Aulus wants nothing more than to retire from the Roman army and come home to find his very sad sister happily with child. He wants it so bad that he'll risk angering his patron Mars to make an offering to Venus, the goddess of love, asking her to intervene for his sister.
Mars is a jealous god, and he demands a favor from Aulus to retain his good will. Aulus is willing, but is not sure what he can do for Justus, Mars' current favorite. Can he regain his god's favor and keep his honor intact, or is he doomed to failure when Justus asks more than he might be able to give?
Previously published by Torquere Press