Druidess Found (Druidess Trilogy Book 1) Machelle Hanleigh (best ebook reader under 100 .TXT) 📖

no ability which he could sense within her. Without abilities she couldn't open the Gateway. Yet, she stood on his world.

He didn't look away from her gaze when he gave his answer. "I don't know." Moto wanted to say more, but he sensed another within the forest heading their way. It wasn't Shimani. The last thing he needed, to be seen with the girl. He turned and made a hasty retreat, before anyone saw them together. Probably a good thing he made a hasty retreat. He felt his control slipping, if he didn't distance himself from her presence, his desires would win over his knowledge of what he could and could not do with her. He forced himself to keep moving away from the girl. He did not turn around for fear he would return to her, and that he could not allow himself to do.

In reality, no danger would come to her among the villagers. They may not like outsiders in their midst, but none would defy the Queen. The girl was safe in the village. The danger came from what lay between the two of them. If he possessed any sense, he would take her back to her home world, but he couldn't let her go, not yet.

***

Kaily collapsed against the tree she hid behind and touched her lips where her dark warrior's fingertip caressed them as she stared at his retreating back. Her body heated and it was not from the hot, humid air surrounding her. She didn't think she could make it back to the hut she stayed, and she didn't want to. She wanted to savor every sensation she felt. She stared after her dark warrior's backside for as long as she could. Being in a forest had disadvantages. Too many damn trees obstructed her view. There were also advantages, Kaily thought as a smile touched her lips. She couldn't deny there was something about him that drew her, attracted her, and annoyed her. She didn't get enough answers from him. But she couldn't hold a coherent thought in her head with the nearness of him, and the heat of his body penetrating hers. She slid to the ground and hugged her knees to her chest. She could still feel his body pressed against hers as if he still held her against the tree.

Complicated, his answer lingered in her mind. Kaily had a feeling he could complicate a great many things. She never liked those kinds of answers. To her, things didn't need to be complicated. Be transparent, that avoided complications. Answer the questions put to him in an honest, open manner, that avoided complications. Life was not complicated! Life shouldn't be complicated!

Kaily let out an exasperated breath. Her life had become that complicated. She found herself stuck among a people that didn't want her, complicated. Far from home, on another planet, complicated. The one person who could take her home, didn't, complicated. Why? Was it the attraction between them? She touched her lips again and stared at the last spot she saw the complication. Why did he keep her there? Why bring her to his village, knowing he shouldn't? She could somewhat accept the answer he gave his Queen the day before about her being in danger and not thinking, but she sensed more. He struck her as someone that didn't do anything without first thinking it through all the way.

She couldn't ignore the attraction between them. Maybe he couldn't either, assuming he felt the attraction. There was more to it than just mere physical attraction. He moved her in a way that she never felt before with anyone in her short life. She felt drawn to him as if his soul called to hers, and hers called to his. She didn't understand. The day before he ignored her during the meeting with their Queen, then later that night he came to check on her. That morning he came to her hut but didn't speak to her. She felt his presence. She felt him lingering outside the hut. She followed him, to get answers, so she told herself. She wanted to be near him, to touch him, to feel him near her, speaking to her, acknowledging her presence.

She pushed those thoughts aside. She was angry at him, she reminded herself. He could take her home, and he didn't. Somehow, she needed to find the strength and courage to confront him about it. She wanted to go home. No amount of attraction to her dark warrior could change that. Could it?

She stood using the tree to keep her balance. She felt unsettled by the exchange with her dark warrior. She leaned against the tree until she knew for sure her legs would not fail her. She found her way back to the hut she'd been given, her hut, at least for the time being. She felt grateful she passed only a few of the other villagers. They ignored her, which was fine with her. At least, they weren't hostile towards her.

She felt pleasantly surprised to find Shimani inside her gut setting out what looked like a feast for breakfast. It surprised her she felt happy to see him. She shouldn't have, but she was. She realized when he held a chair out for her that he intended to join her. That too made her happy. After she took her place, he sat across from her. He first filled her plate, handed it to her, and then filled his own.

"Did you have a nice conversation?" Shimani asked.

Kaily blushed.

"Ah."

"Ah, what? Yes, It was a nice conversation." Kaily stammered.

"Nothing. No reason, just ah." Shimani said. "I'm sure the conversation was nice and interesting."

Kaily got the impression that his mind went where she didn't want it to. Not that it mattered. Nothing happened. Why was she so embarrassed? "What is a normal day for you?" She changed the direction of their conversation.

Shimani shrugged, "Depends on the day. We do what needs to be done." Shimani said around mouthfuls. "How