Pandora's Curse

Despite the night sky that filtered in through the silken curtains, the celebrations were a festival of light and music. I could still hear the drunken cheers and slurred words of songs very off-tune with the tempo of music that the musicians played aloud into the night. I stared at the wild crowd from atop of the balcony, who cheered and enjoyed any chance to wine and dine and be rambunctious so freely. So joyous. So carefree. Free.

Free.

I didn’t feel free.

A breath left me shaken, a strangled gasp as my eyes squeezed shut, my fingers gripping onto the silken curtains as if they could stop me from falling faint. Slowly stepping back from the balcony, jealousy and despair that was a niggling suspicious creature clawed deep within that I couldn’t ignore even if I tried, I shut the curtain with force as if I could shut out all the joy that I couldn’t feel.

My breathing was heavier than I realized, my pulse a tempo in my head but I felt my body shut down calmly, like my own body just faded from my own grasp. I let out one last ragged breath, feeling my chest stop its thundering pulse and a snort startled me from my calming trance. I turned around, facing into my new quarters, tiny lamps on the walls flickered in the darkness, casting a withering shadow over the large mound on the silken, cotton sheets. Despite my feelings, my reservation, my lips curled upwards in a heartwarming smile as I shook my head slightly at the man who was curled in a heap on his bed, snoring and completely gone from all the alcohol consumed.

So much for a wedding night I was over-prepared for.

I quietly tiptoed towards him, standing over him, I smiled softly at the soft expression on his face. His golden-brown curls curled sweetly over his cheeks in a charming manner. Sighing as though I was a mother, I picked up the quilts his legs lay over, struggling to pull them from under his legs and gently laid it over him. He barely moved, just snored quietly and I took a seat at the edge so I could remove the sandals on my feet. As I looked at him, my mind drifted to what would happen if he hadn’t drank more than his fill of alcohol. What currently could be happening right this very minute. My mother told me what to expect, how it could feel and the other women assured me pain was brief as long as my husband treated me with care. My mind didn’t drift towards to that point, my body recoiling. I didn’t want that. And I dreaded when it would come to.

I felt frustrated myself. Hissing a breath outwards, I buried my hands in my face as I rocked back and forth, my breathing growing shaky.

Why? What is wrong with me? I have a husband who is a Titan! Wealthy, a beautiful home that is now mine. A home for my mother. A new loving husband who adores me and treats me with respect and loving care. Why can’t I be happy? Why? No. No why or questioning. I am happy. I am very happy. I am so happy. I am married. I have a home. I have wealth.

I am happy.

I am...satisfied.

Stumbling away from the bed, biting my nails as I pace back and forth, body trembling like a quake ready to crumble to pieces. I am happy. Why wouldn’t I be? I have everything I could ever hope for. I can have a family. We will have children. Oh, how I want children. They would be beautiful indeed.

With green and brown eyes. And light hair and smiles.

I couldn’t picture my husband in any of their features.

Oh Zeus. Hera!

I stand before the mirror in the far corner of the room gazing into my reflection as though I did not recognize the woman standing in there.

“Almighty Hera, Goddess of Marriage, what am I doing wrong?” I clasped my hands together as I speak quietly to my reflection. “What is wrong with me? I have everything perfect. I should not be upset. I feel as though I am nervous and yet, it feels worse than being afraid.”

“I seek your wisdom, your help in any way. I wish to be a good wife and mother. But I feel as though, I am not real. I don’t feel right.” I stared at my reflection helplessly as though I was expecting Hera herself to appear and speak words of wisdom. I was not worthy of that for now but I had to be patient. Feeling a little calmer from my confession, my eyes fell upon my white gown, my wedding gown and the jewelry adorning my fingers and wrists and neck.

I brought my hands to my hair twined in a twisted knot at the top of my head, pulling the combs and pieces out until my hair fell down to my back in a rush, leaving it slightly fluffed up. I pulled off the jewelry dropping on the chaise, leaving me barefoot in a white gown and trussed up hair. I felt like a mess. A frantic, trussed up mess staring at her future but it wasn’t clear. Much like staring into a pond for your reflection but the rock thrown in made it difficult to see anything at all. Made you see things that didn’t make sense.

A glint of light in the corner of my eye caught my attention, turning my focus away from my mirror and at the other end of my new quarters. In a heap on the corner piled up to head were all the wedding gifts received today during the wedding party. Mounds of items, clothing, fabrics, boxes that must have jewels of all kinds, flowers and food. A beautiful, extravagant feast of items and more.

A loud snort drew my attention briefly to the restless heap in bed, who rolled over onto his side but my eyes were pulled back to the mound of presents in the corner.

Couldn’t hurt to open a couple without him. Could it?

Decision made, I sat on the chaise, before the gifts, pulling them from the pile on by one carefully opening the boxes I brought up. Fabrics with designs so beautiful and unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Sweet smelling flowers, petals a pure, deep pink colour that smelt of a soft honey, made my cheeks flush and a smile grace over my face. It made me think of my mother’s home.

I didn’t try any of the foods, the treats we were gifted but a whole manner of gifts were in appearance. Bending over for the next item was a beautifully designed box that had my lips part slightly, stunned at the craftsmanship of such work. I held it between my hands admiring it, feeling a deep sense of serenity and calm taking over in my slightly cold fingers. It was jewelry box, not too small but intricately detailed for something quite slight in size. The box was carved from stone maybe but was painted with blue and silver crushed powder, with a marble design and pattern on it. Golden designs were attached, designed around it, mimicking waves made from golden waters. Beaten to its designs from nature itself was trying to reflect its own images. I sat it upon the vanity, tracing my fingers over the sides, my thumb tracing over the latch in front of a bearded face glimmering blankly at me. A chill, like water rushing over my head swamped me but my finger flipped up the latch before I could think further. My eyes fluttered shut, impossible as it was but a breath of salty, warm air brushed over my face and nose, dropping me into a warm golden summer morning. My heart lowered its beats as I opened my eyes slowly, the sensation of light and warmth fading as the darkness of my quarters fell around me like day fading to fast. I felt cold instantly from the loss but my breath was taken as I took the inside of the jewelry box. Crushed, burgundy cushions sunk inwards slightly beneath the perfect formation of pearls that lay over it.

It was beautiful.

Pure, white pearls that almost appeared faint blue in the dark, shimmered so slightly as if dusted over with silver dusts. They lay perfectly upright, in a set-stretched out circle. There was no note on the box even when looking through the gifts but I assumed the note was dropped or hidden within. Maybe Epimetheus knew who had given this to us.

I would have to thank them. For this was such an extravagant but wonderfully, beautiful piece. I wanted to touch the pearls, run my fingers over its surface to feel such smooth texture and quality, for that touch of warmth I had just felt mere moments ago. But I couldn't. I didn't desire to mess such perfection right now. With a sigh, I close the boxes lid gently and place it on the corner of the vanity. A priceless piece of work.

Piece of work.

Where did that thought come from?

Glancing around me, I was almost sure someone was there but finding no one except my sleeping husband I turned away from the room to the mound of gifts still in a massive heap in the corner.

I think, despite not even making a dent in the pile of gifts, enough is enough.

Was my thought but as if drawn in by light or something that stood out immensely, my eyes flickered down to the front of the pile where I never noticed the box that laid where the other jewelry box had sat. Was it always there?

It wasn't a box like the other one. A magnificent piece of artwork and time and hours. But this box was simple and beautiful in its own remarkable way. Leaning over, I picked up the box, and my body tightened at the weight of it.

It's heavy.

It was a simple, rectangle box shape. Made from wood that was polished and had a smooth, clear sheen over its surface that was hard to stop running my fingers over it. Not even a slight irregular bump or graze or anything. Just perfectly smooth, shaped and flawless basically. It's edges were designed with golden flakes crushed and painted and placed on, rounding its faces to the front for a simple keyhole and two latches on either side of its front. A heaviness weighed on my chest. Frowning, I pulled my hand away, realizing there was no letter or note with it again.

This was ridiculous. We really need to take better care of this stuff.

A glimmer of something flashed at the corner of my eye and I started when my eyes dropped to a bronze key that laid on the vanity.

That was never there. Was it?

Scratching my head in confusion, picking up the key I realized it was a perfect match for the box in front of me.

Why is it so heavy?

I held the key before it but my hand trembled and my shoulders grew heavy and frowning, I dropped the key with a clatter onto the vanity.

I'm tired. I'll open it tomorrow.

I shook my head, cursing myself despite the sudden trepidation that was bearing over me, a weight I had not experienced before. My body shifted, pulled separately, my desire pulling my eyes back to the box, even though I remained forceful.

No more opening gifts. Must share that honour with my husband. I stood beside my husbands bed, pulling the covers over.

It's just a box.

Why are you nervous.

It's a box.

It's a gift. It's joy.

It's hope.

Hope for your future.

Maybe Hera was listening. She bears a gift.

No, that's not possible. I was not worthy of a gift from such a Goddess. I was merely satisfied with a simple answer...

Is this not her answer then?

I faltered, my hesitation wavering as my eyes were pulled back to the box which sat upon my vanity, faintly glimmering around its edges with its gold designs and paint. Like it had a voice.

It could be? It could not be.

My feet clenched as it dropped back onto the cold floor, my body clenching, a bead of sweat dropping down my forehead.

"This is...it's just a box." I murmur but a flash of panic and frustration swamped over me. I felt my feet move, my body move away from the bed, the quilt dropping from my suddenly clammy hands. I could only hear the rush of my heart as it thundered in my chest, trying to force some air through me. But my breath was frozen as my body was pulled away from the bed towards the vanity, locked onto the box.

I felt my body do this. But I was just merely watching as though I was behind a glass window watching play out a story.

I sat on my chaise, my trembling hands rising to the box, shaking as they grasped the key in one hand and placed it inside the keyhole. My heart stopped and I was shaking and clutching my hair inwardly as if I could not believe what was going on.

No, no, no. Something is wrong. We can't open it. At least wait for Epimetheus-

Click.

No. Don't do it. What am I doing?!

I blinked, watching in horror as I held my breath, as I twisted the lock, feeling it click and the box jumped as it released, freeing its latches. Slipping out the key, I drop it on the desk and my chest was starting to ache from holding my breath over and over. But my body didn't falter. Moved on by an invisible force as I watched my fingers flip up the latches with light clink. My heart beat loud and heavy and slow in my chest, a final breath held as my hands shook gripping the corners of the lid and with a final shudder, I open the lid...

And stare into nothing.

I release a breath with a frown, brows creasing in confusion and I grip the lid with force, feeling more in control but thoroughly confused. The box was darker wood inside, almost blackened and nothing inside at all.

My blood ran cold, a chill as my blood drops and fades from within me. Something builds within me. My mind blank but there is still confusion as I close the box with sweating hands. It was just an empty box. I try to laugh it off.

Why am I scared? What have I done?

My smile falters as I step away from my vanity, away from the box. A slight brush of air plays with my hair, the curtains flutter as a wind breezes inside instead of outside. I back away slowly, stumbling over my feet as a wind draws itself inside the quarters. The curtains start to writhe like it was alive, the lamps blow out with a sudden hiss, throwing the room into complete darkness. Heart thundering in my chest as terror and fear escalates. My dress is pulled with a roiling wind. A rattling shudders as something falls over, dropping off my vanity with a crash. The lamps start to shake, swinging slightly with the room in which I realize the whole room is shaking slightly. I hear shouts coming from outside and from beyond the walls and my vision is swallowed up on the item upon my vanity and my breath leaves me rattled and shaken as the shaking comes to a slumber. An ominous, green light glimmers through the box and its lid, fading in and out as if something moves within.

What have I done?

Someone whispers in my ear, breath as cold as my blood and terror.

What you were always made to do.