If I Had Words

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Chapter 92      Chapter 94

Psyche stood dripping water on the marble floor as she quickly wrapped a cloth around her. 

A bath had never felt so refreshing in her entire life. 

She was still adjusting to her physical body. It was so slow and heavy. 

Not like her spirit.

The council meeting had been difficult, but she had gotten through it. Everything had been so unexpected, Psyche was still processing what had happened. 

She was a goddess. 

Well, soon to be. 

She stood in front of an enormous mirror and examined herself. Some of her scratches were doing better. The ones which had received the balm from Orion were especially good. Still, most of them stung from the soap and water.

She considered the dress she had been wearing. It now lay lifeless on a bench. 

It looked worse than she did. 

She felt bad for it. It had been her companion through all of her trials. It had once been beautiful. Now, it would be considered a rag. 

Not to her.

Harmonia came bustling into the room.

“Here you are, dear sister,” she said, carefully putting a beautiful gown on the table in front of the mirror. “This will look lovely on you.” 

Psyche was in awe of Harmonia. She was not only beautiful, but she radiated calm acceptance. Being in her presence was both wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. 

“Thank you,” Psyche said. 

Harmonia turned to Psyche. 

“Would you mind if I helped you?” she asked.

“Mind?” Psyche said in disbelief.

“Well, I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, and I know you can prepare yourself just fine,” Harmonia said, “but, I wondered if you would like some company while you get ready.”

“I would be happy for the help,” Psyche said.

Grabbing another cloth, Harmonia immediately got to work drying Psyche’s hair. She quickly collected all of the water into the cloth leaving Psyche with instantly dried hair.

Psyche looked in the mirror with surprise.

“I’m sorry,” Harmonia said. “I’m trying to make you feel at home, but I’m not doing a very good job, am I? My husband is a demi-god, so I’m not exactly sure what things are supposed to be like.”

“I have no idea how to act around other gods,” Psyche said, smiling. “I think we make a fine pair.” 

Harmonia smiled at Psyche as Athena walked in. 

“How are the preparations going?” Athena asked. “I thought I would come and check on you. Psyche, how are you doing?”

Psyche started to instinctively kneel in front of the Goddess of Wisdom. 

“No, no, Psyche,” Athena said. “You are one of us now. There is no need for that. How are you?” 

It still felt so strange, the idea of being one of the gods.

“I’m doing very well, thank you,” Psyche said stiffly. 

Harmonia handed Psyche the dress and some undergarments.

“Thank you,” Psyche said to Harmonia. 

Psyche disappeared behind a curtain to dress. 

“That went better than expected,” Athena said to Harmonia. “I knew she would do well, but I didn’t know she would do that well.” 

Harmonia nodded.

Psyche soon emerged with most of the dress on. She still needed help with some of the decorative pins. The dress was not like the functional dresses Psyche had created for herself. Still, the gown was very beautiful. 

Athena and Harmonia worked together to finish the pinning and arranging of the dress.

Psyche looked at herself in the mirror alongside the two goddesses. How long had it been since she had stood facing a more modest mirror as Aglaura prepared for her wedding? So much had changed since then.

“You did well,” Athena said, as she created a few finishing touches. “I am looking forward to working alongside you, Psyche.”

Psyche looked at herself in the mirror. Athena’s additions were a little overdone for her taste, but she did feel beautiful. 

“What?” Athena asked, sensing Psyche wasn’t fully satisfied.

Psyche felt instantly embarrassed. 

“Oh! Nothing,” Psyche said. “Thank you so much.”

“How would you do it?” Athena said, curious.

Psyche looked at herself wondering what she would change. Timidly, Psyche adjusted her hair, bringing down its height and simplifying the adornments. She wiped away some of the coloring on her face and left it a simpler and cleaner enhancement of her appearance. 

Psyche turned to Athena. 

Athena smiled.

“I told you,” Harmonia said. 

“You were right,” Athena said, looking at Harmonia. “Psyche, you are absolutely beautiful. Your nature shines through without any distractions. You are breathtaking.” 

“Thank you,” Psyche said, trying not to blush. 

“You’re ready,” Athena said. “Ready to become a goddess.”

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