Deviation: Altera Realm Trilogy Book 2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

and gems she had come across,and promise stones were unique. One person made a promise while holding the stone and gave it to the other person. When the promise was upheld, the stone disintegrated. It was the only stone that was naturally spelled.
    Noelle picked up the stone and held it in her hands. “You’ve done so much for me in the year that I’ve known you, Syney, that I want to promise to make it up to you. I promise to do something for you that’s completely selfless.” She held out the stone to Syney, who took it and gave Noelle a small smile.
    “I look forward to it…disappearing,” Syney said, slipping the stone into the pocket of her dress. She tried not to think about the last time she held one of these stones. It was only months ago and the thought of it and…She shook her head making any thoughts of him go away.
    Noelle nodded slowly. There was definitely something going on here, but she wasn’t going to find out now, so she pushed all her questions out of her mind. She needed to talk to Syney about this in private.
    Reed slid a small box to Syney just as they heard a pounding on the floor above them. They all lifted their heads to see Mellisandrianna standing at the railing as she always did for major announcements. She smiled down at everyone. “It’s always such a joyous occasion when one of our own celebrates the day of their birth. Although we aren’t sure when she was born, this is the day that Queen Syney of House Vilori chose to celebrate her birthday. I would like to welcome her up here so that we may sing her the traditional birthday song.”
    Syney sneered up at the queen before standing up and heading for the stairs, grumbling the whole time.
    Gabe looked at Noelle and motioned toward the back of the room with a cock of his head. She nodded, and they slipped away from the table as the entire room looked up at their two queens.
    “Where have you been?” Noelle asked quietly.
    He smiled at her. “Nowhere, everywhere. You still want to help with the plan?”
    Noelle nodded quickly. Ever since Syney had met Gabe, and for many years before that, Noelle assumed, he had been working toward some “big picture.” Noelle had volunteered to help him, but he hadn’t called on her since then, which frustrated her. Noelle assumed, given his past, he was working toward reunification of the great races, something she supported. Unfortunately, whatever his plan was, it seemed to be taking a long time.
    “Good,” he said, scanning the room. He pointed to a young man around her age with blond hair that was styled to stick up in points. “You know him?”
    Noelle shook her head. “I’ve heard about him, though. He didn’t grow up in the Village. And he saved Prince Brian’s life on that stupid hunting trip, which is why he’s here now.”
    “For someone who hates gossip, you found that out rather quickly,” Gabe said.
    “I’m getting good at listening from afar. What about him?”
    “His name is Adam, and he should become friends with Syney—preferably more than friends.”
    Noelle shook her head. “It’s too soon.”
    “It’ll always be too soon. He’ll be at the party tonight. Encourage her to talk to him. He’ll take the rest.”
    “Who is he?” she asked, looking back at him. He was attractive—very attractive by Magic User standards. But he was lean and only a few inches taller than her, the opposite of what Noelle assumed to be Syney’s type.
    “I told you. He’s Adam.”
    Noelle looked back at Gabe and met his golden eyes. At that moment they seemed softer. She suppressed the urge to lean forward and kiss him right here. But doing so likely would get her executed. “Fine. Don’t tell me,” she said, leaning closer, one of Gabe’s patented moves.
Let’s see how he likes it
, she thought, stopping a few inches from him. “But I won’t let you keep me in the dark for long.” She smiled and walked away from him, back to the table. She had made her point very well.