Utter Cupidity

by Toni L. Meilleur

  “Fine, talk,” Brea said stubbornly, determined not to digest one single lie. He could just talk and leave.

  “It seems you feel I’ve misled you,” he began. In seconds Brea broke her promise to herself as she digested what she construed was a lie.

  “You mean making believe that you were human?”

  “Yes, but in all fairness, think about it, Brea. You would have thought I was crazy. I have seen the reactions of humans and I know their inability to accept things beyond the norm.” When he saw the softening set of her stubborn chin he continued. “I liked you and wanted you to like me.”

  “Is that all?” Brea asked, skepticism heavy in her words.

  “What do you mean?” Cupid sat on the sofa, but a little farther down than he did before.

  “I don’t understand why you even pursued me. Why me?”

  This was the moment Cupid had been dreading, with a week or so left on his task he knew he was nowhere close to achieving success. How could he tell her that just like her ex-fiancé, he intended to use her to get what he wanted? It didn’t matter that he fell in love with her along the way. All that mattered was that she had been singled out for the intention of gaining something for himself. He didn’t want to hurt her. He had already decided what he would do.

  “Because when I saw you I wanted you.” It was a complete lie. It was a lie in answer to her question, but it was true of the situation. He had wanted her, despite her foul mood. He had grown to love everything about her in such a short time.

  He had broken one of Hera’s rules. He had directly lied to her, all bets were off. “But I deceived you and you have a right to be angry with me. I am—” Cupid never finished his explanation. He was pulled out of the living room right before Brea’s terrified eyes.

  “What in Hades have you done?!” Cupid yelled as soon as he felt the pull. The Council was gathered. Apparently he wasn’t the only one who had been snatched unexpectedly from their lives. Aphrodite looked as if she were in the middle of seducing someone. She hurriedly snapped her fingers and clothed herself.

  Artemis was dressed in a surprisingly familiar form of an old woman. Hera held some sort of beaker in her hand with a substance that Cupid immediately suspected was meant for Zeus. Zeus sat in his chair, with a pair of panties on top of his head. He quickly snatched them off. Hera swirled the liquid threateningly. It would have been funny at any other time…

  “It’s the spell,” Athena answered, wisely not appearing to have been interrupted doing anything. “The rules were set and once broken, invoked immediate judgment. We were all part of the structure of this trial and therefore we are bound by its rules as well. Since we have all been assembled, it is without question that you must have clearly broken a rule.” Athena looked at him, with what appeared to be sympathy.

  Zeus looked down upon him. His blue eyes bore into him. “What rule have you broken, boy?” he bellowed, angry that he was interrupted.

  “I lied,” Cupid admitted, his head held up. “I lied quite clearly.”

  “You force us to judge you.” Zeus rolled his eyes in a very human manner. “We will reassemble in one hour and hear the nature of the lie. Upon then, we will determine if you can continue or not. You are bound to Mount Olympus until your trial is over.” Zeus turned his head to Hermes. “I know he is your friend, but your duty is to the Council first, you may not assist him in any way or you will pay a heavy punishment,” Zeus warned.

  Hermes looked to Cupid in sorrow, but bowed his head in acceptance to Zeus. One by one the gods left until there was but Cupid and Hermes. When Hermes opened his mouth to speak, Cupid shook his head no. It didn’t matter, he had done the right thing and he wouldn’t undo it by making things easy for himself. He left the room and headed for his own quarters.

  Brea sat up in disbelief at the space Cupid had occupied just moments before. She knew that his kind of people could appear and reappear at will. It did not look like Cupid had intended on leaving. It was as if he were drawn against his will. Shaken, Brea pulled her knees up to her chest in comfort.

  How long she sat that way, she didn’t know. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She heard the front door open and the sound of feet rushing in. Lindie came into the living room with an excited look on her face.

  “Oh good, you’re awake and you look much better.” Lindie looked at her closely and seemed to approve of her health. “You wouldn’t believe who I just ran into.” Lindie clapped her hands and jumped up and down excitedly. Brea doubted she would get an honest chance to guess. Truly she wasn’t in the mood.

  “Who?” Brea asked with the barest trace of interest, she just wanted Lindie to deliver the news and leave.

  “Artie!” Lindie yelled.

  “Who?” Brea’s mind was foggy she had much more important things to think about.

  At that moment the person who Lindie spoke of walked into the living room. Brea frowned, wondering what this woman was doing in here. She should be in Ashe Bay somewhere throwing a bucket of mop water on some unsuspecting tourist.

  “I see from your expression you remember me,” the old woman said as her greeting.

  “Can you believe it, I was sticking my key in the door and when I turned around she was standing behind me like she came out of nowhere,” Lindie gushed, looking from Brea to Artie.

  Brea’s blood ran cold. In her short experience she knew what type of people could do that. This was no coincidence. “Lindie, I am feeling much better, but I would die for some chai tea.” She smiled sickly at Lindie.

  “Oh, Brea, that’s fine, it’s going to take a minute to make. You know I think that damn machine is going to give out. Would you like a cup too, Artie?” Lindie asked, already on her way to the kitchen. Artie nodded yes. “Okay, well add even more time to that minute. With two cups, it’ll be awhile.” Lindie disappeared down the hall.

  “Your face is easy to read,” the woman observed. “You know what I am but not exactly who.” She sat on the hard-backed oriental chair, right at the edge of the seat. She turned her frail body to face Brea.

  “Yes, you’re a Greek goddess,” Brea said in affirmation.

  “I am Artemis. This of course isn’t my real form, but I fear your friend’s return and that could make for an awkward situation.”

  “Why were you in Ashe Bay?” Brea swung her legs to the floor and put her elbows on her thighs, looking closely at the goddess.

  “Contrary to Cupid’s belief I had no desire to see him fail.” Artemis smoothed her gray hair.

  “Why would Cupid have an idea like that? Is it true? Wait a minute, fail at what?”

  “You ask too many questions at once.” Artemis laughed. “I am the goddess of hunting, and yes, I am opposed to marriage, but not for the reasons most think. Humans and gods alike marry for the wrong reasons, and they sully the symbolism of marriage. In fact, I believe marriage is wonderful when soul mates are involved.

  “In answer to your next question, no, it isn’t true. I have disliked the actions of Cupid. He has had his share of women without any real emotional attachment. He even married Psyche more because he fell in love with her beauty not her. I disapproved of his lifestyle.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean by ‘see him fail. Fail at what?” Brea asked. She was also truly intrigued with the realization that she was conversing with a goddess as if it were an everyday occurrence.

  “I’m going to tell you the real reason Cupid pursued you, but you must listen carefully because we don’t have a lot of time,” Artemis warned.

  “Time for what?” It felt as if her belly dropped out. Whatever Artemis was about to say was going to be bad.

  “To save him,” she replied. “Now you must listen to me with an open heart.”

  Twenty-Five: Crime and punishment…

  “Where is Artemis?” Zeus asked with a sullen expression. Every god tried not to look at his cerulean colored face. Hera sat next to him with the biggest grin on her face that anyone had seen in a long ti
me. Hermes snickered, trying in vain to keep his humor under control. Seconds later, Artemis appeared with apologies.

  “Then let us begin.” Zeus took his thunderbolt staff and hit the floor in three quick successions, signaling the official beginning of proceedings.

  Cupid sat on a chair made much like a pedestal and didn’t seem to appear to be at all interested in what was happening. Some of the Council already looked bored, some looked at him with pity and still others, like his mother, looked guilty as Hades.

  The trial started with Hermes recounting the events at the last gathering. He was made to tell in great detail the condition in which he found Cupid. Echo was called in for her services, as she echoed back the full session of the proceedings. She was dismissed immediately after her relay.

  Athena recalled the rules set before Cupid to accomplish his task and his agreement. It was also noted that Cupid had failed before his time expired. Apollo snickered derisively.

  “Cupid,” Zeus asked in his naturally booming voice. “Is there any reason you feel you should tell us why you failed? Perhaps conditions beyond your control?”

  “No,” Cupid answered succinctly.

  “Wait!” Hermes jumped up. “That’s not entirely true.”

  The Council looked at Hermes with mixed feelings. Hermes himself wasn’t exactly a boy scout. He was hardly one to vouch for his best friend’s character. Hermes dove in anyway.

  “Cupid was forced into the position he is in because of outside forces, namely Eris and Psyche,” Hermes declared. The Council now gave him their rapt attention. Hermes related the incidences they were responsible for, and he even had Arachne un-spin the web and re-spin it, using the same thread to show the recorded actions and conversations.

  If Zeus hadn’t been turned cerulean, the red anger would have showed up much more impressively. “She stole my key?” he roared, shaking the very walls of Olympus.

  “Apparently yes, and returned it before you missed it,” Hermes said smoothly and began to further relate their last scheme of murdering Brea. Hera at this point was just as angry.

  “Where are they now?” Zeus asked.

  “Locked in your bolt closet,” Hermes answered, seating himself.

  “How are they locked up if I have the key?” Zeus squinted at Hermes.

  “I’m not the one on trial here,” Hermes said, drawing attention away from his lock-picking skills. “The point is, Cupid was given an unfair situation. If it weren’t for those two he wouldn’t be in the situation he’s in now.”

  “Cupid, why did you lie to her?” Artemis asked. “Please be truthful, everyone is listening, and I mean everyone.”

  Cupid looked at the assembled Council and his first impulse was to tell them all to go to Hades. They sat in judgment of him while they performed heinous acts against one another. They had no right to make him tell the truth. But he would tell it anyway. He wouldn’t be like the rest of them. Cupid stood and looked each Council member in the eye before he began.

  “I lied because I didn’t want to hurt her. She’s been hurt enough. By other people and by people because of me. Brea didn’t need one more person in her life using her. She needed someone to love her. I have grown to care for her. I care enough to protect her from pain that might affect her negatively for the rest of her life. Even if that means my immortality.”

  “But, son,” Aphrodite pleaded. “Is she really worth it? You know how fickle mortals can be.”

  “Yes, I do, Mother and I know gods can be just as fickle. But there is no way I could live with myself knowing the price I made Brea pay for my immortality.”

  “But I would have erased her memory,” Zeus said.

  “Yes, but not mine. I would have known what I had done. Deceived her for my own gain.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do, boy?” Zeus asked, turning in his chair.

  “Yes,” Cupid answered, sitting back down.

  “What an idiot,” Apollo said loud enough for Cupid to hear him. Cupid chose not to answer. He had no more patience for stupid gods.

  Zeus stood with his staff in his hand. “I sentence Cupid to a mortal life, his abilities will be stripped posthaste. If there is anyone here who has to dispute this judgment please speak now or the sentence shall be executed.”

  “Please, wait!” a female voice called out. Cupid’s head snapped around, tracing the source of the voice. He knew that voice. It haunted every crevice in his mind. Cupid’s gaze finally settled on the figure making her way around Artemis’s large chair. “I find dispute with your sentence,” she announced.

  Cupid’s confusion was only surpassed by his elation at seeing her. Come to think of it, what was she doing on Mount Olympus?

  “You are the female he was ordered to woo,” Zeus stated.

  “Woo?” Apollo laughed. “That’s about as archaic as it gets.”

  “Quiet!” Zeus roared, effectively shutting up the arrogant god. Zeus turned his attention back to Brea. “How did you get here, child?” Zeus looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. Hera cleared her throat in warning.

  “Yes, my name is Brea.” Brea made her way past all the throne chairs until she stood next to Cupid’s chair, facing the Council. “You judge him in error.”

  “You question the judgment of a god?” Zeus slammed the staff to the floor.

  “It was you who said if anyone should find fault to speak, now you’re offended that someone stepped forward?” Brea snapped, appearing to lose control of her temper. “Besides, I don’t really consider you a god, just a different breed of being.” Brea sniffed. “I’ve been thinking if you all were gods you’d be omnipotent, but you’re not, and that suggests a fault with your belief that you’re all gods.”

  The Council began to murmur in outrage, however, it was Athena who spoke. “Well said. We are not gods in the sense your people believed us to be once. But it is the closest thing to describe us. Please refer to the term loosely.”

  “Fine.” Brea breathed deeply, reigning in her temper. “As I’ve said, I find fault. I was told the reason why Cupid was given this task and his punishment should he fail. He hasn’t failed. Yes, technically he didn’t get me to marry him, but then again, he didn’t ask.”

  “He lied to you and broke a rule. That makes him a failure,” Apollo spoke up.

  “No, it makes him better. If he would have asked, who knows what I would have said. But he didn’t take the chance because he didn’t want to deceive me. He didn’t want to hurt me with the truth of why he pursued me in the first place. At least this is what I believe.” Brea looked down at Cupid. “Is this the reason?”

  Cupid was so full of emotion it took him the second try to speak. “It is,” he croaked out at last. “You don’t have to do this, Brea. I put myself in this position. I will deal with the fallout.”

  Brea shook her head. “You don’t understand. You didn’t fail. Cupid, I love you. Not because of any special tricks or potions. Because you were you. I gather from what I’ve heard of those two crazy women that they were probably behind you telling me those horrible things.”

  “That wasn’t me.”

  “The crazy thing was, it didn’t feel like you, but it looked like you.”

  “I’m sorry they hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry too.” Brea turned back to the Council. “He went out of his way to protect me. He was willing to endure mortality for my heart not to break. It’s breaking now anyway because of what you all want to do to him. He is the god of desire and love. I feel both of those things for him and he didn’t use any of his abilities to persuade me. He has proven he is still worthy of his position.”

  “Silly girl.” Athena laughed. “That’s not what this was about. Of course he can still do those things.”

  Cupid looked at Athena. “What do you mean? Those were the reasons you gave me to take on this task.”

  “No, those were the reasons we used,” Athena reasoned. She turned to Artemis. “Explain it to him.”

  �
��Cupid,” Artemis began, “it’s no secret how I’ve felt about your behavior in the past. When Psyche first approached the Council about a divorce it got me to thinking. You had a wife that you fell out of love with and all you did was move on to the next person. Then this creature here, called to me.” She pointed at Brea.

  “What?” Brea said confused, pointing to herself. “I called you? You must be mistaken.”

  “Trust me I am not mistaken. When your old lover broke your heart after refusing to marry you only to marry another, your pain called to me. I wanted to make you one of my warriors, only you’d be a warrior in the boardroom, crushing powerful men who have done women wrong.

  “When I asked the Fates if it was your destiny to be one of mine they told me you were meant to be with Cupid.”

  “You knew she was destined to be mine? What was the task for? Why did you not tell me? Oh, I forgot. The gods would never be so direct.” Cupid ran his fingers through his hair in irritation. “It would have been far easier just to tell me,” Cupid accused.

  “In your state of mind?” Artemis laughed bitterly. “You would have hurt Brea with your immaturity and callousness. You cared for no woman you bedded. I didn’t want to see her hurt again. Yes, she would have wound up with you, but in the end you would have hurt her.”

  “She’s right you know,” Aphrodite spoke up. “She came to me to tell me she had found your mate. I didn’t want you messing this up. You have neglected your job, son, and the world has suffered. But we figured if you had love in your life, you’d go back to doing what you were born to do.”

  “You knew all of this?” Cupid turned an accusing stare to Hermes. Hermes just shrugged.

  “Wait a minute, no one told me this. Why wasn’t I told this?” Apollo demanded angrily.

  “Because you would have told him and ruined his chances on purpose.” Aphrodite turned to Cupid “It was for your own good. We never had any intentions of stripping you of your powers. We were hoping you would grow up, so to speak, and appreciate what you haven’t in a long time. The power of love,” Athena finished. “The mortal is right. You have not failed, for she loves you. The only question that remains is, do you love her as well?”