“I’m sick of lodging at hotels. There’s nothing like waking up to see the faces of your family,” Eros said to David as they retrieved Eros’ luggage from his car.

Watching them from the front door, I tried to figure out why I felt attracted to Eros. I couldn’t ignore the fact that he was gorgeous, but I had yet to meet a deity that wasn’t. Only, his looks weren’t what appealed to me. It was something else that I couldn’t put my finger on. As I observed him from a distance, I saw that his style of dressing was the reason he looked older than David. I wondered about his real age, but then I remembered that you could never be sure with immortals.

“You say you visited my home in America?” David asked him, walking through the door.

“Oui, I went to your new village, and there was nothing there. Why would you even consider investing in real estate?”

“It’s a town, not a village. And it’s a nice change.”

“A boring change, if you ask me. At least, I could never live there.” Eros removed his coat after he set his luggage down. He carried more suitcases than a southern bell, I thought. “It would depress me and put a damper on my business.”

“What business are you in?” I asked.

“You haven’t spoken to her of me, mon frère?” Eros frowned at David.

“Once, but that was the worst decision I’ve ever made,” David said to him. “No offense.”

“Has he been spreading filthy rumors about me?” Eros’ eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Don’t believe a word.”

“Actually,” I told him, “David’s never mentioned you.”

“I did tell you about him once. I never mentioned him by name, but it was the day of the incident—with your hand.”

“Eros is the friend that you went to visit to make me fall in love with you?” It all started to make sense. I started to understand why I felt attracted to Eros. He could make me feel this way. But why would he do that to me when David was his closest friend?

“I don’t know what he’s told you, Isis.” Eros pronounced my name with short I’s. “But I’m the most pleasant person you’ll ever meet.”

And then, there it was again. There was something about the way he looked into my eyes that made me want to fall on my knees—in the most literal of terms. I didn’t understand that overwhelming sensation. I stood there, immobile, peering back at him. What the hell was he doing to me?

“If you’re using your charms…” David warned him. “Don’t you dare.”

Eros hissed. “I’m your friend, and I’m offended that you would even think it.”

“It’s never stopped you before.” David locked his hand with mine.

“That is a matter I don’t discuss openly.” Eros’ mouth tightened. “But for your peace of mind, Isis, I will say this—I’ve never inflicted harm on anyone.”

“That depends on how you look at it,” David said. “What about Veronica?”

“Low blow, my brother.” Eros’ nose flared. “There’s no need for this in front of her. Besides, I’ve told you many times I had no idea that would happen. Everything I know, I discovered and learned on my own. I had no teacher or parents to guide me, like you did. But I don’t expect you to understand.”

The room filled with an inaudible scream of tension. Eros and David held each other’s stare, neither making an attempt to look away. I decided to step out of the room to let them settle their disagreement privately. I loosened my hand from David’s, but he tightened his grip in return.

“I’ll leave,” Eros said, at last, picking up his coat. “I can see my visit will be a problem.”

“No. It won’t,” David said. “I was out of line, and I’m sorry. Please stay.”

After a moment, Eros put his coat down again. “I’ll take my old room, if that’s okay?”

“Have you ever had to ask?” David placed his hand on Eros’ shoulder. “Welcome home, brother.”

***

David invited Eros to come sightseeing with us, and I was relieved when Eros declined. He said that he was too exhausted from traveling. As David drove down the hill, I wondered about Eros’ past. Why had he looked like David had kicked him in the groin when he brought it up?

“Can I ask you something?” I asked, and David nodded. “What happened to the girl named Veronica that you mentioned?”

David’s lips pressed together in a flat line.

“You don’t have to tell me. I understand if it’s a guy pact thing or whatever.”

“Yes, but I think you should know. It’ll help you understand the reason behind my protective behavior.”

“I’m sure you mean jealous behavior.”

“No, I mean protective.”

“Sure,” I said, unconvinced. “So what happened to her?”

“You see, Eros fell in love when he was rather young. In human years, he must’ve been about fourteen. He was a very mischievous boy, always going against the laws, but finding ways to evade punishment because of his young age. The Council saw him as a victim of circumstance because of the absence of his parents, and pardoned him time after time—until the incident with Veronica.”

“That bad?”

“You decide after I tell you the story.” David glanced at me, and then turned back to look at the road. “A very long time ago, during an age that man has no knowledge of, Eros met Veronica in the country known today as Spain. She was human and of the first civilizations to live on Earth, called Aetherius.”

“Cavemen?”

“No.” David smirked. “I’m sure that even then Eros had better taste than that. The caveman came much later in time. The Aetherius were a very modern civilization.”

“That makes Eros a lot older than you.”

“He is.” David nodded.

“So what happened when Eros met Veronica?”

“Eros tried to flatter Veronica with gifts—flowers, precious gems. But being sixteen and older than Eros, she refused the gifts and refused him, as well. Eros was furious that she, being human, would deny him—the god of love and lust and who no girl could resist. But she was different, and this is what drew Eros to her.

“Not knowing how his gift affected people, Eros used it to woo her. What Eros didn’t know was that if love wasn’t meant to be, there was no way to make anyone love another by force.

“Day after day, he visited her, using his gifts, pouring his charms in her heart. Until one day, the side effects of Eros’ invisible potion changed Veronica.

“She began to despise Eros and love him all at once. She was in an emotional limbo that later grew into an emotional void. She sat and stared into nothingness for months. Eros was devastated, but he didn’t dare pray for her health. He was afraid that Deus would punish him for misusing his power.

“Every afternoon, Eros would visit Veronica under the willow tree where her parents set her chair—wheelchair. Eros’ power was the cause of her vegetative state.

“One day, as Eros approached the tree, he saw that her chair was empty, and Veronica was nowhere in sight. He sat under the tree and waited, assuming her parents were late in bringing her to meet him. As he sat there, he rested his head against the bark of the enormous tree. Eros noticed an object swinging in the branches above him—Veronica’s limp body hung from a twisted rope tied around her neck.”

“She killed herself?” I gasped.

“Yes. Unable to love, to laugh, to cry, or to fear, she felt she had no reason to live.”

“So he really didn’t know what he was doing?”

David shook his head. “And she wasn’t the only one that suffered that fate. For a moment I thought he was doing the same to you.”

“You’re his friend. Why would he do that?”

“The nature of his gift makes women downright senseless. Of course, he loves the attention. He really loves the attention. But then what do you expect? He’s the embodiment of lust and love.” David parked the car. “Eros isn’t a bad person. It’s just all beyond his control.”

I wasn’t convinced about that last statement. Eros had lived too long, too much, to not understand the power he possessed. To me, it sounded like Eros was a coldblooded killer. David’s attempt to justify his friend upset me.

“Surely, he must have some control over it by now,” I said. “He’s had too long a life not to have mastered his gifts. And the fact that he’s Cupid-in-the-flesh doesn’t excuse him, either. I mean, there are morals and principals that a person lives by. He should be setting the example.”

“In his defense, he’s changed. But old habits die hard.” David faced me as he turned off the engine. “Which leads to the next subject. You will not go near him if I’m not present. Do you understand?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t go near him.”

“Because you don’t trust me?”

“I do. It’s Eros’ charms I don’t trust, and for that reason, I want you to keep your distance from him. You’re not immune to his gifts.”

“What do you mean?” I knew very well what he was referring to.

“I saw the way you looked at him.”

“David, I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did, Isis,” David said. “You find him attractive, and that’s something out of your control. His presence is overpowering to any female, and that includes you. That’s the way he was born.”

I was aware of the intense energy that ignited my attraction when Eros looked at me for the first time, but it didn’t mean I would act on what I felt.

“You know, it takes two to join into an agreement of any kind, including a relationship. I’m not interested in Eros. I’m sorry you don’t think better of me.”

“Please don’t make this a trust issue.”

“Whatever,” I said. “I find it hurtful that you would forbid me from speaking to another guy because you think I’ll jump him as soon as you turn your head.”

“That’s not what I was trying to say. You’re misinterpreting my words. I’m asking that you refrain from speaking to him when I’m not there, that’s all.”

I glowered at him. “Only him, or all guys?”

“I’m not trying to be controlling.” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. “I’m trying to protect you. You’re overanalyzing everything that I’m saying.”

“And you are overreacting. I’ve never told you to stop talking to any girl. But you…”

“Isis!” He hit the steering wheel.

I jumped.

“Why do you have to be so difficult? All I’m asking is that you…” He breathed in sharply and dropped his head back. “Do whatever you like.”

David pushed open the car door and slammed it, using such force that both the car and I shuddered. I noticed the lopsided steering wheel as he walked around the car to my door and opened it. If he thought this was over, he had another thing coming.

“I’m your girlfriend. You should have a little more faith in me,” I said, stepping out of the car.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” he said.

“Could you tell me if there’s anything else I’m not allowed to do without your permission?”

“Isis, please…” David closed his eyes.

“Are you going to keep me from speaking to my friends, as well? Or does this rule apply to the general public?”

“Enough!” The thunderous tone of his voice startled me.

People passing on the street stopped and stared. David had never before expressed anger toward me. It hurt, and I was embarrassed at being made a public spectacle, even if it was only for five seconds. I felt my eyes start to burn, and I turned my face away from him.

“My love,” David said. “I… I’m sorry.”

He wiped my tears and hugged me, but I didn’t return his embrace.