Discovery: Altera Realm Trilogy (31 page)

Hunter

He didn't want to open the door. He knew what awaited him on the other side, and he wasn't sure he could act as if nothing was wrong. There never had been a moment in his life when he had thought something was missing. He had accepted everything that had happened to his family and moved on from it because there was nothing he could change about it. Just being around Syney, however, changed things. But there was no way they could be together in any other way than they were required to be—Protector and protected. He grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.

Fern was the ideal Lycin female—tall, lean, all muscle but with a delicate woman's curves as well. Her black hair was down, falling by her waist, which made her even more alluring. Hunter had been surprised when they had been paired. Banished families didn't get paired with members of the Royal Guard. But Fern had been ecstatic about it, diving right into the role of his mate—spending time with his mother and joining him in most of his activities. Most Guards patted him on the back over the pairing, telling him how lucky he was to get such an amazing match, and he had agreed with them at the time. But now nothing made sense.

Fern looked over at him as he entered and gave him her kind smile, which looked a lot like her mad smile or sad smile. For all of her good qualities, Fern was a Lycin through and through, including the rough personality. She wasn't mean or rude, but personable she was not. She was the night to Syney's day.

"I was expecting you last night," she said, reaching him in only a few steps.

He leaned down a few inches and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I got caught up."

"With the new princess, I suspect. I've been hearing interesting things about her. Is she adjusting to the Village well?"

Hunter nodded. "As well as could be expected."

Fern's features softened a little. "It still feels surreal. I can remember the prophecy when it was first made. We never thought there could be an end to the war. But she will do it, right?"

Hunter shrugged. "She's just a girl."

Fern shook her head. "She's the last Vilori. She's meant for greatness."

Hunter forgot how much of a believer Fern was. He never had given much stock to the prophecy until he had been named. And now he couldn't seem to separate the young woman from the famed Chosen One. "We should go eat."

"Of course. It'll be nice to have a full meal. I enjoy being out in the lands, but the food could use much improvement."

The dining hall was nearly vacant, being that it was so early. They grabbed an empty table and talked about Fern's mission. Hunter had been surprised when the queen ordered a survey of the borders, but now, as he listened to Fern, he saw the prudence of her ways.

"There was a lot of Shifter activity along the northern border. We heard them at night and during the day, but we saw no movement over our lands."

"The north? I thought they stayed east," Hunter said, his interest piqued.

Fern nodded. "We noted the unusual behavior in our report to Commander Leaf. He seemed equally disturbed. We recommended a longer operation to monitor the situation."

"That would be the best. Maybe a squadron or two... just to monitor."

Fern stared off behind Hunter for a moment. "Is that her?"

Hunter glanced over his shoulder and caught Syney's look as she talked to Noelle by the door. He looked back at Fern. "Yes."

"She's beautiful."

"Yes," Hunter breathed. He hadn't meant to say it.

Fern looked back at him. "Why is she down here and not in the upper dining hall?"

Hunter shook his head. "It's a long story. Let's just say Syney does things her own way."

"Princess Syney," Fern corrected.

"Right. She's not very formal, and she'll yell at you for calling her 'Princess.' "

Fern cocked an eyebrow. "Interesting. And why is there a Vampire here?"

"That's Gabriel McMann. He comes with Syney. Kind of an unpleasant package deal. He saved her life in the Human Realm, and she feels...indebted. He's annoying but harmless."

"Harmless? A Vampire harmless? You're not turning soft on me, are you?"

Hunter stiffened at the question. "No." He suddenly felt the need to get away for a moment before he said anything else. Fern seemed more and more harsh to him as they talked. He couldn't remember her being that way. "Excuse me for a moment. I have to check something with Syney." He stood up and heard her whisper, "Princess." He rolled his eyes and headed over to where Syney still stood. He didn't want to have this conversation, but it needed to be done, and the sooner the better.

Noelle gave Syney a look before stepping away as he approached. He gave her the best smile he could and gestured to the hallway with a cock of his head. She nodded and followed him out to a small enclave a few feet down. There were a couple of benches. He took a seat on one, and she sat down opposite him.

"I'm sorry I left that way. I was going to wake you but—"

"No, it's OK. I... She's pretty. I didn't really want her to be pretty," Syney said with a sad smile.

Hunter glanced out into the hall before brushing his fingers along hers.

Syney smiled at him. "We can totally do this, you know. I can be so sneaky. This one time I adopted a cat and got away with it for a month, and the only reason my mom found out was because she decided to do my laundry." She paused. "This is so doable. I promise."

Hunter stared into her violet eyes for a moment and had to force himself to look away. "No, it's not."

"What?" she asked, sounding deflated. "I thought, after last night..

Hunter grabbed her hands and leaned forward. "It was the best night of my life. But there's so much more going on here."

Syney looked away, but Hunter grabbed her chin.

"You are amazing, and if things were different...there wouldn't be a question."

Syney's eyes glistened with tears. "But we could keep it a secret. No one would know."

He smiled at her. "I don't want you to be my secret. You're better than that."

"So that's it?"

"That's it."

Syney wiped away a tear and stood up. "You know, sometimes it's actually good to do the wrong thing, to go against the grain. That's how change is made."

Hunter stood up and looked down at her. "You have more important things to change."

"Ugh! I am so sick of people telling me that. Maybe I don't want to be some kind of savior." She stared up into his eyes. "Maybe I just want to be with the guy I love and settle down out in the middle of nowhere. Have a couple of kids. Just be happy. Is that so much to ask?" She gave a small sob and stalked off.

She was right. Everyone was putting too much pressure on her and not asking what she wanted. But there was nothing she could do about it. There was nothing Hunter could do about it either. But keeping up a secret affair? That would just add to the stress she was already feeling. And he wouldn't be responsible for that—even if it meant letting her go.

Leaf

This was the first council meeting that didn't have Leaf's full attention. He was distracted, and he shouldn't be. Usually he sat across from Justice, who annoyed him on a good day. That man was never paying attention, always doodling away on the paper in front of him. But today Princess Helen had grabbed that seat. Leaf always had been known for compartmentalizing his life, but at that moment he couldn't stop picturing Helen in her thin blue bathing suit. Most Lycin women were strong and all muscle, but Helen had curves and soft spots that fascinated him. But they shouldn't; they couldn't.

"Leaf?"

Helen looked at him. She wasn't the one who had called his name, but he felt caught by her gaze for a moment, her face turning pink under his stare. He finally looked over to Mellisandrianna, who appeared less amused. She also looked paler than usual. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Are you even listening?"

"I am now."

"Security. We need more of it. I wasn't comfortable with the report your scouting party gave. I would like more guards posted at exits."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"I would also like at least two Protectors for every royal. Call up the seconds and have them ready to start duty tomorrow."

"What would you like to do for Princess Syney?" he asked.

"What?"

Everyone at the table looked to the young princess, who stared back with confusion.
At least I wasn't the only one distracted
, Leaf thought.

"The Protectors are increasing to two. You need a second one," Leaf explained.

"Oh, OK," Syney said.

Mellisandrianna shot Syney an odd look. "Who's your best guard?" she asked Leaf.

"They're all well trained."

She smiled at him. "Of course, but we both know that some excel more than others."

Leaf thought for a moment. There had been a new hotshot in the ranks, Reed. He was young but strong and very eager. He said as much to the queen, who nodded in agreement.

"He shall be appointed then. Is there anything else?"

"The ball, Your Majesty. Everything will be set up for tomorrow. It will be masked, and the colors will be white and black," Justice said eagerly.

Leaf rolled his eyes. Balls and festivals were a staple in the palace, but as far as he was concerned, they were a colossal waste of time and money. He looked forward—and was surprised—to find himself staring into Helen's eyes yet again. She smiled but quickly looked away.

"Yes, yes, all good. Anything else?"

The table was silent.

"Good. Meeting adjourned." Mellisandrianna quickly stood and swept away.

Leaf stared after her for a moment, wondering what her hurry was. He shook off the thought and looked back to Helen, but she was gone. He guessed hurrying ran in the family. He looked toward the end of the table and found Syney still sitting in her seat, deep in thought. He walked over to her and sat next to her. "Are you all right?"

She jumped slightly. "Oh, jeez. Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind. What's this about a ball?"

"It's an annual thing—just a rather large dance." He thought for a moment. "Would it be all right for me to escort you?"

Syney's eyes narrowed. "You're not developing a crush on me, are you? 'Cause I have it on good authority that that would mean jail time...or death."

"More likely death," he said a bit sourly. "It would be platonic. Usually your Protector would be your escort."

"Oh, so it should be Hunter?" she asked, her mood picking up.

Odd
, he thought. "Yes, but all paired or mated Guards escort their significant others. So Hunter will be with Fern. I would love the opportunity, however, to take his place."

She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "That would be nice. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said with a short nod.

"So this new kid is good?"

"Reed? Yes, he is."

"Good." Syney stood up. "I think some change might be a good thing. I'll see you tomorrow."

He bid her goodbye and watched as she left. She was also looking paler. Leaf wasn't comfortable with how the royal family was looking, but it wasn't his place to say anything. He got up and headed out of the room. He went down to the training gym for the Guard. He wanted to let Reed know of his new position as soon as he could. Fern and Hunter were there, talking with several Guards. Fern looked good for having been out of the palace for more than a month. But Hunter seemed distracted and waned. Maybe something was going around the palace, he thought. Whatever it was, he needed to stay away from it. He didn't need the distraction.

Noelle