Eros et Psyche - Part 1: Agape
💘 Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Adventure, Drama, s2l, Greek God myth AU
💘 Pairing: Im Jaebeom x (f) OC
💘 Rating: 18+
💘 Warning(s): swearing, intense pining, alcohol, smoking, jealousy, misogyny, Greek gods being Greek gods, mistaken identities
💘 Word Count: 5.1k
💘 Credits: Beta read by the marvelous @yoongsgguktae 💜 ily sis thank you
💘 Summary: A modern take on the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche.
💘 A/N: Part of The Intimacy Anthology Project hosted by @peonybane found here
This is my retelling of this particular myth, changes have been made to make it more modern (as you will see with the rest of the fic) Enjoy :)
< 💘 >
The vase smashed against the wall, shards flying in countless directions. A door creaked opened hesitantly as a head poked through with caution.
“Mother?”
She already had her back to him, fumbling with a pack of Virginia Slims. Ignoring him for a moment, she lit the skinny cigarette and inhaled a long drag, blowing out a swirl of wispy smoke. Her eyes cut to him as if allowing him to enter.
The young man entered, pushing his dark locks back off his face. His eyes cut to the remains of the vase on the floor.
“That was your favorite vase.”
She grunted in response, wrapping her robe tighter around her body. He glanced at the woman who’d brought him into this world. Petite at five foot five inches, but that didn’t stop her from being a force to reckon with.
Krystal established herself as a model long ago, being practically worshipped by the public. Having to hide her true nature, she settled for features opposite her own: long, dark tresses reaching her lower back, sun-kissed skin free of blemishes.
Sporting a baby pink silk robe, she carried herself over to the chaise lounge and draped herself over it.
“Jaebeom, be a dear and bring your mother a martini, dirty...extra olives.”
He sighed, walking over to the vast corner bar at the edge of the penthouse. Windows from floor to ceiling, it overlooked the beautiful view of the city. Always the best, his mother said.
Krystal watched her son in anticipation. One would think they were siblings with how young she looked, but it was better this way; fewer questions from the press. He took nicely after her and not his father, opting for black hair almost shoulder-length, almond-shaped eyes that always seemed to hold a secret, standing at five foot ten inches, the muscles were attributed to Ares—not that she’d admit it.
Today he wore an Allsaints leather jacket, gray hoodie, and ripped black jeans. Aviators propped on top of his head finished the casual look. He always seemed so put together.
But in reality, he was a bundle of nerves. Being the child of the Goddess of Love and God of War was exhausting. Two volatile beings always on edge. And being the God of Desire just added to that stress. He would have preferred working with his dad, and yet here he was, spreading his...influence over others while they found happiness and love. But where was he? Forever to be alone, serving martinis to his mother and doing her bidding, usually getting his hands dirty.
Jaebeom mixed the alcohol and dry vermouth in the shaker diligently before pouring the mix into a martini glass. Adding a few olives for good measure, he delivered it to his mother with care.
She sat up against the pillows and took a generous sip. Sighing, her eyes closed. Jaebeom sat back on the opposite end watching her.
Regaining some calmness, she opened her eyes with a smile. “My little boy makes the best drinks.”
Jaebeom held back an eye roll. Of course, he did, she trained him on how to make drinks since he was a child. “What’s with the dramatic flair? Why are you so stressed out?”
She pouted, setting her glass down. “What? I can’t spend time with my Jiffy Poo?”
Jaebeom cringed at the nickname looking away. He messed with the tassels on the pillows. He could tell she was evading the response. He reached over and held her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Mom?”
Her mood changed and she snatched her hand away with a growl. Cigarette between her lips and the martini glass in one hand, she paced across the plush white carpet.
“Can you believe it?! I’m old news?! Me?! ‘The beauty of the century’, ‘timeless face’, ‘a rarity’. They said...I’m old news!”
Jaebeom’s mouth opened like a fish, no words forming. She hissed pointing to a stack of magazines on the glass coffee table. “Go have a look!”
He went over to the pile, sitting down on the couch, and picked up the copy of Italian Vogue. The cover, usually displayed with his mother, was replaced with another woman. She gave off a youthful and fresh vibe. The secret smirk across her face added to the glint in her eyes. Her skin a beautiful shade of golden honey, and hazel eyes sparkling under the sun. A determination he was sure his mother had lost over the years.
Not that he would admit that out loud.
He picked up the Vogue, the same woman. Then Elle...Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Allure, Neon—the very same woman graced all the covers.
“The-”
“The new Aphrodite! That’s what they’re calling that...that hussy!!” She screamed, tugging at her hair.
Jaebeom’s lips pressed together. “Who is she?”
She scoffed with a hiss. “Does it matter? I’m going to destroy her after all.” She gave her son a dubious look and rolled her eyes. “Fine. If you must know, her name is Psyche. Most likely a stage name. Either way, she’s going to wish she wasn’t born.”
Jaebeom set the magazines back down, clasping his hands behind his back. “What do you plan to do?”
She chuckled just as a few barks cut the air. Jaebeom groaned as two white Pomeranians bounced into the room yapping at the heels of his mother. She cooed, dropping to her knees holding out her glass for Jaebeom to take.
“My whittle babies. Were you missing mummy while you went nappy nap?” She purred scratching behind their ears. Tails wagging, they jumped onto her lap trying to lick her face.
She squished their faces, looking at Jaebeom. “Phobos and Deimos, say hello to your big brother. He’s gonna get rid of the mean old witchy for mummy.”
He placed the glass on the bar counter with a sigh. “You still haven’t said how you planned to do this.”
She reluctantly pulled away from her pets, walking over to fill their food bowls—the pebbles clinking against the golden dishes gently.
“Easy. I’m going to require your...expertise for this.” She leaned against the counter tapping the long stiletto shaped nails gently on the marble. “It’s quite simple. You’ll use your ‘persuasion’ to make her fall for the most vile creature.”
His brows raised disappearing under his fringe. “And how do you suppose I do that? Get her alone that is.”
“Hell if I know. You’re smart Jiffy Poo. You’ve never disappointed me yet,” she smiled reaching out to pinch his cheek, “and I don’t expect you to ever. Mummy knows best. Correct?” She removed her hand from his cheek walking back over her seat.
He rubbed the spot as his brows knit. What did he have to lose? His mother was the Goddess of Love after all. “Yeah, you know it all.”
But her jealousy made her into one of the worst people he’d ever come across. It was a wonder Zeus kept his distance.
“Of course I do darling,” she replied airily. Flipping her hair back she glanced in the mirror for a moment. “Now run along, you’ve got work to do. I’m going on a beauty renewal retreat with Athena...I mean Amber in Milan and I need to detox for the next few days,” she explained wincing at her reflection—though there was not a blemish or mark in sight. “I’ll be gone for two weeks and I expect the news about her to be scandalous.” She turned to her son with a frown. “Are we clear?”
“Yes, mother,” he said, slipping his glasses on and bidding her farewell.
^^^^
Psyche laid out on the pool chair, body angled perfectly for the camera. As the photographer clicked away, she’d move her head or hands switching positions. The teal and white bikini shaped her form well making her proportions longer.
“Beautiful! Beautiful! Tilt a little more...great! Stay like that babe. You’re killing me! Yes! Fucking hell you’re on fire!”
The assistant adjusted the reflector as the flashes went off. The creative director looked up from her screen with a grin. “We got the shots!”
A round of applause went off as everyone finished. Another assistant ran up to Psyche and handed her a bottle of water and a towel to wipe the sheen from her face.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile, her eyes twinkling brightly.
The young man blubbered as the bottle almost slipped from his fingers. He shoved it in her hands and ran off. Psyche gave a small pout before taking a sip.
The photographer ran up to her giving her air kisses on each cheek. “My muse!! Lovely job. We must work together soon.”
She blushed with a giggle. “I can’t thank you enough. It was a pleasure working with you. I’ll see you soon!”
She waved walking back into her private dressing room. The façade melted off her face as she collapsed into her chair with a groan.
“I’m so over this.”
She raised her head, gazing at her reflection curiously. Is this what all the fuss was about? Her face? She ran her fingers across her cheeks delicately, being mindful of the cosmetics. It was just a face, and a face people fawned over her for. So much trouble it caused. Too much attention. She ran her hands through the brown and honey tinted coils with a frown, another pout forming. Looks that made men weep or rather run from….literally.
Feeling quite sad for herself, she got up from her seat and went to change out of the bikini.
Unbeknownst to her, Jaebeom had disguised himself as one of the production assistants from the photoshoot. Having easily found out the location of the photoshoot—thank Zeus for Twitter—it didn’t take much to slip inside for the Sports Illustrated shoot. He found his victim, sprinkling the sleeping powder over them, and hid them behind some bushes. Changing his appearance was easy as he walked towards the dressing room where she would be. Jaebeom tiptoed in looking around and saw her back to him.
This is gonna be easier than I thought.
He pulled a slim container out with darts...times had certainly changed. Arrows were a thing of the past and bulky too. Each color signified a different emotion– white: admiration; pink: puppy love; red: lust and/or sensuality; purple: deep unselfconscious love. He pushed the thoughts away. Once this was over he’d be off to go about his business...until his mother needed him again.
All he had to do was make her fall for a vile creature as he struck her with a dart and she’d be taken care of. But as he reached for a dart, removing the cap, a phone rang out making her head pop out from the changing room curtain. The sound made Jaebeom jump and one of his darts slipped and pricked his finger.
“Shit!”
Psyche ran out of the changing room holding her flip-flops in one hand. Her eyes opened in surprise to see him standing there. He froze as their eyes met.
“Oh. Hello.” She chuckled, going to sit in her chair. “Did they still need me? I thought I was done for the day.”
He let out a breath. She thinks I work here. The disguise works!
“Uh–” He gulped as a wave of euphoria washed over him. Oh, fuck! Shit! Shit! Oh my Zeus I want her!
Sitting there in just a simple white tank top and shorts made her beauty stand out even more. His heart fluttered hard in his chest.
Stuttering, he glanced around trying to think of an excuse. He had to get away from her. Not when his emotions were so high. The effects of the dart were getting harder to fight. Psyche’s lips turned downward in a frown.
“Is everything alright?” she asked with care. “Are you coming down with something? I know it was extremely hot outside today.”
Jaebeom wanted nothing more than to profess his undying love for her at that moment. To wipe the frown from her face and wrap her in his arms. As he stepped forward, a voice cut into the hair.
“Psyche! Your ride is here!”
She let out a tiny gasp and slipped on her sandals. Grabbing her bag, she walked past him, laying her hand on his arm with a gentle squeeze. “Hope you feel better.”
As she exited the door, the smell of her perfume lingered in the air. Ylang Ylang, jasmine, and rosewood invaded his nostrils. He closed his eyes grasping at the scent not wanting to forget it.
I need her. I want her. She has to be in my life...I-I shit no! What am I doing?! I’m fucked…I want to worship the ground she walks on!!
Jaebeom quickly disappeared, waking the sleeping assistant as he left the site without being detected.
^^^^
“Daughter!”
Psyche let out an audible groan. Barely a minute she’d entered the house and she was being summoned by her father. A maid came in to retrieve her bag as she walked into the main foyer. Her father was sitting in his favorite chair playing cards with her oldest sister. Her other sister sat crossed leg on the couch stuffing her face with chocolates.
Lovely. They were here too.
Plastering a strained smile, she walked towards her father and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Daddy, I thought you’d be in bed by now.”
“Nonsense! I wanted to make sure you arrived home safely.” He glanced at his eldest daughter with a nod. “Isn’t that right Jessica?”
She lifted her brow as she placed a card down on the table. “Quite,” she said, directing her gaze to Psyche. “How was your shoot, little sister?” She chuckled waiting for their father to make a move. “It would be pointless to ask though. You always do well.”
Psyche caught the slight edge in her voice but ignored it. Tonight, she wanted a peaceful interaction with her family that didn’t end in a screaming match...usually focused on her absence of a wedding ring.
Victoria sat up, wiping her fingers of smeared chocolate. “Oh, you won’t believe the news, Psy. I found the absolute perfect person for you.”
Here we go again.
“Victoria–” She began feeling the workings of a migraine form.
“Hear me out! He’s a close friend of my husband. Very wealthy, ivy league bred, and oh so handsome. He’s following in his father's footsteps to become a judge!” she gushed, bouncing on the couch, leaning over the back at Psyche.
The young woman bit down on her thumbnail. “I don’t know…”
“What have you got to lose? Time is dwindling down slowly,” Jessica edged, raising her brow.
She was baiting her. Psyche held back an insult as her father glanced at her with pleading eyes. “He’s a fair match for mi cielito. just consider it?”
She sighed with a reluctant nod. The subject wouldn’t be dropped and Psyche had no energy left to argue. “Alright. When am I meeting him?”
Her father beamed, setting his cards down with a flourish. “Tonight!”
Psyche sputtered looking around the room. “What? Tonight?!”
Victoria bounded off the couch, grabbing her hand. “Yes, we don’t have time. He’s arriving within the hour. Let’s get you dressed!”
Psyche’s jaw dropped in wordless surprise as she was dragged up the stairs to her room.
^^^^
Jaebeom paced across the hardwood floors muttering to himself. His mind was a jumbled mess. All he could think about was her. He groaned raking a hand through his hair as he looked out the window. All he could see was her. The part of his arm where she touched still felt warm. He shuddered remembering the smell of her perfume. It was intoxicating. He closed his eyes as he threw his head back. What he wouldn’t have given to be that close to her once more.
Jaebeom!”
His eyes snapped open with a start.
Jackson stood in the doorframe staring curiously at his friend. He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and leaned against the door casually. It seemed that there was a glow surrounding his body, well defined in the suit. The jacket undone, revealing a plain white shirt with ‘Gucci’ stamped across. Hair, a chestnut brown framed his face to show off his features. The God of the Sun was a man in all senses. Jackson was quite pleased with this new form.
He gave Jaebeom a strange expression. “You were moaning.”
Jaebeom's face reddened as he looked away. “I was?”
Jackson’s face cracked a grin that slowly turned into laughter. “Yes. I don’t even want to know what was going through your mind.”
Jaebeom let out a frustrated cry and slammed his fists onto the glass table. Resting his head there for a moment, he tried to gather his thoughts.
“I-I’m fucked Jackson,” he mumbled.
His friend’s lips turned down as he walked further in. He headed over to the cabinet and poured them each a drink. He closed the distance holding out the glass for him. “Take a sip, breathe, and tell me what’s going on.”
Jaebeom lifted his head and took the glass firmly into his hands. Taking tentative sips, he let the liquid wash over him. He gave Jackson a stare. “Ambrosia?”
Jackson winked. “Only the best.”
Jaebeom chuckled. “Ass kisser.”
Jackson laughed again, slapping a hand on his back. “Being the God of the Sun has its perks,” he replied nonchalantly.
Jaebeom muttered, “Bullshit. You’re one of his favorites.” He walked around the room with a grumble. “I’m like the bastard step child.”
“Welp you did screw him over one too many times with all those women,” Jackson teased.
Jaebeom swallowed the remainder of his ambrosia and grimaced. “He shouldn’t have fucked over my mom.”
“And there it is folks, Jaebeom’s is a mama’s boy!” Jackson yelled into the office.
“Shut up,” he snapped. “I am not,” he stuttered, looking down at the floor. “We just understand each other.”
“Sure,” Jackson replied, rolling his eyes. He cut a glance at his watch. “You’re stalling Jaebeom. You never stall. What’s going on?” He tapped his foot impatiently. “I have dinner plans with my wife.”
Jaebeom’s eyes watered as a cry threatened to spill out. He tugged at his hair feeling the effects of being too far from her.
“P-Psyche!”
Jackson frowned. “Who?”
“Psyche,” he repeated with a choke covering his face. “I-I was supposed to curse her for mother and I hit myself with one of my darts!” He pulled his hands down to glare at his friend. “I-I can’t live without her now.” He threw his hands in the air pacing around the couches. “Mother told me I had to take care of it before she gets back from her trip, but I can't let anything happen to her.” He gave Jackson a pleading look. “Help me!”
Jackson shook his head in disbelief. “Damn, you are fucked.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “What do you want me to do about it? This doesn’t seem like something I can help with.”
Jaebeom dropped to his knees with a wail. “Please! I don't know who else to ask.”
Shit.
Jackson spun around to look out the window surveying the skyline. He hated to see another friend in anguish. Hell, he was indebted to him. Had it not been for Jaebeom, he would have never met Daphne. He looked over his shoulder at his friend. The man looked positively undone. With a loud sigh, he walked over and bent down in front of him.
“I’ll do it.”
Jaebeom looked up with hopeful eyes. “R-Really?”
Jackson’s shoulders dropped with a groan. “I hate to see you like this.” Rubbing his eyes, he let out a sigh. “Alright, I’ll look into her life: family, likes, dislikes, etc. just be ready when I get back to you. I’ll call you later this week.”
He groaned staring at his watch. “Shit. Daphne is going to kill me!” He grabbed his keys off the table and ran for the door. “Lock up when you leave!”
Jaebeom let out a breath of relief and stared out the windows.
^^^
Psyche eyed the fork next to her plate. The urge to stab herself in her eye was overwhelming. Crap, anything to get her out of this dinner would suffice. After being practically treated like a Barbie doll, her sisters and father shoved her outside towards this man...if you would consider him one.
Oily would have been a better word to describe him. He couldn’t stop staring at her on their drive to the restaurant. Drowning on and on about his job.
“Of course I went to Harvard. Father would have had a heart attack if I went to Yale.”
Thankfully, the restaurant wasn’t far from her home and they were seated immediately after walking inside.
She took a long sip of her water and glanced over the menu. He’d been too busy looking in his reflection in one of the spoons to notice the server coming forward to greet them. Psyche chuckled nervously giving the server a look of apology.
“Nars?”
He fixed his hair in the spoon, making small kissing noises. Psyche frowned as her gaze hardened.
“Nars!” This time her tone was sharper.
He looked away begrudgingly. “Hmm? You were saying?”
She sighed, settling in her chair. “Our server is inquiring about drinks.”
He let out a huff of annoyance barely giving the poor man a glance. “Pellegrino with lemon. Lots of it.” He gave her a dazzling smile across the table. “I don’t put toxins into my body. Only clean living.”
His phone began to vibrate and held a finger up to answer the call.
Psyche gave another fake laugh. “That’s interesting.” As the server went to exit past her, she pulled on his coat tail. “Vodka and lime...double. Keep them coming.”
The server acknowledged her and walked off.
Nars ended his call and gave Psyche a wink. “Soooo, Victoria informed me you’re a model.”
Psyche nodded as their drinks came and she took a generous sip from her glass. She sighed happily. This was going to take all her patience...and liquor to get her through this trainwreck of a date.
“Yes, I model.”
Nars chuckled, drumming his hands on the table. “Must be nice to have a hobby.”
Psyche’s lips turned down staring at him. “I wouldn’t call it a hobby. It’s a job. A lifestyle. Though I sort of fell into it, I’ve learned to appreciate it.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” he nodded, not really listening. “Well, once you settle down, you won’t have to worry your pretty little self about it.”
Her cheeks burned as she shifted in her chair. Her shoe tapped against the leg of the table. The more she sat with him, the more she could see how bad this was going. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Nars sighed reaching over to squeeze her hand, Psyche recoiling from his touch. He ignored her expression and continued talking. “It’s simple. When we get married you won't need to work. I’ll take care of the finances and you’ll take care of the household.”
Psyche snorted as she yanked her hand away from his. “I don’t know what world you’re living in, but I can assure you, we won’t be getting married.”
Nars froze giving her an odd look. Flustered, he tried to recover. “How can you say that, Psyche? Your father–”
“My father has nothing to do with anything,” her voice rising as she stood up. “But I know one thing, this disaster of a date is over and I’m leaving!”
She snatched her purse up and stormed out of the restaurant leaving Nars in a stupor. Everyone around the restaurant looked in surprise, whispering to each other.
In the divider next to Nar’s table, Jackson sat there with his wife. A bemused expression on his face. Daphne turned back in her chair to face him.
“Honey, what was that all about?”
Jackson chuckled while taking a sip of wine. “I haven’t the slightest clue.”
His eyes glinted in mischief. An idea already forming in his mind.
^^^
After that disastrous date—if you were to call it that—she went to walk around on the beach to clear her thoughts. Losing track of time, she barely had enough battery left to get a ride back home.
Psyche tipped the Uber driver and wished them a goodnight before walking into her home. The sun had already begun to rise. She glanced at her watch and winced. She’d been out all night.
She slipped off her heels placing them in her hand as she walked up to her room, making sure not to make a sound. A sigh of relief passed her lips as she walked by the living room. No one was there.
Good. Everyone should still be in bed.
She took the steps two at a time going to the end of the hall towards her room. Luckily, the rest of the doors were shut so no one would know she went by. Her posture relaxed as she pushed her door open to the darkened room. Just then, the lamp ner her dresser clicked on. She jumped in surprise to see her father sitting by the window.
“Hello, mi cielito.”
“Papi,” she cried, clutching her chest. “You scared me!” Psyche breathed for a moment collecting her thoughts. Confusion passed her face. “Wait. Why are you in my room?”
He crossed his arms over his chest staring at her in disappointment. “You know how long I stayed awake waiting for you to come home?” He grunted as he rose from his position. “I thought maybe you and Nars hit it off and were getting to know each other more and lost track of time. But to my surprise, he calls Victoria livid that you walked out on your date with him after hurling some insults.”
“Papi, I–”
“–I say ‘No mi cielito, she’s my angel’. But then you wouldn’t answer your phone.”
Psyche shook her head, “Listen, I went for a walk and lost track of time. I barely had enough battery to get back home. Seriously,” she babbled before her temper flared. “I did him a favor. He was the worst human being I’ve ever come across. I would rather do a photoshoot in the dead of winter than see Nars again!”
“That’s it!” Her father roared making her tremble. He stomped his foot, stalking towards her. “We tried this the easy way Psyche, but you’re breaking our hearts,” he growled. “You’re going to see a matchmaker. Tonight!”
“But–”
“I don’t want to hear it. We leave in the evening!” He pushed past, slamming the door behind her.
^^^
“So let me get this straight, I have to pretend to be a matchmaker that uses the stars to find her match?”
Jackson blinked at Daphne helping her with the costume. “When you put it that way, it sounds ridiculous.”
She adjusted the dress tying back the straps and gave him a bemused smirk. “Well honey, it does.” She walked over to the mirror to adjust her lipstick. “I mean why can’t Jaebeom just tell her how he feels? Why the whole song and dance?”
Jackson sighed out loud combing through his hair. “Dumpling, we talked about it. He can’t unless she comes willingly. Her heart has to be open to the possibility.”
Besides, he’s under the influence of his darts, that dumbass.
Daphne brushed her hair into a bun and shrugged. “Whatever you say, dear. I’ll help. Plus I’m tired of him moping around our house. I miss our privacy.”
Jackson chuckled reaching down to kiss her forehead gently. “Me too. We help Jaebeom, we get our place back.”
A knock came from the door making them part. Jackson smiled giving her a once-over. “Showtime. just remember what we discussed and it all will go according to the plan.”
Daphne pressed a quick kiss to his lips and ran from the back room into the main area. She looked impressed at how quickly Jackson was able to change their living room. It almost reminded her of those little psychic shops around the city.
She walked over to the door opening it with a smile. Psyche and her father stood in the doorway, one smiling with the other scowling.
Daphne gestured wide. “Come in! Come in! Please. I’ve been expecting you. Welcome!”
Psyche’s father pulled her inside as he looked around. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”
Daphne tsked, leading them to the couches. “Nonsense. I always have time for a match.” She replied, taking a seat. Psyche’s father nodded with a wide grin, taking a spot on the couch next to Psyche. Psyche crossed her legs staring hard across the coffee table. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Daphne smirked. “Very well. We shall go into the back room and I will give you guidance–”
“I would like to be present,” her father interjected.
Daphne frowned. “That’s not how it works sir.” She chuckled, grabbing the teapot and poured a cup of tea. “There are many ways to give her results so we shall see.” Daphne pushed the cup towards Psyche with a reassuring smile. “Drink, but don’t swallow the dregs of the leaves. This is how I will be able to see you are supposed to be matched with.”
Psyche muttered as she grabbed the cup. This was ridiculous. The only reason she even agreed to this was so her father would stop pressing her about marriage.
This probably won’t do anything. She won’t come up with a match.
Psyche sipped the tea, grimacing at the bitter notes. Swallowing it in three big gulps, she shoved the cup to Daphne and sat back on the couch.
Daphne took the cup and swirled the tea dregs, whispering to herself. She let out a cry, almost dropping the cup. Her eyes widened as she stared at Psyche.
“In a fortnight, you’ll meet your fate. Under the Rose moon in black garments, you’ll meet your true love...or suffer.”
Daphne instantly dropped against the couch. Psyche’s father ran over to her in attempt to wake her. “Señora? Señora, are you alright?”
Daphne’s eyelids fluttered as she looked from Psyche to her father. “Forgive me, I...I lost myself for a moment.”
“No, no! You opened my eyes. We will listen to your words, right mi cielito?” He glanced at his daughter.
Psyche remained still on the couch. Her mind is running wild. What on earth did that woman mean? This was crazy. Too crazy to even comprehend. She didn’t know why, but a sense of dread fell over her. This wouldn’t end well. And she was positive her father wouldn’t take this message seriously.
