Destined by Jessie Harrell Read Free Book Online Page A

pulsed on the surface, but underneath those rhythms was the chorus of her spirit — love, tenderness, good intentions — a package that made Psyche far and away different.
     
    Without realizing he was doing it, Eros lowered his bow. “Psyche,” he muttered just before the arrow grazed his knee. The tip left only the tiniest of scratches, but it was enough.
     
    Eros rushed forward on instinct, grabbing Psyche’s arm and dragging her in close to his chest. Her lips froze in an “O” while her eyes went wide with fear.
     
    What was he doing? Eros shook his head as if the sudden feelings that had just overwhelmed him could be cast aside as easily as shaking off a few drops of rain.
     
    Dropping Psyche’s arm, he backed away. This wasn’t him. He didn’t fall for mortals. Wouldn’t fall for mortals. And certainly not his mother’s little minion….
     
    Aphrodite. Could she have set this up somehow? Was she forcing him to love Psyche so he’d change his mind about marrying the girl? His chest labored under ragged breaths as his anger rose. He would not allow her to manipulate him like this. He’d made his choice. Psyche had made her choice.
     
    This couldn’t be happening.
     
    And yet there it was: a need in his core that made it impossible for him to do anything but stare into the loveliest green eyes he’d ever seen. His breathing slowed as a calm washed over him; knowledge that he could find peace again in someone’s embrace. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
     
    His eyes tore from hers and traveled down her arms until he found her hands. Psyche’s hands could give him the comfort he’d been denied the last time he’d tried to love. Why did she have them balled into fists at her side when all he wanted was her to stroke his cheek? How could she not be feeling their connection?
     
    Suddenly Psyche lunged, making a move for something just behind him. The arrow. He stomped on the tip before she could reach it, making it dissolve into a pool of light. Psyche sprawled forward, grasping for the missing weapon. Unable to leave her prone on the ground, Eros leaned down and gently lifted her to feet.
     
    Even as Psyche trembled under his grasp, touching her again set off a concussive burst in his nerves. Before, with her, he hadn’t felt this strongly. This was something new entirely, almost like he was under a spell.
     
    The realization made a shudder roll down his spine. Had he done this to himself? His mind cycled backward. He’d whispered Psyche’s name, that could’ve changed the target. Had he poked himself? It couldn’t be, the arrow hadn’t dissolved. He’d had to crush it into oblivion. But then again, he’d never shot anyone gently before either. Was it the impact and not the use that made the arrows vanish?
     
    Psyche tore herself free, skittering back to her bench as if the stone would shield her. His heart nearly cramped as he felt her exposed fear. He yearned to sit beside her, pull her into his lap, soothe away her worries. He wanted nothing more than for them to be in love.
     
    What did it matter whether these feelings were self-inflicted? He was on a high he never wanted to come down from. And he wanted Psyche. Wanted her love. Wanted her at his side. Wanted everything.
     
    But he needed time to think. His mother’s curse had set certain events in motion. Taking Psyche now would have consequences. Maybe even ones he didn’t want to face. He had to get out of there before he did something even more colossally stupid than shooting himself.
     
      “Go inside, Psyche. Someone will come for you soon.” Whether Eros came back himself or he led the Phramakos to her door, one way or another, someone would be coming.
     
    Pausing only long enough to catch the rising moonlight reflecting in her eyes, Eros turned and ran back to the forest.
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    Chapter 8 - Psyche

     
     
     
    I walked to where I thought the stranger with the arrow had been