Chapter 36

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Now that Eros had bought himself some time, he found himself relaxing a little. He played around with different characters as he mingled among the villagers. Just as often, though, he found himself assuming invisibility and simply watching Psyche. She was still proving to be a perplexing case. 

Her work among the villagers had the same signs of other do-gooders who would pretend modesty while lapping up praise. Their own thirst for love and affection was so apparent, it reeked from every kind act given to others. 

It made him feel sick. 

Psyche was somehow — different. 

He was watching her now as she sat among the school children. She had one of them on her lap. Her sister had chosen a more sensible seat some distance from the group. 

That’s the seat he would have chosen. 

He had mixed feelings about children. Usually they were beneath his notice. As the God of Desire, children were definitely and most decidedly beneath his work. They usually annoyed him with their noise and constant movement. But they were innocent enough and he felt strongly that they should not be harmed. 

The love and care Psyche poured over the children seemed a bit much. 

She gazed at them lovingly. She hugged and cuddled them. 

The one gloomy fellow who recited the poem about death —  wouldn’t Hades be happy — seemed to brighten just now over some connection with Psyche. What had she said? Eros had been at the wrong angle, but whatever it was, sparked a little light in all that gloom. 

Every thought, every action seemed completely centered on the children and bringing out their light. 

So much work. 

It made him tired. 

Why put in all of that effort?

Understanding her motivations was becoming the principal objective lately. 

Why did she do what she did? 

This work with the school children would seem more appropriate to come from a parent, but she had no children of her own. 

Perhaps she was trying to win their favor? Was she planting seeds for future worshippers?

Could be. Winning a child’s love was all too easy and seemed to stay with them forever. 

Could she be that devious?  

Maybe.

Yet, watching her, the idea felt ridiculous. Nothing about Psyche seemed devious at all. Or selfish for that matter. 

People seemed better when Psyche was around. Just look at Cydippe. An otherwise completely carnal woman who only thought of herself was here sharing her talents with the children. As her voice rang out and she gestured gracefully, Eros imagined her prettier than he’d yet seen her. Not that she was a match for Psyche. But for once the grotesque excessiveness was replaced by something more natural. 

Eros looked back at Psyche. 

She looked happy. She wore it well. He wished he could talk to her, ask her why she was doing all of this. He wished more women could be like her, more kind and less self-absorbed. 

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