Page 54 of Elf Shot

"It makes my heart so happy seeing you smile like that all cute. I just want to squish your cheeks," Freya crooned at her.

Layla looked between them and let out a laugh. "I thought you two would be convincing me to go home, not giving me love advice."

"Nah. This is good for you," Imogen said, putting an arm about her shoulders. "My little Layla is growing up, falling in love, taking what she wants in life. Rebelling against Mom for the first time. This is great."

Layla was still laughing when her phone buzzed. She checked the screen. Butterflies exploded in her stomach when she saw it was from Arne. There was a picture in his contact profile that he must have taken when they were at the cafe and set when she was distracted by Alruna. Sneaky elf.

Please come to Ritual and save me from unsolicited advice from fae males and a god.

Layla laughed and quickly texted back. What's in it for me?

Unlimited sexual favors.

Layla's brain fell offline for a few moments. She didn't know if he was joking or not. I can already get that for myself. I learned long ago to never rely on anyone else for emotional support, money, or orgasms. What else you got?

The text bubble appeared and vanished a few times, each time making Layla's smile widen.

How about a bow made by the elves with a quiver that magically replenishes?

"Ohhh, he's a sly bastard," Layla murmured. Freya and Imogen were snickering at her, but she ignored them.

I will throw in a massage in my hot tub for free, Arne added.

Layla went warm from her toes to her ears. It seemed like a really good time to start taking what she wanted. She looked up at her smirking sisters. "Looks like I have a pressing need to go to Ritual."

Imogen snorted. "I bet you do, hussy."

22

Arne let the noise of Ritual wash over him and drown out all the voices of doubt in his head. Bayn and Tor had turned up at his apartment two hours beforehand and declared they were in need of drinks before Arne, Layla, and Tor headed back to Finnmark.

They had gotten their first round when the god of the dead turned up.

"Thanks for outing me in front of everyone, asshole," Arne said because he was still dirty about it.

Arawan only smiled a too sharp, unrepentant smile. "Ironwoods don't like lies, little demi-god. I did you a favor. Better to get these things out in the open, trust me on that."

Arne had a mouthful of his vodka so he didn't say something he would regret. He thought of waking up with Layla's arms and legs tangled around him, and it soothed his frayed edges. Despite Arawan's meddling, things had begun to work themselves out. Layla knew his biggest fear about Vili's power inside of him and still had curled up with him, unafraid.

"Have you convinced her to accept the mating bond yet?" Bayn asked.

Tor snorted. "No."

"He wasn't asking you, wolf," Arne said.

"Doesn't matter. The answer is still the same," Tor replied. He tapped his nose like a smug bastard. "Her scent is on you, but it's not sexual."

"Lucky for you," Bayn said, eyes narrowing.

Arne fought not to groan in frustration. Gods save him from overprotective fae brothers. "If you must know Layla and I are taking things slow."

"Hmm better not be too slow or Von is going to beat you to it," Bayn mused and pointed. At the bar beneath them, Freya, Imogen, and Layla were chatting with Ritual's charismatic owner. He put his arm around a smiling Layla, and Arne's vision hazed.

"Deep breaths. He's a friend, remember?" Bayn called after Arne. He barely registered it, his legs already moving through the crowd and down the stairs.

The mating bond pulsed inside of him with every step he got closer to Layla.

Arne's magic tingled in his fingertips, and Von yelped as his arm was telepathically removed from Layla before he floated five feet away from her. She saw Arne and gave him an exasperated smile. Arne lowered Von back to his feet.

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