Chapter 34

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Aglaura’s wedding was spectacular by mortal standards. Plenty of gold and splendor to blind the weaker eyes. And they’d picked his mother’s temple to perform the ceremony. His mother would be pleased by that. 

Eros usually liked weddings. They were perfect opportunities to shoot a few guests and cause a stir. Love was already in the air and jealous eyes revealed the heart’s desire. 

However for this wedding, Eros was too intent on Psyche to notice anything else.

He had to do his research, afterall, to make sure he treated his assignment with the gravity it deserved. 

Princess Psyche had entered the temple with her other sister. Cydippe was it? The two of them made a grand procession ahead of the rest of the wedding party. Both maiden princesses were dressed alike but were decidedly different. 

Cydippe’s hair dripped with ribbons and bows. Jewels sparkled from every part of her head, which she held quite high. Obviously this sister thought highly of herself. She kept her eyes straight ahead, as if no one deserved her gaze. 

Eros shook his head. He would have believed it better if his mother had asked him to punish this mortal. She was definitely proud. 

Psyche had adapted the look with a simpler style, leaving out the ribbons, jewels, and haughty air. Eros couldn’t help but admire her. She would have drawn criticism from his mother with not enough curls or lacking in elegance. Yet to him, Psyche was clearly superior in both grace and beauty. Hers had a more refined quality to it, one that didn’t need anyone’s approval. 

She was confident, not haughty. 

She let her gaze rest on members of the crowd as she passed. 

Eros noticed that those who caught the princess’s gaze would instantly beam, as if they were basking in the rays of the sun. Other people in the crowd whispered short, ritual praises or reached out and gently touched Psyche’s dress. She didn’t seem to mind, but she slightly bent her head in humility at each touch. 

Psyche and the people were guilty of blasphemy. He could see that clearly. But it didn’t seem to him to be the result of Psyche’s pride. 

At every touch and praise for Psyche, Eros also noted, Cydippe stiffened. 

Eros chuckled. 

Of course her sister was jealous. 

Typical of all females.They all had the horrid habit of scratching and clawing at each other, the way the nymphs had fought over the puddle. 

So tiresome. 

The king and queen now joined the procession into the temple, together behind the priestess. Here were two parents clearly guilty of pride. While it made sense that most parents would be proud of their children on their wedding day, these two looked a little too pleased with themselves. 

Last to enter, came the wedding couple. They carried a basket between them, their offering to the Goddess Aphrodite. 

Eros groaned.

This was a truly sad pair, almost completely devoid of passion. The groom looked well enough, with a set jaw and a firm sense of duty. Aglaura matched him for beauty and they looked handsome together. If only they had an ounce of love shared between them. 

Eros had half a mind to shoot one of them to ignite at least a spark of romance, but something in Aglaura’s demeanor stopped him. She seemed a little bit too arrogant and, all together, he felt she was somehow unworthy of the love his arrow would award her. 

If the princess felt that sure of herself, then let her figure out how to have a loving marriage on her own. 

Marriage. 

What a scheming business. Clearly that was how this family approached it. Scheming and planning for advantage and gain. 

Nevermind love and affection. 

It was an insult to have love disregarded so blatantly. Eros agreed this family deserved to be brought down a notch or two. 

Eros was reminded of his task. He scanned the audience. Which of these would make a vile suitor for the lovely Psyche? The thought of disturbing the planning and scheming of the king and queen gave Eros a touch of satisfaction. 

He caught sight of Damian and Cora. They were surrounded by a host of children. Apparently Theo wasn’t their only one. Cora had a firm hand on several, most of whom were surprisingly well-behaved. Damian also gave a few of the children stern looks and that seemed to help them keep quiet. 

They seemed a pleasant enough family. 

Adonis caught his eye next. He was standing with a woman he assumed was Chloe. She clung to his arm and Eros could sense a deep love and passion within her. How could she love such a man? Though, Adonis seemed somewhat changed too. He and Chloe both regularly looked at Psyche and then back at each other. They seemed happy. Perhaps the necklace was enough of a bribe to win their affection.

But Psyche’s gift had not felt like a bribe. 

Not exactly. 

Eros continued to scan the crowd. There were a good number of visiting nobles and local merchants who would make a vile-enough match for Psyche. Plenty of greed and dishonesty among them. Or perhaps he should look lower. Some commoner with a bad habit or a crippled beggar. That might satisfy his mother. 

And it might sufficiently lower the pride of the royal family. 

He looked at Psyche again. She really was quite beautiful, quietly standing and shining above the earthly splendor around her. 

Something didn’t feel right, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Psyche definitely summoned blasphemies from the lips and gestures of her worshipers. Worthy enough reason to get the job done right now. But he wasn’t so sure it was she who deserved the blame for such misplaced worship. She didn’t seem to seek it out or boast the praise.

“Eros!”

His mother again. 

She really had no patience at all. 

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