Page 45 of Orpheus
If this was the only set of terms that Hades set forth that I would need to abide by in order to bring Eurydalos back to the upper world, then, of course, I had no choice but to agree to them.
I was so overjoyed that I had managed to convince the King of the Underworld to grant me this wish that I held no reservation in responding to him. “Yes. I completely understand,” I shared.
It was only a matter of time before I would see Eurydalos again, and we would put all of this turmoil behind us. We could finally have the future together that we had planned with each other. I hoped I would never wake up from this dream. I still could not believe this was happening. Not only would I live out the remainder of my life with Eurydalos by my side as the greatest musician in the world, but I would have a newfound claim that would make me a hero. I would be one of the few living mortals to ever see the Underworld and make it back out alive, and live to tell the day.
I had a feeling that this was a tale that would go down in history. Gods, goddesses, scholars, philosophers, and mortals would share this story of my heroism and bravery for generations to come. It was all so surreal. I was truly astounded.
“You may go now, Orpheus,” Hades said, interrupting my blissful thoughts. “I will summon Eurydalos in the near future.”
I bowed to Hades and Persephone. “Thank you again, my king and queen. I have nothing but the greatest respect for the both of you,” I replied, before turning around to traipse out of their throne room, not wanting to give Hades the opportunity to go back on his word and change his mind.
The dark figure in the hooded cloak once again escorted me back into my bedchamber. As he slammed the door shut behind me, I paced about the room, unable to relax and lie down. How could I rest and go to sleep at a moment like this, knowing I would be able to gaze into Eurydalos’s enthralling eyes any minute now?
But I reminded myself that I would only be able to look at him while we were in the castle. I needed to heed Hades’ orders carefully. For once we left this dark palace, I would be unable to see Eurydalos until we had fully returned to the surface.
Chapter 20
It had felt as if it had been a few hours since I was in the audience of Hades and Persephone. I could not believe they were granting me my wish of being able to bring Eurydalos from the Underworld and to the surface. Who knew that this adventure could turn out to be so easy? I had anticipated it would take many more sacrifices, blood, sweat, and tears to retrieve the love of my life. However, all it took was two song ballads. One for Charon to cross the River of Styx and the other for the King and Queen of the Underworld.
My feet had a mind of their own, drifting me across the guest chamber bedroom. The very same one I woke up at when I was first captured and brought to this dark castle. I was lost in a daze, letting my thoughts run wild over Eurydalos.
How much longer would I have to wait here for him?
Had being here in the Underworld had a terrible impact on my lover?
What if his personality had completely changed?
What if he had forgotten who I was and lost his memory?
Would he even look the same?
Could he have turned into one of those black cloaked figures?
So many questions swarmed around in my head, I could barely keep up with them all as worry rushed through me in a fury.
“Orpheus? Is that really you?” A voice called out to me.
I abruptly lifted my head to face the chamber doors, failing to realize they had even opened.
There stood Eurydalos.MyEurydalos, in all his glory. He hadn’t changed one bit, much to my relief. I sprinted over to him, wrapping my arms around his body in a tight embrace. Tears trickled down my cheeks. “It’s me, Eurydalos. I’m here now.”
I felt his hands reach around to grab my back. That soft touch of his soothed me.
Gods how I missed it!
I could not believe it had been over a month since I was able to last feel him against me.
I lifted my head back from his shoulder to gaze at him longingly. I could not help but lean in to kiss him. Now that I felt his body pressed against mine, I needed to feel his lips and taste them. As we passionately kissed, it felt as if time around us had halted. Our eyes remained closed as we locked mouths, but I was unable to help but keep my eyes half-open sneaking a guilty peek at him, just to make sure Eurydalos was still here in front of me and that this wasn’t a product of my imagination. But this was him, in the living flesh. Hades and Persephone had kept their promise to me. And for that, I would be eternally grateful.
My lover separated from me, his head moving up and down to stare at my full figure. “But how did you manage to get here? It’s impossible! Is it not?” he asked me.
I could not help but chuckle at his incredulity. “Well, it’s clearly possible if I’m standing here before you,” I replied. “Apollo guided me down to the entrance of the Underworld. I navigated the rest of the way on my own. I used my lyre to placate Charon, the ferryman, and even the King and Queen of the Underworld themselves. Because they were so astonished and moved by my performance, Hades and Persephone accepted my request to have you returned to me.”
Eurydalos held his hand over his mouth in shock. “So, it’s true then? We can go home together?”
I nodded. “Yes. And I would have it no other way.”
We hugged each other once more in a warm embrace, never wanting to let go.
