Psyche

Chapter Twenty

I am a Servant of the Goddesses, and I faithfully serve you, my master.

Words I have uttered in complete reverence. I thought I believed in my faith. I do. I thought I did. But I see the things the Immortals do to mortals, and what mortals do to each other-it terrifies me. What am I supposed to do, a half-mortal, unable to die, unable to live? What am I supposed to do? Which side should I take?

Why should I do this? I made the deal with Psyche years ago, while I still had connection with Aphrodite. I was Aphrodite's servant, and after Psyche had visited her, my mistress had called me in.

***

"You're going to join the mortals." She said, not looking happy.

I had been called back to her side over the millennia. But she had told me she wasn't sending me away. And I thought I wanted that, because it was easier to care back on earth. Here, I didn't have to think about my family if I didn't want to.

"Psyche and I have made a deal." Aphrodite continued, looking extremely displeased, more and more by the second, "I want to expand my kingdom, and her 'big idea' is that I should send my best soldier to earth to guard her host form."

"Lady Psyche is to be reincarnated?" I hardly like her form right now.

"Apparently she's served her sentence." The Goddess sighed, "I suppose she won't show up immediately, but, then, what's a century to you?"

Nothing anymore. But you know that already. "Command me and I shall obey."

"Don't you always." Aphrodite gazed at me, "Phoenyx-you don't really believe in Love, do you?"

"I believe it exists."

"But that you could never receive it?" She was smirking. I hate you.

"I've received it." I told her, "I will never again."

"You don't talk about her." Aphrodite lounged on her throne, "Who was she?" I didn't answer, and she raised an eyebrow, "Who is he?"

I didn't find it funny, so I didn't smile, "It doesn't matter. I can't die. So what does Love mean to me?"

"You know, I like you." She smiled warmly, but I knew there was ice under that perfect facade, "When I get you back, I'm going to make sure you find a way to break this immortality curse."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." You're not going to help me-you like watching this beating heart suffer.

"Off with you then." The Goddess laughed, "I'm getting Psyche's best soldier in return for this, so do your job well."

I stepped back into the shadows, and let them enfold me.

***

This is how it must be. The Immortals command, I obey. I have no meaning, no matter how faithful. It's just how it is. I can be traded for any anything. Have been.

But what do you do when you have no meaning in the life you should be serving, and purpose in the life that has been denied to you? I wonder what it would have been like if I just threw myself to the demons.

***

You are the Goddess Psyche, and I am your faithful Servant. You shall command, and I shall obey.

I caught August as she fell, not wanting her to hit her head. My blood was singing. She was out of it, but not for long, or, possibly, forever, unless I did something.

What about Iris?

I picked her up in my arms and carried her down the hall, hurrying down the stairs and into the huge study. I had a couch there, brown and red, and laid her carefully there. She looked quite pale.