Chapter 21

Trapped

Holly was finishing her hair for the party that Amaratha was throwing. Her body was tense and she had spent all day in the library. Holly just had a sickening feeling something was going to happen. The dress was black with sparkles that made it look like a night sky. One arm was bare with no sleeve and the other arm had a sleeve. She looked in the mirror. Couple of her daggers were hidden under the dress. She didn't want to go in without being armed.

"I don't like this." Holly looked and saw Azriel standing in the doorway, his wings tucked in. Shadows moved around his body. Holly's ring was sitting on the desk. She was leaving it behind. Holly reached for the last comb.

"I don't like it either, but Rhys has plans." Holly said as she put the last comb into her black hair. She let some strands hang loose. "I got some daggers hidden." Azriel strode over to her. Holly turned in her seat. Azriel looked her over. Holly stood. "We should be back tonight."

"I wish I was going." Azriel said. Holly stood and pulled him into a hug.

"I know, but I'm not ready for father to find out about you yet. He'll kill you." Holly said. Azriel hugged her. Holly hugged him back, tighter. "I love you."

"I love you too. Just be careful." Azriel said. He leaned down and kissed Holly. Holly kissed him back.

Everyone was waiting in the parlor in the townhouse. Mor hugged Holly.

"Be careful." Mor said.

"We will." Holly said. Cassian didn't look as happy. Rhys looked calm.

"Watch each others back. I don't trust her." Amren said. None of them did. Holly took Rhys's hand and they looked at their friends. Azriel looked the most worried.

"We will." Holly said. Rhys winnowed them away to the mountain. They found themselves in a cavern. Holly let go of Rhys hand.

"Rhysand." Amaratha came over. "Princess Holly. I'm glad you both could make it." Her smile didn't meet her eyes.

"Wouldn't miss it." Holly said, faking a smile. High Lords from all the Courts were already gathered with their courts. The Night Court was present. Rhys held out his arm and Holly took it and they stepped out. Servents brought wine but they passed on it for now as they head to the dance floor. Rhys put a hand on her waists as Holly put her hand on his shoulder. They joined the dancing. Holly's eyes were scanning the room.

"Quite the gathering." Holly whispered. Rhys's eyes never left Amaratha. Holly some of her mates spies among the people. They gave her a slight nod. Azriel had made her his second shortly after they became mates. Rhys nodded when he read her mind. Rhys pulled her into a twirl. Holly saw Amaratha watching them on what looked like a throne on a dais.

"She acts like she's queen." Holly said.

"You would make a better queen then her." Rhys said. Holly felt her checks heat.

"I don't want the throne, Rhys. I'm happy in the Night Court with you and the others." Holly said.

"I know. And I get a feeling the Cauldron has brought us together for a reason." Rhys said. Holly wouldn't doubt it. A clinging of glasses came. And wine was brought to Rhys. Rhys took it as a distraction as Holly stood next to him as Amaratha stood on the dais. Holly grabbed a glass of wine. Amaratha started talking as Holly noticed something moving in the corner. Carina stood there. Holly quickly moved towards her.

"Carina." Holly said.

"The book that Amaratha stole. I found it." Carina said. Holly looked and saw Rhys take a sip of the wine. She knew he was working on trying to break through Amaratha's mind. Amaratha kept going, but Holly saw a wicked smile on her face. Others were drinking the wine. "There was a certain spell marked." Holly's head snapped to her best friend. "Holly. This was a trap." The wine goblet slipped out of her hand and shattered at her feet.

"Where's Cedric?" Holly whispered.

"He's at home and so is Ella, but Draco and your father seem a little happy. This was part of the plan." Carina whispered.

"What was the spell?" Holly asked.

"Binding spell. To bind magic." Carina said. Holly quickly turned and started pushing through people to get to Rhys.

"Rhys. You need to go..." Holly grabbed his arm.

"Now. I bind you all magic." Amaratha called. Yells came. "You will stay with me Under the Mountain and serve me." Holly felt the color drain from her face. Holly saw mostly everyone had a goblet of wine in their hands and Holly looked at Rhys and her eyes widen.

"Rhys. You didn't." Holly said. The goblet was empty and Holly had a feeling that the spell was in the wine. Rhys looked just as scared.

"Holly. I'm sorry." Rhys said. She felt the magic leave him as Amaratha started talking.

'I'm shielding Velaris from outside visits. No one can come and go and it will be ereased from everyones memory.' Rhys voice echoed in her head. Holly's eyes widen.

'Holly!' Azriel said down the bond and Holly felt tears in her eyes. He was safe. He was in Velaris.

'Az. I'm sorry.' Holly told him.

'I'm putting a blanket over your mating bond to protect you both. I'm sorry, Azriel. Holly. I'll protect her.' Rhys said. Holly closed her eyes.

'I love you.' Holly told Azriel.

'I love you too.' Azriel said. Holly swore she would find a way for them all to escape and get back to Azriel. Suddenly the bond went quiet. Holly opened her eyes and looked at Rhys.

'I'm sorry. I did it to protect you.' Rhys said. Holly had tears in her eyes, but she nodded. Amaratha finished the spells and her fathers guards and the Attor showed up surrounding the Night Court. Rhys pushed Holly behind him. Yells came from other courts as people were pushed. Amaratha pushes through the crowd. An evil smile on her face.

"Now. You will pay for what you did to Tamlin's family." Amaratha said. Holly cried out as guards start to kill some of the Night Court.

"Enough Amaratha. Have you caused enough pain." Rhys growled.

"No. You will now loose the one thing you care about." Amaratha said. Her eyes land on Holly. "Someone is here for you, Princess." Rhys turned and saw Holly staring at Amaratha in horror, but Draco appears in front of Holly.

"Hello, baby sister." Draco said with an evil smirk.

"No!" Rhys yelled, but Draco grabs Holly and winnows away with her. Rhys turned on Amaratha. "Where did he take her?"

"Back home. To where she belongs. And your all mine." Amaratha said with an evil laugh. Rhys knew he failed his brother and his friend.

AN: Uh oh. One more chapter and we will be in ACOTAR. Till next time.