Chapter 15

Mating Ceremony

Holly woke up with sun hitting her face and she smiled as she found herself curled up in Azriel's arms. Both were exhausted from the long night. Holly sat up and yelped as an arm pulled her down. Azriel was over her and Holly smiled.

"Good morning." Azriel said.

"Good morning. I can get use to this." Holly said. Azriel leaned down and kissed her. Holly's hand slid into his hair and kissed him back.

The door slammed open and Azriel pulled away and Holly pulled the blanket up to shield her.

"I did not need to see that." Casian's voice came. Azriel growled and he grabbed a pillow and tossed it hard at Cassian.

"Do you know how to knock!" Azriel said as Holly laughed.

"I thought she left without a goodbye and you went after her! Found Holly!" Cassian called. Holly fell back on the bed. Clothes appeared on the bed for her and Azriel as Cassian ran out.

"He just had to make an entrance." Holly whispered. Azriel pressed a kiss to her head.

"Come out dressed so we can make sure Cassian isn't lying." Mor called. Azriel groaned and Holly slid out from under him and grabbed the clothes for her. She put on leggings and a sweater as Azriel changed. His hands wrap around her from behind.

"Let's not go out." Azriel whispered. Holly turned in his arms and kissed him.

"I think our friends want to make sure I'm not leaving." Holly whispered. Azriel sighed and he knew she was right.

They found their friends sitting in the eating area waiting for them. Amren as there as well. Rhys's eyes followed his two friends and didn't help but notice the smile on Holly's face the first time in a long time.

"So." Cassian asked. Holly and Azriel share looks.

"I'm staying." Holly said. Mor leaped out of her seat and hugged Holly in relief. Rhys looked at Azriel.

"Are you mated?" Rhys asked.

"We are." Azriel said. Cassian clapped Azriel on his shoulder as Mor hugged Holly even tighter. Rhys had a smile on his face. "We also wanted to ask." Holly pulled away from Mor. The two had talked before they fell asleep. Azriel looked at Holly.

"Would you all like to go with us to the priestess to be blessed as mates and also be married?" Holly asked. Mor squealed. "We want to make it official in case my father tries to say we aren't."

"Your not going back to your father now. Not with you now part of this family." Mor said. Rhys nodded. Rhys came over and hugged Holly.

"Welcome to the family and we'll come. Mor go..."

"I already plan to and I'll pay for everything." Mor said. Holly started protesting as Azriel and Cassian shook their heads at Mor. "Oh no. It's my mating gift to you for now. We're going and I'm spoiling you." Holly grumbled.

"And we'll take this guy out for a Bachelor Party." Cassian said, wrapping an arm around Azriel. "You coming, Rhys? Nevermind you are coming."

"Just don't bring the boy drunk to his ceremony." Amren said with a smile. Amren looked at Holly. "I'm glad your not leaving, girl. You are happy here." Holly smiled at Amren.

"Can you men take us to the streets before you go?" Mor asked. Holly smiled as Azriel and Cassian nodded. They head to the balcony and Azriel scooped Holly up. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he launched in the air. Cassian had Mor and Amren. Holly missed flying with Azriel when they were going through what they went through and she kissed his check with gratitude. He smiled as he landed on the ground in Velaris. Amren and Mor linked their arms with Holly as they waved the boys off and they wonder into the ground. Cas wrapped an arm around Azriel.

"Your one lucky Illyrian. Now you'll be whipped." Cassian said with a smirk.

"Just wait till you find your mate." Azriel said with a matching smirk and Cassian's smirk disappeared. Rhys chuckled as he landed next to his brothers.

"He's right on that." Rhys said. Cassian grumbled about staying single for awhile. Rhys and Azriel shook their heads.

Holly ran her hands over the dresses at the shop her and Mor love to shop in. Amren was looking at the jewelry.

"I'm surprised you two didn't go down last night." Mor said from a shelf over.

"We wanted you guys there as witnesses." Holly said.

"And you don't want anyone on your family side knowing?" Mor said. Holly shook her head.

"I know my twin would want to, but I don't see my father approving." Holly said.

"Your father is a piece of work, girl." Amren said from where she was looking. Holly snorted.

"Yes he is. But they might come find I don't come home." Holly said.

"Rhys is already prepping if it happens. You won't be going back." Mor said. Holly smiled in relief.

A dress caught Holly's eye and she pulled it off. It was a long sleeve blue dress with a v neckline. The sleeves were see through and it was gorgeous. Holly smiled.

"This one." Holly said. Mor came over and smiled.

"Its beautiful." Mor said. Mor grabbed it from her and Holly protested. "No you don't. I'm buying it along with everything else." Holly nearly groaned. "No arguing."

"Yes, mother." Holly grumbled. Amren found some pearls that looked like stars to put in Holly's hair. "Will Cas and Rhys make Azriel drunk before the ceremony?"

"I don't think they will. I don't think the boy would let them." Amren said as they walked with their bags to the Townhouse. Holly smiled.

A few hours later. Holly sat in front of the mirror in her room after having dinner and bathed. The dress hugged her body perfectly. Holly looked in the mirror. Since she left Hybern, her face had become fuller and her eyes brighter. Her body wasn't nearly skin and bone anymore. Her hair was down and Mor was finishing putting the pins in her hair. The green eye that looked out at her. Holly knew it was her mother's eye and the black. It might have been the King's same eye color but her uncle had black eyes as well. Holly saw both her parents looking at her. Tears filled her eyes.

"What is it?" Mor said.

"It's... It's nothing." Holly said.

"Tell us, girl." Amren said. Holly had finally told Amren who her parents were truly.

"I wish my mother was here to see this. She would of been happy to know I have a chance to have a better life." Holly said. Mor hugged Holly. Holly rested her hand on Mor's arm.

"Girl. They might not be here, but they are here in your heart. Just know that you got away." Amren said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Holly nodded. Holly brushed her tears away. Mor kissed Holly on the check and handed her a goblet of wine. Holly took it and took a long drink. It helped calm her sadness down, but also her nerves. Mor finished up with the makeup.

Soon as the moon was high in the sky. Holly found herself in one of the temples with Azriel, who nearly had tears in his eyes at the sight of her when Amren and Mor brought her into the temple. A priestess stood in front of them as they faced each other, hands clasped together. He was dressed in dress pants and a dark short sleeved shirt. Their friends stood behind them as the Priestess began.

Rhys watched his brother and now sister say their vows with a smile on his face. The two deserved the world and to see them happy surrounded by those that loved them is all they wanted.

"What are we going to do when her father comes for her?" Cassian whispered.

"We won't let him have her. And if they take her before we can do anything. We'll rip apart Hybern to get her back." Rhys said. Cassian got a wicked grin. "She found her freedom and reason to stay."

"Her father is gonna try and find ways to get Holly back, boy. You sure you ready for that?" Amren asked as the vows were finished and the Priestess looked at Rhys.

"Let him come." Rhys said. He came up to Azriel and Holly with the black ribbon. Holly looked at her High Lord with a smile on her face and Azriel gave a slight nod of his head with a smile on his face. Rhys wrapped the ribbon around their two hands that they would hold. It wasn't to be taken off till they consummate the mating, even though they already did it. Mor was smiling as Rhys moved away as the Priestess announced they were mates and Azriel pulled Holly into a kiss. Their friends clapped and cheered for them. Holly smiled against Azriel's lips. His free hand pulled her closer into the kiss.

Back at the Townhouse.

"I'm so happy for you two." Mor hugged both Holly and Azriel. Cassian put a hand on Azriel's shoulder and gave Holly a hug. There was no jealousy from Azriel. Cassian was like a brother to both of them.

"I have a mating gift for you both from all of us." Rhys said, coming over. Azriel looked at Rhys. "You can have the cabin." Azriel's eyes widen. "Long as we can still use it here and there and for our annual Winter Solstice traditions." Holly raised an eyebrow at that.

"Thank you." Azriel said. Holly wondered where the Cabin was.

"Get going. We'll see you when your ready to come back." Mor said. Azriel's bonded hand squeezed Holly's.

"Don't have to much fun." Cassian said with a smirk. Azriel gave him a glare as Holly gave a vulgar gesture at him with her free hand.

"Don't worry about your father. I'll handle it." Rhys said. Azriel pulled Holly close as they disappear into the shadows. Rhy looked at the Inner Circle. "Draco is already at the Court of Nightmares."

"You waited till now to tell us?" Mor asked.

"I'm not going to ruin their night and if I'm figuring right. Draco will be waiting a week to see his sister." Rhys said with a smirk. Cassian chuckled.

Azriel and Holly appeared on what seemed like a mountain with a cabin tucked on top. Holly looked up at the cabin.

"It's a family cabin. We sometimes come up here to get away or spend a week drinking." Azriel said. Azriel led her towards the cabin and when they entered a fire was going. "It will continue to burn till we leave and have food." It was a two bedroom with dining room, kitchen, and living area.

"It's perfect." Holly said. Azriel turned her and pushed her against the wall. Holly smiled at him with lust in her eyes. Azriel kissed her long and hard and they soon were lost in each other.

AN: Yay. Now their friends know they are together. Heh heh. Till Next time.