Page 62 of Elf Shot

"Is this really the time?" Layla sighed, her face starting to burn.

Kenna ignored her. "Queen Alruna, mother to mother, I would ask you to please send my daughter home to Ireland where she will be safe."

"Respectfully, that's Layla's decision. She is a grown woman," Alruna replied steadily and gave Layla a small nod. Layla steeled her nerves and faced her mother.

"I've always put the Ironwood family and your needs first, Mom. I've never done anything for myself. I am done feeling like a secondary character in my own life." Layla took a steadying breath. "I'm staying with Arne and will be standing with the elves in this fight like the Norns predicted. That's the only way we will win against Vili, and this is where I want to be."

Kenna turned red and opened her mouth to object, but Arne beat her to it.

"Lady Ironwood, Layla will be safer here than anywhere on the planet," he said, his hand finding hers under the table. "We are also mating, and as my mate, Layla is now a princess of the elves. Her place is right here, beside me, with our people."

Layla's mouth fell open as her heart exploded.

"Oh my God, look at her face. She's never coming home now, Mom. Just accept it," Imogen said, laughing loudly. "Layla has been waiting to be an elvish princess her entire life."

Layla only had eyes for Arne. "I'm going to kiss you so hard later, it's going to get gross," she whispered.

"I hope so." Arne winked at her. He turned back to their audience. "Now, can we please get on with this council?"

25

Layla stood in front of the bathroom mirror and nervously fidgeted with the sleeves of her black sweater. It was only meant to be a casual dinner with Alruna, but she was still nervous as hell.

The council had agreed that everyone would ready their warriors and wherever Vili showed his face first, the others would join as reinforcements. Kian also had informed the human governments of the threat and would pass on any information they had on any of Varg's followers still in Europe.

Layla had let the conversation wash over. She still felt like she had been punched in the chest with Kenna trying to treat her like a child and Arne and Alruna backing her up.

She always felt awful after standing up for herself, but she had meant what she had said. She wouldn't leave Arne and the elves just because Kenna wanted her back under her thumb. Her mother might not believe in the Norns, but Layla had seen the heart of the World Tree. She knew what Vili was brewing in his mountain fortress. She wouldn't run away from the fight or Arne. She wouldn't let Vili touch Arne ever again.

My mate.

Arne had looked her mother in the eye and told her straight. To have Arne openly claim her meant more to her than she realized.

Layla fidgeted with her sweater again and made sure her makeup was perfect. She still didn't know if she was what was good for the elves, but she knew that Arne was good for her, so she had to do her best to win Alruna over. If the queen had no objection to her, then hopefully none of the other elves would.

Arne was drinking a beer when Layla finally came out the bedroom. His eyes widened. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," she said and took his beer. She had a mouthful. "I'm nervous."

"Don't be. It's only my mother," Arne replied. His fingers skimmed over the hem of her top. "Oh gods, this is so soft I want to rub my face on it."

"You're trying to distract me," she said, going hot.

"I was thinking you are trying to distract me."

Layla removed his roaming hand from under her sweater and wrapped her fingers around his. "Please don't make me wet before going to dinner with your mother."

"Is that what's happening in those tight jeans?" Arne grinned and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I'm thinking of all the things I'm going to make you do tonight with that sinful red mouth."

Layla's whole body shivered. "Help me get through this dinner, and I will give you whatever you want."

"Deal," he said, changing demeanor instantly.

"Jerk. You did that on purpose," she grumbled.

"Of course I did. You're forgetting I'm playing to win, vennen." Arne opened the side door and pulled her into the chill air. It helped cool her too hot body and get her brain back onto neutral things that didn't involve licking Arne's sleek muscles.

The sun was setting over the lake, the solar lights along the path of white stones flickering to life. Layla didn't doubt that Arne could find his way in the dark. The trees were birch and others she didn't recognize.

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