Hazel had learned to live with a heart burning with love, though she still did not know that is what afflicted her. She only knew that being with Frank eased her symptoms, though they never truly went away. The pangs of love would ease and the flare again like a wound whose pain lessens before becoming infected.

On a beautiful day in late summer, Aphrodite and Eros set up the next stage of their plan. Frank and Hazel were watching their herds per usual when Nico turned up with Will and Leo, his cattle trailing behind him. The three youths were conversing gaily and there was much laughter as they neared Hazel and Frank. Hazel gave them a pert smile and hugged her brother. "How are you, Nico?"

Nico smiled. "Will and I were hunting—"

"Correction," Will interjected. "You were hunting and I was warning you of the dangers of that sport."

Nico shrugged. "Somebody has to provide food for the family."

"Hunting is dangerous," Will said. "You could get pricked by thorns, gored by a boar's tusks, clawed by a wild cat, bitten by a wolf. . ."

Nico rolled his eyes. "You sound like Aphrodite when she was with Adonis."

Will put his hands on his hips. "Well she had a point, didn't she? Adonis died while hunting."

   "And if the myths are true, he is brought back to life once a year," Nico retorted.

Hazel smiled. Seeing the two of them banter made her happy. "I'd be glad to spend the day with you, brother."

"I was so close to catching the rabbit," Nico said. "We could've had meat for dinner."

"Try a bow next time," Frank suggested.

They all stared at him. "What?" Frank said. "That's what I use whenever I go out."

"Bows aren't manly," Leo said.

"Don't lecture me on manliness," Frank said.

The two youths looked like they were going to fight. Hazel stepped between them. "Let's not argue over this."

"Anyway," Nico said, continuing his tale, "Will convinced me to gather herbs by the river. I think I might try to spear a fish or two."

"Good luck," Hazel said.

Nico gave her a last smile and then headed off with Will. There was a closeness between them, but Hazel couldn't tell what it was. She turned to her friends beside her once again and found them deep in an argument. "Hunting with an arrow isn't as manly as striking metal with a hammer," Leo said.

     "Hunting requires more courage and strength than shaping metal," Frank said.

     "Courage?" Leo snorted. "A blacksmith must face fire everyday. Hunters often don't even get near their quarry. With an arrow, you face little danger. Besides, if hunters are so great, then why don't they bring down deer everytime?"

     Frank frowned. "That would be like wrestling someone twice your size every time you wrestle."

      "I don't wrestle," Leo replied.

     Frank snorted. "Well, you should."

    Hazel stepped between them, her hands raised. Leo caught sight of her and a grin spread over his face as he was struck by an idea. "You know what? Why don't we let Hazel decide who is better endowed by the gods?"

    Both of them turned to Hazel. "What do you mean?" she asked.

     "Let's have a contest," Leo said, "for the most beautiful. The winner shall receive a kiss."

"Oh no," Hazel said, stepping backwards. "This sounds like the contest that started the Trojan war."

"It won't be like that," Leo promised. "I won't bribe you."

"And neither shall I," Frank said. "It will be a fun way to pass the time."

Hazel felt caught between wanting to please her two friends and wanting to avoid this whole mess. "I don't think I'm a good judge on beauty," she said.

"Nonsense," Frank said. "Paris was a shepherd and you are a shepherdess. No one knows more about beauty than rustics."

Hazel sighed. "Fine, but you must both swear to part on amiable terms no matter who wins."

Both youths made their oaths and Hazel relaxed a little. Leo was excited at the prospect of kissing his beloved, while Frank was riled up by Leo's earlier insults.

Leo was the first to step forward and present his case. "I may not be brawny, but I sure am a beauty. The naiads and nymphs sigh at my sight, so splendid are my curly locks. All the ladies love Leo and for good reason. My mind is as beautiful as my body — more so — and my humor could charm Aphrodite herself. I am known by many names among the dryads of Lesbos: Leo McShizzle, Bad Boy Supreme, Hot Stuff, even Commander Toolbelt. Yet despite my many names, they all agree they are on Team Leo."

Frank stepped forward next. "Paris was said to be the handsomest of men and he was a shepherd. I am a goatherd and my lineage is no less noble. My father, Mars, was a valiant warrior who gave his life in defense of Lesbos."

He didn't need to say anymore. Hazel stepped forward and kissed him on his cheek. "I choose you, Frank."

Leo was disappointed and left in a hurry, wanting some privacy to collect his harried thoughts. Frank's mind was no less cluttered. Hazel's kiss had awaken something inside of him. He did not know that Eros had just plunged an arrow deep into his breast. These arrows are so powerful that no god or mortal is safe from them except grey-eyed Athena, golden Artemis, and sweet Hestia.

Why am I feeling this way, Frank thought. How could this kiss cause me such a tumult of emotions? I have been kissed before, but never with this result. My mother kisses me on the forehead before I go to sleep. I have given my goats sweet kisses and yet Hazel's kiss was different. I have never known anything so intense as this before; pain and joy it is at once. Frank was tormented by such thoughts and as day slipped into night, he wondered what was ailing him.