Psyche and Eros

A Spy

Another day passed of quiet, gentle exchanges. 

Alexander spent an increasing amount of time out working. Enough for me to tease him about a mistress - a joke that horrified him into a frenzy of unnecessary reassurances. Even with that one jest, the dynamic between us remained extra affectionate. 

All the while, my letter remained a work-in-progress, taunting me from the library desk. Many attempts were crumpled. I even burned a few over candlelight! Those were the angry ones. Filled with all of my frustrations and grudges. If only a flame could release them from my mind forever. 

I think only a lifetime can. Second thoughts of writing to them came in and out my mind. What if I don't? What if I never do? What if I regret it? 

Finally, I took it outside in the back garden, the light blaring down on me as I started what would be my final attempt. 

My dearest mother and father, 

I am not lost from you yet. I am indeed wed, and am still well despite your expectations.I am not trapped in the grips of a monster. My husband is kind to me and has provided for me very well. I hope this news brings some form of relief or solace to you all.

With that being said, I wish to congratulate my sisters on their own marriages. I hope sincerely that they have found contentment in their new homes, as I have. I ask that you pass my message along to them both, along with an invitation to visit me at my home. I wish for us all to catch up in person, and pass along our well wishes to one another in a peaceful and cordial manner. After all, it is my opinion that our last connection ended not at their fault, but yours. They should not live my silence forever, if I am still gifted with the ability to speak...and well, live to this day.

I am writing to you directly, as I do not know where my sisters now call home. Hopefully not in a kingdom too far away. If they wish to see me, I will make the necessary arrangements for their travel. 

Please abide by my wishes. Your daughter is asking you, perhaps for the last time. 

Yours, Psyche. 

I finish quite strongly, tossing the paper and pen down in the grass in front of me. 

There, done! Now, what am I supposed to do while I wait?

I groan aloud to myself, letting the frustration out while I have the privacy. 

Or so I thought. 

The nearby bushes lining my back garden start to move. I scoot back on my bench, simply stunned to see someone emerge from them - and not just anyone, a man. 

"Who...?" I can barely get the question out. The overwhelming feeling that he might mean to hurt me is the only thing on my mind. As friendly as he appears, I am not accustomed to expecting any visible friendly visitors. 

"No need to worry, Psyche. I mean you no harm." He holds up his hands, his blue eyes shining mischievously.  "Forgive me for having a curious mind, but after all this time, I simply just had to talk to you. Is that alright?" 

I stay still, frozen like a deer. 

"There, there. I gave the two of you plenty of time without making my presence known. Now you, Psyche, have a curious mind too. You can correct me if you wish, but I think you need a bit of a helping hand." He continues, strolling closer. 

I observe him then, with less fear, but hesitation. He is clearly a God - a fact that I simply accept without questioning it. He is dirty blonde, young, soft featured and of average height. I wouldn't know him any different than roughly how I imagined Alexander to be except for the obvious identifier he wore on his feet.

My glance down makes my inner thoughts quite obvious.

"Yes, yes, I am Hermes." He chuckles. "And a dear friend of your husband's, don't you worry...at least I would like to think we are of sorts. I've watched him grow up since he was a young little God running behind his mother's skirts."

My brow wrinkles at that. "Are you inferring something with that comment? Are you calling my husband -"

"A coward no? But a mother's boy? Oh, most definitely. Your marriage hasn't completely erased that, as much as he would like it to." Hermes sits on the other bench, facing me. 

I don't know what to say, but I hold both of my hands in my lap. Suddenly, there's too much pressure in speaking to another person.

"Psyche, I am not here to disturb whatever bubble you have created. I am not the one meant to burst it." Hermes says, softer. Still the undertones remain.

"Are you sure you will not harm me?" I ask, timidly.

Hermes only laughs. "I already told you I meant you no harm. I only mean to tease. Hard to resist when you know such a juicy secret - I haven't told anyone else that you are here, but to be up front, others know. They just aren't the ones that care."

"Who?"

"Helios for one. Bastard always knows. Apollo, perhaps...and others."

"So neither of them...or you, have wish for my death?" I hold my hands tightly together to stop from shaking.

He softens more. "No, Psyche, but danger looms closer until it is resolved. Normally, I am not fond of playing this role for a mortal, but I could not help notice that you are in need of a delivering a letter." He gestures to the paper folded beside me. "And I think that it will help to get it into the right hands. Soon. Not when your husband feels ready to finally drop it off."

"Oh. I suppose I should trust you over him?" I scoff.

"It is not a competition of trust. He will do the right thing by you. He's just..." Hermes shrugs. "He's inexperienced in dealing with delicate matters."

I reach down and grab the letter, keeping it safe in my own hands while I decide.

"I am the most efficient messenger to deliver this. You must realize this." Hermes adds.

"What are you able to tell me then? To be able to trust you." I negotiate.

He smirks. "Trying to pry information out of me, I see. Curious, curious mind indeed. You will find out the truth yourself, soon enough. He would hate for me to tell you, and I don't want that weighing on my conscience."

He doesn't care for that reason at all, but he enjoys the act of withholding it.

I stay silent, standing my ground, engaging in quite the stare-off.

Finally, he utters an exaggerated groan. "Fine. Perhaps a clue will suffice?"

I nod sternly.

"You already know this is his mother." He gestures to the nearby statue.

I nod, leaning forward nervously.

"She is the one that means you harm." He answers. "And that, is all that I will tell you."

The answer lies in the air as realization comes over. "Then he must be-"

"Ah! Don't say it aloud." He says, holding out his hand. "Letter?"

Stunned, I hand it over. No time to hesitate now. That's more certainty than I have had in a long while.