A Court of Shadows and Heartbreak

Summary: Sequel to Hybern Princess. It's been fifty years since Holly was separated from her mate and put under the abuse of her father. Now she's Under the Mountain with Rhys. Will Holly see Azriel again? Following the ACOTAR books 1-5

AN: Please read Hybern Princess before you read this story. First chapter takes place 25 years into when they are Under the Mountain.

Chapter 1 Reunion

Its been 25 years since Rhys saw Holly and he put the blanket over her and Azriel's mating bond to protect Holly. He keeps asking Amaratha for anything on Holly, but she refuses to give it. He was kicking himself. Azriel didn't want her to go, but she went. Rhys knew Azriel was gonna beat him for this if they ever went back.

Rhys stood drinking wine as the High Lords avoid him. For 25 years, he had been sharing the bed with Amaratha to protect his friends and family after she killed half his Night Court and sent Holly to her father. It was the day after Starfall and she had finally let him out of her bed for the day. Amaratha was lounging on her throne.

A scream comes and Rhys turns. Draco stood in the middle of the throne room and Rhys's eyes widen. Holly was gripping her hair as Draco had her long black hair by his hand.

'Holly!' Rhys slipped into her mind. Her mis matched eyes flash towards his and relief flooded them. Rhys's eyes harden at the sight of the girl he considered like a sister after her and Azriel became mates. She was almost skin and bone again, but not as bad as he got her the first time, but she was covered in blood and her face was swelled, bad. Her clothes almost looked shredded. 'What the hell?' Holly shook her head and yelped as Draco yanked her hair back harder and then forced her on her knees in front of Amaratha.

"What's the meaning of this?" Amaratha asked as the High Lords turn their heads towards Holly. Draco sneered at Amaratha.

"The King doesn't think your doing what your suppose to." Draco sneered. Rhys's eyes were on Holly. Rhys raised an eyebrow when he saw shadows moving up her arms and disappearing under her shirt.

'So Azriel's shadows have been with her.' Rhys said as a small smile played his lips. One seemed to disappear into the floor. Holly looked up at Amaratha with hatred in her eyes.

"I have been doing everything. Keeping people in line." Amaratha said, waving her hand.

"Hmm." Draco looks at the High Lords. Holly's eyes wondered around. She noticed that the Spring Court Lord wasn't there. She heard he was cursed because of an insult to Amaratha about her sister . "So. Holly will be staying from now on and reporting everything you do to her father." Draco said. Amaratha's eyes widen. "Any mistakes you do, she'll report to the King." Amaratha had furry in her eyes. "So I suggest you don't mess up." Draco winnows away. Holly nearly sighs in relief.

"Take her to a room." Amaratha orders. Holly stood up and guards come to grab her and Holly rips her arm away.

"I can walk on my own." Holly hisses. The guards lead the way and Holly turns her back to Amaratha.

"Princess." Holly stopped and turned towards Amaratha. "Don't expect us to treat you like Royalty." Holly lifted her chin with defiance.

"I don't expect you too. I can take care of myself." Holly said. She turned on her heal and followed the guards out with a smirk on her face.

Holly stood in her new room. Her stuff was already brought in. Ella stood waiting.

"I don't like this." Ella said.

"I'm actually glad they brought me here. I can get to my spies that were taken and maybe try..."

"Try what?" A familiar voice makes Holly turn around. Rhys stood leaning against the door. A smile on his face.

"Rhys." Holly runs and hugs him. Rhys hugs her, but feels her flinch. Rhys pulls away. "I'm fine."

"Your not." Rhys growled.

"Holly. I'll come back later. I'll let Cedric know." Ella said. Ella winnowed out. Holly moved away from Rhys. She turned away from him and he saw slashes like claw marks down her shirt.

"What the hell happened?" Rhys growled.

"Before Draco bought me, I been training to my father's dislike." Holly said.

"How?" Holly said.

"My father likes a little game of having his favorite hounds hunt me and I been using that as my training." Holly said. Rhys growled. "Shut up. I had to do what I could to survive. Didn't help I was in bed all day yesterday." Rhys sobered a bit. He knew it was his two closest friends anniversary. Holly slid onto the bed. "Its been hard. I miss him." Rhys nodded.

"Were you able to do any of your spy work?" Rhys asked.

"Most of Azriel's spies are somewhere in the camps that Amaratha has Under the Mountain. Father has banned me from the Night Court if I am searching for the Cauldron. She's destroyed a lot. Ella took over on Starfall days when I couldn't get out of bed." Holly whispered.

"I'm sorry, Holly. I did it to protect you both." Rhys said.

"I don't blame you for any of that. I just miss him." Holly said. Rhys saw the bags under her mismatched eyes. "The nightmares are worse and worse. The only thing keeping me going are the memories and knowing Azriel is safe."

"What do you plan to do now? Any luck with the Cauldron?" Rhys asked.

"No luck, but I have a feeling they are getting close. Ella is taking over since father wants me to stay here. I was thinking of trying to get close to the other High Lords and figuring out how to get out from under Amaratha." Holly said.

"That's a good idea." Rhys looked Holly over and food suddenly appeared on the bed. "Eat or I will shove it down your throat." Rhys said. Holly's stomach growled at the smell of the food. Holly picked it up. "It nearly broke me when Draco took you and I didn't see you for 25 years. Now seeing you back to almost what you were like." Rhys shook his head. "Az is gonna have my wings." Holly sent him a glare.

"We didn't know this was a trap and you tried to ruin her and it backfired. Just glad you forced Azriel to stay home." Holly said. She lifted her arm and shadows came down your arm.

"Az's shadows." Rhys said. Holly nodded.

"After my brother and cousin nearly beat me to the inch of my life and I woke up in my room. They came to me. They been with me ever since." Holly said. Rhys ran his hand through his hair. "But yet I heard you are called Amaratha's whore by the court members?" Rhys nearly groaned. Holly stood up and stormed up to him and grabbed him by the ear.

"Hey! I'm your High Lord." Rhys hissed.

"You are sleeping with Amaratha!" Holly hissed. Rhys flinched. "Next time we're home and you get injured. Don't expect me to be nice to you."

"Yes, mother." Rhys said. Holly grabbed her food and ate. "I'll leave you be. I'm glad your here. Report to me what you got." Rhys disappears. Holly put the plate on the nightstand and it disappeared. Holly pulled her clothes off as she headed to the bathtub that was now filled with hot water. Holly hissed as she sank into the water. Holly was happy to be back with Rhys, but her plan was get them all home.

AN: Till next time.