Finally, Charon grumbled, “It’s lucky I like you, or you’d be in the water with them.” But before he was even done grousing, he’d begun pulling the boat forward again.
Remembering why I was even on the river in the first place, I bent down to retrieve the wooden box from the floor. When I leaned over, the mother kissed me on the forehead.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know who you are, but may the gods be with you always.”
For the rest of the ride, I watched the mother and child huddle together. Their obvious love was so consuming, I moved to the floor of the boat, just to be nearer. In fact, I was so engrossed by them, I didn’t notice we’d emerged from the cave until our boat scraped to a stop on the shore.
That’s when I heard Eros’s voice calling my name.
Hearing him again was like getting my heart back. My chest had been empty without him and now it swelled. I jerked up and saw him half running, half flying toward me. His arms were outstretched, his lips pulled in a smile so wide it consumed his face.
I scooped the wooden box off the floor of the boat and scurried over the side and onto the sandy shore. Clasping the box tightly in one hand, I ran full speed toward him.
We quickly closed the distance to each other and I was only a few steps away from launching myself into his arms when I noticed a ribbon of color descending on me. The radiant hues tangled around my feet, tripping me as I ran. I was moving too fast to keep from falling. As I toppled, my chin smashed into the packed sand and the box skidded out of my hand, bouncing away.
I watched, eyes wide, as the box tipped onto its side and the lid cracked open. Scrambling on my hands and knees, I scurried to the box, hoping to close the lid before any of Persephone’s beauty escaped.
The last thing I remembered seeing was an illuminated fog circle up out of the box as my hands closed around it. The mist swirled around my head, filling my nose and mouth. When I gasped, the mist pulled me under the surface of my own consciousness. And everything went black.
Chapter 53 - Eros
Eros’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Charon’s boat emerge from the cave. At first, he didn’t see Psyche crouched low in the boat. An involuntary pull set his feet in motion, dragging him slowly toward the approaching ferry. Even if Psyche wasn’t on board, he had to see the boat, talk to Charon, figure out what happened. If nothing else, he would find out how to get into Hades so he could see Psyche one last time.
When Psyche’s head bobbed into view over the side of the boat, Eros exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’s been holding. His footsteps quickened as he hurried to reach the spot on the bank where Charon was mooring his boat.
“Psyche!” he yelled, now running and flapping his wings to push him faster. “Psyche!”
Relief washed through him as Psyche’s eyes met his and she scrambled to get out of the boat. He was amused that she wouldn’t leave without the little box that must be holding Persephone’s beauty. As if his mother could stop him now. He would have her again whether she fully completed Aphrodite’s task or not. He opened his arms wide so he could wrap them around Psyche the very second she was close enough to embrace.
Soft and low, Charon muttered, “You don’t deserve her, boy. Take good care of her, or someone else will.”
The warning was too low for Psyche’s ears, but Eros heard. He cut his eyes away from Psyche for a second to glare at Charon. What business did the old ferryman have telling him to take care of his love? Anger almost blinded Eros for a moment, but Psyche’s steps were so close, he quickly regained his elation.
Eros looked back at Psyche in time to see her eyes dart right. In a burst of rainbow-tinted speed, Iris swooped down on Psyche, wrapping up Psyche’s ankles in her vibrant tail. All he could do was watch as Psyche slammed into the ground. Overcome by rage, Eros lunged after Iris, but missed catching her.
“Damn it, Iris!” Eros shouted after her. “This is enough.”
He ripped his bow from his shoulder and snatched an arrow from his quiver. Taking aim at the sky, Eros said, “Helios,” and released the arrow. It shot into the sky and exploded in a burst of silver fire when it hit the sun god’s chariot.
Iris immediately stopped running and looked to the sky. Her violet eyes sparkled as her expression changed from vengeance to adoration.
Shooting toward the clouds, Iris left a glittery trail of color in her wake.
Satisfied that he was finally rid of Iris, Eros slung his bow back over his shoulder and hurried to Psyche. He knew he should’ve gone straight to her and dealt with Iris later, but his temper had gotten the best of him. Especially after the stunt she’d pulled last night by drugging him. If it hadn’t been for Iris, Eros could’ve saved Psyche from having to go into Hades at all.
As he reached her, Eros saw that Psyche wasn’t moving.
“Psyche. Psyche, are you okay?” He skidded to a stop by her shoulder and kneeled. The sand pressed into his knees as he reached down and scooped Psyche into his lap. Eros rolled Psyche over so he could see her face and cradle her head. Her expression was still and peaceful, a mask of tranquility.
Eros rocked her and stroked her hair. “You’ll be okay, Psyche. Everything’s okay now. You hear me? You’re safe with me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, boy,” Charon said. The old man leaned on his staff as he approached. “The box is empty.”
Eros’s jaw fell open when he saw Charon holding Psyche’s box, but he couldn’t stop rocking her. “No, I’ll protect her.” Eros whispered his conviction more to himself than Charon. Tears burned at his eyes. “She has to wake up. I need her.”
Charon crouched down and looked at Eros from across Psyche. “I didn’t want to see her back so soon either.” Charon’s old blue eyes misted as he looked away and back out over the lake. “She did everything right. It wasn’t her fault the box opened.”
Eros stopped his rocking to concentrate. “How do we fix this?”
Charon slowly stood and tossed the box to the ground. “She’s a mortal. There is no fix. She should be dead already.”
“But she’s not,” Eros said. “I can feel her heart beat. And she’s breathing. She’s not dead.” Eros looked down at Psyche and resumed his rocking. “I won’t let you die, love. Hang on with me until we figure this out.”
“Maybe we can take her back to Persephone and ask her what to do,” Charon said. “As fast as you fly, you could get her into Hades in no time.”
Eros’s face blanched. “I won’t take her in there. They can’t have her yet.”
Charon glared. “So you have a better idea then?”
“Enough fighting boys.” Queen Persephone’s warm, silken voice interrupted their argument. Her brown eyes flickered with calm and confidence as she looked between the two men. “I see we have a little problem here.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Charon said with a bow. “Your beauty escaped, but it wasn’t Psyche’s fault. She didn’t open the box.”
“I know,” Persephone said, waving Charon away with a dismissive flip of her hand and gliding to Eros and Psyche. She knelt down beside them and brushed Psyche’s cheek. “I actually wanted to see Aphrodite freak out when Psyche made it back.” A sad smile tugged at the corner of Persephone’s lips. “I saw it all.”
“Can you help her?” Eros asked.
Persephone shook her head. “I really don’t understand what’s happened to her. Charon’s right, she should be dead already.” Persephone looked down and scratched her forehead. “Was there anyone in her bloodline who was divine?”
“Yes. Yes, actually.” Eros’s arms wrapped tighter around Psyche’s shoulders. “Poseidon’s her father.”
Persephone nodded. “At least the necessity for a test makes more sense now.”
“Perhaps, my Queen,” Charon added, still standing outside of their circle, “you could take your beauty back.”
“I don’t see why not.” Persephone sat, crossing her legs. “Here, give her to me.” She gesture
d with her arms for Eros to slide Psyche over.
Eros’s muscles flexed as he lifted Psyche from his own lap and placed her head on Persephone. His fingertips lingered before sliding away from Psyche’s soft curls.
Persephone tilted Psyche’s head back and opened her mouth. Eyes closed, Persephone exhaled through her nose and leaned forward, wrapping her lips around Psyche’s. With their lips sealed, Persephone drew in a deep breath, pulling the ghostly beauty back out of Psyche.
Psyche coughed, dry and ragged, rolling off of Persephone’s lap as she gasped for air. Braced on all fours and back arched, Psyche’s body raged against the poisonous beauty, coughing up every last wisp of the luminous mist. Eros stroked her hair, feeling helpless, as he watched her battle for each breath.
After a last short bark of a cough, Psyche took a deep breath and sat back onto her heels. “Hi,” she said, biting her lower lip.
Eros surrounded Psyche with his arms, pulling her into his chest. He kissed her temples, forehead, nose, eyes, and cheeks, taking in every feature of her face with his lips.
Eyes moist with tears, Psyche pulled her face away from Eros and looked deep into his eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Eros pulled her head back into his chest, stroking her hair. “I’m sorry too. I should never have left you.”
Eros felt warm tears spill down his chest and realized Psyche was crying even harder. “What’d I say?”
“I’m just so happy to see you again.” Psyche shook her head and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I was scared you’d hate me forever.”
Eros tilted Psyche’s chin up with his finger. “I told you I’d love you forever, remember?”
Psyche nodded, a smile breaking across her face brighter than the morning sun.
“I meant it,” Eros said, “forever.”
Chapter 54 - Psyche
My head was still spinning from coughing up ragged death. It took me awhile to even remember where I was or why I was laying on the bank of a lake surrounded by deities. And when did Persephone get there?
Before I knew what was happening, I realized Eros was with me and then we were apologizing to each other. And he was kissing me.
His soft lips were warm against mine, brushing me gently at first as if finding me for the first time. Then he kissed me deeper, pushing at me with longing and passion that took my breath away.
I rose up on my knees, throwing my arms around his neck and leaning into the kiss. Eros dropped his arms to my waist, pulling me closer, as his lips pushed even deeper against my own.
Persephone cleared her throat, reminding us that we weren’t alone.
My cheeks burned and I buried my head in Eros’s shoulder to hide my face. Eros scooped me into his arms and stood, carrying me as easily as if I were a baby.
“Persephone, Charon,” Eros nodded at both of them. “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of Psyche for me.” Charon glared. Persephone beamed, the creases that only come from true smiles circled her lips.
“You know me,” she said. “Just like my mom. I love new beginnings.”
Eros looked at me and winked. “What do you say we get out of here?”
But before he could launch, Charon cut in. “What about Aphrodite? Psyche still owes her some of Persephone’s beauty.”
“You let me worry about my mother,” Eros answered.
Before I knew it, we were flying together. His powerful wings beat the air as we soared like eagles back to Olympus. I clutched his neck tighter as I looked down at the ground. The sensation of flying with him was totally new, and surprisingly more scary, than it’d been at night when I couldn’t see how far the ground was below us.
“I won’t let you fall.”
I gazed up into his crystal blue eyes, instantly lost in the wonder that I’d lived to see them again. “I know,” I answered, letting a smile tug at my lips. “But that doesn’t mean I have to let you go.”
Eros’s dimple beamed as he smiled back at me and raised his eyebrows. “Mmm … don’t you dare let me go.” He nuzzled his lips against my forehead, blessing me with kisses.
It wasn’t until we were landing that I noticed we weren’t at Aphrodite’s palace. As Eros set me on my feet, I took in the new mansion. This palace was twice as large as Aphrodite’s, and thankfully not constructed of solid gold. But it was still ornate.
“Welcome to the center of Olympus,” Eros whispered. Power radiated from the building with such force that I shuddered. Eros squeezed my hand and pulled me close. “Don’t worry. They’re going to love you,” he promised as he started up the stairs.
I wanted to follow, but my feet wouldn’t move. Eros stopped when my arm was fully extended. I had to tug my hand free to keep from being pulled over.
He looked at me, one eyebrow arched.
Would I ever tire of seeing his expressions?
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Something doesn’t feel right.” I shook my head and bit at my lip, unable to explain any better.
Eros came back down beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’re probably feeling their immortality. It’s stronger here than anywhere.” Eros ducked his head so he could meet my eyes at level. “But that’s why we’re here. Only they can make you one of us.”
He stared into my eyes as the weight of his words sunk in. Fresh tears pushed their way to the surface and I clasped my hand over my mouth. “Really?” I whispered from behind my fingers. “How?”
“If Zeus and Hera say you can join our ranks, then you’re in.”
I turned my head into Eros’s shoulder and threw my arm around his neck, full of hope and excitement.
And fear.
“What if they don’t want me?”
Eros tilted my chin up with two fingers and kissed my nose. “Who wouldn’t want you?”
The warm rush of blood filled my cheeks. “I thought maybe you.”
He pulled me into his chest with both arms. “I’ll make you a deal. Let’s forget the last two weeks ever happened, okay? We’ve both done things we wish we could take back, so let’s put that behind us and start again.”
I only nodded my head, unwilling to break the lyrical echo of his sweet words.
“Your life starts over today. You’ll be immortal. We can live here, on Olympus. I’ll build you a new palace, whatever you want.”
I wrapped my arms tighter around his waist. “I just want to be able to look at you every minute of every day.”
“Done,” he said.
“And not have to hide from your mother,” I added, raising my head to meet his sparkling eyes.
His soft fingers stroked away a strand of hair from my face. “You’ll never have to worry about her again.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” I grabbed his hand and together we ran up the stairs and into Zeus and Hera’s palace.
As soon as we crossed the threshold into their home, the two gods appeared before us, seated in ornate golden thrones at the back of the room. We skidded to a stop and Eros bowed. Quickly following his lead, I did the same.
“I didn’t think I’d see the day Eros dared to set foot in this house,” Hera said. Zeus shifted in his chair.
I could see Hera’s large eyes focused into narrow slits from across the room. My own eyes widened as I looked to Eros for an explanation for our less-than-hospitable greeting. He leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I might have had a hand in some of Zeus’s more recent affairs.”
“Ha!” Zeus said, pointing at Eros. “I told you I couldn’t help myself. I told you Eros made me do it. Now do you believe me?”
Hera cut Zeus a look that silenced him and he sank back into his throne.
“This is quite a mess you’ve made for yourself, Eros,” Hera said.
“Yes, Your Highness,” he replied, bowing his head and refusing to meet her gaze. His muscles were taut like he was about to spring, but everything else about his posture spoke of submission.
“But this visit isn’t really about you, is it?” Hera eyed me with her dark doe eyes.
As if sparked to life, Eros grabbed my hand and rushed forward. “No, Your Highness. I’m here for Psyche.” I had to scurry to keep up until we stopped at the base of Hera’s throne.
Her expression softened as we approached and her eyes sparkled with the hint of a smile. But Zeus’ gaze was not so embracing. As he studied me, his caterpillar-thick eyebrows twitched, as if they were somehow a reflection of the thoughts bouncing around his skull.
“So,” he finally said, turning to Eros, “what is it exactly that you want from us?”
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