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

He nodded once. "You are on my world, Ki."

Kaily nodded. That answer echoed what Jaren said when she asked him the same question. "Was I on Ki when," she hesitated, she took a deep breath. "When Moto saved me?"

Shimani narrowed his eyes at her for a brief moment. It appeared he measured her need for an answer. "Yes, but with the Agenors. Kaily, we need to hurry. Please trust me. Answers and understanding will come in time. Will you trust me?"

Kaily hesitated. She didn't trust anyone, not really. She hated trusting others. She didn't know quite why and never examined the reasons. But her circumstances meant she would need help and for that she would need to trust someone. No choice in the matter, she knew. She nodded.

"Thank you." Shimani leaned closer and put his hands on the side of her head again.

Kaily felt a tingling sensation pass through her mind, but no pain and then it the sensation disappeared. "Give it a try." He said reverting back to his Kahoali language.

Kaily frowned. "How?"

"Like that," Shimani said with a smile.

"How?" She didn't notice she switched languages.

"It's more instinct based at first. In time, it will get easier to tell when you are speaking Kahoali and when you are not."

Kaily opened her mouth to ask for clarification.

Shimani held up his hand to stay her question.

Kaily sighed. "I know. Time."

Shimani nodded. "When you meet the Queen limit your responses to head nods and shakes. And let's keep what I've done for you between us. Limit the extent of what you say in Kahoali in the beginning. Over time they will accept you picked up the language from being able to understand it."

"Alright," Kaily said. She would trust his reasons for his instruction, despite his lack of sharing those reasons. "What makes you think I'll be allowed to stay?"

Shimani stood and held down his hand to help her to her feet. "Call it a feeling or wishful thinking if you want." He said the last part with a shrug. "I don't know what the Queen intends to do with you, but I land on the side of hope. We are not a cruel people without compassion, Kaily."

She took a hold of Shimani's proffered hand to help her stand. "Is that supposed to comfort me?"

Shimani shrugged again. "It's up to you."

Kaily glared at him in response.

Shimani opened the door for her, "after you."

"Where exactly?"

"To see the Queen of course," Shimani shut the door behind him.

"That's ever so helpful."

"Don't be rude, Kaily." Shimani smiled despite his rebuke. “The Queen's hut and throne room is down this path. Moto will not be in attendance." He said as if an afterthought.

Kaily shrugged. "Is that supposed to matter to me?" She hoped it came across as disinterested as she intended to make it sound. Considering the amused expression on Shimani's face and laughter that followed, she didn't think she succeeded. Why should she care if Moto would be present? She did, care. She wanted, needed to see him again. Shimani talking about him made him real to a point. Seeing him in person would make him real to her beyond all her doubts.

Although, Shimani followed her, he guided her with small gestures and touches. She imagined from an outside perspective it would look like she might know where she went. She attempted to look around as they walked to take in as much as possible. The pace Shimani set did not make it easy for her to observe much of her surroundings. She held up the hem of her heavy gown to keep from tripping on the edge of it. As he guided her to the village, she noticed just how far the hut she woke up stood. Through the village, she noticed the other huts built similar in design to the secluded one. The difference lay in their variety of hues from reddish to light browns and everything in between. Their sizes differed too. They appeared large enough to be comfortable living quarters for a variety of family sizes.

A forest surrounded the village. It wasn't like the ones on Earth, not that she should be surprised. She did stand on another planet. She thought the forest looked like a cross between a jungle and high mountain forest. When she glanced up, she saw a high canopy blotted out most of the sky. Still, soft light steamed down to light the area more than she expected. The air felt heavy and humid, and far too warm for the heavy gown she wore. The garment grew damper as they hurried to their destination. To make matters worse, sweat beaded all over her body and streamed down her back and other places making it feel like bugs crawled on her skin. The hut felt deceptively cool inside. She might feel better if she could strip down to her undergarments, but that would draw too much unwanted attention.

Kaily grew more uncomfortable the further into the village they traveled. The villagers they passed stopped what they did and stared. Shimani, she noticed, nodded, but said nothing. She wouldn't say their expressions held hostility, but neither would she say friendly or welcoming. The adults ushered the children playing outside inside the nearest hut. She looked away and pretended it didn't hurt to see that kind of reaction. Shimani told her they didn't welcome outsiders. Still, it hurt.

The deeper in the village they traveled the less jungle/forest encroached upon the village. She still saw a canopy overhead, but it grew higher up which made the area appear lighter. At the far end stood a two-story hut which appeared much larger than the other huts surrounding it or the ones they passed. It felt like a cultivated mansion of sorts. Too large to be called a hut, and yet the same poles made up its construct. Except, the wooden poles gleamed in the light brighter than the surrounding huts. It looked