Killian

by T. N. Tarrant

  At first, they had tried to solve the issue of Lady Masrei taking custody of Jimmy by contractual means, telling Lady Masrei that Amalie and Cheryl had already agreed upon the marriage and it was a binding contract. Lady Masrei pointed out she had a higher duty to protect Jimmy’s good health than to allow an arranged marriage take place. Lady Masrei also told Cheryl and Amalie that they were welcome to bring the issue before the Council if they were unhappy with her decision. They apparently decided to just brazen it out instead. If it was a fait accompli, then Shiloh wouldn’t throw Jimmy off the property and Amalie would be in the perfect position to help Anan get revenge.

  Because Jimmy had always been such a biddable child, Amalie didn’t expect resistance from him when she ordered him to come with her. Jaden’s presence was seen as just a mere nuisance; as just another male, he wasn’t a threat. They didn’t believe Jaden was really Jimmy’s Miisen; rather it was some sort of perverted excuse to take Jimmy out of Cheryl’s custody.

  Shiloh and Killian sat stunned.

  Suddenly Keith burst out laughing. “Really?” he looked at all of them. “They really believe that flimsy crap?”

  Killian began to chuckle. “I think that perhaps the Nyirej have been inbreeding just a bit much…”

  “Add to that, they all seem willing to believe the rest of us are out to get them,” Catan added. “Well, not all of them. It’s strange, one branch—fortunately the ruling branch—are quite sensible, and then the rest are just… bizarrely odd. I wonder if it has anything to do with so many of those branches being psi-blind?”

  “It’s kind of hard to be a psychotic lunatic when you can feel the pain you cause,” Killian mused.

  They all shook their heads at the nonsense some people would believe.

  “So what happens now?” Shiloh asked Lady Ertrai.

  “I’m satisfied Jaden and Jimmy were acting in self-defense. Given the attitude they could sense from Amalie and her friends, and their own recent ordeal, neither one would really be able to recognize that you and Killian, as well as the tenants themselves, might have been able to handle it without bloodshed. Jaden saw a threat to his mate and he acted, the same with Jimmy. I should think being taken down by a ten- and fifteen-year-old male should be punishment enough for those three. The story is already being passed around the Clans—quite deliberately. Lady Masrei has disowned Cheryl. And Anan… I have recommended she be banished. Be thinking of who you’ll give your Proxy to for that vote,” she told them.

  Killian and Shiloh both nodded. As her former victims, it would look better for them if they gave their vote on the matter to someone else. They spent a few hours talking quietly. Catan had quietly made sure Jaden and Jimmy would sleep peacefully through the night, and he would stay for a few days to make sure they were coping well. Catan was quite pleased at their progress in some ways, though. They had acted instinctively in each other’s defense, and that was as it should be between lifemates. He also felt the two were becoming a little more secure in each other. All in all, they were doing well.

  Chapter 19

  Killian smiled as he followed Shiloh into his suite. They’d checked on the boys, finding them sound asleep, with Jimmy curled around Jaden protectively. Jaden had Jimmy’s arms pressed to him, making Killian smile. Shiloh did the same thing with him. All three of Shiloh’s dogs were curled up with the boys, although their stubby tails wagged happily when they saw Shiloh and Killian. Shiloh yawned and Killian took his hand and drew his love to their bedroom.

  “Come on, Sprite, let’s go to bed.”

  “Okay, love,” Shiloh said as he yawned again.

  Killian frowned slightly. His poor Sprite was so tired.

  “Killian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Why do you still call me Sprite?” Shiloh looked at the floor as he sat on their bed. “I’m not giggly or even all that happy on so many levels anymore…” He trailed off as Killian knelt in front of him.

  “You will always be my Sprite.” Killian moved between Shiloh’s legs. He wrapped his arms around Shiloh’s waist and held him as Shiloh leaned over to kiss Killian’s head and draped his arms around those broad shoulders. Killian pressed a gentle kiss to Shiloh’s chest, right over his heart. Then he looked into Shiloh’s eyes. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on, love, I know there’s still that bubbly little Sprite in there, awaiting his chance to get loose and play with this poor befuddled Rimalian.” They shared a soft gentle kiss. “Did you ever call Celie?”

  Shiloh shook his head. “No, with everything with the boys… I never got around to it.”

  “First thing in the morning, love, please? I don’t ever want to see you like you were during those few weeks, ever again, okay? It scared the hell out of me.” Killian traced his hand over Shiloh’s face.

  Shiloh nodded. “I will. Can I talk you into a hot soak with me?”

  Killian’s breath hitched and he shuddered. “Oh yeah, that sounds good.” He loved to see Shiloh naked and wet. He reached over and grabbed a couple of heavy elastics off the nightstand, handing one to Shiloh. They both wadded their braids into messy buns, bound them with the elastics, and headed for the bathroom. They’d both washed their hair that morning and neither wanted their hair wet again. It took too long to dry.

  Killian laughed as he watched Shiloh yawn again as he bent and started the water in the tub. “Are you sure you want to soak instead of go to sleep?”

  Shiloh nodded as he yawned again. “I’ve wanted nothing more since those idiots tried to take the boys than to sit in a hot bath with you holding me. I don’t want a long soak but… I want it.”

  Killian nodded and undressed, watching as Shiloh undressed as well. He helped Shiloh step into the tub, and then he climbed in as well, settling Shiloh between his legs, holding him against his chest. He chuckled as Shiloh clasped his arms to him.

  “Things are getting better, love,” he said, nuzzling Shiloh.

  Shiloh nodded. “I know. I just didn’t want to be Artris.”

  “I can understand that. The Council kind of did the same thing to me that we did to you. At least, I know that in five or six more years I can get out of it, but you, love, unless you have a daughter that meets Council standards when she’s of age, you could be Artris for life,” Killian mused.

  Shiloh sighed. “You’re not helping cheer me up, love.”

  “I’m sorry, Sprite. It gets easier once you’ve got a handle on things, really, it does. And you’ve me and Dana to mentor you, and Evelyn Masrei, Natalya, Richard, and Matthew. Plenty of people to ask advice of. It will get easier in time, Shiloh, I promise.” Killian kissed Shiloh’s hair.

  Shiloh turned his head, seeking Killian’s lips. Killian leaned down that little bit needed and kissed Shiloh softly, passionately.

  “Thank you, Kil. That does help.” They kissed for several more minutes then returned to just cuddling in the hot water. Shiloh’s head lolled to the side as he began to fall asleep.

  Killian gently shook him. “Okay, Sprite, time to get out.” Shiloh nodded and sat up, waiting for Killian to get out, and watching him get dried off with a sleepy kind of lust in his eyes. Then Killian helped him out and dried him off, chuckling as Shiloh moaned with pleasure. Then Killian picked him up and took him to bed.

  § § § §

  Hours later, Killian woke up to the most incredible sensation on his cock: hot, wet and oh my stars that had to be a tongue…. He opened his eyes and looked. Sure enough, Shiloh lay between his legs, licking his cock with a huge grin on his face. Noticing Killian had joined the party, he smiled even wider. Killian’s heart turned over in his chest as Shiloh gave him another lick.

  “You taste good, Kil.”

  Killian laughed, he couldn’t help it. The Sprite was loose. “Hello, Sprite. What are you doing?”

  Shiloh shrugged and gave the hard dick in front of him another lick. “Nothing important, just gonna get myself a snack. You go on back to sleep and ignore me.” Then he swallowed the head of Ki
llian’s cock.

  Killian’s hips bucked, the pleasure indescribable. Shiloh placed his hands on Killian’s hips to keep him from thrusting too hard.

  “Sorry,” Killian gasped.

  Shiloh let go and grinned. “It’s okay, love. You want me to stop?”

  Killian shook his head, a little frantically. “Oh no, please don’t stop.”

  Shiloh gave him the wickedest grin Killian had ever seen in his life and then sucked his cock right back into his mouth. Then Shiloh began to hum. Killian felt his eyes cross as his head dropped back onto the pillow he shared with Shiloh. He moaned and gasped.

  Shiloh chuckled as he sucked on Killian’s long, thick cock. From the things he’d found online and read, he knew he would be considered seriously lucky to have Killian’s nine inches to play with. This was fun, and he’d never imagined Killian would taste this good. Killian’s hips moved more and more as Killian gasped and mewled, his head thrashing. Shiloh used one hand to wrap around the thick shaft and his free hand to run his fingers over Killian’s balls, noticing they climbed even higher under his touch.

  “Shiloh!” was all the warning Shiloh got before Killian exploded. Shiloh swallowed as best he could, getting most of it, finding he liked the tangy, almost sweet taste. As Killian’s body melted under him, he tongued that slowly softening shaft clean, licking his lips.

  Killian lifted his head to watch, groaning softly. “Come here, Sprite.” He reached for Shiloh who went gladly into his arms, sliding up Killian’s body as Killian pulled him into a kiss. Killian took his mouth thoroughly, moaning as he tasted himself on Shiloh’s tongue.

  “My God, Sprite, where did you…?”

  Shiloh laughed as he lay on Killian’s chest. “I looked up blow jobs on the Internet when I knew I was going to get to see you on Rimalia. I just never got to do anything with it till now. Instructional videos are useful.” He was feeling pretty proud of himself, even though he was still harder than a rock. He jerked his hips, seeking relief. He laughed again as he found himself on his back, Killian braced over him, Killian’s hand wrapped itself around his cock. Shiloh gasped as Killian squeezed and stroked him.

  Killian smiled as he watched Shiloh. “You like that, Sprite? Like it when I stroke this thick cock for you?” Shiloh was almost as long as he was and just as thick.

  Shiloh nodded frantically as he thrust into Killian’s hand, loving the feel of Killian’s callused palm on his sensitive skin.

  Killian kissed him hungrily. “Mine, Shiloh,” he said as he squeezed just a little harder, Shiloh’s dick leaking even more, slicking things up, letting Killian’s hand slide easily over him.

  “Yours,” Shiloh agreed on a gasp as his body tightened and he came, Killian’s mouth swallowing his cry. Before Shiloh could catch his breath, Killian licked Shiloh’s cum off his hand, then moaned and slid down so he could lick Shiloh clean.

  “Deity, you taste good, Sprite,” he muttered as he licked Shiloh, bathing his stomach and cock, even his balls. Killian was hard again after watching Shiloh come and tasting his cum, a strange combination of salt, bitter and sweet.

  “Make love to me, Killian,” Shiloh said softly, watching him.

  Killian stared up at him, then moved back up his body to kiss him. He searched Shiloh’s eyes and nodded slowly, kissing his beautiful Sprite slowly. “Do we have lube?”

  Shiloh nodded, flushing. “I um, I got that too, when…”

  Killian grinned. “You planned to seduce me while we were on the island?”

  Shiloh blushed harder. “I love you and I want you, Killian.”

  “I love you too, Shiloh.” Killian thrust against Shiloh. “And I think you can tell I want you, too.” He felt Shiloh’s erection against his, and he grinned. Thank Deity for still being in early adulthood—they recovered fast. He had a feeling they’d recover fast even after they had been together for eighty years, though. “I don’t mean just for now, Sprite,” he said softly as he braced himself so he didn’t crush Shiloh under him. Carefully he rubbed Shiloh’s cheek with a thumb.

  Shiloh looked startled as he caught Killian’s meaning. “You mean you want me forever?” He reached up to touch Killian’s face tentatively.

  Killian nodded. “I’ve wanted that for a while now, but I wasn’t sure how you’d feel…”

  Shiloh breathed out, tears gathering in his eyes. He held Killian close. “Then maybe we shouldn’t…”

  Killian drew back, puzzled. “Why not?”

  Shiloh thumbed his lips, with a gentle, rueful smile. “Because I know you always wanted a traditional wedding, on the island with Milossa officiating. You can’t have that if…”

  Killian knew what he was talking about. The traditional wedding on Council grounds and the Promenade and all was reserved for virgin grooms, unless it was an approved exception, such as a Miisen being involved. All bets were off when it came to lifemates, which was one reason no one was batting an eyelash about Jaden and Jimmy sharing a bed now. It wasn’t that he couldn’t get married on the island if he wasn’t a virgin, but he wouldn’t be able to ask for it to be on the Council grounds or for the Head of the Council to officiate, since she wasn’t related to him. His friends and relations might still take him for a promenade, but any gifts would be bought by them, rather than gifted to him and his spouse by the shopkeepers.

  He sat up, bringing Shiloh with him. “Is it important to you?” he asked.

  Shiloh frowned. “I know how important that dream is for you.” He looked down. “I put that dream aside a long time ago, and now, as a divorced male, I wouldn’t get it anyway.”

  Killian tipped Shiloh’s chin up to look into the clear green eyes he loved. They were stormy, clouded, not with pleasure, but with pain. “Why did you put it aside?” Killian had an idea why, but he suspected it needed to be said, and talked about.

  “Anan. She didn’t want the hassle.” Shiloh shuddered. “I guess the real reason was she didn’t want to face Milossa.”

  “She probably knew Milossa would ask you if you knew Anan’s past, if you knew what you were getting into,” Killian said softly as he leaned forward and kissed Shiloh’s nose.

  “You’re probably right. But she still refused to allow it.” Shiloh moved so he knelt, straddling Killian’s hips, taking Killian’s face in his hands lovingly. Killian settled his hands on Shiloh’s waist as they kissed and nuzzled for a few minutes. “I don’t want to take that away from you. I don’t know what I was thinking planning to seduce you…”

  “Nothing I wasn’t thinking, too, love,” Killian answered with a chuckle. He touched Shiloh’s face, holding as Shiloh held his. “You’re more important to me than what kind of wedding we might have, Shiloh. I don’t need a Promenade or Milossa officiating. I just want you.”

  Feeling the truth of that, Shiloh closed his eyes and sighed. “I want you to have them though, Killian.”

  He tried to hide it, but Killian caught his feelings of shame and guilt. “Why do you feel guilty, love?” Killian asked, concerned.

  “Because of me, there are a lot of people who assume you’re not a virgin anymore, because of Anan’s lies and because we don’t even pretend to sleep in separate rooms—”

  Killian cut him off with a soft kiss. “Listen to me, love. Due to Anan spreading lies, I’ve gotten shit about not being a virgin since I was thirteen. Once I became Regent, all those little niceties—like making sure I was properly chaperoned around strange women—went right out the door in favor of training me properly. I admit some of my new peers believed the stories at first and treated me less than civilly. Most of them were decent enough to apologize for the slurs when they realized it was all lies, but it kind of inured me to that kind of shit. Besides, the last thing I wanted at the time was anything even resembling sex, and later I guess it just became a habit. JoAnne, Natalya, Georges, they all helped me believe that others’ opinion of my chastity isn’t important, except maybe the person I’m in love with.

  “Then here you came into my
life and turned everything upside down, and I couldn’t even really kiss you because you were under my protection. I spent a lot of time talking to Natalya about you, you know.” Killian gave Shiloh another soft kiss.

  “You did?” Shiloh was surprised.

  “She’s my friend and mentor, and she’s been all the mother Araminta and Jaden have had for the past almost five years. Who else could I talk to when I had no idea what was happening to me?” Killian smirked. “You were doing things to my body and dreams I didn’t understand. She and Ignacio both helped me a lot, teaching me—and Jaden and Araminta—what they taught their own children: that sex wasn’t evil or bad, or just an unpleasant necessity. They taught us it needed to be treated with respect, and that we needed to decide for ourselves when it was right for us. Yesterday, tonight, tomorrow, three years from now, or thirty, you’re right for me, Shiloh. That’s all that really matters.”

  Shiloh leaned his forehead against Killian’s as he thought about that. Then he tried to figure out how to explain his feeling about it. “Maybe it’s petty of me, but you deserve the wedding you’ve wanted for so long, and making sure you get it would kinda shove it down their throats?” Shiloh made a frustrated noise. “But that’s not it exactly, either. I know what it feels like not be able to have something you’ve dreamed of for a long time, what it feels like to be forced into giving it up.” He sighed as he looked into Killian’s eyes. “It’s all mixed up together: knowing what you’ve wanted so long and wanting you to have what you want, knowing what it’s like to be forced from it, and wanting to shove it down their throats that what they’ve been saying about you is all lies…”

  Killian’s throat was tight as he looked at his lover. Deity, he loved this man. He smiled tenderly, startling Shiloh, then he kissed his Sprite, trying to put all the love he felt for him into it. Everything Shiloh had just told him made him feel more and more loved, that Shiloh wanted to defend him so much. When they were finally forced to come up for air, Killian asked, “What do you want?”