Love in Love

The Prophecy

That night

I sit atop the roof of my mother's palace, looking out over the clouds in silence, my arms resting on my knees.

I close my eyes as I feel a soft breeze pass by.

When I open them, I find my best friend, Zephyros, sitting beside me.

"What's wrong?" He asks, concern clearly written across his face.

"Nothing." I reply shortly.

He studies me closely, noticing the evident frown upon my face.

He places a comforting hand upon my shoulder.

"Is it about Psyche?" He asks quietly.

I tense slightly, not daring to look him in the eye.

"I don't know who you're talking about..." I trail.

He narrows his eyes, "Don't lie to me, Eros, you know I can tell when you're lying."

I stay silent.

"Also... I may have overheard one of Apollo's oracles talking to her father." He admits.

I glance at him curiously, "...what did the oracle say?"

He sits upright, getting ready to do his best impression of an oracle, "Embellish this maiden, oh monarch, for a nuptial rite filled with terror, and position her on a majestic mountain crest. Cast aside all thoughts of a mortal joining your lineage, for she is destined to unite with a fearsome creature, crude and serpent-like in nature. This behemoth, fluttering on high with wings spread wide, inflicts suffering on all, burdening every creature in motion with flame and dart. Indeed, even Zeus, the highest, must tremble in fear. The other gods reveal their dread for him, rivers shiver at his might, and the somber depths below recoil in fear."

I put my head in my hands.

"Great, thanks Apollo, now Psyche is sure to be terrified of me..." I trail sarcastically.

He chuckles lightly, "Why don't you just go talk to her?"

"Because then she will see that I'm a god." I answer.

"So what if she sees that you're a god?" He counters.

I sigh, "I want her to fall in love with me for who I truly am... and if she sees that I'm a god, I'm afraid that she will only fall in love with me because of that fact."

"So, how do you plan on being with her if you don't want her to see what you look like?" He questions skeptically.

I think about this for a moment before answering, "I will only visit her at night, the darkness will be my cloak."

He laughs, "And how long do you plan on keeping that up?"

"Until I know she has fallen in love with me." I reply simply.

He shakes his head thoughtfully, "I think there's one thing you're forgetting."

"What is it?" I ask.

"You can't possibly let her live in the same palace as your mother!" He expresses.

I pause, "That... actually does sound like a bad idea."

"So, what are you going to do?" He inquires.

I think for a moment.

"I will ask Hephaestus to build me a palace, somewhere impossible to reach without flying." I decide.

"Sounds perfect!" He praises me.

The next morning

Mother approaches me as soon as I arrive downstairs.

"Good morning!" She greets cheerfully.

"Morning..." I mumble.

Upon seeing her, the guilt of falling in love with Psyche returns, plaguing my mind.

"How are you feeling today?" She questions.

"Fine." I respond, walking past her and entering the kitchen, grabbing an apple.

"Do you want me to make you some breakfast?" She asks curiously.

"I'm fine." I repeat, walking towards the front door.

"Have a good day, darling." She calls after me.

"Thank you." I call back.

At Hephaestus' forge

I fly off to Hephaestus' forge to ask him about building me a palace.

"Hey, Hephaestus?" I call out, slowly opening the door.

Hephaestus looks up from his work.

"Eros! Good morning!" He greets me cheerfully.

"Morning." I respond with a smile, walking over to the metalsmith.

"How can I help you?" He inquires.

"Do you think you could build me a palace?" I ask hopefully.

"Of course, but why exactly do you wish for a palace?" He asks curiously.

"Please promise me you won't tell anyone." I beg him.

"I promise." He assures me.

"I fell in love." I reveal quickly.

"With whom?" He inquires.

"A girl by the name of Psyche that my mother had sent me to exact revenge on." I whisper.

"I understand, that is difficult," He says, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "but you deserve to be happy, Eros."

I stare at the ground, tears suddenly forming in my eyes.

"Eros?" He calls, confused.

I raise my eyes to look at him, tears streaming down my face.

"I'm scared of betraying my mother, more than I already have." I admit tearfully.

He frowns softly, squeezing my shoulder.

"I understand, Eros, but don't believe for one moment you should ever feel guilty for loving someone." He tells me gently.

"But-" I protest.

He holds up a finger, silencing me.

"Listen to me, It's your heart that matters most, so stop letting others control it, your happiness is much more important than your duty to your mother." He explains.

I wipe away my tears and nod, giving him a weak smile.

He smiles in return.

"Now, what do you say we build you a beautiful palace, hm?" He suggests.