If I Had Words

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Chapter 93      Final Chapter

Zeus stood watching as attendants and gods got things ready for the ceremony. Hera was especially busy, ensuring things were properly placed. 

She was currently redirecting misguided efforts of flowers and greenery. 

She had really surprised him with her turn in favor of the mortal. He had learned to trust her in the area of politics and governing. He hoped Hera was right about this too. He certainly didn’t want a whole string of mortals asking to become gods. There had been a precious few who had been granted immortality. But to become one of the gods?? 

Hera joined him at the center of the garden where the ceremony would take place. 

Everything was ready.

“Well done,” Zeus said. “Everything looks perfect.”

“Well, it’s just not often we have a ceremony like this. I can’t even remember the last time we granted immortality,” she said.

“Tithonus,” Zeus chuckled.

Hera looked at him and did not smile.

“That was just mean. The Goddess of the Dawn deserved better,” Hera said. “To make her suffer an aging immortal is just cruel. We are not doing that this time.” 

“It was just a little joke,” Zeus said. “I did exactly what she asked.”

“And you wonder why the other gods don’t respect you,” Hera said. “It’s ridiculous things like that. You knew very well what she meant.”

Zeus shrugged. Hera never had been able to appreciate a good joke.

He was grateful for the entrance of Eros. Now here was a boy who understood how to have fun. 

Of course, he was married now. 

Marriage. 

Such a kill-joy. 

But so far, it seemed all of the changes in Eros had been for the better. He didn’t seem quite as impulsive and hot tempered. Zeus hoped that it would also keep him in a better mood the next time he decided to shoot him with an arrow. 

Unless…. 

Zeus eyed Psyche as she entered with Harmonia and Athena. 

What if his wife turned out to be a real hag? Not right away, of course. They were both still young. But what if over time, that relentless nagging that all women do put Eros in a bad mood all the time? That could be devastating for everyone.

Zeus determined to keep his eye on Eros. Make sure he stayed on the young god’s good side. At the very least, he could offer advice and an understanding ear whenever he needed it. 

Yes, that would be the best way to avoid any possible blowback from all of this. Zeus mentally patted himself on the back for coming up with a good contingency plan. 

Eros and Psyche approached Zeus and Hera.  

Zeus looked at the gods and goddesses who were all now seated and ready. Aphrodite and Hephaestus were understandably missing. Zeus hoped Aphrodite wouldn’t take her defeat too badly. Ares was also absent. He had seemed quite disappointed watching Aphrodite lose. 

Eros looked at Psyche. 

She wasn’t just beautiful. She was exquisite. Not ornate and overdone like his mother. Not as precise and calculated as Athena. 

Psyche was everything he wanted. 

Eros had been so proud of Psyche. She had finally reached for something more. She hadn’t settled for the Underworld. She could be with him forever as a goddess. 

Psyche looked at Eros. 

She still couldn’t believe the most desirable of all the gods loved her. She would have to somehow get used to looking at him without swooning. She was getting better, but she did feel the knee of one of her legs buckle slightly at the first sight of him. 

Psyche tried to calm her nerves as she stood before Zeus and Hera as they surrounded a pedestal-like table. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she hoped it wasn’t as bad as rejoining her spirit with her body. 

That was not something she wished to repeat. 

It helped to have Eros standing beside her. At the very least, he could catch her if something unpleasant happened. It would be embarrassing if she convulsed, or — vomited. 

She noticed a cup with some liquid on the table. She imagined herself taking a big mouthful, gagging, and spraying Zeus and Hera with its contents.

Oh, no, Psyche thought. This was a bad idea. How could she become a goddess? Mortals were not meant for this. Mortals were meant for — 

Psyche felt Eros’s hand in hers. His hand was warm and strong.

She looked at him. 

He took a step closer. 

She took a breath. 

He squeezed her hand and she smiled. 

“This mortal has been judged by the Council of the Gods,” Zeus began, “and shall be granted immortality.”

“May the cosmos enhance the powers she currently possesses,” Hera said, “that she may fulfill her duties as the Goddess of the Soul.” 

Zeus and Hera stepped forward, taking the cup from the table. Zeus touched it and then handed it to Hera. She touched it before holding it up.

“With this nectar of the gods, may these gifts be granted,” Hera said. 

Hera extended the cup to Psyche. 

Psyche reluctantly released Eros’s hand to take the cup in both of hers. There was no way she would risk dropping it.

Psyche looked at the slightly thick, glowing liquid. It smelled sweet, like honeysuckle. 

Psyche slowly lifted the cup to her lips. She let a few drops of the liquid slide into her mouth. 

At its touch, she felt an odd warmth. It was uncertain what the warmth was doing. Timidly swallowing the few drops in her mouth, Psyche looked at Hera, unsure what to do.

“You need to drink it all,” Hera instructed.

Ignoring the strange feeling, Psyche put the cup to her lips again. She pushed past the uncertainty and patiently waited as more of the liquid slowly flowed into her mouth.

The warmth intensified as she took more swallows. By the third and fourth mouthful, the feeling started to take over her entire body. Every cell, every atom began to buzz, vibrating with an unknown force. Psyche could feel the energy begin to fight for possession of the decaying and imperfect frame. 

Blood paused its flow as confusion momentarily reigned. 

Psyche looked at Eros, trying to mask her fear, before closing her eyes. 

What was happening??

Suddenly light burst from every pore. The surge slightly lifted Psyche into the air and she rested there, floating as the nectar continued to do its work. 

Her brain, heart, lungs, bones, all filled with light. Cell by cell, each organ was rebuilt. Immortal blood began flowing through incorruptible veins. Her skin hummed as scars and scratches repaired themselves. Senses were more connected. Surfaces were made new. 

As her new body gradually completed the immortality process Psyche opened her eyes and took a deep breath, letting her lungs fill with sweet, fresh air.  

She looked down at Eros.  

He was clear and in perfect focus. She took in the whole of the gathering. Everything was sharp and in striking detail. Everyone was even more ethereal, more handsome and beautiful, than they had been before. 

She examined her body. It now had a slight glow to it. 

But why was she still hovering in the air?

She looked at Eros, puzzled.

He smiled and pointed behind her. 

Psyche glanced back and noticed she now had her own set of wings. They were translucent gold, like Eros’s, but with a slightly different pattern. 

“A butterfly,” Persephone said, smiling next to Hades. “How perfect.”

Psyche looked around at everyone, not sure what to do. She’d never had wings before. 

Eros took her hand and brought her back down to the ground. 

“I’ll show you how to use them later,” he said. 

She smiled. 

He took a step closer and embraced her, giving her a most passionate kiss. He could finally let go of the worry and concern he’d had for her. She would be alright. Nothing would ever hurt her again. She was safe, to remain with him forever.  

The energy that passed between them was somehow different. Psyche felt her heart beat with more strength and power than it had before. She answered his kiss, matching his power. 

Her energy awakened more in him. Forgetting his surroundings for a moment, he continued kissing her as the guests cheered. 

Even Zeus and Hera couldn’t help exchanging glances and smiles. To love so passionately and deeply was wonderful. 

The pair eventually pulled away, looking at each other a few moments more before the surge of friends and family enveloped them. 

It was all smiles and congratulations. 

Eros wished his mother could be there. He hoped she would one day understand. 

The gathering transitioned into happy chatter. Groups formed and gods and goddesses exchanged stories and jokes. Eros looked at Psyche. He missed being with her alone, when they could talk just the two of them. 

He knew it would be more appropriate to stay and pay the proper respects to everyone. He looked at Zeus hoping he wouldn’t mind if he left the gathering early. 

Zeus nodded. 

Eros gave a smile. He stepped close to Psyche, pulling her to him slightly, interrupting her conversation with Dionysus. 

“Sorry to interrupt, but Psyche and I have somewhere to be,” Eros said. 

In the next blink, they were gone. 

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