Chapter 39

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Eros watched as the kingdom transformed in preparation for the Festival of Psyche. 

Whose idea was that anyway?? 

Certainly not Psyche’s. 

His mother now felt even more justified in her treatment of the poor princess. 

Such pride! An entire festival for Psyche?!?

Needless to say, Eros knew it would be impossible to convince his mother to forget about the need to punish this rather harmless mortal.

A nearby conversation caught Eros’s attention.

“Oh! And there’s going to be a special performance by the princess herself!” a worshipper was saying. 

Psyche would present a special performance? 

Probably some feeble attempt to attract more suitors. 

Eros shook his head. Nothing was going to change the course of what his mother had planned. 

As the evening approached, Eros wondered how Psyche was fairing. Was she doing okay? Was the pressure on her getting overwhelming?

He would occasionally stop in and check on her. She stood patiently for hours during dress fittings. She practiced with the vocal coaches and lyricists.

Psyche wasn’t a particularly good singer. He felt sorry for her, having to parade herself in such a way. Everyone was desperately trying to breach his mother’s shield of every mortal man’s heart.  

It wasn’t going to work. 

And Psyche was going to make a fool of herself. 

Eros considered reaching out to Apollo for a favor. 

That pompous god was given power over light, music, healing AND prophecy. 

Got enough powers there, Apollo??

Apollo was insufferably insecure and was constantly seeking validation from other gods. He’d brag and brag about literally everything. Finally, he went too far and mocked Eros for his poor archery skills. 

I’ll show you a straight line, Apollo.

Eros shot Apollo, an enormous target with all of that ego, and made him fall in love with the beautiful river nymph Daphne.

How’s that for aim?

He didn’t feel too bad about shooting Daphne with a lead arrow either. Served her right for all of her pride and boasting among the nymphs. They were vain and shallow enough, but she took it to the next level. 

Short version, Daphne ran the other way and Apollo was all too happy to chase after her. 

It was great fun until one of the river gods (Peneus was it?) heeded the cries of “get away from me” and stepped in. He turned Daphne into a beautiful laurel tree and put her out of her misery.

And ended the fun for everyone else. 

Apollo had been horrible as a braggart. He was worse now, pining for the love of a tree. Always singing sad songs about love. Making the sunrise sad and sober. 

Eros rolled his eyes. 

Some people just didn’t know how to handle disappointments. 

So yeah, asking Apollo for help was not likely. 

Psyche was on her own.

As he sat in the audience, disguised as a noble to take advantage of a closer seat, he wondered how it would all come together. 

Psyche stepped onto the stage. 

Poor Psyche. 

He examined her costume.

The white veil wasn’t fooling anyone. 

It was sad to see them all so desperate.  

Psyche drew in a breath and gave a short announcement. She was smart enough to ask for Apollo’s help on her own. 

That was good.  

Apparently, this performance would be for the villagers. 

The villagers? Wasn’t this supposed to be to attract a husband?

Either Psyche was in direct defiance of her sisters’ efforts, or she had somehow gotten permission to do something else. 

As Psyche began, Eros instinctively crouched into his seat. He hoped she didn’t sound too bad.

Her voice came out nice and clear. It was gentle, calming, and encouraging. The song spoke of light and hope. 

Eros scanned the audience and noticed all of the nobles and princes had fallen asleep. That had to be his mother’s doing. 

The villagers, however, would likely have a different reaction. This certainly was for them and he could feel it.

She reached out to them and hugged them with her song. 

It was beautiful. 

While her singing was far from perfect, it was quite good. Good enough to serve her purpose. 

As she finished, she gave an elegant bow. He hoped she felt pleased, for she had done well. 

He wondered how her sisters would react. He rose with the crowd as the announcer thanked them for coming. 

Turning invisible, he followed the sisters as they briefly mingled with the special guests, hoping to get a general reaction from the pool of potentials. They didn’t seem to get a favorable response because the sisters soon joined Psyche looking confused and dejected.

Yeah, well, what did they expect? They were working against the will of the Goddess. Not even the most elegant performer could have gotten through. 

Then he heard them mention Apollo’s oracle.

Finally, they were catching on that something else was at play. 

It wasn’t Psyche’s fault.

Eros thought for a moment. 

Perhaps this could be a chance to talk to Psyche.

Eros made his way to Apollo’s temple, already with a plan for how he might distract the oracle for a prolonged period of time. 

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