Seeing a thumbnail of a slender, black-haired man—like Shiloh—naked on a bed, he clicked on it. As he watched the clip, the man in it fondled himself, stroking his cock, and cupping his balls. Killian stroked his own dick almost in rhythm with the man in the clip. His body felt like it was on fire. Liquid shot out of his erection in spurts, soaking his jeans, and he held himself tightly as his body shook so hard he almost fell out of his chair. He barely managed to hold in the shout that wanted to leave his throat. Opening his eyes, Killian saw the man in the clip climax, his dick shooting streams of creamy looking liquid all over the man’s stomach and chest. The man swiped some of the ejaculate up with a finger and sucked that finger into his mouth. Curious, Killian unzipped his jeans, and swiped his finger into his underwear, gathering some of the cooling liquid. He tasted it, finding it salty and tangy at the same time, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Feeling strangely lethargic, Killian cleared his browsing history—just in case one of the kids used his laptop—then shut it down. His groin began to feel sticky, so he stumbled into the bathroom and started the shower.
Killian felt curiously good, if tired, as he soaped himself. His body tingled as he cleaned his groin, and the sudden image of Shiloh in his bed, stroking himself like the man in the clip had done, popped into Killian’s mind. In his fantasy, he touched Shiloh as Shiloh stroked himself, and when Shiloh came, Killian licked the cum off Shiloh’s body. His body exploded again, and he sank down the wall of the shower as he realized he’d been fondling himself again. Sitting there, waiting to catch his breath before trying to move again, he had a vague memory of something like this and he thought hard about it. Finally, Killian remembered being caught doing this by his father, who had told him it was a shameful, sinful, dirty thing, and he had better never do it again or Janet would be informed. He’d been ten at the time, and his father had scared him about it so bad that, except when he’d had to at the Tii-su’s, he had never done it again until tonight.
Now he had conflicting feelings. How could something that felt so good be as bad as his father had said? And why didn’t it feel this good when he used to have to do this at the Tii-su’s?
He decided the best thing would be to talk to Natalya and Ignacio. Maybe they could explain the matter to him. He stood carefully, his legs still feeling shaky, rinsed, and shut off the water. He quickly dried off and pulled on his pajamas, just a pair of soft sweats and a T-shirt. Killian opened his door a little and listened in the hall for a moment. All was quiet, so, leaving the door ajar, he crawled into bed, falling asleep before his head hit the pillow.
§ § § §
Shiloh woke up in the middle of the night, his heart racing until he recognized the bedroom Killian had given him. His girls all lifted their heads to look at him, snuffling gently at him. Petting them all, he quietly told them to go back to sleep. Even so, they watched as he carefully got out of bed; he stopped them from following him as he stepped into the hall. He noticed the children’s bedroom doors were ajar, and he walked down the hall, looking in on each of them. As he turned from Araminta’s bedroom door, he found Killian standing nearby, watching. Scared at first, he held a hand his chest until his heartbeat calmed a little.
“You okay?” Killian asked softly.
Shiloh nodded. “Just startled. Did I wake you?”
Killian nodded. “It’s okay. I’m a light sleeper, in case they need me.” He waved to indicate his siblings. “Something wrong?”
“Just a nightmare.”
Killian crooked a finger at him. “Come on, let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll make you some hot chocolate.”
Shiloh followed Killian downstairs and back to the kitchen, sitting at the table as Killian put a pot of water to heat on the stove. Still feeling disoriented and out of sorts from the dream, Shiloh shivered. He didn’t notice as Killian left the kitchen, and then came back with a blanket. He started again when Killian gently wrapped the blanket around him. When did Killian get a blanket? Killian gave Shiloh’s shoulders a quick, comforting squeeze and then left him, to finish making the hot chocolate. Eventually, he turned to Shiloh, holding both mugs.
“Come on,” Killian said. “Let go sit on the couch in the den. You can drink your hot chocolate and tell me about it if you want.”
Shiloh nodded as he stood and clasped the blanket to him. He followed Killian to the den, and sat down on a soft, cushy, overstuffed couch. Killian handed him his mug and sat next to him. For a few minutes, they just drank their chocolate, and looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows the couch faced.
“She knew,” Shiloh said dully.
“What?”
Shiloh turned to look at Killian a moment before turning back to the windows. “She knew, Senka knows, they both knew about Anan.”
“How do you know that?”
“I asked Lady K’Arith if it were possible that Senki made the arrangement without knowing about Anan’s past. She looked at me like she wanted to lie, but she didn’t. She told me that she herself had told my mother about the whole incident, because Kelia’d held my mother’s Proxy when she was too sick to attend that particular Council Assembly. Kelia told me it was part of her duty as Proxy to report everything to my mother.” Shiloh shuddered, not quite able to absorb the horrible truth about his mother. “How could she do this to me?”
Killian set his mug down on the side table. Reaching out, he gently took Shiloh’s and set it down, as well. Then he pulled Shiloh close. “Maybe Anan convinced her that she’d learned her lesson?” He squeezed gently. “With Elizabeth dead, we’ll probably never know. Can you tell me what else Kelia said?”
“That she might need to bring the matter before the Council, because nothing I knew of showed any deception on Anan’s part, other than the fact she didn’t tell me what she’d done five years ago. Because my parents knew, and still made the arrangement, as far as she can tell, the betrothal is valid. My father’s behavior is suspect, though, she said. Senki’s will complicates the matter, too.” He settled his head in the crook of Killian’s shoulder, one hand in his lap, the other resting on Killian’s stomach, taking comfort in the closeness.
“Well, if I know Kelia, she’ll not only question Ewan and Anan, but she’ll look at your mother’s will and she’ll talk to anyone else she thinks will have useful information. If she takes this to the Council, she’ll give them every single detail she can lay her hands on, so they can make a decision based on all the facts, big and small,” Killian told him softly.
“And what do I do if they say I have to honor the agreement, even though I never wanted anything to do with her in the first place?” Shiloh shuddered at the thought, a reaction shared by Killian.
“You can appeal the Council’s decision if need be, Shiloh. You have that right. If it comes to that, I will speak on your behalf.”
“But you’re a male.”
“I am Regent Artris Larrestes as well, Shiloh. I have the rank to speak on anyone’s behalf that I deem sufficient,” Killian reminded him quietly.
“You would do that for a stranger you’ve known for twenty-four hours?” Shiloh asked, surprised.
Killian nodded. “I would. I admit it’s partly because I feel sorry for any male bound to Anan, but also because I like you. You deserve better treatment than you’ve gotten. As you said, this isn’t a peace marriage, or a Council command.”
They fell silent, but Shiloh didn’t seem to want to move, and Killian had no inclination to let him go. Gradually, Shiloh slid until his head was pillowed on Killian’s leg, and he curled up on his side, falling asleep quickly. Killian adjusted the blanket so it covered Shiloh as much as possible. There was a faint click-clack of nails on the floor, then the brindle, Jenny—if Killian remembered correctly—came into the den. She snuffled quietly at Killian’s feet; then, giving him a look, she jumped up onto the couch, settling in the space created between Shiloh’s legs and the back of the couch. She laid her head on Shiloh’s knees and with a whuffling sigh, she settled
down to sleep. Killian reached over and patted her head, and then resumed stroking his hand over Shiloh’s soft, thick hair.
They were still like that, Killian awake and watching over Shiloh, when the kids got up later that morning.
Chapter 7
For two weeks, Killian looked after Shiloh, who was deeply wounded by his parents’ betrayal. Killian understood. He would have felt the same way, in Shiloh’s shoes. He did call Kelia and asked her to recommend a Tii-su when Shiloh still seemed lost in a silent daze after a week. Kelia would have been his choice to treat Shiloh, but as Magistrate, she could not treat someone involved in a dispute before her, unless it was life threatening. She suggested Celie K’Arith, an older kinswoman. Killian called the woman, and paid for the woman’s travel, offering her a guest room in his house, and when she politely refused, stating that it might make Shiloh uncomfortable, he asked Natalya, who was happy to accommodate the lady. Kelia was also pleased, as it meant she got to spend some time with a beloved kinswoman. Killian also paid for travel arrangements for Celie’s assistant.
Part of Killian’s concern was that Shiloh’s nightmares continued to drive him to the couch in the den every night. Killian followed him downstairs each time, making hot chocolate and sitting with Shiloh, holding him close. Shiloh usually fell asleep with his head pillowed on Killian’s leg, and Jenny’s head pillowed on Shiloh’s knees. The dogs never left Shiloh alone, even following him to the bathroom, although at night they seemed torn between staying with Shiloh and traipsing after Jaden.
Araminta had gone to the island of Rimalia two days after Shiloh’s arrival. She called every evening, and spoke with everyone, even Shiloh. Natalya reported to Killian that she also called the Nedai frequently. Killian wasn’t surprised. Natalya was as close to a mother as his siblings had.
After realizing Shiloh was terrified to be alone, Killian took him with him out into the fields, into the village, or to Pavia. His tenants helped him out; when he had things to do that meant he couldn’t take Shiloh with him, he would either leave Shiloh with one of them, or one of them would come up to the house to stay with him. Shiloh helped around the house, slowly taking over the housekeeping, which Killian allowed because he seemed to need something to do. One of his older tenants asked him what he intended to do about Shiloh, and he told her he didn’t know yet. She told him Shiloh was a good boy, but fragile, and that he needed someone strong to look after him. Killian had to agree with her assessment, and then she surprised him by suggesting that he should be said person. Killian still wasn’t sure what to think about the idea.
Killian spent a lot of time talking to Natalya and Ignacio about his newly discovered sexuality—even discussed it with Georges and Kelia. Rimalian society was generally accepting of any kind of pairing that might come up because oftentimes psionic bondlinks were at the root of them. Marriage in Rimalian society wasn’t limited to one man and one woman. A woman was traditionally allowed up to four husbands, if she could provide for them and the other husbands agreed. Some marriages were complicated arrangements where a second husband wasn’t the husband of the wife, but of the first husband. Almost every conceivable romantic arrangement was generally acceptable to Rimalian society, under the right circumstances. His friends did warn him that the humans weren’t always so accepting or civilized. In many places, two men or two women couldn’t openly show affection unless it was clear they were related. Some places were better than others, and if Killian truly was gay, or bisexual, he would need to bear that in mind when he was outside the Rimalian enclaves.
Celie arrived at the beginning of the third week, just after lunch. It was the end of the month, so Killian was in his study, going over accounts. Shiloh answered the knock on the door before fetching refreshments, followed by all three dogs. Killian wasn’t surprised when Shiloh didn’t speak to their guests. Since Kelia questioned him, Shiloh’d only spoken to Killian or Jaden, or when Araminta called. He didn’t speak at all if anyone else was in the room or within earshot.
“Shiloh, stay, please,” Killian called when Shiloh would have left them to their discussion. Killian walked out from behind his desk and held his hand out to Shiloh. When Shiloh took it, Killian led him over to the couch where Celie sat, encouraging him to sit with her. “I asked Celie here to help you. She’s a Tii-su.”
Shiloh gave him a startled look before glancing at Celie. Killian went on, “I know some of why you are in so much pain, Shiloh, and it’s tearing you apart. You never sleep a full night, you’re losing weight, and you never talk, except to me, Jaden, and Araminta, and only when we ask a direct question. You’re hurting more than I know how to help. A Tii-su is the only other thing I can think of to help you recover.” He brushed his lips lightly over Shiloh’s forehead, and then let go of him. “Her assistant and I are leaving. Celie is blind. At the very least, you’ll need to talk to her to help her around.”
Killian quietly escorted Celie’s assistant, Penny, out of the study, after telling the two on the couch that he was taking Penny over to Lady Nedai’s.
Driving down towards his tenants’ homes, he stopped by one. He knocked on the door, and then stuck his head inside the door. “William?”
The friend he’d met the night he’d arrived at the Jonai estate had recently married one of his tenants, much to Killian’s pleasure, and he had asked Killian to officiate. William and Carys were a good match. Several months after that horrible week, Carys had Hunted William, and William had been conveniently easy to catch, much to the entire area’s amusement. Even Lady Jonai had teased him about making her work a little to catch him, but William hadn’t wanted to play games. Because Carys’ family hadn’t really been prepared to take William in if she caught him, William had spent the first two weeks he was Carys’ fiancé with Killian. Now married not quite a year, he was a blissfully happy young man.
William called back from up the stairs. A minute later, he came down stairs, drying his face. Now sixteen, William was filling out a little more, although he noticed William’s face was unusually pale.
“Are you okay?” Killian asked, as he stepped into the house.
“Yeah I’m fi—” William blanched even more and raced for the kitchen, heaving into the trash can. Killian followed him and gently supported his friend with one arm while pulling his phone out. He called Carys and ordered her back to her house, telling her William needed her. She told him she’d be there in five minutes or less. He assured her that William wasn’t hurt, and he would stay there until she arrived.
Penny had followed Killian into the house, and now she handed Killian a soft, wet towel. Carefully wiping his friend’s face, Killian asked, “How long have you been sick?”
“Oh, about a week now,” William said with a rueful grin, leaning against Killian weakly. Killian helped him over to the table and Penny dug around in the refrigerator, coming up with some lemon-lime flavored soda.
“Do you need a Tii-su? Why didn’t I know about this? Carys hasn’t said anything about you being sick.” Killian was angry and worried, wondering why he hadn’t been told. It was his responsibility to see to the health of those on the estate, and he couldn’t do his job if they didn’t talk to him.
William patted his hands, his touch-sense calm and happy. “Don’t be mad. We’ve been gleefully keeping it to ourselves; we didn’t want anyone to know yet.”
The cheerful words and tone confused Killian even more, although Penny began to smile happily. William dropped the other shoe for him.
“We’re pregnant.”
Killian stared at him for a minute and then whooped aloud. Carys walked in about then. She grinned fondly at her husband, went to him and laid her hands on his shoulders. “You told him?”
William shrugged, smirking. “He was upset. You didn’t tell him I was sick.”
Carys refused to take all the blame. “Hey, neither did you!”
“Oh, shut up, both of you,” Killian groused, as he hugged first William, then Carys. “Congratulations, both
of you, but why hide this?”
“We just wanted to enjoy it ourselves for a little while, before we set our families off,” William answered.
Killian thought about it. “Oh Deity and stars, your mother is going to be useless for a week, Carys,” he said with a laugh.
Carys laughed, agreeing. Her mother had gone wild planning the wedding, and William and Carys both hadn’t cared, they’d just let their parents do what they wanted. Carys’ mother, and William’s father had both lost their minds. Killian could just imagine what their reaction to their first grandchild would be.
“Please, can you wait to tell her until the end of next week? I need her to focus on the fields at least that long.”
“Is William being sick why you called me?” Carys asked.
Killian nodded. William patted her hand where it rested on his shoulder. “It’s just morning sickness, just at a new time, that’s all. Go on back to work, although I would appreciate it if you could cook the hamburger for me tonight. The raw meat is what set me off.”
Carys nodded. “I’ll try, but…”
“Oh yeah, if it sets me off, it might get you, too. I’ll figure something out, love, go on back to work,” William told her.
“Carys, make yourself a prenatal appointment in the morning, alright?” Killian told her, as she moved to leave. “And don’t worry about the meat, I’ll cook it for you.” William and Carys both threw him a grateful look.
“We’ve got one for late next week. It is why I asked for the afternoon next Thursday.”
“Oh, okay, then. See you later.”
“Why’d you stop by and without your new shadow?” William asked.
“Lady Celie is here, and I’m taking Mistress Penny over to the Nedai. I wondered if you might go up to the house and hang out, in case Shiloh needs someone?” Killian asked. “Celie is there, but I don’t know how things are going to go, and Celie asked me not to be there for their first talk.”
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