If I Had Words

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Chapter 94 

In A Kingdom Not Far From Here, the people were preparing for the most glamorous, the most dazzling of all celebrations.

The king and queen’s third daughter was finally reunited with her husband, the God of Desire.

And to the surprise of the king and queen, but not to the surprise of the villagers, their daughter had become a goddess herself.

Psyche, Goddess of the Soul. 

Did that mean the people could build a shrine to her again?

Or a temple perhaps? 

Either way, everyone agreed that, by all accounts, Psyche had turned out to be the best of the princesses. 

She had survived her trials.

She had beaten Aphrodite.

She had won Eros’s heart. 

She was clearly the best.

Not that Psyche was ever competing, of course.

But if she was, there was no question that Psyche had won.  

The whole town was abuzz with excitement. Psyche and her sisters had arrived early and had been hard at work decorating the whole village. Well, Psyche had been hard at work, working alongside the villagers. Her sisters had done a very good job giving their opinions, and instructing others on how to make the proper improvements. 

The best part was that the celebration wasn’t going to be at the palace or at any temple. It was going to be at the village square, where there was room for everyone. 

Psyche had insisted.

She could now. 

Who could argue with a goddess? 

Flowers and adornments decorated every corner of the kingdom. 

It was the most exciting event they had enjoyed — ever. 

Eros and Psyche sat at a table where everyone could see them. Tables and chairs were spread throughout the square. Food was in abundance and children ran freely. 

Psyche had little appetite for the excitement she felt. 

Unable to stay put in the place of honor, Psyche dragged Eros around to all of the tables, greeting everyone individually.

He didn’t seem to mind.

In fact, he seemed just as familiar with them. He called them by name and asked how things had been going. 

The people wondered how Eros knew so much about them.

Psyche must have told him, they reasoned. 

Psyche was strangely quiet and tearful when she saw Phoebe. She had a special hug for her. She took her aside and they had a private conversation. Phoebe soon had tears in her eyes as well. 

Then someone started up the music. 

Everyone danced, even the king and queen. 

Psyche watched her sisters dancing with their husbands. They seemed to be doing much better. Certainly well on their way to achieving the happiness they sought. 

Still, it seemed that competitive spirit was a bit too hard to break. They were instinctively eying each other as they danced with their husbands. Aglaura would move regally with High King while Cydippe would flourish and flounce with Lord Whats-his-name.

Smiling at her sisters, Psyche looked over at Eros. 

He had his shimmery gold bow out and an arrow pointed at Aglaura.

“Don’t you dare!” Psyche said, laughing. She put a hand on his arm as he tried to take aim.

“Why not?” Eros said, smiling. “For all of the amends-making you accomplished with your sisters, there are some things that just need a little help.” 

He let the golden arrow fly and Psyche gasped as she watched it strike Aglaura. 

Aglaura was in the middle of performing some regal, one-upping of something, trying to slyly look to see if Cydippe was watching when the arrow hit her. She unexpectedly sagged slightly against her husband. He intuitively caught her and looked down at her with real concern. Aglaura blinked up at him as if seeing him for the first time. Forgetting the music, dancing, and the competition with Cydippe, Aglaura melted in his arms. Not caring who was watching, she gave him a kiss. 

The kiss surprised High King. He wondered what had come over her. He awkwardly looked around, slightly embarrassed. His training had said that these things were only to be performed in personal, private settings. 

Then unexpectedly High King sagged. 

Psyche looked over at Eros who still had his bow raised, having just released another arrow. 

“Eros!” Psyche said, leaning against him and stifling another laugh. 

Psyche looked back at Aglaura and High King, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, oblivious of the existence of anything else in the world. 

“Your turn,” Eros said.

“Who?” Psyche said, confused.

“Cydippe,” Eros said, nudging her. 

“Cydippe?” Psyche said, looking at her other sister. 

Cydippe had noticed Aglaura’s passionate embrace with High King and eyed her husband to see if they could do better. They had already entertained the audience with their dancing. Now they could entertain the audience with passionate love-making. 

“She could really use your help,” Eros said.

Psyche closed her eyes and focused her light on Cydippe.

Cydippe’s love for herself was a fortress built around her insecurities. People loved her for her performances. People loved her for her beauty and entertainment value. What would happen if all of that went away? 

The thought terrified Cydippe. 

Psyche put a blanket of calm over Cydippe’s insecurities.

There is nothing to fear. You have the pure love of your husband. He is the kindest and most wonderful man. Lean on him. Strengthen each other. As you grow old together his love will see you through any challenges you will face. You will always be loved. You will always be worth loving. 

With a less dramatic motion, Cydippe changed her objective and, instead of a theatrical embrace, she leaned contentedly against her husband. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss. 

Wrapped in Lord Whats-his-name’s arms, Cydippe had never felt more safe, more secure. She didn’t have anything to fear. It didn’t matter who was watching, or whether no one was watching. Cydippe and Lord Whats-his-name slowly danced in each other’s arms, smiling and feeling a deeper sense of love and appreciation for each other.

“Not bad,” Eros said, approving. 

Psyche opened her eyes and smiled.

“Our powers work well together,” Eros said.

“They do,” Psyche said, snuggling against him. “Who’s next?”

“Your parents?” Eros teased.

“Yours?” Psyche answered.

“Oh, my mother would never forgive me,” he said, laughing.  

Psyche grew serious.

“I’ve seen it.” Psyche said. “We really must help her. She is the key to so many things.” 

Eros looked at Psyche. 

“When do we start?” he said.

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Chapter 94