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

meadow. Kaily recognized some of the Shanees she saw before along with others. Two smaller tents stood on either side of the tent with the back flap down by Crystal Lake. There were six women in each. From those she recognized, she guessed they were the twelve Shanees. The remaining villagers took up the other tents. There were far more than she'd ever seen. Whatever ceremony was to take place was a big one. She hadn't realized Crystal Lake meadow was large enough to hold that many people. It hadn't seemed that big to her.

Baridi directed Kaily to a blanket placed under a tree near the edge of the meadow. It was close to the portal they exited. As soon as she sat down Baridi left. She followed him with her eyes as he made his way to a tent where the Queen and all of the Chosen including Moto sat. Sari was there as well. Kaily frowned. Moto sat on the Queen’s right and Sari on her left. Shimani and Kesho sat behind them and Baridi took up the empty cushion also behind the Queen, Moto and Sari. Shimani was the only one to glance in her direction. He gave her a smile, but it seemed to hold a measure of sadness. She tried to smile back although she thought it came out more of a grimace. He bowed his head slightly in her direction and then turned his attention back to the Queen and others in the tent. The others seemed oblivious to Shimani's brief glance and nod in her direction.

Kaily looked around the meadow and the occupants and the tents. Everyone including the males where dressed in colorful attire. All the women, including Sari, wore headdresses and everyone talked excitedly among themselves. With all the colors and people and excitement, it seemed similar to a festival environment. Ceremony, Kaily corrected. This was a ceremony. She took a closer look at how the tents were set up. They all faced the one with the back flap down that stood at the edge of Crystal Lake. She looked closer at Moto and Sari's attire. They were dressed in colorful attire similar to the other guests, but it was not quite the same. Theirs matched and seemed more ornate than the others, with the exception of the Queen's attire. She looked back at the high table with the goblets, pitcher and braided cord. She looked again at the tents with the food items. There was an abundance of food that was more variety than what saw at the evening repasts she attended. It was a feast set out for a special occasion. Dread formed in the pit of Kaily's stomach. She didn't like what this ceremony looked like. Why would the Queen want her to witness this? She thought. Her feeling of dread deepened as she watched first the Queen stand and go to the tent by Crystal Lake, and then Moto and Sari who stopped to stand in front of the Queen facing each other. Moto took Sari's hands in his.

"No." Kaily whispered the single word. She felt the sensation of tears burning the back of her eyes and struggled to hold them back. She was grateful Baridi placed her at the edge of the festivities and not in the center where so many would witness her distress.

The Queen began to speak. As the words penetrated Kaily's numb mind tears fell. It was a marriage ceremony or the Kahoali version of it. The words differed, but the intent remained the same. More tears fell. Kaily was powerless to stop them. Sorrow warred with anger. Why did Moto bring her there? Why hadn't he just taken her back to Earth when he saved her from the Agenors? Why did he touched her when he belonged to someone else? Kaily was angry at him for wanting her and angry at herself for wanting him. She was angry at Sari for being so nice to her. She stood and backed away. Shimani's eyes met hers. She saw pity there.

She didn't want his pity. Kaily backed away from what took place in front of her.

Shimani gave a slight shake of his head, just enough so Kaily would understand his message, but not enough to draw attention to himself.

Kaily ignored his message and continued to back towards the portal. She desperately wanted to leave. She couldn't watch this. She couldn't bare it. She never had a chance with Moto. Why? Kaily demanded silently as the flow of tears fell unchecked. She stepped closer to the portal and felt it open. Baridi turned and his eyes met hers. She didn't wait for him to move or respond. She spun and ran through the portal. Once on the other side she didn't stop running. She ran blindly into the forest with tears streaming down her face. She ran for all she was worth without direction or thought. While she ran, she tore the headdress from her head and flung it aside. WHY! She silently demanded. Silence answered her.

She didn't know how long she ran or the direction she ran. She just ran. Tears flowed and blurred her vision. Pain encompassed her heart and soul. Why, Moto? She demanded again, trying to reach his mind with hers. There was only silence. She didn't expect an answer, but she kept trying. When she finally stopped, she found herself in the clearing where she found Moto and Shimani sparring. She fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands. She bent so that her forehead rested on the ground, and let the tears fall. Her sobs shook her body for a long time as the tears flowed. There didn't seem to be an end to her sorrow. Questions and thoughts raged through her mind.

How could he do this to her? What had she been thinking? Of course, he would belong to someone else. She was an outsider. She never would have been allowed to be with him.