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

was our reasoning. The Queen's reasons to force him to take a mate are her own."

"Why?" Kaily pressed. It didn't make sense to her. Nothing about the whole situation between her and Moto made sense to her, and it pissed her off. Why would the Queen want him to take a mate? Why did Sari have to be the one he chose to do that with? She didn't understand but did catch the part where Sari said it needed to appear that way.

Sari touched Kaily's arm. There was something almost like sorrow in Sari's eyes towards her. "I know this is all difficult to understand, Kaily. The Queen is never going to accept Moto bonding with an outsider. Moto needs time to come to terms with what has happened between you and him, and what that means for his future. It is better for all of us if everyone thinks he and I are bonded. It would have been easier on you if he talked to you beforehand, but he didn't. I know this is all a bit much right now, but please, you need to make peace with what has happened and try to understand."

Kaily looked away. She was beginning to hate being looked at as an outsider. Yes, she wasn't Kahoali or even from their world, but were they all that different? Make peace and understand? She didn't know if she could.

"Kaily." Sari said her name to get her focus back.

Kaily met her gaze, reluctantly. "Go on." She said to let Sari know she was listening to hear whatever she had to say. She didn't want to hear it, but she forced herself to hear it. It wasn't Sari's fault and part of Kaily felt bad that she took her frustrations out on her.

"Okay first, I'll try to explain what it means to be bonded in the Kahoali way. There is something that brings the two together, a connection of some sort. It can be a physical connection, a spiritual connection, or just enough similarities. In those cases, the two make the decision, and choose to become bonded mates. In some rare cases, like with you and Moto,"

Kaily shook her head and opened her mouth to refute Sari's statement about her and Moto.

"Let me finish," Sari gave her a stern look. "In those rare cases, like you and Moto, there is a connection that is so deep that the two start the bonding process well before either makes a conscious decision to become bonded mates. Yes, you and Moto are one of those."

Kaily frowned as Sari's words sank in. Hadn't she felt drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain? "How do you know that we are one of those rare cases?"

"Anyone with eyes can see that," Sari said, amusement in her tone. She sobered and held Kaily's gaze. "Moto's out of character behavior around you, his defiance towards the Queen, the telepathic connection you two have,"

Kaily began to shake her head again.

"Are you denying it?" Sari asked with a raised eyebrow. It was a dare if ever there was one. "You don't have a telepathic connection?"

Kaily held her denial. "I have thought at times that I could hear Moto in my mind," she said, "but, Sari, all this," she waved her hand in the air, "all this, I don't know what to call it. In my world we would say magic. All this is so far beyond my comprehension of what is real and illusion that it's difficult for me to wrap my head around it all, let alone accept this as reality that I am living."

"I can't imagine growing up not know about the energy of Ki and the abilities that come to those that embrace it." Sari said with a smile.

Kaily smiled, but it held sadness, "two different worlds."

Sari gave her a side hug. "You have no idea. All I can say is to have an open mind, be prepared for anything, and I mean anything, and above all else be very patient with Moto while he comes to terms with his bonding with you. Trust me; it's not that he doesn't want to take you as his bonded mate, because he does, but he is Kahoali through and through. His people are important to him, and he believes that by bonding with you, he may have to sacrifice being a part of the Kahoali world."

"I don't want him to give up his world for me, Sari."

Sari gave her a sad smile. "He may not have a choice."

Kaily looked away. She wanted to deny that he would have to give up his people. She couldn't. The way they acted towards her, an outsider, what would they do with someone that chose an outsider over them? She couldn't bear to think about it. She turned her focus back to Sari. "What do I do?"

"Be patient with him and follow your heart."

Kaily didn't answer. What could she say to that? There were times she didn't know what her heart wanted to do or her mind. She looked up at the planet above seeking comfort. She glanced sideways at Sari who also gazed at the planet. "What is that world called?"

"Celtan," Sari said. She focused on Kaily. "It's the home-world of the Druids, although it is not a topic you should bring up around Moto."

"I noticed that he avoided looking at it when he brought me here."

Sari nodded. "Most Kahoali avoid looking at it and in the villages it's easy to ignore since the sky is obscured from view within the canopy of our forest. It is a painful memory of a time when a bad choice cost so many their lives within Center Village. It was a long time ago, but not long enough. There hasn't been enough time for the bitterness to fade from the Kahoali people."

"Why don't you seem bitter about it?"

Sari shrugged, "different perspective. Kaily, you have to be patient with Moto." She said. "He will come around, but he is stubborn, and