Page 72 of Desired By Eros

Psyche hesitated, then shook her head. “No. I ended it because it wasn’t going to work. It never could.”

“Because you’re mortal?”

Artemis studied Psyche as the silence stretched between them.

“Do you love him?” Artemis asked gently.

“That’s…complicated.”

“That’s not a real answer,” Artemis scoffed.

Psyche sighed, rubbing at her temple. “It’s the only one I have right now.”

“You don’t have to tell me, but you should at least be honest with yourself.”

Psyche frowned but didn’t respond. She knew Artemis wasn’t trying to pressure her, but the words still felt like they were pressing down on her. She let out a slow breath and stared down at her hands, pressing her fingertips together, grounding herself in the sensation. Hearing it said out loud—he’s never been with anyone like he was with you—felt like a weight pressing against her ribs.

She finally looked up. “This doesn’t change anything.”

Artemis tilted her head. “Doesn’t it?”

Psyche exhaled sharply. “I had to end it. Ihadto.”

“I’m not arguing that,” Artemis said calmly. “I’m just saying…whatever you two had, it wasn’t nothing.”

“I know that,” Psyche admitted. “But knowing doesn’t make it easier.”

Artemis nodded. “You don’t have to explain it to me. I just wanted you to know—he’s not okay. And neither are you.”

Psyche let out a short laugh, though there was no humor in it. “I’ll survive.”

“I know you will.” Artemis leaned back, watching as Phoebe tugged at her shirt. “But surviving isn’t the same as living, is it?”

Psyche didn’t have an answer for that. A strange unease settled over her, a nagging feeling she couldn’t quite place. Something was off, but she didn’t know what. “I don’t know,” she finally said, glancing at Artemis. “I just…feel like something isn’t right.”

Artemis studied her for a moment, then exhaled. “I think you should know something.”

Psyche’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

“Bob put you under a spell,” she said carefully. “It made you sleep. And while you were under, he demanded the pyxis.”

Psyche’s breath caught in her throat. “What?”

Artemis nodded. “Eros went to the Underworld to get it.”

Psyche stared, her heartbeat quickening.

“He made it through the Fields of Punishment,” Artemis continued, “and then into the Acheron River.”

Her breath grew unsteady as she tried to process Artemis’s words. A spell. Bob. The pyxis. The Underworld. Eros.

Her mind felt like it was struggling to catch up, like puzzle pieces scattering before they could fit together.

“He—” Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard. “He went to the Underworld?”

Artemis nodded. “Yes. Straight into the Fields of Punishment and then into the Acheron River.”

Psyche shook her head. “But—why?” Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her jeans. “Why would he do that?”

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