The One’s throne was made of pure diamond, and three steps above the main level. He was wearing a pair of white silk flowing pants similar to the ones I had seen him wear when I was eighteen, but he also wore a long-sleeved open shirt of thin white silk that would reach to his knees if he were standing, his chest bare.
I tried not to stare at the tribal design black tattoo around his neck, something new since I was here last—and most definitely different to the Walker. The rolls of his white-on-whiter hair were cut at chin level, not longer, and it had sporadic braids, but…everything else appeared the same so far. Everything except his slightly lazy slouch, appearing comfortable on his throne, though it wouldn’t fool a damn person as his silver regard sparkled down on me, intelligent eyes scanning me deliberately from head to toe and back up just as gradually.
I glanced to the One’s left, and God, it kind of felt like deja vu. I tipped my head to Reese where he sat on a throne made of white sand and bordered with pure diamonds. He appeared exactly the same. His bearing was completely neutral as he stared at me, dipping his head in return.
I turned my attention to the One’s right, bowing my head to Roselle, who did not look the same. Her luxurious hair was cut to shoulder length, but she was still just as beautiful, possibly more so because her shorter hair highlighted her features more. When she was done with her own perusal of my person, she dipped her head.
That left the man in the middle. The One.
And his added accessory of Lissa standing over his left shoulder. Her shapely hip rested against the diamond throne as she stared down her fine, beautiful nose at me.
I swallowed, focusing on overlooking her, and peered directly at the One’s nose. I wasn’t ready to stare him in the eyes yet. I specified clearly, “I’ve come to request a private audience with the One.”
There was a slight pause, then his voice, that purring menace, curled through the air as he drawled, “Why would that be, Caro Jules, Prodigy Elemental, the next Queen Elemental?”
My brows lifted at his sardonic tone, which was definitely new. “In private, I will tell you that reason.” I blinked and held up a finger, a thought occurring which was genius. “Actually, I request your presence and a few others’.” I pulled my purse around and dug through it, yanking out the pad of paper. I flipped it a few pages, then scribbled names down. “Just a sec…” I nibbled at my bottom lip, and for the life of me I couldn’t remember some of the guards the Walker had when he arrived at the Manor, so I went with the ones I knew, writing them legibly.
Slow words from above me, stalling my hand. “I haven’t said I would meet with you, Ms Jules, so you can quit writing. Again, I will ask you: why are you requesting my presence?”
My nostrils flared at his coy tone. He was most definitely not the straightforward ‘One’ I was used to. The differences were seriously screwing with me mentally. I knew, but didn’t know, that this was really how he spoke at times. I peered up again, my gaze on his nose, elucidating just as leisurely as he did. “All right.” His lips started to curve just on one side, getting his way. But I continued, enjoying how his small grin faded. “I’m not requesting it. I’m telling you, that you and I, and the few I’m writing down, are going to have a private meeting to discuss why the fuck I’ve come to this place just to talk to you.”
I waited a second, then I stated, “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish, so do try to not interrupt me again. I’d like to get this out of the way so I can go the fuck back home as soon as possible.” I finished writing down the names and tore off the sheet of paper, the sound loud in the cavernous, stunned quiet. I stuffed the pad of paper and pencil back into my purse before I folded the sheet and started to step up the stairs. But I jerked to a stop when a Guardian from the sidelines flashed right next to me on the first stair, his short sword glowing white…and up against my throat.
My eyebrows almost lifted to my hairline as I stayed perfectly still staring at the One’s nose. My tone couldn’t be any drier. “Are you kidding me?”
The One moved from his lazy position and leaned forward to place his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped loosely between them. “It’s custom here at the Temple,” he snorted, “the Temple you seem to dislike greatly, to not approach me past those stairs.”
“Yeah,” I muttered, chuckling, my throat the barest breadth from the deadly blade. “I kind of got that, but I do need to give you this page. And I’d prefer to do it with my head still attached to my neck. Call off the guard dog and let me.”
His thumbs thumped together for a very long moment and my attention altered to the action—yet another action I had never seen the Walker do. “Step back, Farley. Let her proceed.”