1 Prologue

"Cupid, kill her now," mother commands.

Hearing those words, I immediately said, "No, Mother. I won't kill her." I cover my own body on Psyche's thin body.

"And why, Cupid? I choose you on this mission because I know you won't disappoint me, but what is this? Why are you protecting that mortal?" She takes a step forward, glaring on the girl standing behind me.

Psyche grips my shirt, hiding herself. Her hands are shaking. I hold her hand on my back. I don't want to lose her just because Mother sees her as a threat. I was blinded by Mother's words that this girl standing on my back, Psyche, will be the reason why she and Father, Ares, will be separated; the reason that my father will fall in love with her and ruin their relationship.

"Mother, I told you already that she's not a threat on your relationship with Father," I say as I face her dreadful look.

"Just kill that mortal, Cupid, before I lose my patience and I will be the one to do that," she insists, full of authority. She holds her sword, unsheathing it beside her. It glows as she swas it from side to side.

I get a glimpse of Psyche. How will a girl with such an innocent face can be a threat? Yes, she has an angelic face – pale skin complexion, red heart-shaped lips, pointed nose, emerald eyes, pinkish cheeks, and long eye-lashes with perfect curve – but is this enough that Mother should consider her as a threat?

"I will protect her from you, Mother, no matter what it takes. I love her. You'll kill me first before you can kill her."

"Step beside, son."

"No." I stand still. "I won't let you kill Psyche."

"You leave me no choice, Cupid." She steps her right foot backwards, gaining some force.

I turn around. I hug her, wrapping my wings on Psyche's body. A red liquid splashes on my face before I can fully cover my hard as steel wings on her body. Her body slumps on my broad chest.

"Psyche, please stay awake. Psyche," I shake her shoulders whilst my left arm supports her back.

"C-cupid," she reaches my cheeks. "Don't worry about me. I know in the first place that it was my fault. I entered a forbidden relation," her voice cracks.

"No. No. Don't say that, Psyche. It's not your fault. No one has a fault. We just love each other. I don't see any-"

Her hands drop. Her head falls on my arm. Lifeless.

"No! You can't die. We will still make the family, our own family, we're dreaming to come true." My voice crack.

I fall to the ground, my knees slowly kissing the green grasses. In just a span of seconds, I lost all my strength. I hug her tightly. Drops of warm liquid from my eyes start to fall. I lost her. I lost my beloved. I lost Psyche.

I don't understand why my Mother wanted her to be killed even if I already told her that Psyche is not a dangerous person. She was just so innocent. She's fragile just like a gem. And she can't even protect herself on her own.

I look up and see Mother standing in front of us. A light is surrounding her from head to toe that makes her white long dress glows.

"Why did you do that?" barely sounded like a whisper as my throat tenses producing a hoarse voice, I asked.

"She is not only a threat that your father might fall for her but she is also a threat on me as the Goddess of Beauty. She can surpass my beauty and replace me on my title. And I won't let that happen, Son."