Cupid's Revenge (Naughty Cupid II)

Lycaon Castle, Realm of Magic

King Larus watched Lady Rhiannon with her lifemate, Lord Ilar. They seemed truly happy together and he was happy for them. Ilar was his best soldier, a great leader, and a true friend. He deserved happiness. But the fact that Rhiannon was human still made him uneasy.

Even though he liked Rhiannon, Larus hoped she would be the last human he saw in his eternity of living. Humans had killed his family--his parents, his brothers and sisters and cousins, until all he had left was his duty to his people. He did his duty with pride and dedication. For nearly a hundred and fifty years he?d been their ruler and, so long as they willed it, he would remain their elected king.

?Did the elders decide what to do with Cupid?? Ilar asked, coming near the head table of the empty council hall. ?Will he be punished for opening a portal??

King Larus looked up, gazing past the giant circular pit of flames that lit the room. He sat atop a long stone table, scratching thoughtfully at the back of his head. Slowly, he lowered his arms to lie on top of his crossed legs. He came to the hall often, especially when he needed to be alone and think. When it was empty, the room was complete silence, aside from the soft rustling of the fire pit.

?Naturally, they aren?t pleased with what he has done,? Larus stated after a time.

Cupid was a squat little troll and like all of his kind he had a horrible temper backed by extreme power. Trolls had no real allegiance to anyone, let alone mortals, and only used their magic for self-gain or mischief. They wouldn?t open the portals to humankind just so the mortals could flood into their world. No, they?d only open them for their own selfish reasons. Their stupid, narcissistic ways could end up being the downfall of the entire realm of immortals.

Larus had been outraged to discover Cupid had opened up the portal between the mortal realm and the magic realm. He didn?t want to relive the wars between the mortal and immortal. They?d fought once, long ago, and there?d been much death on both sides. In the end, it was decided the realms should be forever separated. That was why the portals had been sealed. That was why they had to remain sealed.

Only a few natural portals remained, as they couldn?t be destroyed. The doors on the mortal side were locked with the strong magic and charms of all immortal races. The only way the portals could be opened was from their side. But once opened, the realms could merge freely.

Cupid had broken the pact of the covenants that protected the magic realm from human greed for the last three hundred years. The risk of humans wandering back through was too great. It was a risk none of the elders were willing to take.

The lycans weren?t the only ones to leave the world of mortal men. The vampires, who were also hunted because of their ?unnatural? ways, had come with them. As did all things of magic--elves, fairies, even the goblins and dwarfs. They left the humans, tired of being trapped and forced to use magic for mankind?s gain. Then it was believed that humans would kill themselves off. It wasn?t to be so. To everyone?s amazement, the humans thrived. And, until Cupid?s little play of revenge against Lord Ilar, the realms had remained separated.

Larus glanced at Lady Rhiannon and smiled faintly. They were the only three in the hall and he knew, since she was lifemated to Ilar, he could speak freely before her. ?Though, the outcome is good, what could have been is beyond forgiveness. Cupid risked too much over a petty insult.?

Lord Ilar had drunkenly offended Cupid one night by calling him a rosy-faced cherub. That in and of itself was comical, as Cupid?s wrinkled face was anything but rosy and, with the horrible smell he emitted from his foul, unwashed body, he didn?t come close to reminding them of a cherub.

Cupid, however, obviously didn?t see the humor in the jests. So to get even, the troll had gone to the realm of the mortals, doused Lady Rhiannon in lycan pheromone to magically enchant her, and brought her to their world. The mere smell of her had sent the entire unmated population into a desperate, lustful frenzy.

The males of the Lycaon court had fought like madmen to possess Rhiannon and the women had fought to kill her. Because of the raging emotions, their telepathic mind link had been blocked. The mind link was the only way the lycan could communicate in their shifted form and they used it often to warn of attacks. Without it, their defenses were left weakened. Both Ilar and Larus had feared they were under magical assault until they discovered the real reason.

Knowing it was only a troll?s petty revenge that opened the portals and caused the disruption in his guards, Larus frowned. Cupid risked too much, but then trolls weren?t known for their consideration of consequences. As king, he?d been honor bound to report Cupid?s actions to the council. The troll was in some serious trouble.

?Death seems too harsh of a punishment and yet I feel, with Cupid, anything less would fail to make an impact on his troll brain,? Ilar said.

?Well,? Rhiannon offered softly, pushing her long, curly blonde hair over her shoulder. She looked more lycan than human as she wore the comfortable gown of his people--a large square piece of cloth that was wrapped around the body and secured with a brooch at the shoulder. Though, instead of leaving her body bare beneath, she wore an undergarment with long sleeves. Being human, the slight modification allowed her extra protection against the elements. Her wide blue eyes looked first to her husband and then back to Larus. ?At least he won?t be opening the portal again, will he??

?The council has ordered him not to bring back any more enchanted humans,? Larus said. ?Although, they?re unsure what to do with him otherwise. Because no troll sits on the council, we can only do so much.?

?Then, he?s agreed not to enchant any more humans?? Ilar asked, his dark eyes steady.

?Yes, he?s agreed,? Larus answered. ?I believe him. I think Lady Rhiannon?s and your happiness is punishment enough. By the time I got done telling the council, and everyone else who would listen, about his ?good? deed, he was thoroughly mortified. Word of your love has even leaked to the trolls. If I know that race, they will persecute him enough to ensure he never does anything so foolish again.?