Page 63 of Elf Shot

"Seems like a good forest to get lost in. And before you laugh and say it's impossible, I am hopeless with trees and stuff. I get lost on the Ironwood property all the time."

"I'd hunt you down if you did," Arne said with a teasing smile.

"Oh gods, you don't have a weird primal elf hunting kink, do you?"

Arne laughed. "No. Hunting kinks is more Torsten's thing. Why do you think he's so fascinated by Ciara. She is literally so good, she can hunt wolves to ground and then kill them. He hates that it turns him on."

"Holy shit. I’ve never put that together."

"Please don't tell her. Those two are only just starting to be civil to each other."

Layla snickered. "No way am I going to tell her. It's going to be so much funnier for me to watch it play out." More lights from a house grew through the trees. "What's it like living next door to your mom? Aren't you worried she would randomly drop by when you're getting naked with someone?"

"It's never been an issue because I've never had a sexual partner in my house here," Arne replied.

"What? Why?"

"Because this is my family home. I haven't ever wanted to bring someone here that I wasn't serious about, and until you, I've never been serious about anyone."

"Oh. That makes me feel unexpectedly special," Layla said.

Arne wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple. "You are special. You should know that by now."

"It's one of those things that will take me a while to get used to. I've always been the not special one in the family. I know you don't get it, that's okay, but it's something that I'll have to work through," she said, feeling awkward trying to explain it.

Arne tightened his grip on her. "Don't worry. I'll be here to remind you every day until you do get used to it."

"Gods, you really are perfect, aren't you?"

Arne's smile was a slash of white in the growing shadows. "Perfect for you is very different from being perfect."

Layla hadn't expected Alruna to be in a castle, but she did expect something bigger than the house they came to. It was gorgeous, built in the same design as some of the other houses she had seen in the village. It was a log home with carved wooden arches and beams painted in a dark red. Warm light burned inside, showing Alruna working in the kitchen.

"I don't know why I thought she would be in a bigger place," Layla said.

"What's the point when it's only her now that I've left? She always has friends staying, but she's never wanted a mansion. There are other places in the village that visiting dignitaries can stay in. At the end of the day, she likes her privacy."

"It's her sanctuary," Layla said, understanding that impulse. Living in a big family meant she had to take her quiet moments where she could get them.

Arne made to move for the doors, but Layla pulled him back. "What is it?"

"Can I have a kiss for courage?" she asked.

"You don't need courage. She's going to love you." Arne lifted her chin. "And you never have to ask for a kiss." He embraced her sweetly, the anxiety inside of her loosening at the touch.

When they finally made it inside, Alruna greeted them with cheek kisses.

"Layla, you can come talk to me in the kitchen. Arne, can you please go chop some extra wood?" Alruna asked.

"Sure, Mama." Arne looked at her suspiciously, but his mother only smiled sweetly.

"Are you sure there isn't anything I can help you with?" Layla asked. The kitchen was filled with delicious smells, a pile of salad ingredients beside a chopping board.

"Everything is done really. I only want the company." Alruna pointed at the kitchen counter stools for Layla to sit on. She placed a chilled glass of beer in front of her.

Layla turned with the first hard thud of ax against wood. She peered out of the window and spotted Arne, his shirt off to keep wood chips off it. He had his tattooed back to them, his inked muscles flexing with every swing. Layla's mouth watered.

I get to kiss that whenever I like, she thought, joy running through her.

---