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

have in the cupboard here. You will not be at the ceremony long enough to enjoy the provisions. You will not speak to anyone at the ceremony. You are only meant to observe. The ceremony will take place as the light of day fades. I will retrieve you just before it is to begin. Do you understand?"

Kaily solemnly nodded. She did not make eye contact. She remained where she stood and waited for him to leave. Of course, she understood. She was no longer welcome, and she didn't know why, at least, not for certain. As soon as the door closed, she sank into the nearest chair at the table and put her face in her hands. Tears she held back fell. Moto, why won't you answer me? She silently demanded. There was a part of her that doubted she talked to Moto mind to mind, and another part of her that held on to the hope she did. He was her only hope to get out of her current mess and back home where she belonged. Damn the circumstances for taking her away from her home! Damn her for not forcing Moto to take her back when she had the chance!

Kaily wiped the tears from her eyes. She gathered the bundle and went to the bathroom to clean up and get ready. She would make the best of her situation until she found a way to change it. Kaily pulled the talisman from where she secured it and held it close to her. For some bizarre reason it gave her a measure of comfort. The stone felt cool and smooth in her hands, despite the fact a moment before she felt warmth and a pulsing rhythm coming from the stone. There was life inside it and she could feel it. Somehow it felt alive to her. She didn't question it. She allowed herself simply to take comfort from it. Somehow, she would find her way home. Until then the comfort she could find would need to be enough. Moto, why won't you answer me?

***

Kaily finished getting ready hours before Baridi would retrieve her for the ceremony. She tried to rest. She thought if she could take a nap maybe a solution would present itself, but she felt too restless to sleep. She ended up pacing the length of the hut which only made it seem smaller and smaller with each passing minute. So many questions and thoughts flowed through her mind she couldn't silence them. She still couldn't reach Moto. She half expected Shimani to show up at some point, but he was nowhere to be seen. At least, not by her and considering she couldn't leave the hut didn't help. She poked her head out once only to find two villagers on either side of the door. The look they gave her sent her scrambling back inside. She didn't make that mistake a second time.

She felt like she was crawling out of her skin by the time she heard a knock on her door. She placed the stone back in her secret, secure place, and stepped towards the door with the intent to open it, but before she could Baridi opened the door and stepped inside. Why did he bother to knock? Kaily thought to herself. She managed to keep that comment to herself. The fear she felt was another story. She felt sure everyone could feel how afraid she was, and that irritated her. It scared her she was almost caught with the stone in hand. If Baridi didn't knock, he would have caught her with it. She would need to be more careful with it in the future.

"Why are you not wearing the headdress?" Baridi held up the scarf cloth Kaily left on the table.

"I didn't know how?" Kaily mumbled without making eye contact. There was too much hate and anger in his eyes for her to endure.

"What?" Baridi stepped into her space.

Kaily took a step back. "I didn't know how to put it on?" She said, speaking louder than before, but not by much. If someone had shown her how, she would have, but noooo, no one bothered. She was an outsider. She used to be an outsider, Kaily thought. Now she was a prisoner. At least, until she could find Moto and demand he take her back home, back to her world.

"Turn around."

Kaily did as she was told. She hated feeling like a coward. She wasn't going to bring anymore wrath upon herself. He took the cloth, gathered her hair and then swiftly wrapped the cloth around her head. Kaily wanted to see what it looked like, but there weren't any mirrors in the room, and she didn't think Baridi would give her time to go to the room that did have one. She touched the side of the headdress.

Baridi opened the door and waited for her to exit the hut. He gave her no kind words.

Kaily steeled her resolve not to give in to the emotional turmoil that plagued her. She would, one way or another, get through the night, and then find Moto and get the hell out of there. She followed Baridi to the portal and through it to Crystal Lake. When she stepped through her senses were overwhelmed with bright colors and sweet aromas. They transformed the meadow. Tents of various colors were placed throughout the meadow. All the tents contained top coverings with the sides pulled and tied at each of the four corners except one. That tent had the back panel pulled down and it was set by the edge of Crystal Lake. The edges were covered in flowering vines and a blanket was laid out. There was a high table with a pitcher, two goblets, and what appeared to be a braided cord setting on top of it.

Cushioned chairs and low tables on blankets were placed in the other tents. There was a long tent set up with all manners of foods and refreshments. People filled the