Chapter 10
Winter Solstice Ball
The day of Winter Solstice Ball came. Holly and Mor were getting ready in the Moonstone Palace. Holly came out in a black long sleeved dress. The dress was sheer in some parts of the dress while the sleeves were almost completely sheer. The neckline went all the way to her naval. It wasn't a dress she usually wear, but Azriel had been avoiding her since the kiss at the club and Mor had picked it out. It was gorgous and clung to her curves. Her long black hair was pulled back into combs. Mor came out in a red dress almost similar to it. Mor smirked seeing Holly in the dress.
"I knew that dress would look good on you." Mor said. Holly ran her hands down the dress.
"Don't get to comfortable with me in a dress like this." Holly said.
"It suits you though. You fit in with the Court of Nightmares." Mor said. Holly rolled her eyes. "Your gorgous, Holly. Az is gonna drop dead when he sees you."
"Mother help me." Holly sat on one of the chairs and pulls on black slippers. Mor chuckled. Holly leaned back in the chair. "If he stop avoiding me." Mor frowned. Holly stood up and went to look in the mirror. The dress was gorgous. Mor swore she was going to pin Azriel's balls to the wall at this rate. The boy deserved to be happy and Holly was a sweetheart.
"You ladies ready?" Cassian called. Azriel and Cassian were going to escort the girls into the throne room.
"Yeah. Just have fun, Holly." Mor said.
Azriel was ready to plumble Cassian's head in with the teasing with the kiss. The General was sending him smirks at the moment. Azriel stood with his arms crossed as he heard the girls laughing and talking. Holly's laugh was light and sweet.
"Will you stop that?" Azriel hissed at Cassian.
"What?" Cassian said, looking all innocent. Azriel glared at him.
"We're ready." Mor said. Azriel turned and his jaw dropped. Mor and Holly came towards them arm in arm and the dress Holly was in. Cauldron boil him. Cassian was sniggering. Azriel's eyes travel down Holly's body. That dress hugged her curves and body well and showed off more then normal. Mor was smirking as Holly blushed.
"You ladies look lovely." Cassian said, coming over and kissing Mor's check and hugging Holly, earning a growl from Azriel.
"Thank you." Holly said. Holly could feel Azriel's eyes roaming her body.
"You ready?" Azriel asked. The girls nod. Mor holds out her hands and they all grab each other and she winnows them to the Court of Nightmares.
People turn as the doors to the throne room open. Cassian entered with Mor on his arm and Azriel came in with Holly on his arm. Azriel had held out his arm for Holly as soon as they arrived in the Hewn City and Holly took it. Eyes were on them and Holly didn't miss the snarls that were sent at the Illyrian Warriors. Cassian snarled right back. Azriel ignored them as they approached the dais. Mor let Cassian's arm go and steps onto the dais. Holly stood beside Azriel as she let his arm go, but she feels Azriel brush his hand agaist her hand. Holly hid a smile as Mor looked at everyone gathered. No one could eat or dance till the High Lord came.
"Your High Lord approaches." Mor announced. Holly felt his power again as he walked as the ground shook. Holly could get used to it. Rhys entered the throne room. Like Cassian and Azriel they had got rid of their armor and wore black dress tunics and pants. Rhys looked bored as he approached the throne. Mor got off the dais and knelt on the ground. Holly followed everyone as they all knelt before the High Lord. Rhys looked at his Inner Circle as he came close.
"I see everyone is waiting patiently." Rhys said. Holly smiled as Cassian chuckled. Keir sneered from where he knelt. "Holly." Holly looked at the High Lord as he looked at him. "Welcome to your first Court of Nightmares ball." Holly smiled.
"Thank you, my Lord." Holly said. Rhys sat down on the throne.
"Rise." Rhys said. Azriel stood up and held out his hand for Holly. Holly took it and he helped her stand up. "Music!" Music started playing. "Go dance and eat." Keir approached the throne. Azriel pulled Holly away from the dais as Mor and Cassian moved away. People were already on the dance floor. Mor had a wine goblet ready for Holly. Holly grabbed it and took a long drink. Azriel saw people eying Holly. The dress made her look beautiful. Her mismatch eyes danced as Mor and her planned some shopping after Solstice.
"Ask her to dance." Cassian whispered as he saw his brother eying Holly. Azriel let out a growl. "Fine." Cassian came up to Holly. "Want to dance, Warrior Princess." Holly gave Cassian a smile as she took his hand and he led her out on the dance floor. They soon joined the waltzing couples. Azriel watched every move.
"You keep this up. I will nail your balls to the wall." Mor said, watching Azriel watch Holly.
"She deserves someone else that isn't a bastard." Azriel said.
"Then why did you kiss her?" Mor said. Azriel turned on her. "Clearly she kissed you back. I don't think she cares what you are." Azriel glared. "Get your step mother and half brothers cruel words out of your head. She's been through almost the same hell as you were. Unlike Rhys's parents, I think your a good match for each other." Azriel was still glaring at her. "You hurt her, Az, and I will make sure you regret it." Azriel headed for the dance floor as the song ended.
"Can I cut in?" Azriel asked Cassian and Holly. Holly's eyes lit up. Cassian nodded. Holly gasped as Azriel spun her and brought her against him, still holding her hand as his other landed on her waiste. Her hand rested on his shoulder. Mor and Cassian soon joined the dance floor. Holly and Azrian danced across the floor for what felt like hours. Her and Mor switching Partners. Holly loved being in Azriel's arms. He hardly talked, but Holly didn't mind. Holly saw Keir was starting to annoy Rhys. Holly got on her toes.
"I'm going to rescue Rhys." Holly said in his ear.
"Go. I'll get drinks." Azriel said. Holly kissed his check, surprising Azriel. Holly glided across the floor towards the Dais. Rhys eyes land on Holly.
"Sorry to interupt." Keir turned on Holly as Holly looked at Rhys. "I was wondering if the High Lord would like to dance with me."
"We're in the middle..."
"I would like that." Rhys stood up and stepped off the dais. Keir's nostrils flared as Rhys took Holly by the arm and led her out. "Thank you."
"You looked like you needed saving." Holly said. Rhys took her hand and put his hand on her waiste. They danced around the floor. Some onlookers looked surprised to see their High Lord dancing with Holly.
"I usually don't dance at these." Rhys said.
"Maybe you haven't found the right person. We could make this every ball if you like?" Holly asked. Rhys chuckled.
"I'll think on that." Rhys said as he swung her around the dance floor. He saw a light in her eyes and a smile on her face. Holly had really grown being in the Night Court and he would keep her from her father. Azriel was watching the High Lord dance with Holly. He didn't mind Rhys or Cassian dancing with Holly. He trusted him. Azriel glared at some of the men that were eying Holly like she was a trophy. Cassian noticed that and elbowed Azriel. Azriel growled. Cassian just chuckled.
"Jealous." Cassian said.
"Shut up." Azriel said, earning another chuckle from Cassian. The song ended and Rhys kissed Holly on the check as a thank you. Holly smiled and Rhys headed back to the throne was. Holly turned and was suddenly pulled into someones arms. Azriel was glaring at Cassian, whose eyes widen and Mor swore. Azriel turned and cursed.
"Hello, Pretty. Want to dance." The Fae reeked of alchol. Holly tried shoving him off her, but he pulled her closer. "Just one dance."
"Get off me." Holly said through gritted teeth. Azriel was pushing through the crowd and froze as the fae's lips crashed on hers. Holly's eyes widen. Someone ripped Holly out of the mans arms as Azriel's fist collided with the fae.
"Az." Holly gasped. Cassian had her by the arm and he was snarling at the male and Mor was instantly at her side.
"Touch her again and you'll regret it." Azriel seethed through gritted teeth.
"Get out." A cold voice came and Holly turned to see Keir storming towards Azriel. "You have no right to hit a court member."
"Holly didn't want to dance and he put his mouth on hers." Azriel said, glaring at Keir. Cassian let Holly go and she came up and grabbed Azriel's arm. They didn't need more fighting. Azriel body relaxed at her touch.
"I don't..."
"He's right." People moved out of the way as Rhys approached. "He needs to learn to keep his hands to himself." The man cried out in pain and Azriel turned to Holly as Rhys caused bones in his legs to break. "And Keir. Azriel was defending Holly's honor. I will not have him thrown out or banished. And I told all of you to show Holly the same respect as me. This man didn't. Take him away!" Guards came and grabbed the fae and hauled him out as he whimpered. Keir was seething. Azriel grabbed Holly's arm and she realized she was shaking.
"You alright?" Azriel asked. Holly nodded. Mor was glaring at her father. Rhys came over.
"I'm fine." Holly said as he gave her a questioning look.
"We're heading back to the Palace." Azriel said, but Holly knew he was going to take her back to Velaris.
"Get her out of here." Cassian said. Azriel wrapped an arm around Holly and they disappeared into shadow.
They arrived in Velaris at the roof of the Townhouse. Azriel scooped Holly up and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he launched into the sky, heading for the House of Wind. Laughter filled the air as people celebrated the Winter Solstice. Holly laid her head on Azriel's shoulder and closed her eyes. Azriel landed on one of the balconies and set Holly down. Holly leaned against the railing and breathed.
"You sure your fine?" Azriel asked.
"It.. It just caught me off guard." Holly said. Azriel watched her. "Thank you." Azriel moved away. "Az." Azriel turned. "Do you still don't trust me? Because you act like you do and you don't." Holly hated that he been avoiding her since they kissed and tonight he couldn't keep his eyes off her and danced with her all night. Azriel looked at her.
"I trust you." Azriel said.
"Then why do you keep pushing me away like you have. Especially after the kiss. Az. Talk to me." Holly said.
"I do trust you because you mate." Holly held her breath. "I'm pushing you away because..." He hesitated.
"Why?" Azriel shook his head.
"You deserve someone better. Not someone who is born an Illyrian bastard to a lord." Azriel said. Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm not worthy of you, Princess."
"I don't care if your a bastard, Az. Your the only one..." Holly said, reaching for Azriel, but he pulls away and Holly felt her heart nearly breaking.
"Your just saying that. I can't give you what you want. Just... This can't happen." Azriel disappears into shadow and Holly felt her heart just shatter. Holly closed her eyes and held back the tears.
Holly had ripped the dress off as soon as she got to her room and quickly went to grab a bag and throw clothes in. Tears blinded her, but she didn't care as she threw clothes into a bag. She stepped out of her room. The house was silent. Holly quickly dropped her friends presents in their rooms, but Azriel's... She kept in her bag. She wasn't going to give it to him. Hollly quickly disappeared into the shadows and went to the library where Clotho had told her she was welcomed to come live if she ever wanted to.
AN: Poor Holly. Don't worry. I got plans. Till next time.