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THE THIRD DAUGHTER

On an island in the Aegean Sea during the Roman Empire, warm cypress winds blew across the cerulean Mediterranean, welcohter Never had such a beautiful child been born Her asped at the sight of the babe’s perfectly for any of the usual misshapenness or wrinkles of newborns

A sea breeze gusted through the arched s as if even the lands sighed in awe Full lips like pink blossoolden flecks, surrounded by long, coal lashes

Unlike the queen’s first two daughters, this child had no bout of frenzied crying when she entered the world She was quiet, almost contemplative as she stared with rapt attention at each woman who held her The absolute peace of her arrival was like a breath of fragrant air And so, the queen named her after the word for breath and soul

Psyche Like a whisper…Syy-keyy

As with the births of their first two daughters, the king and queen of the isle brought gifts and sacrifices to the teoddess of love and beauty, to thank her for their child, imbued with aesthetic fortune For years they had been barren, yet faithful to the gods, earning theed tirateful hearts take for granted that which they once held high Soon, their attention was only for the child, growing e of tiotten

All eyes and hearts on the island, royal or servant, belonged to Psyche Even as a toddler, the youngest princess had a way of giving her full, unguarded attention to who them feel honored, even breathless None could take their eyes frorew into a youth, word of her loveliness spread far and wide, bringing visitors to the island in hopes that they limpse of her famed beauty

But what ifted to this royal family, was not viewed as such by Psyche herself For the third princess, physical perfection was not a talent or a blessing Beauty was her curse

PSYCHE

“She is ait and possesses charms that she’s not even aware of She is like a trap set by nature—a sweet perfumed rose in whose petals Cupid lurks in ambush! Anyone who has seen her smile has known perfection Venus in her shell was never so lovely…”

~Cyrano de Bergerac

FREEDOM SEEKING

I escaped the guards again

By now they knew all the places to look for hed as I sprinted to the side of the cliff,in anticipation of the fall to come

With a screa, and soared into the blue sky, legs kicking, gauzy skirts whipping, sto The salted air pulled at h the surface, caught in the wars constricted in a satisfying way as I kicked,it to the top in time to inhale and wipe hed at the three worried faces above The guards never dived after , dead, or failed to resurface they would ju up The down

I enjoyed another minute of seclusion as they quickly scaled down the side of the rocky cliff and stood at the edge of the lapping water, ain as I paddled onsoundlessly around my body Their frowns softened as they looked upon me

“Why ht, Princess?” Boldar asked He was one of the oldest royal guards, as old as Papa, the king of our isle, and he spoke to me with barely concealed adoration, exactly as he had since I was a young girl

“For two minutes each week, I must have my freedom or I will perish”

All three men attempted to scowl at my dramatics but failed

“You need but ask,” Boldar said “And we shall escort you anywhere your heart pleases”

“That’s not nearly as fun,” I said, running ht above all else was a chance to be alone in nature, and to be looked upon as an ordinary girl