Destined. Part 29

"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 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 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, brus.h.i.+ng me gently at first as if finding me for the first time. Then he kissed me deeper, pus.h.i.+ng at me with longing and pa.s.sion 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 G.o.ds 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 s.h.i.+fted 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?"

Eros bowed again, lowering his head to Zeus. "Sire, I want Psyche to be one of us." He squeezed my hand. "So she can be mine for eternity."

Zeus laughed so hoa.r.s.ely it sounded like a cough. "After all you've done to me? You've nearly ruined my marriage ten times over with your arrows." He rose from his throne, towering over us. "What makes you think I'd do anything to help you?"

I watched Eros's face, saw his jaw clench and unclench as he searched for words. Silence radiated louder than words through the marble halls.

And then Hera moved in close to her husband, laying her hand on his shoulder, peering down at us with the same imposing height. But Hera's eyes sparkled with warmth rather than anger. "Hmmm ... Zeus?" she asked, easing the tense silence.

Zeus moved his eyes to his wife without turning his head away from us. "I know that tone."

Hera chuckled and rubbed Zeus's shoulder. "I seem to recall you agreeing that the boy should settle down. Besides, I think this might actually work to our advantage."

Zeus snapped his head around to look Hera dead-on. "You mean you want to help him?" Zeus pointed an accusing finger at Eros. "What happened to you wanting to pull his wings apart feather by feather?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Eros wince.

Hera smiled. "I think the boy's service to my cause might suit me better than plucking his wings apart. Wouldn't you agree, Eros?" Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head, waiting for Eros's answer.

Eros dropped to his knees before her. "I will serve your every command, my Queen." He raised his head, eyes pleading. "Tell me what you want and I'll do it."

Hera reached down and took Eros's hand in hers, then pulled him to his feet. When he was standing, Hera reached out with her other hand for me. As she joined our hands together, she said, "Honor Psyche as your wife. Love her each and every day, because she has proven herself worthy of your love. In loving her, you do your greatest service to me."

His eyes grew wide as he turned to me, clutching my fingers tighter. "Marry me, Psyche? Please?"

"Consider your decision before you choose, Psyche." Zeus's sage voice startled me. Why wouldn't I choose to be with him? "Loving an immortal is a commitment for eternity - not just a few decades." He smiled at Hera before continuing. "And I must warn you, our Olympian family is a little, shall we say, dysfunctional from time-to-time."

"I can handle dysfunctional."

"And eternity? With me?" Eros drew my attention back to him, pulling at my heart like a la.s.so.

"I can't imagine anything better."

Eros dropped my hands and clasped my face, drawing me into him. He kissed me like he was trying to drink me in. When I pulled away, breathless, we rested our foreheads together.

"Love you." I smiled up at him.

He tucked an errant curl behind my ear. "And I love you."

"We still don't have an agreement yet," Zeus cut in, invading the momentary bliss. "I have a condition of my own."

I felt the blush rising to my cheeks as I stared at my feet.

Eros answered. "Sire?"

"You are never, ever to use your arrows on me again. Are we clear on that?"