Eros

Chapter 8: Failure

Eros glanced at the black sky. Somewhere, far beyond the heavens, his mother laughed. How cruel a joke it was for him to have his power revoked. He ground his teeth and gazed at the roses he had picked for Angie. A small curve shook a corner of his mouth.

If Chloris had not responded, he would have thought that surely his former life had not been real. He swallowed hard against an unfamiliar ache in his throat. So many new feelings and emotions. He did not know how to deal with them. Eros felt so cut off. So cold. So lost. He was frightened. If only he could really tell Angie what was going on. If only . . .

Eros stopped in front of her house. A large latticework gate twice his height loomed overhead, eclipsing Hesperos' evening star. He reached up and caressed what glimmer he could see from the star with a sad sigh.

Just as he was about to press the red button, he heard someone's throat clear. He whirled around and found a dark shadow just on the other side of the gate.

"Eros, is that you? What are you doing out here?"

He breathed loudly and his shoulders drooped. He was so filled with relief that he lost his strength and toppled to the ground. The roses scattered from his grip and he winced.

"Eros!"

He rolled to his back and stared at the dark sky. Suddenly, her presence filled him and he closed his eyes. Something hot trickled from the corner of his eye. He reached up and wiped it, feeling the texture between his fingers. A tear? Only mortals wept!

"Eros, are you okay? What happened to you? Are those roses?"

"Yes." His voice cracked and he grimaced at the shameful sound. "They are for you, Angie. I apologize for dropping them. I hope they are to your liking?" He rolled to his side, content with the feeling of Angie's strong hands as she assisted him, though he needed no the assistance. He laughed. Quiet. Soft. Shy.

"Are you drunk?"

He shook his head, but wobbled once on his feet.

"Are you sure? Cause you sure act like it."

"No, I do not drink." He snorted. At least he had not tried here as a mortal. He would sure hate to lose himself and then what would happen if he accidentally ended up in Hades' realm? Would Aphrodite rescue him? It would be her fault, after all, if anything untoward occurred to him.

"Did you really get these,"—she bent over and picked up the aromatic bundle—"for me?"

"How would you call it?" Eros stared at her waiting eyes, searching for the most fitting word. "A peace offering? I did not mean to hurt you earlier."

Angie's face dropped and he saw her gnaw on her bottom lip. Her lashes a long dark fan across her round cheeks. The oddest sensation made him think his chest had caved in, dropping to his toes. He placed his palm against his heart.

"Naw," she shook her head. "Forget that, Eros. I don't know what was wrong with me. I, well . . ." She scoffed and batted the air. "Never mind. It's me, y'know? Guys normally don't fall at my feet." She laughed out loud.

"Oh, you mean like I just did?" He indicated the cold cement in which he stood upon.

"Yes, like you just did. Mmm, these smell sweet. Wow, thanks." Angie stared at him, her eyes wide and searching.

He smiled sadly. If only he could sense her thoughts, he'd know what to do. Maybe. Maybe he should trust his feelings without his intuition?

"Eros? Why?" her voice broke.