Page 23 of Elf Shot

Layla threw her hands up in frustration. "I just don't get why you want to. I mean, look at me!" She gestured at all of her tattoos and general Laylaness. "Like there are layers of tattoos and nerdiness here that you are yet to uncover."

Arne traced his fingers over her arms and under the velvet sleeves. "I think your tattoos are beautiful, like the rest of you. Nerdiness included. I want to know what each one of your tattoos mean too because I think they are a puzzle that if I could figure out, I'd know all the secrets you keep hidden away. Any other objections?"

Layla was starting to sweat. She didn't know why she was arguing with him about it when her crush was telling her to just say yes. Especially when he said kind shit like that to her that made her insides melt.

"We probably have bad chemistry?" she blurted out.

Arne gave her such a look of disbelief that she desperately tried to think of something else to add. He huffed in annoyance, pulled her close, and kissed her.

Layla made a small squeak of surprise before she leaned into him. Heat rolled through her body, and her hands gripped his waistcoat before pulling him closer. He was gentle right until the moment she opened her mouth to his, and then he took over, soft mouth devouring her.

Layla had never been kissed like that. It seemed he was trying to use his lips and tongue to suck her soul right out of her body.

She let out an embarrassing groan but didn't pull away. She had wanted to kiss him to pieces since the moment he and Torsten had walked into the Ironwood manor. Just for once, she didn't think of whether or not she should do something and kissed him back.

Arne moaned as her tongue moved into his mouth, taking from him like he had from her. Her body moved of its own accord, her hips rolling against him.

"Layla," he whispered against her lips, the ache in his voice breaking down whatever resistance she had around her heart. Something inside of Layla's chest unlocked, like a door opening.

Finally, it whispered.

Desire and magic and heat rushed through her like burning honey. She didn't have magical abilities like Charlotte, but she could use a little of it, and she certainly felt it when it was about. It was radiating off Arne like sunlight, and she wanted to roll in it.

"Fuck," Arne growled, his hands gripping her tight as he took a step back. His eyes were shining with bright golden magic. "Did I hurt you?"

"Huh? God, no. Do your eyes normally glow like that?" Layla asked. Arne rubbed at his face.

"No. Only when I'm losing control," he admitted and then swore again.

"Hey, it's okay. You weren't losing control in a bad way. I mean, you might have lost your pants if you had kept it up, but you didn't, so you're safe!" Layla babbled, reaching out for him. "Is this a Vili thing?"

Arne still had his eyes closed, but he nodded. "Yes. It's his side of me, the power I inherited. It takes over, and I can lose myself in it. I don't want it to hurt you—"

Layla took his face in her hands. "Hey, just take a breath, okay? I know you would never, ever hurt me, Arne. If I didn't want you to kiss me, trust me, I have two daggers that would've made it known." She circled her thumbs over his cheekbones. "Open your eyes for me."

Arne slowly did, the shining light fading until they were only their normal gold again. "How did you do that?" he asked in awe.

"Talk you down? Have you seen any of my sisters when they are angry? You and your god powers got nothing on them," she teased.

Arne ran his hands up her arms. "I'm sorry it interrupted us. Though I think it proved my point about our chemistry."

"Yeah, you win that round, Steelsinger," Layla said, trying not to laugh awkwardly.

The side door opened, and a dwarf with golden braids appeared. “Apologies for the interruption, my prince. The queen sent me to talk to you about a private and urgent matter.”

Arne started to argue, but Layla pressed a kiss to his cheek. "It's fine. Do your prince stuff. We can talk later."

"Count on it," he replied, making Layla grin all the way back inside.

She checked her reflection in the mirrors behind the bar while she waited to be served and thanked all the gods that she had worn her immovable lipstick that night. She was sure it would've been smeared from one side of her face to the other like the Joker if she hadn't.

You just made out with Arne Steelsinger. Layla covered her mouth as a hysterical bubble of laughter threatened to bust free from her. The bartender saved her and took her order for 'all the vodka' with a smile.

She toyed with the candle holder made of a thick piece of pine while she waited, turning it slowly to see the carved runes in it. There wasn't the slightest detail in the room that wasn't perfect.

"Layla, I hope you are having a nice time," Alruna said, appearing beside her with Torsten. Like Arne, she had lost the reindeer fur, but she still wore her bone crown.

"Yes, thank you," Layla replied, hastily taking her vodka from the bar. She tried really hard not to think of Arne's tongue in her mouth. "I'm having a great night. Your ceremony was beautiful and very moving."

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