Deviation: Altera Realm Trilogy Book 2 by Jennifer Collins Page A

men, who were born as good-looking as Adam tended to get large heads without any help from their friends. Gabe didn’t want to add to it, although Adam was no Prince Brian. He wasn’t arrogant, just sure of himself. Deep down Adam was a decent guy. He just didn’t let people in too often. Considering how he had grown up, Gabe didn’t blame him. That was what worried Gabe the most, though. Syney wasn’t a fan of people who seemed as though they had no vulnerability. She tended to see right through them and toss them aside.
    “You need to let her in and see the real you. That’s the only way she’ll let you in,” Gabe said.
    Adam broke out into a laugh and handed the bottle back to him. “And she knows the real
you
? That’s ridiculous. No one knows you.” He headed out of the room. “Don’t worry so much. I’ll do fine. She’s going to love me. Just watch.”
    Gabe didn’t say anything. He needed Syney to be joined, and Adam was the best he could do. But he still felt antsy not being able to control the situation. He wanted to be on the date with them, but he knew he couldn’t. He had to trust that Adam could do it. But Gabe wasn’t good at trusting people.
    Adam opened the door to reveal Noelle, her hand up to knock. “Hello, there,” Adam said with a smile.
    “Oh, hi.” Noelle giggled a little and walked into the room.
    Gabe narrowed his eyes at her. Her pulse had picked up. He didn’t like this at all. “What is it?”
    “I just came by to say hi. Syney is in a meeting with Helen. Do I get an introduction?” She looked back at Adam.
    “Adam, Noelle. Noelle, Adam. And he’s just leaving,” Gabe said quickly.
    “But I could stay.” Adam closed the door. He walked over to Noelle. “It’s really good to meet you. You know, they say royals are the prettiest of all Magic Users, but I think they might be wrong, because your eyes are magnificent.”
    “Oh, wow,” Noelle said, her breath picking up. She wet her lips and even took a step closer to him.
    Adam smiled at Gabe. “I told you I’ll be fine. Now if you’ll excuse me. Have a lovely evening.” He left the room quickly.
    Noelle took a deep breath. “He’s right—he’ll be fine. And
is
fine. Where did you find him?” she asked.
    “His parents were friends of mine. Does that really work? I mean, are you all…you know?”
    “Oh, yeah. I think it’s the smile. I’d buy anything he was selling. But that’s why he’s here, right? To court Syney? You know, in order for them to get a joining, the law about royals marrying nonroyals will have to be changed.”
    “I know. I’m hoping she’ll fall so hard that she’ll push it at a council meeting. Do you really think he’s attractive?”
    Noelle smiled and moved closer to him. “Not as much as you are, if that’s what you’re fishing for.”
    “It is.”
    They stared at each other, only inches apart, for a moment. Gabe had spent months thinking about Noelle and his feelings for her. He even had talked to Faye about it. He couldn’t get distracted, but now that she was involved, now that she knew he had a plan for Syney, that didn’t seem to be that much of a problem. When he was traveling around, putting some things into place, he couldn’t help stoping over in Bolchin. He didn’t have to ask around too long to find out everything he wanted to know about Noelle, and he had to admit, now that he knew her secret, he liked her even more. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t have some fun with her, right? Hunter had been right about one thing—Gabe loved games.
    “I’ve been thinking for a while,” he said, running the back of his hand along her cheek. “And I think I’d like to explore what we have here.” He leaned in and kissed her gently. He felt her lean into him and deepen the kiss right away. He had expected the kiss to be good, but he wasn’t expecting all the feelings that ran through his body when they did kiss. It was much more than physical. He pulled back