The Wrath of Aphrodite - Book 2

Wedding's End

The wedding was beautiful - certainly better than mine! Though, that's alright. The pair of them deserve it after their recent trials. 

As the wedding commenced, I sat upfront, holding it together the best I can. I couldn't help but hold some skepticism in my heart, of how this is going to end. How long this marriage will truly last as long as she is a mortal. 

Still, I hold my fronting smile steady. This is his decision, after all. He chose something. That is all that matters. I am glad for it! I can't prevent every heartbreak. I can't steer him every which way for the rest of his life...we must all accept the time to step back. 

After all, who else would be the most deserving of the mortal that inspires envy in the Goddess of Beauty?

I find my eyes drifting, daydreaming as they murmur their vows to each other. I'm still listening! I'm just-

"Well, don't you look delectable, Blondie." Ares hand pats my leg warmly before sitting in the empty seat beside me. 

I look up in a daze, slightly surprised that he came on such short notice. I open my mouth to speak but can't quite find the words. 

"Saving me a seat, were you? Good." He continues smugly, looking forward.

My mouth still lay open until he nudges me to attention. "Come on, you're missing it." 

He's right. Gosh, he's right!

I look back just as Hera declares them to be husband and wife before the Gods. Just as quickly, I feel the tears flow but I don't stray any longer. I keep watching as they kiss and embrace, both of their faces beaming brighter. I haven't seen him smile like that since he was a child...

Wow. Am I beaming just the same? Ares seems to be, a glimmer showing out of the corner of his eye as he checks in with me. He grasps my hand in his. I assume he sees the same reflecting back from me. Both of us at peace that there is meaning in this. That our son is happy. Married, happy, grown...and he is going to be perfectly content with his life. No matter how this goes for him, we have to have faith that he will be content with his choices. 

And if he isn't, he knows that I will always be there for him. I hope he will grow to know that. 

When the cheers start to die down, Zeus raises a glass. "I have another surprise for you all, brothers and sisters! For this is not only a wedding, but a ceremony to welcome someone."

I turn back. A small part of me already knows what he is about to say. I just never wanted to expect that he would do it. 

I don't expect much from him, most of the time.

Ares holds my hand tighter. He mus know it too.

"We are also going to be welcoming our newest Goddess." Zeus holds another cup up, gesturing towards Psyche. 

She covers her face, shyly concealing her reaction. Eros does no hiding, picking her up and spinning her around in a circle as he comes to the realization he won't have to let her go nearly so soon. 

They can both have eternal life, after all. Isn't that something? 

The audience claps and cheers their welcome as Psyche accepts the cup in both of her tiny hands. She slowly takes the necessary sips of the ambrosia, the slight glow of the substance illuminating her face. 

"Process doesn't take long, does it?" I whisper to Ares. He, in turn, shakes his head. 

Psyche wipes her mouth, appearing queasy as she hands back the cup to Zeus. He laughs loud, bellowing throughout the hall, shouting over the cheers until they die down. 

"Welcome, to our new Goddess! Psyche, the Goddess of Souls!" Just when I think the clapping is over with, it picks up again. Ares squeezes my knee and shoots me a look. 

I clap as well, trying to read his expression for any hint of what his next plan is. Whether he is taking off and I'm headed back alone. An empty nest, once more...or will he visit for a while? Just one night of talking would be enough. 

I suppose, I should tell him that. Once the room quietens enough I nudge him, sending him a look I believe gets the message across. A big smile breaks out on his face, but we don't have long before we are interrupted. 

"Aphrodite, come!" Zeus is beckoning me forward. The crowd is beginning to intermingle with one another now, the bride and groom now being swarmed by happy congratulations. 

At least this will be a private conversation. 

I walk over with a small smile. "Aphrodite, you look radiant. I'm glad you chose to come." 

I nod. "Well, how could I refuse? Though it would have been-" 

"I had a very alarming conversation with Psyche before you arrived." Zeus interrupts, his face slightly dropping in disappointment. "Of the particular trials she went through on her journey to becoming a Goddess..." 

I frown then. "And?" I don't usually expect a scolding...but perhaps, it is well deserved by this point. 

"From this point on, she is to be accepted and not be put through such tests again. Is that going to be alright with you? Or will you have an issue following that?" Zeus asks sternly. 

I swallow and shake my head. "There will be no issue. I say that with sincerity." 

He peers down at me blankly, dropping us both into silence. Something I am not used to experiencing so close to Zeus. After an excruciating moment of observation he clicks back into motion, an exaggerated glint returning to his eyes as he raises his wine glass. "Then let's not spare another moment worrying about it. Cheers, to your new coming of age as a mother-in-law! Feel good?"  

I hide behind my glass, too dumbfounded to respond as he brushes past me. Turns out, he didn't really want to wait around for my answer either.

Once he's behind me, a small smile sneaks onto my face.

I think...I'm alright - or at least am going to be.

I think, I am going to slip out. Whether I'll return inside, I'm not sure.

I sit on a bench outside, looking at the sky as I swirl my glass, until a shadow looms over me.

"Aphrodite." Hera sits beside me. "You did well in there..."

I give her a slight nod and turn back towards the sky.

Did I really?

"You did." She repeats. "Your son is looking for you, by the way. He was worried you left without saying goodbye."

Perhaps, I did manage well enough. I smile to myself before answering. "Tell him I'll be back. I won't leave without saying goodbye to him and his new wife."