Page 35 of Matchmaking With Cupid

"Said from a wholly Roman perspective," she joked.

"Naturally. Though the Greeks did it to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians did it to others. It's always been that way. Something to do with promoting a peaceful transition of power."

"I bet it wasn't peaceful for those who suffered for it," she mused.

"No, I imagine not. I honestly don't remember. I wasn't there for the start of it, and even when I was, I was a child." I took a bite of my toast and tried not to dwell on what the past had been like.

"Right. The little cherub figure."

"I've never once looked like that," I countered "I've never had wings."

"That's a shame, I think they'd look good on you." She smiled in a way that made it seem as if she was teasing.

"Maybe. I've never really thought about it."

"I looked up some of your statues," she responded. "When I started working for you. They caught your likeness well, but you're younger in some of them."

"That's because Iwasyounger," I pointed out. "I didn't spring into being looking like this, I grew up the normal way."

She frowned. "I know it's not true, but I think the idea of gods not just springing into being is hard to get my head around."

I finished my breakfast and gave myself a moment to decide on the best answer to give her. The reality of what it took to be a god wasn't really a secret. "I told you I was human before becoming a god, right?"

"Oh, huh, I forgot about that," she admitted.

"Well, that's how it works. You start out mortal, become immortal, and eventually, become a god. I think there are some immortals who have stayed in that stage. It's a bit complicated."

"What's the difference?" She pushed her plate away from her and wrapped her hands around her coffee mug.

"It's hard to explain," I said. "And I'm not just saying that. I didn't feel that different when I became immortal. It ultimately just froze my body, but when I became a god, I felt something change inside. I think it changed my soul, but without being able to see it, I can't be certain about that."

"How did it happen?" she asked.

"I don't know that either. Or I do know, but I also don't. It has something to do with how worshipped I was, and how many humans knew and thought about my name in connection to what they thought I was the god of. I had a bit of a head start because people were talking about me as Cupid from when I was old enough to walk."

"So your name isn't actually Cupid?"

I shrugged. "I assume it isn't the name I was born with, but I can't tell you what that is, even if I wanted to. Everyone has called me Cupid for as long as I can remember."

"So Venus isn't your mother?"

"Oh, definitely not. Venus is many things, but a motherly figure, she is not. Steer clear if you come close to her."

Eloise raised an eyebrow. "Intriguing. And I'm guessing Aphrodite is worse?"

"I've heard she's turned over a new leaf recently," I admitted. "But on principle, yes, I suppose so."

"Interesting."

"But that's enough about other gods," I said.

"Is that so?" She slipped off her stool and headed over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Yes."

"That's okay, there's only one I'm really interested in anyway."

"Good." I pulled her closer, enjoying how it felt to have her body pressed against mine.

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