Chapter 4
Court of Nightmares

It was a week since Holly arrived in the Night Court and she was learning a lot with the training with Azriel and Cassian. They discovered she was good with daggers and a sword. Azriel was quick to learn she had a good backhand swing with the sword when she disarmed him. Rhys was impressed. Mor and Holly would spend the days after training sitting and talking. The girls were becoming instant friends, but Holly was still not willing to open up about her past.

Holly came up the mirror in her room in a black long dress with long sleeves. The neckline came down to her belly with strings holding it together. It had a collar around her neck and gold plates on her shoulders, almost like armor. Mor had brought news that her father had found out about Holly and wanted to meet her. Rhys decided then and there it was time for Holly to see the Court of Nightmares. Mor wanted her to wear a dress like hers, but Holly put her foot down. It reavealed a lot and Mor found this dress. It was still a little sexy at the bodice, but covered more skin then the dress Mor wanted her to try. Holly's long black hair was down and curled. Holly looked in the mirror and brushed her hands down the dress.

"You ready?" Mor said, coming into the room. Holly turned to her friend. The two girls were close and Holly was nervous. Mor was in a stunning red dress that showed her body and skin that Holly would feel comfortable wearing. "You look beautiful, Holly." Holly smiled. She was starting to gain some weight with the food and she snacked when she still didn't get enough.

"I'm ready as I'll ever be." Holly said. The girls were to go ahead and the men were coming soon after. Holly took one last look in the mirror and then joined Mor.

They walked through the Hewn City. Holly's eyes couldn't help, but look around. People watched as they headed to where the throne room was. Some glared at Mor, who just smiled at them. Some hissed at her. Holly kept her head high and walked with a grace alongside Mor. The city was built in the Mountain. Every surface is carved with hideous artwork: Figures dance and fornicate, beg and revel. Pillars are carved to look like curling vines of night-blooming flowers. The city was lit with cilvery bobbing faelights. It was beautiful but to Holly Mysterious. Holly kept close to Mor as they reach the castle. Holly's eyes land on the gates that were carved into great, scaled black beasts coiled together in a nest of claws and fangs, sleeping and fighting or devouring each other. Between them flow vines of jasmine and moonflowers. Mor led her through the gates and doors open to a room of polished ebony. More of the beasts at the gate were carved into the columns. People turned as the girls enter. Eyes landing on Holly. Holly hated the attention. She wanted to slink into the shadows. Mor moved forward and Holly went to follow.

A man with gold hair and brown eyes stepped into their path. Mor and Holly came to a stop.

"Where is he?" The man asked. Mor looked at the man with pure dislike and Holly knew it was her father, Keir. He had the same look Draco had when he wasn't thrilled. His eyes were hard and had hatred in them.

"He'll be here when he decides to." Mor said. Keir's eyes fall on Holly and she saw coldness in them. Holly held her chin up. A woman stood next to him with her head bowed in almost a submission. Holly bit her lip to stop from saying something. Mor pulled Holly away from her father before he could say anything. They approached a dais where a throne sat on top of it. The throne itself had been fashioned out of a few of the beasts, a head snaking around either side of the back as if they watch over the High Lord's shoulders. It was a beautiful throne. Mor stood on top of the dais and Holly stood in front of it with her hands folded in front of her. "Your High Lord approaches." Mor announced. Everyone fell silent and Holly felt like the Mountain shook. Heads turn towards the doors and Holly turned hers to look as the door open. Rhys stepped into the room with Cassian and Azriel on either side of him, both dressed in Illyian Armor. Holly's eyes widen a bit. Both Cassian and Azriel had 7 siphons on them. Azriel had explained Illyian's had one or two siphons when she asked why him and Cassian had siphons. They were to help Illyian's concentrate and focus the killing power in battle. Holly just never knew that both Cassian and Azriel had 7 of them.

Azriel's eyes found Holly and his eyes widened a bit at the dress she was wearing. She hadn't worn dresses like it since he met her. Her mismatch eyes met Azriel's and she looked away. Rhys didn't look at Keir as he stepped on the dais. Azriel and Cassian came and stood on either side of Holly. Rhys turned and everyone got down on their knee to bow. Holly did it out of respect as she knelt on the floor. Rhys's eyes land on the Princess of Hybern.

"Holly." Rhys said, his voice commanding. Holly didn't flinch. It wasn't like her father's commanding voice and she knew she wasn't home. Holly looked up at him. "Come here." Holly stood up as Rhys sat on his throne. Everyone stayed bowed, but Holly felt like some of them were watching her as she stepped onto the dais and approached the throne. Azriel was watching her every move. "Stand right here." Holly stood to his right and turned to look at everyone. Azriel was looking at her. Holly felt her heart leap in her chest. "I have a special guest that will be staying here for a couple years. I want you to treat her with the same respect you would me. I like to introduce you to Holly, Princess of Hybern." People looked at Holly and Holly wanted to shrink into the shadows, but stood straight. "Now rise and go eat and drink." Fae stood up and started to talk and disappear. Cassian and Mor moved away from the throne. Azriel stayed by the throne as Keir scrambled over to the throne. His wife seemed to disappear into the crowd. Mor was already by the wine.

"I like to welcome the Princess of Hybern to the Night Court." Keir said. Holly looked at Keir. Azriel watched and saw Holly put on one of her best fake smiles.

"Thank you, Keir." Holly said with a nice voice.

"Hope your enjoying your stay." Keir said. Holly looked at Keir. He was looking her up and down and Holly pressed her nails into her palms. Azriel stiffened a bit. Keir looked at Holly's face. The bruises were nearly gone on her face. "Your father must be proud your here."

"I think he's more happy to get rid of me. And I am enjoying being here. Thank you." Holly said. Surprise flashes in Keir's eyes and it disappeared to dislike.

"Go get some food and drink while we discuss some business." Rhys said. Azriel turned towards Holly as she turned away from Keir. Azriel held out his hand to help her off the dais. Holly looked at him and smiled lightly. She took his hand. Rhys watched the two with raised eyebrows. Keir sneered at Azriel. Azriel ignored Keir. Holly let Azriel's hand go as she stepped down from the dais. Azriel put a hand to her back and she flinched away from his touch. Azriel pulled his hand back.

"Maybe the Priness shouldn't be around your dogs. Maybe she could stay with me for awhile. Her father..." Azriel turns to snap at Keir, but when Holly turned Keir was on his knees. Rhys looked at Keir with pure dislike.

"She's here as my guest. Not yours. The King asked me to take her. She will not be put the through the same stuff you put your own daughter through." Rhys nearly growled. Holly looked at Rhys in shock. Keir looked at Holly. "But I'll leave it up to Holly what she wants." Holly realized that she will have free will here not like at home. Rhys was looking at her. She felt Azriel's hands brush her back, but she didn't flinch this time. It was almost like a comfort to her. Holly looked at Keir and stood straight.

"I think I'll pass on that, thank you. I'm happy staying with the High Lord and my father doesn't control what I do while I'm here. So I'll pass on staying in this place." Holly said. Rhys smirked as anger flashed in Keir's eyes. "Clearly I'm not going to be a submissive like you wanted your daughter to be. Now excuse me." Azriel grabbed her hand and pulled her towards Mor who had a smile on her face. Rhys couldn't help but smile. Keir was fuming as he pulled himself to his feet.

"Not all woman can be controlled, Keir. You should of learned that with your daughter." Rhys said, leaning back in his throne. Keir turned on him and opened his mouth. "Keep what your thinking to yourself. Now. What do you have to report."

"I think you impressed Rhys." Mor said as she handed a wine goblet to Holly as she joined Mor by the tables of food and drink. Holly took a long drink. "Your father really wants us to beat you into submission."

"Keir seems more then willing." Cassian said, sliding over.

"Think I rather be back at home then deal with that." Holly said. Azriel was watching Keir as he talked to Rhys. Holly stood with Mor. She promised Rhys she stay close to Mor or Cassian and Azriel while they were here. People stood around whispering. Some were eying Holly. Holly turned to Azriel to see him glaring at Keir. Holly put a hand on his arm. Azriel's eyes turned towards Holly. The anger seemed to disappear from the hazel ones as Holly smiled up at him. "Hey. I don't think the High Lord needs us back till we have to leave. Stop glaring and try and enjoy some time with us." Azriel sighed.

"Eat. You haven't eaten all morning." Azriel said.

"I'm fine. I can last days without eating." Holly said, but Cassian had a plate of food in her hands. "Cas."

"Well you can eat when and wherever you want here, Princess. Now, eat." Cassian ordered.

"Yes, General." Holly grumbled. They found a table near the back away from Keir and Mor's family and Holly sat eating. Mor came back with food. Azriel disappeared to get himself a plate. Holly saw some blonde girls watching her with interest. Some didn't want to approach maybe with Mor being close to her and Azriel and Cassian being intimadating. Azriel came back with a pitcher of wine, because Mor was on her fourth glass and Holly was ready for another. Holly watched Keir with Rhys, who looked bored.

"You think your High Lord will hand me over when my father wants me back?" Holly asked in a whisper, but the others heard her. Mor shared a worried look with Cassian and Azriel.

"No. He won't send you back less you want to go back." Mor said. Holly nearly sighed in relief. Holly ate her food as she listened to Azriel and Cassian talk about training. Mor watched her friend with a pained look. She knew abuse and saw it in Holly. She was opening up more with Cassian and Azriel. She wished her friend would open up more.

A cry of pain comes and their heads turn. Holly was on her feet hearing it was a kid cry.

"Holly?" Azriel asked, but Holly was moving through the crowd. Azriel quickly followed with Mor and Cassian behind him. Holly found a mother over a sobbing little girl. Her hand was cut, pretty deep. Holly came over and knelt next to the little girl. The mother looked up.

"What happened?" Holly asked with a gentle voice.

"Some of the kids were playing and she got cut." The mother said. Holly reached for the little girls hand. "What are you doing?"

"I'm a healer back home." Holly said. Azriel, Mor, and Cassian watched. Rhys came through the crowd as Holly took the little girls hand. Holly put her fingers near the wound and magic flows into the wound and the wound disappears. The little girls checks were wet with tears. The mother sighed in relief. Holly smiled at the girl. "There. Try and be careful." The little girl nodded.

"Thank you." The Mother said. Holly stood up and the mother escorted the kid away. Holly turned and headed over to Azriel, Mor, and Cassian.

"Your a healer?" Mor asked. Holly nodded. Cassian whistled.

"I got it from my mother. She was a healer as well." Holly said. Azriel was watching her. Mor handed her a mug of wine. Holly took it and took a long drink. Azriel stood with his arms crossed. His frown was deep.

'Why would her father send her here if she could be useful in his court?' Azriel wondered. No one asked it out loud and Holly didn't bring it up. Rhys went back to his throne.

That night. Holly and Mor nearly collapsed into the chairs near the fire. Holly had stopped with the wine after the third glass.

"Cauldron. That was a long day." Mor groaned.

"Was more fun then father's honestly." Holly said. Rhys came up to the fire and turned to the girls. Cassian and Azriel joined him. "Did I do okay?"

"You did surprisenly good. Keir didn't seem to like you." Rhys said. Holly rolled her eyes. "I think its time." Holly looked at the High Lord. Mor sat up with a huge smile.

"Time for what?" Holly asked.

"You sure she's ready to keep this a secret?" Cassian asked.

"She's proven today we can trust her. Not fully." Rhys said.

"What are you talking about?" Holly asked with interest.

"What we are going to show you. You can't tell anyone. Not even your father. Act like it never existed." Rhys said. Holly raised an eyebrow.

"No one out of us knows it exists. Not even the courts or your father." Azriel said. Holly looked at Rhys. Holly didn't hesitate.

"I won't say anything and will keep it." Holly said. Rhys smiled.

"Let's get going then." Rhy said as Mor stood up. Holly stood up.

"Where are we going?" Holly asked.

"Velaris. The City of Starlight." Rhys said with a smile as Mor grabbed Holly's hand as everyone grabbed hands and winnowed them out of the Moonstone Palace.

AN: Yay. Holly gets to see Velaris. Man I want to live there. LOL. Till next time.