Naughty Cupid Trilogy

by Pillow Michelle M.

  * * * *

  Larus stopped running and lifted his head up into the air. He shot a meaningful look at Ilar who slowly nodded in agreement. Turning, they headed for the trees at a slower pace. Cupid was near. They smelled his foul stench. Creeping low to the ground, they edged forward into the forest.

  “Ach!” Cupid grumbled to himself, pacing near a sand pit. Larus and Ilar both knew the pit to be a sink hole. There weren’t many in the forest, and usually they weren’t deep enough to pull a grown man completely under. “Damn Devlin. Damn Larus. Damn the mortals!”

  Larus and Ilar shared a look of concentration, staying hidden.

  “End my enchantment, will they? Bah!” Cupid said, pulling hard at his ear. He kicked a twig into the sink hole and watched it float on top. “Damn Ilar and his human. Damn them all. I hate them, hate them. They should be suffering, not I. Ach! Bah! They sit in his home, not fighting, not dead.”

  Larus urged his body to shift, letting the tingling sensations come over him slowly so he wouldn’t make a sound. Ilar did the same.

  “Toadstools!” Cupid cursed. His foul body shook with rage. Suddenly, the smelly troll stopped his tirade. A strange light entered his beady eyes as a smile stretched his wide mouth. “No one breaks a troll’s enchantment before it’s to end. No one! They must pay, must suffer. I will take the sisters. Aye, I will take them away from Lycaon. There will be no love for the ugly mortals. I will curse the castle with death to all that find love within its walls. Aye, death.”

  “Cupid,” Larus stated, hard. He stood to tower over the troll, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes glittered with anger that the troll dared to threaten his home, his people, his Mina.

  Cupid squeaked in horror and tried to run. Ilar jumped high into the air, landing on his feet. Hands on naked hips, he looked down at the troll. “Going somewhere?”

  “Out of my way,” Cupid sputtered. “You have no reason to detain me. I’ve come to gather sand.”

  “We know what you did, Cupid, and I intend to tell the council you broke their orders,” Larus said. “You will be severely punished.”

  “I broke nothing, lycan.” The dirty troll picked at his nose in agitation. The two lycans grimaced as his sucked a snot covered finger into his mouth. “The council ordered me not to bring over any enchanted mortals and I haven’t done so.”

  “What about Lady Willamina and her sister, Lady Sophia?” Larus charged. His chest rose and fell and he wanted nothing more than to strangle the creature and be done with him. His duty as king kept him from acting so rashly. An aggressive act might send the trolls and other creatures of the underground into a desperate frenzy. It was just the cause they needed to start another war of the races. “I heard just now from your own lips that you brought them here.”

  Cupid looked confused and pondered what he’d been saying when the lycans came forward. His sickly green skin flushed and his nose quivered as it lifted and fell. Reluctant, he admitted, “Aye, I brought them. But I didn’t bring them enchanted. I followed the council’s decree. The mortals were not enchanted. You were, King Larus. It was you I struck with my dart. The enchantment was on your head, so begone from me, lycan. I’ve broken no order.”

  Cupid made a move to walk around Ilar. Ilar stepped in his way. The troll kicked him in the shin. Ilar winced, but didn’t fall over. With lightning reflexes, Larus darted forward and lifted the troll off the ground by the back of his dirty pants. He held him up and away from him, not wanting to get much closer than that. He was too angry at the moment to mind the horrible stench the troll emitted.

  “We should slaughter you for the threats again my kingdom, Cupid,” Larus growled, letting his gaze shift in warning.

  “But you won’t kill me, will you, lycan king?” Cupid snorted, laughing. His little legs kicked furiously through the air as he tried to get free. “Your beloved council would have your head for taking justice into your own hands.”

  “It’s time to end this nonsense.” Larus frowned. He looked at Ilar. Ilar nodded his head. “State your terms. What do you want?”

  “Let me go, lycan,” Cupid said, obviously aware that he’d been caught at his game. His feet kicked and under the stench of his body, Larus could detect the troll’s fear. “Let me go and I’ll give my word that my revenge against you in this matter is over.”

  “I still must tell the council of your actions,” Larus stated.

  “Do and I’ll make it right by the humans,” Cupid said. “I’ll take them all back and hide them where you’ll never find them.”

  Larus and Ilar exchanged looks.

  Cupid turned his attention to Ilar. “All the humans.”

  Ilar stiffened. Larus closed his eyes.

  “Do you agree?” Cupid asked. “Or should I tell them to ready for a journey? How will you lycans feel, seeing your hearts taken from you?”

  “Agreed,” Larus said. “End your revenge and leave us. I won’t tell the council and I’ll leave you here alive.”

  “Agreed,” Cupid chuckled, his voice dripping with disrespect and loathing. “And remember never to cross a troll, lycan. Now let me down!”

  Larus looked at the sink pit. Odds were it wasn’t deep enough to drown him, but it would detain him long enough for them to get back to Lycaon before Cupid could get out.

  “You need a bath, troll,” Larus stated. Ilar grinned. The king swung Cupid around to the pit. The troll squirmed with renewed force, cursing violently.

  “You swore to leave me alive,” Cupid said.

  “Oh, yes, I did,” Larus said. “And I’m a man of my word. When I leave you, you will be very much alive.”

  “Larus!” Cupid yelled. Larus dropped him, watching him plop into the sink hole. Instantly, the troll’s body sank down until it reached to his chin. The tips of his fingers stuck out the top.

  “Smells better already.” Ilar grinned at Cupid. Then, in warning, he said, “Stay away from my mate, troll.”

  “Toadstools!” Cupid said. “Bah! You deserve your ugly mortals. Curse you all!”

  Larus and Ilar shifted, making a run for home. Cupid had given his word and wouldn’t break it. This matter of revenge was truly over--until the next time the lycans crossed the miserable little man.

  Cupid’s Revenge

  Chapter Thirteen

  “My queen,” a guard said, bowing down to Mina in the courtyard. She’d been looking for Rhiannon, to tell her that she had changed her mind, that she and her sister would be leaving the magic realm for home. She also wanted to ask the woman where the portals were. At the man’s words, she forgot her mission and stiffened.

  Mina took a deep breath, eyeing the man. “I’m not your queen.”

  The man blinked at her words, his mouth opened but no sound came out. He looked over her shoulder and then back to her. Slowly, he nodded and walked away.

  Mina sighed heavily, watching him.

  “You must forgive them. They do not know your abhorrence for royalty.”

  Gasping, Mina spun around to see Larus. Her eyes widened as she looked him over. He wore a simple blue tunic, blending in with the guards. Her eyes roamed over his bare chest, his strong arms. She wanted to touch him, to have him touch her. Nervously, she glanced around the courtyard, noticing several of his men watching them. “Larus.”

  “We found Cupid. It’s over,” Larus stated. He searched her, probing her.

  Mina shivered and glanced at the ground. “He’s dead?”

  “No,” Larus answered. “We called a truce. I gave him a deal he couldn’t refuse.”

  Mina took Larus at his word, trusting when he said it was over that it truly was over. “And what of us? What will happen to us? To Sophia and myself, I mean.”

  “What do you want to happen to you?” Larus studied the woman before him. She held his heart within her grasp and didn’t seem to realize it or care. He had dared to hope, dream even, that she would come to love him, want him, need him. Hearing her denial about being queen, it was all too clear
that she would never accept him. His heart squeezed in his chest, dying a little.

  “Sophia would like to go back,” Mina said.

  Larus looked at the ground. After the spell she’d been under, Larus couldn’t blame Lady Sophia. “And you, Mina?”

  “I,” she hesitated, searching his face. Larus waited for her words, desperate to hear them. Quietly, she finished, “I must go back as well.”

  Larus was sure the rest of his heart died in that moment and he would never feel it beat again. “Very well, if that is your decision. Lord Malak arrives from Fenris shortly. I’ll make arrangements for him to take you back with him. There is a portal near Fenris and he’ll make sure you get safely across it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mina said. “I know how you feel and I’m sorry to have caused you embarrassment in front of your people.”

  Larus had been wrong. He felt pain--raw, aching pain where his heart was. Without saying a word, for nothing would come past his tight throat, he nodded and turned, needing to be alone in his bedchamber.

  Mina watched him walk away from her. He didn’t say anything, not really. He was just going to let her go without a fight. Swallowing, she wanted to strike him. But, how could she? He had promised her nothing.

  * * * *

  A roguish smile lit on Lord Malak’s dark features, as he walked into Lycaon’s main hall to greet his old friends. His long hair spilled over his shoulders in raven black waves, nearly touching his waist. The unmated women cast their eyes to him in instant invitation, knowing he would likely take several to his bed as he did on each visit. His grey-green eyes lit with mischief as he winked audaciously at them. Malak hardly took anything seriously, except his duty.

  His chest was bare as he never fastened his tunic over his shoulder, preferring to let it lay about his trim waist. Larus and Ilar were sure he did it to attract the women. It worked, for he had an overabundance of females vying for his companionship.

  “Malak,” Larus said, unable to force pleasure to his face. “Thank you for coming.”

  “I hear there are more mortal women running about your keep,” Malak said, striding forward to grab Ilar’s drink from in front of him. He tipped the goblet up to a maid, grinning as she giggled. He drank his friend’s wine and set the goblet down empty. “Ah, how could I stay away from such news? Tell me, Larus, how is it Lycaon gets all the new females and Fenris is overrun with the same ones? I have half a mind to find Cupid and insult him myself if it will bring pretty women to my door.”

  Larus merely grunted, saying nothing. Malak glanced at Ilar in question. Ilar shook his head slightly, refusing to answer the concern with Larus present.

  “Your man was very vague in the details, my king,” Malak said, leaning against the table. He drew his finger lazily over the top. The maid he had tipped the goblet to came forward with a drink for him and he took it, smiling handsomely for her. When she left, he continued, “All he would tell me is that there were two mortal women, and you wished me to take them to Fenris with me.”

  “To the portals,” Larus said. “It’s my wish that you see them safely back to their home.”

  “Ah,” Malak frowned. “I had hoped that you wished me to mate with them. From your man’s descriptions, I’ve had fantasies aplenty of two beautiful sisters.”

  “You are a pig!”

  All the men turned around, just then realizing they spoke in the human tongue. It seemed they’d been slipping into it more and more lately, as if mutually agreeing to practice it. The whole of Lycaon had been using it, out of respect of Lady Rhiannon and now the two new ladies.

  Larus eyed Sophia. She was much changed from the pliant, lovesick woman she’d been. No longer were her eyes soft. The few times he had gone near her, she had cringed in horror a second before stopping to glare--as if such a look could scare him away.

  “My lady,” Malak drawled, pushing up to bow before her. “I can assure you, I am quite the wolf.”

  “And I am quite the hunter,” Sophia answered, her voice lowering. “I do enjoy skinning wolves. Speak of me or my sister in such a way again, and I’ll be more than happy to turn your ugly hide into a rug.”

  Larus and Ilar exchanged amused looks. Sophia stormed off. Malak glanced back at them in horror.

  “By all the lycan! That wench is the shrew you wish for me to escort to a portal?” Malak grimaced. “I can see why you do not wish to go yourself. Pray, let me kick her through it with the bottom of my boot.”

  “That is Lady Sophia,” Ilar said.

  “She is under my protection, Malak,” Larus added, his tone stern. “I’d have your pledge to guard her and her sister with your life. I’ll entrust them into your care from the moment you leave until they are safely through the portal.”

  “If you ask it, it is done,” Malak said instantly, very serious. He placed a fist over his heart. “I give you my word of honor.”

  * * * *

  Mina couldn’t leave her room. Her red swollen eyes were embarrassing, but it was her heart that refused to let her see Larus. If she did, she would humiliate herself. Burying her face in the mattress, she couldn’t find the will to move.

  “Lord Malak has arrived,” Sophia said, coming into the chamber. She frowned, making a horrible face as she said his name. “He is the most insufferable toad! The nerve of him!”

  “I’m sure he is fine,” Mina managed to get out, dashing her tears on her sleeve.

  “Mina?” Sophia asked, going to her side. Mina bounced a little as Sophia’s light weight pressed down on the mattress. “What is it?”

  “Nothing,” Mina said, hiding her features.

  “You love him, don’t you? It’s not just lovesickness. You really do love him,” Sophia said. Mina began crying harder, nodding her head frantically. “Have you told him?”

  “I... I can’t,” Mina said. “There’s no point. We’re leaving forever.”

  “You wear your heart in your eyes, Mina,” Sophia said. “I was a fool not to have seen it before now. I’ve felt the love you have, only it’s no spell that put yours there, is it?”

  Mina sniffed. “Don’t. I... I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “My heart was broken by a troll’s magic. Nothing can be done for that. But you, Mina, your heart will be broken by your own actions.” Sophia stood. She turned and moved to the little slit of a window to look out over the distance. “I can’t live knowing my selfishness took you from your happiness. You deserve happiness.”

  “I must take care of you,” Mina said. “It is my duty as the eldest.”

  “No, Mina, no,” Sophia said, so softly Mina had to strain to hear it. “I’m too old for a caretaker. You’ve done your duty by me, but it is time you looked to yourself. Go to him. Tell him how you feel. If he’ll have you, stay. If he won’t have you, then he is a fool. Larus may seem many things to me, but a fool is not one of them.”

  “Sophia...?” Mina said, wanting to say so much. Her heart was full, yet torn. She wanted to stay, wanted Larus. “Won’t you reconsider? Stay with me. Stay here. You don’t have to marry. You’re the king’s ward. You’ll have food and shelter and we’ll be together. You won’t starve or freeze. Please, consider it.”

  “You know my reasons,” Sophia said. “I can’t stay, and you can’t go.”

  “Soph--”

  “No,” Sophia said. “No. I said go to him. Now!”

  Mina heard the wavering of her sister’s voice and surged off the bed to hug her. “I love you.”

  “I know,” Sophia said. “Go tell it to the man who doesn’t.”

  Mina sniffed, nodding. She stood, helpless and confused, as thoughts raced in her head. Sophia patted her cheek before urging her gently toward the door. “Go, Mina!”

  * * * *

  Mina searched for Larus, unable to find him. By the time she gave up and climbed up the stairs to go back to her chamber she was shaking. Watching her feet as she stepped up, she almost ran into Larus’s chest as he was coming down.

&nb
sp; Gasping in surprise, she pushed back, startled. Larus grabbed her before she fell down the stairs. He curled his strong hands around her arms, not letting go even as she was steadied.

  “Ah,” she said, her heart hammering in her chest. Her eyes darted up to meet his. He looked tired, but was so handsome. His dark blond hair was pulled back from his face. The green of his tunic brought out the green of his eyes. She shivered, trying not to look at his mouth, trying not to think about his kisses when she needed to concentrate. “Larus... I mean, my lord.”

  At her words, he tensed. Without answering, he took her arm and helped her up the stairs. Her legs shook badly.

  “I was looking for you,” Mina said weakly. His stiff look wasn’t really conducive to confessing how she felt.

  “I was in my chambers trying to sleep,” Larus answered.

  “Trying?” Mina asked, concerned about him.

  At that, Larus turned to study her, his eyes softening by a small degree. The corner of his mouth twitched, though sadness ruled his expression. “I was unsuccessful.”

  “Oh.”

  “You wished to speak with me?”

  “I--” She couldn’t meet his eyes. Wringing her hands, she asked, “Can we go somewhere private?”

  Larus looked around the empty hallway in question. They were someplace private.

  “Sophia,” Mina explained weakly, motioning toward their shared chamber.

  Larus nodded. He guided her arm toward his bedchamber. Mina followed him in, waiting as he shut the door. The room was simple, not what she’d have expected from a king. There was a large soft rug--not of fur, but wool. The bed was huge with a simple green coverlet over the top. It had dark wood furniture, a trunk, a large fireplace with chairs. A game board stood in the corner, ready for use. She wandered over to it, fingering one of the delicate game pieces.