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

at her but didn't reply. If he became a father, he thought to himself. If he took Kaily as his bonded mate, he wasn't convinced he could father children of his own. Was it possible to create a true Kahoali bond with Kaily? She wasn't Kahoali, so how could they create a true bonding? Without a true bonding, there was no hope of children between them. He wanted children, more than he cared to admit even to himself. Was his connection with Kaily stronger than his desire to have children? Was it stronger than his need to be among his own people? Moto closed his eyes and rubbed them. He didn't possess the answers to the multitude of questions, which was the crux of his dilemma. He didn't have a way to find the answers either. If he bonded with Kaily, it would be done. There was no going back. If he bonded with her and they couldn't have children, would he be okay with it? Would he be okay leaving his people for good? He would have no choice. The Queen or his people would never accept his bonding with an outsider.

He cleaned up Niele's sticky fingers, face, and settled her on his lap. He traced patterns in the palm of her hand and watched the others in the clearing. It was a time of celebration as far as they were concerned. It would have been if Sari were bonding with a forever love, or if he was. Instead, they pretended to be that to each other, all because of his indecisiveness. A part of him was grateful to Sari for the sacrifice she made, and another part felt guilty for placing her in that position, and for jeopardizing her chance to find her true mate.

"She's asleep," Sari said, drawing his attention from the events in the meadow and his inner pondering to the child on his lap.

"So, she is." Moto said. "Do you want to take her?"

"Let's take her back to her parents." Sari said. "I think we can make our escape without offending too many."

"Finally!"

Sari smiled and shook her head at him.

Moto ignored her amusement at his expense, and repositioned Niele so he could stand without waking the child. It had been a long night for the child, and for him to be honest. He was surprised the child stayed awake as long as she did. He held her close as he prepared to stand. Before he stood, he felt a force pass through him that took his breath away and pushed him back against the cushioned seat. He glanced around to see if anyone else felt it. Everyone continued to enjoy the festivities without any indication they noticed the disturbance. Frowning he looked to Sari.

"What is it?" Sari asked.

Moto shook his head. "I don't know. I felt," he shrugged, "something. I don't know. We need to get out of here. I have a bad feeling." There was a sense of urgency that descended upon him. It was strong. He needed to find Kaily, fast. He almost opened his mind to her, but then stopped. He couldn't allow himself to be more distracted than he already was. Too much was at stake. Still holding Niele to him, he stood, and went to hand the child off to Sari. The urgency to find Kaily drove him.

Sari shook her head. "You take Niele back to her parents and I'll take our leave of the Queen."

Moto hesitated a moment, and then nodded. He took a deep breath. Sari was levelheaded and he needed that right then.

Sari turned.

Moto touched Sari's arm. "Thank you."

Sari smiled at him and nodded. She touched the side of his face, and then turned and started towards where the Queen sat with several of the Shanees.

Moto made his way to where Niele's parents sat as fast as possible while appearing to be casual about it, at least as casual as possible for him, all things considered. They thanked him for entertaining their daughter as he passed her to her mother. He touched the top of the child's head and turned to see where Sari stood. He found her by the portal that would lead to her village. He made his way to her while still trying to make it look like he was not in a hurry. Something was wrong. He opened his mind to Kaily as he made his way to Sari. He felt the icy fingers of fear creep up his spine. Kaily? Moto sent to her telepathically. Where he normally could feel her mind, at least her presence within his mind, he felt nothing. He cursed for not reaching out to her sooner. When he reached Sari, she kissed him full on the lips, then took his hand and opened the portal. Moto frowned but remained silent as they stepped into the portal.

"My apologies," Sari said with a slight bow of her head after they exited the portal. "I wanted to leave a certain impression, if you know what I mean."

Moto nodded. "I do. No apologies necessary." He looked around, not sure what he searched for or expected to find.

"Tell me what you felt." Sari turned his face to force him to look at her.

Moto began to shake his head, still frowning, "I don't know. It felt as if a force pushed me back into the cushion, but no one else seemed to notice it. Did you?"

Sari shook her head, "no, not really."

"What do you mean not really?"

"I thought I felt a disturbance of some sort, but nothing I could pinpoint, and the sensation came and went so fast I thought I imagined it. Did you reach out telepathically to Kaily?"

"I tried, but I can't reach her," Moto said, and then realized what Sari asked. "How do you know I can?" He didn't tell her he could communicate with Kaily telepathically, neither did he share that information with Shimani.

"Shimani said he suspected you two might have a telepathic connection." Sari said with a shrug.

"Why