Cupid’s Arrow

Eros

---

“She’s going to hate this,” I quietly muttered to myself, staring at the shaggy haired mess reflected before me with a hint of a frown. Although some would be absolutely thrilled to find themselves decked out in a tailored black Armani and dark buttoned down shirt I couldn’t help but feel more than a little out of place in the elegant suit that snugly adorned my trim form. I awkwardly adjusted the stiff jacket for what must’ve been the hundredth time since I got it on, then walked over to my bed and picked up the dark blue dress that had been carefully laid upon it.

‘At least I won’t be the most uncomfortable there,’ I thought smugly as I allowed my gaze to run over the little outfit Thera was to wear with a smirk.

After going around playing tourist for the day we had returned to the apartment to find three similar suits and a single dress all ready and waiting to go. Despite knowing her clear dislike of such things Anteros had been adamant that we all come finely dressed or not at all. At least that’s what the note he left me said. It seems that while we were out my brother had finally decided to put the key I gave him to good use.

Frowning slightly I stared at the dress. Although I trusted his judgment I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly it was that brother of mine was planning. The phone call I’d received this morning before Thera had showed up had been rather vague and other than the part where I was supposed to keep her busy all day he would only tell me that a small gathering had been organized and was to be held in the gardens of their vast estate. No specifics on anything aside from the fact we were to be there at seven on the dot.

With a sigh I walked out into the hallway and began to make my way towards the lounge, resigning myself to the fact that I’d just have to wait along with the birthday girl for the surprise to come. Upon reaching the door I stopped at the entrance. I leaned back against the frame and I allowed myself to take in the sight of the young blonde quietly sitting on the couch.

You just blew the only opening I was willing to give you. I visibly flinched at the words. It had been a long trip back and though I was sure my cousins were more than aware of the tension they did nothing to call attention to it and for that I was grateful. Although that didn’t mean they stopped themselves from throwing me a questioning glance or two whenever she wasn’t looking. Breaking away from my thoughts and from the problem I had no intention of trying to fix I raised my eyes. As if sensing my presence she lifted her head, meeting my gaze for a brief moment before turning away when she finally noticed what I was wearing.

“Why are you dressed like that?” she curiously asked, her brows furrowing as she finally noticed what was in my hand. “And what the hell are you holding?”

“Your dress,” I casually replied, completely ignoring her first question.

“I’m not wearing that,” was her immediate response.

“Your family’s planning a formal dinner tonight to celebrate your father’s return,” I lied, not believing I was about to use the same tactic I’ve always begrudged being used against me, guilt. “If you want to spoil it by turning up like a Pleasantville reject be my guest. I really have no problem with letting you ruin your father’s day.”

She glared at me. Without even as much as a word she marched on over, snatching the dress right from right out of my grasp before storming past me and down the hallway to my room. I smiled to myself at the display and was just about to saunter up to the couch when I felt both of my arms being suddenly hooked from behind by two others on either side. Before I realized what was happening I found myself being hauled into a darkened closet, squished in between a pair of slightly bulkier bodies.

When my sight finally adjusted to the light or lack thereof the shapes before me slowly began to take form. Suffice to say I didn’t like what I saw. With a frown I angrily growled, “What the hell?”

“We need to talk,” Pothos calmly stated, sounding as if he was in a very important board meeting rather than the small closest we were all currently crammed in.

“And that’s something we need to do in here?” I bit out gruffly.

“Ah, come on, you know you love it,” he returned with an all too suggestive smile.

More than a little pissed and quickly losing patience I bit out, “Talk or fry.”

To further my point I allowed an overflow of crackling energy to seep from my body, shocking them where they touched just enough to cause pain before allowing it to dissipate.

“Alright, alright,” Pothos irritably snapped, jumping away at the immediate sting along with his partner in crime. He was getting use to the feeling of pain. They both were. At least enough to stop them from running around like a couple of headless chickens. But that didn’t mean they liked it any better. With a glare that quickly turned into a pout he childishly muttered, “You’re no fun.”

“Pothos,” I growled in warning

He rolled his eyes but replied anyway, “We wanted to discuss the Thera thing with you.”

“What Thera thing?”

“The thing in which we can’t go home until Thera falls in love, what else?” he answered in a ‘duh’ kind of tone that would make any valley girl proud.

I rubbed my temple. Sometimes I really worry about these two.

Ignoring my annoyance he smilingly added, “You see we’ve been thinking.”

“That’s got to hurt,” I couldn’t help but remark.

“Since our number one candidate is now out of the picture Hedy and I have been thinking about something. Basically that something is about the terms of your punishment,” he continued, the glare he briefly threw my way the only indication he actually heard what I had said.

“You see, you were only ever told to make her fall in love. No one ever said anything about it actually having to last,” Hedy began to explain, occasionally exchanging looks with Pothos as he went on to say, “She’s never going to fall for a stranger Eros. I got that just by spending ten minutes with her. She’s not the wispy washy type we’re use to dealing with and we don’t have time to introduce her to someone new and wait for a relationship to build. The only way we can make her fall is to find someone she already trusts. Someone she’s known for a while.” He paused and looked right at me. “Someone maybe like you.”

I opened my mouth but before even a word could even be uttered I was quickly silenced.

“Don’t even bother trying to say she hates you because she doesn’t and you know it,” Pothos interrupted. He gave me a meaningful look and carefully phrasing his next words carefully said, “She’s inexperienced, innocent and naïve. She’s at the age where it’s so easy to confuse lust with love. It shouldn’t be hard to make her think there’s something more there than there actually is. We know that you can’t, you know, but nothing has to happen. Just use her attraction to you as a starting point and when it’s all over you can make her forget you. You can dull the pain, prick her with an arrow or something and make her fall in love with someone else.”

“I can't," I quietly muttered as my gaze found the floor.

"Why not? Why-"

"Because I can’t damn it,” I yelled furiously.

Not backing down Pothos met my gaze with eyes as hard as mine and evenly demanded, “Give us one good reason why Eros?”

“Because-” I blurted out stopping myself just in time before the words could be said. I glared at them, only to find an equal fierceness being directed right back.

“Because what?”

I swore under my breath, quickly turning to avoid their gazes. More than a little bit annoyed I found myself blurting out, “Because I rejected her today and I doubt she’ll be willing to give me another chance. Besides, I can’t-” I can’t hurt her. I don’t want to hurt her and if I was to make her love me I don’t think I would want to make her forget.

“Apologize. Apologize and beg for her forgiveness,” Hedy commanded as if it was just that simple. They had yet to learn that nothing concerning Thera was ever that simple and I had no intentions of trying to educate them on Thera101. Especially since even I was yet to learn all there is to know on the subject matter.

Frustrated I leaned back to rest against the closed door. However instead of solid timber I fell back to find myself pressing up against nothing but air. With a rather unceremonious thump I landed on my backside, much to the amusement of the two standing before me and from the sound of it the person behind me.

“Do I even want to know?” came a soft feminine voice.

Making a show of brushing myself off I got back to my feet with what little dignify I still possessed and swiftly turned around. With a tight bodice that clinched at the waist and a wide skirt that stopped just below the knees the topic of our conversation stood. Her dark eyes narrowed suspiciously as she placed a hand on a well-defined hip, looking for like a scolding teacher waiting for an explanation from three very guilty looking children. I glanced at the two now on either side of me, again feeling their questioning gazes on me as the silence continued to drag on. Unlike in the car however I knew that this time they expected the answer now. They wanted to know if I was willing to go along with their hair-brained plan.

“We better get going or we’re going to be late,” was all I could bring myself to say, just before walking away from the very puzzled girl and the suddenly scowling youths. Not believing I was doing it yet again. I closed my eyes as a single question came to mind, ‘When did I become such a coward?’

---

The surprise had gone off without a hitch. I don't know how he did it but somehow my brother had managed to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Not literally of course. No, but what he was able to do in the time we spent gallivanting around town was nothing short of a miracle. When Anteros spoke of a small party outside I had expected a dodgy display of neatly decorated balloons and streamers. Never did I think my brother would do so much, in so little time.

Although quite modest in size the wide gazebo overseeing the courtyard had been completely transformed. Beautiful flowers illuminated by the faint glow of lanterns littered the place in an organized mess that gave the illusion of an actual garden in full bloom. Suspended down from the roof were yards of blue fabric, haphazardly hung to billow in graceful waves across the hidden ceiling above, softening the yellow light so that it bathed the entire place with a gentle glow reminisce of the setting sun. While down below features of vines and flowers hid all elements of the actual structure completely from view, until the whole thing itself looked like nothing more than just a mere extension of the garden itself. It was breathtaking and from the surprise on Thera's face the moment the blindfold was taken away and her dark eyes fell upon the sight I knew she thought so too.

Pothos let out a low whistle as Hedy voiced what we were all thinking, "Damn, how the hell did he do all this?"

There was a moment of silence as she slowly took in the scene before her with a complete look of wonder lighting her dark eyes. Her gaze then fell on the faces of her family, shock and confusion immediately seeping into her expression when she saw who else was there. Hell, even I was shocked and I was supposed to be in on the whole thing. I don’t know how or even when but somehow my brother was able to pull off another miracle. There they were, with wide smiles and the overgrown pup we were forced to leave behind during our mad dash home were the Montayas, all of them. Even Rachael was around and though she didn't look at all too happy about it she was still there. I quickly caught my brother’s gaze in the sea of familiar faces and gave him a small smile that he immediately returned. He really did outdo himself on this one, that’s for sure.

“What’s going on?” she slowly asked, still obviously perplexed by the turn of events. “Why are you all here? The wedding isn’t for another week or so.”

“They’re all here for you,” I whispered into her ear. “Happy birthday Thera.”

When it finally dawned on her rather than meeting the surprise with the exuberance I was expecting she forced a smile and awkwardly said, “Thank you all.”

I frowned at her less than enthused reaction but before I could take her aside and call her on it she moved up to her oblivious family, politely greeting them with a cheer she obviously didn’t feel. Though it was clear she didn’t appreciate the actual party her reaction to having her whole family present was truly genuine. At least that much she was happy with.

"You guys better hurry up." Tearing my gaze away from the unusually demure blonde I found her oldest sister standing before me, having walked up to us without my notice. With a warm smile she linked her arm around mine before looking past me and adding, eyes twinkling, "Or else all we'll be feasting on will be leftovers. Between Anteros and the Montaya's there will be nothing left if we don't get there soon to fend them off."

That said she began leading all three of us up to the gazebo and when I excused myself, made it her duty to introduce my cousins to the rest of the family. As the gathering progressed I remained quietly on the sidelines, only politely engaging in conversation whenever I was approached. All in all I was doing the exact same thing Thera was. Not because of any awkwardness on my part but just simply because I was too busy focusing on her, on trying to work out why was she acting like this. Despite my distraction however I did appreciate knowing that my car had been fixed and was going to arrive later tomorrow.

The moment I saw Thera take Aero by the collar and began leading the big shaggy dog away I immediately followed, keeping my distance I stopped by a large tree and did no more than watch as she found her way to a fountain right by a line of overgrown hedges. Carefully she sat herself down right by the water. Slipping her fingers under the light spray as her other hand went to gently pat the overgrown pup resting at her feet.

“Is it just me or have you gotten absolutely no where since the last time I saw you,” I heard an all too familiar voice buzz in my ear.

I frowned at that, tilting my head back to glare at the woman I knew would be there. Through gritted teeth I bit out, “I’m working on it but between whomever the fuck that’s out to get her and the soap that is her life there hasn’t been very much time to do very much of anything. Besides I’ve got a wedding to attend and as tradition has it a bachelor party to plan.”

At those words I saw the range of emotions flickering in her eyes. Among them the pain and regret I knew she still felt over what had happened all those years ago. Whatever it was that had finally driven Anteros away.

“You know mom you can always try talking to him,” I couldn’t help but suggest, wishing that she would. Anteros would never admit it but I knew he wanted her to be a part of his life just as much as she wanted it for herself.

“No Cuppy,” she sadly replied. “I don’t deserve his forgiveness. I made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime and I’m trying to rectify a few now but I think it’ll be a long while before your brother can trust me again.”

I let out a sigh and though I wondered exactly what it was she had done I couldn’t bring myself to ask. I’m not even sure I really wanted to know. I've learnt from experience that when it comes to my mother ignorance is bliss.

Deciding a change in subject was in order I turned to face her and falling back to lean against the trunk of the tree inquired, “So what was it that you wanted to tell me?”

“Can’t I just come and vis-”

I gave her a pointed look, halting her mid-sentence.

She pouted and crossing her arms said like a petulant little child, “Well, if you’re going to be like that maybe I should just go and leave you to your stalking.”

“I’m not stalking her,” I refuted in a huff, intent on ignoring her. That is until curiosity finally got the better of me and I couldn’t help but ask, “So what was it?”

“I don’t think I want to tell you any more.”

“Mom,” I heard my own voice whine, causing me to inwardly wince at my own tone.

“Brat,” she responded fondly. Then reaching out to mess up blonde locks in the familiar way she use to when I was no more than a mere fledging said, “I came to give you something, a birthday present for the birthday girl or to be more precise, a suggestion.”

My brows arched at her words, knowing that this definitely couldn’t be good but intrigued all the same. “I’m listening.”

“Take her away Eros, from everything, just for tonight.”

“Take her away?” I repeated incredulously. “To where exactly?”

“Anywhere you want,” was her only reply.

I furrowed my brows. There was a place I wanted to take her, a place I just know she’d love. But that wasn’t possible. The only way it would be was for me to reveal myself, to use my powers and I wasn’t allowed to do that.

As if reading my mind she added, “And I mean anywhere.”

“And how do you suppose I do that?” I questioned somewhat wryly, not believing she was actually suggesting what she was.

“Easy, with this,” she answered, holding her hand out to reveal a small vial. “One drink and she’ll fall asleep. By the time she wakes up you’ll have her where you want her and once the day is through and she finally falls asleep again it will become nothing more than a distant memory, just a pleasant dream.”

Despite every bit of my conscience telling me not to I found myself taking what she offered in hand. Every part of me was screaming at me to just get rid of it, to just turn away and turn it down, no matter how good it sounded. Because even with only the best of intentions in mind it wouldn’t matter. I would still be lying to her, deceiving her. I’ve hurt her too much with my well-meaning lies already and I don’t want to do it any more, not again.

“Are you sure this works?” was my response.

“Yes, it does,” she responded with a nod.

Going against my every instinct I began to make my way towards Thera, not quite sure what I was going to say or do but continued moving forward anyway. Oblivious to my approach her gaze remained absently fixed on the distance, eyes completely blank and unblinking, looking for the world like she was in some kind of trance.

"What are you doing here Eros? Shouldn't you be at the party?" she quietly asked as she slowly turned to meet my gaze, lips pursed and arms immediately crossing in what I instantly recognized as a defensive move.

As her eyes bore into mine I merely shrugged and acting as if nothing was amiss simply replied, "Shouldn't that be my line? The party's for you after all, not me."

“Leave me alone,” she answered with a somewhat exasperated sigh. “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“Well tough, I’m not going anywhere,” I firmly stated.

“Fine, then I’ll go,” was her snappy retort.

With that she shot to her feel and would have rushed right past me if not for the fact I caught her arm, halting her right in her tracks and pulling her back to face me. None too please she tried to wrench out of my grasp only to find herself completely trapped within my hold.

“What the hell is it that you want from me Eros?” she all but yelled, ceasing all struggles to give me a fierce glare. “I can’t continue playing this game with you okay. I’m sick and tired of having to figure out someone who clearly doesn’t want to know me, someone who doesn’t trust me. You were the one who wanted to be around. You were the one who tried to break down my barriers. And now, now you just want to pretend nothing has happened. Well you know what, that’s fine with me. While you’re at it why don’t you just leave me alone? Just stop it, stop confusing me, and just stop trying to tell me what’s real and what's not.”

While one of her hands tugged at me in an attempt to make me let her go the other came down to beat on my chest, again and again, each hit punctuating her growing anger and frustrations. Closing my eyes for a moment I took a deep breath and then quickly catching both her arms held her still. Fighting even harder against my grasp she pushed at me again, this time successfully pulling herself away and taking a step back to pin me with one of her fiercest glares.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, letting her go to open the vial and slip the watery contents into my mouth. Before she had the chance to say or do anything I grabbed onto her once more, pulling her up against my larger frame. Unable to do anything else she did the only thing she could and tilted her head back to glare me. If looks could kill. Luckily for me they can't.

Not giving her a chance to speak my lips immediately went down to meet hers, gently coaxing the tasteless mixture into her mouth as I brought her into a passionate kiss I hadn’t known I wanted until the moment it was taken. Reluctantly I finally pulled away, never taking my arms from around her as I held her close, just wanting to do that again but somehow finding the restraints to hold myself back.

“What he hell do you think you’re doing you bas-” she began, her words being quickly cut off as she swayed slightly, completely disorientated. “What the... what did you do to me?”

Those were her very last words before she finally fell limp in my arms. Holding her I glanced over to the tree to find my mother still right where I left her, biting her lip nervously as she looked on. I gave her a silent nod. Then, taking Thera completely in my arms held her tight as I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated, silently hoping I was at least strong enough to make it to where I wanted to take her as the familiar energy crackled around me.