Killian

by T. N. Tarrant

  Shiloh noted there were more than a few smothered smiles at the woman’s comments. Maybe she was known for having more conservative opinions?

  The Council fell into groups. Shiloh watched as Killian approached Milossa and spoke quietly with her for a moment. Celie, who indicated she needed to go back and listen, gently nudged Araminta from Shiloh’s lap. Shiloh and Celie watched as groups fell apart and reformed with different members and how people moved around, talking to each other. This went on for two hours, much to Shiloh’s amazement. Through it all, Killian stayed in his seat, not participating, although Araminta floated from one group to the next, listening closely. Killian must have decided to abstain from the vote, and Milossa had obviously agreed that he should, since she allowed him to just sit, watching. Anan glared at everyone from her seat. Ewan sat, his head in his hands. Confusion, anger, and pain swirled off him so strongly, Shiloh could feel it. He wondered if he should care more about his father’s distress, but he found he just couldn’t right then.

  Finally, the group coalesced back into their original positions and sat down again. The stragglers who brought their findings to Milossa finally took their seats as well and Milossa sat quietly under everyone’s watchful eyes.

  “Shiloh Zahirris, the Council has come to a decision regarding your Sanctuary. The actions of others have placed you and this Council in an untenable position. Saving you from an unwanted, deceptively arranged marriage would punish your father further than he deserves and would reward such arrangements more than Anan deserves. So the Council has decided upon a course of action that will address these issues, without the loss of anyone’s life.” Milossa spoke in a clear voice that Shiloh could not have ignored if he wanted to. “Shiloh Zahirris, you will marry Anan Nyirej.”

  Anan grinned widely as Shiloh’s heart plummeted to his feet. Stunned, he stared at all of them. Did his needs, wants, opinions, fears, his life mean that little then?

  “Don’t get too happy yet, Anan Nyirej. You will divorce him one hour later. Neither of you will leave this room or be out of our sight during that time. The marriage will allow Ewan Zahirris to gain control of his inheritance. Ewan Zahirris, you owe reparations to your son, for the threat to his animals as blackmail, and for failing to tell him of his birthright. The amount will be ten percent of your inheritance. Following the divorce, Anan Nyirej, you may leave in peace, owing and owed nothing, gaining nothing, with the admonishment to be honest about yourself to any you may consider marrying in the future. Males are amazingly forgiving creatures, but not if they are mistreated or deceived. Shiloh, you will also be free to leave, owing none, owed only the reparations from your father.”

  Shiloh began to breathe again.

  Milossa went on. “Shiloh, you will, however, be known to have been divorced by Anan, not the other way around, do you understand this?”

  He knew she was asking if he understood he might have trouble in the future because some would not want to marry a man divorced by his wife. Many would question how he’d been such a failure, even though the story of tonight’s happenings would soon be gossip fodder. Only contract marriages could be dissolved without fault.

  “Yes, my Lady, I understand.”

  “You will be free to take charge of your birthright, but you will be known as a divorced male. Are there any objections to this?” Milossa asked.

  “Why should I agree to this?” Anan demanded.

  “Because you have no choice, unless you seek to defy the Council,” Milossa replied calmly. “You will not profit from deception if we have anything to say about it. Perhaps the next time you seek to marry, you will be upfront about your mistakes.”

  Anan stared, and then finally dropped her gaze, anger coming off her in such waves Shiloh could feel it, even though she was on the other side of the room from him.

  No one objected. Shiloh could deal with the bad reputation if he could avoid suicide. He might catch shit, but he wouldn’t be touched by Anan, and he would be free to live his life as he wished, with whomever he wished. This nightmare was almost over. He looked at Killian and his heart broke all over again.

  Killian’s family estate was in Italy, and Shiloh would be returning to the States, to North Carolina. He was going to gain his freedom and his safety and lose the man he’d fallen in love with. Looking into Killian’s eyes, he knew that Killian knew it too.

  Chapter 10

  The next two hours were somewhat anticlimactic. In short order, Shiloh and Anan were married. After an hour, long enough for the necessary people to honestly state the marriage had taken place and transfer control of Ewan’s inheritance to him, Anan requested a divorce from the Council on the grounds of Shiloh’s refusal to honor his vows and consummate the marriage.

  Shiloh thought about speaking up, and then decided not to. It was petty revenge on her part, but at the same time, it was truth. Shiloh would’ve committed suicide before allowing that woman to touch him. The Council granted the divorce on those grounds, and Shiloh was free. By tradition, he was disgraced, but he was free in practical terms.

  It was late before he, Killian, and Araminta arrived back at the Larrestes house on the island. It would be three days before a Sennrojai would be able to send him back to the estate in North Carolina. Unless he could think of something, that was all the time he would have with Killian.

  Killian smiled when Araminta dragged Jaden upstairs with their dinner, which Jaden had put together, a stew that would keep in the crockpot. The household caretakers had also politely retired to their own rooms. Killian and Shiloh were left alone in the kitchen. Shiloh suspected a friendly conspiracy.

  The two were quiet as they ate their stew, needing a little quiet just to process the day’s events.

  Eventually, Killian spoke. “Better, now?”

  Shiloh nodded. “Mostly. There’s just one problem now.”

  Killian tensed. “What would that be?” he asked hopefully.

  “I’ve fallen in love with you, Killian. And I don’t know what to do now…” Shiloh said softly, watching Killian’s reaction closely.

  Killian closed his eyes, as if he was in pain. Killian stood up and held his hand out to Shiloh. Shiloh stared at it for a minute, then took it slowly, standing slowly, not resisting as Killian drew him closer. Looking up at the man he’d come to love, Shiloh stepped into his arms. The embrace did not feel comforting this time. As Shiloh no longer needed Sanctuary, neither of them had to ignore the attraction and need that had developed between them. Killian tipped Shiloh’s head just a little, and kissed him, very, very softly.

  Shiloh moaned as Killian gave him the sweetest, softest, most erotic kiss Shiloh could imagine. It was light years beyond what Shiloh had imagined for his first kiss. He’d thought he would feel awkward, scared, or just plain stupid, but he felt none of these. He felt cherished, loved, and desirable. Shiloh put all his love for Killian into the kiss, wanting him to feel the same thing from him.

  Only when they needed to breathe did they end their first kiss. Killian stared in wonder at Shiloh. “Come to my bed?” he asked in a tentative whisper. “Please?”

  Shiloh nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, his touch-sense flaring brightly with Killian’s emotions and intent. It wasn’t really late enough to go to bed, but neither cared. Each knew the other intended to make good use of the time they had. Shiloh happily followed Killian upstairs to the master suite.

  The master suite had a massive four-poster bed in it. When Killian looked at it, he laughed softly.

  “What’s so funny?” Shiloh asked as he held Killian’s hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of Killian’s hand.

  Killian pointed to the sheets. “They were cotton this morning. Someone put silk sheets on there for us.”

  Shiloh blushed and squeaked. “Really?”

  Killian nodded, and drew him close again. “You don’t have to stay in here with me if you don’t want to.”

  Shiloh smiled. “I know. I want to. This feels right. You feel right, Killian.�
��

  He reached up as Killian faced him and touched Killian’s face. Killian closed his eyes at the touch, stunned. If anyone had demanded that he describe the emotions he felt as Shiloh caressed his face, he would have failed miserably. They were too overwhelming, too strong to separate. For the first time in his life, he wanted to be touched in a sensual, sexual manner. It was exhilarating. It was terrifying.

  Shiloh shivered as Killian’s hands slid along his face, cupping his head. “Can I loosen your hair?”

  Shiloh nodded, afraid to speak for fear of ruining the moment. He could sense the love and lust Killian had for him, and it took his breath away. Killian took his time unraveling the braids in Shiloh’s hair, fingering the tangles loose. Shiloh then returned the favor, gently massaging Killian’s scalp, getting a few soft moans in return. They twisted their hands in each other’s hair, the soft, wavy masses clinging to their hands and faces.

  Shiloh tipped his face up to Killian, silently asking for another kiss. Killian obligingly dipped his head, very lightly licking the seam of Shiloh’s mouth, wanting a small taste. He moaned as Shiloh opened his mouth to him, and shyly licked back. Killian opened up to Shiloh, swallowing the gasp of pleasure Shiloh gave him.

  For long minutes they kissed and nuzzled. Killian gradually moved them both to the bed, and they toppled onto it together, staying wrapped around each other. They touched gently, sensually, but somehow, they didn’t ignite like Shiloh thought they would. He found himself lying on his side, tucked into Killian’s side, both of them shirtless, content somehow to just cuddle. The exhaustion and sleepy contentment that emanated from Killian explained much of the reason. Killian’s arm held him snug against Killian’s body, and Shiloh reveled in the fact they fit perfectly together. Shiloh nuzzled at Killian’s hair where it lay over his chest, inhaling the clean scent of it.

  Killian tangled his fingers in Shiloh’s hair, loving the soft silky thickness of it sliding over his fingers. Their petting became more and more languid as exhaustion from the emotional upheavals of the preceding weeks caught up with them. They slept peacefully, never leaving each other’s arms.

  § § § §

  It was dark when Shiloh woke up. A quick glance at the clock told him it wasn’t even two in the morning, and a soft, faint snore told him Killian was sleeping soundly. Shiloh didn’t try to move though, not yet. On one hand, he needed to use the bathroom, but on the other, it was so perfect lying there, snuggled so tight to Killian that he just didn’t ever want to move again. Finally, his bladder threatened him with an embarrassing occurrence if he didn’t get up, so he did, as quietly and carefully as he could, not wanting to wake Killian. Coming back, he found Killian sitting up, yawning, apparently waiting his turn. So much for not waking him up, Shiloh thought. When Killian went to the bathroom, Shiloh slid into the bed, wriggling under the covers until he lay in the warm spot left by the other man.

  Killian came back to see the nervous look on Shiloh’s face, and knew it probably matched his. He lay next to Shiloh, taking his hand, and bringing it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss into Shiloh’s skin. Shiloh was so beautiful, Killian thought as he put his arm around the smaller man.

  Shiloh leaned his head into the crook of Killian’s neck, letting himself sink into the intimacy of the moment. After all of those nights on the couch, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to let Killian shelter him, and Shiloh wondered if Killian felt the same way. “What time is it?” he whispered softly, afraid a normal tone would dispel the intimacy between them.

  Killian answered in a whisper, too. “It’s only one thirty in the morning. We’ve a long time before we need to be up.”

  “Killian?”

  “Yes, Shiloh?”

  “Do you want…?” Shiloh blushed, not even able to complete the question.

  Killian snorted softly, squeezing Shiloh closer. “Yeah, I want, but I want it right, too. Does that make sense?”

  Shiloh nodded. “What’s right to you?”

  “I don’t want to be rushed. I don’t want you to feel rushed into it,” Killian answered softly. “Come on, Sprite, let’s lay down and get comfortable.”

  “Sprite?” Shiloh questioned a little incredulously.

  Killian grinned as he pulled Shiloh close to him. “You are so sweet and happy so much of the time, you seem like one of the sprites the humans speak of, come to play among the Rimalians.”

  Shiloh blushed again, pleased at that description. “You make me feel safe. Safer than I’ve ever felt.” He settled in, laying his hand on Killian’s chest, right over his heart. “I’m afraid to lose that security, but in less than three days we’re going to be on opposite sides of the world.”

  “We don’t have to stay there, Sprite,” Killian answered gently. “I want you in ways I didn’t even know were possible until I met you. But I also don’t want this to be a fling. I’ve never wanted anyone, until I met you.”

  “I want you, too, Killian. What do you suggest?”

  “We can visit each other. If you like, I can come visit you in a few weeks. Then we can figure it out from there.”

  “Really, you would come visit me?” Shiloh asked, surprised. Why would he do that?

  Killian seemed to read his mind. “Because I want to see you. I want to see what we could have together.” Killian held Shiloh tighter. “I don’t want to never see or hold you again. I can’t bear the thought.”

  Shiloh kissed the shoulder under his cheek, feeling Killian’s breath hitch. “I don’t want that, either. I was so scared this was all I’d have of you…”

  “And now that you know I want more than these few days with you?” Killian asked softly, his voice hopeful. Shiloh could sense Killian was afraid Shiloh wouldn’t want more.

  Shiloh shifted up so he was braced on an elbow, looking down at Killian’s face. “I want more than a quick fling, Killian. I want to know where this goes for us.” He leaned down and laid his lips against Killian’s, moaning when the kiss deepened. This time he licked at Killian’s mouth hungrily. Killian opened to Shiloh, moaning as Shiloh’s tongue swept in, tasting eagerly. Shiloh’s body tightened. Their bodies hard and leaking, they moved instinctively. Combined with the deep kisses, it only took a few minutes of rubbing against each other for both of them to come, swallowing each other’s cries.

  Panting, Shiloh collapsed on top of Killian, shocked at how quickly that had happened, and how good it felt. Suddenly Killian laughed, and Shiloh found himself grinning foolishly. He looked at Killian. “Good?”

  “More than good, my little Sprite.” He kissed Shiloh again. “More than good.”

  They cleaned themselves up, then returned to the bed, spooning together. They both knew they had more to work out, more to talk about, but they didn’t want to lose the afterglow of such a surprisingly sensual lovemaking, preferring instead, to sleep.

  The last thing Shiloh felt and heard was Killian’s lips on the back of his neck, kissing and whispering, “Good night, Shiloh, my beautiful little Sprite.”

  Chapter 11

  Shiloh’s new estate manager, Sherry Ertrai, greeted him upon his arrival at the airport. He let her drive while he sorted recent events out in his mind.

  Only that morning, Lucretia had taken them back to Killian’s estate. Then Killian had taken Shiloh to the airport in Italy, to not attract any attention from human authorities about how Shiloh had gotten back into the country. Rimalians preferred to avoid questions like that; it just made things easier in the long term.

  His estate, a plantation in a rural area outside a small city in North Carolina, was a working farm, with its income coming from cotton and the supply of organic produce to local shops. The house itself had been built in the 1680s, one of the oldest surviving structures in the States. The Morgaine House had been built by a Jarvai family group and, later, sold to the Zahirris. A huge, grand old place, it could proudly boast to never having been worked by slaves.

  The Zahirris were a very small clan now—Shilo
h was one of the few left, and fewer of them female. Shiloh did have a female cousin, the daughter of an uncle, but as her mother’s heir, she could not become the Zahirris heir, despite being the only one in the bunch Shiloh would want to see as Artris. Perhaps that was why his mother had been so determined to see him married to a female; she wanted a granddaughter she could make heir.

  During the drive, Sherry told him of recent events on the estate, including a birth for which he was invited to the christening later in the week. She also covered the histories of the various tenants. Sherry’s family had worked the estate for over two hundred years, and the population currently included families from the Jarvai, M’Ilvith, Solentai, and Torrai Clans. Not all were Rimalian; some were descended from indentured human servants who had married and stayed.

  As they drove down the estate drive, he noticed a few tenant houses being torn down.

  “I’m sorry, Sherry, I must have missed something. Did you tell me why these houses are being torn down?” he asked, flushing at his inattention. Most of his mind was in Italy, wondering what Killian was doing.

  She smiled politely. “They were too storm damaged to salvage. I decided to house the families in the Morgaine House until we could build something, or perhaps buy some mobile homes for them. The houses weren’t safe, and Lord Ewan wouldn’t give me any direction. From what Lady Jarvai told me, it wasn’t until a few days ago that you knew the estate was yours.” She sighed, and then pulled the car over and parked. “My Lord, I’ll be honest, you’ll have your hands full. We all knew that the estate went to you, but since you never visited, never showed any interest, we assumed you didn’t give a sh—dang.”

  “So I’m going to catch a certain amount of shit, aren’t I?” Shiloh mused.

  “Yes, sir, you will. I’ve explained to everyone what really happened, but not everyone will believe it. Especially since your ex-wife was here many times, particularly in the last six months, making it very clear we were all about to lose our homes and livelihoods. I even called your father but he said she could do as she wished as the property would soon be hers.”