Chapter 7

An Offer

The days turned from warmer to colder as fall was on them. Holly and Azriel would spend their nights talking and bonding and to Rhys dismay, Azriel hadn't talked to Holly about them being mates, but the High Lord decided not to bring it up. It was Azriel's right to tell her.

Holly came down the stairs of the townhouse that night. She wore a blue tunic with black pants with her brown boots. Everyone was out at a club tonight and Holly had turned it down. Holly pulled the hood of her cloak up. It was a black one. Holly looked around and saw the room was empty and the house was silent. Holly winnowed out of the townhouse. Holly appeared on the beach of the sea that seperated Prythia from Hybern.

"Holly." Holly turned to see her best friend and her twins mate, Ella, walking towards her. The two had grown up together and were close. The girl had fire red hair with emerald green eyes. She was a beauty. Holly walked towards her friend. There was a secret that she had been hiding from Rhys and his Inner Circle. Her mother had raised her not as a Princess, but as a spy that worked secretly against her father, but for her father at times. With her and her mother having healing magic. The King would send them into courts to heal and find information. Holly was sent into the Night Court to gather information, but Holly been giving not a lot. She was feeling at home and was not willing to turn on the High Lord, but her and her spies were working against her father. Ella, was her second in command. Holly took charge after her mother was killed to her father's dislike. Ella and Holly had been meeting once a week so Holly would get reports and she send a report to her father. "Anything to report?"

"Nothing." Holly said. The two faced the sea. "How's Cedric?"

"He misses you and worried." Ella said. Holly brought down her hood. Her long black hair was braided back.

"Is he still looking for the Cauldron?" Holly asked. Ella nodded. Holly swore. "Has anyone yet located it?"

"No. We are following leads as well. The last location was underneath a frozen lake. But it disappeared." Holly bit her inner lips. "Your father thinks your not doing what your suppose to."

"The Cauldron can boil him. Keep stalling him or coming up with something." Holly said. Ella chuckled. "I'm not coming back when the two years are up."

"He's talking of if you don't get more information, he'll pull you back. He is still hoping that the Night Court beats you into submission." Ella said. Ella looked at her friend and smiled. Holly had gained weight and looked stronger. Daggers were strapped to her thighs. "Though I think your doing better there. I'll keep you informed if we find anything. If we do, do you want to come and see it yourself." Holly turned to her friend.

"If I can get away, it's already hard sneaking out." Holly said.

"And you get caught now." A familiar voice said. Ella quickly winnowed away and Holly had her dagger in her hand as she spun around. Azriel stood leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and a frown on his face. "You really think you sneaking out would go unnoticed."

Back at the House of Wind. Holly sat in one of the chairs with the Inner Circle standing around her. Holly wouldn't look at Rhys after she told him everything about being a spy. Azriel stood not far away, behind Holly, but she could feel his eyes on her.

"I knew there was a reason he sent you here more then grieving your mother." Rhys said. Holly didn't look at him. "Does he know about Velaris?"

"No. Ella has been coming up with stuff to tell her. I only go meeting with her to get information on my father." Holly said, looking at the High Lord. Rhys was looking at her.

"Your a foolish girl for not telling us." Amren said.

"I know, but I didn't know if I could without being sent back." Holly said. Mor turned to Rhys.

"Rhys." Mor said. Rhys was looking at Holly. "Your not going to send her back after this information. If Holly had revealed Velaris to her father already, we would of been attacked."

"No." Holly looked at the High Lord. "We might be able to use her."

"How?" Cassian asked.

"What is your father looking for?" Rhys asked.

"The Cauldron. My connections have been looking for it as well." Holly said.

"Have they had any luck?" Azriel said. Holly shook her head.

"We're good at getting in places others can't and my father's soldiers are having the same issues. We have had no luck." Holly said. Rhys paced the floor. "How would you use me, Rhys."

"Be in my Inner Circle. Work with Azriel as one of his spies and be our go to with your spies in Hybern." Rhys said. Holly looked at Azriel.

"I haven't been able to get connections in Hybern, but with you. We could work together." Azriel said. Holly looked at the Inner Circle.

"I kept this from you. You shouldn't trust me." Holly said. Rhys came up to her.

"I'm giving you a way out of not going back to your father. You accept, you are free to stay here as long as you want. You'll have the freedom to come and go as you please." Rhys said. Holly looked at everyone.

"I'm not loosing a training partner." Cassian said.

"I accept." Holly said. Rhys smiled. Azriel had a small smile. "But I need to send some information to my father here and there. He's already talking of bringing me back if I keep doing what I'm doing."

"Then keep up with what you been doing with meeting your second. I'll give you stuff to tell Ella to send back." Rhys said. Holly sighed in relief. "Work with Azriel with missions and he'll take you on his."

"I would like to meet Ella." Azriel said. Holly nodded.

"You kind of scared her and we aren't suppose to be seen together. She thought you were someone else." Holly said. Azriel nodded.

"If we can figure out what the King of Hybern is planning. Amaratha has been in Prythian. I don't trust her or her King." Rhys said.

"You should know something." Holly said. Everyone looked at her. "She stole one of my father's spell books. He was furious on it." Holly said.

"He didn't take it out on you?" Mor asked. Holly had a haunted look on her face. Azriel's hands clenched into fists and Mor didn't ask anymore.

"I'm sorry for keeping this from you." Holly looked at Rhys.

"Your shields are strong in your mind, Princess." Rhys said. Holly's nostrils flared. "But keep me informed what is going on and I'll forgive you." Holly nodded. "Get some sleep." Holly stood up and headed for her room.

"I told you she couldn't be trusted." Azriel said. Rhys turned on him as Holly's door shut.

"And yet somehow the Cauldron made you and her mates." Rhys said.

"Wait. Did I hear you right?" Cassian asked. Mor looked shocked. Amren didn't seem surprised. "So that's why you didn't shatter her mind. She's Az's mate?" Rhys nodded. Azriel held a sollume face.

"Tell her, boy. I don't think she realizes." Amren said.

"I won't." Azriel said.

"Why not?" Mor demanded. Azriel turned on her.

"You think her father would want his daughter to be with a bastard? Holly is of royal blood. I'm not." Azriel said. Mor crossed her arms.

"I don't think she will listen to her father if she's trying to work against him." Mor said. Azriel shook his head.

"She deserves better." Azriel said. Cassian shook his head.

"Get it out of your head. When do we ever listen to what others think of us. Let Holly be the one that decides if she rejects the bond or not. Your hurting both of you keeping this." Rhys said.

"This conversation is done." Azriel said and he disappeared. Mor ran a hand over her head.

"That boy is stubborn. Those two are close." Amren said.

Holly stood on the balcony overlooking Velaris. She was leaning against the railing. She felt a surge of anger but it wasn't from her. Holly stiffened, but it faded. Holly put a hand to her head.

'What was that?' Holly wondered.

AN: I been keeping that secret nice and hidden. Lol. Till next time.