Chapter 22

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Psyche found herself pacing, impatient for the sun to set.

Her husband had been bringing her news from the village the last few nights. 

Adonis and Chloe were doing well. Their businesses were thriving, even though the economy crashed briefly when Psyche left. It had been a difficult adjustment for everyone, but the two of them had stuck to the model of working together and making joint decisions. Things were back up and everyone was doing well again. So well, in fact, Adonis and Chloe were finally building a new house.

Phoebe was one of the teachers now. She was a bit paranoid about how the children played and where, but she was loving and kind in everything she did. 

Palace attendants and other workers were doing well. 

There had been a few deaths. Psyche tried not to cry as she wondered how the families would manage the losses. She ached to comfort and strengthen them. Her husband had offered his shoulder and she reminded herself why she was here. She had let the villagers misunderstand her kindness, and had allowed them to worship her. They needed to turn to the Gods for comfort and support. 

Anyway.

Tonight he would be bringing good news. Families were growing and some new families were starting.

“So?” she said, as she heard him arrive.

“It’s a girl,” he said, a bit out of breath as he found a chair and sat down, “They named her Psyche.”

Psyche shook her head.

They didn’t need to keep doing that. 

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

“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 sort of homage to you, as is afforded them.”

It made sense, but she hoped her memory wasn’t holding them back. 

“So, who should I check on next?” he said. 

This was her chance.

“I’ve been thinking,” Psyche said carefully. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but what would you think about checking on my sisters?”

“Your sisters?” he said. 

“Yes,” she said. “A part of me would like to know they are 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, somewhat reluctantly. 

He hesitated.

“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. We should at least check and see how they are doing.”

He was quiet for a moment.

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

“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.”

“And Cydippe?” he said.

Psyche still marveled at how familiar he was with everyone. The way he casually said people’s names was a bit unsettling since she still didn’t know who he was. How did he know everyone so well? How was he so familiar with the people in her life?

“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.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see,” he said. 

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

“Why not?” he said, almost as if it didn’t matter. “Might as well check on them too.”

“Oh! Thank you!” Psyche said, giving him a squeeze. 

“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?”

“I have one actually,” he said. “And two brothers. Well, and, I may even have 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. 

“Well,” he said, taking a moment to decide where to start, “I guess I’ll start with my parents. 

“My mother is beautiful, though I wouldn’t say she is as beautiful as you. If you are ever to meet her, never tell her I said that. As sweet and loving as my mother is, she also has a passionate temper and I’d never be allowed in her presence again.”

He chuckled.

“My father, you might say, was put into the world as a balance for good and evil. He is also greatly feared, though for different reasons. He can make entire nations suffer. My work is more on the individual level.

“He is as passionate as my mother, which is what brings them together so much, I think,” he said. “They are fighting all the time, but they keep having children.” 

“That sounds like Damian and Cora,” Psyche said.

“You mean that nice couple with lots of children?” he said. “I don’t think so.”

“In my youth, I remember them fighting a lot. The whole village would hear their screaming rages. And they would keep having children with each other, which speaks of passion too, I imagine,” she said.

“Interesting,” he said. “They aren’t like that now.” 

“Well, that’s what they used to be like,” she said. “Anyway, go on. I’m sorry, I interrupted.”

“Oh, right. So my sister,” he said. He took a moment as he searched for the right words. “She would absolutely love this place, your version of it. She prefers harmony among all living things. She’s caring and kind. She is a good balance for what my brothers do.”

“And what do your brothers do?” she said. 

“Urgh, my brothers,” he said. “They are the real monsters. They are the very embodiment of people’s nightmares.”

“Really?” Psyche said. Did he have real monsters in his family? What kind of family were they? What kind of creatures? It was still such a puzzle to her and from these new pieces she still wasn’t sure what to make of it all.

“They are jokesters as well,” he said. “They never take anything seriously. You can never tell them anything without them ridiculing you for it.” 

“That doesn’t sound very nice,” she said.

“It’s not,” he said. “That’s why I generally stay away from my family. I don’t quite have the same love and affection for them as you feel for yours.”

“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.

“I usually don’t talk to anyone,” he said. There was a sense of a ‘shrug’ in his voice. “I’ve always just kind of managed things on my own.”

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

“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. 

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

It felt so nice to have someone to talk to so openly. And he clearly loved her. She’d never known such love before.

If only. 

If only she could see him. 

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