Patience, Shimani replied into his mind.
Moto frowned but maintained control over his actions and refused to open his eyes. Instead he focused his concentration on Kaily and monitored her consciousness that seeped back into her mind. He didn't know where her consciousness slipped off to. He didn't know how much she would remember, if anything at all. He tried to keep his mind from wandering to the revelations he was learning about Sari and Shimani. He struggled to keep the anger he felt towards both of them in check.
Stay focused! Shimani admonished.
Moto took a deep breath and focused on Kaily. That's it, little one, come back to me. He whispered in her mind. He could feel a part of her that was reluctant to return to him. A part that didn’t want to leave where she retreated. He poured warmth and love into her mind and wrapped her consciousness within the warm embrace of his love for her. He ignored the fear he felt that she might chose to slip away from him. If he had his way, he would never lose her again, never. He felt the moment Kaily consciously embraced him in her mind and returned into her own awareness. She still didn't respond to his words of love and promise to keep her safe, no matter what it took. It didn't matter, he felt her within her mind, and that was enough. He was so focused on what was happening within Kaily's mind, that he didn't notice when the energy surrounding them dissipated or when Shimani caught Sari before she collapsed to the ground with exhaustion.
"Moto!" Shimani called.
Moto felt Shimani shake him. He opened his eyes and saw instant relief. He was surprised to find himself sitting with Kaily cradled in his lap and their talismans lying beside them.
Shimani picked up the talismans in his hand and held them up for Moto to see.
Moto noticed that they were connected as if by a magnet, and that Shimani only held Moto's talisman. He watched as whatever held them together dissipated and Kaily's talisman slid off his back to the floor. "What happened?" He asked.
"Sari healed Kaily." Shimani glanced to where Sari sat on the floor holding her head. She drank something from a cup. Her hands were shaky.
"Sari," Moto called.
Her gaze met his. Her eyes were dull, and she was pale. He could see how exhausted she was. "Are you all right?" Moto asked with a great deal of concern in his quiet tone. He never saw her so drained of energy.
Sari nodded. "I just need a moment." She replied.
"Kaily's going to sleep for a while, but she is out of danger." Shimani said. He handed Moto back his talisman. Shimani picked up Kaily's talisman with a cloth and put it back in the pouch. He went to slip the pouch in his vest pocket.
"Both." Sari said from where she sat.
Shimani glanced at her.
Sari gave a minute shake of her head.
Shimani handed the pouch with Kaily's talisman to Moto.
Moto narrowed his eyes first on Shimani and then on Sari. "Seems there is much for us to discuss," he said.
Shimani glanced again at Sari, who again shook her head.
"You two have a telepathic connection like Kaily and I do." Moto accused.
Shimani smiled and shook his head. "Not like you and Kaily do."
"You can speak telepathically, can't you?" Moto insisted. He glared at both and waited for an answer. The look he gave them dared either or both to lie to him.
"Yes," Sari said, "we do. Shimani, gather up the crystals."
For a moment, Moto thought that Shimani was going to protest, and then he didn't. He followed Sari's instructions.
Moto turned his focus on Sari.
Sari looked at him for a long moment before speaking. "I know you're angry."
"You think?"
Sari smiled and looked at the cup in her hand. She sighed and looked back at Moto. "When it's time,"
Moto shook his head, "Don't." He said. "Don't tell me you'll explain later."
Sari held his gaze and finished the contents of the cup. "The Queen is getting suspicious." She said instead.
"Why should I care?" Moto callously asked.
"I care, Moto." Sari replied.
Moto looked away. He knew he put Sari in a difficult position. They pretended to bond and because of that he was expected to be with her in her village, but he wasn't. To put the Queen at ease Sari convinced him to spend a few days with her while Kaily was on her world taking care of things. Apparently not enough time. He learned Sari spent part of the time away from her village as well to give the impression they both were elsewhere. She couldn't stay away as long as he had with her duties as Shanees. His gaze again met Sari's after he gained some semblance of control over his anger. "What do you need me to do?" He noticed instant relief pass over Sari's features, which told him how tense the situation became.
"She has invited us to this evening's repast, as her honored guests." Sari stood on shaky legs. Shimani helped her walk closer to where Moto sat with Kaily in his lap. She knelt in front of
