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 Psychecrouched low in the boat. An involuntary pull set his feet in motion, dragging him slowly toward the approachingferry. 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 mooringhis 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 thevery 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 havetelling him to take care of his love? Anger almost blindedEros 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 anarrow 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. Heknew 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’vesaved 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 stopby 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 andcradle her head. Her expression was still and peaceful, amask of tranquility.

Eros rocked her and stroked her hair. “You’ll be okay, Psyche. Everything’s okay now. You hear me? You’re safewith 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 fromacross Psyche. “I didn’t want to see her back so sooneither.” 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 wefix this?”

Charon slowly stood and tossed the box to theground. “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 betweenthe 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 andPsyche. She knelt down beside them and brushedPsyche’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 gestured 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 aroundPsyche’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 deepbreath 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 withhis 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 realizedPsyche 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 facebrighter than the morning sun.

“I meant it,” Eros said, “forever.”

Chapter end