by Scott, D. D.
“Gabe, where did the ring come from?” she asked curiously. It was white gold with a single large diamond in the center of a delicate filigree rose.
“It was my Grandmother’s,” Gabe admitted.
“And you just happened to be carrying it?” she questioned, unable to hide the skepticism in her voice
“I’ve carried it for years,” stated Gabe before adding, “When my grandmother passed it down to me she instructed me that sometimes love takes you by surprise and you have to be prepared to act. She’s a wise woman and I’ve carried it ever since.”
Dara’s heart fluttered and she was touched that he was such a devoted grandson. She really was beginning to wish she could be selfish enough to keep him.
Gabe, noticing her introspective look asked “what’s wrong?”
She knew he could tell she was lying, but still she replied, -”nothing at all.”
• • •
Gabe felt badly that Dara was in distress, but he reassured himself it was only for a short time. He hadn’t planned on giving her his Grandmother’s ring so soon, but he’d gotten caught up in the moment at the truck stop. Slipping it on her finger felt right. He was glad he had a real reason for carrying it on him. He was also glad Elias had come along. He definitely owed him one once everything was settled. Gabe hoped his friend would someday open his heart to another woman and feel the love he felt for Dara, but the damage to Elias’ heart ran deeper than a ravine. He knew Dara had been fishing for his story, and although he could deny her nothing, it wasn’t his story to tell. Elias hated pity and that’s exactly what Dara would have felt if he’d given into her request.
As they dropped down into the valley with Vegas glittering miles off in the distance, he couldn’t believe how close his plan was to completion. It was really just the final act remaining. As long as Lady Luck stayed with him in Vegas, he’d soon have his happily ever after.
• • •
Normally Dara didn’t mind being stuck in traffic on the strip. She was usually wrapped up in the sparkling lights, blaring music, dancing fountains and the assortment of colorful characters found on Las Vegas Blvd at all hours of the day or night. Tonight however, she just wanted to reach their destination and administer the antidote before it was too late).
Clearly, her heart had become too involved somewhere along the way and she hoped by ending the whole affair as quickly as possible, she could limit the damage. Sitting next to her in the driver’s seat, Gabe appeared carefree and nonchalant. Why wouldn’t he? He thought he was sitting next to the girl of his dreams.
She watched a bachelorette party in a long stretch limo pull alongside them and a wave of jealousy washed over her.”Can you go any faster?” she practically shouted at Gabe, who along with Elias seemed to be enjoying their crawl down the Strip
“Ah, my love is anxious to announce our engagement to her family,” Gabe knowingly responded to her outburst.
She used the next red light cycle to remind him what had to be done. “Gabe, you need to listen to me. Your feelings aren’t real, remember? We’re here because Cupid ordered me home. You’ve been shot by a dart and need the antidote. Within an hour this will all be over.”
Planting a quick kiss on her cheek, he gave her a wicked grin before countering, “I assure you my feelings are real. Don’t forget that you agreed to marry me if I still feel the same after the antidote is administered. Soon, we’ll officially be engaged.”
Shaking her head, she gave a small smile before adding under her breath, “I hope you’re right.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were pulling under an awning at a private entrance to Caesar’s Palace. She always found it ironic that it was owned by Cupid, yet it featured dozens of paintings of adorable baby-faced winged cherubs, which kept up their false public perception. Cupid designed it in high Roman Empire style. A tribute to “the glory days of Rome” he’d called it, an era the Cherubs had particularly enjoyed.
Cherubs mingled freely with humans in the casinos and shops or sunbathed by one of the pools looking for targets. Since Cherubs owned many of the other resorts on the Strip, it was a perfect playground and provided the family with a source of income to continually fund their lavish lifestyles. Some of her older siblings had grown up prior to the family’s move to Las Vegas, but for Dara, Vegas was home.
The valet took quite a while to approach their car and barely covered his disdain for the beat up Plymouth until Dara stepped out of the vehicle and flashed her access card. “Miss Amorus, my apologies for the delay,” he stammered before dropping into a deep bow. To her embarrassment, Gabe insisted in holding her hand.
No sooner had she entered the private lobby when her sister Corazon swept out of the elevator and gleefully proclaimed “arriving through the family entrance with two handsome Guardians? You naughty girl. I’m so proud of you!” and pulled her in for a quick hug.
Always the most observant of her siblings, she quickly noticed Gabe’s hand in hers and the ring conspicuously displayed on her finger. “It appears congratulations are in order.” Cora exclaimed excitedly. “I always knew you’d never be satisfied by a boring human. Have you told dear old Granddad?”
“It’s not what it looks like,” Dara quickly interjected. “While we were camping, Gabe was shot by a rogue Cherub. He just thinks he loves me. I need to get a dose of antidote quickly. Do you have some?”
With a calculating gleam in her eye, Cora hesitated before replying, “I’m sorry, can’t say that I do. You see, there’s been an issue with our supplier and there’s a bit of a shortage. You’ll have to go directly to Granddad for it. He’s expecting you anyway. He sent me down for you. I’ll accompany you and your handsome companions up.”
Dara couldn’t help noticing the way Corazon’s eyes lingered on Elias. She wished she was more of a matchmaker. Corazon had a good heart and Elias was obviously quite a catch.
As soon as the elevator doors closed en route to the penthouse, Gabe pulled her in for a kiss. Unfortunately, she was unable to break free when the doors opened again. A loud round of applause erupted from her family members assembled in the large, ornate gallery housing Cupid’s current court.
Dara hated being in the spotlight and all eyes were definitely upon her now. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she addressed the crowd. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
Her resolve momentarily faltered as her remarks were met with snickers and knowing glances at her and Gabe.
Breaking free of Gabe she ran directly towards Cupid who was dressed in a perfectly tailored Armani suit at the end of the room observing the scene as it played out.
“Grandpa, I need your help. A rogue Cherub struck Gabe while we were traveling here. It’s been over twelve hours and I need the antidote before it’s too late,” she begged.
“Have you thought this over?” Cupid queried. “He’s a fine man, Darling, even if he is a Guardian, and unless I’m mistaken, the current affection is mutual.”
Dara blushed deeply when he said this, revealing the truth of his presumption.
Dropping all pretenses, she reminded him, “I’ve always told you that I want to be loved for who I am, not because someone has been bewitched into it. What I feel for him is irrelevant if he didn’t have a choice. I could never marry him unless he were to choose me of his own free will.”
“Let’s hear from the Guardian in question then” Cupid responded. “Gabriel, what do you say regarding the matter? Do you want to be cured?”
“What he says is irrelevant,” Dara interjected before he could respond. “He’s not competent to make that decision while under the influence of the love potion.”
“You presume much, my dear,” Cupid warned. “I wish to hear Gabriel’s response.”
• • •
Gabriel found all eyes on him and was surprisingly nervous. Taking a deep breath he began, “I know Cherubs and Guardians do not always see eye to eye, but I speak to you today with the utmost respect. Dara may not believe
me, but my attraction started long before Cupid’s arrow struck.”
His remark drew chuckles from the crowd.
“In fact, I’m so certain of my affection for Dara that I made her a friendly wager. If, after the antidote is administered I’m still in love with her, she’s agreed to marry me and is even now wearing my ring. She swore it on Venus’ Orb.”
The room erupted with cheers and Cupid gave a pointed glance at his Granddaughter’s left ring finger.
“So you wish for the antidote as well, Gabriel, certain it won’t change your feelings and that you’ll be marrying Darling either way?” Cupid confirmed before adding “millions of mortals have fallen in love and lived happily ever after thanks to us. You and Darling could do likewise”
“I’m certain my feelings are real” Gabe responded, “and we’ll have our happily ever after. However, I do have one request. I wish for Dara to be the one to administer the antidote.”
Cupid reached into his drawer and took out a small syringe, offering it to Dara. “My dear, I for one hope you’ll be announcing your engagement momentarily.”
Gabe stood in the center of the room waiting. Dara walked over, but at the last moment hesitated. This gave Gabe the opportunity to pull her in for another kiss, generating a fresh round of catcalls which quickly turned to shouts of “don’t do it Darling” and “marry him.”
With an almost silent whisper of “I love you” in his ear, she plunged he syringe into his arm.
Before he had time to react he promptly collapsed.
Seven.
“You’ve killed him!” came an accusing cry from the crowd.
Dara dropped to her knees and pulled him onto her lap, shaking him gently in an attempt to rouse him. Seeing no response, she leaned in to make sure he was still breathing, panic rising in her throat. She just couldn’t picture her life without Gabe in it.
“C’mon Gabe, wake up!” she urged.
“Try a kiss,” suggested Cupid wryly.
In desperation, Dara took his advice and leaned in to place her lips softly to his. Gabe immediately came to life, kissing her back and slipping his tongue into her mouth to the delight of the crowd.
Pulling back from the kiss, Dara didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “But you’re not supposed to like me anymore” she argued.
“Sorry, Darling but you’re stuck with me. I still choose you so I guess that makes our engagement official.”
The room erupted in cheers, but Dara had the feeling something wasn’t quite right.
Pulling back, Dara turned to her Grandfather and argued, “There has to be a mistake! The antidote must not have worked.”
Cupid thought for a moment and responded, “The only reason the antidote would fail would be if it was administered too late. When did you say the shot was delivered?” “Early this morning, but I can’t say exactly when because I was still asleep” Dara answered.
“I’d worn her out, Sir,” Gabe added with a mischievous grin and the crowd went wild.
“So you obviously felt something for Dara before you were shot,” Cupid confirmed. “Are you two certain it wasn’t a bug bite all along?”
“He was shot” Dara insisted “I saw the mark myself. It was probably the rogue Cherub you sent Gabe to warn me about,” Dara added and the crowd fell totally silent.
“What rogue Cherub?” Cupid asked.
Gabe’s face grew panicked and Dara’s world came crashing down around her. If there was no rogue Cherub, Gabe had lied and she was being made a fool because of it. Everything had been a charade she thought bitterly and her eyes began to fill with tears.
Aware all eyes were still on her, she couldn’t handle it anymore. Using the last of her control she managed to turn and walk from the room, her head held high, before bursting into a sprint.
• • •
Gabe’s heart broke watching Dara run from the room. This wasn’t the way things were supposed happen. He was supposed to declare his love for Dara, she was supposed to joyfully reciprocate, and they were supposed to live happily ever after. Instead, she’d publicly learned that he’d lied to her. The hurt had been evident in her eyes.
He wanted to run after her and confess everything but instead found himself being summoned along with Elias to Cupid’s private office. As he followed Cupid down a long hallway, he wondered if he was walking to his doom.
By all accounts, Cupid was a devoted patriarch who would protect his family at all costs and it was well known that Dara was a favorite grandchild. This was evidenced by him letting her pursue her own career outside of the family business.
Cupid’s office was at the end of the hallway, affording views of the Strip on three sides. Cupid took his seat behind a large antique desk and motioned for Gabe and Elias to take seats as well. Pouring himself a drink from a crystal decanter, he gazed at Gabe with ice blue eyes that seemed to bore into his soul.
After a few moments of silence he began to speak. “Gabriel, you have an outstanding record as a Guardian. Please explain to me what has happened here today because your actions don’t speak well for you.”
Gabe didn’t know where to begin and opted for an explanation. “What I’m going to tell you won’t sound great sir, but my intentions were sincere. I fell for your granddaughter a long time ago but couldn’t get her to look past the Guardian uniform. So I formulated a simple plan to give her a chance to get to know me and to prove to her that I genuinely care for her. My friend Elias played just a small role as a favor for a friend.”
Gabe then gave a brief summary of the previous 24 hours, beginning with him shooting her boyfriend Steve and creating the rogue Cherub story. He ended with receiving the antidote and his plan unraveling.
At several points in the story, including intentionally running the car out of gas and proposing at the truck stop, Gabe got the impression that Cupid was trying not to laugh. When he mentioned the bet he’d cooked up to get her to accept his proposal, he thought he caught a brief moment of admiration pass over Cupid’s face.
Elias confirmed that the guns had not been stolen from Cherubs, which satisfied Cupid.
What Elias said next surprised Cupid and even shocked Gabe. Thankfully, it also gave Gabe an idea on how to finally prove the truth of his feelings to Dara. That is, if Cupid actually let them go free.
Taking a sip of the deep amber liquid in his glass, Cupid shook his head before speaking.
“Did you ever consider flowers and chocolate or were kidnapping and subterfuge the most romantic things you could come up with?”He waited a few moments before continuing, “that being said I realize that Darling is an unusual case – she confounds us all sometimes – and your intentions were true.”
Making up his mind, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small silver ring with an opalescent white stone. “Take this and try the wedding chapel in the Venus Garden. If I were you, I’d have Elias speak with her first as his revelation changes things, including the reason behind your actions since this morning.”
“With all due respect Sir, I’ve already given her a ring” Gabe interjected when Cupid tried to hand him the ring.
“With all due respect, Gabriel,” Cupid countered, his voice taking on an icy quality, “this is no ordinary ring. My mother, the Goddess Venus, created an orb with one purpose: to test the truth of one’s affection because many in my long life would profess their love to me. She fashioned it into a ring. Put it on in her presence and it may convince her of your feelings, although she may still deny it if her analytical side wins out. Take it with my blessing on your union, but be sure to bring it back or I will kill you myself.”
Gabe raced from the office, feeling like he was carrying a bomb rather than a ring. He couldn’t believe Cupid had just handed him Venus’ Orb - the standard by which all in their world swore truth. He’d thought it a myth. What if he lost it?
Racing back through the gallery with Elias on his heels, he tried to remember where the Venus Garden was located. There were at least
five wedding chapels within the resort and he hadn’t been to any of them.
Perhaps the Lady Venus was on his side because a resort map revealed it was not far from the family wing. He and Elias stopped just out of view at the edge of the garden. He spotted Dara sitting on a white stone bench bathed in white moonlight.
With her hair down she could have easily passed for Venus in her temple. He wanted to rush down the aisle to her, but heeding Cupid’s words he motioned for Elias to go first.
• • •
The wedding chapel in the Venus Garden was her favorite spot in the hotel. As long as it wasn’t hosting a wedding, she had it to herself. It had become a sort of a refuge from nosy family members for her.
Dara looked up at the sound of footsteps and wondered who had come to find her. Part of her hoped it was Gabe and another part of her never wanted to see the lying cad again. She was surprised to find Elias approaching and quickly wiped her eyes.
“Elias,” she stated simply, giving no additional greeting and trying to adopt the cool demeanor of her grandfather.
She was pleased to see that he looked genuinely nervous in her presence now.
Finally, he got up the courage to speak. “I wanted you to know that I was the one who shot Gabe using a Cherub’s gun while you were sleeping. I’ll leave the rest of his plan for him to explain, but there was one thing that not even Gabe was aware of until we were in Cupid’s office just now.”
Elias seemed to relax somewhat as he continued, “It wasn’t real love potion. It was a blank shot. As his best friend, I could tell he was head over heels for you and didn’t need the help of a silly potion. I also knew that if something backfired, the fact that all of his actions were undertaken because he had genuine feelings for you might mean something. Everything he did was because he wanted to be with you, even if things did end poorly. If you’ll speak to him now, he also has something from your grandfather to show you.”