#phsyche

Cupid stayed still resting his head in his hands. Psyche craned around him planting a kiss between his eyes.  She ran a hand down his arm causing him to shiver.

Cupid’s sky blue eyes met hers. “You melt me.”

Psyche pulled away, covering her mouth in mock surprise. “Oh dear, how unfortunate for me. How will you ever love someone who melts you.”

Cupid laughed. “Maybe I like being melted.”

“Then I will love that puddle you become.”

Cupid ran his fingertips over Psyches cheek trailing his thumb over her lips and down her neck. Chills vibrated across her, opening her heart. She stretched out encouraging his hand to wander down her body.

“Shall we try for a son?” she said.

Cupid’s hand stopped.

“Or maybe a daughter? But I'm afraid she would be too much like me.”

“You know I want a child, more than anything-”

“And I want to give you that child.”

“I know.” He looked away. “We should try later. I have just been distracted is all. Maybe I should clear my thoughts in the forest.” He got up and walked to the door, he turned back. “I love you.”

Psyche smiled. “I love you too.”

Cupid left leaving Psyche feeling alone. She thought that maybe she too should get some air. She covered herself up with a robe up and went outside a few minutes after to sit in the palace garden.  The sun was warm and the sky was beautiful as always but did little to improve her mood. She instead found the darkest place she could, a bench shaded by a giant willow tree and sat on its cold stone. Her life with Cupid had always been so happy until the last few days. That roman had to be his lover otherwise why would he be so upset. But was it possible that he preferred his company?

“Hello my dear.” Faun popped his curly red hair out from behind the tree.

Psyche exhaled. “Hi.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you think Cupid is bored with me?”

“How could anyone be bored with you?” He walked his goat legs over and sat beside her on the bench.

“He may desire men.”

Faun shook his head. “If I didn’t love Cupid as I do, I would tell you it’s true and convince you to run away with me.” His bright green eyes matched the leaves behind him. “But alas, I don’t believe that’s true.”

She let out a small laugh and Faun smiled.

“Don’t worry-” He stopped mid sentence flaring his nostrils. He stood and bowed. “It seems as if the lady of the manor is heading this way, and so is my cue to leave.” He blended in with the forest just as easily as he had come from it. Soft steps crunched in the gravel of the pathway.

“Why hello.” Venus pursed her delicate lips. “Have you seen my son?”  

Even after hundreds of years it was hard for Pscyhe to get over the fact that her mother-in-law looked younger than her. She fained a smile. “He went for a walk.”

“You didn’t go with?” Her thin eyebrows arched.

“Not this time.”  

Venus brushed a few loose blond hairs behind her ears. “Even gods argue...and I suppose that's the same for created gods as well.”

Psyche sat still, wanting more than anything to clock the bitch.

“I suppose I will try and find him myself then.”  

Venus continued down the path, her footsteps fading away not soon enough for Psyche. Faun reappeared besides on the bench moments later.

“You’re lucky you can hide from her.”  Psyche said. She watched an orange butterfly land on a nearby rose.

“Faking your own death has its benefits.” Faun held out his hand and the butterfly fluttered to his fingertip.

“But everyone knows you're alive here.”

“It keeps the mortal world guessing, plus I like to commit to my illusions.” He lowered his hand and the butterfly disappeared.

Psyche gazed over the manicured hedges. She was always so alone in this world. She would never admit it but sometimes she missed her mortal friends who were long dead. Here she only had Cupid, and when he was gone she had no one. Sure there was Faun and the nymphs but she knew they were only attracted to her because of her power. She wouldn’t be alone if she could just conceive. “Do you think the Fates hate me?”

“Of course not?”

She felt a swell of emotion, but held it back. Gods shouldn’t be so weak.  “Did you know the mortal world is so disappointed that Cupid and I haven’t had children they have invited them for us?”

Faun looked away. Despite his so-called death, he visited the mortal world more than most, so was sure to have heard the rumors.

Psyche gestured towards Venus’ direction. “I bet she had something to do with that.”

“I doubt it.” Faun said, his empathetic gaze was a stark contrast to the icy one of Venus.  “Mortals love you both and merely hope for what you want as well.”

“It doesn’t help, I don’t need them mocking me.”

Faun cocked his head. “Don’t forget you were once one of them.”

“How dare you?” Psyche stood.

“There’s no shame in it.” He leaned on his arms looking up at her.

“So you mock me too?”

“My dear friend...”