Page 46 of Elf Shot

"Sit your ass down, Arne. You're giving me chest pains just by looking at you," Bayn complained. Arne took one of the armchairs and tried to get his own feelings and words in order.

"I hated that she came for me the way she did. I was so fucking angry when I saw her in Vili's mountain. I've never been so scared in my life," he admitted.

Killian pulled a face. "Great. Now I can't be mad at you at all because you're just as sad and pathetic as she is. Of course Layla would go after you! She is an Ironwood, and for better or worse, you are her mate."

"Layla doesn't want to be my mate, and I don't blame her, Killian."

Bayn let out a pained sigh. "And that's why you've stayed away from her the last two days?" Arne nodded. "Then you are both fucking idiots."

"Still doesn't change the fact that she deserves better than me." Arne drained his drink. "I can't remember a lot of what happened when I was under Vili's enchantment, but I know enough. I killed people. Tortured them. I did it for him, and I laughed about it."

Killian and Bayn shared a knowing look. Arne knew enough about their pasts to know they weren't spotless.

"We have both been torturer and executioner in our times. We did it willingly; you did not. Layla will understand that," Bayn said.

"Knowing Layla, she's probably saying she doesn't want to be your mate because she thinks it's for the greater good," Killian added, leaning back into the couch.

"The greater good? How is any of this good right now?" Arne demanded. His insides felt like they had been doused in acid.

Killian rubbed at the back of his neck in frustration. "Look, it's not really my place to explain this. I love my sister, but she has a messed-up perception of herself. She thinks she's the lesser Ironwood. The fact that you're a prince will only make her feel that more."

"That…doesn't make any sense. How is she lesser in any way? The girl crossed worlds to save someone she hardly knows!" Arne said.

The very idea of Layla thinking terribly about herself made him want to scream. She had voiced objections about them in Alta because she thought they were mismatched. It was absurd. Every time they touched, it was like some missing piece finally clicked into place.

"Maybe we need to change the subject," Bayn suggested, a worried look in his eyes. "What are the elves doing to prepare for Vili?"

"My mother has told everyone of the threat, and the warriors have been assembled in Finnmark. She wants to have a meeting with all of us to discuss a plan if Vili does turn up. She also wants me to return home…with Layla," Arne explained. His mother was getting more than a little vocal about the latter.

"Why take Layla?" Killian asked, his frown returning.

"One, she's a part of the prophecy by the Norns. She needs to stand with the elves to defeat Vili. Two, she painted a big fucking target on herself by stealing me back. Varg doesn't like losing, not to mention how Vili is going to react to her challenge. Three, she is my mate, and according to elf law, she is already one of us. My mother has summoned all elves to return to Alfheimstod, our village in Finnmark. That includes Layla," Arne explained. "I won't leave Oslo without her, but I can't force her to come either."

Killian leaned forward and flicked Arne in the forehead. "Go and talk to her, you dickhead."

"She made it clear enough she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Yeah, well, she's an Ironwood."

Arne frowned. "So? What does that have to do with anything?"

"As someone who has mated with one of the family already, let me try to explain something to you. The Ironwoods are like tanks. Very hard and violent on the outside, and even harder to kill," Killian said. "They are taught to be tough, so when they get emotional, they turn that into anger. Really, they are super soft once you get past the ridiculous rage and the armor. Layla is as downhearted as you are."

Arne chewed his lip. "Doesn't mean she wants to be my mate."

"You're not going to find out until you nut up and go talk to her," Bayn said, nudging Arne with the toe of his boot. His phone buzzed, and he grinned when he saw the message. "Kian also says you need to go and talk to her. Like right now."

"What? Why? Is she okay?" Arne asked, sitting up straighter.

Bayn clicked his tongue as he read the message. "Nope. She told Kian that 'she thinks that if she goes through with the mating bond, you'll regret it in the future and break her heart because she'll never be enough for you.'"

"What the actual fuck?" Arne couldn't believe what he was hearing. "She's fucking incredible. Why—"

"We aren't the ones you need to convince," Killian said, getting to his feet. He gave Arne an encouraging pat on the head. "Sorry about breaking your face."

"It's already healed," Arne replied. "And I let you hit me."

"Sure, you did, elfling."

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