Chapter 20 - Eros

From back across the room, Eros watched Psyche as she slept, taking in the sweet scent of her hair and enjoying the soft rise and fall of her chest as she breathed deeply. He loved how at peace she looked. And he yearned for her to be as relaxed with him while she was awake.

Finally daring to ease onto the bed next to her, Eros unwound Psyche's hair from on top of her head and let it spill across the pillows. He stroked her long, chestnut strands, carefully keeping them away from her face. When the words threatened to rip open his chest if he didn't speak them, Eros whispered in her ear, "I will never hurt you, Psyche. I love you more than my own life. Love me, please," he begged. "Love me."

Psyche barely stirred as Eros plead softly in her ear. Perhaps he had hoped she would open her eyes and pledge her undying love for him too.

But that's not how his magic worked.

Slowly he rose, being careful not to wake her. He took a deep breath to assure himself he was about to do the right thing. Eros wanted Psyche to love him on her own, but he couldn't wait.

When he'd landed on the windowsill that night, he'd slipped off his quiver and hidden it behind the curtains. He reached into his hiding place quiver and hidden it behind the curtains. He reached into his hiding place and pulled out one of the long, powerful arrows. Hermes's words from earlier that evening played back in his head. "You can change all that in a second with one of your arrows..."

Hermes was right. All he had to do was nick Psyche's skin with an arrow and she would be as hopelessly in love with him as he was with her. Granted, being with Psyche is what he'd actually wanted, at least subconsciously. He was pretty sure she didn't yet share the same sentiment. Eros slowly twirled the arrow in his hand and looked over at Psyche.

She was so soundly asleep, she'd never notice the sting as the arrow grazed her skin. And this time he wouldn't have to shoot her. He'd simply nick her with a caress. Not like the impersonal release of a bow. He wouldn't be hunting her if he marked her with his own hand.

He reached out to touch her, the arrow poised, but pulled away. His jaw clenched and his eyes scrunched closed. Something akin to physical pain kept him from hurting her. Eros knew all too well that the arrows would make Psyche suffer. During the daylight hours when he couldn't be in the palace, she would need him so badly that her heart would ache.

Eros didn't want her days to be unhappy. He simply wanted her love.

Sitting on the bed, Eros let the arrow fall from his fingertips, dissipating as its unused magic released into the floor. He'd have to do as he'd promised her.

He'd have to earn her love.

Chapter end