I waved franticially as the glowing horses approached, “Eos! Slow down!”
“I don’t have time for you, O!” she called back, raising the reins and snapping them.
“Just make some room on the chariot. Come on.”
“You’ll add stress to the horses.”
I raised my eyebrows and she glanced away with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Get on.” She shuffled over a bit.
I leapt up and squeezed beside her. The chariot was only made for one. We were uncomfortably close.
“What is it?” Her breath was soft, with a faint tinge of coriander.
“I was wondering…”
“I’m not slowing down for you,” she broke in.
“I didn’t ask you to!”
She sighed. “It’s the only thing anyone ever asks me. I’m not stupid. You want me to slow down a day:”
“That’s not what I want.” I met her eyes, bouncing slightly with the movement of the horses. “I thought I could help you out. I wondered if you needed a break.”
“A break?” She studied me suspiciously. “What do you mean ‘a break’?”
“A break. A day off. A chance to get off the back of this chariot to do something you want to do.”
Her eyes grew large. “Seriously?”
I nodded. “You work so hard. You deserve a break.”
“When?”
“When would you like to get away?”
“Tomorrow?” she whispered wistfully.
“Sure. I’ll take the day off school. I’ll meet you at five?”
“Perfect.” She sighed happily, her golden eyes twinkling. This will be fantastic. Is there anything I can do for you while I’m off?”
I tried to look guileless. “Oh. Um. Well, if you have a chance, would you pop in to see Morpheus?
“Oh sure! I never get to spend any time with him. That’d be great. Do you have a message for him?””
Shawn L. Bird 