The One turned sharply, moving toward the luggage. “We should go now and meet them while they’re all together. They’ll feel safer in their numbers.”
With little to no fanfare, the four of us made our way through the Temple after the One had talked to his father quietly for about ten minutes. I didn’t miss how the One shielded me the entire time from the gawkers. On the dark beach, as I gave a private wink at the gaping Guardian I had spoken with when I first arrived, Reese placed a hand on the One’s shoulder while gripping Roselle in his other arm. Tristan stepped a paw on the One’s bare foot.
And he peered at me while I stared at his nose. “I’ll take us directly there.”
My lips pinched as I stared at his outstretched hand.
I shook my head calmly. “I left from there, so I don’t need your help on this.” I paused, then I added, “Thank you, though.” His hand gradually dropped. I opened my Core and pulled myself and Isolde back home to the Elemental’s kitchen, blinking at the afternoon sunlight pouring in through the windows. I breathed in the scents. “Home sweet home.”
Introductions went smoothly, the One, Reese, and Roselle all very professional. And also sympathetic in their greetings. It helped that Queen Ruckler and Elder Merrick both covertly sniffed and gave them their scent approval—the spirits apparently not smelling of the dead. Tristan was testy though, barging through all the Rulers and Elders, knocking legs and stepping on feet as he growled at everyone to get out of his way. Until he got to me at the back of the Ruler’s group and started twining his way around my legs.
Queen Ruckler lifted her eyebrows. As I was knocked to and fro, trying to keep a grip on Isolde so I didn’t drop her, she stated, “So the real Tristan really does like you.”
It was a statement, and I yelped as Tristan started bumping me forward. “Yes, which I said the first time you saw the other one.” I grunted again when he bumped my butt with his head none too gently, still working me forward. Understanding where he was pushing me, I griped behind me quietly, “I’m with the other team, Tristan.” He didn’t seem to give a shit, knocking me too hard one last time. I shrieked, doing a windmill with one arm as I started to fall, Isolde tumbling out of my other hand.
My momentum jerked to a halt as a swift, muscled arm scooped under my stomach, my feet no longer on the floor, and a fast tanned hand caught Isolde’s whimpering tiny frame. I grunted, the wind knocked out of me from the hold against my belly. Isolde instantly started growling quietly, but the One, the man who had caught us both, crooned softly, “Be quiet and just give me a second with Ms Jules, then I’ll put you down.”
“Me…” I gasped, still hanging upside down, bent in half, “first.”
“That’s what I said,” the One murmured over Isolde’s continual snarl. He bent, placing my feet on the ground, and gave me an extra boost with his arm. “There you go.”
I sucked in a lungful of air, flipping my hair out of my face. I glared at Tristan where he sat proudly with damn smug eyes. “That. Was. Not. Nice.” I pointed behind him. “I belong over there.” Finger down at the ground. “Not here.” My stern voice. “Do you understand me?”
He opened his mouth wide…and yawned.
Damn cat.
The One lifted Isolde in front of his face while she bared her teeth. “You’re kind of cute for such a bitty thing.” His words didn’t stop her growling.
I ignored them, focusing on the issue.
“I’m going back over there,” I stated firmly to Tristan. “Don’t you try and stop me.”
When he started scooting on his ass to sit directly in front of me, I stared at him like the crazy tiger he was being. “What the hell’s gotten into you?” I shook my finger over his head. “I’m seriously going over there, so cut the shit out.”
I held my hands up to the One, waggling my fingers for Isolde, but I kept a wary eye on Tristan. There was an ornery gleam in his eye. “You may want to tell him to behave,” I murmured as the One sat Isolde in my hands. I tucked her close to my chest but pointed a finger at Tristan. “He’s got a look about him.”
Dry words. “I already told him to behave before we came inside.”
“Huh…well, all right.” I started to step around the tiger, but he instantly countered. And I swear to God he was playing with me, swaying a little and wagging his tail. “That’s not behaving.”
“Tristan,” the One growled in quiet reprimand, snapping his fingers. “Get over here.”
Tristan’s head darted toward him then quickly back to me when I lifted a leg to move around him. I calmly put my foot back down and muttered, “Dammit.” Glancing around, I gave up. The stubborn cutie was not going to let me pass. And he wasn’t listening to the One. “Fine…for now.”
His mouth opened in what looked like a grin.