Aelfheim – page 20

a Transcript"Snatch him away?" Seidr became angry. "You think he's done nothing because he's uninjured, perhaps? Let me show you his injuries."
Gni back stepped as Seidr stood and dropped her robe to the ground. Hans marveled. Seidr, her pale scars standing out against black as night skin, with hair like white silk, standing naked before Gni in her elaborate gown, her smooth, fair skin like alabaster and hair, raven black.
Hans rose from his reverie at Seidr's haughty words. "These are the scars of Madison, won in battle slaying the Fenris Wolf. I took his injuries to myself that I might save his life."
aYou tell her, girlfriend.a
Not bothering to collect her robe from the floor, Seidr sat back down in Hans' lap. She took little notice that he had taken the opportunity to cover himself. She snuggled in.
"And I didn't seduce him." She'd returned to her sweet voice, practically dripping honey. "I didn't have to. We love each other, almost from the moment each of us laid eyes on the other. Isn't that true, Dear One?"
"Well, yes."
Somehow Seidr managed curl more of herself against Hans, all the while still glaring at Gni.
She continued with a touch of venom in her voice. "He's single handedly removed your greatest barrier to defeating Loki. Isn't that enough? Or do all men in your service have to die? You come to me wanting to take my true love away to war and never once asked him what he wants."
She turned her face toward Hans' again. No wiggle this time, darn it.
She asked, sweetly, "What do you want, Dear One? To take part again in Gni's schemes? Or to stay here with me? Or maybe we can return to your world as lovers?"
Hans had a sudden insight into how a chess pawn might feel.
Gni curtly added, "You forgot to ask if he wanted to be free of your clutches. It matters little what you ask him if you have him ensorcelled, though, does it?"
Seidr flicked a wrist dismissively. Gni frowned at the gesture.
"I never ask a question I already know the answer to. Dear One? I hope you can forgive what I'm about to do."
She sat up in his lap, cupped her hands to his face, gazed into his eyes, and began a brief chant:

Filius Modi ' filii,
Thor 'heres, et Fenrir' homicida,
per tuum verum nomen, dicere.

Gni gasped.
aThat's cheating! Do it again.a
Unable to stop himself, Hans answered, "I want to do what's right." He faced Gni. "As soon as I decide what that is."
Looking back to Seidr, placing a hand on her cheek and looking her in the eye, he continued. "Seidr, I love you and I want you with me always, so I forgive you. You can call upon my name a thousand times a day and I would still love you."
Seidr curled back into Hans' arms.
"Oh, that wonderful word again. I'll never tire of hearing it. I swear, My Love, I'll never do that to you again."