the room together in
a disconcerting wash of solemn neutrality and the dead flickered like
shadows. It must inspire a great deal of fear and awe in mortals.
A brawny Siamese and a petite snowy cat paced in front of Aphrodite.
Both glared up at her with contempt as pure as the blue of their eyes. She
hoped Freya’s love of felines did not include anything larger than the
domestic species. These animals clearly had no love for her.
By the Energy’s mercy, I want to go home.
“Aphrodite, Goddess of Love.” The feminine voice purred from a
stone chair before her. The cats ceased their haughty scrutiny to curl in
their mistress’s lap. “You are a long way from Olympus, brave girl.”
Aphrodite flinched. No one called her ‘girl’, but she held her tongue.
Here in Sessrumnir, with the menacing presence of a mournful army of
spirits, it would be foolish to challenge the woman.
For on this throne sat the Norse goddess of lust, love, and fertility and
she housed her hall with her share of Odin’s slain warriors. Not a being
to be taken lightly.
It was not just her intimidating appearance. With her white hair
flowing down her cloak of falcon feathers and her eyes like frozen ponds
she resembled the frost that permeated this country for much of the year.
It was the aura of menace about her. The Norse were not a friendly lot.
Aphrodite licked chapped lips. No food or drink had been offered.
Apparently they were not known for their hospitality either.
“Freya,” she said. “I am honored that you would see me on such
short notice.”
The other goddess cocked her head. “You have been busy.”
Aphrodite tensed, but tried to keep calm. Freya’s knowledge of her
business caught her unawares, but she suspected the Norse deity would
be sensitive to any weakness she might betray.
“Do not be surprised.” Freya fluttered her fingers at her before
stroking the Siamese. The throaty sound of its pleasure dispelled the
quiet. “News travels fast. Everyone has heard of the challenge you face.
Odin’s crows brought word to Asgard days ago.”
“Then you understand my need. Ares will use unethical methods
against me.”
“As you are now,” Freya’s colorless eyes narrowed. “If you come to
me for help is this not also cheating?”
Aphrodite took a gulp of the chill air and ran her hands down her
naked midriff.
Perhaps she should have worn something more respectful and less
revealing than her usual garb. From the disdainful vibe she felt, her
choice of clothing gained her no favor with her Nordic counterpart.
“I am not breaking the rules,” she said. “Merely bending them to suit
my needs.”
Freya sat back, toying with her exalted amber necklace. Aphrodite
coveted the glittering jewels.
Legend said the goddess had slept with four dwarven smiths to own
them. Aphrodite could understand why. They represented an opulent
masterpiece of light and sorcery she could detect from across the room.
I would have done the same to own that treasure.
“From what I hear, the rule is ‘no outside help’.”
“Zeus allows no outside help from the Egyptians, Asians, or Indian
deities,” Aphrodite said. “He mentioned nothing about Teutonic.”
“I see.” Aphrodite sensed a sort of amused respect from her. In fact,
the Norse beauty wore a subtle smirk. “And you chose me because…?”
Aphrodite met Freya’s cold glare. “You and I want the same things.
We draw our power from the pleasures of human interaction.”
“Surely you understand that if Ares wins, your own power would
dwindle. And besides,” Aphrodite said, straightening and stretching as
tall as she dared before Freya. “The male is of Norwegian descent.”
The twitter of Freya’s laughter caused ghosts to rush in frenzy to all
corners of the cavernous space. The white cat appeared to smile as it
blinked.
“And you think because your target has Scandinavian blood that I
hold some sway over him?” Her mirth might have sounded pretty had
a disconcerting wash of solemn neutrality and the dead flickered like
shadows. It must inspire a great deal of fear and awe in mortals.
A brawny Siamese and a petite snowy cat paced in front of Aphrodite.
Both glared up at her with contempt as pure as the blue of their eyes. She
hoped Freya’s love of felines did not include anything larger than the
domestic species. These animals clearly had no love for her.
By the Energy’s mercy, I want to go home.
“Aphrodite, Goddess of Love.” The feminine voice purred from a
stone chair before her. The cats ceased their haughty scrutiny to curl in
their mistress’s lap. “You are a long way from Olympus, brave girl.”
Aphrodite flinched. No one called her ‘girl’, but she held her tongue.
Here in Sessrumnir, with the menacing presence of a mournful army of
spirits, it would be foolish to challenge the woman.
For on this throne sat the Norse goddess of lust, love, and fertility and
she housed her hall with her share of Odin’s slain warriors. Not a being
to be taken lightly.
It was not just her intimidating appearance. With her white hair
flowing down her cloak of falcon feathers and her eyes like frozen ponds
she resembled the frost that permeated this country for much of the year.
It was the aura of menace about her. The Norse were not a friendly lot.
Aphrodite licked chapped lips. No food or drink had been offered.
Apparently they were not known for their hospitality either.
“Freya,” she said. “I am honored that you would see me on such
short notice.”
The other goddess cocked her head. “You have been busy.”
Aphrodite tensed, but tried to keep calm. Freya’s knowledge of her
business caught her unawares, but she suspected the Norse deity would
be sensitive to any weakness she might betray.
“Do not be surprised.” Freya fluttered her fingers at her before
stroking the Siamese. The throaty sound of its pleasure dispelled the
quiet. “News travels fast. Everyone has heard of the challenge you face.
Odin’s crows brought word to Asgard days ago.”
“Then you understand my need. Ares will use unethical methods
against me.”
“As you are now,” Freya’s colorless eyes narrowed. “If you come to
me for help is this not also cheating?”
Aphrodite took a gulp of the chill air and ran her hands down her
naked midriff.
Perhaps she should have worn something more respectful and less
revealing than her usual garb. From the disdainful vibe she felt, her
choice of clothing gained her no favor with her Nordic counterpart.
“I am not breaking the rules,” she said. “Merely bending them to suit
my needs.”
Freya sat back, toying with her exalted amber necklace. Aphrodite
coveted the glittering jewels.
Legend said the goddess had slept with four dwarven smiths to own
them. Aphrodite could understand why. They represented an opulent
masterpiece of light and sorcery she could detect from across the room.
I would have done the same to own that treasure.
“From what I hear, the rule is ‘no outside help’.”
“Zeus allows no outside help from the Egyptians, Asians, or Indian
deities,” Aphrodite said. “He mentioned nothing about Teutonic.”
“I see.” Aphrodite sensed a sort of amused respect from her. In fact,
the Norse beauty wore a subtle smirk. “And you chose me because…?”
Aphrodite met Freya’s cold glare. “You and I want the same things.
We draw our power from the pleasures of human interaction.”
“Surely you understand that if Ares wins, your own power would
dwindle. And besides,” Aphrodite said, straightening and stretching as
tall as she dared before Freya. “The male is of Norwegian descent.”
The twitter of Freya’s laughter caused ghosts to rush in frenzy to all
corners of the cavernous space. The white cat appeared to smile as it
blinked.
“And you think because your target has Scandinavian blood that I
hold some sway over him?” Her mirth might have sounded pretty had
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