Chapter 3

Training

Fighting leathers were sittig on the chair when Holly got up the next morning along with a pair of boots to go with them. Holly couldn't help but smile as she got ready for the day. She pinned her hair up into a braid as soon as she got the fight leathers on. Holly looked in the mirror. It was all black and was loose on her body a bit.

Holly found Rhys sitting with Cassian and Azriel at the table.

"Morning." Holly said. Rhys head turned to Holly.

"Illyian Leathers look good on you." Cassian said as Holly slid into her seat. Azriel's hazel eyes traveled over to Holly as she put eggs and toast on her plate. Rhys was happy she was eating and no one had to make her. She did eat like if she ate to much or to fast she'll get sick. "What are you good at with fighting?"

"I'm pretty good at hand to hand combat, but sword fighting." Holly shook her head. "Father never seemed to think I be good at that. Cedric was training me. That's how I got this." Holly pointed at her bruises. She didn't note about the others bruises on her arms. Rage filled Azriel's eyes, but disappeared as quick as they came. Cassian didn't look happy. "Where's Mor?"

"She's doing some business down in the Court of Nightmares." Rhys said. Holly looked at him. "This house is built in the Mountain the Court lies under." Holly looked at her food, almost loosing her appitite. "Eat. Your going to need it with these two training you." Cassian and Azriel glare slightly at their High Lord.

"Eat what you feel comfortable." Azriel said with a gentle voice that made his brothers look at him funny. Holly gave Azriel a small smile. Cassian nearly choked on his food as Holly ate her food. Azriel watched her. There was a light starting to come to her eyes that wasn't there yesterday. Azriel wondered if getting away from her father would be good for her.

After breakfast a hour later. Holly stood in the training area. It was open area with weapons. Holly was covered in sweat. Soon as she stretched. Cassian had her show him what she knew. Her long black hair had come out of the braid. Cassian and Azriel told her they were Illyian Warriors and Rhys was Half Illyian when she asked about the Wings. `Cassian blocked a punch.

"Not bad. Your father taught you hand to hand but not with weapons?" Cassian asked. Azriel stood off to the side watching. He didnt' like hand to hand combat.

"He had his reasons with the hand to hand." Holly said as she blocked a punch from Cassian. Cassian went for another and Holly punched him in the stomach, earning a grunt from him. Azriel chuckled.

"How's she doing?" Azriel looked to see his High Lord next to him as Cassian showed her some new moves as he discovered she was a fast learner.

"She's good at hand to hand combat. Why would her father teach her that and not sword fighting?" Azriel said.

"I don't know. Her brothers had the swords when I met them and they were healthier. She seems like she was abused." Rhys said, watching her.

"I don't trust her." Azriel said. Rhys looked at his brother. "She's keeping stuff from us."

"You know what its like with abuse, Az." Rhys said. Azriel frown deepened. "She might be scared to tell us with fear of what would happen if she did. Give her time. Maybe this is a healing experience for her."

"You think she will stay if we let her and her father wants her back. You sure you can trust her with Velaris?" Azriel whispered the last half.

"She looked at her father with pure hatred when he mentioned her mother dying. I think she'll stay and keep the secret, but let's see where her loyalites lay." Rhys said. Holly and Cassian were talking and Rhys saw a glint in Holly's eyes and a smile, a real one. "It looks like Holly is starting to feel at home here." Azriel watched her, keeping his face straight and unreadable. "Why did you freeze when you saw Holly?" Azriel didn't answer him. "Az?"

"It's nothing." Azriel said. Rhys studdied Azriel, but Azriel's eyes followed Holly's every move. Rhys wondered something, but kept it quiet for now. Az would tell him when he was ready. Holly was soon out of breath after some more rounds of fighting.

"Your out of shape, Princess, and we need to put more meat on your bones." Cassian said as he handed her a canteen of water.

"Stop calling me that. I know." Holly said, taking the canteen and taking a long drink.

"When is the last time you ate before you came here?" Azriel asked as him and Rhys came over. Holly looked at the canteen.

"A week or two ago. I'm use to it." Holly said, handing Cas the canteen back. She missed the looks the men gave each other.

"We can call it a day. We'll keep doing it daily." Cassian said. Holly threw her arms around Cassian and hugged him, catching him off guard.

"Thank you." Holly said, letting go. Holly looked at Rhys. "Thank you as well." Holly headed out of the training area. Azriel was slightly glaring at Cassian. Cassian gave a slight shrug.

Mor was waiting in her bedroom when she came out of the bath in leggings and sweater.

"How did training go?" Mor asked as the two sat down near the fireplace drinking some tea.

"It went well. Cassian is a good trainer." Holly said. She watched the fire dance in in hearth. "How did things go with the Court of Nightmares?"

"Well as can be." Mor said with a sigh. Holly heard Mor wasn't close to her family after some issues with an arranged marriage and Mor almost being left for dead. "My father hasn't found out your here yet."

"It's not going to last. He'll find out." Holly said. If it was the same as home, word gets around eventually. Mor nodded. "I never did like politics of the Kingdoms."

"What would you rather be doing?" Mor asked.

"Reading. I love to read." Holly said. Mor grinned and grabbed her friends hand.

"I'll show you the library here." Mor pulled her new friend towards an area she hadn't seen. It was a library filled with books. Holly's eyes lit up. Mor had a feeling that when they took her to Velaris that she would love the library and be welcomed by the Priestesses for her history. Mor made a note to talk to Rhys of having Holly meet Clotho.

"Thank you, Mor, for showing me this." Holly said with a huge smile.

When the men came back, Holly was curled up in a chiar with a book in her hands as Mor sat in the other, drinking tea.

"Looks like we have a bookworm." Rhys said. Holly looked up from her book and nodded and burried her nose back into the book. Mor sent Rhys a look and he saw what she had in mind through her thoughts. Rhys gave her a nod. Cassian and Azriel soon join their friends by the fire and Rhys got himself some wine. The friends sat around, talking and laughing and Holly felt at home here more then she did back in Hyperian.

Holly tosses and turned in bed that night. Images of the bodies her mother, uncle, and... Holly shot up in bed, hand going to her chest and biting her bottom lip from crying out to wake anyone. Holly looked out at the mountains. Her heart aching for the loss of her family. Holly wrapped herself up in a blanket and grabbed the book she was reading. She headed out to the sitting area. The fire was low and Holly added a log to the fire.

"Can't sleep?" Holly spun around and Azriel stood behind her, wings tucked in he was... Holly averted her eyes. He was shirtless and Holly saw the mussels and some battle scars.

"No. I just want to read some." Holly said, holding up the book she was reading. Azriel watched her. "Why are you up?"

"I have to go meet someone about some information. I was just about to leave when I saw you heading this way. Try and get some sleep for training tomorrow." Azriel said. Holly nodded. Azriel disappeared into the shadows. Holly curled up in the chair, pulling the blanket closer to her body as she knew it was gonna be a night of no sleep.

AN: Alright. I'm horrible at describing training so sorry if it was horrible. Till next time.