Chapter 3 - Word of the Oracle

Chapter 3 - Words of the Oracle


   Psyche sat nervously in the back of a limo. Her hands shook with fear, wondering what the oracle would say when she arrived. Her sisters had laughed at her when she had come to the palace and asked their father for the means to travel to Delphi.
    "Ha-ha! Why would you, the goddess Psyche, need help from the Oracle?" Hellas cackled.
    "I want to know if I'm ever going to meet my someone." Psyche said, her voice cracking as she held back her tears. "I'm nineteen! All of my friends are either engaged or married!"
    "Sounds like somebody, is getting desperate!" Saianna said haughtily.
    Psyche looked over at her sister with a pale face. "Why would you say something so cruel?"
    "Because, it's true. Oh, precious little Psyche. Oh, Psyche is a goddess. Now you need money to go see the Oracle!"
    "Saianna," Their father said in a warning voice. "Watch what you say."
    "No, I won't! I'm tired of her being the center of attention! I hate her! She would be well off marrying a monster!"
    "Sister...." Hellas said in a quiet voice, before walking over and embracing her. "I never knew that you felt like that."
    Psyche stood as still as a statue. The blood drained from her face as she fell to the ground, unable to stand. The tears she had been holding finally began to flow as she sobbed quietly, ignored by her sisters.
    "Psyche," Said a gentle voice. She looked up to see her father standing over her. "Please stop crying, it hurts me to any of my daughters cry."
    On the other side of the room, Saianna was still sobbing wildly, and Hellas was trying to console her. Since she had married, Hellas had softened some, but not much.
    "I will grant you the funds," Her father continued. "You will be able to see the Oracle, and maybe you will find your someone."
    Psyche was able to smile weakly at her father, before standing and embracing him. "Thank you." She whispered.
    Coming back to the present, she looked out the window of the limo at the large temple that overlooked the city of Delphi, the city of Apollo. Her heart raced as she drew closer. Would what the Oracle say give her hope, or would it break her down completely?
    Eros flew through the skies, keeping one eye on the limo that held Psyche. It took all of his being to keep him from flying down to the limo and kissing her passionately. He sighed, wishing that time would pass by faster. He couldn't stand being made to wait. Damn that Apollo, he thought. He knew it was payback for the Daphne incident. But he was older now, and knew not to meddle with the older gods affairs.
    Turning his thought back to the present, he focused his attention on the limo that had now stopped in front of a very large building. His heart began to race wildly. He flew inside, hiding in the shadows on the ceiling. Soon, the Oracle would tell Psyche her fate, and he had the best view in the house.


    Psyche sat quietly on the floor, watching the Oracle, as she sat on her pedestal with a other-worldly look on her hooded face. Her heart raced as time passed, growing more and more anxious every minute. When the Oracle's eyes snapped open, her heart stopped completely.
    "I have seen your husband." The woman said in a quiet voice. "He is a creature that is feared by even the gods themselves."
    Psyche chucked back a cry. A creature feared by the gods? She was doomed. But then again, it sounded better than living single and alone her whole life. Slowly standing, she walked towards the Oracle, taking one of the woman's hands in her own.
    "Thank you." Psyche said softly, causing the Oracle's tanned cheeks to turn a shade of pink. The woman smiled at her, nodding her head in response.
    Turning, she slowly walked out of the temple and down the steps to where her limo waited. The tears she had been holding back finally broke loose. Two thoughts went through her mind in that instant, one being that she shouldn't cry nearly as much, and two being that she was going to marry a monster.
    Just then, a tapping on the window caused her to look up. A young man with tawny hair was standing outside her limo. Quickly swiping away as many of her tears as she could, she rolled down the window.


    Eros' heart fluttered when he saw Psyche's face when the window rolled down. He found it was becoming harder to control himself.
    "Excuse me miss, but the Oracle asked me to give you this." He leaned down and handed her a envelope with the seal of Apollo pressed in to the wax holding it shut.
    "Thank you, I should've waited so she could give it to me herself." She said apologetically.
    A sharp twinge shot through Eros' heart when he saw how red her eyes were. "Excuse me miss, I don't mean to pry, but, have you been crying?"
    "Huh? Oh, I'm so sorry, I- Uh, well, yes." She lowered her head. "I just don't understand,"
    "Understand what?"
    She looked into his eyes, and he then noticed what color hers were; a stunning emerald green, that made even the grass look dull in comparison. "I don't understand what I did to deserve this."
    He sighed, and reached out to touch her face. Her skin felt like it was on fire, her cheeks red and flushed. "I don't think you did anything."
    "Really?"
    "Really."
    Psyche smiled weakly, and then looked into Eros' eyes again. His heart began to beat wildly. Why did she have to be so beautiful?
     "Excuse me," Her voice caused his thoughts to snap as he turned back to her. "Are you busy? I really need someone to talk to, and, there's just something so gentle about you."
    He stood there for a moment, speechless. At first, his heart jumped at the thought of being so close to her again. Then it took a turn, and began to think about how it would be hard for him to contain himself. Before he could say yes or no, he heard the sound of a car door opening, and the warmth of a hand on his arm. Little bolts of lightning ran under his skin at her touch.
    Turning to face her, he saw the rears in her eyes, and her innocence shining through them, and knew he could not refuse her. He smiled at her, and slid into the seat beside her.
    His heart leaped at the glow that had now entered her eyes, as she spoke to the chauffeur. She was indeed the only woman in the world for him. They sat there for a ten minutes, silent. Him, not wanting to lose control, and her, not wanting to wake from what seemed to be a dream.
    "So," Eros said, breaking the quiet. "Where are you from?"
    "I'm from the island kingdom Demital. Where are you from, I mean, before coming to work for the Oracle?"
    "Well, whew! That's a long story that I'd rather not discuss."
    Psyche smiled. "I know what you mean. I'd rather not talk about my home life either." Her voice trailed off as she looked out the window.
    The urge to stroke her hair was becoming almost unbearable. Plucking up his courage, he touched her arm.
    Psyche felt warmth spreading up and down her arm, the source coming from where the young man sitting next to her had placed his hand. Her heart began to race as it moved up and across her shoulders, to draw her closer. Soon, the gap between them closed as he embraced her.
    "Um, excuse me, why are you-" The man pulled back to place a finger on her lips.
    "Be quiet for a moment before answering my question." He said softly. "Your limo is driving to the airport, to take you to a private jet that will take you back home, correct?"
    Psyche nodded. How did this stranger know all this?
    "So, we have about fifteen minutes before then, and I want you to answer one more question," He paused, seeming uncertain about what he was going to say.
    Feeling suddenly bold, she leaned up and whispered into his ear. "Don't be afraid, I'll answer you no matter what the question is."
    He then turned to her, and said in a husky whisper, "Have you ever been kissed before?"
    Her cheeks turned bright red, before she responded sadly, "No." She then looked away from him, so he could not see the tears forming in her eyes. But before she could react, he pulled her face back to look at his.
    "Then, would you mind if I gave you your first kiss before you go to wed the creature?"
    The tears she'd holding back ran down her cheeks, which had become hot. She managed to whisper one word; yes.
    Her heart raced as she saw his face draw close to hers, his breath warm against her skin, and smelling like cinnamon. Her eyes closed as the gap began to grow even smaller.
    Right before his lips touched hers, she heard a faint whisper.
    "What did you say?" She managed to get out.
    "Nothing, important." He said, before covering her mouth with his.
    Psyche's eyes grew wide as he kissed her, but against her will, they slowly closed. This was unlike anything she had ever experienced in her life. Deep down, she wished that this moment would never end.


    Eros' heart stopped for a split second when he felt Psyche respond to the kiss. It then began to race, as he held her tightly, not ever wanting to let go of her. Why did she have to be so perfect? He asked himself. Everything about her was absolutely flawless. His heart began to race faster as the kiss continued. Wanting to deepen it, he held her tighter as he broke away for a split second to breathe against her mouth. She gave a small gasp, which was cut short by him leaning back in to kiss her open lips. He felt her shiver at the new sensations that this kiss was giving her, and this time, her arms slowly rose so her hands could grip the back of the shirt he was wearing. Before he could react, a sharp jolt indicated that they were now at the airport.
    He gently pulled away, his breathing slowing down. A part of him wanted to stay, but knew he couldn't. The look on her face made him want to. He slowly stood and opened the door to the limo, before whispering in her ear.
    "I hope you future husband kisses you as sweetly as I did."
    She looked up at him, and then stood up as well, as to embrace him. "I hope he is as gentle as you as well." She said, before stepping back and walking towards the airplane. After climbing the stairs to enter the plane, she looked back one more time. It took every fiber in Eros' body to keep him planted to the ground. He didn't want her to leave, but she had to, if he ever wanted her to be his.