Chapter 10
The Parties
The days went and Holly found a routine. She visited the human girl when she was free or not called by her father to come home. Holly and Feyre were starting to become friends.
Holly sat on her little throne with one of the books she found. The party was in full swing, but she didn't care for it. Eris had asked her to join him in a dance but she turned him down. She missed parties back home where her and Mor would gush on rumors and Azriel would pull her out onto the dance floor and she spend the night in his arms.
Whispers and gasps came from the crowd and Holly looked up. Rhysand was coming towards the dais and her eyes widen to see Feyre on his arm. But the outfit. Holly wasn't sure what to call it. It was little more than two long shafts of gossamer, pinned at each shoulder with gold brooches. A jeweled belt slung low across her hips where a single fabric hung between her legs. It barely covered her. Holly raised an eyebrow at Rhys.
'Its a night court outfit.' Rhys said in her mind.
'I would of went to Hybern if you made me wear that.' Holly told him.
'I don't think Azriel would of let you if you wanted to.' Rhys said. Holly smiled. Rhysand and Feyre came to a stop in front of the dais. Freye's eyes were only on Tamlin.
"Merry Midsummer. Rhysand bows to Amaratha.
"What have you done with my captive?" Amaratha asked.
"We made a bargain." Rhysand said with no hesitation as he brushed a stray lock of hair out of Feyre's face and ran his fingers down her check. The throne room was quiet. To quiet. Rhys's eyes land on Tamlin. "One week with me at the Night Court every month in exchange for my healing services after her first task." Rhys raised Freye's left arm, where her hand and arm were etched with a beautiful tatoo. "For the rest of her life." Amaratha sat back and Holly raised her eyebrow at that.
"Enjoy my party." Amaratha said. Rhysand pulled Feyre away from the dais. Holly stood and headed towards them as he handed her a class of wine. Sneers from fae came towards Holly, but she ignored them as Rhysand found a seat and had Feyre dancing. Holly saw the glassy look on her face. It didn't surprise her the wine was drugged.
"What are you doing?" Holly asked putting a hand on Rhys's chair as Feyre danced in front of him. "You know the wine is drugged."
"I know. I want her to least forget what's going on for a little while. No harm." Holly rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you wish you could at times."
"Not to the point I'm drugged." Holly said, squeezing Rhys's shoulder. "She's not going to be happy when she comes out of this." Holly moves away from Rhys. She left the chambers and disappears into the shadows.
Its how it went with parties with Rhys bringing Freye down and drugged and doing dances. Holly kept with her spies through the days trying to figure ways to get everyone out or find the Cauldron. But there was no luck on there end.
Rhys was heading to get Freya when he heard his name calling. Holly was running towards him.
"What is it?"
"One of the summer court was caught escaping to meet with the forces. He is brought to Amaratha." Holly whispered after making sure no one was around to hear. Rhys sighed. "You know what she's going to ask."
"I know and tomorrow is the second trial." Rhys said. Holly's eyes widen. "Thank you for warning me. I'll see you in the throne room shortly." Holly winnowed into the thrown room, sitting on her throne. The summer court man was kneeling in front of the dais. He was sobbing. The Summer Court High Lord was standing off to the side. Amaratha didn't even look at Holly. Holly held a straight face.
"Rhysand!" Amaratha called out. Rhysand and Feyre push through the crowd. Rhys looked at Holly and Holly stood and moved to stand with Feyre and they stood at the edge of the crowd. Amaratha caressed her ring, watching every movement as Rhys approached.
"The summer lording tried to escape through the exit to the Spring Court lands. I want to know why." Amaratha said. Rhys slid his hands into his pokets and sauntered closer to the male on the ground. The Summer faerie cringed. Feyre grabbed Holly's arm.
"Please." The faerie begged. Holly stood her ground watching him. The crowd was silent. Holly kept her eyes on Rhys. She knew his talons had latched onto the faeries mind as the male stopped shaking on the ground. The High Lord of Summer went still. Rhysand looked at Amaratha.
"He wanted to escape. To get to the Spring Court, cross the wall, and flee south into human territory. He had no accomplices, no motive beyond his own pathetic cowardice." Rhys jerked his chin towards the puddle of piss beneath the male. The Summer High Lord seemed to sag a bit and Holly let out a breath she was holding. Amaratha rolled her eyes as she slouched in her throne.
"Shatter him, Rhysand." Amaratha flicked a hand at the High Lord of the Summer Court. "You may do what you want with the body afterward." The Summer High Lord bowed and looked at his subject. Rhys slipped a hand out of his pocket and dangled it at his side. Holly seen a few of his kills that way. His fingers curled slightly. "I'm growing bored, Rhysand." She said with a sigh. Rhys's fingers curled into fists. The Faerie's eyes went wide then glazed as he slumped to the side in the puddle of his own waste. Blood leaked from his nose and ears and pooled on the floor. Holly looked away. "I said shatter his mind, not his brain." The crowd murmured and Feyre was shaking.
"How can you stand him doing that?" Feyre whispered. Holly looked at the human.
"Rhys rather him dead then being in a mindless state. Its less pain for him. It was a quick death." Holly said. Feyre nodded. Rhys came back over and took Feyre. Holly nodded to Rhys and went back to the throne. Two more tasks and they will see where their future will be.
AN: I'm miss Holly and Azriel. I got a few more plans before Third Task. Next chapter is the Second Task.