Chapter 3
An Unwanted Bargain

It was the Summer Solstice and the Winter Court had rebelled against Amaratha. Holly had to watch in horror as the rebels were all killed. Holly disliked being here more and more. She had witnessed to many deaths. Holly hated every minute here.

Holly sat on her throne in front of the dais. She hated being center of attention. She wore a dark blue tunic with black pants and slippers. Her daggers were hidden in the tunic. She sat in the throne like a queen. Rhys stood next to Amaratha as the Winter Court High Lord came forward. His face looked hard. It took awhile for Holly to earn his trust, but she earned it. Kallias stopped in front of Amaratha. Holly tightened her hold on the arms of her throne. Kallias glared at Amaratha. There were fury in his eyes. Rumor was that Amaratha wanted him dead along with the rebels.

"I have a good heart today. You, High Lord, will be spared." Amaratha said. Relief filled Kallias's eyes. Gasps filled the room and Holly bit her lips. "But. I will be killing two dozen children of your court." Horror filled Holly as her head turned towards Amaratha. Even Rhys looked in shocked. "Guards!" Holly looked at Kallias. Terror and shock was on his face. His eyes flicked to Holly like he was begging her.

'He wants you to try and save them.' Rhys said in her mind. Holly gave Kallias a slight nod. Kallias had relief fill his eyes and glared at Amaratha.

"The Winter Court won't forget this." Kallias seethed. Amaratha just smirked. Amaratha stood up.

"You have no choice now that I have control over your powers." Amaratha said. She stepped from the dais and Rhys followed. Hisses came from others and Holly heard the words.

"Whore."

"Amaratha's whore."

Furry filled Holly's eyes at that. Rhys suffered a lot to protect their friends and family and help others.

'Go. I'll try and help.' Rhys said. Holly quickly winnowed away and into the tunnels that lead to the camps. Holly ran down the tunnels. Kids. Kids were going to be killed. Holly's heart was breaking. Her and Azriel had talked about starting a family. She wanted kids and Azriel was a little nervous, but he wanted some. They were gonna start trying after the party her and Rhys were to attend, but now they were separated.

Holly rounded a corner and a hand reached out and wrapped around her mouth. Holly yelped as it pulled her into the shadows. Her back collided with the wall and a man with long red hair smiled down at her.

"Well. Well. Where is the Princess heading?" Eris, the Heir to the Autumn Court, asked. Holly glared up at him. Delight danced in his eyes. Holly bared her teeth at Eris as he pinned her to the wall.

"What do you want Eris?" Holly hissed. Eris smirked and Holly glared at him with pure hatred.

"So I heard you were helping other courts with information. Why haven't you been helping my court?" Eris asked.

"Your father doesn't trust me and I don't want to deal with your spoiled ass along with your brothers." Holly said. He was wasting her time. She knew it.

'Holly. They are nearing.' Rhys said in her mind.

'I'm being stopped right now.' Holly said. Rhys growled. 'I'm sorry.'

'I'll see if I can stop it.' Rhys said. Holly looked at Eris.

"So what do you want, Eris." Holly hissed. Eris smirked. There was no hatred or anger in his eyes, but Holly didn't trust him especially after what happened to Mor.

"I want to make a deal with you." Eris said. Holly groaned. "Work with the Autumn Court as well. Become my fiancé." Holly's eyes widen. "Only till we escape and the engagement can be called off. It might be the only way we can get father to trust you." Holly glared at him.

"I have someone waiting for me at the Night Court." Holly hissed.

"It will only be temporary. I won't do anything you don't want to. Do you want to work with the Autumn Court?" Eris asked, tilting his head. Holly closed her eyes. "And I will make sure my brothers don't touch and harass you."

"Fine. But don't expect my High Lord to be happy about this. Now. I have to go." Holly goes to move away from Eris, but suddenly as she came around a fist slammed into her side and her head hit the wall. As blackness took her, two of Eris brothers stood over her with Eris glaring at them.

"Holly. Damnit. Holly." Holly woke up in her room. Pain radiated through her body. Rhys and Eris stood there. Rhys was glaring at Eris. "Please tell me Eris is lying about this."

"Not what I wanted to wake up to." Holly grabbed her head.

"You are not faking an engagement with Eris." Rhys hissed. Holly sighed.

"You agreed for me to work with all the High Lords to find a way out. And you know I been struggling with Beron. Eris is our way in. I hate it more then you, but it's the only chance." Holly said.

"Don't talk like I'm not here." Holly and Rhys glared at Eris. "Okay. Okay. I'll leave you guys alone." Eris leaves.

"I don't like this. You know what he did to Mor." Rhys said. Holly grabbed the glass of water and took a long drink.

"I know. But we need them all to work together. We are calling it off after we get out." Holly said. Holly knew Azriel wouldn't like it but she was doing everything she can to stay busy. "Did you stop the kids deaths?" Sadness filled Rhys's eyes. "No." Tears filled Holly's eyes.

"They had a Daemati in their ranks." Rhys said. Holly looked at Rhys in shock. "Not me. Amaratha had me in her chambers. He... shattered their minds. The High Lord saw you being carried injured out. He knew you were trying to save them but got caught. He doesn't blame you."

"But I could of saved them." Holly whispered.

"And might have ended in their same fate." Rhys said. Holly put her head in her hands. Tears filled her ears.

"They were just younglings." Holly whispered. Rhys pulled her into a hug and felt her flinch.

"I'm sorry." Rhys whispered. Holly knew they would need a miracle or something to get out of this hell.

AN: I feel Eris needs his own story someday. I think there's more to him then what we are seeing. Till next time.