PART THREE

Although Eros was kind to Psyche, she could not stop wondering who he was. What creature would conceal his identity so well? Why would he conceal it, rather?

Their relationship continued for months. They met in the forest, always sitting in the same spot around the same tree.

Occasionally, they would change their spot to listen to the peaceful little brook or to gaze at the same view, but not once did Psyche lay eyes on the myserious figure.

For each day they spoke, their love grew. It was a strange love, however, for not once had Eros held her hand and not once had Psyche set eyes on her beloved.

One day, Eros set aside his fears and burst out:

"Psyche- I've been meaning to tell you this for weeks. Forgive me for holding it inside..."

"What?" She leaned closer to the tree, her hands gripping it's bark. Did she love him? Was it too awkward to love a man you've never seen? Would he ever love her truly, or was this only her looks speaking? Had he even seen her before?

"I...I think I love you." He whispered, knowing well that he loved her more than the world. This wasn't a "I think" love, it was a "I'm sure" type. He would sacrifice all he had to be with her. For a moment, there was silence.

"I love you too." She whispered, biting her lip as a small smile grew on her face. "It's so odd. I don't even know your name, and I know so little about you, though at the same time, I feel as if I know everything." Eros nodded.

"Come live with me, in a home so grand and so large it would amaze even your father."

Reality.

"I could not live with you nor marry you, stranger. You know this. My father would not agree...How would I explain to him that I love a man who I've never seen? I don't know anything about you that would lead my father to believe you were some...some Prince!" She felt so frustrated. Her love for Eros was true, it was so clear and so confident she couldn't imagine anything else. In fact, she couldn't imagine life without him. Without his voice, their times together and their laughs. She'd grown so attatched to him in the last few months...

"Understand that my feelings for you are great...but know that I would never be able to convince my father."

"Try." He pleaded. "Please-please try."

"I will." She replied, putting on a brave voice to conceal her uncertainty. Her father was the most stubborn man she'd ever known.

Later on that night, she approached her father with the teariest eyes she could manage.

"Father-father! Before I tell you, you must promise to be calm."

The king nodded, putting down his papers to listen.

"I've...er. I've met a man. A wonderful one, who promises me a grand home to live in. We love each other very much, and I couldn't imagine life without him. He loves me too - please." Her father chuckled, amused by the idea that his daughter could 'love' someone as much as it seem she did.

"Please. I've sent before you almost every prince the world has to offer, and in each you've found a flaw. What makes this man so much more different?"
"I don't know, but I do know that my feelings are true. They're not fickle, I promise."

"You want to marry and live with this man? Pah. When will I meet him?"

"I...I don't know if you can. He has important bussiness going on for quite a while."
"Then we can wait. You're in no hurry."

She frowned. Her mystery would never appear before her father if he wouldn't even show himself to her.

"Then the truth. I've never seen him."

"Ha! You make it sound like some...some arranged marriage! Oh, but wait, haven't I already tried to do that?"

"Your arranged marriages are with spoiled men who value gold more than my hand in marriage!"

"Untrue! All those princes have been noble, and all adored you!"

"Adored me for my appearance rather than my values! None of them ever spoke to me -oh- but I take that back. I believe the third prince you proposed actually said 'Good day'!"

"Don't speak to me in that tone. I'm the king! I pay for those damned dresses of yours! I pay for those shoes, and all those little belongings which you seem so fond with. What would you be without them? Listen here - you will not marry him. I cannot meet him, why, I don't even know his name! Off with you, don't pester me again!"

Psyche's anger boiled within her.

"Then perhaps it wasn't only the princes who wanted me for money! All you want to do is get rid of me, send me away to some land far away! Do I annoy you so much that you would deny me all happiness? All joy? He is that, father! His voice brings more light than Apollo as he brings the sun out from it's sleep..."

"Then your days will be slightly dimmer from now, understood!"

Psyche stormed off, her eyes brimming with tears. How could she tell him that she couldn't marry him? She'd break his heart, why, she'd break her own all over again. There had to be a way...there must've!