Page 72 of Elf Shot

Arne shook his head. "I haven't seen any other portals open."

"Looks like they want to talk," Kian said, pointing where Vili's ranks had parted and a group carrying Vili's standard was coming across the battlefield towards them.

"Varg, that piece of shit," Arne growled when he saw who was leading them.

The elvish warriors parted to let Alruna, Brök, and Eydís through. Tor, Arne, Layla, Kian, and Bayn fell into step behind them.

"I don't see him," Alruna muttered. "I would know if he was here."

Layla wouldn't have been half as calm as the queen if her deranged ex was about to face her in battle. She wanted to take Arne's hand but didn't. She didn't want to appear like the needy, weak woman of the group, because Eydís, dressed in full battle gear, her dreadlocks braided back and decorated with spikes, looked fucking terrifying. And that was without the huge sword hanging from her back.

How is this my life? Layla thought for the hundredth time in the past few days. Her ruined date felt like a million years ago. She looked up at Arne, and the uneasiness in her settled. As long as he was there, she wouldn't worry about the craziness her world had become. The cawing of a crow made her look up. The branches of the trees were filling with carrion birds as if they instinctively knew that blood and carnage was about to be wrought.

Layla fought back a shiver and focused on the group of Vili's people waiting for them. Varg sneered when he spotted Layla. He was missing a large chunk of his ear, and she smirked back at him.

"Queen Alruna and Prince Arne, you will lay down your arms and submit yourself to the will of the Dark King," Varg said, wasting no time in being a twat.

"And where is your master, dog?" Alruna demanded, looking as imperious as Layla had ever seen her.

"He will be here soon enough. He is offering you this one chance to live and to join him, to be a family and stand by his side as he takes what is rightfully his," Varg replied. "I suggest you take his offer and be grateful, woman."

"Be grateful," Alruna said, a soft snarl in her voice that had the hair on Layla's neck rising. "Do you know how many times I've been told to take the shit deal and be grateful? More times than the days you've been breathing, dog. I’ve never bowed to Vili when I was married to him, and I would rather slit my own throat than stand by his side as he starts Ragnarök for his own ego. If you have nothing more to say, we are done here."

Layla had to bite her tongue not to cheer. That's my mother-in-law.

"I hope that you remember those words as my king crushes you under his boots. I hope your pride comforts you as we slaughter your men and rape your women before burning your precious Alfheimstod to the ground," Varg replied.

Darkness bloomed in the air behind him. Golden power flickered at its center, and Vili stepped out of Svartalfheim and into Midgard. He towered over everyone, his presence making Layla feel like ducking her head. She refused to do it even if she had to grit her teeth against the compulsion.

"My mate," he said, staring at Alruna. "You still look as beautiful as the day I first saw you."

Alruna looked up at him, her eyes flashing. "Don't do this, Vili. You know that causing Ragnarök won't give you peace, and it won't heal the past."

"My past had peace. It even had happiness, and then you stole my boy from me. You didn't think I would ever find out?" he snarled.

"He is my son, not yours. I don't regret leaving. I knew you would twist him for your own purpose and design." Alruna's whole body shimmered with rage and magic. "The first thing you did when you stole him back was rob him of his will. What kind of father does that?"

"One who has no time to undo the weakness you have put in him," Vili replied. He looked over at Arne and then at Layla. "You mated with a fucking human? How you continue to disappoint me."

"I'm long past needing my father's approval for anything," Arne replied coolly. "She may be a human, but she was strong enough and brave enough to break into your own house, shatter your enchantment, and steal me back."

Layla smiled the fuck you smile her family was so well known for. "That's got to be embarrassing for you."

Vili began to laugh, and before any of them could move, golden power shot out of him, blanketing the Midgard army in a wave.

Layla clutched at her head as voices started shouting at her, telling her how weak and pathetic she was. Cold fear dripped down her spine. She rubbed at her stinging eyes and saw warriors dropping their weapons, their eyes clouded with Vili's power. Kian and Bayn were on their knees screaming out for the slaughtered kin.

"Don't die without me, Layla, "Arne begged, clutching at the dirt.

Vili was looking about and smiling as his magic pulled everyone's darkest fears and horrors to the surface.

Layla pushed the voices away and unslung her bow from her back and nocked an arrow. Vili was too busy looking at the destruction around him to notice her. Layla breathed out and sent the arrow flying. It cut through the haze of magic and struck Vili in the leg. He roared in fury, rounding on her as his spell began to crack. He started to hobble towards her.

"How? How are you fighting this, human?" he demanded.

"Because there isn't a single thing that your fucking fear magic can say to me that I haven't said to myself a million times. I've had to fight those voices every single day of my life, and guess what? I always win!" Layla shouted at him.

She didn't hesitate, sending arrow after arrow shooting towards him. Vili knocked two aside with his sword, but one got through and struck his other thigh. He stumbled as blood seeped out of his wounds and stained his clothes.

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