Electric Idol

Psyche insists that whatever she is feeling is only physical attraction, not true regard or lasting interest. She realizes that the more time she spends with Eros, the more she is “in danger of forgetting the path [they] took to get to this place” (242). Eros reluctantly explains that he expects his mother to try to accuse Psyche of either marrying him for his fortune or marrying him on Demeter’s orders.

Eros assures her no one will harm her while she is his wife, and she reminds him that he is just as closely bound to her. To break the growing sexual tension, Psyche asks if he has brought other partners to this bar. Eros says that he has only brought the Kasios siblings. Psyche immediately feels contrite and reminds him that the social media posts about their outing will wreck his privacy in this space. Eros assures her that eventually the patrons will tire of the paparazzi and he will be able to return. Psyche tries to assert that she is still indifferent to Eros, but he is unconvinced, telling her, “Give your new husband a proper kiss. Since you don’t care about me at all, it shouldn’t be a problem to keep control of yourself” (248).

Their passionate kiss is interrupted by Aphrodite’s arrival. Psyche is disconcerted, as she did not expect a direct confrontation. Aphrodite insults Psyche’s size as proof that she is an unsuitable spouse. Psyche avoids reacting, aware that the entire bar is watching them. Aphrodite then taunts Eros, calling him an adolescent rebel, and when Psyche tries to defend him, Aphrodite says that she would be happy to change Eros’s media image to that of a grieving widower.

Psyche is stunned, but she stops Eros from leaving the bar and reminds him that they need to show the patrons that their romance matters more than his mother’s negativity. Eros assures her that she will always be safe with him. When Psyche points out that she does not see what benefit he derives from their marriage, he tells her, “I get you” (252).

Eros takes Psyche home, furious that his mother has not abandoned her homicidal plans. Psyche anxiously asks Eros if he had planned to murder her after the wedding and then realizes that Aphrodite would not have argued with him if he still intended her harm. She apologizes for not asking after his well-being in light of his mother’s onslaught. Eros reminds her that Aphrodite has always demanded total compliance from him. Psyche is sympathetic, but Eros distracts himself with the feel of her hand in his. He leads her to the penthouse’s sealed safe room, teaching her the passcode and assuring her that not even Hermes has entered it and that there is a direct line to Olympus security.

Psyche and Eros retreat to the living room to continue strategizing. Eros begins massaging Psyche’s feet, bemused when she has him pause so that she can stage a flattering photo of him for her social media. Eros is pleased with the result and finds himself admiring her clear “desire to bring light to the world instead of darkness” (258). Eros offers to smuggle Psyche out of Olympus, which shocks her since such a feat requires power and funds that few people have. Psyche refuses to leave her family or give Aphrodite the satisfaction of victory.

Psyche agrees to attend Helen’s upcoming party with Eros and reminds him that their need for public support is still key to their survival. Eros realizes that the larger world of Olympian politics adds to their danger, as a conflict between Demeter and Aphrodite might destabilize the new Zeus’s hold on power. Psyche asks why Eros will not ask Zeus for the favor directly. He explains that his mother’s crimes against Psyche and others also involve him, so asking for intervention is also a risk. Psyche agrees to follow his lead.

Eros asks why she has always been so distant from him and the Kasios family, and Psyche admits that while Helen has never been cruel to her, many others have been. Eros confesses that he genuinely hopes that Psyche and Helen can get to know one another as two important people in his life. Psyche agrees, and Eros is relieved, taking it as a sign that his hope for a lasting bond may be reciprocated. Psyche reflects that more allies within the Olympian elite can only help, along with media interviews about their happy marriage.

After Psyche falls asleep, Eros calls his mother. She reminds him that he usually kills without hesitation and then goads him, saying that Psyche will leave him as soon as she understands his true nature. Eros asks her, as her sole concession, to leave Psyche in peace. Aphrodite refuses and hangs up on him. Eros panics at the thought of Psyche’s death. He reminds himself that as much as he cares for his wife, he cannot kill his mother for Psyche’s sake. He carries a sleeping Psyche to bed, finding reassurance in the sound of her breathing.

As they arrive at Helen’s party, Psyche fights her nerves and dread at having to socialize with members of the elite whom she cannot possibly trust. Helen greets them effusively, dressed in gold with glittering body paint on her arms and legs. Psyche realizes that Helen’s extreme extroversion is likely a disguise so that people will see only her charm.

Psyche relaxes in Eros’s embrace, only to realize that Orpheus, her sister’s ex-boyfriend, is one of the guests. She grows furious at the sight of him, remembering that he lured Eurydice to the lower city, where she was almost captured by the last Zeus. The incident almost sparked a war in Olympus, as Hades entered the upper city to save Eurydice at Persephone’s urging. Now, Psyche’s fury surges as she watches Orpheus flirt with Cassandra Gataki, who works for Orpheus’s brother, Apollo. Eros coolly suggests that they confront Orpheus together.

Eros greets Orpheus with a calculated reminder that Eurydice is now part of his family due to his recent marriage. Eros casually threatens him if anything else happens to Eurydice. Cassandra asks if he means the threat, clearly amused, and walks away. Orpheus tries to argue that he is Helen’s guest and can stay, but she arrives and tells Orpheus to leave, reminding him that his brother’s title is not exceptional in her home. Helen threatens to tell Apollo that Orpheus was bothering Cassandra, and this statement piques Psyche’s interest in that relationship. Helen reassures Psyche, “You’re practically family at this point, and family sticks together” (280). Psyche joins Helen in a drinking game.

Eros watches Psyche, aware that she is drunk and finding her relaxed state endearing. Helen professes fondness for Psyche and offers to let them stay the night. Eros points out that this would only fuel more rumors, possibly of a menage a trois, and he and Psyche leave after Helen promises to lock her door. Eros is tempted to ask Psyche about her true feelings for him, desperate for a sense that his growing love for her is returned.

Eros tenses immediately when he realizes that the security guard is no longer in the garage. He ushers Psyche into the empty booth, telling her to hide there and call for backup. Eros rushes to his car, searching beneath it for signs of explosives, and then grabs his gun. Shots ring out, and Psyche screams. Eros tackles the shooter before he can fire a fourth round and only leaves the man alive because Psyche runs to him. In the car, Psyche is furious, telling Eros that his safety was also at risk. Psyche reminds Eros that this incident will inevitably turn political. He is furious at himself for failing to anticipate the growing dangers.

When Psyche wakes up, she is touched to see that Eros has left her pain medication for her hangover. She finds Eros in the safe room. He tells her that Zeus has demanded a meeting. Eros is confident that Zeus will help, while Psyche is more skeptical. Psyche panics when she recalls the shooting and remembers that Eros put himself in danger to save her. She backs out of the safe room, and Eros follows, noticing her alarm. The mirrors around her magnify her panic. Psyche realizes that she has fallen in love with Eros, but she only confesses to her fear.

Eros immediately becomes contrite, blaming himself for their situation. Psyche hates his tendency to disparage himself, aware that he is also a product of his abusive upbringing. In the foyer, surrounded by mirrors, Psyche asks Eros for his permission to tell him how she understands him now. He reluctantly agrees, clearly expecting rebukes. Psyche turns him from mirror to mirror, naming various virtues as they face each other. She tells him, “Every person contains a balance of both good and bad inside them. Even you. Especially you” (295). Eros embraces Psyche and repeats her gesture, telling her how much he wants to be worthy of her and concluding, “I see a goddess” (295). They embrace passionately, and Psyche tells him that she wants to have sex without a condom. Psyche watches their encounter in the mirror.

Eros braces for the upcoming meeting with Zeus at Dodona Tower, realizing that he still associates the space with Helen and Perseus’s father. He tries to assure Psyche that Perseus is different and that there are deep taboos against attacking members of the Thirteen and their families. The conversation begins on an adversarial note as Zeus criticizes Psyche for marrying Eros instead of him. Zeus sees Persephone’s flight to Hades and Psyche’s marriage to Eros as events that have damaged his reputation and that of his family. He also implies that Eros will face exile if Psyche discloses the truth about their marriage since Eros was once part of the plot to kill her. Zeus insists that he will not support their efforts against Aphrodite without more evidence, as the recent shifts in the power structure have created a precarious situation for him. Eros silently agrees, recalling that Ares is likely to die soon.

Psyche asks what would have happened if she had accepted Zeus’s proposal. Zeus admits that he would have fought Aphrodite for attacking any member of the Dimitriou family linked to him. Both Eros and Psyche see this as an implied reference to her sisters, and Psyche tries to warn him away from them, but Zeus reminds her that Demeter disagrees. Psyche insists that they will find proof of Aphrodite’s murderous plans.

Eros asks for a moment alone with Zeus and warns him against a marriage with Eurydice or Callisto. He uses his friend’s former name, Perseus, and Zeus reminds him, “Every decision I make going forward has nothing to do with what Perseus wants and everything to do with what Zeus requires” (306). Zeus reminds Eros that he also endangered Helen. Eros takes the rebuke and leaves.

Alone once more, Eros and Psyche discuss the revelation of Demeter’s betrothal schemes. When Psyche admits that she would have married Perseus, Eros fights his feelings of jealousy and asks Psyche about her agenda for the day. She reminds him that they have an interview for a magazine, and then she needs to speak to Demeter. Psyche knows that Eros is jealous over the idea that she might have married another man, and she promises him that their future is still entwined. Eros begins to picture having a family and children with Psyche. He resolves that once his mother is neutralized, he will “convince [Psyche] that forever could be [theirs]” (310).

Psyche and Eros sit for their interview. Psyche is calm and assured. Clio, the reporter, is ambitious, and Psyche hints that she may soon have a dramatic story about Aphrodite for Clio. Later, at her family’s apartment, Psyche castigates her mother for planning the marriage with Zeus without telling her, but Demeter refuses to give up her marriage plots. Psyche changes the subject, explaining Aphrodite’s plot to kill her. Demeter is furious and threatens both Eros and his mother. However, if Demeter retaliates, Psyche promises to expose all she knows of her mother’s machinations, including her role in the death of the last Zeus. Psyche does not explain that she refuses to see Aphrodite hurt because such an event would devastate Eros; at this point, she does not want Eros or Demeter to know that she truly loves him. She asks Demeter to enlist Poseidon as an ally. Demeter agrees but says nothing when Psyche asks her once more to give up her marriage schemes.

Callisto appears as Demeter leaves, telling Psyche that the marriage plans are inevitable. Callisto says enigmatically, “You and Persephone have been taking care of us long enough. I’ll handle this” (321). Psyche fears that her sister will harm Zeus, adding to the overall political instability in Olympus. However, Psyche realizes that she has to focus on her own life and accept that her sisters have their own agency.