I open my eyes then blink a few times.

I'm lying down. A searing artificial light fills my vision and I can see a white ceiling above me. My ears are filled with a steady beeping sound.

I swallow. My throat feels like it's on fire and as I try to raise my head it feels like it's going to explode.

I squeeze my eyes shut again; staying still so as not to cause more pain.

What is going on?

Then it all comes flooding back to me.

I remember thinking that Cupid was dead. I remember Venus' face inches from mine.

And I remember plunging an arrow into her heart.

Was it the Finis?

Suddenly I scramble into a sitting position, grunting with pain. My eyes widen. I look around.

I'm in a hospital ward.

On the chair next to me is my dad, his eyes are closed and his chest is softly rising and falling.

As though sensing me regaining consciousness his eyes flicker open and relief washes over his face.

"Lila" he says. "I was so worried."

I look around through bleary eyes. There are two people stood outside the door, facing away from me. I turn my gaze back to my father.

"Dad?" I reply, tears forming in my eyes.

He reaches forwards and pulls me into a hug. On hearing our voices the two figures in the doorway turn around.

I feel overcome with relief.

Cupid and Cal.

They're OK.

They enter the room and I notice Cal's subtle limp. His long sleeves ride up slightly as he approaches and I see the bruising around his wrists where the cables bound him to the metal pole.

My dad pulls away.

"I should get a doctor" he says "You gave us quite a scare. It's a good job these two young gentlemen were around to get you to a hospital. They've watched over you this entire time."

I look at him confused for a moment.

"Some scaffolding fell on you Lila" he says "The doctors said you might forget. I'll go and get someone now."

Behind him Cupid raises his eyebrows and grins as my dad kisses me on the forehead and hurries out of the room. He throws himself into the chair beside me while Cal lingers hesitantly by the door frame.

"Got to be careful of that scaffolding lovebug" says Cupid winking.

I turn to him. He's wearing grey sweatpants and a cotton white T-shirt. He looks tired, but unharmed.

The last time I saw him I thought that he was dead.

"What...what..." I cough, my voice croaky "...what happened?"

I frown and rub my throat.

Cupid reaches over to the table on the other side of him. He picks up a jug and pours a glass of water.

"Here" he says, handing it to me.

I take a gulp. It cools the fire in my throat and I attempt to speak again.

"What happened?" I ask again "Is she dead?!"

Cupid nods.

"She nearly killed you" he says, his voice suddenly serious "You managed to grab the Finis as she was choking you, and you stabbed her in the heart with it. After that she kind of imploded on herself."

He shakes his head.

"You were thrown back with the force of it, and you knocked your head pretty hard against the wall. For a moment we thought...we thought..."

"We thought we had lost you" finishes Cal quietly from the doorway.

I glance up at him, surprised by the intensity of his tone. He looks away hurriedly.

"What about Venus' army?" I ask.

Cupid shrugs, taking a glass of water for himself.

"They were never truly behind her" he says "Once you destroyed her a few of the more extreme agents tried to fight us, but they were outnumbered. It wasn't hard to beat them down. There's a lot of work to be done to bring order back to the Matchmaking Service – they'll be holding an election at the end of the week to nominate a new leader."

Cupid looks up at Cal, still stood rigidly in the doorway.

"It won't surprise you that my rule abiding brother over there is the current forerunner for the presidential role."

Cal gives Cupid a reproachful look, but I notice a half smile play about his lips.

"What about the others?" I ask. "Charlie, Crystal, Selena?"

Cupid nods.

"All fine" he says.

I sigh with relief and take another sip of water.

"Sorry I shot you" I say.

Cupid's face cracks into a grin and he waves his hand in mock dismissal.

"Nah, don't worry about it" he says "It was quite invigorating. I saw my whole life flash before my eyes, and I'm quite an interesting guy. It was like watching a movie."

"Plus you did jump out in front of me..." I add drily.

He laughs.

"True" he says "Anyway, we have something to show you."

I look at him curiously and he gestures outside of the door.

My dad is stood in the corridor talking to a female doctor. I can tell from his expression he is telling one of his dorky dad jokes. She laughs and his face lights up.

Is he flirting?!

I look up at Cupid, confused.

"Are they... are they matched?" I ask.

I can barely hope to believe it.

He's been so down and alone for so long.

Cupid nods.

I look at the two brothers, and then back at my dad. He gives me a small wave from outside.

"I thought everyone only had one match" I say "You said yourself. That once a person's match was gone, they would be alone forever."

Cupid shakes his head.

"Not anymore" he says "Now Venus is gone, the rules are gone too."

He grins.

"We're free" he says "You freed us all."

He squeezes my hand and I feel a smile growing on my face.

"And not only does that mean that your dad is free to love again, but it also means that us cupids are too."

His eyes twinkle mischievously.

"I hope that doesn't ruin the whole forbidden love thing I've got working for me" he says.

I roll my eyes then look at him seriously.

"So you're not leaving then?" I ask.

He shakes his head.

"I'm staying right here with you," he says "You saved me. You saved all of us."

He beams.

"Everything is different now."

I sense Cal watching me from the doorway and I flick my gaze upwards.

I feel a slight flutter in my stomach.

His silvery eyes burn with a passion I've never seen in him before and the corner of his lip quirks up into a half smile.

"Everything is different now" he repeats.

Hello! It's me, Lauren!

Thank you so much for reading, voting, commenting, and supporting the story!!!

I know it's a bit rough around the edges with it being an unedited first draft, but I really hope you enjoyed it and that you can see potential in this world and its characters! It means so much to me that you're here, and I've had so much fun sharing the first draft of this story with you.

With that in mind, I'm really excited to tell you that. . .

It has loads of changes from this version, it's available in bookstores, ebook, and audiobook formats, and you can grab a copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other book retailers!

(Links to the published version in my Wattpad bio ---> LEPalphreyman).

I'm so thankful that you are here on this journey with me. You guys have kind of changed my life!

When I first started writing Cupid's Match I was in a HUGE creative slump. My dream has always been to be an author, but I'd written a couple of books previously and had no success with them. It was hitting me hard how difficult and competitive the world of publishing is. I was so close to giving up on writing. Until I had a silly idea about Cupid attending high school that I just couldn't shake! I wrote and posted this on Wattpad back in 2015 purely as a bit of fun, to try and get myself back into writing again. And the strangest thing started to happen. People started to read it!

Whether you've been with me and the cupids from the beginning, whether you've joined this adventure with me now, whether you're a re-reader, a silent reader, someone who has voted, given feedback, made me laugh with your comments, or read the Wattpad Cupid's Match sequels and spin-offs as well - thank you! You've kept me going, and writing, and smiling, and editing! And you've helped me more than you can ever know.

Come follow me on Instagramor on Wattpad (click here---> )for cupid-y updates! I may have something super exciting to tell you soon!

Thank you so much for your support!

Lots of love,

Lauren

xxx

@LaurenPalphreyman

:

One of my other books, Devils Inc., is now published!

When Rachel accidentally signs away her soul to the Devil, she must join forces with a snarky Angel and a morally dubious Bad Omen to stop the Apocalypse.

Link in my Wattpad bio, or search it on Amazon!