If I Had Words

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“Mother!” Eros said, appearing before her and startling her a little. “Prepare the bride.”

Aphrodite frowned. 

“You’ve found someone?” she said, somewhat suspicious.

“I have,” he said.

“Who is it? Who will be her tormentor?” Aphrodite asked.

“A monster so vile that even the gods fear him,” Eros said. 

“Oooo” Aphrodite said, getting excited. “He sounds perfect.”

“He is,” Eros said. 

Aphrodite stood staring at him for a moment.

“So…?” she said, expectantly. “Who is he?”  

He looked at her, considering what he should say next. It would be hard to completely hide his intentions.  

“Before I answer, tell me. Why did you really want to punish her, Mother? What do you have against Psyche?” he said.

Aphrodite froze. 

“You? You are going to marry her?” Aphrodite accused.

Eros frowned. 

“I didn’t say that,” he said.

“Fool, boy. You think I don’t know love when I see it? You clearly love her,” she said. 

“You asked me to find her a tormentor, one who would turn her love into her own punishment. No such thing exists,” Eros said, shaking his head. “She is too good, too loving. Mortals are too weak. A mortal man would be unable to resist her love and kindness. He would change, would love her, and would become better for it.”

“Ridiculous,” she said. “No mortal can do that. Psyche is nothing. She would find herself weeping every night, unable to handle the coldness of his heart.”

“You’re wrong, Mother. I have seen it,” he said. “I have seen the depth of her compassion for so many, she would thaw any heart.”

“You think you know love better than me?” Aphrodite scoffed. 

Aphrodite eyed him.

“You are not thinking with your head, Eros. It is as if you’ve accidentally pricked yourself with one of your own arrows,” she said, her tone condescending.

Eros’s eyes flashed.

“You have been all too happy to use my arrows for your own petty feuds. You think I use my powers so carelessly?” he said.

“You’ve been careless enough in the past,” Aphrodite said haughtily. “But why waste so much energy and effort on this one mortal? I never should have bothered you with her in the first place. I’ll take care of her. I can take it from here.”

She started turning away. 

“No!” Eros said, moving to cut off her exit. He had seen how horrible goddesses could be at exacting revenge on mortals. 

Aphrodite stopped and faced Eros. 

“Tread carefully, Eros. You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” Aphrodite said, coldly. 

Eros tried to think. 

“What if we came to an agreement,” Eros said. 

Aphrodite folded her arms.

“What if we made her and the whole village think she was married to a monster? I could take her away and the villagers would never know what had become of her. They would only know that she had invoked your wrath,” Eros said. 

Aphrodite tilted her head, considering.

“And as to the monster she would marry, what if she never knew who I was, was never allowed to look upon me? Wouldn’t that be a far better punishment for her? To be kept in the dark?” he continued.

“Hmm,” she said. “That could work. They would never know where you’ve taken her. The people would see what happens to mortals who try to play goddess.”

Aphrodite started to pace a little. 

“Humans do fear what they cannot see and they are especially afraid of the dark,” she said, starting to see his logic. “She wouldn’t know the creature she married and the kingdom wouldn’t have Psyche tempting them anymore. Those simple-minded mortals would have to take down her shrine and any trace of Psyche.

“But –“

Aphrodite paused. 

“You will have to make her really thinks she is married to a monster, Eros,” Aphrodite said. “You won’t be able to give her any clues as to who you are or somehow soften her punishment.”

“Agreed,” Eros said.

Aphrodite looked at him.

“You would have to make her promise never to light a lamp, never use any form of light to see you. And you’d have to only meet with her at night once the sun has fully set,” she said. 

Eros thought for a moment. 

The dark would forever be a barrier. They would never be able to fully know each other. 

Would it work? 

How many women had tried to claw their way to Eros, on his looks alone? He knew he could have any woman he desired, but all of his relationships had been rather empty. 

Here was a chance to have someone love him for something other than the allure of his outward appearance. 

“Okay,” he agreed, eager at the prospect of having someone love him for him. 

“I’m warning you, Eros, you’re making a mistake by marrying this mortal. She will hurt you. She will disappoint you. You’ll see,” she said, rather arrogantly.

His mother didn’t know Psyche like he did. 

“We’ll see,” he said, unmoved. 

“Alright Eros, what is your plan?” Aphrodite said, relenting.

Eros brightened. He almost couldn’t believe that he’d won. 

“Tell the oracle of Apollo that Psyche has greatly displeased you. Have him announce that she must marry a monster, just as we’ve agreed. You can also be sure to instruct the kingdom to take down her shrine, if you care so much about that,” he said.

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow. 

Was he mocking her? 

“Then have Psyche brought to the highest hill,” Eros continued. “I’ll ask Zephyr to convey her to my palace once it’s dark. I promise, Mother, she will stay hidden in my palace and out of your sight.” 

“And the moment she sees you, the moment she lights even the smallest candle, it’s over,” Aphrodite said. 

“It’s over,” Eros repeated. 

“Very well, we have an agreement,” Aphrodite sighed, “I will prepare the bride,”

Eros turned on his heel, relieved, and disappeared from his mother’s sight.

As Aphrodite watched Eros go, she couldn’t help pitying him. He had no idea what love really was, how much it can hurt after one loves so deeply. 

Psyche would betray him, she knew. 

It was inevitable. 

He would have his fun, enjoy his little distraction. Aphrodite would be there to comfort him when it all fell apart. 

A little fling couldn’t compete with the power of a mother’s love. 

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