Chapter 23

Back to chapter menu     
Chapter 22      Chapter 24

Psyche had been waiting several days as her husband went to check on her sisters. She wasn’t sure when he would return and as the days passed, she found herself feeling more and more idle and aimless. The palace changed each morning, reflecting how she felt. 

At first, the palace grounds were greatly reduced.  

Then, all of the main rooms were eliminated. 

Finally, Psyche’s palace was nothing more than her bedroom and the washroom. She ate all her meals on a small table by the window. Even her meals had simplified to bare essentials, enough to keep her alive but without much enjoyment. 

She didn’t really feel like eating anyway.

Left alone to her own thoughts, and isolated from everyone, she found herself asking a searching question.

Now that she was in exile, what was her purpose? 

She had been able to forget her banishment while enjoying her husband’s company. But now that she was truly alone, she couldn’t help feeling that she’d simply been locked away in her husband’s palace, never again to see another soul; never to interact with another being.

The reality of her predicament, the future before her, started to set in. 

She was doomed to permanent isolation.

That was the real punishment. 

Not her marriage, but being cut off from everyone — forever. 

She tried to take heart in the thought that she had her husband. He was good company, but even that relationship was limited. 

Why could she never see him? Why couldn’t she even know his name, what kind of creature he was?

She began to wonder how to retain her sanity. With the absence of her husband, it was impossible to hide the fact that she was completely useless. 

Psyche sank further and further into despair until one morning, she woke up back in the cave. 

“Feels about right,” she said to herself. 

She didn’t bother with breakfast.

She roamed outside, since the cave had little to offer her. 

She noticed a great deal more insects outside. The sight of them cheered her. 

There was more wild growth and wandering among the plants. It was as if they weren’t sure what to do with all of her energy.

Bees buzzed past her on their way to some nearby flowers.

Their industry encouraged her. Maybe she could help in some way. 

She began gathering flowers and putting them in bunches for the bees. Less flying around from flower to flower. That had to help something.

But as she came to pick more, she noticed the flowers pulling away from her. 

They didn’t like what she was doing. 

Discouraged, she looked around to see what else she could do.

She followed an ant, on his way to somewhere. He was carrying something. She lost him when he entered some bushes. 

She sighed. 

What did ants eat? What did they collect?

She decided to collect a few seeds, leaves, and berries to see which of the things the ants would prefer. 

“May I take a few?” she asked each one. “You see, I’m curious what it is that ants eat and I’m wondering if you might have something they would like?”

It felt nice to talk to someone, even if they were just plants.

Each plant, in response, dropped a leaf or a berry or a seed. 

The seeds were quite small, and she struggled a bit getting them into her hand. 

Returning to where the ant had disappeared, Psyche put her small collection of items and waited. An ant soon appeared and examined the collection. He was joined by another ant, and then another. Soon, there was a fairly large group of ants, all evaluating and working together on dividing and transporting the pile. 

They seemed to like everything!

Excited, Psyche went back to the bushes and plants to ask for more. She filled her hand again and brought them back to the colony.

It felt good to do something. 

Leaving the ants to transport the pile, Psyche wondered what else she could do. 

She thought about some of the things the palace gardeners used to do. Pull weeds, add in fertilizer, and create neat rows of plants. 

As if on command, the plants began to organize themselves to match the palace garden a little better.

She felt sorry for them. 

They were trying so hard to please her. She just wanted to be useful. 

Psyche decided to go for a swim in the pond. 

The pond could still be there with the cave, couldn’t it?

She found not a pond, but a river, slowly meandering around rocks and riverbanks. 

At least the river could go farther than she felt she could. She wondered. Maybe it could carry her and take her all the way to some other land.  She could meet a few neighbors and introduce herself.  

Of course not. 

She would never be allowed to go anywhere. Certainly the river was just one big circle around the cave. 

And that would be her life. 

One endless round, day in and day out, of nothing.

Feeling more melancholy, she abandoned the idea of swimming and went back to the cave. 

She sighed. 

There was little to do. 

She decided to go back to sleep. 

“Psyche,” she heard a voice say. 

He was back!

Psyche eagerly sat up in the dark.

“What happened??” he said. “Are you alright?” 

He was clearly concerned.

“What?” she said, still trying to switch her mind from sleeping to waking.

“Our house!” he said. “What happened?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said. She was eager for his news. “I was just a little bored, that’s all.” 

“But you’re back in the cave,” he said.

“Yes, well, I’m not exactly sure how that happened,” she lied. “It just sort of appeared one day.” 

“Our house depends on you, Psyche, and how you’re feeling about it,” he said. “How are you feeling?” 

She wondered what she could say.

I feel like I’m in a prison. I have no purpose. I’m doomed to a life of endless nothing. 

She wanted to be useful. She wanted to help. 

She — didn’t know what to say.

“I guess I just missed you,” she said. 

That didn’t seem to satisfy him.

“What’s wrong, Psyche?” he said.

“Why don’t you tell me what you learned about my sisters. That will lift my mood, I’m sure. How are they?” she said.

“We are not done with this conversation, Psyche, but I’m sure you’re eager to hear what I’ve learned. I won’t make you wait,” he said. 

He sat down beside her and she hugged him. She really had missed him.

He hugged her back.

“I’ve missed you,” he said. “And, I’m glad I didn’t marry one of your sisters.” 

“What’s wrong with them?” she said, now curious. 

“I went to see Aglaura first,” he said. “I certainly pity her kingdom. Everyone is so stressed and unhappy.”

“What?? How? Is she also stressed? Is she unhappy?” she said.  

“Yes, very,” he said.

“And what of her husband?” she said.

“He’s hardly ever there,” he said. “He’s usually off on some hunting expedition or in search of new trade partners. Can’t say I blame him.”

“What do you mean by that?” she said.

“Not to criticize women, but I can’t think of a greater torment to a man than a stressed and unhappy woman,” he said. 

“Maybe she could use his help,” Psyche said, getting a bit defensive. “Is the solution to just leave her to figure things out by herself?”

“No,” he said. “I didn’t say that.” 

“Well, how do you expect her to manage things if he’s always gone?” Psyche said, starting to move away from him.

“Psyche, wait, I’m not done,” he said, pulling her back. 

“Okay, then, what else is there?” she said, crossing her arms.

He paused for a minute.

“On second thought, let’s move on to Cydippe,” he said. “Cydippe’s kingdom is doing quite well. There are plenty of things to keep the people entertained. Lady Cydippe puts on performances before great crowds and hosts games and large events. 

“Everyone loves her.” 

“Of course,” Psyche said, happily. “Everyone loves Cydippe. I’m sure she’s doing well too.” 

“No,” he sighed. “She isn’t happy either.” 

Psyche frowned. 

“What?? That’s impossible. Why?” Psyche said. 

“That’s why I stayed a bit longer,” he said. “I hoped to understand, but analyzing this level of human behavior is — something I’m not used to.”

He seemed to pause as he thought about what to say next.

“Cydippe loves the attention and she loves performing,” he said, “but she seems tired and dissatisfied. Aglaura loves being queen, but nothing makes her happy.”

“Odd,” Psyche said. 

“I don’t mean to upset you, Psyche,” he said. 

“Of course you don’t mean to,” she said. “I’m sorry, I just can’t help worrying about my sisters.”

“I’m sure it’s hard to hear such news,” he said. 

He was so kind.

“What can be done?” Psyche said, unable to brush aside her concern.

“I don’t know that much can be done,” he said. “It seems to be of their own making.”

“How so?” Psyche said. 

“Well, Aglaura, for one, just criticizes her staff and puts them all on edge,” he said. “She dismisses those who can’t perform very well, and therefore everyone is afraid of her. 

“When her husband is home, she takes forever to warm up. It’s as if she is punishing him for being away at all. As if a man is able to — “ 

He stopped. 

“Never mind,” he said.

Psyche softened and found him in the darkness. 

“I’m sorry,” she said, touching his arm. “I’ve made you feel afraid to speak your mind. But, I know. If a man doesn’t feel loved, it’s hard to have a desire to be loving to his wife. It’s an endless cycle of unloving unless someone breaks it by taking the first step. 

“And that can be hard to do.”   

He bent down and kissed her.

“And how is it that you are so loving?” he said. 

“I struggled too while you were away,” she said.

“Is that why you’re back in the cave?” he said. “Is it really just because you missed me?” 

“That’s part of it,” she said. She wondered whether she should say more. 

He waited for her. 

His patience gave her the courage to say something. 

“I feel — I feel useless,” she sighed. “There’s not much to do other than eat, sleep, and wander the walls of my cell. For as beautiful as it is, I have come to see it as confining as any prison would be.

“I see now why it wouldn’t have mattered whom I married. The real punishment was separating me from everyone. 

“I can’t bear this.”

She moved away from him and started an aimless pacing.

“It was wonderful having the news from the village, but I want to be there. I want to hold the new baby; I want to embrace everyone. I want to be a part of their lives. How is this any different from bringing news to a prisoner, waiting to finish out the end of her sentence?” she said. “Except there is no end to mine. The punishment is for life.”

“I’m sorry, Psyche,” he said. 

“I know there’s nothing you can do,” she said. “I know I’m stuck here. And it doesn’t take away from how much I love you. 

“But I don’t even get to see you. Even now, I wish I could see your face, look into your eyes, see what you’re thinking.”

“You love me?” he said softly.

“I love you,” she said. “I love you more than anyone else.”

She sighed.

“I will try to be happy. I know your love can be enough,” she said. “I know this is just me trying to process the way things are and the way things have to be.” 

He found her in the darkness and took her hand. 

“I love you, Psyche. What would you have me do?” he said. “Ask anything and I’ll see what can be done.”

Psyche sensed a change in him. He seemed determined to do something to help her be happy.

She hesitated.

“I don’t even know what to ask,” she said. “I don’t know enough about the confines of my punishment.” 

He thought for a moment. 

“What is pressing on your mind the most right now?” he said. 

“My sisters, obviously. They are so unhappy,” she said. “I wish there was something I could do for them. I wish I could at least talk to them.”

There was silence for a moment.

“What if I brought them here? What if they came to visit you?” he said.

Psyche stood stunned for a moment. 

“You would allow them to come here? Is that even possible?” she said. 

“It’s possible,” he said. “If it would make you happy, I would be willing to find a way to do it.” 

He would do that for her? 

To see her sisters! To be able to help them with whatever was troubling them. 

Psyche found tears in her eyes. 

“I don’t know how to thank you,” she whispered.  

“Psyche, I love you,” he said. “I wish I could do more.” 

“I love you so much,” she said, resting against him. 

They stood there holding each other for a moment. 

“Psyche, there will be a few things you’ll need to know if this is to work,” he said, interrupting the silence. 

“Yes, of course,” she said, pulling away to pay attention.

“For one, I won’t be able to visit you while they are here,” he said. 

She frowned.

“Why?” she said.

“Let’s just say I’m not good around in-laws,” he said. “I have to be away for a few days anyway, so I think the timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

“Where are you going?” she said. 

“Oh, there are just a few duties I must attend to. It’s all boring, I assure you. You’re not missing much,” he said.

He sounded like a bored prince, having to attend to some of the same receptions she had attended. 

She wondered whether he might actually be a prince. He certainly sounded like one. 

“The other thing, we have to keep the same rule even while I’m gone,” he said. “No lamps, no candles, no light during the evening hours.” 

“Okay,” she said. 

There was plenty of daylight anyway. Plenty of time to spend with her sisters.

“Psyche,” he said. “You must remember you are the mistress here. You must not let your sisters take over the creation of this place.”

“Could they do that?” she said. 

“The energy and power is shared, Psyche,” he said. “I’m letting you lead, but I don’t have to. Depending on how strong our wills are, we could have a battle over what our world looked like.”

She couldn’t imagine even having more than a mild disagreement with him. 

“Your sisters — Their power and influence can have the same impact on this place as yours or mine. It is, in fact, possible for them to take over and create this world to reflect their desires over yours,” he said.

She thought about it for a moment.  

“That couldn’t be so terrible, could it?” she said. “They both love beautiful things. I can’t imagine there being a problem letting them create a few things. And anyway, I plan to show them the beauty and splendor you showed me. Surely that will delight them well-enough to be satisfied.” 

“They are not like you, Psyche,” he said. “They are not in harmony with others. And — not everyone is worthy of the power of creation. You must carefully guard it. Don’t let them put you down or make you feel powerless.” 

“They would never,” she said. “They are my sisters. They love me. They wouldn’t put me down, not after they see this place.”

“I’m just warning you, Psyche,” he said. “You are worthy to be the creator. But it will be up to you what you wish to create. Their influence over you may change things.”

“I’ll do my best,” she said, sensing his concern and wishing to reassure him. “I’ll do what I can to follow the rules and stay in control.” 

She felt him kiss her forehead.

“I know you’ll do your best. And I’ll try not to worry,” he said. “I love you, Psyche. I want you to be happy.”

“I am,” she said, kissing him.

They continued kissing. He had been gone for a while and they had a lot of catching up to do.

Back to chapter menu     
Chapter 22      Chapter 24