Sophia backed up, "Listen– you are under a spell."

"And I bet you have the cure right? So you want to play Healer instead?"

For each step back Sophia took, Cassiopia made one forward. Sophia looked over at her husband. "Hey, Soranus." She nervously smiled back at Cassiopia before returning her attention to the man, "I think your wife needs you." But Soranus was too busy whispering sweet nothings to the tree to be of much assistance to the Guardian.

Finally, Sophia called out to the one person who at the moment s
he wanted to strangle. "Cupid! Cupid!" She intercepted Cassiopia's wandering hands. "Cupid! Cupid?"

A disembodied chuckle filled the air. "See you in three days Couz."

*****

Sophia plopped down onto her bedroll, exhausted. For the past three candlemarks she had tried to convince Soranus and Cassiopia that they belonged together, without any luck. In fact, most of her time was spent trying to keep the woman's hands off her.

Realizing her words were ineffective, Sophia decided that action–drastic action was needed. *But what?*

"Having fun yet?" The air-borne Cupid looked down at the Guardian.

A dangerous smirk danced upon Sophia's lips. "Why don't you come down here so I can show you how much fun I'm having…..Cousin." She stood to her feet. "How could you do this to me?"

"Think about it. There was no one else here. Besides, I know you won't take advantage of the situation." He arched his eyebrows. "Right?"

Sophia nodded, even though she wasn't sure how much more of the chestnut-eyed vixen's groping she could take without exploding. "She's really beautiful."

"Yeah. And married."

"Well maybe you should tell them that. Soranus is determined to make that tree his. I've never heard so much bad poetry in my life!"

Cupid looked around. "And where's Cassiopia? I thought she would be with you."

"I told her that I loved berries, so she went to pick some."

The god of Love chuckled. "Fire's getting too hot?"

Sophia nodded. "Right now, I would melt the ice off the highest peaks of Mount Olympus."

"Well, I suggest you take a dip in the lake."

"Good idea, a cold bath will do wonders, after I set up camp." She pointed at Cupid. "I'll see you later. And don't be late."