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smiling at us from the hedges.
     
    “Our gardeners claim those flowers come from the shores of Troy.” When he didn’t answer, I added, “But they could be wrong. I don’t really know about flowers like you do.”
     
    Rasmus took in the flowers, and the rest of the courtyard, in silence. Finally he said, “Thank you for bringing me here. I can see why this is one of your favorite places.” His eyes continued to roam the courtyard. “Still, I can’t agree that there’s anything glamorous about war.” He leaning over to give my shoulder a playful nudge with his. “You maybe, but not war.”
     
    That was flirting, right?
     
    I had to bite my lip to keep the smile from bursting off my face. “I’m glad you like it. I haven’t had anyone to share it with in a long time.” ‘Cause I sure didn’t bring Aphrodite out here. I looked down at my feet, kicking at a little pebble. “Maybe you can come back again. With me.”
     
    When I peeked up from under my eyelashes, Rasmus was looking at the purple sky. A sad smile played on his lips. Then he looked back at me, holding my gaze with his darkly intense eyes. “Psyche, there’s nothing in all the world I would like more. But I’m afraid that’s just not meant to be.”
     
    My mind reeled. How could that be? He liked me. I knew he liked me. He had practically just said he liked me, didn’t he? My jaw fell open. I could only form the word, “But…” It came out as barely more than a whisper.
     
    Rasmus took my hands in his and guided me to one of the benches.
     
    “I don’t know where to start,” he said. He gestured to the Trojan horse.  
     
    “The beauty of a single woman started a ten-year war.” He huffed. “My father decided it’s not in the best interest of our City to marry the most beautiful woman in the world. Troy is still too fresh in his mind. He won’t make the same mistake as Menelaus.”
     
    “Your father?” I asked. “What about you?   I … I don’t understand.”  
     
    “Psyche, I’m not here for me. I’m here on behalf of my father. He sent me to bring your sister back to be his new wife. I’ve already arranged for Chara to return with me.”  
     
    Tears welt up in my eyes and I struggled to hold them back. I didn’t want Rasmus to see me cry, but I’d just lost my hope for saving Chara. I’d failed her.
     
    I’m a failure .
     
    As I sat there in stupid silence, a thought came to me so quickly that my mouth started forming words before my brain was done processing.
     
    “But if Chara … your father … then you could still ….”
     
    Rasmus looked down at his hands as he shifted on the bench. “My father has already arranged for my marriage to someone else. It’s what’s in the best interest of our City.” He looked up at me. “I have no doubt my bride will pale in comparison to you.”
     
    Rasmus leaned forward and wiped away the tear that finally spilled down my cheek. “Please don’t cry. Tears do a disservice to such a beautiful face.”
     
    Sniffing, I managed a half-smile and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’ll be okay.”
     
    Deep lines etched into Rasmus’s forehead. Apparently he wasn’t convinced.
     
    “What?” I asked, wiping at another tear with my finger. “You think I can’t get a husband or something?”   
     
    At least that drew somewhat of a smile from him. I’d had enough guilt to last me a lifetime, I didn’t need to worry about whether I’d made him feel bad too. “Seriously,” I told him, “I’ll be fine. I just want to be alone for a little while.”
     
      Rasmus stood and looked down on me. “Of course. Thank you again for sharing your garden with me.” His lips pressed together like he was holding something back. “I’ll always remember … it.”  
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    Chapter 7 - Eros

     
     
     
    Eros might have mentally made his decision, but his body refused to execute on it. Instead, he watched the Pharmakos’s exile