Chapter 20
Invite

Holly nearly paled at the words as they sat in the war room in the House of Wind. Rhys looked pissed and Azriel looked liked he wanted to murder someone. The letter from Amaratha sat on the table. Holly gripped the armrest. Mor and Amren were sitting there with stoic faces. Cassian sat across from Rhys. Holly jumped when Azriel put a hand on her thigh.

"Easy." Azriel whisper and Holly put a hand on his hand.

"So she's inviting you and Holly along with the Night Court to a party Under her Mountain?" Mor asked.

"It looks like she does." Rhys said.

"It could be a trap." Holly said, looking at Rhys.

"That's why we're going." Rhys said. Everyone looked at Rhys like he was crazy. "Just me and Holly and the Night Court. All of you will stay here in Velaris."

"You expect me to stay here while my mate goes into enemy territory?" Azriel about growled.

"Boy. You'll be going in the wolf's den." Amren said. Rhys looked at Azriel.

"You two aren't ready to reveal that you are mates to her father. You are safer here then there." Rhys said. Azriel didn't look happy. "I'll keep an eye on her." Rhys looked at Amren. "I'm going in to ruin her to have her reveal what she really plans."

"And what if it fails?" Cassian asked. Rhys stood and walked to the windows. Azriel and Holly share worried looks

"Let's hope it doesn't." Rhys said.

"I'll go." Holly said. Holly turned to Azriel. "He's right. We don't know what she has planned. Your safer not to come with me." Azriel didn't look happy.

"All of you need to stay." Rhys said.

"Boy. She saw us when she visited the Court of Nightmares." Amren said.

"I went into her mind when she walked away and erased memories of you except for Holly." Rhys said. Holly nearly sighed in relief on that. No one looked happy on this. Holly knew she had a few days with Azriel before they were leaving. "If this works it will come back and bite her in the butt. Everyone thinks she's trustworthy except me and Tamlin. Along with Holly." No one looked happy about any of this and Holly felt an unease that something wasn't right about this.

"I don't like it." Cassian said.

"Neither do I." Mor said, crossing her arms.

"I am keeping you all safe. I'll keep an eye on Holly." Rhys said. Azriel didn't looked relaxed on that. Holly stood up.

"Father is planning something. I am going to talk to Ella." Holly said. Rhys nodded as Azriel stood up.

"I'm coming with." Azriel said.

"Go. See what you can find out." Rhys said. Azriel and Holly walked towards the balcony. Azriel scooped her up. Holly wrapped her arms around Azriel's neck and he flew them out. Soon as they were away from the wards, Holly winnowed them to their meeting spot with Ella. Ella stood with her back to Holly as they arrive.

"Ella." Holly said. Ella turned to her best friend.

"Holly. I just received..."

"Amaratha is calling all the High Lords to her Mountain." Holly said. Ella didn't looked surprise. "Along with me." The look of surprise filled Ella's face. "What do you know?"

"Your father is keeping stuff, but he knows what Amaratha is planning. It's part of his plan for what he wants with the Cauldron." Ella said.

"So they could be going into a trap." Azriel said.

"I don't know what she's planning. You need to watch you back. You and your High Lord." Ella said. Holly and Azriel share looks. "I don't trust her."

"Neither do we. Rhys has a plan." Holly said.

"You think it will work?" Ella asked. Holly shook her head.

"I don't know." Holly said.

"I'll get some men to scout out the Mountain." Azriel said. Holly looked at her mate.

"Maybe get spies in there." Holly said. Azriel looked at her. "Just to see if there's more we can find out. Ella. Do you know some that can get in?"

"A few." Ella said. Azriel came up to her.

"This might fail and I might..." Holly put a finger to his lips.

"We waited this long to find each other. The Cauldron won't keep me separated from you for long." Holly said.

"When is the party?" Ella asked.

"In a few days." Holly said. Ella nodded.

"I'll let Cedric know. Watch your back, Holly." Ella said. She winnowed away. Holly felt her heart sinking. She still had a bad feeling that this wasn't going to go well.

AN: We are getting into ACOTAR in next chapter. Till next time.