'She was so beautiful, people worshipped her as a goddess, rejecting Aphrodite.' Neeks said.

'It's kind of like Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.' I said.

'Whatever.' Neeks said. 'Aphrodite got so jealous, she sent Eros to make her fall in love with the most disgusting thing he could think of; so he chose a pig.'

'A pig?' I asked. 'What the shmeck is a pig compared to a ton of ugly guys from Ancient Greece?'

'Her sisters were married to ugly guys.' Neeks said. 'A pig would've been a lot more humiliating '

'Oh.' I said. "Wait; would've?"

'Eros accidentally pierced himself with his own arrow.' Neeks said. 'And he fell madly in love.'

I retched. 'Gross. And painful.'

'Painful indeed, both physically and emotionally.' Neeks said. 'He became really depressed. Though he was immortal, he thought he couldn't live without her. He found himself getting distracted, thinking too much about her, drawing pictures, spying on her when he had other stuff to do—'

Nico's voice faltered.

'What?' I asked.

'Nothing.' Neeks said. 'It's just— weird. And gross.'

'Totes.' I agreed.

'So he had to take care of business.' Neeks said.

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'Meanwhile, Psyche's life was Hades. She got too much attention she didn't want. She kept trying to convince her people she wasn't a goddess. No one wanted to hang out or marry her no matter how beautiful she was. She even attempted suicide three times before her father went to the Oracle of Delphi for advice. It wasn't a good story.'

'What did the oracle say?' I asked.

'How am I supposed to know?' Neeks asked. 'I wasn't there.'

'Make something up.' I said.

I let him think about it.

'Great King, woe is thee,

For the husband ordained to Psyche

Is a terrible beast feared by all

From the highest rock thy child must fall

The day of her marriage is the day she will end

Thus dress her in black yet in clothes of the wed.'

'Nice.' I said.

'They did as asked; and Psyche fell from the top of the highest cliff of the kingdom.' Neeks said.

'Omg. Copycat.' I said. 'Unless—'

'No.' Neeks said. 'Zephyrous, the West wind and perpetual servant of Eros, saved daring Psyche from her death and carried her to the house of his master.

'There she met— a lot of stuff.' Neeks said. 'It was heaven. The ultimate celeb crib. The servants, most importantly. She couldn't see them because for all she knew they were invisible; but they were really just made of wind. They fed her, bathed her, clothed her, and just got her ready for her husband's arrival.

'Psyche waited patiently for her monstrous husband to walk through and kill her.' Neeks said with the ultimate horror story voice. 'From her bed, she heard footsteps.'

I thought I heard feet, too.

'It became very windy,'

Next I heard the howl of wind.

'It was as dark as it is now.' Neeks continued. 'And the door creaked open.'

Thankfully, no creak.

'What do you think happened next?' Nico asked.

''Hello?' Psyche called. 'Monster Guy?'' I said.

Neeks got back on the bed, even though I didn't feel him leave before. ''Are you the popular, goddesslike Psyche?''

'Here's a thought; just say my name.' I said. 'I don't wanna Psycho's name.'

''Are you the annoying, pulchritudinous Nica?' then?' Neeks asked.

'I'll take that as a compliment.' I said. ''Who are you, Monster Guy?''

''That is not my name, darling.'' Neeks retched. 'I can't believe I just said that.'

''Then what it is?' Psyche asked.' I said.

Neeks took my hands. ''I cannot tell you.''

'These hands feel really human, she thought.' I said. ''Why?' She asked.'

''You am not supposed to be here. In fact; I am not allowed to even love you as much as I do now.'ʼ Neeks said.

''Then why did you take me away from my kingdom?' She asked.' I said. ''But thanks, though.''

''Did I not mention that I love you?' He said.' Neeks said, probably without a straight face. ''I was tired of longing. I wanted you close to me. Yes, you are probably the most beautiful mortal in the world of men; with such perfect blue eyes and hair as bright as gold; but it is your personality that intrigues me. You are humble, composed, intelligent—''

'A lot of things I'm not.' I muttered.

'Babes,' Neeks said. 'Your good points aren't even enough to write a haiku. You're annoying, a blabbermouth, crazy, immature—'

'Just keep saying things nice.' I said, moving away from him.

''You are the perfect woman for me.' He said.' Neeks only came closer. ''But it all depends on you.''

''Me?' Psyche asked, shocked.' I said. ''Tell me how.''

''I cannot force you to love me. I brought you here so I could at least be with you and heal my aching heart.' Eros smoothed her hair.' Thankfully Neeks didn't try that. ''If you will not take me, for fear of who you think I am; I will not stop you. You can go back to your old life. But if you will...''

I sighed. 'Psyche kissed her monster— yuck— and noticed he felt and tasted quite human. Also yuck.

''I will.' She said. 'I have never met a man or a monster that has liked me for being me. '' I said.

''Very well,' Eros said, straightening up. 'But I must warn you; you must never see my face. We shall meet only in darkness. Do not act smart by lighting a candle or using any source of light; especially when I sleep.'' Neeks said.

''Are you that ugly?' She asked.'

'Eros shook his head. 'All you need to know is that once you see me; you would wish you didn't.''

''So you're hella ugly.' Psyche persisted, still kissing him feeling his biceps and just being pretty gross.' I tried not to make barfing noises. ''You feel pretty hot.''

Neeks came closer to me. So close I could almost see his eyes. ''The less you know; the better.''

We just sat there; soundless except for breathing, not knowing what to do next.

BABES! My brain screamed. THAT IS YOUR BROTHER YOU'RE THINKING OF KISSING! WAKE UP!

'What made you wake up at this hour?' Neeks asked.

'I had a dream,'

I told him what Chris and Al were discussing.

'Oh my gods.' Nico said. 'You— I mean we don't have much time.'

'Exactly.' I said.

'Which reminds me; I had a dream too.' Neeks said. 'I know how Eros was insulted.'

'What?' I put my hands on his shoulders. 'Tell me. Tell me.'

'It's not really something you talk about.' Neeks said. 'I have to show you.'

'Call Psyche again?' I asked.

'We could; but Psyche wouldn't want us to. It's about her husband after all; and she'd want to defend him.

'There's another way. But that's worse.'

'You're being like Patricia with the oath. What would be so bad?'

Neeks sighed. 'There's no easy way to explain this; but Psyche was like a mediator for us that last time. She gave us a strong connection. She was able to link our minds.'

'Mhmm.' I said.

'We could do what I'm thinking now, but for one it's not going to be as strong as Psyche and secondly; it's not something we would like to do.'

'Hit me with your best shot.'

Oh gods and the God, my people; Nico di Angelo, my own half brother, kissed me.