The Brightness of the Sun ✓

Chapter II

The olive trees' leaves were golden blossoms, softened by sunshine. Below their hanging branches stood a couple, facing each other in the dying light of the afternoon. Purity hung in the air, promising many beautiful tomorrows to come. 

Orpheus drank his soon-to-be wife in, unable to tear his eyes away from her. Eurydice was hypnotically beautiful. He was hardly listening to the wedding mediator, who was preaching about trust, in sickness and in health. Orpheus did not need vows; he would gladly swear to treasure Eurydice before the heavens themselves.

Eurydice's sweet eyes, as they gazed into his, swept Orpheus into their memories together. Mornings of beauty and feverish happiness. Quiet in a light-covered forest, but for their voices. When Orpheus thought of their forest, he only saw Eurydice there; the rippling brook resembled her fall of hair; the golden sunlight, the brightness of her light eyes.

At last, Eurydice's mouth widened into a smile. She leaned into Orpheus, kissing him sweetly on the mouth. The musician wrapped his arms around his new wife, returning her love tenfold.

The air erupted into joyous cheers as Orpheus swept Eurydice off her feet, carrying her down the aisle. She laughed, clinging to his neck. His new wife smelled of lavender oils. Eurydice's body rocked gently in Orpheus' arms, her chiton trailing the ground as Orpheus smiled down at her. His beautiful face was cast in sunlight.

Orpheus carried Eurydice on foot to their treasured grove, hidden in the woods; a place of life and magic that brought them together. Their story would make a beautiful song. "Was that everything you hoped for?" Orpheus asked, as he walked along the side of the brook.

"It was everything and more." Eurydice said with a happy sigh. "This is what I imagined happiness to be. Finding you."

The brightness that Eurydice brought to Orpheus was still novel, even after months of knowing her. "You are the happiness in this world, Eurydice."

 Orpheus set Eurydice down onto the grass by the brook, kissing his wife playfully as she laughed, kissing him back. She linked her arm through his as they walked, putting her hand on his shoulder as they talked.

Eurydice didn't notice the misfortune hiding in the grass. A tiny adder carrying death in its fangs, no larger than her index finger. The crimson-scaled snake trailed through the grass, vapid amber eyes searching. Then, inexplicably, it recoiled and lunged on instinct.

Eurydice's beautiful laugh became strangled as she looked down. Two spots of crimson appeared, weeping down her ankle. 

Eurydice collapsed into Orpheus' arms, breathing slowly and unsteadily as the life died in her eyes. Even in death, Eurydice was a beautiful thing to behold. Her cheeks brightened with a pink flush, her brow feverish and tinged with sweat. She searched her husband's face hungrily in her last moments, content with it being her last sight in the upper world. 

With Eurydice's last inch of strength, she tapped a pattern on Orpheus' thigh with her fingertips. She soundlessly gave her simplest, most important message to him. I love you.

Eurydice didn't see what happened afterwards. She didn't see Orpheus' face sink with devastation as he cradled her in his arms and wept. He turned his face to the heavens and screamed for the Fates to correct their ill-placed cruelty. His tears fell on the narcissi nearby, and the flowers' heads curled into bloom pityingly.

At last, Orpheus carefully settled Eurydice's lifeless body on the damp earth. He sat beside her body, staring at his wife's sleeping face until the sun went down. The moon's glory cast silver light onto the couple; the guide of all lovers. Tormentor of those who have loved and suffered loss in consequence.