If I Had Words

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Chapter 47      Chapter 49

Eros had been going to the village and returning to give Psyche all the news. It was fun. The normal ebbs and flows of the mortal realm were far more exciting when seen through her lens. She loved and appreciated everything. 

“So?” she said, as he arrived.

“It’s a girl,” he said. He felt tired and out of breath, so he sat down, “They named her Psyche.”

She had been such a cute little thing. Eros had never considered the sweetness of babies. Psyche was definitely rubbing off on him.  

Psyche shook her head.

“It’s so strange that they wouldn’t think to use some of the other beautiful names. I don’t particularly like mine,” she said.

She really didn’t know how much the people loved her, how much they missed her. They were still struggling and weren’t sure what to do. He had been telling her the good things mostly. He had sprinkled in a few sad things, so she wouldn’t suspect. But the worst things, the real struggles and strife he kept from her. She would have found it even harder to stay with him. 

“They want to remember you, Psyche. They don’t want to forget,” he said. “The Goddess might have been successful in banishing you, but that hasn’t stopped them from paying some homage to you, as is afforded them.

“So, who should I check on next?” 

Seriously, when did common mortals become so interesting?? 

“I’ve been thinking,” Psyche said, her voice sounding more careful than usual. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but what would you think about checking on my sisters?”

He grimaced.

“Your sisters?” he said. 

“Yes,” she said. “A part of me would also like to see them doing well. I’m sure they are fine since they have so many talents, but it would be nice to know.

“Is that even possible?”

“Well, yes it is,” he said. 

Of course it was. He could go wherever he liked. 

He just didn’t like the thought of visiting her sisters. 

Knowing her sisters as he did, having watched them closely as well, he knew she would not be happy with whatever news he brought. They were both prideful and selfish. Nothing good ever came from those distasteful qualities. 

Which also made him think of his mother. 

If only he could talk to Psyche about everything, sort this whole thing out. 

“Psyche, your sisters are not like you,” he said. “They might disappoint you.” 

“Oh, they could never disappoint me,” Psyche said. “They are difficult sometimes, and they don’t always think of others, but I don’t mind. They’ve done so much for me. They left their husbands and helped me when I needed them most. I should at least check and see how they are doing.”

He wondered how she perceived her sisters. Did she know that they were haughty and vain, that they were extremely jealous and selfish and perfectly horrid? 

“How do you see your sisters?” he said. “What do you expect I would find if I were to visit them?” 

“Oh,” Psyche smiled. “I think you’ll find Aglaura running things in perfect order. She’ll keep things to a high standard, of course, but she’ll recognize the natural way of things. As High Queen, she’ll likely pronounce judgments using her knowledge and wisdom. She’ll be fair and just. 

“Everyone will love and respect her, I think.”

Hardly, he thought. 

“And Cydippe?” he said, wondering if she would over-exaggerate her good qualities too.

“Cydippe will be the life of the party,” she said. “She will keep things lively and will add spark and laughter into her husband’s kingdom. As Lady Cydippe, she will be greatly adored.”

Psyche perceptions were clearly biased. Granted, Cydippe did know how to make others happy given her thirst for praise and attention. She, at least, tried to keep people happy, unlike Aglaura. 

Still, he pitied Lord Whats-his-name a great deal.  

“Well, I guess we’ll see,” he said. 

He immediately regretted agreeing to go. 

“You mean you’ll go?” she said excitedly.

He couldn’t deny how happy she looked. He shrugged and decided he could do it for Psyche.

“Why not?” he said. “Might as well check on them too.”

This would not be an easy task. He felt it only fair to warn her.

“Just so you know,” he said. “It might take me a bit longer to catch up with them. Sisters are more complicated than villagers.” 

“How would you know?” Psyche said playfully. “Do you even have sisters of your own?”

Oh, if she only knew the complexities of his family

“I have one actually,” he said. “And two brothers. Well, and, I may have even more siblings out there somewhere, but those are the ones I know well. My parents are a little — unpredictable.” 

“Strange,” she said. “The thought of you having parents and siblings. I’ve become used to this isolated world well enough that I forget even you must come from a family. 

“What are they like?”

“My sister? My brothers? Or my parents?” he said.

“All of them. I want to know everything,” she said. 

It was nice to have something to share with her, though he wasn’t sure how much he should tell. 

“Well,” he said, carefully, “I guess I’ll start with my parents.”

He told her a bit about everybody. She related his family to the villagers, of course. Little did she know his parents were nothing like any mortals she knew. 

A lot more power and a lot more destruction. 

It was fun telling her about them anyway. A part of him wished he could one day introduce her to all of them. 

“Where do they live?” Psyche asked.

“Oh, we’re all spread out,” he said.

“So where do you go when you need to talk to someone?” she said.

What an interesting question. 

“I usually don’t talk to anyone,” he said. “I’ve always just kind of managed things on my own.”

“Isn’t that rather lonely?” she asked.

It had never felt lonely. In fact, he had rather preferred his solitude. 

“I had never thought about it — not until you,” he said. 

“Me?” she said.

“Yes,” he said. “You make it fun and interesting. And I know you would never say or do anything to hurt anyone.” 

“Well, surely I’m not always nice,” Psyche said.

“So far, I haven’t seen any other side of you,” he said. “Have you ever been mad or upset with anyone?”

Psyche thought for a moment.

“There have been plenty of times I’ve been upset. And I know I’m far from perfect,” she said.

“Can you remember a time when you’ve intentionally hurt someone’s feelings? Or said something unkind?” he said.

Psyche tried to think.

“There was one time when I was younger and I overheard Cydippe say something that made her and Aglaura laugh. It was something about one of the attendants. 

“I later repeated it in the kitchens, hoping everyone would laugh, but they didn’t. Their faces went sober and everyone stopped talking. 

“I realized some things said could really make people feel bad and I started paying more attention after that,” Psyche said. 

Was that it?? 

“You are a marvel,” he said, giving her a small kiss.

She really was. 

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