Chapter 27

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Chapter 26      Chapter 28

The next few days passed and the sisters began to really enjoy their time together. There were still a few tense moments as more feelings were expressed and some old habits were hard to break. 

Like constant competition.

But, the overall atmosphere had greatly improved. There was more laughing, more teasing, and more relaxing.

And the palace. 

Ah, the palace.

It was greatly expanded as Psyche felt more free to add things, including areas for a variety of activities. 

It was truly a paradise.

As the sisters’ departure approached, they packed in as many activities as they could. 

Some of these activities required a bit more patience and understanding. 

Like the game Aglaura had introduced from her husband’s kingdom; a complex exercise of strategy with colored stones.

“No, you can’t put your stone there, Cydippe. See, it’s blocked by mine. You can either put it here or here,” Aglaura said, indicating positions on the board.

Psyche looked at Cydippe. She was struggling with the rules of the game, and it was written all over her face. 

She clearly didn’t like it. 

Psyche was impressed she hadn’t given up yet. 

Or said anything mean.

“Fine. There,” Cydippe said, placing a stone in one of the free spaces. “Psyche, your turn.” She seemed relieved she wouldn’t have to worry about her next move for another two turns. 

Of course Aglaura would pick a game she was already good at. 

“Once we finish this game, what should we do next, Cydippe? Your turn to pick,” Psyche said as she placed a stone on the board.

“Let’s go swimming,” Cydippe said. “My body is aching for something active.” 

“Great idea,” Psyche said. 

Cydippe seemed to brighten with the thought of having something to look forward to after the game.

“There is something I’d like to talk to you about, Psyche,” Aglaura said, keeping her eyes on the board. “It has to do with your husband.”

Aglaura placed her stone and removed some of Cydippe’s.

Cydippe huffed. 

“What about him?” Psyche said, mentally bracing herself.

“You said you’re not allowed to see him, right?” Aglaura said as Cydippe studied the board. 

“That’s right,” Psyche said, pointing out something to help Cydippe.

Cydippe smiled and placed a stone. It was her turn to take a few of Aglaura’s.

Aglaura didn’t visibly respond to Cydippe’s move.

“Do you think that, perhaps, a light is the key to everything.That perhaps you need a bit of — illumination?” Aglaura said as Psyche took her turn.

Psyche frowned. It was getting hard to concentrate on both the game and the conversation. 

Psyche placed a stone. 

“What do you mean?” Psyche said.

“What if, by seeing him, you free yourself?” Aglaura said, casually placing a stone on the board.

Psyche completely broke away from the mental focus of the game and looked at Aglaura. 

“How would that free me?” Psyche said. “He said if I were to look upon him, we could no longer be together.”

“Exactly,” Aglaura said. “You’d be free.”

“I don’t know,” Psyche said, shaking her head. 

“Psyche,” Aglaura said. “I’ve been thinking. The kingdom and visitors worshipped you because you truly helped them with their struggles. I have never properly thanked you for what you did for Iris. And I know she’s not the only one. Years and years of helping people has to add up to something.” 

Psyche still looked confused.

“I don’t think I’ve ever really appreciated what it felt like to be the recipient of what you do for people,” Aglaura said. “I was always too busy being the eldest sister. 

“But these last few days with you have done wonders for me. I feel like I’m a better person because of you, Psyche.”

Psyche looked down. It was nice to have Aglaura say such kind things, especially in contrast to what she had said when she had first arrived. It just felt like too much.

“Psyche, I do not pretend to have the wisdom of the Gods, but I feel like maybe you are meant for more,” Aglaura said. 

“That’s different for you, Aglaura,” Cydippe said, a slight hint of mocking in her tone. 

Aglaura ignored her.

“I’m serious, Psyche,” Aglaura said. “I see this palace and how you’ve created it. You transformed a cave into this –” Aglaura indicated the splendor around them. “But honestly, I think you would be happy with either one.”

“I would,” Psyche said. 

“See!” Aglaura said, as if snatching up a piece of logic she’d been waiting for. “If you were meant to be punished for pride or vanity or desiring worship, or for pretending to be a goddess so you could be above others, you would have more indicators of such qualities. But you don’t. 

“You said earlier that the real punishment was the separation you feel from the rest of us, right? The exile? You can’t see the villagers, you can’t visit family, you can’t be part of the kingdom. You aren’t even allowed to see your husband.

“Isn’t that the true punishment?”

“Yes,” Psyche said softly. 

“So, what if the key to all of this is light, rather than darkness. Perhaps the darkness between you and your husband is the problem. The only way to break free and see the truth might very well be to embrace the light,” Aglaura said.

“That sounds rather poetic,” Cydippe said, joining the conversation more seriously. “Many poets use such symbolism for good and evil. Light is good, dark is bad.” 

“But I would lose my husband,” Psyche said. “And I would have to leave this place.” 

“Think about what you would be gaining,” Cydippe said. “You would be able to be with us again. You’d be able to visit the village as often as you like. You’d be able to resume your work.”

Psyche couldn’t deny that she ached to see people again. She loved her work. She loved her sisters. Her husband had been right. Her sisters had been struggling and by bringing them here, they seemed to be doing much better.

Would it be worth it? Would it be worth leaving this place, leaving her husband? Could she go back?

“I don’t know,” Psyche said, shaking her head and trying to think. “I don’t know what to do.” 

“It’s simple, Psyche,” Aglaura said. “As soon as you want to come back home, all you have to do is light a lamp.”

Aglaura materialized a lamp on the game board. 

Psyche had never been bold enough to wish for anything that would break the rule.

At the sight of the lamp, she gasped slightly and made it disappear. 

“No,” Psyche said. “No, I’m not ready. I don’t even know if it’s the right thing to do. I just want to do what’s right.”

“Of course you do,” Cydippe said. “You have always done your best to do what’s right. But how do you know what is right? You’ve always been worried about what other people feel and what other people want. I know because I share that same trait. Why do you think I perform so much?”

Cydippe gave a small smile. 

“Just as you and Aglaura have been trying to teach me, maybe it’s time to think about what is good for you, Psyche, and what you might need,” Cydippe said. “The truth is, you can’t stay here forever. It is not in your nature to stay in a place like this, cut off from everyone else. Your nature won’t allow it.”

Cydippe put her hand on Psyche’s arm.

“You were so miserable when you had to focus on finding a suitor and you had less time to visit the people,” Cydippe said. “You managed it, but you were very unhappy.”

“I didn’t think you had noticed,” Psyche said. 

“We did,” Aglaura said, a touch of regret in her voice. “We just weren’t very good at knowing what to do about it. And, we were all a bit too focused on the task of marriage. I think we’ve all learned that it’s a bit more complicated than just batting your eyelashes.”

The three sisters smiled at each other.

They all really had changed. 

“Just think about it, Psyche,” Cydippe said. “Seeing your husband might come at a high price, but it might be just what you need.”

Psyche sat lost in her own thoughts.

“And Psyche, for what it’s worth, I believe the world needs you,” Aglaura said. “Just look how you’ve helped us. Maybe you’re not meant to be restored to your god-like worship, but I see the good you do and I believe it’s exactly what the world needs.”

“But to defy the Goddess? To go against her will?” Psyche said. 

“It’s a puzzle,” Cydippe said. “I know I recently said you deserved your punishment, but — but I was wrong. It would be wonderful to have you back again.” 

“Really?” Psyche said. 

“Really,” Cydippe said.

“Think about it,” Aglaura said, “You don’t have to decide now.”

They sat awkwardly for a moment. 

“Perhaps now would be a good time to go for a swim?” Cydippe said, hopeful.

“What? And not finish the game?” Aglaura said. “You were winning, Cydippe.”

“I was?” Cydippe said in disbelief.

“No,” Aglaura said. “You were not winning.” 

Cydippe scowled.

“I don’t expect it to be your favorite game and I admit, I’m getting tired of sitting too,” Aglaura said. “Let’s go swimming.”

Aglaura cleared away the game and stood up.

Cydippe and Psyche gladly stood up with her. 

As they stood, three regal and beautiful women together, Aglaura reached for her sisters’ hands and smiled.

“Psyche,” Aglaura said. “Thank you. Thank you for bringing us here. I feel new. I hope to go back and apply what I’ve learned.”

“Like what?” Psyche said, curious.

“I’ve learned to be more loving,” Aglaura said. “That people respond better to kindness and encouragement than they do to criticism and logic.”

“I’ve learned it’s okay to share the attention,” Cydippe said, joining in. “I secretly want all the applause for myself, but I really do need to let others have a chance to shine. I think I’ll be happier if I do.”

Were these really her sisters? 

“But how?” Psyche said in disbelief. “How could you have both changed so much?”

Aglaura and Cydippe looked at each other. 

“I’m not sure,” Aglaura said, looking back at Psyche. “I just feel — different.”

“Me too,” Cydippe said.  

Psyche felt happy.

So very, very happy.

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