a nearby bucket. “She is under my temple, so I can open a window and look upon her as and when I feel like it. Last thing at night and first thing in the morning is the best time. When that robe comes off,” he fanned himself dramatically, “it really is a sight fit only for the Gods. Or I should say, just one God. Me.”
Apollo crashed against the wall at the far end of the stables, such was the force with which Mars hit him. He came at him again and threw him like a rag doll.
“I cannot think of one reason why I should not kill you right now.” He drew his sword. For the first time in a very long time, he actually saw fear in Apollo’s eyes, but he was far too
out of control to care.
“Mother would be upset,” Minerva’s voice broke through his rage. “Besides, he might be a complete dick at times, but he is my baby brother.”
“The trouble is, he thinks with his dick,” Mars glared at Apollo’s bloodied body. “Perhaps I should just castrate him. That would save a lot of trouble.”
“I see where you’re going with that. But one day mother might actually want some legitimate grandchildren from him.”
Mars snorted loudly and re-sheathed his sword. “Oh, he’s just not worth the aggravation.”
“I agree. Go home, I’ll meet you there later,” Minerva instructed. To her amazement, Mars complied.
She looked down at Apollo. “You really can be stupid. Why the hell could you not leave well alone? You had to push your brother over the edge.” She pulled him to his feet.
“I’m sorry, but you know who bloody supercilious he can be. I just can’t resist taunting him when I have the upper hand.”
“You were lucky I showed up, for this time I think he really would have killed you in fit of rage. And I believe father would probably have supported him. Your antics have also come to his notice.”
“Can’t a God enjoy themselves anymore?” Apollo exhaled loudly.
“We left that life behind centuries ago in Athens. Now, I’ll reiterate my brother’s warning. Stay away from Jenna, she is meant for Mars.”
“Not you too,” Apollo spat. “I feel like I’m being ganged up on.”
“I really don’t care what you feel.” She headed towards the doorway of the stables. “And if I catch you spying on Jenna when she is changing, I’ll poke your bloody eyes out.”
Minerva transported over to Mars’ villa. “I feel like I’m trying to separate a couple of tom cats when you and Apollo get into it,” she glared at Mars who was pacing in his study like an angry stallion.
“I’ve already warned him off Jenna once. This was a deliberate attempt to goad a reaction out of me.”
“And he succeeded, you idiot.” She could not believe men could be quite so thick at times. “Why do you think he tried to wind you up? Jenna turned him down.”
“She did?”
“Obviously. You only had to look at her last night to see she had eyes solely for you. In fact, had the rest of us just vanished, I don’t think she would have minded.”
Mars stopped pacing and allowed a faint smile to cross his face. “Really?”
“Yes. You were charming, considerate and caring; she was quite won over. Lose the aggressive stance, and she will fall before too long.”
Mars thought back to the end of last evening. Perhaps his sister was right, Jenna had certainly enjoyed his attentions. But was he strong enough to hide his deity?
“Each time you meet with Jenna, push your relationship along just the tiniest bit further. Every kiss, every touch, will help you stay strong.”
“What would I do without your wise counsel, sister?” Mars looked fondly at Minerva.
“Get yourself into even deeper trouble,” she sighed and kissed her brother’s cheek fondly. “Not that it probably matters to you at all, but I like Jenna. I can see a lot of myself in her.”
CHAPTER 22
“Hey, Luke,” Jenna bounced into the temple. “I understand you need help with a large food delivery.”
“Yeah, thanks. Thomas is back at the Institute and we’ve got more than I can carry.”
“Give me a basket, then. It’s not long till sun down and I’d rather be back in Apollo’s temple before darkness falls.”
Luke glanced over her shoulder. “No guard dog?”
Jenna shook her head. “Strangely enough, no.”
“I heard you had dinner with Senator Aurelius and his family the other night,” Luke’s eyes twinkled. “You’re certainly moving in the higher echelons of Roman society.”
“All in the name of research,” Jenna responded, not rising to the bait. “And to get a half decent meal.”
“How was it?”
“Fun. Although I definitely prefer sitting up for my meals.”
“I also heard on the grapevine that Brutus was almost beaten in practice yesterday by a woman. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that?”
“She must be one talented rider,” Jenna grinned guiltily. News had obviously got out. “What part of the city are we headed to?”
“Via Lata.”
“Isn’t that a particularly rough area?”
“Yes, which is why we should get a move on. We’re headed to a widow who helps look after the street children. We leave the food with her and she cooks it and distributes to the starving.”
The Via Lata made the area Jenna frequented look positively desirable. It was rough, cramped and shabby; it made her feel very uncomfortable. She unknowingly took a step closer to Luke.
“How much further do we have to go?” she said in a low voice, worried about attracting attention.
“It’s just a few minutes away.” Luke looked at her bemused. “Are you actually scared?”
“Of course not. It’s just not an area I’m that familiar with,” she snapped back a little too quickly.
Luke shook his head. Jenna was definitely spooked. She continued to jump at every noise and glance around furtively at every street corner. For once he felt like he was protecting her, a rare treat indeed.
He finally knocked on the door of what could only be described more of a lean-to than a house. A surprisingly well-kept woman opened the door. She was very slim, pretty and did not seem to suit her very poor surroundings.
“Luke, welcome,” she ushered him in. “And you’ve brought a guest.”
“Maia, this is Jenna from Apollo’s temple,” Luke introduced her.
“You are most welcome too, my dear.”
Maia relieved Jenna and Luke of their baskets. “Let me get you some refreshment after your long trip.”
“Luke tells me you feed the street children from here?” Jenna was curious. Could this be Rome’s first equivalent to a soup kitchen?
“Yes, the doors are open to any children at lunch time. It is good to know they at least have one meal each day.”
“How many do you get each day?”
“The numbers seem to increase daily. What kind offerings we get from Mars and also Minerva barely feed the children we have now. I am truly worried for the future.”
“We can speak to the other temples, to see what they can spare?”
“That is kind, but I think you will find their resources already go to the needy.”
Jenna sat at the small wooden table with a goblet of water. The room was incredibly sparse, the only other furniture in it was a couple of benches. The walls were bare and the whole room was gloomy. She felt very humbled being with Maia; in fact at Apollo’s temple she had nothing to complain about at all.
“How did you end up feeding so many?” Jenna asked.
“After my husband died, I didn’t see the point in giving up on life. Instead I decide to help those more unfortunate than myself. I might not have much here, but at least it keeps me dry, and largely warm. Looking after the children, gives me focus.”
“And you do it all yourself?”
“No, sometimes I get help from the elder children, when they are of capable age in the kitchen. I guess I also teach them to cook.”
“Perhaps one day your work will be recognised by the Senate. As it is indeed you who are taking care of what should be their problem.”
Maia laughed. “You did not tell me your lady friend was a politician, Luke.”
Luke turned red. “Jenna is most certainly not my lady friend, we are just friends from Arula.” He shivered visibly. “Marshall Vilnus would castrate me if he heard Jenna referred to as that.”
“So, this is the illusive female that has captivated the Marshall?” Maia ran her eyes over Jenna appraisingly.
It was Jenna’s turn to blush. “I have categorically not captivated the Marshall. He and I argue incessantly, and
he has told me on countless occasions that I am the most irritating woman to have walked this earth.”
“Is she always this defensive?” Maia smiled at Luke.
“Yes.”
Jenna stood up and wound her wrap around her head. “Sadly, we must head back as the light is fading rather fast. If it’s alright with you, I would like to call again another time with Luke?”
Mark of Mars Page 19