“Very well, she is impressive even beyond mortals.”
“You see? You see why I am so lost?”
Hermes chewed on a hunk of bread. “I do. And why she has chosen you, I know not. Those arrows must be very powerful, indeed. Perhaps, you may loan me some one of these days.”
Eros blinked. “Arrows?”
“The ones you stab her with every night.”
“I assure you, I have never touched her with an arrow.”
The bread caught in Hermes’s throat. He coughed noisily. “But how is that possible?”
“I’m not understanding you.”
Hermes took another sip of wine. “Her feelings for you. They are far too powerful.”
“She feels affection for me, I believe.” Eros ventured.
Hermes guffawed. “I would say she is as besotted as you are. The way she jumps to your defense all the time.”
Eros’s eyes brightened. “She jumps to my defense? How do you know this?”
“You don’t think I check on her every now and then?”
Without intending to, Hermes had completely wiped the sadness from Eros’s eyes. “You think she is besotted?”
Hermes ignored Eros’s question, still unable to believe the declaration. “So all this time, you had the power to make her love you, sitting right there in your closet, countless arrows for your personal use... and you never used it?”
There was a flash of pride in Eros’s eyes when he responded, “No.”
Hermes stood up. “But why? Why? It would be so much easier for you.”
“Because then it wouldn’t be a choice.”
Hermes shook his head. “I will never understand you.”
“It is hard, I know. Just like I find it hard to understand your neutrality, your diplomacy about everything. We cannot help who we are. It’s like Poseidon said. Each of us gods have our strengths and our weaknesses. Athena understands very little about matters of the heart, but there is no other who can compete with her when it comes to war stratagems. And Hephaestus may not know how to keep my mother happy, but there is no blacksmith more capable of creating Zeus’s lightening bolts, my arrows, or your shield. Love, Hermes, is my specialty. It is my craft. Trust me to know what I am doing with it. Trust me to know that my feelings for Psyche will only make the world a better place. I understand love better than I ever have before. She is making me a better god.”
Hermes swallowed, looking down at his cup somberly. “And what if you lose her?”
Eros’s smile faded. The brightness in his eyes lost some of its luster. “Then pray for Olympus.”
Eros placed his drink down and slowly got up. “I know you are up to something, Hermes.”
Hermes swallowed as he stared at the boy who suddenly looked so much more like a man. A very intimidating one.
“I trust you’ll choose the right decision. Psyche and I are harming no one. Right now, the world moves on without us. Let us be. And I promise you, only good will come of it.”
“And if I don’t?”
Eros smiled soberly. He placed his hand on his uncle’s shoulder. “You will still be my friend, Hermes. But there is no telling what I am capable of.”
Before he could leave, Hermes called out. “Wait.”
Eros turned, surprised.
“I cannot believe I am telling you this.” Eros continued to look at him expectantly. Hermes sighed. “Claudia, Psyche’s sister. She has some dark intentions.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve... read her mind.”
Eros took a step forward. “And?”
“She means to take Psyche’s place. She means to arrive in your island in Psyche’s stead.”
“That’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard.”
Hermes shrugged. “She will jump. On the day Psyche is to meet the Zephyr on the hill, she will hide behind some trees and jump in her place.”
“Impossible! The Zephyr will not catch her. He knows his orders.”
“Tell that to Claudia.”
Eros straightened. “I cannot allow this. I cannot allow that girl to kill herself, and right in front of Psyche!” Before he left, Eros turned around, as if remembering something. “Thank you, Hermes. I feel like I have wronged you.”
“Believe me, you are never wrong when you’ve wronged me.”
Eros bowed briefly, knowing his meaning. “I disagree. There is goodness in you, yet, my friend. There always was.”
With a flap of his wings, Eros left Hermes alone with his thoughts. An instant later, the god of love burst back into the room, his pace wide and purposeful. He headed straight towards Hermes’s shield.
“I will be needing this,” Eros announced.
“Wait! What? Put that down!”
“Hermes, if you truly are my friend, you’d let me borrow this so I can prevent disaster.”
Hermes resisted. “You are asking for too much! You know I can’t let that shield out of my sight!”
Eros gave him a long look. “Then come with me.”
Hermes hesitated. He couldn’t deny his curiosity. Eros’s plans were truly a work of art.
Eros took another step towards Hermes with eyes twinkling with the old mischief that had been missing for so long. “Are you afraid?”
It was a challenge he could not resist. Hermes laughed. “Afraid you will fall on your face without my help? Yes.” He hesitated a moment longer. Hermes didn’t realized how much he missed Eros’s camaraderie until that moment. “Like old times, Eros?”
A smile flashed on Eros’s face, making the angels in the room sigh. “Like old times,” he replied.
Hermes hesitated a moment longer. Then sighed. “Oh, why not. I’ve nothing better to do at the moment.”
Hermes could think of several reasons why not, but at the moment, he chose to ignore them.
Chapter 17
Eros and Hermes were standing on one of the highest points on Mt. Olympus, the top of a spired tower that could only be reached by air. It was not a popular destination for deities, as the room itself was empty and devoid of charm. But nothing could rival its breathtaking view. The earth looked like a quilted blanket, layered with white clouds. The two gods were standing by an opening designed to defend Olympus if ever there was an attack. It was worn from disuse.
“So what is your plan?” Hermes asked.
“You’ll see soon enough.” Eros squinted. He could see Bromeia far below and could pick out Psyche’s home. Occasionally, a cloud would cover his sight. Eros’s vision was among the best in Olympus, although Apollo had beaten him many years ago in an archery competition. The challenge was to hit Atlas’s nose on the other side of the world. Unfortunately, the Titan sneezed when it was Eros’s turn and Eros lost the bet.
Eros hated shooting arrows so far away. There was too much risk in missing his target and humans, unlike huge Atlas who was stationary, were tiny and unpredictable.
At the moment, Eros could not risk flying to Bromeia. Where he went, the All-Seeing Eyes may follow and there was always a risk that someone may discover Psyche.
“It is hard for me to decipher faces without your shield,” Eros explained. Eros spoke to the shield. “Show me Claudia, Psyche’s sister.”
Claudia’s image appeared. She was inside her house, rummaging through Psyche’s trunk.
“What a nosey little tart,” Hermes muttered.
“It will be a while before the moment is right. You see, Claudia is quite smitten with one of Psyche’s past suitors, a man named Lucius.” Eros conjured Lucius on Hermes’s shield. The blond head was inspecting the hooves of a stallion.
“A horse-trader?” Hermes looked unimpressed.
“Not a bad man. Very pious and proper and not likely to ever stray. He would make an excellent husband.”
“Yes, but is he any good in bed?”
Eros laughed. “Nobody knows that yet. Not even him.”
Hermes shook his head sadly.
Eros continued. “If I can get
him to return Claudia’s affections, she may never wish to leave Bromeia.”
“But he is all the way on the other side of the village,” Hermes pointed out. “And look, he does not even notice the pretty group of skirts that just walked by.”
Eros shrugged. “He is a very focused gentleman.”
“Well, Psyche caught his attention at one point. So he can be swayed.”
Eros continued to peer into Psyche’s house. “Psyche catches everyone’s attention.”
“Let’s hope she is also one who would never stray.”
Eros looked up. “What do you mean?”
Hermes shrugged. “If you’re waiting for that boy and that girl to be within eyesight of each other, you will be waiting forever.”
Eros sat back down. “Waiting is part of the job. The moment has to be right.”
So wait they did. Fortunately, Hermes was able to get food and wine delivered to them and the two continued to catch up. The shield showed the activities within the house and Eros smiled whenever Psyche came into view.
“You are like a drunk puppy when it comes to her,” Hermes shook his head.
“Probably. Perhaps, someday, you will be fortunate enough to know how this feels.”
“Fortunate? If I had the choice of being fed to Harpies or falling in love, I would put salt on my body and beckon the Furies. I know what terror those arrows inflict. And now that I know for certain that they can affect gods, well, I am uncomfortable sitting ten paces away from your quiver. Just tell me honestly, for once, friend to friend. Did you ever shoot Hades, the most passionless being on Mt. Olympus? Was it really you who started the seasons?”
Eros hesitated. He wanted to trust Hermes, but it was dangerous to even speak of such things. All-Seeing Eyes might be watching and listening.
Hermes, sensing the reason behind Eros’s hesitation, invaded the god’s mind. Hermes was satisfied after he read them.
“Well,” Hermes took another sip of wine, “Just so you know, Demeter is starting to think you had something to do with her daughter’s disappearance. If I were you, I would stay far away from her.”
Eros sighed, pressing a finger against his aching back. “Demeter can join the exclusive line of gods who want my head. I’ve become quite used to them, actually.”
Hermes shook his head. “You are a thorn on many a god’s side, but you have yet to make a true enemy of a deity, Eros. Especially a goddess like Demeter who can turn your manhood into a grape she can quash. Watch yourself, my young friend.”
Eros nodded. “I hear you. I thank you for the warning.”
Eventually, Hermes drank himself into a stupor. He awoke to see Eros standing by the window, outlined by the dawn.
“This is ridiculous,” Hermes began, rubbing his shoulders. “I should have just visited Lucius’s dream last night. Tell him he has to marry Claudia or be cursed. That would speed things up.”
Eros suddenly straightened. “Wait! I see something!”
Hermes stood up and leaned forward. “It looks like some sort of procession.”
“A funeral pyre.” Eros rushed to the shield. Psyche, her mother and sister, were huddled over a bed weeping. Eros slumped. “Halsted is dead.”
“Psyche’s father?”
Eros nodded. “My poor Psyche.”
Hermes put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. He looked passed Eros and noticed that Lucius was among those at the front of the procession. “I do believe the moment we’ve been waiting for has arrived.”
Eros looked up. Realizing the opportunity, he reached for his arrows. Eros could barely see who was who. He needed Hermes’s shield to guide him. For a while, the men disappeared inside the house. The two waited as the body of Farmer Halsted was being bathed and blessed. Psyche was keeping out of sight.
“If only I could go inside,” Eros lamented.
Finally, a group came out carrying the body from the house up a hill. Still, Lucius and Claudia were never facing each other.
“This is impossible!” Hermes griped.
Eros ignored him, waiting and watching intently.
“I can’t stand this,” Hermes declared. “Stay here. This will take but a moment.”
“No, wait! Hermes!”
Hermes leapt out of the tower and dove headlong towards the thin line of people who looked like ants marching up a hill. He had no idea how Eros could strike anyone from such a far distance.
Hermes spied Claudia weeping near her father. She was covered by a black veil and clinging to her mother. Disguised as a beggar, Hermes tried to slow them down by asking for alms. He was promptly ignored.
Eventually, the procession reached a group of tombs where the body was settled and a priest began to recite prayers. Lucius stood nearby. Briefly, he looked up at Claudia, but his eyes were devoid of any feeling except sympathy. At the end of the ceremony, the men and women took turns paying their respects to Master Halsted and his family.
Hermes’s fist clenched with anticipation. Lucius was close to the front of the line. After what felt like years, he was finally in front of Claudia’s mother. He held her elbow briefly. Then reached out and did the same to Claudia. Suddenly, she burst into tears and Lucius was forced to comfort her.
Now! Hermes thought desperately. Now! He looked up at the tower, but saw that dark clouds had started to form, covering Eros’s view. He saw an arrow suddenly appear from the sky and narrowly miss Lucius, splintering harmlessly on the ground.
Furious, Hermes rushed from the procession, and hid behind tombs. Before he reached the bottom of the hill, Hermes changed himself back into a god, and shot up in the air.
“What happened?” Hermes cried out as he landed on the top of the tower.
“The cloud. It came from nowhere. I could not see.” Eros looked more grieved than Hermes did.
“Unacceptable! We need help.” Hermes moved to the open window. “Eurus!”
Eurus, The East Wind, appeared by the window, looking confused at the angry Hermes. “Yes, great Hermes?” Eurus asked.
“Get that cloud out of here!” Hermes snapped. “There are gods at work, for Zeus’s sake!”
Eurus’s smoky gray eyes looked instantly remorseful. “A thousand apologies, great Hermes and great Eros. I shall remove the offending cloud immediately.”
Eros slumped. “It is too late. I lost my chance.”
“Bah! Only fools depend only on Fate!”
Hermes flew back down to Bromeia. Already, Lucius and Claudia were far apart. Dressed again as a beggar, Hermes slouched against a tomb and asked for alms. Lucius was about to pass him when Hermes murmured, “Today is the Fifth of December, noble friend.”
Lucius paused and looked back that beggar. “So it is.”
“A sacred day,” Hermes continued. “Is it wise to ignore a beggar on such a day?”
Lucius paused. Then pulled out his coin purse. “No, it is not. I thank you for the reminder.”
“No, it is I who thank you. I am so glad to see that there are so many pious young people in this village. Only one other paused to give me a token. The pretty young lady, whose father just passed.”
Lucius’s eyebrows rose. “Claudia?”
“If she is the one with the golden hair and golden heart, then yes. But she dropped this along her way,” Hermes pulled out a red comb. “I tried to return it to her, but alas, my legs could not catch up. They are mangled from a horrible childhood ailment, which is why I am now reduced to my state of poverty. It would give me such peace if you could return the comb to her.”
“Of course.” Lucius took the comb. “Good day, sir.”
Hermes watched as Lucius turned back up the hill. Claudia and her mother were already beginning their descent down. Hermes looked up. The sun was shining high, the tower was barely visible in the glare. At least it was a clear shot. But the distance was incredible. And the wind unpredictable. Hermes doubted Eros could make the shot.
Lucius was in front of Claudia now. He was handing her the comb. The a
rrow flashed so quickly, Hermes almost missed it. It landed right on Lucius’s left shoulder closest to his heart. The young man stiffened, continued to gaze at Claudia, then slowly, a flush of red crept up his face.
Hermes smiled. Although he could not see Eros’s expression, he saw the god wave. Hermes saluted back, his body weak with relief. This was not his idea of fun. But it did have its moments. Eros owed him a serious favor after this. He wondered which nymph he would use it for.
Psyche was not allowed to attend the funeral ceremony, as her presence was to remain a secret. She watched the procession through the window, mourning the days she lost with him, wishing she could hear his voice one more time. She saw the bed where he had lain and fell upon it, weeping, clutching the pillow where his beloved head had rested.
Her hand caught something beneath the pillow, causing her to stop crying. She felt for the hard object again, then pulled it out. It was a small necklace that held a wooden tube. Shaking, she opened the tube and a small scroll fell out.
With shaking fingers, she opened the dry piece of parchment and recognized her father’s hand.
For she with the Unbreakable Spirit. Follow Love and you will never be lost. We will see each other again.
Smiling through the tears, Psyche carefully rolled the piece of paper back and pushed it in the tube. Determined to have her own personal funeral for him, Psyche spent the day looking through her father’s things, remembering the laughter they shared, the moments of tenderness she had with him. With tears, she lovingly touched the treasures he held most dear and the scrolls they had spent so many endless nights poring over.
Psyche had very little memory of the rest of the week. She was forcing herself to eat with her mother’s urging, when there was a knock on the door. The three women froze and exchanged looks before Psyche hurried away to another room. She peered through a crack in the door, and saw the tall, lanky figure of Lucius entering the room. Psyche wondered why he should be there, for Lucius was no longer a friend of the family after he sided with the villagers in punishing Psyche. After a soft exchange of words with her mother, Lucius immediately sat himself next to Claudia who gaped at him. From what little she could see, Psyche suspected that Lucius was courting her sister and from the flush on Claudia’s cheeks, she realized that the attention was far from unwelcome.
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