Chapter 31

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Aphrodite loved her work. 

She found absolute pleasure in bringing love and beauty into the world. It had been so dull and boring before she’d arrived. 

Well, maybe not completely dull. Gaia, the great Mother, had created many beautiful things. 

Aphrodite just improved them a bit. 

Her favorite was her work among women. She felt a special kinship to all of the women in the world. 

Except for the ones who didn’t like her.

As the Goddess of Love and Beauty, it’s impossible not to make a few enemies here and there. Her gifts were simply too powerful. Jealousy of her beauty and issues with her judgements were natural, even among the gods. 

Ah, well. 

Aphrodite was determined to not let any negativity get in the way of her work. 

She’d recently taken a great interest in A Kingdom Not Far From Here. It was an adorable little place. The king and queen had been fortunately blessed with not one, but with three beautiful daughters. 

How wonderful!

Aphrodite was sure she’d be able to help this little kingdom thrive and grow with her specific gifts. 

The elder two daughters showed exceptional promise. 

This youngest daughter, though, was a bit of a puzzle. 

Psyche was it? 

She looked bored when she accompanied her sisters to Aphrodite’s temple. It was as if she didn’t care for any of the Goddess’s gifts. She certainly never asked for anything. 

Aphrodite was therefore determined not to give her anything. 

Fine by me if you’d rather not have any of my gifts. Grow in your own natural way and see if you can do better, Aphrodite thought. 

Psyche grew beautiful anyway. 

A little perturbed that the kingdom’s youngest was quickly outstripping the older two, in spite of the many gifts Aphrodite poured on them, Aphrodite started to watch Psyche more closely. 

What’s this?? 

Villagers — and even nobles?? — naming their daughters Psyche? 

Such an ugly name. 

Aphrodite could think of a million names that sounded better. 

As Aprhodite watched, she began to pace. 

She paced through the bringing of gifts and the singing of songs. She paced as they set up systems and organized the inflowing donations. 

Aphrodite leaned in for a closer look. 

What is that they’re building?

A shrine?? 

Preposterous!

And what of Aphrodite’s temple altars?

Is that dust!?!?! 

The glorious Aphrodite fumed as she observed the scene below.

Homage and tokens, poems and songs were meant for goddesses, like Herself. Didn’t she offer enough blessings of beauty and love to her worshippers? 

Were they all blind? Could they not see? 

As Aphrodite watched, she became more and more determined to do something — something horrible to Psyche. 

Aphrodite considered her options. 

She could take away Psyche’s beauty; turn her into something wretched and frightening. 

Aphrodite smiled. 

Everyone would run away screaming, terror filling their hearts at the sight of her. 

Where would your worshippers be then, Psyche? 

The clumsy, ugly Psyche would terrorize the village, trying to win back their love, only to make them hate her more. 

It would be perfect. 

But what kind of creature should she be? 

Something big like the kraken? 

No. Too much destruction. 

How about a new kind of creature, one so beastly that the very sight of her turned people’s hearts cold against her?

As cold as stone.

Aphrodite let out a small gasp. 

Medusa. 

That poor girl. 

Aphrodite’s idea melted away as a sad memory replaced it. 

Aphrodite had meant to bless Medusa, help the poor mortal by enhancing her natural born gifts.

Then Athena had to go and ruin it all. 

Now no one could even look at her without turning to stone.

Such a waste!

The thought infuriated Aphrodite.  

Aphrodite sighed. 

No, it wouldn’t do to turn Psyche into a grotesque creature. 

Luckily beauty wasn’t Aphrodite’s only weapon. 

In fact. 

She had one even greater.

Love.

Love could move mountains and hold back seas. 

Aphrodite would know. She was born of sea foam. 

Oh, but love could be horrible. Love could make you obsess until you were driven mad. Love could steal the appetite. It could make you doubt your worth and break your heart. 

Love could slowly destroy you.

Or, your worst enemies.

Aphrodite settled on a plan. Psyche and her parents were in for a big surprise.

Princess Psyche, adored and worshipped by all, would never marry a prince or king of a splendid kingdom. 

Something far worse awaited her. 

Something horrible. 

Like, really, really bad. 

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