Page 42 of The Seducer
“I remember being scared out of my mind at the sight of the angry giant in front of me and then you blocked my view by moving in front of me like a protective shield.”
“Because I saw how scared you were,” Finn said and shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“To me it was,” I said in a soft voice. “It was the difference between facing my worst nightmare and feeling safe.”
He frowned. “You felt safe?”
“Maybe not safe, but I was impressed that you didn’t show any fear of him.”
“Why would I? Magni is my best friend.”
“I wasn’t aware of that at the time, and I was grateful you protected me from him.”
Finn shrugged again. “Are you grateful enough to lift the curse without keeping me here for five days?”
“No, but I’m grateful enough that I’ll help you become a better version of you.”
Finn groaned and placed his head in his hands. “You do realize that I don’t have unlimited time in the Motherlands, right? The other four Nmen are out there representing our people and creating a raving group of sex-hungry fans, while I’m stuck in an old mill meditating with you two.”
With grace, I moved to the door and opened it. “I’ve told you,” I said in a calm voice. “You are free to leave any time you want to.”
“What I want is for you to lift that fucking curse,” Finn boomed, his good mood gone.
Raising an eyebrow, I swung my hand. “Get out!”
Finn dropped his chin. “Are you for real?”
“I said get out,” I repeated in a firm voice.
Placing his hands on his hips, Finn refused. “Not until you lift the curse.”
My eyes turned to Hans, asking him to support me.
“Ehm.” Hans cleared his throat. “Maybe you’d better step outside,” he told Finn.
“Or what, huh?” Finn’s face was reddening and his hands were swinging in the air when he spoke.
“Or I’ll have to escort you outside,” Hans said with a sympathetic voice. “This is Athena’s home and it would be rude to stay if she doesn’t want you here.”
“Youwould escort me out.” Finn looked down at Hans, who only reached his chin, and snorted. “And how do you plan to get me to move?”
“By asking you to step outside,” Hans said as if the answer was simple. “You’re an intelligent and fairly well-mannered person; I’m sure you wouldn’t want us to call reinforcement and have you returned to the Northlands on your second day here.”
Finn took that in and with a huff, he stalked outside. “And now what?” he exclaimed looking back at me.
I was still holding the door. “You were warned that I wouldn’t allow curse words in my house. You’re welcome to come back in when you’re ready to follow my rules and refrain from using profanity in my house.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, that’s just ridiculous. You can’t expect me to…”
The last part of his sentence was cut off when I closed the door.
Hans shifted his weight from one foot to the other with nervous energy. “Maybe I’d better go out and talk to him.”
“Do as you please, but I would leave him to cool off first.”
Hans who already had his hand on the doorknob, stopped. “You’re right, I should let him get past his anger.”
“Good idea,” I said over my shoulder and settled down on the couch with my book, while Hans kept an eye on Finn through the window.
