Psyche and Eros

New Beginnings

When I see her, I pretend I don't.

There is enough to keep me distracted anyway, especially with Eros' gaze and his arm around my waist as he escorts me around his intimidating, extended family. My eyes easily avert away from wherever she is as long as he is here.

More Gods and Goddesses arrived. For us? For him? My mortal heart beat rapidly at the sight of them all approaching us, one by one. Most arrived with mild interest in their eyes, evaluating me throughout their stiff greeting. It would appear that Zeus is forcing their presence here. Thankfully, most appeared to be fond of Eros despite any quarrel they may have with his mother, Athena included. 

If they tolerate him, they might give me the same kindness or pity...or better yet, they could at least continue their disinterest. It's something I far prefer to any other feeling - good or bad - that they could have for me. 

While some greeted us initially and went back to mingle with their preferred company, I noticed there were some that had yet to approach. I scanned the crowd, noticing instantly that I had lost track of Aphrodite in the sea of them. 

There isn't time to worry too much about her whereabouts, before a more demanding presence is in front of me. Undeniably tall and toned, gruffly clearing his throat to announce himself. Eros straightens automatically. 

"Father," Eros greets him before turning towards me, "this is Psyche." 

Ares' remains unreadable, aside from the smallest of smirks when he finally looks at me. "My son's bride," he comments. "A troublesome prize to start a war over." 

Eros laughs his assessment off. "Thankfully it did not come to that." 

Ares shrugs, clearly disappointed. "For your sake, perhaps this peaceful ending is preferred. Otherwise this could have been quite entertaining for me. Oh well..." The God of war is clearly bored already with us. I can see how he finds Eros' mother's company more enthralling. He is searching for her as well, I realize.

Please do not beckon her over here too. I cannot face you both at once.

Instead, he wanders off without so much as a goodbye. Eros sends me a glance. "Are you alright?" He asks.

I give him an unconvincing smile. "As well as it can be expected while knowing I am so out of place here. I feel as if I am trespassing."

"Well, you're about to receive the heartwarming welcome that you deserve," Eros announces the arrival of a veiled woman, with a broad smile. I knew the moment she graciously grabbed both of my hands that there were no lies in his words. 

"Psyche, welcome to Olympus - a place that you will always be welcome to, starting this day and all days forward." She nods her head at me as if I have any right to the gesture.

Acknowledging my speechlessness with a knowing smile, she finally introduces herself as Hestia. The Goddess I have always been comforted by, but forget all too often.

"Thank you...I..." I still do not know what to say to her, even with her open and understanding eyes.

"You are most certainly not trespassing," she adds. "Not when you are considered family."

I believed her. And she stayed with us as the ceremony approached.

Zeus arrived at our side once more before I knew it was time. After briefly telling him what had occurred and the trials I went through under the thumb of Aphrodite's jealousy, he seemed somewhat protective - however hypocritical that may be.

When my time has finally run out, the one and only Goddess of love approaches while I have the comforting presence of Hestia. She stood watching with her hands held peacefully together, almost as if she knew I needed her for moral support if not protection. Zeus, and Eros merely exchanged glances.

Despite my expectations, Aphrodite came with a slight smile. Whether or not it reached her eyes, was uncertain. 

Zeus raised his cup, instantly urging everyone aside from myself to drink. Eros uncomfortably clears his throat, the mixed emotions of his mother's presence written on his face. 

"Son," she greets him, carefully. Her eyes graze over me with a brief nod before turning back to Eros and giving him a forceful embrace. He returns it, his hands fumbling. 

"Mother? I didn't know if you would come."

Aphrodite remains proud, her back straight as she faces us all. "Of course I would." The crowd appears skeptical but Hestia smiles at her warmly, completely unbothered. 

I wish I could borrow some of that power she clearly possesses. My hands are sweating at the mere glance she gave me....and it's returned.

"Psyche, you look well...though pale. Are you alright?" Aphrodite addressed me.

My jaw tenses. Am I alright? Unfair question, I would say. I could be dead. It would have been completely convenient for her as well. Yet here we are, forced to get along for the rest of immortality. 

I put on my best smile, forcing myself through a half-truth. "Well, I had a scare. That's for certain...but I realize that your encouragement - though pushy and misguided - saved my life and my marriage..." Eros' hand has mine in a vice grip, just as nervous as I am as the words pour out of my mouth. "So, thank you," I finish, awkwardly. 

Aphrodite's expression is tense before she too, forces it into something publicly appropriate. "I am thankful that it turned out as it was meant to."

Eros ends our direct interaction with a brief 'thank you.'

With that, Zeus took the opportunity to end all of this by introducing the beginning of this impromptu ceremony. "Come gather everyone! It's time for the ceremony to begin!"

"This is a wedding?" Aphrodite was tugged away by the crowd, but I still heard her angry confusion. 

Eros rushes to her side, answering her hissed questions as I am pulled away to the front of the room. Unfortunately, I am not able to hear anything more, as their exchange intensifies into hissed whispers. 

It doesn't matter though, nothing else does. I am standing in front of a room of Gods and Goddesses, all beginning to sit and watch as I become a Goddess. 

Despite everything, I made it here.