Chapter 6

Knowing the Girl

Holly walked towards her throne. The dress shew as in was blue, not close the color of her mates Syphons. It was a lighter blue. The slit came up to her thigh. The scars from her father's beasts were on display. Amaratha sat like a queen on the throne. Tamlin looked miserable. Footsteps came from behind and Holly turned to see the Human girl being dragged to the front of the throne room. Holly stood in front of her throne to watch. A servent ran over with a mug of coffee like she liked it.

"Thank you." Holly grabs the mug.

"You look positively dreadful." Amaratha looked at Tamlin."Wouldn't you say she's taken a turn for the worse?" Tamlin didn't answer. "You know." Amaratha leans against the arm of her throne. "I couldn't sleep last night, and I realized why this morning. I don't know your name. If you and I are going to be such close friends for the next three months, I should know your name, shouldn't I?" Holly watched the human. She was hesitating to nod. "Come now, pet. You know my name, isn't it fair that I know yours?" The Attor appears through the crowd, grinning at her. "After all, you've already learned the consequences of giving false names." The Girls face drained of color. "Rhysand." Holly looked past the girl and saw Rhysand approaching the dais. He stopped next to the human girl. "Is this the girl you saw at Tamlin's estate?" Rhys brushed some invisible fleck of dust off his tunic.

"I suppose." Holly raised an eyebrow at Rhys.

"But did you or did you not tell me that girl..." Amaratha points at Clare. "Was the one you saw?" Rhys stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Humans all look alike to me." Rhys said. Holly bit the inside of her mouth to stop from snorting. Rhys gave her a look.

"And what about faeries?" Amaratha asked. Rhys bowed again and Holly swore it looked like a dance.

"Among a sea of mundane faces, yours is a work of art." Rhys said. Holly rolled her eyes.

"What's her name?" Amaratha demanded.

"How would I know? She lied to me." Rhys said. Holly sat down on her throne and leaned back. She knew Rhys was lying. He could read minds, but Holly wasn't going to tattle. She was loyal to Rhys.

"If you're inclined to play games, girl, then I suppose we can do this the fun way." Amaratha snaps her fingers. The Attor reached into the crowd and grabbed someone. Holly's eyes widen seeing Lucien be pulled out of the crowd. Lucien is tossed onto his knees. Amaratha flicked her hands in Rhys direction.

"Hold his mind." Amaratha said. Lucien went still, sweat gleaming on his neck. Rhys bowed his head to the queen and faced Lucien. Eris came out of the crowd with his other brothers. Eris was smirking. Holly pressed her lips together.

"Her name, Emissary?" Amaratha asked Lucien. Lucien glanced at Tamlin and closed his eyes, squaring his shoulders. The brothers lurked on the edges of the crowd. Holly crossed her arms. "I thought you would have learned your lesson, Lucien. Though this time your silence will damn you as much as your tongue." Lucien kept his eyes shut. He was ready for whatever Rhys had planned. "Her name." Amaratha looked at Tamlin, who didn't reply. Tamlin was watching Lucien's brothers. Amaratha looked at Eris. "I don't suppose your handsome brothers know, Lucien."

"If we did, Lady, we would be the first to tell you." Eris stepped forward. Amaratha gave him a smile. Rhys cocked his head, eyes narrowing slightly on Lucien. Holly watched Rhys closely. She knew he wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Lucien stiffened and a groan slipped out of him.

"Feyre! My name is Feyre." Holly looked at the Human. Amaratha nodded and Rhys stepped back. He kept his hands in his pockets. Lucien sagged to the ground, trembling. Holly let out the breath she was holding. The brothers frowned. Eris bares his teeth at Feyre

"Feyre. An old name from our earlier dialects. Well, Feyre. I promised you a riddle." Amaratha said. Feyre stiffened. "Solve this Freye, and you and your High Lord, and all his court, may immediately leave with my blessing. Let's see if you are indeed clever enough to deserve one of our kind." Amaratha smiled. "There are those who seek me a lifetime but never we meet, and those I kiss but who trample me beneath ungrateful feet. At times I seem to favor the clever and the fair, but I bless all those who are brave enough to dare. By large, my ministrations are soft-handed and sweet, but scorned, I become a difficult beast to defeat. For though each of my strikes lands a powerful blow, when I kill, I do it slow." Freye blinked as she looked at Amaratha. The room filled with laughter and Rhys had a slight smile on his face. Holly kept her face straight. "Think on it. When it comes to you, I'll be waiting." Rhys looked at Holly as Freye was dragged away. Dancing started and Rhys stepped up to Holly.

"Care for a dance, Holly." Rhys held out his hand. Holly took it and he led her out on the dance floor. Rhys twirled her and brought her to the chest. "You think she'll succeed?"

"I think she will. She loves Tamlin. You think Amaratha will let them go?" Holly asked, eyes landing on Tamlin.

"No." Holly looked at her High Lord. He was watching Amaratha. "Even if she succeeded there might be a chance Amaratha won't let her walk out of here alive." Holly shook her head.

"Then let's hope she figures out that riddle." Holly said. Rhys spins her and dips her. Holly let out a laugh as he brought her up.

"And we will make sure she wins. Keep an eye on her." Rhys said in Holly's mind. Holly gave a slight nod as Rhys moved away from her. Holly looked at Amaratha. She was trying to talk to Tamlin, but he wasn't saying anything. Holly felt tired and decided to call it a night and headed to her room. People moved out of her way.

Holly crawled into bed after changing into pajamas. She looked at the ceiling. The shadows moved up her arm and caressed her check. Holly smiled softly. Holly missed Azriel every day and she hoped they were getting close to getting free, but not yet.

AN: Getting into the Trials. I'm ready to get Holly back with Azriel. Till next time.