Page 41 of Elf Shot

"You and Vili got close enough for him to show you? How nice," Layla said, failing to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

"We can argue about it later, Layla," Arne replied.

"Oh, we are going to argue about it, mister. And the fact that you put a fucking mark on me that has been screwing with me ever since you were taken."

"I didn't…" Arne looked at her closer and flushed. "Fuck."

"Yeah. Fuck. Now get moving before we start having the argument now," Layla replied.

Arne let out a string of curses under his breath, then he opened the door. Tor grabbed one of the torches from the room and stepped in after Arne. Layla took two deep breaths, trying to shove down the sudden bombardment of feelings.

"He's okay, Layla. You got him," Ciara said, reading her far too easily. It was an Ironwood trait to get angry in order to hide what they were really feeling. Layla searched her pockets and found some of the incendiary spells Charlotte had created. She placed one on the back of Arne's bedroom door and another on the headboard. She didn't want to think about the people he had been fucking in it while there. She looked at the woman still on the floor. She couldn't leave her there, no matter how angry she was.

Layla tapped her on the face. "Hey, wake up. You passed out."

"What…where is the prince?"

"He left. Come on, up you get. Let's get you back to the party." Layla led her out the door. There were no guards around. "Go on, have fun now."

The woman mumbled something and walked away. Layla locked the door and activated the patch.

"You're in a particularly vengeful mood," Ciara commented as she activated the one on the headboard.

"It'll slow down anyone coming after us. And fuck Vili and his mind tricks," Layla growled.

Tor stuck his head out of the passageway. "What's the holdup? We need to move."

"Just leaving some presents behind."

Tor grinned and hustled them into the passage before shutting them into darkness.

"So glad I have no issue with claustrophobia or being buried alive," Ciara murmured. The passage was small enough that Tor had to hunch over, and his shoulders almost brushed the sides.

"I won't let you get buried alive down here, Wolf Slayer," Tor promised her. "If you start to panic, I'll knock you out and carry you."

"Thanks? I guess?" Ciara replied.

"Aw, look at you two getting on," Layla crooned because she couldn't help herself.

Arne was waiting for them with another lit torch. He looked Layla over, his expression neutral but his eyes burning with so much emotion she had to look away.

I'm not dealing with whatever the hell that is.

"Lead on, prince. We are wasting time," she said gruffly.

Arne nodded, and they started to jog along the passageway. Layla hated cardio, but she hated that mountain even more. The sooner they got out of there and into the forest, the better.

17

Layla lost time in the tunnels. She was torn between relief and exhaustion and also had the buzz of being close to Arne to distract her. She hadn't been physically this close to him since Alta, and she wanted to kick his ass and climb into his clothes at the same time.

Fucking magic. Maybe Charlotte could figure out a ward that could stop handsome elves from putting claims on unsuspecting people.

Arne slowed his pace. "We are near the end. Keep it quiet. I don't know if Vili has this passage guarded."

They ditched the torches and edged slowly toward the opening. Layla could smell cold, clean air and the rotting greenery of the forest. Arne pulled one of his swords free, ready for a fight. He held a hand up to halt Layla before he checked the opening on all sides and stepped out.

A few moments later, he reappeared. "Looks like we are clear. Tor, I might need you to shift and see if your nose can pick up anyone close by."

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