Fruit of Misfortune Read Online Free Page A

was his
closest friend?
    “I don’t know what he’s told you, Isis.” Eros
pronounced my name with short I’s. “But I’m the most pleasant
person you’ll ever meet.”
    And then, there it was again. There was
something about the way he looked into my eyes that made me want to
fall on my knees—in the most literal of terms. I didn’t understand
that overwhelming sensation. I stood there, immobile, peering back
at him. What the hell was he doing to me?
    “If you’re using your charms…” David warned
him. “Don’t you dare.”
    Eros hissed. “I’m your friend, and I’m
offended that you would even think it.”
    “It’s never stopped you before.” David locked
his hand with mine.
    “ That is a matter I don’t discuss
openly.” Eros’ mouth tightened. “But for your peace of mind, Isis,
I will say this—I’ve never inflicted harm on anyone.”
    “That depends on how you look at it,” David
said. “What about Veronica?”
    “Low blow, my brother.” Eros’ nose flared.
“There’s no need for this in front of her. Besides, I’ve told you
many times I had no idea that would happen. Everything I know, I
discovered and learned on my own. I had no teacher or parents to
guide me, like you did. But I don’t expect you to understand.”
    The room filled with an inaudible scream of
tension. Eros and David held each other’s stare, neither making an
attempt to look away. I decided to step out of the room to let them
settle their disagreement privately. I loosened my hand from
David’s, but he tightened his grip in return.
    “I’ll leave,” Eros said, at last, picking up
his coat. “I can see my visit will be a problem.”
    “No. It won’t,” David said. “I was out of
line, and I’m sorry. Please stay.”
    After a moment, Eros put his coat down again.
“I’ll take my old room, if that’s okay?”
    “Have you ever had to ask?” David placed his
hand on Eros’ shoulder. “Welcome home, brother.”
    ***
    David invited Eros to come sightseeing with
us, and I was relieved when Eros declined. He said that he was too
exhausted from traveling. As David drove down the hill, I wondered
about Eros’ past. Why had he looked like David had kicked him in
the groin when he brought it up?
    “Can I ask you something?” I asked, and David
nodded. “What happened to the girl named Veronica that you
mentioned?”
    David’s lips pressed together in a flat
line.
    “You don’t have to tell me. I understand if
it’s a guy pact thing or whatever.”
    “Yes, but I think you should know. It’ll help
you understand the reason behind my protective behavior.”
    “I’m sure you mean jealous behavior.”
    “No, I mean protective.”
    “Sure,” I said, unconvinced. “So what
happened to her?”
    “You see, Eros fell in love when he was
rather young. In human years, he must’ve been about fourteen. He
was a very mischievous boy, always going against the laws, but
finding ways to evade punishment because of his young age. The
Council saw him as a victim of circumstance because of the absence
of his parents, and pardoned him time after time—until the incident
with Veronica.”
    “That bad?”
    “You decide after I tell you the story.”
David glanced at me, and then turned back to look at the road. “A
very long time ago, during an age that man has no knowledge of,
Eros met Veronica in the country known today as Spain. She was
human and of the first civilizations to live on Earth, called Aetherius .”
    “Cavemen?”
    “No.” David smirked. “I’m sure that even then
Eros had better taste than that. The caveman came much later in
time. The Aetherius were a very modern civilization.”
    “That makes Eros a lot older than you.”
    “He is.” David nodded.
    “So what happened when Eros met
Veronica?”
    “Eros tried to flatter Veronica with
gifts—flowers, precious gems. But being sixteen and older than
Eros, she refused the gifts and refused him, as well. Eros was
furious that she, being