Deviation: Altera Realm Trilogy Book 2 Read Online Free PDF

She looked back at that Adam guy and caught him laughing at something someone at his table had said. Noelle herself almost fell in love with him right there. His smile lit up his entire face. Syney would be nuts not to go for him. She looked at Syney as she walked back down the stairs; her face was even grumpier than when she had ascended them. She wasn’t sure Syney was in a “go get him” mood. She sighed; she definitely had her work cut out for her.
    Helen closed the door behind her and sighed as she sat on the bed. She was worried about Syney and had been for the last four months, ever since Syney had been crowned seated queen. She was frustrated over the fact that there wasn’t much she could do to help her, with making changes in the palace or with her pain over losing her soulmate. She looked at Leaf, who sat next to her, waiting for her daily rant.
    “I feel bad lying to her,” Helen said, taking his hand in hers.
    “One, we’re not lying to her. And two, it was your idea to act cold toward each other around her,” Leaf said quietly.
    “And why do you listen to me? I’m crazy and generally wrong. I guess I just didn’t want her to see how happy we are when we know how unhappy she is.”
    Leaf smiled and tucked some of her dark brown hair behind her ear. “On the contrary. You’re one of the smartest people I know, and you’re generally right. You just think with your heart more than your head at times.”
    Helen frowned. “And that’s a bad thing?”
    “It’s one of the things I love about you.”
    Helen smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss. She may have felt bad about hiding her relationship with Leaf from Syney, a relationship Syney already knew about, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t relax into him when they were alone. Leaf was her solace in a home that no longer felt much like a home. Helen wasn’t sure whom she felt more disappointed in, her mother or her sister, Cass. Both had acted rashly. At least her mother had showed some kind of empathetic emotion four months ago by allowing Hunter to live away from the palace and Syney, but Cass? Helen wasn’t sure what had caused her sister to go off the deep end. Not only did she betray close friends, but then she also insisted on going out during wartime on a dangerous mission. The worry alone gave Helen a heart ache.
    “Have you heard anything about the mission?” Helen asked quietly. Leaf didn’t like to talk about work while they were alone together, but it really was the only time she could ask and get a straight answer.
    “Not really. One guard came back with a report this morning. There hasn’t been any activity. But he didn’t mention anything about your sister.”
    Helen stood and walked to the window. “I wish she would just come home. I don’t understand it!”
    “None of us do. But you can’t control everything,” Leaf said, turning her around and slipping his hands onto her waist. He kissed her, and she felt some of her worries fade away. After a moment he pulled back. “And no talking to the Vampire. I don’t care what he has that you find interesting.”
    Helen smiled. “Are you jealous? Really? Leaf, commander of the Royal Guard, the fiercest wolf in the Village, is a jealous boyfriend? I think I like it.”
    “It’s not jealousy—it’s more of a concern. He’s dangerous, and if I had my way, he’d be out of here.”
    Helen nodded. “But you can’t do it. He’s Syney’s friend, and she shouldn’t have to lose anyone else.”
    Leaf sighed. “I know.”
    She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him again. This was how she wanted to spend the rest of her life, right here in this room with this man. But she knew she couldn’t. Helen had wanted nothing more than to be named high priestess in their religion since she was a teenager, and the current high priestess, Vasclineda, was in the process of stepping down. In a few months, Helen would be appointed to the position and take the vows, one being chastity.