Title: Killian
Series: : Whispers From a Hidden World, Book 1
Author: TN Tarrant
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: 26 Oct. 2018
Length: 76,065
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction
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Synopsis
Regent Killian Larrestes survived a harrowing attack and the betrayal of his family by his mother, and has since worked to help them all recover, learning the complexities of protecting and commanding a large, sprawling Clan.
Shiloh Zahirris is seeking Sanctuary from a marriage he doesn’t want when he ends up under the protection of Killian Larrestes. Killian takes him in, and they find themselves falling in love. But will social objections, personal insecurities, and someone seeking revenge destroy their chance at happiness?
Continuing to hold Shiloh, Killian told Natalya what had happened and what they’d learned from Shiloh. She held Araminta and listened quietly.
“You did the right thing, Killian. I would have given him Sanctuary as well.”
Killian felt a curious pride that someone he respected had given him her approval. He didn’t really need it, but it was nice to have. “I have to call the Magistrate, right? And she’ll mediate the dispute?”
She nodded. “That’s right. In the meantime, Shiloh stays with you, under your protection.” She studied the small man in Killian’s lap. No longer sobbing, he seemed to have calmed a little. “Shiloh, I am Lady Nedai, what is your mother’s name?”
“Zahirris, my Lady. Elizabeth Zahirris was my mother.”
“She died, what, three years ago?” Natalya asked gently.
“Yes, my Lady. My father is Ewan Zahirris.” Shiloh tried to sit up, almost falling off the bed altogether. “None of my Clan have taken over as Artris.”
Having helped Shiloh onto the bed, Killian’s arms felt strangely empty. He pushed the thought aside to consider later.
“Shiloh, where did you run here from?” Natalya asked, still rubbing Araminta’s back.
“Pavia, my Lady. We came three weeks ago, rented a small house.” Shiloh shuddered. “When the priest asked me to say my vows, I couldn’t do it. I just bolted. I forgot about everything but getting away. I even forgot my girls.” Tears began to slide down his face again. Shiloh covered his face with his hands, shivering. “How could I forget my girls?”
Killian patted his back, trying to offer comfort. “Natalya, can we do anything about finding Shiloh’s dogs?”
Natalya chivvied Araminta from her lap and stood. “I’ll go to Pavia and see what I can find. The logical place is any kennels there.” She walked over and held her hand out to Shiloh. Slowly he took it. “Does your father have a cell phone?” He nodded and gave her the number. “Very well, I’ll call him and see if a little gentle intimidation gets the information.”
“You can bring them here, if you find them,” Killian told her.
She nodded. “I’ll take Araminta with me, if that’s all right? Show her a few tricks of the trade, so to speak.”
Killian glanced at Araminta, who looked hopefully at him, so he smiled and nodded. She hugged him, patted Shiloh’s hand, and then ran out of the room. Natalya followed with a more dignified, but hurried pace
Killian looked at Jaden. “Go see if we have any clothes that will fit him, please.”
“Stand up, will you?” Jaden asked Shiloh. Killian was proud of his brother for not arguing the chore.
Shiloh stood. Even in his shoes, he was about five-foot-five, and his slenderness didn’t help him seem any taller.
“Killian, all we’ve got are your clothes, and they’re going to hang on him.”
Killian shrugged. Jaden was right but it couldn’t be helped. Killian was four inches taller, and stockier, taking after his paternal grandfather. Unlike many Rimalian males, their grandfather had been tall, broad-shouldered, and heavily muscled. And helping to run the biggest farm estate in the enclave gave Killian a regular workout.
“They’re clean, and will do until we take him shopping. See if you can find something with a drawstring, okay?” Jaden nodded and zipped out. Killian turned back to Shiloh. “You’re safe here, you understand?”
Shiloh nodded. “Thank you.” He looked down shyly. “I’m sorry, my Lady.”
Killian tilted his head, confused. “Why?”
“I insulted you, and yet you still gave me Sanctuary.”
“By calling me ‘lord?’” Killian guessed.
“Yes, my Lady. I didn’t realize you really were the Lady of the Estate. I thought you were like my father, widowed,” Shiloh explained, still looking at the floor.
“It’s all right, Shiloh. I understood you meant no offense.” Killian reached out and lifted Shiloh’s chin to see his eyes. They really were the most stunning green Killian had ever seen, and he found himself drawing Shiloh into his arms again and tucking him close. There was something oddly peaceful about holding the young man. Shiloh slowly, tentatively, wound his arms around Killian’s waist. Killian could feel the small tremors in Shiloh’s body as he tried not to fall apart again.
“It’s okay if you still need to cry, Shiloh. You’ve had a rough time of it the last few days.” As if he’d been waiting for permission, Shiloh began to sob again, burying his face against Killian’s chest.
Jaden slipped into the room, carrying a pair of Killian’s sweatpants and a T-shirt. He put the clothes on the bed and then left, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Eventually, Shiloh cried himself out.
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TN Tarrant is a hard-working single mom living in the wilds of Wyoming, who enjoys embarrassing her child with bright red lipstick prints to the forehead. When she isn’t embarrassing her child, or hunting, killing and dragging groceries home through the snow, she loves to write romantic stories with hot lovers. She suffers from a love of extremely bad jokes and has a tendency to inflict them on innocent bystanders. She has recently been accused of developing an unhealthy yarn addiction, merely because she has bought enough of the stuff to start her own store. She notes that this does not keep her child and others from enjoying the products of that yarn addiction in the form of scarves and blankets. Other issues facing this poor soul are the continuing threats of books and nail polish overtaking the entire household and burying her amongst themselves. We won’t get into her child’s rocks…
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