Persephone: The Sequel to The Labyrinth

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Sarah sat at the table in the garden. On top of the table sat a light lunch for two. Across from her sat Psyche. She still could not believe that Psyche sat across from her. Think about it Psyche, the wife of Eros. A goddess. Sarah thought back to earlier in the day when she and Eros had arrived at the Castle Beyond The Goblin City.

Sarah stood beside Jareth as they appeared. Psyche ran up to Jareth and hugged him.

"You should have called us sooner."

Jareth moved back a little as his grandmother released him. "I know, but I've been very busy."

She looked him up with her hazel eyes. "That is not good enough, Jareth. Your grandfather was a god, and he still had time for family."

Eros came up towards them. "Psyche, things are different."

She looked back at him. "What the hell is going on?"

Eros sighed. "I'll explain later." He glanced and gestured towards Sarah. "Why don't you and Sarah go and eat lunch? While, Jareth and I talk."

Psyche looked at him. Her eyes narrowed. She moved to Sarah's side. "Very well, but I expect you to tell me everything later." Psyche grabbed hold of Sarah's arm and almost, well pretty much, dragged her out to the garden.

Now they were eating lunch, but Psyche wasn't talking. Sarah was still in shock and awe at what had happened. She still could not believe that both Eros and Psyche looked so young. Of course she didn't know what his parents had looked like; she could see bits of them in Jareth. He had gotten his hair color from his grandfather, since Psyche had hair like her own, but lighter. The way he was straight forward was from his grandmother. Sarah glanced over at a rose bush. She heard a sigh. Slowly she turned her gaze back to Psyche.

Psyche looked at her. "Sarah, what has he told you?"

"About what?"

"His parents."

"He said that his mother was hit with one of Eros's arrows after his father was killed."

Psyche nodded. "His father isn't dead."

"What?"

She sighed. "Jareth doesn't know. That is why his half brother cannot take the throne. He is illegitimate. Achilles does not know that Gareth is still alive. Gareth has decided to hide so that Jareth had a chance."

"He's been hiding so that Jareth could be the only one to become High King?"

"Yes."

"Wait Achilles?"

"Yes, the one from that Homer poem. He didn't die like it was believed."

"Why did he do all of this?"

"He did it to make Eros's mother pay for the cause of the death of his friend. You of course know what started the Trojan War."

"Yeah. Jareth's worried he'll come after me."

"He has every reason to be worried. Achilles will do everything he can to make it hard on Jareth."

"Even do something to me?"

"Yes. You defended the Labyrinth, Sarah. You are one of the strongest people in the Underground because of that even though you are mortal."

"Well, you were once."

Psyche sighed. "Yes, I was. Sarah, some fear you, while others know that you are the best thing to happen here in a long time. I can see that you just being here is good for Jareth."