Chapter 19
Windhaven Camp

Azriel winnowed him and Holly to the Illyrian Warcamp. Mor winnowed with Cassian and Rhys. Holly looked around as Azriel kept a protective arm around her waist. She felt his unease being here. She knew he hated this place and Holly felt a shiver run down her spine from the cold. The camp was built near the top of a forested mountain. East to pack tents centered around a large fire pit. Near the tree lize, a dozen permanent building were there. Holly moved closer to Azriel. Mor was frowning at the place.

"I see why you don't like it here." Holly whispered. Cassian wanted some help from Azriel and Rhys with dealing with some issues and Mor insisted on going and Holly decided to come with to see this place.

"This place should be burnt down. Especially the way they treat their woman." Mor said. Cassian had told her how the woman were not allowed to fight and were clipped as soon as they bled so they couldn't fly. Rhys's mother got lucky when she became his father's mate and could fly. Holly was happy that Rhys banned it, even though some still practice it. Holly felt Azriel's arm tighten around her waist as an Illyrian male with two warriors flanking him heading their way. Rhys moved forward to greet him.

"That's Devlon." Mor whispered as she stood next to Holly. The Lord had a frown on his face and didn't look happy to see them.

"High Lord." Devlon said, coldly. His eyes roam over their group and his eyes land on Holly. "I see you got another pet in your group."

"She's my mate. She's not a pet." Azriel said, just as coldly. Surprise filled Devlon's eyes at the word.

"She's here as a guest. And Cassian said you are having some issues. The girls will stay out of the way long as my mother's cabin is free." Rhys said. Devlon's eyes stayed on Holly and then looked at Rhys.

"It is untouched right now and we..." Azriel disappeared into the shadows taking Holly and Mor with him. They appeared in a cabin that looked well cared for.

"Well he's lovely." Holly whispered, sliding onto the couch. Azriel gave Mor a look.

"Try not to cause trouble while your here and don't rope Holly into it." Azriel said as Mor grabbed a bottle of wine and glasses for her and Holly.

"We'll be good. Maybe." Mor said, earning a groan from Azriel. He pressed a kiss to Holly's head.

"Stay with Mor and don't go out less your with one of us." Azriel said.

"I will." Holly said. Azriel left the cabin as Mor poured them glasses of wine. Holly grabbed the book she was reading and curled up on the couch to read. Mor kept glancing at the door. Holly took a long drink of the wine.

"I can now see why Az never brought me here. This place is miserable." Holly said.

"I don't like how they treat the woman. Azriel would never treat you like the Illyrian men treat their woman. Cassian and Rhys would be the same. But if Az does, let me know and he'll get his ass kissed." Mor said. Holly smiled.

"Az won't do that." Holly said. Mor smiled. Holly went and laid down for a bit. She was tired after no sleeping. Azriel had just got back from talking to some of their spies in one of the courts and Holly had gone to talk to Ella. She was kept awake from nightmares without Azriel next to her and couldn't fall back to sleep. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Holly woke up to a kiss to her check. Holly rolled over and found Azriel over her with a smile on his handsome face.

"How long have I been asleep?" Holly asked.

"A few hours." Azriel said. Holly sat up and Azriel smiled down at her. "Let's go out for a walk. Just us." Holly wrapped an arm around her mate and pulled him into a kiss. Azriel kissed her back.

"Let's go." Holly said.

They stepped out of the cabin. Azriel put an arm around her, protectively and they walk around.

"This place is so cold." Holly said, pulling her coat closed.

"Every Illyrian camp is like this." Azriel said. Holly flinched at his words.

"I don't know how you men survived this." Holly whispered.

"I don't like it here. It's why I hardly come. But Rhys needed my help." Azriel said. Holly didn't blame him. His fingers slid down her back. Holly shivered at his touch. Woman and children move out of their way. Holly saw where the woman were clipped and her hatred for the Illyrian camps grew. It almost felt like her prison being back home. "I'm glad you came with."

"I..."

"Azriel." A cold voice made them stop and Holly felt him stiffen and he pulled her closer to him.

"Az." Holly whispered, but she saw his head turn and a rage almost fills his face. Holly's eyes follow his to see an Illyrian man standing there. Coldness and a look of pure hatred was on the Illyrian's face. He had the same hair color as Azriel. Holly tightened her grip on Azriel's waist. "Az." Azriel looked at her and she saw the anger and rage in his eyes.

'I'm here. I'm not leaving your side.' Holly said down the bond and a softness in his eyes come.

"What do you want, father?" Azriel said, turning back to his father. His father's eyes flare in anger and Azriel kept Holly close to him. Holly saw nothing but dislike when Amara showed nothing but love for her son. Holly didn't like the man more and more.

"Is that anyway to treat your father." His father said. Coldness was in his eyes.

"You haven't been a father since you dumped me in this camp." Azriel said. His father's eyes land on Holly. Holly didn't like the look he was giving her. She just met the man and he didn't seem to like her already.

"Who is this? Your whore." His father asked. Holly felt Azriel's grip on her tighten. Holly had enough.

"I'm actually his mate." Holly said with a firmness in her voice. Surprised filled his father's eyes. "I'm not a whore." Azriel squeezed her hip, gently as in pride. Anger filled Azriel's father's eyes. He wasn't use to a woman standing up to him. His eyes lowered in almost a warning.

"Mate?" His father asked.

"Yes. I didn't find it important to tell you since I haven't seen you in centuries." Azriel said. Anger flared in his eyes. "Why are you here? This isn't your War Camp."

"I had some business with Lord Devlon. I didn't expect to see you here along with your... Mate." Azriel's father said, looking down at Holly like she was nothing. Holly wondered why Devlon didn't say anything about Azriel's father being here, unless he let it go so that it was a surprise for the father and son. Azriel looked pissed and Holly didn't blame him.

"Az. We should head home." Holly said, looking at Azriel. He was glaring at his father. Holly dug her nails into his arm, gently. Azriel looked at her. Holly turned to his father. He was nearly glaring at Azriel with hatred.

"I never thought I would meet the man that was cruel to his own son for being a bastard born." The father's eyes land on her. "But it doesn't give you the right to question if he really does have a mate." Azriel's arm tightened around her. Holly's fingers found his back and she rubbed her hand down it. Holly was tired of keeping silent.

"Where are you from girl?" Azriel's father almost snarled. Holly held up her chin.

"My father is the King of Hybern." Holly said and Holly saw his father's eyes widen. "More the bastard Princess that the King didn't want so I was sent to the Night Court where I found Azriel." Azriel watched his father more. Almost a shocked impression filled his fathers face as Holly almost puts him in his place.

"Seems like the Cauldron found you two perfect for each other." Azriel's father almost sneered.

"Remember father what happened to your two favorite sons after what happened to me." Azriel's father's paled at the words. "Keep insulting my mate and I'll give you what all the females go through when they bleed. And I'm sure the High Lord will be on my side with that." A soft chuckle came and Holly saw Rhys walking their way.

"You could kill your father and I be fine with it. I don't need your help here, Azriel. Take Holly home." Rhys said, glaring at Azriel's father. Azriel shot his father a death glare and tightened his grip on his mate as he disappeared into the shadows.

Holly gasped as they appeared in the air above the House of Wind and Azriel pulled her against him as his wings caught the air and he flew them to the balcony. He landed on the balcony with ease. He set Holly down, but kept her in his arms. Holly looked up into Azriel's eyes. The rage for his father was starting to fade.

"I'm sorry if I stepped out of line." Holly whispered. Azriel shook his head.

"I don't care if you speak out. You don't have to stay silent here with me or around the others. I don't think he expected to be spoken to like that." Azriel said. Holly smiled. Holly stood on her tip toes and kissed Az. Azriel pulled her tight against him and he kissed her back. Holly knew she was at home, but something was in the works that might tear her away from this.

AN: Soon gonna be in ACOTAR. Till next time.