Adris left his partners on the bed, sated in glow after a night with him. He watched them with his head tilted to the side while they slept.
Did he love them?
They were pretty to look at; attractive.
He waited for the his stomach to dance in excitement and for the emptiness to be filled...
If He waited any longer he would miss the wedding wedding.

Eros bounded down the stairs with the sparks of joy coloring his cheeks.
"I love weddings." He clapped Adris over the shoulder and spread his grin even wider.
Eros' quiver and bow were slung across his back.
This enthusiasm might equal mischief.
"Are your arrows for the bride and groom or someone else?"

"I'll decide when we get there."

A golden chariot sat outside tethered to two white horses. A gift from Aphrodite for her absence.
The handsome steads and even more handsome men drew the men and women alike in the crowd.
The wedding celebration nearly screeched to a halt upon their arrival.
They walked to the lovely couple to offer greetings and gifts.
Helen was beautifully adored with smooth colorful stones and shells on her hair and her neck with her husband in his white clothes and celebratory wreath on his head.

"You came, Lord Adris." Helen said breathlessly.

"Of course. This is my friend Eros."

Helen bowed her head,
"You're both welcome."

"Did your friend and business partner attend?"

"Agnes? She's around here somewhere. Please eat, drink and have fun. We can make space for you on the high table."

"That won't be necessary." He objected.

"But this wouldn't have been possible without you."

Adris grimaced knowing Eros would actively eat it up the knowledge of what he'd done.
Eros gave him a side eye and concealed his chuckle.
When they moved away from the table, Adris explained.
"I only helped them sell a few jars of oil."

"From the bottom of your heart." Eros spoke

Adris wore a hurt look, "I'm a philanthropist."

"Word is philanderer."

"You wound me. So I can't make friends who are just that? Friends."  He said in his defense.

"It's like that because one was engaged and the other doesn't want to sleep with you."
He stopped to face Adris,
"Don't look now but your friend is standing by the musicians."
Adris waited for the tenth second before turning to find a maiden in rich gold fabric.
He would have said to Eros that he was mistaken about Agnes, but a second look allowed him to recognize her unique features. In jewelry and rich clothes she looked exquisite.

"And you're leaving me." Eros said after him as he walked towards her.

"Please remember to play the slow tube when the couple stand." He heard her tell the musicians.

"You're the organizer ?"

"Adris. You truly came?"
He lifted the corners of his mouth, "you thought I wouldn't?"

"No, I didn't think you would. We aren't your typical crowd."

Adris nodded.
"But I always enjoy a party."

Agnes' darted her eyes around and saw the looks they received from the whispering women.

"I'm sure your bed won't be empty tonight." She said smiling at him then moved away.

"Is that an offer?"

If her gaze could slap a man.

"I jest, Agnes."

She laughed "I meant the audience you're gathering."

He shrugged,
"I'll talk to them later."

He touched the cloth on her shoulder,
"You spared no coin. It's a pretty dress."

Her smile beamed, "Thank you. It took Helen and I a long time to find the one that was perfect."

"Sound like you two had fun."

"We did. I found I like having money and spending it. Now I have to be wealthy." She laughed with him.

"I'm glad I could help."

She had the grace to look ashamed.
"You didn't seem to mind visiting our little cart."

"I didn't."

"Great. Then it's water under the bridge." She playfully punch his arm.
Agnes froze when she saw who was waiting outside the stone fence.
The mirth drained from her eyes and her lips firmed into a grim line as she gathered her skirts and took long strides to meet the old woman.
Naturally, Adris followed.

"Grandmother. What's the matter?"

The old woman's hand flew across Agnes' face in a flash.
"You steal from me? How dare you?"
The matron's eyes burned with rage and detest. She looked ready to swing again.
Adris moved then stopped himself. The matter was personal and he shouldn't even be listening. He'd stay put for the time being.

"I would never steal from you. Tell me who said that?" Agnes' voice came, fragmented with confusion.

"I don't need to expose them when I can clearly see the truth. How Else could you afford these clothes and trinkets?"
Agnes' features tightened, her eyes were lowered but her fingers flexed at her side.

"I bought them with my own coin. I gave you all that was owed you."

"You abhorrent buffalo. Then you've been whoring about. I shouldn't be surprised. I'd be more surprised at any man who'd want to hump you."

"I am no whore." Agnes breathed through clenched teeth that pushed back tears.

"You argue?"

"I do not. Can we please not do this here? Today? If not for Helen but for her parents."

The withered face thawed a bit.

"Grandmother, you finally arrived." Helen appeared.
"We waited for you."

The grandmother scoffed.
"You didn't invite me, why would you wait? I'm leaving now."

Helen liked her arms with her walking her into the event, " Grandmother you're hurting my feelings. Your invitation goes without saying- we're family."

Adris caught Agnes by her elbow before,
"Are you okay?"

She showed him her bravest smile amidst her shame-filled eyes.
"Wonderful."

He responded with his eyes and a gentle pat on her back.
"Come, let's get your friend married."

Adris and Agnes joined Eros in a conversations.
"No, Eros." Agnes complained. "It can't be them."

"Why not?" Eros set down just bow and arrow.

"She has an affair with his brother while he has an affair with her mother. How could it really be love?"

Eros gasped and smiled, "I loved the drama."

"What about them?" Eros pointed to the smallish woman and her mountain of a husband.

"No. No. He claims to love her but beats her but she refuses to leave him because she thinks it's love."

Adris and Eros stared.

"I work in the market, I hear things."

They agreed, that was a great place for gossip.

"What about her?"
Agnes laugh got all of them smiling. They later joined the communal dance.
He didn't dare let the grayed harpy near her- instead Agnes fed and wined her then danced and sang.

The cycle repeated until Helios readied his chariots to cross the sky.
Eros shot two of his arrows binding the couple in a never-ending love and the ceremony was complete.

Agnes pulled his thoughts from Helen and her husband as they escaped the crowd to enjoy the honeymoon phase.
Her eyes were closed with a large smile.
"I had so much fun! But I have to leave now."

Eros stood in her way,
"We should do this again! There's a play tomorrow, you should come. Come on." He said when she smiled with her excuse readied.

"Helen is on her honeymoon. I have twice the work now."

He pushed Adris forward.
"That's no problem, Adris can help you again. You'll be sold out before the moon breaks."

Agnes' large eyes glistened with gratitude.
"Will you Adris?"

Adris looked at the two faces currently holding the largest pleading eyes he'd had the misfortune to behold.
"Fine!" He sighed.