If I Had Words

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Psyche was happy to see her little wooden chariot as the sun rose the next morning. 

“You are a welcome sight,” Psyche said brightly. 

It added more flowery details to the wheels as she loaded in the basket. 

Psyche stepped inside and sat back, relieved that the second task was reaching total completion. 

As Psyche arrived, Aphrodite frowned at the appearance of the chariot.

Who had added a smoother finish, gold accents, and all of those delicate flowers??

Eros noticed the improvements too and smiled. He was determined to observe more closely with what his mother had planned this time.

Aphrodite watched from some height as Psyche got out of the chariot. She was covered with dark and deep scratches. Bloody bandages covered the worst ones. Her dress was dirty and torn. 

Aphrodite had to admit that Psyche had certainly worked harder for this task.

Attendants ushered Psyche once again into the large receiving hall. 

Aphrodite sat on her throne, ready.

Psyche didn’t bother bowing. 

She presented her basket of golden fleece and stood back, waiting for approval. 

Aphrodite descended her throne.

“I must commend you on completing this test, Psyche,” she said, walking past the basket. “It certainly took its toll on you. You look horrible.” 

Aphrodite stopped directly in front of Psyche.

Psyche met her gaze.

“I’m willing to call the whole thing off. I’m willing to let you go home. We can forget this whole thing ever happened,” Aphrodite said. “You’ve been through so much already, I feel terrible making you go through yet another task.”

Psyche frowned.

Eros did too from his vantage point. What was his mother doing?

“I wouldn’t get to be with Eros, though, would I?” Psyche said.

“Well, no,” Aphrodite said, moving past Psyche and walking towards the end of the hall which overlooked her courtyard. 

Psyche followed her. 

“That would be the condition,” Aphrodite continued. She turned to Psyche again. “I will free you from the trial, give you a fresh start, but you’ll have to do it without my son.”

Eros held his breath. 

Psyche stood thinking. 

She had to admit she felt tired. Her scratches burned and she was so hungry. 

But she couldn’t go back to her kingdom. Not after all she’d been through already. 

“No,” Psyche said, matching Aphrodite’s confidence.

Eros felt his heart swell within him. 

“Psyche, don’t be a fool,” Aphrodite said, annoyed. “You’ve given it an honest effort, but you have no idea what it takes to be married to a god.”

Psyche couldn’t argue that. She’d only been with Eros in the safety of his palace. She didn’t know what else there was.  

“If anything, these trials have revealed just how unfit you are to live among us,” Aphrodite said, using a faux-soothing voice. “I’m trying to help you, Psyche. Won’t you let me?”

“You’re trying to help me?” Psyche said, looking at Aphrodite confused.

“I don’t want you to go through all of these trials for nothing. Do you really think a mortal could ever truly satisfy the God of Desire?” Aphrodite said. “Do you really think, regardless of what trials you pass through, you’ll be able to match Him?” 

Eros gritted his teeth. That his mother would be playing such a game with Psyche, in the middle of the trial, was quite beneath her. 

Psyche stood considering. 

She didn’t doubt that Eros loved her, but perhaps Aphrodite was right. Perhaps Psyche would never be enough for him. He was perfection itself and she was always struggling with something. She knew in everything they did together he held back his powers. 

He could never be his true self with her because of her mortality. 

Her eyes looked down at her dress, her arms, her hands. 

She was a mess. 

Still. 

“I may not be good enough for your son, Mighty Goddess,” Psyche said, straightening, “but I will see this through.

“What is the final task?”

Eros had never seen Psyche look so beautiful — dirt, scratches, and all. 

Aphrodite’s face hardened.

“Very well,” she said. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Aphrodite turned and started walking back towards her throne. 

“Your third and final task is a simple one,” Aphrodite said.

She materialized a box in her hand.  

“Take this box,” she said, “and ask the Queen of the Underworld for some of her beauty. Bring it back to me and your trial will be over.”

Psyche followed Aphrodite and accepted the box. She looked at it as she and the Goddess stopped, a few steps away from the throne.  

The box was made of white marble and had a beautifully decorated cover. 

Psyche cautiously lifted the lid.

“The Queen of the Underworld?” Psyche said in disbelief.

“You’re not scared of the dead, are you?” Aphrodite said, with a mocking smile.

“Am I even allowed to enter the Underworld?” Psyche asked.

“It’s been done by the living before. I guess you’ll find out,” Aphrodite said. 

Aphrodite began ascending her throne.

“Now, because I’m feeling generous,” Aphrodite said sitting, “the terms will be a little bit different than with the previous tasks. There is no time limit. You may take as long as you like. Time works differently in the Underworld anyway, so it’s no use trying to keep track. I’ll have the chariot take you to the Underworld’s entrance. You’ll have to make your way back on your own. Just go to any temple of any god. They’ll send word and we’ll find you and pick you up from there. 

“You are dismissed.”

“How will I get the Queen to put her beauty inside?” Psyche asked.

“Not my problem,” Aphrodite said. “You are dismissed.” 

Aphrodite waved Psyche away. 

Psyche slowly walked out of the receiving hall, staring at the box and trying to imagine how she could possibly complete this task. 

Aphrodite watched her retreat, feeling quite satisfied. 

There was no way Aphrodite could lose. 

“Mother!” Eros said, appearing before her throne. “Sending her to the Underworld? How could you?” 

Aphrodite looked at her son.

“There you won’t be able to help her,” Aphrodite said. “She must complete this task alone.” 

“But she can’t –” Eros started.

“I see you have little faith in her,” Aphrodite said.

Eros glared at his mother.

“This is for her own good,” Aphrodite said. “You want her for your wife, but she has no idea what that means. She has no idea what it takes to live among the gods. If she can’t do this one little task, she won’t last long, even as your wife.” 

Eros wasn’t satisfied. 

“What does it take to live among us, exactly, Mother?” Eros said, starting to pace as his mother sat comfortably on her throne. “No, really. Tell me. Because all I see is us acting well beneath our duties and powers. We worry about such insignificant things. Psyche can see at the heart, to the very soul of every creature.

“She would do us good.” 

“How she has deceived you!” Aphrodite said. “She is but a mortal, Eros. She makes mistakes. She lacks confidence. She’s scared. She’s weak and frail. Such things have no place among the gods.”

“Such frailties pale in comparison to our conceit and pride,” Eros said. “Just look at you and Father. You have no idea how much you hurt him. You, the very Goddess of Love. You fail in the use of your own power.”

“That’s enough!” Aphrodite said, rising, her eyes flashing. The look of hate and anger reminded Eros of his mother’s temper. 

He put up his hands and cautiously backed away. 

Aphrodite sat, cooled slightly at his surrender. 

“Leave Psyche to her task,” Aphrodite said. “And honor our agreement.” 

“By your will,” Eros said, bowing. 

“Trust me,” Aphrodite pleaded. “She is not worthy of you. This task will prove it.” 

“We shall see,” Eros said. 

He didn’t want to risk saying more, so with that he turned and disappeared. 

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