CUPID’S LOVE ARROWS
Chapter One continued (Special Content for Newsletter Subscribers)
In the past Neva had wanted nothing to do with goddesses and such. That was before she met Bane and discovered her Wytchfae magic. Now she was accustomed to supernatural beings and more open to getting to know them. Harmonia had impressed her from the get-go. She was powerful but also nurturing and benevolent. Neva asked respectfully, “Goddess, help me understand. The problem is presently contained in one town? Why is that?”
The goddess explained, “Two and a half centuries ago the design was tweaked to create an umbrella of positive energy. Cupid concentrates firing the love arrows within small towns and communities. He’s in a town for a week or so, and then another. The energy radiates out and forms a wide nexus of stability and goodwill. Without the arrows, the negative forces that plague humanity can more easily take over. Dark days will come.”
Bane said, “It doesn’t sound like Cupid to let things slack off. He likes the challenge of his job and relishes the traveling life. What does he say is happening?”
The goddess’s amber eyes narrowed to gold-flecked slits. “Aphrodite says he doesn’t answer.”
“He’s missing?” Neva asked, aghast.
“So it would seem. Will you accept the quest?”
Bane looked at Neva, who smiled in agreement. “We’re on it,” he told Harmonia.
“Sleep tonight if you can. Come morning, you must find him and get the arrows moving, and fast,” said the goddess.
Neva and Bane were outfitted with supplies, including clothing appropriate for a small Florida town in mid-February, and hurriedly ushered out of the fae realm. They spent the night at a safe house that lay between dimensions. Sleep proved to be fitful. When Neva awakened, she smelled the aroma of morning coffee and knew that Bane was already up.
As much as Neva worried about the mission itself, she loved their sleuthing lifestyle and often felt like a wayfaring adventurer from the old fairy tales setting out at moonrise. She checked her universal wristwatch before strapping it on. Moonrise had occurred at 5:21 A.M. The time now was forty minutes later. Moving to an eastern window, she gazed at a golden crescent moon that hung low on the horizon. It seemed like a good omen, and she hoped it was. Neva had once faced a blood curse scheduled around a solstice moon. She kept up with sky things.
Soon they were ready. She gripped Bane’s sturdy arm, and together they transported into the earth dimension. The couple landed on the plush green grass surrounding the historical courthouse. “I hope we can make things right,” she said. “Inverness residents have gone all out for their Valentine’s Day festival. Look at all the energetic people, all the different booths and rows of colorful displays.”
He replied, while maintaining a warrior’s mode of situational awareness, “I’ve never seen so many flowers and red heart balloons. It was pretty clever of Aphrodite to whisper the idea into a council member’s head via a dreamtime visit,” he said, repeating something Harmonia had said. “And smart of the council member to roll the inspiration into a full-fledged project.”
“Even if Aphrodite was mainly trying to drum up a work venue for her son, it still benefits the town,” Neva commented. “And Aphrodite knows there’s always room for more love in the world.”
“Yeah, I’ll breathe easier once we find Cupid and discover what’s wrong.” Deep furrows appeared on his forehead. “Not a soul shot with a love arrow in three days. That’s unreal.”
“Are you worried that something has happened to him?”
“It’s too soon to know, but we can’t rule it out.” He carefully folded and secured in his pocket the portable travel device that allowed them to move among dimensions.
“I’m glad you managed to acquire one of those,” Neva said, indicating the device. “Otherwise, it would take ages to search out a natural portal, and I know how you loathe dealing with the techfae workers at the regular fae travel stations.”
“I’m all for efficiency, but too big a dose of techfae gives me heartburn. I can’t take credit, though. Harmonia made sure we got this.”
“I think you’re becoming more and more her favorite,” Neva teased.
He laughed. “No more than you, Wytchfae.” Sobering, he peered around. “Let’s move over by those oaks before we materialize. Less chance of freaking someone out.”
“The sooner we find out what has gone wrong with Cupid and his love arrows,” she said, stroking his forearm and looking up at him with a sensual smile, “the sooner we can relax and enjoy a few days in sunny Central Florida.”
He gave her the killer grin she had come to adore. “You know I’m all too ready. Let’s get it done.”
Now visible, they began to stroll along the sidewalk, appearing to take in the sights but really on the lookout for Cupid or any suspicion of Cupid. At a booth displaying handmade beaded earrings, Neva pointed out a large bowl of complimentary conversation hearts. Nearly every vendor’s booth had one. “I haven’t had a candy heart since I was a kid,” she said. “Have you?”
Bane reached into the bowl, plucked out a yellow candy, unwrapped it, and nonchalantly popped it into his mouth.
“But what did it say?” cried Neva in dismay. “The message is the best part.”
“I’ll show you,” he replied, a smoky quality to his tone that made her stomach flutter. Cupping her face, he pressed his warm mouth to hers.
“Mm,” she sighed, after a moment. “It said Kiss Me?”
He nodded, and showed her again.
For a second she melted against him. Then she remembered where they were and pulled away, her cheeks heating. The earring maker, a middle-aged woman dressed in artistic boho style, was pretending not to look.
Bane caught the woman’s eye, winked, and again reached into the bowl. He offered a purple candy heart to Neva.
“Aww, it says Be Mine Forever.” She grinned, Bane grinned, and the earring maker smiled from ear to ear.
Just then a crash sounded from across the street, and a loud argument broke out in the stall next door. “Here we go,” Bane said, his tone grim.
Copyright @ 2026 Flossie Benton Rogers
Cupid’s Love Arrows is a work in progress. The rest is coming soon!