Falling for Cupid

Cupid

I walk into the meeting room of the higher angels and council members. After helping Death find love, they think it is now my turn. I’ve spent years sprinkling little hearts and making people fall in love; it’s all I’ve ever known.

“Do you know why we have brought you here today?” Grand Angel Seraphim speaks above everyone.

“You want me to find love?”

Light spreads all around us. “We all agree, Cupid. Hopeful House is successful again, so the adoption of Cupids is at an all-time high. There is more love being spread around than ever before.”

“Yes. You have changed the world, guided new Cupids carrying on the work, and now we feel it is time for you to experience true love.” He stands and spreads his arms out wide. “The balance between heaven and hell is equal; only the human realm needs more love, but in a different way this time.”

A dash of nerves runs through me.

“You have permission to bid farewell to your family, but upon your next journey to Earth, you will lose your powers and your Cupid wings.” Grand Angel Seraphim walks towards me. He places his hand on my shoulder. “You will have everything to start you off in the human world, but first you need to choose a name for yourself.”

“Can I have some time to think about it?” It is still a shock that this is happening to me.

“We will grant you one day, then you must leave.” He bows his head to me.

I click my fingers and appear at home. Kyra, my sister, is at home with Mom. “How did it go?” Mom asks as I sit down at the table.

“They are sending me to Earth to find love.” I say and run my fingers through my hair.

“You deserve it after all you have done.” Mom smiles and cups my cheek.

“But I might never see you again?” The deep-seated fear of losing them is painful after all they have done for me.

“Oh, Cupid. Of course, we will see you again. Do you think your father could resist the temptation to come to Earth and provoke you? Also, if your home is near Death, you could form a friendship with him?” She is trying to keep a brave face.

“Yeah, you do everything for others; now it is your chance to enjoy life.” Kyra grins and pops a fizzy cherry bomb into her mouth. She pulls a face as the sour fizz attacks her tastebuds.

I laugh when she closes one eye and her mouth stretches wide as the pop of the candy bomb explodes on her tongue.

“How do you even eat those things?”

“What? These are among my top sellers in the shop.” She digs her hand into the bag of sweets.

With a little help from the pits of hell lava, Kyra creates some of the best sweets in heaven. No one else can compare with what she creates.

“Why don’t we have a family dinner tonight?” Mom suggests.

“Will Roxy be able to tear herself away from the pits of hell?” She has been running things alongside Dad, so once he retires completely, she can take over. I think she enjoys it a little too much, though.

“I’ll make sure they are both here. Korbin is away collecting souls for them, so I’m sure he will be around somewhere.” Mom ruffles my hair, and I groan.

I go to my room and lie back on my bed, my mind drifting with thoughts. What will I become on Earth? I’ll have to work, so does that mean they will set me up? Or will I have to find my own job? I close my eyes and run through a list of names, hoping to find one that resonates with me as I try to find a suitable name.

A knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts. Dad walks in after I call him in. He rubs his chin and swallows. “Is it true? Are you going to find love?”

“The Grand Angels think I should. It has been years, and there are enough Cupids here to carry on spreading the love. I guess everyone has a time limit before someone else takes over.” I swing my legs off my bed. “Do you think I will find love?”

“Son, you will have women falling at your feet. Humans love a pretty boy.” He smirks. “But I will warn you, women can be cunning and vicious. It isn’t all roses out there.”

“Yes, I’m prepared for that.” I groan. “I’m still trying to come up with a name for myself.” This is proving more difficult than I thought.

“It will come to you. I got sent through to say dinner is ready.” He grunts and heads back through.

The castle’s white stone walls reflect the light as I walk through to the kitchen. Mom is placing the food on the table, and I take my seat. We were a family like no other, a truly bizarre collection of individuals.

Mom the angel, Dad the devil, and me as Cupid. The twins, Korbin and Kyra. Kobin now runs the show Death once did and collects souls, and Kyra is more angel than demon. Then there is Roxy, pure unfiltered demon. Those coming to hell thought they had it bad before; well, Roxy is pure hell, and she loves it.

She clicks her fingers, then rolls her eyes. “Whoops, I forgot I left the latest victim in the bubbling lava pits to burn indefinitely.”

“Roxy,” Dad scolds her.

“What? He deserves it anyway.” She shrugs her shoulders.

“This is,” Mom sniffs and dabs her eyes. “Cupid, you deserve happiness. I can’t thank you enough for being a wonderful son. And I’m going to miss you.”

“I love you too, Mom.” I reach over and squeeze her hand.

It has been a while since we all came together for dinner. Mom has all our favorite dishes, and soon we talk about what they think will happen to me. If I get stuck, Death—known as Daniel in the human realm—might be able to help me find my footing.

By the time we finish, I head to go see the Demon Dogs since I probably won’t see them in the morning. Although night never sets in hell, there is a slight difference in the light.

I walk out where they are running about the land. They spot me and come charging towards me. If I were anyone else, I’d be running for my life right now. They knock me down, and sloppy tongues lick me.

“I’m going to miss you as well.” I laugh and ruffle their fur. Maybe I can get a dog in the human world?

Finding my feet once more, I click my fingers and wander the streets of heaven one last time. The dissimilarity here is immediately noticeable. Soft, refreshing, fluffy air.

The sharp pinch to my heart suddenly makes me feel the sting of sadness. As Cupid, sadness is not an emotion I experience.

I’m going to miss this place.

“There you are.” I spin to find Mom standing there. “You disappeared after dinner. I thought you had left.” She quickly wipes away some falling tears.

“I wouldn’t go without saying a proper goodbye,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion. “I needed some time to feel the tranquility and remember this place.”

She wraps her arm around my waist and leans against me. We watch the clouds float by with the light breeze blowing. When we return home, I pack a bag, and I’m still thinking of a name when I’m done.

“Are you ready?” Mom blinks back her tears.

“Dad can bring you down to Earth for a visit.” I hugged her. She doesn’t have the ability to go where she pleases, unlike Dad because he is the Devil.

“Don’t forget us when you fall in love.” She pinches my cheek.

“I won’t.”

Grand Angel Seraphim arrives. “It is time. Have you thought of a name?” I shake my head. “Perhaps it will come to you when we reach Earth.”

I’ve got a few memories in my bag to take with me. “I’m ready. See you around.” I wave to Mom and Dad.

Grand Angel Seraphim holds out his hand, which I take. Next, we land on Earth, standing in a room. He explains that this will be mine from this day forward.

Since I’ve still not come up with a name, he places his hand on my forehead and closes his eyes.

“Eros Crossing,” the name whispers in the wind. It feels right.

“Here is everything you need to settle, Eros. I know we are throwing you in the deep end here, but you have been around humans to understand how this world works. You will have the ability to communicate with us for the next week.” He steps back. “I believe in you.”

Then he is gone, and I’m all alone.