Chapter 33 - Psyche

Unable to lie in bed anymore, I threw open the shutters and looked out on the gardens, inhaling the still-cool morning air. It was thick with the scents of spring: rose petals and dew, grass and purity. Today would be a good day. I could feel it.

"Alexa," I called out. "Come enjoy this beautiful morning with me."

Alexa came to my side, but not with her usual promptness. "You called?" Her tone was sullen.

"What's with you? How can you not be happy on a perfect morning like this?"

"You've slept through every morning for the past five days. They've all been this nice actually."

I shot a critical look in her direction. "Seriously, what's with you today? Did I wake you up or something?"

Alexa snorted. "That'll be the day. When you wake me up."

"Did I do something to you?"

"You might as well have," Alexa snapped at me..

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Either tell me what has you so upset or take your grumpy self somewhere else."

"You don't know what I'm talking about?" Alexa was almost shrieking, but her voice wavered in a way that told me she was on the edge of tears. "You're tossing all of us away just so you can have one more visit with your sister. Do you have any idea how much you've hurt him? How much he's sacrificing trying to make you happy?"

My heart was cut in two different directions. I hated hearing Alexa so upset. Hated hearing that he was upset. But I was also angry that she was injecting her opinions into my personal business. I'd already had this discussion last night and promised Aris I'd keep my sister's conversation on track. That was between the two of us and it was settled as far as I was concerned.

"Don't you dare try to second-guess me on this. My sister is visiting today and it won't be the catastrophe everyone seems to think it will be."

I heard Alexa stomp to the door.

"Before you leave," I called after her, "I'll remind you that you will treat Chara with the respect she's due."

"Yes, ma'am." Alexa slammed the door behind her.
What was happening around here? I'd gone almost a week bonding with Alexa and Aris, certainly not fighting with either of them, and now they were both pissed at me. Because I wanted to see my sister? Hear about my sick father?

Well, they could just stay pissed then.

I skipped breakfast so I could get back to the mountain and greet Chara. Getting dressed took longer than usual because I didn't dare ask Alexa for help, so I ended up half-running to the front of the palace.

"It's time everyone," I called out to the servants. "Chara will be here soon. I need you to be on your best behavior. Alexa, will you come with me to get her?"

There was no answer.

"Alexa? Are you here?"

"The plans for your sister's arrival aren't quite ready. We weren't expecting visitors, you know. I ought to stay here to make sure everything is perfect." Sarcasm and resentment spilt out of Alexa faster than wine spews from a broken urn.

"Oh, okay. We'll be back soon then," I sang, hoping my happiness was as annoying to Alexa as her bitterness was to me. Did she not understand that I needed to hear about my father's health? It's not like I'd begged to see my sister just so we could sit around and drink wine all afternoon.

The massive front doors slammed closed behind me as I darted for the mountain. "Favonius! Is she here yet? Has my sister come back?"

With a sudden gust, my dress rustled around my ankles and the Wind nearly lifted me off of my feet. "Yes," he boomed, "but I'll be happy to make her leave again if you like."

"You bring her down to me this instant."

Favonius laughed. A booming, imposing laugh that shook me to the core. "As you wish."

No sooner had I reached the base of the cliff face than Chara was lumped at my feet. Favonius had apparently swept her off the hill and lunged her down with little care for her safety. As my sister sat dazed, trying to orient herself and fix her disheveled dress, I rushed to her side and threw my arms around her neck.

"Chara!" I gushed, kissing her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here. You don't know how much I've missed you."

Grabbing her hands, I helped her stand. Chara bent down to collect a small wooden chest she'd been carrying before being upended.

"Let me get that for you," I offered.

Chara looked relieved not to have to tax herself with the burden of carrying the chest anymore, even though it was no bigger than my hand. It's for you anyway," she said. "Mother sent one of her honey cakes, but I ate half of it while I was waiting for you to get here."

Hmm... not exactly the sort of greeting I was expecting. Maybe she's still dazed from her cloud flight.

"Oh, well if you're hungry, let's go inside," I said. "We can have anything you like for lunch: oysters, quail, pork ..."

As I was listing off some of the finest foods I could think to offer, Chara suddenly stopped in her tracks. We had come around the tree stand and my palace stood in full view. It was still as pristine as the day I'd arrived, with the sun glinting blindingly off the golden roof and marble walls.

"That's your home?" Chara asked. Her eyebrows arched toward her forehead.

"It's something, isn't it?"

As we neared, the door opened invitingly. My doorman, Mathias, greeted us. "My ladies, welcome," he said.

Chara's eyes darted from side to side trying to find the source of the greeting.

"Sorry. I should've warned you that the servants here are invisible." I leaned in to whisper to her. "They're nymphs, so don't even think about asking to see them."

The door closed behind us and we stood in the massive entrance hall. "Is there anything I can get for you? Perhaps a glass of water or wine until lunch is served?" Mathias offered.

My sister looked too frightened to answer and just stared stupidly in the direction of Mathias's voice. "Thank you,
Mathias," I answered for her. "We'll both have some wine."

"Of course," he answered politely. At least I could count on him to mind his manners. The light swishing sounds of his robe drifted away as he went to fetch our drinks.

"Let's go to the gardens," I invited. "It's a beautiful morning and the roses are blooming. It's my favorite place so far."

I led the way as Chara followed in my wake. When we neared the doors, they pushed open in front of us. Chara gave a startled screech.

"After you," Alexa said. I shot a stern look in her direction, warning her not to deliberately scare my sister again.

"Chara, meet Alexa. She's been like a sister to me while I've been here."

Chara's lips wrinkled uncomfortably.

"Not that she could ever replace you," I added hastily. "I just... well, you know what I meant. She's just been really great."

Chara nodded with a twisted smile. "Of course. Sisters are always so good to each other, aren't they?"

Oh my gods. She hates me. She knows I knew about Rasmus and now she hates me. I'd said last night I could take it, but the reality slammed me harder than I'd expected.

"You've got to understand, Chara, I didn't --"

"What is this place?" Chara interrupted.

I laughed nervously, shrugging my shoulders. "Nothing. I mean, it's just a palace. What do you mean what is it?" I silently told myself to stop stammering. Alexa gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

Chara marched out into the courtyard and took in the gardens. Then she stomped back to me, grabbing my shoulders a little too tightly.

"Tell me what's going on here," she commanded. Her eyes bore into mine and all I wanted was to look away.

Just then, Mathias came into the courtyard. Our drinks hovered on a silver tray, floating in his invisible hands. He handed each of us goblets encrusted with rubies and filled to the brim with red wine.

"Let's sit." I gestured to some padded stools that'd been placed in the courtyard for us. We both sat uncomfortably on the edge of our tripods and sipped at our drinks.

I swallowed hard. "What do you want to know?"

"Where's the monster who took you?" Chara asked as she glanced over her shoulder.

I laughed nervously. Hadn't I just promised Aris we wouldn't talk about him? Crap. This wasn't going well.

"He's not really a monster. The prophecy was a little off on that. But he's out hunting right now." That seemed liked a probable explanation. Father used to go out hunting for days at a time when he was younger. "Unfortunately, he won't be back in time to meet you."

Chara's eyes narrowed at me. "If he's not a monster, then what is he?”

My eyes widened as my heart thundered in my chest. I knew I had to steer this conversation in a new direction. And quickly. Alexa's hand pressed. down on my shoulder. What was she trying to tell me?

Before I could answer, Chara made her own assumptions. "You don't know what he is, do you?"

"I, ah...well..."

"Shut up," Alexa hissed in my ear, so low only I could hear her.

"I knew you could be dense sometimes, but this defies all logic." Chara glared at me. "You know what the Oracle foretold."

"Yeah, well, maybe it's not as bad as we thought," I spat at her.

Chara shook her head. "Unbelievable. It's like you only see the world in shades of gold now."

The anger boiling in my veins actually started making me light headed. Where was Mathias with the food? I needed to eat something before I had a panic attack or something.

But Chara obviously wasn't done with her lecture. "You've been so fooled by all these riches, you can't see that you're living in a tomb. Come on, we're getting out of here now." She grabbed my hand and tried to beeline for the back door.

"That's enough!" Alexa screamed from behind me. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"The Oracle's never wrong," Chara spat back at her.

Alexa slid her arm around my shoulder protectively. "Psyche, please don't listen to her. You've lived here. You know what's true. What's real. She doesn't."

Did I? I knew what I'd been told, but what did I really know? I knew that the Oracle had said I'd fall for a monster. Someone that even the gods feared. But I had plenty of evidence that he wasn't really like that. All those talks we'd shared. And kisses.

Had they made me forget the prophecy?

"You're wrong," I told Chara, even as confusion worked to crack my voice. "He's not a monster."

"Wise up, Psyche," she scolded as she dropped my hand. "Since he hasn't killed you already, he's probably just waiting for you to fatten up so you'll be a decent meal."

I covered my face with my hands as warm tears began to flow down my cheeks. "You don't know him," I cried.
"No, she doesn't," Alexa assured me. Her soft hands invisibly brushed the tears away. "And I think it's time she left. She's not welcome here if she upsets you this much."

"You're going to trust her over me?" Chara asked. "Has she ever even shown herself to you? She could be as much as monster as that thing you're living with."

My head was swirling. Alexa held me tightly, but I didn't know who to trust. I didn't want her arm around me any more and I shrugged her off.

"Stop, Psyche," Alexa implored. "Don't you see now? This is why he didn't want her to come. He knew she'd upset you with her ignorance. Don't let her do it, Psyche. Trust your instincts."

"Her instincts?" Chara laughed. "You mean the ones that told her to keep quiet about being friends with Aphrodite? Or the ones that refused a marriage proposal from Eros? Or how about that night at dinner." She looked at me with raised eyebrows. "The rumors about your little speech that night flew to me faster than if Hermes had carried them."

"Please, stop yelling," I begged. "Just let me think for a minute."

Alexa's voice was consoling. "Don't over-think this, Psyche. The only truth in the world is that Aris loves you."

"He did warn me," I confessed to her softly. "And I promised... I promised I wouldn't listen to anything she said about him."

"You are such a fool!" Chara yelled at me. "Why would he make you promise something like that unless he knew I was going to tell you the truth?"

I could feel my pulse jumping underneath my skin. As the jitters crept over me, my legs started to wobble. For my own sanity, this conversation had to end.
"I'm sorry you think that." I flicked my eyes to Chara before quickly looking away. "We really need to stop talking about this now though, kay?"
Chara's eyes would've sliced through me like a spear. "Maybe you're happy to sit around here waiting to be lunch, but I'm not. I'm leaving."
"Wait." I jumped in front of her before she could storm out. "You still haven't told me about Father. I'm far more worried about his health than mine. Can we please go inside and talk about it over lunch?”
As I turned to lead the way, a blinding pain flashed in my head and my vision darkened. The courtyard tiles felt like they were swaying beneath my feet as I struggled to maintain my balance. One hand shot to my head and the other reached out to find something to steady myself against. I couldn't all over. But with the throbbing in my brain, I couldn't keep standing either.

Alexa had her arm around me in a heartbeat and Chara rushed to my de, but she only looked on.

"Mathias," Alexa called. "Come help!"

"My head," I moaned. Before I could even try to regain my balance, Mathias was in the courtyard and scooping me up into his arms.

"I think she's got a migraine," Alexa explained. "Take her to her room so she can rest."

As Mathias carried me inside, I asked him to wait. "I have to say goodbye to my sister."

I turned as best I could from Mathias's arms to look at her, but slammed my eyes again when the sunlight only increased the searing pain in my head. "Don't leave yet. At least stay for lunch. Maybe it will go away."

"Unbelievable," Chara muttered. "Fine. I'll eat lunch and then I'm leaving. If you're not up by then, I'll come find you to say goodbye."

As Alexa hissed something at my sister, plates and goblets floated into the dining room and Mathias carted me away.

He laid me carefully across my bed and propped my head and feet up with the silken pillows. Then he draped a scarf across my eyes to block out the light. "There you are. Get some rest and forget about all that nonsense."

"Um-hmm," I mumbled in agreement.

But when I was alone, a sudden darkness of panic flooded me. My chest compressed as my head reeled with a suffocating dizziness. What was I going to do? Who was I supposed to believe? I'd sided with Alexa in the courtyard, but was back to questioning my decision. As my mind swam with questions and the aching in my head intensified, I drifted into a restless sleep.

The next thing I knew, Chara was crouched beside my bed, urging me to wake up in a hushed whisper.

"Psyche, I don't have long. Alexa will come looking for me soon. Just listen to me."

I pushed up onto my elbows and blinked the sleep from my eyes. Chara's intensity was frightening.

"If you want to save yourself, then listen to me. Hide a knife and
lantern under the bed. Tonight, after he's asleep, you kill him. And be quick about it. A beast like him won't give you a second chance to do what you need to do."

"I couldn't possibly ... I told you. He's not like that."

"Just think about it. As mad as I am at you, I don't want to see you dead. You understand me?"

Just then the door flew open and pounded with a crash against the marble wall.

"What are you doing in here?" Alexa demanded in a thundering tone I'd never heard from her before.

Chara rose to her full height in a way I'm sure she meant to look proud and intimidating. "I was just telling my sister goodbye. And apologizing for upsetting her. Isn't that right, Psyche?"

I was shaking too badly to disagree. I nodded weakly since I didn't want another clash breaking out around me.

"Well, you should get some rest then. You'll need your strength." Chara's eyes bore into mine as she looked down at me. She was too tall, too imposing, looking at me that way. I wanted to pull the covers over my head and hide.

I wanted her to leave so the pounding in my brain would leave too.


"Travel safely," I said, waving a half-hearted goodbye.

Alexa closed my door again after Chara left and I flopped back into my pillows. I was so tired. And confused.

And achy.

I stared up at my ceiling and wondered if I was coming down with the flu. I remembered the terrible shudders and retching I'd had a few years ago and it was miserable. If Father was feeling this sick -- Father! I still didn't know what was wrong with him. That was the whole reason I really needed my sister to come in the first place.

Clambering out of bed, I hurried down the hall to catch Chara before she left. I was just rounding the corner into the entrance hall when I stopped dead in my tracks.

Standing at the gilded entrance doors, saying goodbye to my sister, was a perky-looking girl. Her dress was the sparkling blue-green color of the river where it meets the sea, and her amber hair flowed like rippling waves down her back. I would've known her voice anywhere. Alexa.

I backed into the hall to stay out of sight and listened. "So you see," Alexa was saying, "it's really better for Psyche that she not be able to see us. We're not sure she could handle it all."

My sister nodded and smiled knowingly.

What had Alexa just told her about me? How could she let my sister see her but hide herself from me? If Alexa had lied to me about it being bad luck to see a nymph, what else was she lying about?

Just then I had a sickening thought. What if everything I thought was true, wasn't?

The architecture could be an elaborate ruse to confuse me. My new friend a spy to mislead me. Maybe the only truth was what my sister had been trying to tell me after all.

How stupid had I been?

The clang of the front door pushing closed jolted me back. I couldn't let Alexa see me here. If I had any chance of surviving, she couldn't know what I'd just overheard.

Chapter end