Daphne - PG 13
Act II
By MizLou
It was still dark out when the low morning calls of the birds stirred the nymph from her light slumber.
The clouds swirled in the dull dawn sky as she moved nimbly through the forest, stopping just briefly to entice the flowers awake before continuing. The aroma drifted from the painted petals as her fingertip lovingly awakened them back to life; the speckled hues of pale pinks and fair yellows inviting as they seemingly burst open.
"Impatient for the morning light?" Daphne's gentle voice cooed to the flora. "As am I."
The air was cool and crisp. It fanned her hair lightly from her shoulders as she glided over the soft forest floor; the gentle rustle of the high leaf canopy led her way, occasionally folding out so that she might look upon the indigo crystal sky. The rhythm of her feet on the earth matched that of her heart resounded loudly in her throat. It was another fleeting moment before she noticed that her usually even strides seemed almost giddy. Something tugged in her chest forewarning her. Her pleasant thoughts of him pushed it to the side. He seemed to have control of her emotions even in her thoughts.
"I have to see him again." Gingerly running a hand through her hair she whispered breathless; completely lost in a daydream as she hurried to her destination.
She knew exactly what time he would be arriving to bring back the morning sun after the overnight departure and hurried over to the familiar crook of the forest. Daphne seated herself with her legs astride.
The vision of him returning had never allowed her legs to keep her standing.
Slowly in the twilight the first single ray pierced the night sky; tilting over the sphere before shattering into several thousand glimmers falling to grace the earth. As more rays joined, the radiance reflected off the morning dew on the leaves framing her hiding place and absorbed the light before refracted it into rainbows around her petite form. As the gentle morning breeze shifted she eagerly moved the leaves to better her view. The captured sunlight fell from the foliage onto her lilac hair.
"I just have to see him again."
The horses' hoofs permeated the air as the weight of the massive orb caused their coats to dampen in their labor. Wild whinnying accompanied muscles as they flexed absorbing the taunt reigns and hooves thundered. His silhouetted form was framed within the giant sphere and danced between the blinding rays.
Apollo's brow glistened with sweat while the wind trailed through his radiant tresses. Daphne watched the muscles ripple through his chest; a perfectly sculpted arm wielding the whip in powerful strokes, driving his horses onward. She watched parted lips encourage the steeds, coaxing them gently. The radiant smile softened his features after the orb sat fixated high in the sky. The chariot moved much more quickly now that it was free of the mass.
In her awe Daphne didn't trust her legs enough to move yet. A smile mirrored the god's as realized she was holding her breath. A few moments passed. Blushing at how content she was simply watching him she gathered herself and shifted to a kneeing position. The tug in her chest heeded a warning.
She should be going soon.
"But he broke his word!" Eros' voice approached a whine.
Aphrodite sat with arms loosely crossed, graceful in her pastel gown, auburn hair swept up off her neck. She looked evenly at the winged god. "From what I heard he knew exactly what you were up to." She chuckled lightly in an attempt to lighten her tone. "The heir to the Sun is not an easy one to fool, trust me," she took a small sip of her drink, her narrow gaze hidden by closing her gently dusted eyelids. "I've tried to have my way with him."
Eros wing twitched and his eyebrow quirked up quickly. "Those two are certainly related."
Aphrodite rose in a fluid movement seemingly uninterested and absorbed in thoughts of her own. "Quit your whining," she quipped.
The fair haired god approached her. "You're just as upset with him as I am." He had come here to vent his frustration, but now Eros felt he might be able to use this knowledge to his advantage. She had brought up the sore incident again. It obviously bothered her.
He hovered over to the drink table and replenished her goblet. The emotion flowed over her features and felt his victory as he offered her some fruit. 'Just a few more minutes,' he smiled. "Don't you want your revenge for the humility he caused you?"
The goddess of love glided unaffected by the words over to the window. Her emerald eyes looked up toward the clouds as she remembered the evening they had spent together. She could almost feel the warmth of his kiss, remembered the way he had held her... remembered how he had left her with a blanket hanging loosely off her form; just walked away from her. Her! She was divine, a goddess, and of all things, the goddess of love.
It was humiliating.
He watched her arm flex against the bracelet gathering the silk on her forearm as she tightened her grip on her goblet. He would make his move. "Remember how the gods laughed with him? How he made the bet that he could seduce the goddess of love." Eros taunted the words in her ear. The clouds drifted past the sun allowing the rays to come out of hiding and warm her silk-clad arm. "How you felt as he left you cold in your room."
"Enough!" Aphrodite's tone pitched as her drink sloshed.
Eros grinned as he took the felt seat she was sitting in only moments ago. He was in control now, but would continue to play her game. Allow her to assume she was in control. It was the only way he could employ her aide. Silently clearing his throat, he ensured his tone pleaded.
"Won't you help me?"
Daphne nearly stumbled. Her intense observation of the graceful god suddenly interrupted as a bird landed in the nearby brush. Apollo was brushing down his steeds, chuckling as they nuzzled the oats out of his hand, when the sudden rustling caught the god's attention.
"Is someone there?"
She held completely still within the brush and noticed she was gently shaking. He couldn't notice her! She watched sheepishly, trapped, as he looked around apprehensively.
The sun god noticed light violet through the brush and slowly headed toward her direction curious. Her breath accelerated with each step he took forward. His cloak shuddered around his form with each pace as she heard, rather than saw, his steps coming closer. The bird fluttered up from the bush when Apollo was close enough to disturb it into flight and Daphne watched the wings against the sunlight with wide eyes. She should be going. The admonition weight in her chest earlier exploded. She had no other choice.
Daphne turned and fled.