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Cupid's Kiss Ch. 01

By: swingingpuss



Author's Note: The classic tale of Cupid & Psyche's love thwarted by Aphrodite, but with some modern twists & characters.

The pen scratched on the plain white sheets. Black words drew permanent lines and curves in straight lines. Big scientific words described her to be raving mad, words that negated her experience held her imprisoned in a sterile world devoid of human attachment and warmth. 

Broken nails scratched the table creating a grating noise that drew a pair of stony hazel eyes to stare at her worn out face. She had the beauty of a wilted rose on a hot summer day. Sad and forlorn but the thorns were still there to prick and draw blood. She was in a mad house but still held on to her story with the tenacity of a stubborn crab.

Green eyes glared back at the cold hazel eyes of the psychiatrist and she rapped the hard table with a loud bang and said “I’m telling you what I told that fat buffoon of a cop, I was raped by an angel!”

The psychiatrist who was listening to her with half an ear stared at her pen that had stopped writing, shook it hard and watched the ink fly and splatter on the pristine white walls.

She got up from her chair and traced the thin streak of ink and said in a shaking voice “His blood splashed on the walls. It was cherry red like human blood and white feathers exploded in the air like those torn out of a pillow. They flew and fell around me like snow falling from heaven. Soft and red around the edges, their purity was corrupted by these hands.”

She stared down at her worn out hands and continued huskily “I shot him but I had no choice. It was rape I tell you, even though I came to enjoy his attentions. He was a gentle lover but he always took me without my consent. That is rape, isn’t it?” Her mad eyes beseeched a confirmation.

Expressionless eyes stared back at her and a deadpan voice replied “Yes that sounds like rape but tell me Psyche, if you shot him where is the body?”

Sighing, Psyche walked back to the table and sat down on the chair like a weary old lady and whispered “He stared at me with such wounded eyes as if I had betrayed him. I saw the love and deep sorrow mingle in his china blue eyes and tears that shined like diamonds streamed down his cheeks. It was then that I knew that I had made the worst mistake of my life for I loved him too but it was too late, just too damn fucking late.”

The psychiatrist tilted her head, pressed the nib on the paper, drew the ink out and repeated the question “You said you shot him but then what happened to his body?”

Shifting on her hard chair Psyche cleared her throat in irritation and answered “Didn’t your mama read you fairy tales? Angels don’t die, they have eternal lives or at least they live till we lose faith in them.”

A smile broke through the cool façade and the psychiatrist asked in a slightly amused voice “So what happened to him? Did he just disappear into thin air?”

Rubbing a weary hand across her eyes she took a deep breath and replied “No he flew out of the window.”

The psychiatrist chuckled and said “If I didn’t know better I’d believe you.”

Folding her arms under her ample breasts in a defensive mode, Psyche responded “I don’t know what happened. There was a blinding light and every fiber of my body felt little needles of pain pierce through my flesh and I fainted.”

“So I take it you don’t know what happened to him.” Seeing her patient shake her head she continued writing on her papers and asked “According to your testimony to the police when you regained consciousness there was someone else who apparently tortured you.”

Psyche narrowed her eyes and snapped at the doctor “I’m sure somewhere in those neatly typed papers the name of the person is given. Why are you asking me questions to which the answers are already there?”

“Do you know the name of the person who tortured you?”

Knowing that the name of her torturer basically landed her in a mental hospital Psyche still clung to the events that transpired in the isolated Alaskan cabin. Taking a deep breath she answered “It was Aphrodite who tortured me.”

Not waiting for the doctor’s response she banged her fist on the table and said “I’m not mad. That’s what happened. She appeared to me and tortured me in all kinds of inhuman ways.”

The doctor’s eye fell on the angry scar on her wrist and Psyche covered it with her sleeve and whispered softly, “She slit my wrist. I’m not suicidal; I’m not prone to taking my own life.”

Tapping the pen against her thin lips the doctor replied, “But according to your sister – Cybele when she found you lying on the floor with that slit, you kept whispering that you didn’t want to live.”

“She didn’t hear me say the rest of the words. I said that I didn’t want to live without my love, my darling Cupid.” She wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock gently. “Aphrodite said that if I even dared to take his name then pain would shake my body like Zeus’ thunder rumbles the earth. And I have a massive migraine coming on. I need a painkiller.”

Putting the cap back on her pen the doctor looked at the curled up form rocking back and forth on the chair. Sympathy slowly sneaked into her heart. She really wasn’t cut out for this profession. Day in and day out she dealt with people with mental sickness and yet hadn’t been able to stay detached from the pain some of the patients and their family went through. 

Psyche and her family were one such case. Psyche seemed to suffer from schizophrenia and was hypochondriac. She gulped down pain killers as if they were candy pills and still demanded more. Her family seemed to be beaten down with guilt and their visits became far and between, unable to deal with Psyche’s wretched state.

She wondered if some electric jolts would reconnect the circuitry in Psyche’s brain. Personally she hated to see anyone go under the ‘hot correctional mama’ as the technicians had named the machine. Seeing the electric jolts pulse through the soft human flesh seemed to be barbaric and she didn’t want to subject such a delicate flower to that sort of harsh treatment.

Looking at the pitiful figure the doctor wondered how she might be able to reach out and get her to think clearly. 

Through the fog of pain and sorrow Psyche felt the doctor reach over and touch her arm impulsively. 

“Did you know that the cops found a few white feathers?”

A light sparked in the wretched eyes and she whispered “So they know it’s true. Then they must know that I’m not mad.”

Grabbing hold of the doctor’s hand she frantically stared into the doctor’s eyes and said “His feathers were too big to be of any bird. They realized that, didn’t they? And still they sent me to a nut house. You have to take me out of here.”

Nails bit into delicate skin and she continued to speak in a harsh whisper “I have to finish the tasks she had given me. If I don’t, then I will never see him again. I need to get out of here. Please let me go.” 

The doctor disengaged her mangled hand and said “We can’t keep you here indefinitely and the feathers are a mystery. As you said - too big to belong to any bird and they even ran tests on it and the DNA doesn’t match anything on this earth.”

Psyche banged her fist against the table making the doctor take an involuntary jump.

“Morons! You are all fucking idiots. Doesn’t that prove anything to you? What the fuck do you people need? Do you want Aphrodite herself to come to you fools and to certify my experience?” 

Seeing the doctor twitch with nervousness, Psyche tried to push her anger down to a dark place and lock it with the toughest sane key she could find in her fragmenting mind. Rubbing her eyes with shaking hands she said “Look, I’m not going to go crazy on you . At some vague level you must have realized that there is some grain of truth in my story. So why don’t you release me in your care and I will prove it you. What do you say?”

The doctor licked her lips and Psyche could see the calculations going on in the practical mind. To sweeten the deal she added “Transportation will not be a problem - my private plane will take us to the cabin.”

Seeing the surprised expression in the psychiatrist’s eyes she laughed and said “My father is one of the richest industrialists in America but I don’t need his money as my mother had left me a rich woman in my own right after her death. So what will it be?”

Tilting her head, the doctor asked “But your family might object and….”

“And do what? I’m going to be in your care and believe me I will make it worth your while. You will have more than enough money to start your practice. Now let us settle this once and for all. How soon can we get out of this place?” 

Realizing that she was no longer in control of the situation the doctor made a token protest. “This isn’t right. You need to calm down and let’s talk this over in a sensible fashion.”

Being the daughter of a shrewd tycoon Psyche had seen enough people wavering under her father’s steely resolve and saw the same confused look on the doctor’s face.

Leaning back against her chair she folded her arms and said in a firm voice “This is a one time offer doc. The window of opportunity is small and if you take it your life will change. So don’t waste my time or yours. What will it be?”

Seeing her patient change from a frustrated doe to an angry tigress the doctor wasn’t too sure of her emotional condition but her offer was too sweet to refuse. She reasoned with herself that Psyche was a harmless person and that maybe the mystery of the feathers would be solved. The money part she didn’t even want to admit to herself but knew that it would be the stepping stone for her career.

Squaring her shoulders she smiled up at Psyche and said “When do we leave?”

Chapter2

Psyche reached across the passageway and touched the terrified doctor’s white knuckles and said in a reassuring tone “This won’t take long. Adam is one of our best pilots. He has flown us through the worst storms and as you can see the skies are clear today.”

Taking a deep breath the doctor closed her eyes and tried not to think of the loud engine noise or the rush of wheels below her feet that eagerly rushed up the run way to take flight. Biting her lip she tried not to think of a clear blue sky when her father’s crop duster came crashing down on the fields he loved so much. 

Beads of sweat trickled down her temples and she tried to block out the image of the plane twirling down the skies, an out of control ballerina dancing to her death. 

A cry left her lips as the plane took to air effortlessly and she felt soft fingers in twine with her clammy fingers. Startled she opened her eyes and saw a pair of sympathetic eyes look into hers. “It never is easy to face one’s demons head long. Losing your father in a crash was bad enough but to witness it must have been the worst kind of shit a twelve year old could have gone through.”

Anger clouded her eyes and before she could say anything Psyche stared into the doctor’s eyes and said softly “Did you really think my father would have let me go in your care without knowing your entire history, Melissa? May I call you Melissa? The formality has been getting on my nerves, anyways you don’t seem to be more than a year or two older than me -maybe we can be even be friends by the end of this trip.” Smiling impishly, she continued “Look at you now, all that anger has taken away the fear.”

Melissa tried to look composed and smoothing her skirt over her knees she said “Since when have you known about my father?”

A shrewd smile spread across Psyche’s face making Melissa wonder how the hell she ever thought that this woman could be a vulnerable lamb in need of her protection. She seemed quite capable of taking up any angry goddess.

Settling back against the plush seat Psyche answered coolly “I’ve known since yesterday. To tell you the truth I wouldn’t have known if dad hadn’t thrown the file on my face to prove to me how unstable you might be because of your past.”

Melissa opened her mouth in surprise and before she could say anything Psyche held a hand up and said “Hear me out. We need to have an honest relationship because of what we will be facing soon and by god! it’s not going to be easy for either one of us and the last thing we would need is the gnawing presence of distrust. So here is the unvarnished truth. Yesterday while I was packing for our trip dad came over and told me to try out some other psychiatrist, who was his stooge, and when I disagreed he tried to tell me that you might be a wee bit warped as you lost your dad in a crash and then your mom abandoned you in the care of your grandmother.”

Sighing Psyche stared out of the window and continued “Suffice to say I threw him and the file out. For once he couldn’t do anything since I had been officially released from the hospital and I know he loves me a lot but sometimes another word for love is suffocation. Anyhow I hope you can forgive my father, he loves to micro manage, and that’s what made him rich and miserable at the same time.”

Staring at the pensive profile of Psyche, Melissa wondered what she had let herself into. She was used to a sedate life unlike Psyche’s life which seemed to be full of high drama. 

Shaking her head she rebuked herself for being a chicken and she asked Psyche a question “We never really got around to discussing how Cupid came into your life.”

A whimsical smile spread across Psyche’s face and she stretched her long jean clad legs and answered “Oh it’s a long story and that too a bitter sweet one and I have all the time to tell it to you provided you are willing to listen.”

Melissa gave a little laugh and said “I wouldn’t be a psychiatrist if I didn’t like stories would I?”

A warm fire lit in the emerald eyes and Psyche smiled back igniting the dormant beauty in her features, making Melissa draw a breath in. 

Softly Psyche began to narrate her story. Eyes closed she began to re- trace the scenes in her mind’s eye as words left her mouth and pain began to seep through her bruised heart again.

“It was supposed to be a time for my heart to heal. My father had sent me to the cabin to get over a cad who had made me fall in love with him and then taken pictures of me in the shower and sold them to the tabloids.”

She laughed and shook her head at the thought of herself then “I had thought my world had come to an end, the love of my life had betrayed me. What a laugh…..that was just an infatuation but then I still have to respect the tears I shed over him. I don’t think you need to know his name as it’s of no relevance.” 

Staring at her snowy tennis shoes she continued talking “The cabin had always been my sanctuary. It has all the modern conveniences and yet retains a rustic feel. It’s there that I feel one with nature.” A whimsical smile touched her lips and she sighed and said “Well I used to feel in tune with nature there but then things changed pretty soon. The first night itself I knew things were different. My dreams became more erotic and even when I woke up they felt so real. Don’t you get that feeling sometimes in the mornings when you wake up? The tentacles still clinging to the conscious mind and you can still feel the passions as if they were of the day before and not of the unconscious mind?”

Melissa nodded but did not interfere in the story.

“Well my dreams still felt too real to be shrugged off as dreams for I woke up with a gigantic climax on the first night itself with a loud gasp.  I shrugged off that dream but by the third day of my stay I was creeped out, I was no sexually starved babe and don’t get me wrong I loved the orgasms but you do agree it was unusual right?”

Smiling in affirmation Melissa asked “So were they really graphic dreams?”

Laughing Psyche answered “That’s the whole point. They weren’t dreams but real. How do I explain it to you? I was always seduced in my sleep. It was something like that movie called Entity.”

Melissa raised an eyebrow at the statement and Psyche leaned forward and said “Please don’t underestimate my intellect by thinking that I made it up from that tacky movie. I was just making an analogy.”

Leaning back she continued “It was always so real. I felt his hot kisses all over my body. The tug of his lips on my nipples , pulling them to hard peeks, the rasp of his tongue waking up my pussy or those delightful hands weaving their magic on my body bringing it to a point of delicious peek making me cry out for more and yet wanting it to stop.”

Spraying her clammy hands on her supple thighs she bit down on her lips remembering the hot nights “The first two nights he did not penetrate me – he just seduced me with his tongue and I just lay there mired in the cauldron of pleasure. Mornings came with me feeling all contented and happy like the Cheshire cat and its bowl of cream instead of moping over the bastard who conned me. So it was a weird situation and I had also begun to think that my mind was playing games with me as I was beginning to look forward to the nights, wishing the days to pass faster.” 

Melissa tried to keep a neutral face and wished she had a recorder to tape the narration but knew that would bring the defenses up higher than the iron curtain so she tried to act as if it was a normal conversation between two people.

“When did you realize he was for real?” she asked, just as the plane bumped over an air pocket. She gulped a breath in suddenly reminded of her fear.

Shaking her head at the doctor’s pale expression she continued talking “I think I realized that he was real when he penetrated me on the third night. You see whenever I dreamt of sex I never ever felt the real penetration and always woke up unsatisfied but his cock felt so hard and real in me. The pounding of the cock made the sensations spread fires up my womb and I felt as if my whole body would erupt in flames of pleasure. It was as if I was having multi- orgasms in a single orgasm. And what’s more I felt his body under my hands.”

Caught up in the story Melissa found herself visualizing Psyche in bed with her ardent lover. She imagined Psyche’s naked beauty, lying on pelts of fur, being tormented by a golden god and the image made her clit swell up in sweet desire. Her mind conjured up the fingers caressing the muscled back and hips as the copulation reached its zenith. Feeling like a voyeur she couldn’t look at Psyche in the eye and yet she knew it was normal to feel so as Psyche was a good narrator. 

Pulling a little pillow behind her back she asked “You mean to tell me you woke up and felt him in you?”

Shaking her head Psyche answered “No, I didn’t wake up but then the dreams had become as real as my waking moments. His body was as tangible as this glass of water.”

Holding up the glass she stared at the liquid “But I realized I wasn’t going crazy when I woke up to feel the semen between my legs. That’s when I got really scared, it was happening for real, it wasn’t some sort of mind fuck but the real deal. I went totally hysterical and felt reality fracture right before my very eyes.”

Anguish filled her eyes as she remembered her crazed moments “You don’t know how violated I felt. The agony of knowing that I had been raped by some entity, which did not exist in this world, was pure torture. I just lay in bed feeling the sticky white semen in my vagina and the horror of its existence had me frozen in horror. And when the tears came I curled into a ball and howled. Never had I felt so alone, so beaten and hollow. The sheets smelt of him and I wanted to burn them and yet hold them close. The paradox of emotions sent me over the edge and I grabbed the sheets and threw them out of the window.”

Unable to act as a detached doctor, Melissa reached out and took one of Psyche’s hands in hers and squeezed it. Letting her hand remain in Melissa’s grasp she continued talking “I ran out of the cabin to the shed where we kept gas for the generator and made a bonfire of the sheets. There I stood buck naked, watching them burn and just then the wind blew taking one of the burning sheets to the heavens and I screamed, screamed out the shame, the violation , the pain , the inconsolable grief that drove me crazy.” 


Cupid's Kiss Ch. 01



“Ladies, we will be arriving in a short while. Hope you two are buckled up?” the pilot’s voice disrupted the conversation and abruptly pulled the women out of their deep discussion.

The pilot’s voice jarred Melissa’s senses and adrenaline began to course through her veins as she stared out of the window. They were descending at a fast pace, the coniferous trees seemed to be reaching up to greet them and the plane seemed to flying straight towards a mountain wall.

Closing her eyes, she gripped the hand rests, knuckles white, temples beaded with moisture; she tried to hold back irrational screams that choked her throat. Fear paralyzed her brain, she saw them flying straight into the unforgiving wall, debris flying all around, she saw fire engulfing them in its hot embrace and death forward them its dreaded invitation.

“Face your fear headlong Melissa” Psyche’s voice pulled her out of the drowning emotions. Shaking her hard Psyche said “This is nothing compared to what you will be facing ahead. Open your eyes, goddamn it, face it headlong and enjoy the fucking ride.”

Somehow Melissa realized that Psyche wasn’t really talking about the plane. Opening her eyes she glared at Psyche and stared out of the window. The plane was rushing down the strip and Melissa braced herself for the brakes and waited for what seemed like eternity. 

When the plane finally braked on the strip and began to gradually slow down Melissa began to breathe easier. She turned, looked at her companion with a weak smile and said “You weren’t talking about the plane when you said ‘enjoy the fucking ride.’ Were you?”

Psyche smiled back and replied “No, I was talking about life. Anyhow, now that we are here you have a bigger monster to face- my lover’s mother.”

Melissa laughed at Psyche’s attempted joke and collected her things as the plane taxied to a smooth halt.

Psyche on the other hand did not laugh alongside and hoped that Melissa wouldnt get hurt when she faced the goddess heads on.



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 02



Stepping out of the plane Melissa took a look around and felt nature's beauty calm her ruffled nerves. The golden sun was going down behind a green mountain, casting rays that made the clouds in the sky seem like layers of blood floating, mingling and threatening to pour down. Insects had begun to sing their night songs and the last chirps from the birds indicated the descending darkness that was soon going to shroud the trees. 

"Feels good to breathe in the fresh air doesn't it?" said Psyche as she came around the plane carrying a heavy canvas bag on her back and two torches. Giving a torch to Melissa she headed back inside the plane and within a few minutes came out, along with Adam who was strapped with more bags and was holding heavy cans of gas.

Giving Melissa a friendly smile the slightly overweight pilot said dryly "It's quite an uphill walk but once you reach the lodge the panoramic view will take your breath away."

Taking a heavy bag from him, Melissa juggled the two bags she was already holding and raised an inquisitive eyebrow and asked "Lodge? I thought it was a cottage."

Adam laughed and said "Psyche and her family like to play down everything that they own. Their mansion is a mere house, their limo a mere car and so the lodge is a cottage. Harold, her father believes in playing down their wealth and made sure that the kids never became spoilt brats, just head strong like him." 

"Hey if you guys have finished chit chatting maybe we could start moving before it gets dark?" Psyche asked impatiently

"What's up with you squirt? Why are you so antsy?" Adam asked her retreating back

Following Psyche's footsteps Melissa answered for her "It's a long unbelievable story."

Shaking his head Adam muttered under his breath "With these people everything is unbelievable."

As they walked up in single file on the inclined trail, Psyche began to rethink her strategy and battled the doubts that were besetting her mind. She wondered whether she would really be able to accomplish the tasks or better still even if she managed to get past the task would the irate mother let Psyche see her son. 

Holding the bags closer she picked up a brisk pace and chided herself. The time for doubts had passed way back in the asylum. There was no going back and she realized that she would have to be strong not only for herself but for Melissa too – who did not know what lay in store for her. Unable to deal with the headache that had been hounding her since the flight Psyche began to feel the inner pockets of her jackets for painkillers.

Walking behind Psyche, Melissa saw her fumble awkwardly for something and on hearing the rattle of the painkillers in the bottle she realized that Psyche was having one of her migraines. 

Concerned, she quickly caught up with Psyche and asked "Are you having a headache again?"

Taking a swig from a water bottle to swallow the pills she answered "I had been having a migraine through the flight."

Melissa put a hand on her arm and made her stand still. "Why didn't you tell me back then?"

Shaking her hand off Psyche answered impatiently "One of us was going berserk on the plane remember?"

Melissa let her hand fall limply to her side and felt a pang of guilt. She was supposed to be looking after Psyche and not the other way round. Pulling herself together she started to walk in her patient's footsteps and determined that she wouldn't let her personal neurosis get in the way. She was here for Psyche period.

The trek started to get steep and as darkness began to descend the group of three switched on their torches and walked up at a brisk pace. Melissa could hear Adam panting behind her and was glad that she had been working out on a regular basis but as his panting became louder and louder she slowed her pace and fell into step with him.

"Would you like me to take one of the bags?" She offered,

"No, I'm fine besides you are already carrying more bags than what a little lady like you should be allowed to." 

Melissa laughed at his good natured ribbing and replied "I was brought up in a farm so I'm quite used to hauling heavy weight."

Smiling back Adam continued walking alongside and after a few minutes when the distance between Psyche and them was enough to be out of her hearing range he spoke to Melissa in a low voice, "Harold is most concerned about her and has given me a cell phone to give to you which has his direct number on it incase anything goes wrong."

Melissa didn't like doing things behind Psyche's back so she asked in a measured tone, "What exactly could go wrong? It isn't as if she would get a chainsaw and hack me into itsy bitsy pieces."

Shaking his head Adam said "Look don't shoot the messenger - I'm just doing what I was ordered to do."

Juggling a bag he freed a hand and pulled out a tiny cell phone and gave it to Melissa and said "The first number on it is Harold's and then mine. Plus the local sheriff's phone number and address has also been fed in, his name is Jon and he owes Harold a favor or two so don't hesitate to call him for anything."

Shoving the phone into her parka Melissa muttered "I still don't understand what the hoopla is all about."

Adam continued to stare into the receding light of Psyche's torch and spoke in a normal tone "Psyche is the sensitive one between the two sisters. She might come across as a real strong person willing to take on any burden but inside she is very fragile. I have seen her since her diaper days, seen her cry over the little animals and birds that she couldn't save and would you believe it even now she cannot deal with an animal in pain. She needs to be taken care of, the burden she carries, whatever it maybe, is eating her up."

Taken aback at his insight Melissa took her eyes off the trail and stared at his dark profile.

Feeling her eyes on him Adam answered "Anyone can make out that the girl is working on adrenaline. And it is bound to wear off some time and that worries her father. She might have another breakdown and who will take care of her then?"

This time Melissa shook her head, pulled out the cell phone and said "It will be me who will take care of her. But believe me don't sell her short. She is a very strong lady." The last sentence she said more to herself, remembering how Psyche had put Melissa's needs before her own during the flight

As they walked, the trees began to clear up and Melissa saw a three storied lodge make a grand stand on top of the hill. One could see the main cabin from which the extensions had been made but it could definitely not be called a cabin as each of the stories had little balconies from which one could oversee the Alaskan wilderness. 

Walking past Melissa, Adam said, "Told you, it is no cottage." 

Entering the lodge Melissa took in the opulence of the lodge which was mixed with simplicity at same time. On entering the lodge her eyes fell on a fire place which made the one back in her apartment seem puny. The furniture seemed a bit worn out and yet when she walked in the Persian rugs that had been casually thrown on the wooden floors spoke of thousands of dollars and the huge armchairs next to hearth made her think of books, hot cocoa and long naps.

"Come, Melissa let me show you around. Adam can take the bags up, right Adam?"

Adam nodded and told Melissa to go on. 

Following Psyche in Melissa took in the lay out of the lodge. And true to what Psyche had said the place was equipped with all the modern appliances especially in the kitchen which was as big as her living room and when she stared out of the kitchen window she saw a swimming pool in the backyard. 

Feeling like a church mouse in the king's palace she mumbled "Er this is a gorgeous place."

Psyche smiled and replied "You really didn't think that we are the types to rough it out, did you?"

Melissa rolled her eyes and followed Psyche up the stairs which led to the bedrooms. There were three doors. Psyche opened the first door. 

"This is the master bedroom."

Following her in, Melissa took in the big king size bed which was so high that one would need a bed stool to climb into it. It was as she had imagined, covered with pelts of fur and she was sure it would be real soft.

"Is this where...?" her voice trailed off as she took in the room and saw a covered piece of furniture which looked like a mirror.

"Yes, this is where it all happened." Psyche answered in a strained voice.

Unable to hold herself back Melissa walked into the room feeling a powerful tug towards the covered oval shaped furniture which stood as high as her 5"3 inches height.

Psyche saw Melissa walk towards the mirror and her heart sank. Panic flooded her body and when Melissa held the covering in her hand, Psyche's mouth opened to tell her to let it be but no words came out. Fear choked her voice and she couldn't move. 'No don't pull it down' she wanted to say 'not yet, I'm not ready. No, please, for pity sake, not now'.

"Hey squirt, where do you want Meme's bags?"

Adam's voice broke the spell that held the women in its thrall. Turning away from the covered mirror Melissa walked towards Adam and took her bags and said "Sorry Adam, I should have taken care of the bags myself. And who is Meme?"

Adam laughed and replied "Melissa is such a mouth full, Meme sounds short and sexy."

Melissa jabbed him on the arm playfully and joked "Are you flirting with me?"

Adam rubbed his arm and gave her a mocking hurt look and asked Psyche "Are you going to stare at that mirror all night or tell me where to put her bags?"

Tearing her eyes away from the mirror Psyche forced herself to look at the other two people who were unaware of the catastrophe that could have taken place. Clearing her throat she tried to sound normal and said "I think Melissa would like the room down the hall, the view of the mountains is fantastic from there. Could you take her there? And, Adam?"

Adam turned and looked at Psyche who some how seemed vulnerable at that moment and then when he blinked she seemed self composed again "Would you stay for dinner before you go?"

When he nodded, she smiled at Melissa and said "Why don't you wash up, change and meet me down stairs for dinner in about ten minutes?"

As Adam closed the door behind him, Psyche walked towards the covered mirror and felt its cool marble carvings through the cloth and spoke to it, "I'm here bitch to face any shit that you have to dish out but as my father said 'Never face your foe on an empty stomach'. I will meet you when I'm well fed and rested."



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 03



The dinner was an amicable affair. The food was simple toasted bread topped with scrambled eggs that Psyche had made. Adam kept the conversation flowing but Psyche was quiet and gave strained smiles at Adam's jokes. Her gloomy mood was not lost on Melissa who was concerned but held her tongue. She didnt want to molly coddle Psyche and decided to give her some privacy. 

Looking at her half eaten toast, she wondered, what the mirror was all about. The urge to look at it was so compelling that she still felt the itch in her fingers to rip the cover off and look at the reflection it had to offer. All in good time she told herself. There were a million of questions that she needed to ask Psyche but decided to hold her peace till Adam left.

As dinner came to an end, Melissa collected the dishes to wash and Psyche went towards the door with Adam as was getting ready to leave.

"Bye Meme, take care of Psyche and yourself" Adam hollered near the door.

Coming out of the kitchen Melissa bid him goodbye and watched in silence as Psyche slowly closed the door behind him. They both continued to stare at the door as Adam's footsteps began to fade away and the silence became ominous. It reminded them both of what lay ahead.

Feeling a little uncomfortable Melissa broke the silence and said, "I'll finish washing the dishes and then we can talk a bit more?"

Psyche gave her a strained smile and replied "Can we talk tomorrow morning? I'm a bit tired and need to sleep. You can go to Dad's study which is on the next floor. Second door to the right, read or watch some television. I hope you don't mind?"

Melissa was used to being alone and assured Psyche that it suited her fine. Returning to the kitchen Psyche started to put the dishes in the dishwasher and kept thinking about the mirror. She just couldn't get it out of her mind. She decided to talk to Psyche about it as it was driving her nuts and wouldn't let her side step the issue.

She walked up the steps in light steps and knocked on the door. Getting no reply she entered into the room to hear the shower running, she turned to leave the room but then felt the temptation grab hold of her. Her legs began to move towards the mirror as if on their own accord, unable to stop herself she pulled the cover off and found herself staring at a marble mirror with intricate flower designs of various jewels in laid in marble that incased the mirror. 

Staring at her reflection she wondered why such a magnificent piece of work had been covered up. The mirror began to fog up, making Melissa touch the surface in curiosity. Her hand however seemed to go into the mirror's translucent surface and she felt a force of energy throw her back against the door. Alarmed she let out a cry and huddled against the door. Fear began to crawl up her skin as she saw a shadowy figure form in the mirror. Terror filled her lungs and she choked for breath as she watched a brilliant form pass through the mirror into the room. Unable to hold back she began to scream as the form began to take shape of a woman.

"Oh no, Melissa, what have you done?" Psyche's dismayed voice made Melissa's eyes skate towards her toweled body. 

Staring back at the entity that stood before her, she gasped in sheer astonishment. The entity made other women look like dishrags. She was so magnificent to look at that any sane man would give up his life just to lay down with her. Her peaches and rose complexion was complimented with burnished hair that streamed down till her calves. Her magnificent sea green eyes threw daggers at Melissa's shaken form. Musically lit words left her luscious red lips making Melissa think of bells and harps.

Dumbfounded she gaped at the goddess and felt her heart race in her throat. 

"So this is your maid Psyche? She is comely to look at."

Pulling her towel closer around herself Psyche answered, "She isn't my maid. She is my healer."

Aphrodite seemed to glide towards Melissa and her close proximity made Melissa feel like a fly in a web.

Her heart began to pound faster than a jackrabbit would run to save its life and as Aphrodite put her hand on her head she felt her very essence being sucked out and her life was laid before her very eyes and those of Aphrodite.

She was a young girl again running through the corn fields, tears streaming down her eyes as she saw her father's old crop duster coming down in a dreadful explosion. She was the little girl under the table at her father's wake eavesdropping at her drunk mother's conversation with her grandmother, telling her that she was going to leave the dead beat town forever and Melissa, the sole reminder of her dead beat father.

She remembered the loneliness and despair she felt, when her precious grandmamma died just a month later. 

Cruel, cruel world took away her innocence when a foster father raped her at thirteen. She remembered in graphic details the violence, the invasion.

Tears fell from her eyes and she curled herself into a fetal position, rocking back and forth, she cried for the lost girl who wanted only one thing - to be loved.

"Stop it! Stop it right now, do you hear me? She has nothing to do with what lies between us. Let her be."

Psyche's harsh voice broke the spell and Melissa blinked back to reality.

Aphrodite moved away from Melissa and said thoughtfully "You humans are the cruelest creatures in the universe. The horrors you put your own children through are unimaginable."

Psyche knelt down and put her arm around Melissa who was still trying to deal with the demons that Aphrodite had bought back from the dead. Glaring at the goddess, Psyche said harshly "You had no right to bring back the most painful moments of her life. How dare you call us cruel when you are the one who derives pleasure from watching us relive the moments that devastated us. You're the monster who loves to break the very spirit that keeps us alive."

Letting out a tinkling laugh, Aphrodite settled down on a nearby chair and said in a contemptuous voice "I am supposed to be the goddess of love, but love is naught without thorns and pain."

Leaning down, she stared at the two women and continued "But what I really am foremost is a mother whose son is hurt and wasting away and yet because of love I have for him , I am here talking to you instead of destroying you for what you have done." 

Pulling a visibly shaken Melissa to her feet, Psyche tried to talk in a calm voice "When we last met you told me that you will let me meet Cupid if I completed three tasks. What are they?"

Standing up Aphrodite stared at Psyche as if she was an insect that had crawled out of the filthiest drain, "I will give you very easy tasks. These tasks can be completed within what you humans call a minute but I will give you a day for each task and if you are not able to complete any one of them then your fate will lie in my hands. Do we have a deal?"

Moving away from Melissa who tried to hold her back, Psyche stared into Aphrodite's eyes and said "Its a deal. Now, let's have the tasks."

Walking towards the mirror Aphrodite touched a gem which began to shine brightly and as a kaleidoscope of colors lighted the room like a tacky disco ball with a divine twist, she turned and said in a loud dramatic voice, "Listen carefully, wench. Your task is simple yet unachievable, there is a spilled sack of rice in the kitchen. You have to tell me the exact number of grains there were in the sack. And you have a day to complete the task. I will be back tomorrow night the same time. If the task is not accomplished you forfeit your life."

With those words the light behind her became blinding making the two women turn their faces away and when they turned to look back the goddess was gone.

Psyche's feet gave away under her and she sat down on the chair that had been vacated by the goddess. 

"Quite a drama queen isn't she?" Psyche tried to joke.

Melissa merely stared at Psyche and opened her mouth several times to speak but the scene that had transpired was so spectacular that she was lost for words.

Trying to control her wayward mind Melissa asked Psyche in a low voice, "Why did you accept the bargain? She will kill you, don't you know that? Is a good fuck worth dying for?"

Psyche raised an eyebrow and said, "Good fuck? Are you talking about Cupid? What you don't understand is that I fell in love with him and I shot him. I need to know that he is okay."

Getting up from the bed Melissa crossed the distance between them and knelt down near Psyche's chair and pleaded with her, "So send him a post card. Don't do this Psyche, it isn't worth it. That creature will kill you or do something even worse. She put me through hell in a matter of seconds."

Taking Melissa's clammy hand in her gasp she replied in an earnest voice, "Don't you understand? When she paraded the worst moments of your life she was trying to scare you away, she was trying to break YOUR spirit. But what she doesn't understand is that what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger."

Tilting her head to a side Melissa asked "What did she show you?"

Leaning against the back of the chair Psyche whispered "She showed me my mother laying in a tub of blood with her wrists slit and just for the effect she somehow slit my wrist so that I knew exactly what my mother was feeling and also what I had felt as a young girl who watched her mother die unable to stop the stream of blood."

"That's why you were so taken in by the site of the ink when it splattered the wall at the institution."

Giving a dry smile Psyche said, "My hands are colored by the blood of my mother's and my lover's. and I can atone for only one or at least die trying."

Unable to sit still Melissa began to stride around the room back and forth and then stopped and looked at Psyche and said in a rather loud voice "The task really cannot be accomplished. We better go down to the kitchen and take stock of the situation."

Psyche nodded and heavily pulled herself out of the chair, feeling like a deflated balloon. Trailing behind Melissa she wondered how she would complete the task. The sack of rice lay spilled in the middle of the kitchen floor and the women stared at it with hopeless eyes.

Melissa turned towards Psyche and asked, "Is there a Plan B?"

Psyche shook her head to which Melissa replied "Then we are fucked. I think we should call your father."

Psyche pushed past Melissa and began to collect the grains and carefully began to put them in the sack. As she worked she said to Melissa "And what good will that do? The parents are going to talk about their naughty children and then ground us? I don't think so. The only thing that will happen is that I will go up in smokes and my father will have to watch it or worse die along with me. So, that is not an option."

Turning around she looked at Melissa and sat down on the floor and said, "Why don't you take a short nap and then we can think this over and come up with something better?"

Melissa nodded and walked out of the kitchen heading towards her room where she pulled out her cell phone and punched Harold's direct number.

Within two rings a male voice answered, "Harold here."

Melissa took in a deep breath and answered, "You better come here as soon as possible."



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 04



Before making the call to Harold, Melissa had been convinced that the events that were transpiring were too extraordinary for Psyche and her to handle by them selves and they could do with all the help that they could get.

But, on hearing Harold’s voice she realized that there was no way in hell she could explain what had happened without sounding like a loony bin.

“Harold here” A deep male baritone spoke on the other end of the line.

Clearing her throat Melissa spoke “You better come here as soon as possible.”

“Who am I speaking to? Dr Baggett is that you? Has something happened?” the concern was evident in his tone.

Opening a canvas bag Melissa took out two valium pills. Gulping one down without water, she spoke, “Yes, something has happened but Psyche is fine. I can’t explain over the phone so will you please come here ASAP?”

“Fine, I’ll be there by eight in the morning. Meet me at the air strip.”

Praying that she had done the right thing, Melissa walked down the stairs in deep thought and received a big shock when she entered the kitchen. The place was swarming with red ants and Psyche was sitting on top of the kitchen table.

“What the….?”Melissa stared at Psyche in astonishment.

Psyche scooted to the center of the table and picked up a banana from the fruit tray.

Peeling the fruit, she took a bite and munched it.

Melissa shook her head and asked “The place is swarming with ants and that too in the middle of the night. What in the name of heaven is going on?”

Taking one last bite from the banana, Psyche squashed the rest of the banana, threw it on the floor and watched it get swarmed by ants.

“Hey, don’t distract my workers.” A voice spoke up, making Melissa nearly jump out of her skin.

“Who spoke just now?” Melissa looked around the empty kitchen.

Psyche gave a mischievous smile and said “Oh that was the queen ant who is sitting on the apple on the fruit tray.”

Melissa gave her a ‘have you gone mad?’ look, to which Psyche laughed and said “You better prove it to her or else she might lock me in the nut house again.”

Melissa saw an insect rise from the fruit tray and fly towards her. Stunned she watched the insect settle down on her shoulder and said “Hi Melissa glad to meet you.”

Unable to believe what was happening Melissa stuttered “I need to sit down.”

The voice of the queen ant spoke up “Sorry Melissa, my workers are all around the place and I don’t want you to step on them.”

Melissa looked at an ant on her shoulder and said to Psyche “This is no time to play games with me, how are you doing this?”

Psyche sighed and said “I told you she wouldn’t believe me.”

The voice from Melissa’s shoulder spoke up and said “Maybe if I bite her she will realize.”

Shocked, Melissa squeaked out “No there is no need for that I believe you.”

Then under her breath she muttered “Anyways I have seen enough to put me in a loony bin, first I met Cupid’s mother and now a talking ant. That’s enough material to put me in straight jacket.”

The ant queen chuckled and said “No you have it all wrong. Let me explain, there was a time when most of you humans could speak to us as your species knew that they were no different from us and treated the creatures of the earth at par. But then arrogance set in and only a few of your people could talk to us like the shamans, the African priests and other religious heads of the tribes in various parts of the world. But the modern world has shut the minds of the humans to anything that may lie beyond their own limited thinking.”

Psyche laughed and said “You mean to say we can’t look beyond our own nose.”

The insect flew back to the table, settled down a pear this time and answered “Exactly and what an arrogant nose it is. You humans think you are the masters of the earth whereas your species is as much at the mercy of nature as we are. We all are equal in the grand scheme of the universe.”

“Who would have thought such pearls of wisdom would come from an ant?” Psyche said in a dry voice.

Melissa rubbed a shaking hand on her forehead and said “I’m still trying to comprehend what’s happening I feel like Alice in Wonderland.”

Taking pity on her psychiatrist, Psyche began to explain “A little while ago while I was putting the grains back in the sack I began to cry and who could blame me? This task obviously couldn’t be accomplished and I was going die in some horrid manner. It was then that I heard the voice of the queen ant who had settled down on my shoulder. She told me that she owed a friend a favor who had sent her over to help me out and her workers were going to count the grains and once done they would let me know the total number of grains in the sack.”

Smiling down at the pear she continued “I thought I had really gone mad but then I saw a splash of red crawl out of a little crack on the floor next to you.”

Melissa shifted away from the doorway uneasily and saw a train of ants going back and forth from a crack in the wooden floor. 

Psyche continued talking “I was told to take out all the rice from the sack and carefully lay it all on the floor and they would count it as they took it back to their home.”

Melissa raised an eyebrow and asked “So, you worked out a deal? Who is the good Samaritan who sent you?”

The ant remained silent and Melissa sighed and said “I can’t believe I was talking to an insect.”

Psyche laughed and said “Imagine if you told my dad that insects could talk. He would admit us both to the institution.”

Melissa felt a pang of guilt and decided to tell the truth to Psyche. Straightening her back she told Psyche “Your dad is coming here tomorrow.”

Psyche slid off the table and stared at Melissa “What? My father is coming here? You have got to be kidding me!”

Crossing her arms under her breasts Melissa answered in a low voice “I called him up when I went to my room to change. I was scared for you and thought he help us through the situation.”

Psyche walked towards Melissa angrily and a voice in the background said “Careful, don’t step on my subjects.”

Psyche closed her eyes. Life couldn’t have thrown a more absurd card her way. Turning her head she said “Sorry I will be careful.”

Tiptoeing out of the kitchen she beckoned Melissa to the living room. 

“I’m not going to lose my head and scream at you. The damage has been done and now we have to keep him out of the kitchen at all cost till tomorrow night and since you are the one who called him, you will have to take care of him.”

Psyche began to stride back and forth and think aloud “Okay here is what we will do, we will meet him together and together we will assure him that I am fine. Get him back here for his shower, I’ll get his breakfast to his room and then the whole day you two will stay out.”

Melissa gaped at her and said “The whole day? You have got to be kidding me.”

Clenching her teeth, Psyche faced Melissa and said “Look – I have enough on my plate to worry about and can do without my father’s interference. He will only make things worse, so you have to keep him out of the way.”

Melissa spread her hands out helplessly and asked “How can I keep him busy the whole day?”

Psyche walked towards one of the armchairs in the hearth and sat down on it heavily and said “That won’t be a problem. My father is an out-doorsy kind of a person. He loves to go fishing, canoeing and trekking during the summer months. Just keep him out of the lodge okay?”

Knowing she had no choice Melissa nodded in agreement and watched Psyche’s eyes begin to droop.

Sleepily Psyche spoke to Melissa, “I need to sleep and I bet so do you. Wake me up before we have to go down to meet dad okay?”

Melissa looked at the valium in her hand that she had got for Psyche and shoved it into her jeans pocket and said “I will, but what about the ants?”

“They will be fine, go on Meme, and go to bed.” Psyche curled her legs up, rested her head against the arm of the big chair and fell asleep.

Heading up the stairs, Melissa felt overwhelmed. Throughout her adult life she had always been in control of her life and made sure that nothing untoward happened that would rock her stable life but now she felt the boat capsizing and she was the only one without a life jacket.

Entering her room she looked at her bag which still had the meticulously folded clothes in it and wondered if she should put them in the closet but then decided to lie down for ten minutes and then she would decide the next day’s strategy. But as soon as her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep.

Morning came with the rays of the sun gently kissing Melissa’s eyelids. Yawning, Melissa stretched and then something clicked in her mind and she sprang out of the bed. She stared at the watch on her watch. “Thank god, it’s only 7:30.”she muttered and headed towards the bathroom for her morning ablutions.

Coming out of the bathroom naked after a quick shower Melissa quickly unzipped her bag and took out her brown corduroys and an off white peasant top to go with it. Donning a matching set of white bra and panties, she quickly wore her clothes. Moving towards the dresser she brushed her pale blond hair and a applied quick dash of pink lipstick on her thin lips.

As she ran down the stairs she checked her watch. 

“Damn! It’s quarter to eight.” She continued to run towards the living room. Once there she saw Psyche still asleep in the arm chair as she had left her last night. She looked fragile and small, like a little child who hadn’t been put to bed when she fell asleep. Melissa stared at her for a second and then cleared her throat and said in a rather loud voice “Wake up Psyche, we’re getting late.”

Psyche opened her eyes and stared at Melissa. Comprehension dawned in her eyes and she asked “How late?”

Melissa showed her watch to the reclined figure and said “Fifteen minutes.”

Psyche sprang up from the chair and began to move towards the main door.

Melissa followed her out and was surprised to see Psyche run down the trail barefoot. She cried out “Hey you’re not wearing your shoes.”

To which she got a reply “Don’t need to, you better catch up we don’t have time dad will be at the strip soon.”

Drawing a quick breath in, Melissa broke into a jog and tried to catch up with Psyche who ran fast and light like a young deer. Melissa increased her pace and yet only caught glimpses of her pony tail bobbing up and down as she turned a corner, jumped over a fallen a bark and laughed when Melissa called her to slow down.

Psyche reached the strip on time and saw her father’s plane land. She smiled at Melissa who was holding her waist and was decidedly out of breath. 

She looked at Melissa and said “You need to exercise, doctor.”

Melissa saw the plane stop a few yards away from the mountain wall, drew a deep breath in and said “You people play with your lives so callously. And how in the name of heaven did you remain in shape despite being in the institution?”

Going forward to meet her father Psyche looked back and said “I used to use the doctors’ exercise room. Money can open all doors don’t you know?”

Melissa simply shook her head and watched the warm reunion between the father and daughter. Harold hugged his petite daughter hard against his barrel like chest and when Psyche protested about cracking ribs he let out a loud laugh that reached Melissa’s ears and made her feel a twinge of envy. She could see the similarity between them. Psyche was a delicate female version of Harold. She had the same aquiline nose, full lips and the stubborn chin that would put an obstinate mule to shame.

“Hello, Dr Baggett” Harold said as he shook Melissa’s hand. 

Tipping her head up, Melissa stared at the face of her patient’s father and felt another twinge but this time of attraction. Staring into his green eyes so similar to his daughter’s and yet filled with more life, wit and laughter, she wanted to bask in his presence even more.

“Call me Melissa please.” She said softly.

“Melissa then,” His even white teeth shone in a smile that took her breath away. He wasn’t a handsome man and yet his charismatic personality drew her like an erring moth towards the burning light. She wondered whether her wings would get seared by this man.

Lost in deep thought, she walked behind the father and daughter who were having a light hearted conversation and laughing at each other. Listening to them, she began to miss the banter she used to have with her father. The child within her still hungered for that parental love that was denied to her. 

She looked at Psyche’s back which had her father’s arm casually slung over and envied her rich life. Even if she never got to see the love of her life there was love in other forms surrounding her whereas Melissa had no one except a cat to go back to. 

“Hey Meme, Dad wants to go out today will you go with him?” Psyche turned back to look at Melissa with a rather determined smile.

Harold laughed and said “Come on Psyche – I’m here for you, not to gallivant.”

Psyche banged her fist lightly on her father’s shoulder and said “I’m fine, ask Meme. It’s just that I played a joke on her and she got real scared and called you. I’m okay dad really.”

Harold stopped in his tracks and stared at both the women and asked in a very serious tone “Is that the truth Melissa? And what kind of an awful joke did you play on her Psyche, that she called me up in the middle of the night?”

Melissa turned and looked at Psyche with raised eyebrows and actually saw her mind working.

“I …um….I was throwing knives on the kitchen door and she thought I had gone nuts. That’s all.” Psyche gave her father a sickly smile knowing it was the stupidest thing she could have come up with.

Melissa rolled her eyes and had to hold a hysterical laugh back.

Harold searched his daughter’s eyes and then said “You need to be more responsible and less crazy Psyche. I think your mother and I gave you girls too much freedom and you tend to abuse it.”

Psyche rolled her eyes and said “Dad, don’t start that lecture again and by the way where are your bags?”

Harold resumed walking towards the lodge and spoke in a level tone “Adam will be returning tomorrow morning with my bags and with your sister.” 

He emphasized the last part of the sentence and ruffled his daughter’s hair, which began to look more and more dismayed.

As they approached the lodge, both the women felt their heart begin to race. They didn’t want him to go to the kitchen. 

Picking up the pace, Melissa reached over and opened the door of the lodge. 

Harold laughed and said “I think I should be opening the door for you, Dr Baggett.”

Melissa smiled back at him and said “Don’t worry there will be other opportunities when you can be chivalrous.”

Psyche herded her father to his room where she had laid out his ‘country clothes’; his flannel shirt and jeans.

Melissa stood near the kitchen watching the grains being taken away by the ants and was startled when Psyche spoke up behind her “So far so good.”

“I’m going to make a quick sandwich for him and then I want you two to head out. Ask him to show you around and try to loosen up will you? I don’t want him returning home bored okay?”

Melissa felt a little miffed and said curtly “I can be very charming when I want to be and starting now I will show you how amicable I can be.”

Psyche carefully tiptoed into the kitchen, pulled out the ingredients for the sandwich and after making it, she handed the salami, cheese sandwich to Melissa and said “Fine, then you take it up to Dad. I need to talk to the queen ant, can’t let her feel neglected.”

Melissa took the plate from Psyche and headed towards Harold’s room. Knocking on his door she closed her eyes for a second and pleaded with the butterflies in her stomach to settle down. When she didn’t get any responses she entered into the room and saw Harold stepping out of the shower with just a towel around his waist.

She stared at his wide chest which was matted with light blond hair. Feeling a little awkward she muttered an apology and began to back out.

Harold walked into the room quickly and said “No Melissa, its okay. Come in, you can turn your back while I dress. We need to talk without Psyche listening in. Please shut the door behind you.”

As Melissa closed the door, she felt her mouth dry up. She felt a strong tug of attraction towards him and she wondered how she could keep it under wraps. 

Turning her back to him, she looked out of the French windows at the high peaks and the surrounding greenery. She could hear the rustle of clothes and then he said “You can turn around now.”

Melissa took in his dynamic presence and watched as he tightened the belt around his lean waist. For a fifty-six year old man he had an athletic body of a thirty year old. His broad shoulders were flung back in assurance and his big hands were shoved into the pockets of the jeans making the rough cloth strain against the strong masculine thighs.

Clearing her throat, Melissa handed him the sandwich and said “You wanted to talk to me.”

She could feel his appraisal and straightened her back and asked “Did I pass the test?”

Harold gave her a friendly smile but his shrewd eyes continued to assess her every move making her feel a bit jumpy. 

He sat down at the edge of his bed and gestured to a nearby chair for her to sit.

“By now you must know that I tried to bump you off the trip.”

Melissa nodded her head in acknowledgement and said “Psyche told me what happened during the flight.”

“I was just looking out for my daughter’s mental health. I did not doubt your medical expertise. Please be assured of it.” He looked earnest as he spoke and Melissa bit her tongue and didn’t tell him that it was wrong on his part to do a background check into her past. It was important to remain on his good side and not antagonize him as it could deteriorate the already delicate situation.

Crossing her legs like a demure convent school girl she looked into his razor sharp green eyes and said “No offence taken.”

He seemed to sigh in relief and began to eat his sandwich. Melissa continued to wait like a loyal subject for her king’s next command. The silence that fell in the room quite comfortable and Melissa was surprised to feel at rest with him despite of him being one of the most important personas in the business world. 

“All done” He brushed the crumbs off his jeans and got up from the bed and held the door open for Melissa. 

As Melissa walked through the door, he sniffed in her perfume and smiled. She seemed more human here than back in the mental institution or maybe it was his worry for his daughter that made the healer fade into the background.

Following her out of the room he looked at her pert bottom incased in tight corduroys and had to hold back a smile when a devilish thought raced through his mind which had something to do with her bottom fitting in his palm. He liked his women curvy and small. She was small but definitely not curvy. Her thin body made her seem fragile and the sadness behind the cool reserve in her eyes evoked protective instincts in him which he thought he felt only for his daughters. 

Heading down the staircase he put his hand on Melissa’s arm to hold her back and asked “Is Psyche alright?”

Melissa felt a pang of guilt. She blinked and said “She is fine. You need not worry about her mental condition.”

Shrugging his shoulders, he gave her a smile and said “A parent’s job is to worry.”

Just then Melissa’s stomach growled in hunger, embarrassing Melissa to no end.

Harold raised an eyebrow and said “Jeez girl, didn’t you eat breakfast?”

“Come, I’ll make an omelet for you and I promise you that it would be one mean omelet.”

Before Melissa could stop him, he headed towards the kitchen.

“No it’s okay; I’ll grab a bite soon.” She stuttered behind him, wondering how to stop him, hoping and praying that Psyche would not kill her.




Cupid's Kiss Ch. 04



“Oh Dad, are you going into the kitchen?” Psyche asked her father but was looking at Melissa with rather reproachful eyes.

“Is there something wrong with the kitchen?” Harold raised an eyebrow.

“NO….no, the kitchen is fine. It’s just that I prepared a picnic basket for you guys and dad I’d like you to show Meme around. She has been cooped in with me and it would be nice if you showed her all our favorite spots. Now, step out the door and enjoy the sunny day.” 

“Step out?” Harold said as Psyche pushed him towards the main door. “Sweetie, are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No Dad, I’m not trying to get rid of you.” Psyche rolled her eyes and gave the picnic basket to her father and kissed him on the cheek. “You are working all the time and you need time to relax. Don’t waste your time by just hanging around and staring at me as if I would jump out of the window. I’m saying it for the last time I’m fine”

She then gave Melissa two jackets, a canvas bag and said “Incase it gets windy or rains.”

Melissa opened her mouth and before she could say anything Psyche said “A city gal like you needs some sunshine. Now out you go both of you.” And with the last sentence she shoved Harold and her psychiatrist out of the cabin.”

“She wants to get rid of both of us.” Melissa said half –jokingly.

Harold smiled at her and Melissa’s legs went a little wobbly as she saw the smile reach his eyes and make them twinkle.

“Well she got her wish and I got a pretty companion to spend the day with.” Harold offered his arm to Melissa and they walked towards a different trail. 

“Where are we going?” Melissa asked

Harold patted her hand that rested on his arm and said “You will see.”

As they walked in silence Melissa realized that the trees were thinning out and soon they stepped out of the woods totally and she gasped in pleasure. They had a clear view of mountains that seemed to encircle them and when she looked below she could see the trees stretch out endlessly. 

She turned to look at Harold and said, “The view is fantastic. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Harold felt a warm feeling nestle in his heart. It was so easy to please Melissa. She looked as if he had given her the wealth of the world. Unable to stop himself he took her hand and kissed it.

She blushed with pleasure and shyly smiled at him.

It was then that he realized that he wanted to kiss her. Tearing his eyes away from her warm sherry eyes he said “Let’s see what my daughter has put in the basket.”

Melissa opened the canvas bag and pulled out a blanket and spread it on the grass. They sat down and Harold opened the basket. They were quite taken in by Psyche’s thoughtful gesture. She had packed in some Danish pastries, chicken salad, stuffed mushrooms and cookies. 

Harold laughed as he pulled out champagne and flute glasses and said “My daughter likes to do everything with style. She even packed in the silver ware to eat in.”

Handing Melissa the plate he told her to eat.

Melissa’s stomach growled in agreement and Harold grinned and took her plate back and began to heap it with food.

“Are you trying to fatten me up? Look at the amount of food you’ve put in my plate.” Melissa said playfully

Harold gave her a roguish smile and said “Ah, I’m fattening you up so I make a meal of you later.”

Melissa felt her heart begin to race and tried to remain composed and said “Why Harold are you trying to flirt with me?”

He wriggled his eyebrows like a villain and said “No I’m perfectly serious. You look so scrumptious I could eat you up right now.”

Melissa burst out laughing and said “The sun must be going to your head.”

Taking a bite of the pastry, felt the delicious flakes melt in her mouth. Sighing in pleasure she closed her eyes and said “this is the tastiest pastry I’ve eaten yet.”

Harold felt a tug in his groin at her obvious delight and told his libido to settle down. Watching her eat with gusto he realized that there was more to this doctor than she let on. He wanted to get under her skin and stay there. Was this simply lust or more, he wasn’t sure of that but he was definite that he wanted her in his arms by the end of the day and to part those delicious lips in a passionate kiss. But he wasn’t about to jeopardize his daughter’s friendship with Melissa and he decided to curb his desire for her.

Finishing her food Melissa put the plate back in the basket and began to relax as the sun warmed her back. Taking a sip of the champagne she sighed and said “This is so decadent. It’s been so long since I just sat back and enjoyed nature’s beauty.”

As she spoke a drop escaped her lips and Harold watched it take a slow trip down from her chin towards the dark shadows between her covered breasts. 

He felt a lick of desire and closed his eyes and lay back on the blanket. The last time he had felt like this was back in high school with his very first sweetheart. All those raging hormones had made him think about sex and nothing else and now with Melissa all he could think about was sex. She made him feel young again and reminded his libido that age had nothing to do with a good fuck.

Melissa watched him lay there like a satiated lion and yet an unleashed dormant power pulsed in his strong frame. She wanted to pull his shirt of and kiss his chest. Unbuckle his jeans and taste his magnificent manhood and she was quite sure his cock would be magnificent just like the rest of him. She could just as easily visualize herself covering him and rocking back and forth in the dance of love. She saw herself conquering him with slow rotating movements and when he would demand more she would let him fuck her in the ass, hard and fast. 

She loved a good ass fuck. She would love to feel the initial pain give way to pleasure. Oh what she would give to have sex with this gorgeous man right now.

Harold opened his eyes and smiled lazily when he saw her staring at him with open desire. He stretched lazily and decided to make his move.

“You have very dainty feet.” He said, feeling her socks covered feet and then moving his fingers gently to caress her calves.

Melissa gave him an impish smile and rolled over to face him. Lying down besides him she stared into his eyes and asked “Are you interested in my feet or something more?”

Putting his hand on her waist he pulled her closer and said against her mouth “I’m a man who wants it all but I’m decent enough to ask for it politely.”

Melissa whispered against his mouth “That’s very nice of you but then again I’m quite sure you never get to hear no from your women.”

He laughed and kissed her hard. His tongue did delicious things to her mouth. Pushing past her teeth, he sucked her tongue into his mouth and his hands clasped her bottom and pulled her hard against his straining manhood.

Feeling his hard cock through the jeans, Melissa squirmed a bit and put pushed him back gently. Harold looked into at her with questioning eyes.

Staring back into his eyes, Melissa reached down and opened the button of his jeans and slipped a hand in to cup the burgeoning manhood. Moving her hand up and down on the shaft she said in a husky tone “you seem to be well equipped down there.”

Harold pulled her hand out and said “You don’t want me to come in your hand do you?”

Melissa merely smiled and stood up. She looked at the bright sun for a minute and then down at her soon to be lover. Taking a deep breath she began to take her clothes off.

Harold sat up and watched her take her clothes off and when she was wearing just her flimsy white panties he rose to his knees and took them off her. Moving closer to perfumed body he buried his face in her vagina and dug his tongue to find her sex button , her clit.

Melissa parted her legs and felt a shock of desire when his tongue rasped against her clit , part it and savor it in slow movements. Grabbing his head, she moaned and pinched one of her nipples in hot desire. Taking his hand which was caressing her thighs she made him cup her buttocks and cried out when he began to suck on her clit. The juices began to flow and the scent of her arousal made his cock harder still. 

“God this is the best oral sex I’ve ever had” she breathed sexily.

Caressing her blond bush, he whispered “I’ve just started, missy.” And as his tongue delved into the secrets of her vulva, one of his hands began to caress her butt crack.

Her body began to burn with hot desire and she could barely stand. Her knees began to buckle and he gently lowered her down on the blanket. 

Melissa closed her eyes and felt the rays of the sun and the hungry desires in his eyes warm her body. Harold stared down at her pert breasts, concave stomach with a small belly button and the mysterious, dewy bush that beckoned his carnal attention. 

Taking off his jeans he turned her to lie against him side by side. Feeling his hard cock jutting against her vagina, Melissa opened her eyes and covered his butt with her left leg, giving his prick enough space to slide into the parted folds of her drenched vagina.

Harold smiled and pulled her buttocks closer till her pussy covered his prick and at the same time he stuck a finger inside her asshole. 

Slowly he began to pound into her, slower than a heartbeat, making here moan for more. Grinding against his cock, she felt his finger awaken the delicate nerve endings in her butt hole and the resulting pleasure made her body tremble with insurmountable desire.

Grabbing his shoulders, she pulled him on top of herself and said “Fuck me the old fashion way.”

Hanging on to her butt, he plunged in hard and said “You want it hard don’t you?”

Panting against his barrel like chest she said “I want you so fucking badly that I could just get under your skin and stay there.”

Pushing into her harder he muttered “Sweet, sexy Melissa it’s me who is in you and guess what?” he hammered into her so hard that he reached her G-spot and continued to speak “I’m gonna stay nestled in there and pleasure so much that you beg me to stop.”

Gasping at the non –stop fire that licked through her body drove her to bounce and buck under his forceful ministration and her sphincter cunni sucked on his penis demanding his cum. The harder he forced his entry the harder the vice of her pussy’s inner wall pulled and tugged at his cock.

“I want to cum” she panted and clasped him in a tight lover’s embrace with her legs around his waist. Sweat poured and melded between their heaving bodies and their cries of heightening delight mingled with those made by the creatures of nature.

They both climbed the peak fast. Blood rushed through the organs and raced the illicit messengers of pleasure to the brains and sparks of uncontrollable ecstasy exploded in showers of heated delight.

Trying to catch their breaths they both gasped for breath. Resting his head against her plump breast he muttered “Who would have thought under the cold doctor there was a harlot.”

Melissa became still and Harold looked up at saw her eyes darken.

“What happened? Did I say something to offend you?”

Melissa shook her head and yet the pain in her eyes remained.

Harold rolled off her and looked at her thoughtfully.

Sighing Melissa stared at the bright yellow orb that was smiling down at her and said “I was raped when I was thirteen and yesterday somehow the memory came back and with it came back the agony and despair.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” Concern and sympathy glimmered in his eyes and made her want to weep.

Blinking the tears back she said “Well it was a long time ago and I got over it with someone’s help.”

Harold pulled on his jeans and gave her the pants.

Pulling them on she said “There isn’t much to tell, I became an orphan at the age ten. At thirteen my drunken foster father raped me while his wife was out playing bingo. My foster brother Mike who was in the other room heard it all and the next night glued the man’s dick to his balls.” 

Shrugging into her top she continued “Obviously we had to run away and went hungry for next five days till the local sheriff found us in an abandoned farm. The foster parents didn’t want us back and we went through the system and lost touch. However I was lucky to be placed with an older couple who were professors and they adopted me and gave me a stable home. It’s because of them that I’m a psychiatrist and not a junkie.”

“What happened to Mike?” Harold asked in a serious voice.

Melissa shrugged and said “I don’t know but I intended to find out. He was only three years older than me and in many ways was my first love.”

Handing her the fizzled champagne he said “I hope you don’t feel offended by what I’m going to ask you next but you seem quite comfortable with your sexuality despite the rape.”

Taking a sip of the sour drink she smiled and said “Mike held me and healed me in those five days. We had been into the heavy petting thing before the rape and he just held me for the first few days and between the tears and solace that was offered, we had sex. He was very gentle for a boy his age.”

Taking a bite of the salad Harold asked “If you do find him do you think the embers of passion would still be there?”

Tipping her head to a side, Melissa reflected on the question and answered in a serious tone “I don’t think things would be the same. I was a different person then and I’m quite sure so was he. But it would be nice to be in touch with him as the bond was there.”

“Fair enough” Harold said and dangled her flimsy bra and panty under her nose and cheekily said to lighten the mood “Mind if this old geezer keeps your underwear as souvenir?”

Melissa burst out laughing and lunged for her bra and panty but was caught in a bear hug and they rolled on the blanket like carefree children laughing and tickling each other. 

The hours past them by as if they were no more than few minutes and they soon found themselves watching the sun paint the sky a vivid red as it began to hide behind a mountain. Sighing Melissa brushed the grass of her cords and said “We best be getting back.” 

And just then bit her tongue. She was supposed to keep Harold away from the lodge. Her heart began to race and she frantically wondered how to delay their departure.

Harold, however had other ideas. He took out his tiny cell phone from the picnic basket and called the lodge. Winking at Melissa he spoke “Hi baby, how are you?”

“Listen would it be okay if we came home a little later? I was planning on showing Jake’s cabin to Melissa.”

He paused for a bit and Melissa could hear a faint babble of Psyche’s voice on the other end then Harold continued “We will have dinner at Jake’s cabin. You know how he keeps his pantry well stocked.”

He laughed at something that Psyche said and then said “Bye sweets, we’ll be back before ten.” And he closed the clasp of the phone.

Pulling Melissa to her feet, Harold folded the blanket and put it in the picnic basket and said “My daughter hopes we will have a good time. What she doesn’t know we already had a fantastic time and will have more ‘fun’ at Jake’s cabin.”

“Who is Jake? And won’t he be at his cabin?” She enquired

Kissing her on her mouth he said “Jake is the famous Jake Torrent the writer and no he won’t be at his cabin and we will have some sex there without his knowledge. How’s that for spicing up the evening?”

Feeling heady at his daring act Melissa giggled and asked “Wont that be breaking and entering?”

Raising his eyebrows in mock hurt he said “I don’t do anything illegal young lady and let me tell you that he used my lodge for his nefarious affairs when he was still an undiscovered writer and I’m just cashing in on the favor he owed me.”

Smiling at him, she moved closer and rubbed her body against his and felt excitement course through her veins as he drew a breath in.

“Vixen” He breathed against her mouth and pinched her nipples to hard arousal.

She moaned and said “I think my crotch is getting wet and juicy. How far is the cottage?”

“God damn it woman cut it out! I’m getting hard with all that sex talk and just might fuck you here and now.” Harold said harshly feeling the bone in his jeans get harder.

Feeling like a harlot she teased him “I wish you let me wear my panties. I’m really wet down there and my pants are sticking to my clit.”

His eyes flared and she realized that she had gone too far. Grabbing her by the waist with one hand, Harold unzipped her pants and shoved his fingers in and began to play with her clit. She tried to move away as her clit swelled with desire but he kept on stroking her pussy making it pulse with searing desire and felt her nether lips swell and welcomed his fingers into the sex hole which pulsed and made her cum hard as he milked her hard with his four fingers.

Crying out in a hot orgasm, she knees buckled and she leaned against his chest.

Holding her close, he whispered in her ear “This is what happens if you tease me and this is just the taste of what is to follow.” Cupping her buttocks he picked her up and made her feel the hard ridge that demanded satisfaction.

When Melissa tried to put her hand on his cock, he moved it away and said “In the cottage, not here.”

Handing her the basket, he shouldered the canvas and made her walk a few steps ahead of him. As she walked in the dying day light she had a tough time concentrating on his directions as he would frequently touch her waist, breasts or butt.

It was the longest twenty minute walk for them. He didn’t let her talk and the sexual tension between them sizzled by the time they reached the cabin. Once there he instructed her to hug the cabin door, no questions asked. She complied and felt his cock poke her back as he reached above the door panel for the key. 

Slowly he bought is hand down , grazed hr breast and put the key in the lock. Melissa breath became shallow as she realized what was going to happen.

Opening the door, he grabbed her breasts and made her walk in. When she tried to turn around, he didn’t let her. Instead he unzipped her pants and said “Step out.”

She complied and when she tried to face him he said “Don’t turn around.”

Falling clothes rustled and broke the silence that lay between them.

She moaned and reached behind her cupped the shaft that was standing erect announcing it’s intent. She wanted it in her mouth and she asked softly “I want you in my mouth.”

He wanted something else and moved her towards an oversized couch that faced a blackened hearth. 

Feeling her beaded nipples through the flimsy top he muttered into her ear “I want to fuck you from the back. I want to feel your tight bung hole around my cock. What do you say?”

Melissa felt her pussy drench with fiery liquid at his lucid talk and lay down on the couch. He knelt behind her and moved her ass up for his cock’s entry and gave her butt a light spank. The pale orbs jiggled a bit and drove him over board and yet he was gentle with her. Slowly he entered her and she felt the pain shoot up and make her catch her breath. But she kept her silence and let him move. 

He grunted as pleasure swept through his body and he had to hold back from fucking her senseless. Slowly but thoroughly he pushed in and acclimatized her hole to his alien invasion till she began to purr with pleasure and move her ass up against his cock. 

As he began to drive his shaft into her hole , her clit began to swell up again and demanded attention. Gasping she began to play with her clit and pleasure from above and below drover her crazy. His balls slapped against her hips and he reached over and grabbed her breasts and pushed her down.

Lying under him, Melissa drove her fingers in to find that elusive orgasm and as he had spasms of orgasm on top of her she tugged at her clit but the orgasm didn’t come as her selfish cunt knew her fingers too well and wanted his attention and not hers.




Cupid's Kiss Ch. 04



He came hard and fast and rested against her for a minute. Her shallow breath however let him know that she had not had an orgasm. Flipping her over he bent down and began to eat her. His tongue rasped on her clit back and forth roughly and his fingers drove in hard rhythm. 

Spreading her legs wide she gave him wider access to delve his expert fingers deeper to find the pleasure spot and as he honed, she jerked as spasms of delight drove her over the edge and made her cum hard and fast.

As her breath began to normalize he caressed her cherry tipped breasts and said “Now I know why old men like me like young women.”

Stretching like a satiated cat she said “I thought it was just midlife crisis.”

He pinched her nipples in response and put her hand on his prick and said “Being with you makes the use of Viagra unnecessary.”

She laughed and gently caressed the head of his penis and said “Does that mean you want more piece of the action?”

“Not on a hungry stomach.” He swatted her bottom and headed towards the kitchen. 

Melissa watched his naked body head towards the kitchen and touched her wet pussy as her eyes followed his rippling muscles. For such an old man he seemed to keep his body in top form.

“Hey you come here and help me cook.” She heard him shout.

Sighing, she slowly walked into the tiny kitchen where he was put some pasta to be boiled and some Ragu sauce in the saucepan to be heated.

Hugging him from the back she moved her nipples back and forth on his back. Pulling her closer he muttered “Stop it, my libido is willing but my prick needs nourishment to be activated.”

Holding his limp penis in her hand she said “Isn’t there a button I can press to get it erect and then have you push me against the wall and have your evil way with me?”

He turned around and pulled their meeting organs in a fitting position and yet stayed apart. 

“You are a real nymphomaniac do you know that?” he smiled and gave her a hard kiss. “Let’s eat.”

Her stomach growled in response and she took the piled up plate from him and moved into the living room with the food.

He followed her and they sat on the couch and eat with a hearty appetite. 

Finishing their meal, Melissa headed back into the kitchen to wash the dishes and when she came back she found Harold dressed and holding her clothes out to her and said “Time we headed back, I’ve neglected my daughter far enough don’t you think?”

She pouted and began to wear her clothes and shoes. Following him out of the cabin, she checked her watch and sighed in relief as the time was nine thirty and meeting between Psyche and Aphrodite had taken place at eight last night.

“Here” said Harold and threw her a small torch. Grabbing it she stuck her tongue out at him and he muttered “Don’t tempt me.”

And they began to head back home at a brisk pace. Walking through the dark woods, Melissa began to feel guilty about the hedonist pleasure she had indulged Harold instead of being with Psyche to face that evil goddess.

As the lodge became closer , a stone dropped in her stomach and she hoped and prayed Psyche was alright.

Harold opened the door and walked in without looking back. Melissa shook her head and slipped in quickly before the door slammed shut.

Taking two steps at a time Harold raced up the steps like a ten year old and shouted “Are you up sweety? Daddy’s home.”

Melissa laughed at his youthful behavior and followed him up into Psyche’s room.

“Hey you guys” She began to speak and stared at Aphrodite with shocked eyes.

“You were supposed to be here at eight.” She said in a whisper.

Aphrodite raised her eyebrow at her and then looked at Harold and said “So this hapless fellow is your father.”

Psyche came to stand before her father, crossed her arms and said “Leave him out of it.”

Harold gently pushed his daughter away and spoke in a quiet deadly voice “What is going on here?”



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 05



Harold stared at Aphrodite, the goddess of love and felt his satiated penis rise to life again. Her luscious body was covered by transparent gauze like dress which left showed more than it covered. Her creamy breasts were topped by large red nipples that reminded him fresh cherries and the blazing mound demanded his undivided attention.

He licked his dry lips and tried to focus on the issue at hand and not at the voluptuous vision emanating such raw sexual energy that he wanted to overlook his instinct to grab his daughter and Melissa and get the hell out of the cabin.

Pushing his daughter behind him, he crossed his arms across his chest and stared at Aphrodite bravely and yet a part of him felt like a hare in front of a hungry mountain cat.

Clearing his throat he said "I think an introduction is in order. Yes, I am Psyche's father and you are?"

Dismissing him with a cold look, Aphrodite said to Psyche, "The number you stated was correct and I am surprised that you were able to finish the task. Now for the second one, you have to get me wool from the sheep that graze near the stream down the hill."

Then she smiled and her eyes seemed to harden as she stated "Further more, the wool has to be from the males and not females. Easy task and I will see you tomorrow night."

Harold was not used to being dismissed and spoke up "Hey Lady, before telling my daughter what to do how about talking to her father?"

Aphrodite's beautiful face seemed to cloud over with anger and her hair came alive like angry hissing snakes. She approached Harold, gliding across the floor as if not touching it. As the distance between them reduced, he felt his hackles rise and his heart began to race. He stood his ground and reminded himself that he had faced enough bullies since his childhood and she was just another bully trying out the intimidating tactics that he was familiar with and had incorporated in his persona.

Folding his arms, legs apart, he refused to budge and faced her like a fearless lion willing to subjugate an angry lioness. She moved close enough to breathe on his face and struck her venom with the precision of a cobra "You are a fine father to talk about parenthood. You, who had taken your own daughter to bed."

A deafening silence fell in the room. A gasp escaped from Psyche and she stuttered in a little girl voice "What is she talking about Daddy?"

Harold clenched his teeth and spoke to Psyche without taking his eyes off the all knowing eyes of Aphrodite "She is lying to you darling, nothing ever happened between me and your sister."

Walking back towards the mirror, Aphrodite touched the jewel that opened the portal and before flashing through it she said to Psyche in a soft deadly voice "Ask him what was so devastating that drove your mother to take her life."

With that she left the room with the same blinding light that indicated her exit.

Blind rage engulfed his being and he picked up a chair to shatter the mirror. Lunging towards it he was about to throw it when Psyche held him back and took the chair away from him.

His shoulders drooped and he no longer seemed like a man who could take on the world – just an old man who was about to face up to a dark and buried secret from his storied life.

He stumbled and then sat down on Psyche's bed heavily. Rubbing a shaking hand across his temples he began to speak "Your mother was such a fragile woman, not only in appearance but also emotionally."

Psyche stood over her father and asked his stooped figure "What has that got to do with Cybil?"

He raised a pleading hand and said "Please listen to me. I've already lost one daughter and don't want to lose another."

Psyche nodded and turned and looked at Melissa who was tip toeing out of the room and said "Stay Meme, I want you to hear all of it as my psychiatrist."

Melissa felt a bit uncomfortable but decided to be a silent audience and not judge Harold by her own past experiences. She leaned against the wall and listened to Harold's confession.

Psyche sat down next to her father and said "You better explain yourself Dad."

Crossing his legs Harold began to talk "Your mom was delicate both physically and mentally. But as a young man I did not know how ill she really was. Her fragile beauty coupled with what I thought to be an intriguing brooding quality had enthralled the callow youth that I was. Your grandfather had tried to warn me about her mental condition but I was in love. Ah - young love blinds the best of us. Our marriage was happy till the honeymoon and then paranoia set in. She thought I had affairs with anything that wore a skirt, from chamber maids to the women who worked in my firm."

He sighed and held his head in his hands and continued gruffly "I tried my best to be a good husband. But she began to lose touch with reality. Her psychiatrist wanted to admit her in an institution but my selfish love wouldn't let her go. I continued to share her bed despite her taunts, sullen silences and threats of suicide. Was it love or lust for a female body?"

Getting up from the bed he began to pace around the room, picked up a photo frame stared at blindly and continued "By the time you girls were teenagers our marriage was over. She was no more than a ghost, flitting around like a lost wraith in her own home. You do remember that don't you sweetheart?"

Feeling numb Psyche nodded and he continued talking "All girls love their daddies just like all boys love their mommies. I remember taking my little beauties on my laps on the swing in the porch and laughing the evenings away. You still loved me the right way but Cybil took the wrong road. She didn't want her boyfriends to be like me, she just wanted me plain and simple."

He sighed and turned to Psyche and said "Didn't you ever wonder why she never had any boyfriends? Why she used to hug and kiss me all the time?"

Psyche just shook her head and said "No Dad, I just thought she was very possessive about you. Now that I think about it as an adult it does seem a bit unhealthy especially when there were other women around she would get nasty."

Jamming his fists into his pants he continued in a low voice "I had stopped sharing your mother's bed a long time ago and started having small time affairs. Your mom knew about it and by then it didn't matter as she had been accusing me of it since we got married. And one fine day we had a blow out over it and I went out to a party and came back home roaring drunk. All I remember is lying in bed and waking up with your sister naked beside me and your mom standing over the bed screaming her head off."

"I tried to explain to her that nothing had happened, that it wasn't my fault but she wouldn't let me come near her and soon I was served with a restraining order and three days after that you, a mere fifteen year old, found your mother with her wrists slit."

Going over to his daughter, he bent down to her level, took her hand and placed it against his chest and said "You do believe me don't you? Have I ever laid a hand on you?"

Tears streamed down Psyche's eyes and she hugged her father and whispered "You have always been a good father. I finally understand why there was no contact between you and Cybil even at her wedding you were so distant."

Melissa stretched her legs and sauntered over to the nearby chair and sat down. She looked at the father and daughter hugging each other and remembered the awkward silence between Harold and Cybil when they both had landed up at the same time to meet Psyche. She had walked in on a painful moment when Harold had removed Cybil's hand from his arm and moved away from her as if he couldn't stand being around her. Melissa had seen his pain being reflected in Cybil's eyes before it was covered with cool reserve. 

At that time her only concern was Psyche's mental condition and she didn't give much thought to that father and daughter interaction but now it all fit together like a fist in a glove.

Stretching her legs she said "Well Cybil will be coming over tomorrow."

Psyche and Harold broke away from their embrace and Harold spoke huskily "She will be coming with her husband. One way or the other we all have to get along."

Then he turned, looked at his daughter and said "You have some explaining to do missy."

As Psyche began to unravel her tale, Melissa's eyes began to droop and before she knew it she was asleep on a hard chair. Her head dropped to one side, her figure slumped. She was sure to wake up sore in the morning. When Psyche finished updating Harold about the circumstances, they finally looked at the gently snoring woman on the chair and Harold's concerned expressions gave way to tenderness.

Psyche looked at her father's wistful expression and wondered if there was something going on between Melissa and him. She didn't begrudge them the happiness that could come their way but at that moment she missed Cupid and wondered how he was doing.

Stretching her hands above her head she asked her father "Could you put her to bed? And don't get into it with her."

Harold gave her a sheepish look and opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when Psyche grinned mischievously and said "I was just kidding dad. Doesn't matter to me if you guys have a hot torrid affair right here with me in another room, just make sure there is not too much banging and creaking."

Harold gave her a mock hurt look, picked up Melissa as if she was no more than a small child and carried her to her room. 

Returning to Psyche's room he leaned against the doorframe and waited for his daughter to come out of the bathroom. When Psyche came out, he asked, the concerned father again "How do you plan to collect the wool? The Dals are very ferocious sheep plus with the mating season going on it's not going to be an easy task to fulfill."

Getting into bed Psyche fluffed up her pillows and before snuggling in she said "I don't know what I'm going to do but I do no what I'm not going to do which is shoot them and collect the wool."

Harold gave a silent laugh and closed the door. 

A minute later Psyche opened her eyes and screamed "Dad I was joking don't go on a shooting expedition. It's illegal to kill those sheep."

Silence greeted her shout; she waited and screamed again "Dad!!"

"I heard you baby. Go to sleep. We will figure things out tomorrow morning," was the muffled reply of Harold who went into his room and got into bed without changing his clothes. Staring at the ceiling he felt relief and yet growing apprehension. He had crossed a major hurdle that could have destroyed his relationship with Psyche and yet he could lose her at the hands of Aphrodite. Tossing and turning in his bed he tried to come up with innovative ideas to get his daughter out of the situation and each time the ideas failed. 

Despite his best intentions his eyes began to droop and he promised himself that he will stand by his daughter no matter what the diversions, whether Cybil or sweet sensuous Melissa.



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 06



Harold flipped an omelet on the pan. He knew that Cybil had arrived with her husband. He wasn't going to give her a grand reception but then again, for Psyche's sake he would try to be nice. 

Sighing, he turned off the gas and went to greet his second daughter. Just as he reached the living room, a lithe female body collided against him and hugged his tight. 

Love and anger made confusing emotions race through his heart and he gave Cybil a light hug and pushed her back to look at her.

Staring at his daughter's face he saw his wife's haunting look stare back at him. She had inherited her mother's heartbreaking good looks but that was where the similarities stopped. Her petite frame packed in the indomitable spirit of an obstinate mule. He had rebuked her overtures of conciliation so many times that after a couple of years he had stopped counting and yet she persisted.

"Hi Harry how are you?" 

There was only one fellow who had the guts to call Harold by that foolhardy name and that was Kevin, Cybil's husband. Harold let go of Cybil and genuine fondness spread through his eyes as he exchanged a manly hug with his Irish son. 

Holding him by the shoulders Harold asked him "How have you been? How is the construction business coming along?"

"Business is good dad but could be better."

Slinging an arm around Kevin's shoulder, Harold herded him towards the kitchen and effectively ignored Cybil who walked behind them silently.

"Have you eaten? I'm making breakfast." Harold broke a couple of eggs on the sauce pan. 

Unaware of the tension between the father and daughter Kevin smiled and took out plates and forks from the drawer and began to lay the table.

Cybil looked at the two men in her lives and a pang resonated in her heart. She loved them both so much and yet she loved one more than the other. Her father's dark brooding presence dominated the room, pushing her husband's sunny personality into the background as it did to most of the men she had seen him interact with.

She loved strong men and her father was the epitome of an alpha male. He was strong not only in body but also in mind and she was still sexually attracted to him. Was that wrong? She knew it to be but couldn't help the desires that bled painful memories and fantasies in her heart. 

She had come to love her husband; after all he was not only drop dead gorgeous to look at in that sexy Irish way but also had a razor sharp mind. His tender love was a soothing balm on her lonely soul and she tried to make up for her dark unattainable desires by being a loving wife. She smirked in self derision and her look was caught by Kevin who put a heavy laden plate before her.

A quiet look passed between them and she sighed. Kevin knew that something was wrong with their marriage but couldn't put his finger and his questions were always met with light rebuffs.

Mustering a happy smile she pulled her husband down and pecked him on the lips in assurance. 

Digging into her plate of fried eggs she asked her father "Is Psyche still in bed?"

Giving Kevin his plate, Harold sat down with his plate and answered "No she isn't here. She and Melissa have gone on a trek."

Giving her father a shrewd smile she said "You weren't able to get rid of Psyche's psychiatrist then."

Taking a bite of his food, Harold answered "What makes you think I would want to get rid of her. She is a perfectly good doctor. And quite pleasing to the eyes may I add."

Cybil's eyes narrowed and she asked "Ah is there something brewing in that direction?"

Harold put is fork down and looked at her intently for a minute and then resumed eating.

Caught in the midst of tense undercurrent Kevin felt uncomfortable and asked in a light voice "Isn't it too early to go trekking at six in the morning?"

"Melissa wanted to photograph the Dahl and they are found on higher grounds, hence the early trek."

Settling back in his chair Kevin yawned and said "In that case you wouldn't mind if we caught some extra winks? We've been traveling for over four hours." 

Harold collected the plates and said "Sure go ahead. In the mean time I will make some business calls."

Cybil stood next to her father and began to help him wash dishes and said lightly "You are such a workaholic dad. You should learn to relax."

Lightly stepping away from his daughter so that they weren't touching in the slightest he said quietly "Why don't you go and rest for a while with your husband and I will see you both in a while?"

Anger clouded Cybil's eyes and through clenched teeth she whispered "You don't like having me around do you Dad?"

Throwing a dish towel at the nearby chair, she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her bemused husband blindly.

Harold cleared his throat and answered "Don't be silly Cybil. I love you as much as I love your sister. It's just that I have lot of work to do and you two need to sleep. By the time you guys get up, I would have finished with my calls and will relax with you."

Cybil looked into her father's eyes and knew he was trying to get away from him but she wanted to amend things with him quite desperately. Over her shoulder she said to her husband "Hon' why don't you go upstairs? I will come up soon."

Realizing that she wanted a few private moments with her father Kevin nodded and headed up.

Training her eyes on her father she decided to broach the one topic her father wanted to avoid at all cost, "I made a mistake when I was eighteen. It's been over ten years since then and I'm still paying for it. Is it so difficult for you to forgive me?"

Moving away from her Harold stared at the mountains with a troubled heart and said softly "What you did caused your mother's death. How am I to live with that?"

"So you do blame me for mom's death." Tears swam in her eyes and her lips quivered in sorrow.

He sought to explain himself without hurting his daughter but knew that would be inevitable no matter what "Your mother had me pegged a womanizer and used that as an excuse to live the life of a tragic queen but your act gave her reason to believe that I was a pedophile. It wasn't my alleged crime that made her take her life it was her failure to protect you from me that made commit suicide."

Cybil angrily brushed her tears away and said fiercely "Don't you think I am aware of that? I grieved for my mother too but you did not comfort me. Your love was there only for Psyche and I was left out in the cold."

Harold stared into her eyes and said "I didn't know what to say to you then and I don't know what to say to you now."

Pain lanced through her heart and she whispered "You are a cruel man Dad."

She turned and headed towards her room. Why did she continue to try to bridge the gap with her father?

Time and time again she made overtures to be rejected for what? 

Entering her room she found Kevin already in bed, asleep. She sat down next to him and watched his sleeping form. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she love this man with her total being?

She got under the covers and laid her hand on his sleeping penis and began to bring it to life. As it became erect, Kevin opened his eyes and looked at his wife.

"Hey babe, what are you doing?" he asked with raised eyebrows. 

Cybil put a finger on his lips and bent down and put her mouth where her hand had been.

Sighing in pleasure he lay back and said "I don't know why I am getting sex out of the blue but …"

Looking up she said "Well don't look at the gift horse in the mouth."

She loved him hard and fast. Bringing his juices up to the thickening head she cajoled the drops to sweeten her taste buds but Kevin pulled her head away and silently shook his head.

Laying her down next to him, he stared into her eyes and began to caress her body. He began to kiss her nape and moved his mouth down to the valley between her breasts and lapped the skin with his rough, moist tongue.

Holding his head close to her breasts she tried to clear her mind of the painful interlude with her father and enjoy her husband. She began to run her nails down his smooth back towards his tights buttocks and when she tried to pull him down towards her pussy he smiled at her and asked "What do you want sweetheart?"

She held his cock in her hands and said "I want to feel close to you as close as possible."

Kevin kissed her lips and as his tongue invaded her mouth, so did his cock plunge into the deep recesses of her pulsing womanhood. Gasping at the pleasure that shot through her body she tightened her hold over his buns and pulled him in deeper. 

She wanted him so deep that he would leave his mark on her heart, removing the memories of her father forever. She wrapped her legs around his waist and let the flood of pleasure wash over her. 

His cock reached her the lips of her womb and demanded complete surrender. The juices began to flow, making his movement smooth and hard.

The dance reached a frenzied pace and the intensity of her passion made him buck against her like a young, strong bull. His face contorted and he came with a cry. 

She pulled him closer and thought he would relax but his cock didn't shrivel. He rolled her over him still in her and smiled up at her and said "Fuck me baby. Take your pleasure."

Grabbing his hard rod she moved up, uncovering his penis a bit and then plunged down. The walls of her vagina trembled with the explosion of desire and yet she moved down faster, grinding her hips making his cock harder than before and as they both came in the explosion of sweat and unending pleasure she felt her body go limp and she fell on him. 

They lay in bed a tangle of satiated limbs and hungry lungs that demanded oxygen. Kevin hugged his wife close and felt her tears on his chest.

Concerned he pressed her against the sheets and stared into her crying face "What is it darling? Tell me what happened?"

Cybil let the smell of sex wash over her and she wondered if she should tell her husband the one thing that kept her apart from her father.

Kevin ran a hand down her soft cheek and asked "Something has been eating you up since we met. I could feel an untended hurt burning deep within your soul. Don't you think the burden should be lifted?"

Staring into her husband eyes she said hesitantly "You might not want to be with me once you have heard what I have to say."

He sat up in bed and pulled her to a sitting position and said "Try me."

Straightening her back she began to reveal the darkest secret which had held her hostage for so long. 

"When I turned eleven, I stepped into the new world of sex from that of stuffed toys and tea parties. My curiosity was quite normal but what wasn't normal was the direction it turned towards."

She clasped her hands and continued "I didn't lust after the next door neighbor's son or my friend Carol's father. I had the hots for my own father."

Kevin raised an eyebrow and said "So what? Things like that are known to happen when girls' initial sexual curiosity turns towards their father. Is that the dark secret?"

Getting out the bed she grabbed a t-shirt and slacks for the cupboard and stood over Kevin and said "No, it gets worse. I wanted to have sex with him and was jealous of the women in his life. That's not healthy and what's worse I got into his bed while he was unconscious. I had wanted to be next to him for so long. I wanted to show him how much I loved him. I wanted to feel his naked skin next to mine and join my soul with his for those few pleasurable seconds. The intensity of my desire for him made me throw caution to the wind and I tried to take advantage of my father. If that is not sick then what is?"

Kevin sighed and pulled her down to sit next to him and said "It doesn't end there does it?"

Tears fell from her eyes and she said huskily "No, it gets worse. My mother found me in his bed and three days later Psyche found her lying in the tub with her wrist slit."

Taking her into his arms he said softly "Poor baby, you must have blamed yourself for her actions."

Hugging her husband close she whispered "It was my fault even dad holds me responsible for it."

Holding her close he leaned back against the headboard and said "Your fault was getting into your father's bed but not your mother's suicide. Your mother was a disturbed lady and maybe it was the final straw for her but you have to realize that if she was mentally sound she wouldn't have taken her life instead she would have nailed your father's ass for what she saw."

Cybil looked up at her husband in surprise and said "That makes a lot of sense. You did put things in perspective. But how come you weren't shocked about it?"

Shrugging his shoulders he said "I grew up in the Bronx and have seen worse shit. Nothing is ever black and white there is a lot of gray area. Also it makes no sense to beat a dead dog does it now?"

Looking into his calm blue eyes she said "But Dad still hates me for it."

Kissing both her cheeks he said "Harold and you both need therapy to put that episode behind you. Knowing Harold he would never go for it. But if you want me to talk to him I can…"

Cybil put her hand on his mouth and said "No that would only spoil your relationship with him."

Smiling down at her he tugged at her slacks and said "Aren't you gonna thank me for being so understanding?"

Her mood lightened as he waggled his eyebrows and began to grope her. She burst out laughing as the burden in her heart lightened and she fell in love with him all over again.



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 07



Psyche stared at the sex driven male Dalls that were butting heads over the females and felt her heart sink. How was she supposed to collect their wool without shooting? It wasn't in her nature to go hunting; she considered it to be a sport of mendacity where the hunter had definite advantage of the gun over the hapless prey. There was no real victory in that sport. She had numerous arguments with her father when he went on his hunts but now she wondered if she would have to compromise her values after all.

The Dalls were definitely unapproachable, especially in the mating season when the testosterones had made them extremely dangerous. Sighing, she sat down on the barren rock and took a mug of hot coffee from Melissa who voiced her thoughts "Do you think we would have to shoot them?"

Shaking her head Psyche looked at the bleak surroundings of sparse vegetation and hard rocks and mumbled "I hate guns and killing helpless animals is not my cup of tea."

Melissa watched the thundering Dalls who had locked their ivory horns in jumbled circular knots and realized that this could be the one task they might not be able to accomplish. She laid a hand on the hunting gun that Harold had insisted they carry despite Psyche's vehement protests and felt its cold steel length tempt her. It would be so easy to shoot one of those magnificent creatures down and take what they want from its carcass and yet a part of her felt that Aphrodite might not like the way the task was accomplished and that could put Psyche's life in jeopardy. 

Sighing she stretched her legs and felt the cold nip of the autumn wind seep through her woolens and chill her bones. Pulling the lapels of her coat closer around her neck she asked a rhetorical question "How did it come to this?"

Psyche gave a dry smile and said "It was because of that goddamn mirror."

Melissa nodded her head and said "I meant to ask you how that mirror came into your possession."

Staring at the fighting Dalls blindly Psyche answered in a dull voice "It's been in our family through generations but it had been left behind at our ancestral home when my grandparents had moved to America from Greece. It had a tradition tied to it where it would be passed down to the spinster in the family and my father's sister, Psyche was single though still young in years and it was passed on to her. The story goes that after she inherited the mirror from Aunt Hilda she disappeared in about a week's time and no one could find any traces of her. The family searched for her high and low but their search turned futile and my grandparents moved to America as the memories of their lost child made their stay in Greece unbearable."

Returning the empty cup to the hamper she continued talking "They never returned to Greece and the house was looked after by a caretaker. A few years passed and my grandmother conceived another child very late in life, my father and he was a soothing balm to their wounded hearts as dad used to tell us how good his childhood was. They made it a point to tell dad about his heritage and most of all about his lost sister. And we in turn got to hear the stories as a part of the legacy and dad went a step further and named me after the sister he never knew."

Pulling her legs up against her chest, Melissa asked "What about your grandparents? Didn't they want to take their son back and show him his roots?"

Psyche shook her head and said "No, they didn't want to go back. They died just when dad had finished college so it wasn't as if he had the money to go back. Later on he got too busy building his empire and it was only last year after a whole lot of pestering on my part that he finally gave in and we went to Greece together. It was a bittersweet trip; we gained a whole bunch of long lost relatives and lost the house which had fallen to ruins. The floor boards were rotting away, the roof leaked, broken furniture lay strewn around and worst of all there were fat rats and roaches scurrying around. But, there in that shamble of a house we found a priceless object, that damn mirror. Its cool translucent beauty took our breath away and we brought it back with us to America."

Melissa cocked her head to a side thoughtfully and asked "Why didn't you get the mirror evaluated?"

"We never got around to it and it seemed to be at home in my bedroom." Psyche answered.

Melissa then decided to ask the next question that might hit a sore nerve but as her psychiatrist she had to bring the topic up. Clearing her throat she asked "Didn't Cybil mind that you two had gone on a trip without her?"

Psyche raised her eyebrow and said "You couldn't let that topic be could you?"

Looking back at her calmly Melissa answered "I know it's there on your mind and despite the calm façade that you have put up I know you must be pretty upset about the episode that happened between Harold and Cybil."

Psyche narrowed her eyes and said "What should my reaction be huh? Disown my sister for her blunder or doubt my father's word?"

Melissa didn't reply but looked at her silently.

Picking up a stone Psyche spoke "I am not the drama queen type. You have to realize that our mother was a soap opera actress. Day in day out we put up with her emotional upheavals and it left us drained. And I promised myself that I would not fall apart no matter what. I had to prove to myself that I was not like her and since then I have accepted all the shit that happened, taken it in my stride and moved on. What doesn't break us makes us stronger right?"

Melissa watched her throw the stone to the area where the Dalls were at the end of their fight and one of them was tottering off with blood oozing from the horns. She knew what had to be done but decided to wait a while more.

She turned and looked at her companion's profile and said "You shouldn't hold your emotions back. It's important to air out your feelings, to talk things out."

Psyche let some of her anger come to surface and said in a rough voice "What would you have me say? That I come from a fucked up family? That my sister is a mentally sick woman? Or that my father might be a child abuser? Would you like me to confront them together?"

Melissa shrugged and said "That would be a start."

"Start to what? Get real, Melissa. I already have a lot of shit to deal with and that issue will have to sit on the backburner."

Shaking her head Melissa replied "It is already out and with your sister there do you think things would be calm and quiet? It will come up and you will have to deal with it whether you like it or not."

Psyche stood up and looked down at Melissa and answered "Fine, I will cross that bridge when I come to it but right now I need to follow that sheep before it disappears."

Melissa picked up the shooting gun and said "I don't think it will go too far. It's weak and wounded. We should follow it down to the stream and put it out of its misery."

As she walked down the steep slope Psyche said over her shoulder "That evil witch said to collect wool not kill them. If I deviate even an inch that woman would have enough excuse to kill me so lets be a bit more patient."

Following her down carefully Melissa wondered whether Psyche would be able to juggle the family crisis at hand and succeed in meeting her lover. But what really played on her mind was the fiendish nature of the mirror. It acted as a portal from another world but what really worried her was whether it was safe? After all it had let in dangerous beings into this world that seemed to treat humans no different from playthings; Cupid's immoral rape of Psyche and Aphrodite's shameless exhibition of power had convinced her that they could wreck havoc in their world if they were allowed. 

Suddenly she stopped short and as a sudden realization dawned on her. There were probably other mirrors or ways through which they entered into this world; destroying this mirror would probably achieve nothing except anger Psyche and the goddess. Resuming her walk she made a note in her mind to talk it over with Harold, an artifact like that cannot be left out in the open and unguarded. And when were they planning to tell Cybil about the ongoing events? It wasn't as if they could sweep the ongoing events under the carpet. There was going to be one big family fight and she would somehow have to make herself scarce but she would try and convince Psyche to talk things over with her sister before things blew over.

"Are you planning to walk into the stream or what?" Psyche's dry voice broke her reverie and she became aware of her surroundings. She was standing at the edge of the stream and hadn't even realized that she had walked down the mountain; her concentration had been so deep.

Melissa turned around and saw Psyche sitting crossed legged with a dying Dall's head on her lap. Blood and drool were staining her jeans but she didn't seem to mind. Kneeling down she put her hand on it's magnificent head and felt the life slowly seep out of its body. She said softly "I didn't expect it to die so fast."

Caressing the dying Dall, Psyche replied "Neither did I but his injuries are pretty bad." She continued to stare down at the sheep and said "In a way I'm like this Dall. He put his life on the line for a mate and I am doing the same. Hopefully I won't share its fate."

Melissa smiled at the analogy and asked Psyche "Do you want to put it out of its misery?"

Psyche shook her head and said "I told you before we cannot shoot it. We will just have to wait for it to die."

An electronic beeping in the hamper invaded the sounds of nature and Melissa opened the hamper and took the cell phone out. Opening the flap she answered "Melissa here."

Harold's voice replied "Hi, sweetheart. Did you two find the Dalls? Would you like me to come there?"

"No its okay Harold, we found a dying Dall and will be taking its wool in a bit."

She heard the relief in his voice "Thank god for that. Hurry back as Cybil is here and is asking questions."

Psyche silently asked for the phone by holding her hand out. Melissa gave it to her.

"Hi Dad how are you? Cybil must have come by now."

"Don't tell me you two already had a fight."

Psyche rolled her eyes and said "No I don't need to kill it. Dad don't be so trigger happy and one more thing be nice to Cybil okay?"

With that she closed the phone and gave it back to Melissa and said "I will have to tell Cybil and that is one task I am dreading."

Putting the phone back in the hamper she asked "Why do you say that?"

Psyche sighed and said "She will be angry that I told dad and kept it from her. She thinks that Dad and I deliberately sideline her."

Melissa watched the Dall take it last gasps of life and decided to broach the taboo topic again "The only way you can heal the fissures is by a having a dialogue with your family."

Gently laying the head of the dead Dall on the cold ground Psyche replied "So you keep telling me to do. Anyhow give me the carving knife will you? I need to shave it."

Melissa gave her the knife and watched her shave the wool off the dead animal. Things will not be easy for Psyche or her father especially if Psyche decides to talk to her sister.

Psyche collected the wool and put it in a bag that Melissa handed her. Tying a knot on the bag she put it in the hamper and before leaving she laid a hand on the dead Dall and whispered a silent thank you.

Stretching her back Psyche asked Melissa "Ready to go back and face the music with me?"

Melissa nodded as fell into step with Psyche as they headed back to the lodge and said "Would you like me to be there when you talk to Cybil and Harold?"

Psyche shrugged and said "If Cybil wouldn't mind it, sure, I would like you to be there."

She looked up at the sun which was making it way towards the middle of the sky and said "It's going to take us about two hours to reach the lodge so we would be back by late afternoon which gives us ample time to explain things to Cybil and later on meet Aphrodite."



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 08



Psyche entered the cabin and was greeted by silence. She wondered how bad the blow out had been between her father and sister. Melissa entered the lodge behind her and said "I'm famished. Mind if I head towards the kitchen?"

Psyche smiled at her and nodded. Swinging the bag over her shoulder which contained the fleece she climbed the stair towards her bedroom in deep thought. When was she ever going to meet Cupid? She missed him so. Aphrodite's tasks were getting to be more difficult as time passed and she wondered how hard the next would be and whether she would be lucky enough to get help again.

"Hey Psyche what's up little sis?" Kevin's deep voice startled her and made her look up at her beaming brother. 

Smiling back at him she hugged his lean body close and felt a warm feeling nestle in her heart. Kevin was a rational man who kept her morose sister happy. Though she finally understood the perpetual cloud that hovered over Cybil's head yet she felt a bit apprehensive about talking it out with her which she knew would be happening some time soon.

Kevin saw the smile in Psyche's eyes slip a bit and knew deep in his gut that Psyche knew his wife's dark secret. His Irish instinct told him that there was trouble brewing in the lodge way before Cybil and he arrived and that things were about to go from bad to worse. 

Slinging an arm around her thin shoulders he walked with her into her bedroom and as he opened the door for her to enter he asked in a cheerful voice "So where have you been? Cybil was a bit disappointed not to find you at home."

Throwing the bag on the bed, Psyche turned and looked at Kevin and said "Melissa and I stepped out to see the famous sheep and you know me I can't stay indoors for too long."

Folding his arms across his chest Kevin suddenly became very quiet and made Psyche realize that he was about to broach the one topic she would never be ready to face. Sighing she sat down on the dresser chair and stared at the covered mirror. 

She already had so much to deal with in her own life and now to be dragged into the long standing feud between her father and sister, she wondered if she had the strength to keep her sanity about her.

"You do know the reason behind the schism between Cybil and Harold?" Kevin asked in a soft voice.

Folding her arms across her chest Psyche answered "Harold told me yesterday."

"Cybil had made a mistake nearly a decade ago and Harold is still not able to forgive her. Why is he so hard on her? Don't you think its time for him to try and put it behind him and start fresh with her?"

Relief flooded through her body. Her father wasn't a child molester and then guilt made her cheeks burn. She obviously seemed to love her father more than her sister and it made her wonder if she could be impartial.

Getting up from the chair she walked towards Kevin and took his hands in hers. She looked into his worried eyes and said "I will talk to Dad again. Things might not be the same between them but he shouldn't treat her like a leper."

Kevin smiled back and gave her a hug. 

"I will leave you alone to freshen up and I'll let Cybil know that you are back." Kevin said as he headed out of the bedroom and as he opened the door he said over his shoulder "She had been worried about you for a very long time and will be happy to see you back to normal."

As she watched him close the door Psyche shook her head and said "Whatever normal means."

Picking up the knotted bag that contained the slightly bloodied fleece she put it next to the mirror and went into the bathroom for a quick shower.

Taking off her clothes she stepped into the porcelain tub and started the shower. Hot pulsing water needled her delicate skin making it redder than a lover's passionate bite. Leaning her head against the wet tiles she let her mind wander back to the sweet memories that kept her strength to fight against despair and hopelessness.

Behind her closed eyelids she remembered how he had gentled the dark hysteria that threatened to engulf her mind when he visited her on the fourth night. Fighting back the cursed migraine that followed her memories like sweet poison she remembered how he had held her in his arms and soothed her screams with gentle kisses and caresses. He had rocked her back and forth as she tried to fight his loving embrace with jerky ineffectual fists. 

Finally when exhaustion had taken over her he spoke and told her that she hadn't lost her mind. That he was as real as she was and that he had loved her for so long. It was then she had raised her head and in the pitch darkness of the night that blinded her she saw him with her hands. It was the face of a handsome man. High forehead marked by fine eyebrows slide down to a thin nose and full sensuous lips. He had remained absolutely still as she had run her trembling fingers over his lean cheeks and then on his stubborn dimpled chin. In her mind's eye she pictured him to be a striking man but that was not enough. Her heart had still thumped in her chest like a frightened canary banging against the cage.

She had pushed against his shoulders and whispered that he had raped her, taken away her mind and left her with a tattered self respect. Emboldened by the rage that had began to replace fear she cursed him, called him all kinds of names under the sun and he let her anger pour over his heart and burn its seal deep within the love that he had felt for her. Finally when she had stopped her ranting he spoke again. His tone had been gentle as if he was talking to a skittish filly. He told her that he loved her and had loved her from the moment he had laid his eyes on her. That he had just wanted to touch her while she was sleeping but had been unable to hold back the ardor that had raged in his heart and filled all his breathing moments. Unable to hold himself back he had loved her and it was a crying shame that she had seen their lovemaking as rape. But he had insisted that it hadn't been her fault but something lacking in his love that it did not invoke a reciprocating spark in her heart. 

Caressing her back he had continued to whisper that he intended to make her his eternal bride and they would live in marital bliss for ages to come. 

His words jarred her mind and fear began to spread its cold fingers down her spine. Her mind told her that she was in the arms of a lunatic and she had to get away but her treacherous body lay enthralled in his arms. Her mind screamed as her senses began to reel under the magic he wove with his words and hands. 

Love poured from his every thrust and spread its heat from her womb to her heart. Warming it with emotions she had previously never felt. Her body felt as if it was lying naked in the arms of a burning sun that branded her very being so much delight that she had thought she would die then and there. 

But her mind had gone berserk. Against the walls of reason it had beat its head and cried foul, violation and numbing fear. It wasn't right and she was drowning in the sea of insanity. Her soul was being torn into painful tatters by her joyful heart and tortured mind. Was she a loving bride or a whore who traded her life for dark pleasure? 

She had moaned both in pain and pleasure as he had taken her over the edge and with her pulsed with the receding delights that still had made them catch their breath. As he fell asleep he had whispered against her hair that he loved her and come morning she would see that everything would be fine. He would explain come morning.

But it had been too late by then. Her crazed mind demanded restitution. It judged her harshly, called her a skank, a hussy, a bitch so hot for sex that she had willingly traded away her self respect. Her fingers had slowly crept under the pillow and felt the hard cold strength of the shotgun. Pulling it out she let her sweaty finger close over the trigger and had moved away from his sleeping form.

As the gentle rays of the moon parted through the thick curtains of clouds she aimed the gun at his form that gleamed in a silvery shine. Her heart racing, she parted her legs in a naked stance and felt the impact of the gun push her back against the hard wall as it went off. Bang! The noise had rung loud through the lodge, down the mountain and scared off a deer near a stream. Bang! The gun had gone off again and it had been punctuated by a cry filled with pain and surprise.

She flipped the light on and gasped as feathers fell around her and kissed her tear drenched cheeks. Frightened hazel eyes had met teary blue eyes that held so much pain that her heart broke. 

Clutching his wounded shoulder he had whispered that he had loved her and yet even this hadn't been her fault something had been lacking in his love for her.

It was then that the implications of her actions had dawned on her. She had shot a being so boundless in his love who despite her grotesque actions did not blame her and yet loved her. 

She had wanted to run over to him and beg forgiveness but the blood that had poured down his shoulder had held her rooted to the floor in frozen silence. And then just like that it was too far gone.

Tears poured down her cheeks and mingled with the hot water from the shower as she remembered the grief that from then on became a permanent resident in her heart. She wanted to be with him, if not that, then at least know that he is alright.



Cupid's Kiss Ch. 09



Four pair of eyes trailed her down the stairs and made Psyche feel like a fly under a microscope. Cybil's worried looks and Harold's defensive posture over his plate made her want to run back to her room. Somehow life in the mental institution seemed easier to her.

It wasn't enough that she had Aphrodite to deal with but now she was in the middle of a family blow out.

She sat down at the end of the table and glared at her family and her psychiatrist.

"What?" she grouchily murmured and threw a lump of mashed potato on her plate.

"The serving spoon is rather hot so are the mashed potato. Cybil, pass me the chicken." She stared back at her family and at Melissa with a mulish pout. Their concern was pissing her off.

Cybil raised an eyebrow and asked "Lost your manners Psyche? No hugs or kisses for your sister?"

Psyche dropped her gaze and stared at the Chicken Platter. The food looked delicious but she had no appetite left.

She selected a thigh and dropped it on her plate. "There doesn't seem to be much love lost between us, Cybil. You didn't want to acknowledge a mentally deranged sister so why all the concern all of a sudden?"

"That's enough Psyche. It was too painful for your sister. She couldn't deal with the sight of you....." Harold's voice trailed off and he took a quick gulp of his wine.

Psyche let out a sardonic laugh and completed the sentence "Being in a strait jacket? The one time that I needed my family I was let down and now that I am up and about you guys want to throw me back in there. Am I such an inconvenience to have around?

"No one wants to send you back to the hospital." Kevin tried to reason with his irate sister. 'She had seemed to be in a happy mood a while ago but now was acting like a sullen puss. What was going on?' Kevin wondered and then decided to stay out of the family argument.

Psyche glared at Kevin and responded sarcastically "Sure, Kevin, unfortunately for you we aren't the Brady Bunch. Making happy conversation is a rarity for this neurotic family"

The succulent juices flooded her taste buds. Her father had made her favorite dish -- roast chicken and mashed potatoes; Cybil and Kevin had flown half the continent out of concern. Her family was putting their best foot forward and she was being a bitch.

She sighed and said "Look I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...."

Cybil interrupted her "Act like a spoilt, self-pitying bitch? It's always about you. You have dad wrapped around your little pinky."

Psyche felt a rush anger flood rush through her veins, "I have dad wrapped around my fingers? You are the one who tried to climb into his...."

"Enough!" Harold's voice rang through the kitchen. "I won't have you two tear into each other like a couple of catty women. Both of you need to grow up. The past is in the past, Psyche, you should know better than to throw it at your sister's face."

Psyche opened her mouth to say something but the angry look that clouded her generally congenial father's face quelled the words.

"And, you, Cybil, shouldn't be so fixated on Psyche and me. You have Kevin now. Someday, hopefully, both of you will have your own family. We love you but its time you moved on and led your life in the present and not in the past."

Silence descended on the table; eyes remained on the food and the clatter of the cutlery was all that could be heard.

Psyche couldn't bring herself to eat. She found herself to be stretched thin and could snap at any moment. It was all too much for her to bear. She was in no mood to confront Cybil about her father nor did she want her sister to try and come between Aphrodite and her.

She bit her lip and pushed her food around. She didn't have the time to put up with Cybil's offended sensibilities as to why she had been kept in the dark for so long especially when their very lives could be in jeopardy.

Pushing her chair away, Psyche stood up and said in a strained voice "I'm sorry acting like a grouch but Cybil you should not have come here. There is only so much that I can deal with."

Picking up her plate, she moved towards the kitchen and heard Cybil mutter, "There we go again. Psyche having another one of her break downs."

Tears gathered around her eyes and threatened to spill. She had never felt so alone. Walking towards the kitchen with her unfinished plate Psyche tried to get a hold over her emotions. She could not afford to break down now. There was too much happening and all to fast.

She would have to find some way to try and keep her family from Aphrodite. She would not be able to live with herself if something happened to them.

Putting her hands against the kitchen sink she bent her head down and murmured to her self again and again, "What do I do? What do I do?

As tears began to flow down and she felt a pair of arms encircle her from the back and draw her in.

"Its going to be okay, you will see." Melissa's sympathetic voice broke the dam and Psyche turned around, put her head on her friend's shoulder and began to cry.

Melissa enveloped Psyche in a tight embrace and whispered urgently in her ear "You have to be strong Psyche. We have to keep Cybil and Kevin away from Aphrodite. There is no time to loose. You have to pull yourself together. Where is the fleece?"

Moving away from Melissa Psyche tried to compose herself "Its upstairs next to the mirror"

She blew into a kitchen towel and quietly said "I'm tired Meme. I don't think I can take this any more. Between my raging headache, Aphrodite and now with Cybil here, I feel as if I'm going to break into million little pieces."

Melissa leaned against the sink and quietly said, "Maybe you should tell her. Harold could fill in the details. She is on your side, you do know that right?"

Throwing the tissue in the dustbin Psyche muttered "You are probably right."

Straightening her shoulders she said "Let's go back in there and talk this through. What do you say?"

Melissa patted Psyche's back and nodded.

As they began to walk towards the dining room the stillness in the air made the hair on their nape prickle. Their mouths felt dry and hearts began to pound. Something wasn't right.

Psyche felt her palms get clammy. It couldn't be; Aphrodite couldn't be there with her family.

As she walked into the room with Melissa trailing behind her, she felt her heart sink. The luscious beauty was standing in the middle of the room and her sister was withering in pain.

The men in the room were gaping at Aphrodite with blank eyes. She held them enthralled but her eyes were on Cybil alone. Her pouting red lips were pulled back in a sneer and there was a glazed expression on her face.

Psyche felt her hackles rise, Aphrodite was reliving Cybil's darkest moments. She was intruding into memories that remained unspoken between her father and sister. Psyche gripped the back of chair and said in a strong voice, "Enough Aphrodite. I will not tolerate you treating my family this way. This is between you and me that was the deal."

She felt the adrenaline course through her veins and her breath become shallow as Aphrodite released her hold over Cybil and stared at Psyche with her magnificent eyes.

Nary a word the divine beauty spoke but merely stared at her prey and through the telling silence she broke down Psyche's confidence and pulled out her insecurities,like worms, naked and struggling to the surface.

She had got the fleece, she had managed to stand between the goddess of love and her family but could she trust this being to be true to her word. Would she let her meet Cupid if she managed to perform the deeds?

The food in her stomach seemed to roil up. She didn't want to throw up. God! She stood so close to meeting her maker and all she could think of was Cupid. The pain in her mind raced like a demon on speed and all lucid thoughts escaped her.

Clasping her head she screamed "Stop it. Stop the fucking pain. I have what you want, its up in my bedroom."

Aphrodite laughed, the men withered with pleasure and the women cringed "I have come for you Psyche. You've been cheating, haven't you? They have been helping you."

Her eyes swept the room, dismissed her swooning family members and stared at Psyche who was crying, unable to deal with the pain that threatened to explode her senses.

"You are nothing more than a comely bitch and its time you suffered for what you have done to my son."

She glided towards Psyche and grabbed her by the hair. Pain prickled through Psyche's body as she felt herself be yanked towards the stairs.

Her family stayed rooted in their places, silent, horrified and aroused. Melissa cried out "No, please don't hurt her. It isn't her fault."

Aphrodite merely glanced over her shoulder as she dragged Psyche up the stair into the room that held the mirror and said "If your mistress is unable to fulfill her last two deeds even Hades won't not want her soul once I am done with her."

Melissa tried to follow but her feet refused to move. She watched with horror as Psyche tried to scratch and push at Aphrodite who merely batted her resistance as if she was no more than a fly and pulled her into the bedroom and the door shut with a ringing finally sound.

She heard herself scream in horror and felt blinding terror grip her mind "No, please no....oh god! Someone help us. What are we to do?"