Guest Author - Phyllis Doyle Burns
Psyche grew to love her husband more each day. That first night with him had made all her fears disappear. She knew only love and peace now. She was asleep when he first came to her. She felt a warm hand touch her arm and woke shaking with fear. In that sweet voice she first heard when she came to the castle, he told her to not fear him, for he would never harm her. "I will love you and protect you forever," he whispered. "Even if you were sent to the gates of hell, I would be with you in spirit and protect you from all harm."
"You must always have faith, my beloved, and trust in me. I am a giver of life and death and you will always be protected because of my love for you." He kissed her softly on the lips and she opened her arms to him. She was shocked to find that she held the form of a young, strong man -- like her, he was in the bloom of life and she opened her heart to him. Their love filled her with a joy she had never known before. She knew they belonged together -- this was her new life, her husband, her beloved. She had asked him again why she could not see him in the light. He explained that it was because of a sacred decree that he could come to her only under the cover of darkness -- he would tell her no more than that.
The days of fear and terror of the unknown for Psyche had grown into a life of comfort and love. Her days were filled with everything she could wish for. Every thought was filled with joy, every need fulfilled instantly. Every night was filled with love -- she had learned that trust in her husband had made her life peaceful. And trust in his love for her enabled her to love him in return.
It no longer mattered to Psyche what he looked like, for the love he gave her, the trust and faith they had in each other, was enough to fill her life. She was so happy. As she sat in her garden one day, painting the birds and beautiful blossoms, she thought about her sisters. She suddenly wanted to share with them how blessed she was. She desired that her family should know she was alive, safe, loved, and had a good life. That night, when her husband came to her, she asked him if she could invite her two sisters to come visit and see her lovely home. He told her it was a bad omen, that nothing good would come of it.
Still, Psyche wanted her sisters to know about her life and told him she would not let anything bad happen. He finally gave in to her, for it was hard for him to refuse her anything. She thanked him with numerous kisses and slept blissfully that night in his arms. He did not sleep well and was restless.
Psyche sent a message to her sisters to visit and a few days later they arrived. Megalometis and Baskania were extremely impressed with the castle, the gardens and with the change that had come over Psyche, for she was more lovely and happy than ever. This, of course, made their jealousy grow even deeper. Their lives were not half so grand, nor were they happy as Psyche was, even though they were married to kings.
"How can you love a man you have never seen in the light of day?" they asked. Psyche explained that looks do not matter when faith and trust was in her heart and their nights together were blissful and joyous.
They thought her stupid and told her so. "He has cast an evil spell on you, to make you love him and believe that he is good. He is evil and all on Earth, even the gods fear him. You must find out what he looks like. No sensible woman would allow a man to do this to her." Psyche began to have doubts in her mind, but her heart told her she loved her husband and should keep the faith and trust alive. The sisters kept badgering her and at the end of the day, before they left, they told Psyche what to do. Psyche was so beaten down by their harassment that she listened to her sisters and said she would do as they say.
That night, as her husband slept, Psyche slipped out of bed and went in search of a lantern. She lit the lantern and quietly went back to their chamber. When she neared the bed, she held up the lantern and was stunned as when the light shined upon his face and body. This was no hideous looking monster! Her husband was the beautiful god of love, Eros!
Eros awoke and quickly got up. With tears in his eyes and sorrow in his heart, he told her she had betrayed their trust and faith in each other, that she had endangered their love by ignoring that he was protecting her from a decree of the gods. As Psyche stared at him with her own tears and sorrow, he told her he must leave her now because she had listened to jealousy and doubts from her sisters rather than follow her heart and trust him.
After Eros left her, Psyche fell on their bed and cried with a broken heart. She knew she had done the wrong thing and promised herself to somehow find her beloved again and repair the damage. She felt so alone and empty without him -- and she feared what would become of her.
~ ~ ~ ~
Author's note: Please see "Psyche And Eros - Trust Restored" at the related link below for the fifth part of this great love story. Thank you.
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