Chapter 26 - Eros

Eros and Hermes sat by the river, watching a group of water nymphs splash and frolic. "So they don't interest you?" Hermes asked, nodding to the girls.

"Nope." Eros leaned back and rested on his elbows.

"Still not gonna undo the arrow then?"

"Why would I?" Eros asked.

Hermes looked at the nymphs again and wagged his eyebrows. Eros winced. "Them? They're nothing."

"Guess things are going good then." Hermes said. "You take my advice and use your arrows on her?"

"Nah. She deserves better."

Hermes shrugged. "Yeah, well, not all of us can score with whatever girl looks our way."

Eros barked out a laugh. "Right, like you've ever had problems."

"I'm just saying."

Eros sat back up and stared at the river. "Actually, she can't see me."

"What?" Hermes's eyebrows shot to the top of his head. "Is she blind or something?"

Eros brushed his palms together to wipe away some dirt. "No. I just - can't take a chance, you know? My mom would..." Eros's voice trailed off.

"Kill her," Hermes filled in. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."

The gods sat in silence for a moment as the nymphs' light laughter played across the water. Finally, Hermes shook his head. "Man, I can't believe you're going the invisible route after what the Oracle told her."

Eros looked down at his feet. "I'm not exactly invisible either."

"How's that?"

"I created a shroud." He shook his head. "More like a black cloud really nothing you can touch. It covers everything but my eyes. She can reach through it, but she can't see through it."

Hermes scowled. "That's just weird."

"What?" Eros asked with a shrug.

"She's gonna see a black cloud with eyes staring at her and freak."

"Well, it's working, okay?" Eros snapped.

"Whatever," Hermes shrugged. "Just don't blame me when she finally comes to her senses."

"Not gonna happen," Eros said as he hopped to his feet. "I can feel it."

Chapter end