Page 101 of Captured By the Cupid

“For Olympus’sake, Eros…another mortal you wish me to immortalize?” Zeus bellows his frustration from his prized throne.

I could pull out the Scepter of the Universe card. But I won’t. Zeus may be a thieving bastard, but he’s still recognized assupreme ruler of us all. And it’s better to catch more flies with honey as I still require his seal for taking the nectar and the ambrosia.

“Have you nothing to say about your realm breaking apart and discharging lost souls that have strayed to Mount Olympus itself?” He braces his fist, eyes steeling against mine.

I lower my chin in fealty. “That is why I am here, My Lord. To restore the order.”

“And transforming the mortal into a goddess will do this…?” He strokes his bearded jaw.

I explain my impossible predicament and the severity of my need—a need that transcends my first time doing this, for all of Purgatory is at risk. I’ve already been here three days awaiting his audience. I must return to my little Butterfly as soon as possible.

“You know, Eros, I’ve heard a few other things regarding the past few months.” He rises from his gilded marble throne and paces upon the dais. “Your mother told me what you did to her servants when they threatened this girl.”

“Attacked,” I grit my teeth, my spine hardening.

“And how you’ve spent more time in Purgatory than ever, giving up your vain hunt for Psyche’s soul. Hades shared how you tended to your realm these past weeks, herding souls, restoring them, finding permanent homes in your lost Limbo. I’ve also learned that your little mortal hascharmedyour realm to such a feat that she hosts tea parties for your wraiths.”

“Who told you this?”

He grins wryly. “Two little birds.”

I roll my eyes. Himeros and Pothos.

“I’m going to grant you your request, Eros.” He turns his royal blue eyes upon me, then lifts a finger. “But only by half.”

“My Lord?”

Now, he descends the staircase toward me, a clear sign that he regards me as an equal—worthy of respect. “You will give your little mortal the nectar of the gods. But not the ambrosia. She will need to consume it daily, which means you must tend to her every day. It will grant her eternal youth and immortality. But…” he screws his brows low and narrows his eyes upon mine to conclude, “…she will not be a goddess.

“I’ve grown a little tired of your antics, Eros. But the past few months have restored my faith in you. If this girl is the reason for the change, then I see no reason why she should not maintain a human heart and human soul. You know what this means.”

I nod solemnly. It means Aradia and I will stay in Purgatory. For eternity. She will never be a goddess. I may take her to my palace in the clouds on the outskirts of Mount Olympus, but she will never live there as Psyche did. Moreover, a goddess form and essence are wholly different than a human’s. With immortal nectar, Aradia may not die or grow old, but she can still shiver and bleed, grow sick, grow weak, and tired.

And emotional. By gods, she will never lose that passion, her sense of longing and desire, and her heart. Her wild heart—great enough to love all of Purgatory. And her human soul—great enough to love me—will be bound to mine…forever.

Zeus wishes me to pay the price for remaining in Purgatory and reigning over it as I should—for the reward of one little Butterfly.

I grin.

ARADIA

I soakin everything he has shared. A tide of emotions washes over me.

And my first question is, “So, you’re keeping me?”

Eros chuffs a laugh and draws me into his arms. “Yes. Butterfly.”

“Forever?”

I capture her face, then sift my fingers through her curls, and kiss her. “Mine forever. And Cres’s in a way. And my brothers who will be along later for a tea party.” I smile shyly before he goes on, “You broke in, Aradia. You broke into Purgatory and my heart as I broke into yours. And now, it’s finally time we break in…together.”

I scrunch my brows, confused.

Until he shifts.

Crescendo plays our song in the background, but he leaves the bed and gives us space to share this moment.

I part my lips, a soft smile forming as the gargoyle becomes the god, and the monster becomes the man.

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