Page 60 of Elf Shot

"That is your right, vennen, but once you give in, don't think I won't make you pay for it."

Gods. Layla was still blushing when Tor returned.

"I'm glad I'm going back to the wolves if you two are going to be this ridiculous," he snorted.

Arne rang Alruna, and within minutes, a glowing white and silver portal appeared in the middle of the living room.

"Finally," Alruna said on the other side of it. "Lovely to see you again, Layla."

"My queen," Layla replied, steeping out of one of Arne's homes and into another. She moved out of the way to let Arne and Tor through, her eyes trying to take in her new surroundings. She was in a modern style log house, with wide windows to look out at the forest around them. There was a large deck and a small jetty that jutted out into a lake.

"Cool place," she murmured. The inside was much to Arne's taste—wood furniture, jewel tones, and beautiful wrought iron light fittings. A large fireplace was already burning, and an honest-to-God black bearskin rug was in front of it.

The things I could do on that. Layla did her best to keep all the naughty thoughts off her face.

"I'm glad you like it," Arne said from behind her.

Alruna was speaking in low tones to Tor on the other side of the room, so Layla gave Arne's hand a quick squeeze. She didn't know how open he wanted to be around his mother or the other elves, but she was finding it hard not to touch him in some way at all times. Arne's eyes heated, and Layla's mouth went dry.

"Layla, I want you to reach out to your brothers. As soon as we can organize this teleconference the better," Alruna called, making Layla take a hasty step back from Arne.

"Mama, we haven't even eaten yet," he complained.

Alruna put her hands on her hips. "Is it my fault you don't know how to feed yourselves? This can't wait, my eagle. I have been patient enough with you two dancing around each other."

Layla giggled as Arne started muttering something in Norwegian. She pulled out her phone. "It's okay. I'm on it. We can grab some food after."

"See? At least your mate has common sense," Alruna said.

"Potential mate," Layla replied. Arne glared at her in a way that promised all kinds of trouble for that comment. "I better make these calls."

She stepped out of the glass doors and onto the wide deck. The air was cold, but the sun was shining, so it was tolerable.

"Layla, have you made it to the elves safely?" Kian answered on the first ring.

"Just arrived. Alruna wants to have a meeting this afternoon if we can arrange it. She's tense. I think she's really expecting Vili to act soon," Layla replied.

"It will be done. Are you talking with Kenna yet, or would you like me to give her the details?" he asked.

Layla kicked her boot against the railing. "I would like you to because I'm your favorite sister ever."

"Hmm, you all claim that when you want something,” Kian replied. “How is everything going with Arne? Have you mated officially yet? Imogen has already been gossiping to Elise about how you two were last night at Ritual.”

“Shocking,” Layla replied drolly. “As I told them, we are taking our time. There are too many bigger things to worry about right now.”

“Layla, this is the biggest thing. It is the most important decision you’ll ever make in your life.”

“That’s why I’m not going to agree to it until we are both ready.”

“If you say so. Let’s aim for three this afternoon, shall we? It will give me time to track everyone down,” Kian said and rang off.

Warm arms slid around Layla. Arne kissed the back of her head. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, we are on for three.”

“Excellent. It will give us some time to show you around. Tor will be back later, and my mother is insisting we go to her place for dinner tonight. It’s a short walk that way,” Arne said, pointing at a path that led through a grove of birch trees. Layla leaned back into him, enjoying his warmth at her back. “You’re trusting me a lot to come here on your own, and I want you to know I appreciate it. I already feel calmer having you behind the elves warding, but I want you to tell me if you start to feel overwhelmed at all. This is a lot, I know, and…"

Layla turned in his arms and kissed the side of his neck where she could reach. "I'm happy to be here, Arne. If I feel like it's getting too much, I am an expert at slipping away for a few moments."

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