Chapter 13
StarFall

Holly sat in Mor's room in the dress Mor picked out for her. Mor was doing her makeup and hair. Two braids were done from crown of her head into a messy bun in the back of the head. Mor had kept her company the whole week and tomorrow. Tomorrow Holly goes back to Hybern. Holly looked in the mirror as laughter and music came down the hall of the House of Wind. One night. She could do one night with seeing Azriel. Holly hoped she could work stuff with him.

"There. Your all done." Mor said, finishing. Holly stood up and slipped into black slippers. "Just stay with me tonight." Holly gave her friend a thankful smile.

Azriel was standing among the guests. Mor and Holly weren't downstairs yet. Rhys was mingling with the guests. Lights were going out in Velaris for Starfall. A familiar laughter comes and Azriel turns as Mor and Holly join the guests on the balcony and Azriel's eyes widen. Holly was in a blue dress almost similiar to his siphons. Cauldron boil him. Mor probably picked that dress out to torment him. She was still beauitful. Rhys slid over to the girls and hugged Holly.

"I'm glad your here." Rhys said.

"Thank you for letting me stay till tonight." Holly said. Mor noticed Azriel looking at Holly with wide eyes. Holly felt Azriel's eyes on her, but stayed with Mor as Mor poured them goblets of wine and Holly took a long drink. Mor was talking to someone she knew but Holly wasn't paying attention. Holly gripped her goblet a little tight. Cassian slid over and kissed Holly's checks and Mor's checks.

"You ladies look nice." Cassian said. Holly and Mor rolled their eyes. Mor was in a white dress similar to what she usually wears, but modest. Cassian saw the sad look on Holly's face. They had no luck getting the two alone to talk and she left tomorrow. Cassian was on the verge of snapping on Azriel of what is to happen.

"Anytime now." Mor said. Holly looked at her friends.

"What are we waiting for?" Holly asked.

"Look up." Rhys said from behind. Holly looked up and saw a star streak across the sky. Another followed, twirling. More and more came, coming closer. Cheers came from the city below as the music started playing.

"Beautiful." Holly breathed.

"Starfall is a celebration of the migration of spirts seen across the sky." Rhys explained as Holly watched them. Mor pulled Holly into a dance and the girls move around. Mor's head tilted to the sky as more and more kept coming. Holly tilted her head back. Azriel watched the girls and Cassian joined them.

"You not going to join them?" Rhys asked.

"No." Azriel said. Rhys saw the pain on Azriel's face. He didn't want to know how bad his brother would be when she's gone for good.

A few hours later. Holly escaped the party needing air. Holly lifted the skirt up and climbed stairs. Rhys told her there was a private balcony if she needed to get away and a better view. Holly saw he was right. The spirits were dancing in the sky. Holly leaned against the railing, watching them. She felt a tear slid down her check. She was tempted to leave now to go home, but she didn't want to miss this celebration.

Cassian noticed Holly was missing shortly after he went to get Mor and her drinks. Mor looked worried.

"Where is she?" Cassian asked.

"I don't know. She just disappeared." Mor said. Cassian looked through the crowd. "We're running out of time." Cassian's eyes land on Azriel, who hadn't joined them all night. "Cas." But Cassian was storming towards Azriel. He was done hiding it. Cassian stood in front of Azriel and his brother didn't flinch when he saw the glare.

"Your going to let her walk away." Cassian hissed as he pulled Azriel out in the building for privacy. Rhys noticed but didn't move to stop Cassian.

"She..."

"I don't care. She deserves to be happy and the last months I have seen you both suffer and now. I hope your happy. She wants to go back to Hybern." Cassian snapped. Azriel froze.

"What? I thought she wanted to stay." Azriel said.

"She did, but after you pushed her away. She rather deal with physical pain then heartbreak whenever she sees you. She doesn't give a damn if your a bastard, Az. You never gave her a chance to explain herself to you." Cassian said.

"When does she leave?" Azriel was afraid to ask.

"Tomorrow, but she went missing now. I wouldn't be surprised if she left for Hybern now." Cassian said. The shadows that seemed to follow him moved around and Azriel heard one whisper where she was. Azriel pulled free of Cassian and disappeared into the shadows to Cassian hoped was where Holly was.

Holly watched as the stars got closer and closer. Holly ran a hand up her arms. A blinding green light hit her face and she fell back, trying to see as she blinked. Hands grabbed her, stabeling her.

"You alright?" Azriel's voice came. Holly finally could see to the point she heard him grunt as she turned to see him get hit in the face with one of the stars. Holly laughed and saw his face covered in green glitter. Azriel chuckled and touched her face gently where she was hit. "Your covered in it too." Holly smiled. Azriel serched her eyes. He saw pain mixed with love and caring. He never saw that as a kid when he was locked in the cell till he was 11 except his mother. "When were you going to tell me you were going back home?" Holly looked away. "Holly." She didn't asnwer him and refused to look at him. Azriel grabbed her chin gently and felt her flinch at his touch, but the touch was gentle. Azriel made her look at him. "Were you going to leave and have me find out after." Holly glared up at him. Fire was in those eyes. Those beautiful eyes.

"You wouldn't let me talk. You pushed me away, Az. I don't care if your a bastard, becuase... I'm one as well." Azriel blinked at the words. "My twin is the son of the King. I'm theother twin but my father is my uncle." Azriel saw no lie in her eyes. "Your worthy of me, Azriel. And I'll gladly give up my title as Princess to be with you." The world seemed to slow for Azriel. He regretted now rejecting her and she still wanted him even after he rejected her. Azriel grabbed her hand gently and pulled her to him. Holly looked up into his eyes. Azriel held her hand against his heart. He looked at her face. Green glittered her check. Her eyes searched his, waiting.

"I lived in shadow and my families torment for 11 years and then the war camp. The war changed me and I still don't want to talk about it. When I met you and being around you... You bring a light in my darkness." Azriel said. Tears welled in Holly's eyes. "I fell in love with you when you disarmed me with that one swing. Don't go back to Hybern. Stay here and be my mate if you'll still have..." Holly never let him finish as she grabbed the back of his neck with her hand and pulled him down into a kiss. Azriel pulled her tight against his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Holly pulled back.

"I'll stay, but we have to keep this hidden from my father for now." Holly whispered. Azriel pressed his head against hers.

"We'll face it together." Azriel whispered. Azriel kissed her and the stars fell around them as they kissed.

AN: And I'll leave it there. Till next time. oth