Druidess Found (Druidess Trilogy Book 1) by Machelle Hanleigh (interesting novels to read txt) 📕

Kaily shook her head again and kept her hands covering her mouth. She could tell he didn't like her response. She wasn't stupid. She didn't know where she was or who he was. There was no way she was going to drink whatever he put in that cup.

He rested the cup on his thigh. "Here's the thing," he began slowly and Kaily got the distinct impression he talked to her like he would a child. "According to Kesho," he tilted his head towards the door to indicate the older male who left, "your head is paining you to the point of nausea. So, you can drink this and feel better or you can be presented to the Queen feeling the way you are right now." He held out the cup again and gave her a pointed look.

Kaily narrowed her eyes at him. He didn't flinch or saying anything else. She suspected he could be stubborn. Well, so could she.

She removed her hands from her mouth. "How do I know it's not poisoned?"

He smiled. "You speak the language of the Agenors. Good to know. It's not." He took a drink and held it out to her again.

Kaily took it and eyed the contents.

"It won't hurt you."

Kaily smelled the contents. "Wanna bet?"

She jumped when he laughed. She remained silent. She kept her eyes locked with his as she took a sip. She made a face. "Disgusting!"

"I didn't say it tasted good. I said it would help. You must drink all of it."

Kaily held her breath and emptied the contents as fast as she could, hoping she wouldn't taste it. It helped, but not by much. She gagged as she handed the cup back to him. She didn't know how she managed to keep the contents down. It tasted horrible.

"Thank you," he said. "I'm Shimani and you are?"

"Wondering where the hell I am."

"And I'm wondering what your name is."

She held his gaze. "Kaily."

"Kaily," he said with a thoughtful look, "is your head feeling better?" He asked in the Agenors' language instead of the language he spoke with the other male. She filed the information away for later contemplation.

She nodded. She relaxed enough so her back rested less painfully against the wall. She still didn't feel safe. He, obviously, a warrior, and a great deal bigger than she. She held no delusions about her precarious situation. She would be powerless to do anything if he or the other decided to cause her harm.

"Good," Shimani smiled at her.

Kaily got the impression that he attempted to put her at ease. To be fair, his smiles appeared genuine. She could tell, because they reached his eyes. Despite his efforts, she did not feel at ease or safe. She wanted to go home. She wanted to understand what happened to her. How did she get there? Where was she?

"We don't have much time, so listen very carefully." He moved closer to her.

Kaily forced herself to not scoot away from him. Somehow, she managed to remain where she sat.

"Moto brought you to Center Village of the Kahoali."

She stopped listening at that point. Moto? So, her dark warrior did exist for real and now she knew his name. She yelped from the tap on her head Shimani delivered. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise her.

"Pay attention! This is important information. I know much of this is not going to make sense, and for that I apologize. You will begin to understand over time, if you're given the time to understand." He said the last part under his breath. "The one who brought you here, Moto," he paused. He studied her with narrowed eyes.

Kaily remained focus this time. The mention of her warrior's name made her heart beat faster. Confirmation he existed for real gave her hope. Still, she didn't want to give Shimani reason to tap her head again.

He continued. "He shouldn't have brought you here. Strictly speaking outsiders are not welcome among the Kahoali villages. The Queen is extremely unhappy about what Moto did, and demanded you be brought before her as soon as you are awake and well enough. Kesho made it possible for you to understand us, but you won't be able to speak our language. I can make it possible for you to speak our language, if you will permit me to open your mind."

"How?" Kaily frowned.

"The how doesn't matter," he said. "Do I have your permission?"

Kaily narrowed her eyes at him as she considered. The older male did something which made it possible to understand them. She couldn't deny that. Unpleasant to say the least, but it did help. It would be a good idea to obtain communication capabilities. "Aye," Kaily said. She didn't have a choice. She was at their mercy. She needed to be able to defend herself, with words if possible. She wouldn't be a match physically, so she needed wit, communication capabilities would have to do. She didn't possess wit. That she lost over a week ago. Until she could understand what happened to her and how to get back, there would be nothing she could do to change her circumstance, especially if she couldn't communicate.

He held his hands on either side of her head similar to what the older one did, not as tight.

"Wait!" Kaily pulled away. She felt surprised to find he let her. "Where am I?"

"Center Village."

Kaily shook her head. "No, where am I?" She glanced down at her hands clasped in her lap. She took a deep breath. She needed to face a fact that she didn't want to. "What planet am I on?"

"Ah."

Kaily watched Shimani carefully. She thought he might not answer or maybe she just confused him with Jaren. He didn't give many answers, would Shimani be the same? She saw emotions pass through his eyes which disturbed her for some reason. It seemed strange. His face gave nothing away, but his eyes contained so many different emotions and fire and things she couldn't quite make out. "Please, I need to understand