Page 28 of Blinding Light

“Good morning, Mister Devers. You are early.” Processor Dai passed by, jacket folded over his shoulder, his umbrella in the other hand. He looked crisp and awake, everything Cyprian wasn’t.

“Good morning, Professor.”

“I’m going to grab a coffee, but the door’s open. You can continue working on your drawing if you want.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Flicking on the light in the classroom, Cyprian eyed the empty place. It looked different like this, without anyone else present. His gaze looked over the drawing he’d made of Nikkie. Suddenly, he felt like crying. His entire life he’d known he was different. And it hadn’t just been the colour of his eyes, though that had led to others treating him like an outcast. But it was as if he needed more affection. A physical touch and sense of belonging, the reassurance that he wasgood. That he was worthy.

In foster care, there was no space for a child like that. Homes were overcrowded, and genuine caretakers were scarce. Trauma fought trauma, and bullies were cruel.

This—here—was supposed to be his escape.

Cyprian looked through wet eyes. The tears had finally come. He had prepared himself for years, had saved money, and had searched for information on planets where people with yellow eyes lived when he had stumbled across an illegal resource from Helion. Hope had latched onto that piece of information because it was the only grounded intel that he had found. That data chip had become priceless, the only object he trusted with his secrets.

And after years of safekeeping, it had taken him exactly one day on Helion to lose it.His research. He barely owned anything. Clothes, books, his pride, the prince had taken everything from him.

“Why?” He whispered through his sobs. “What do you want from me?”

The memory of last night burned his insides. Moargan was the most handsome guy he’d ever seen. And the most forbidden. The way he had touched Cyprian had made him light up as if he had been locked away in darkness until that moment, catching sight of the brightness for the very first time.

He looked at the drawing of his baby sister and the suddenfeeling of homesickness made his chest pang. He had wanted to make her proud. Had wanted to find his truth, or anything really, that could explain why he had always felt the way he did.

Could it be…his hands fisted at the thought. Could it be that someone was still missing him out there? He was someone’s son after all, wasn’t he?

He needed to get himself together. Classes were about to start.

Later today he’d head back to Archer’s apartment to try and retrieve the chip. Perhaps the Luminary hadn’t emptied the apartment yet. And even if they had, and they had found the chip, none of the research saved on there could be directly led to him. To Cyprian Creighton, yes. But not to Xander Devers.

That should reassure him, but then he thought of the expression on Aviel’s face.

Those eyes…. it made his own eyes burn.

Do you know where I’m from?

Other students walked into the classrooms, some holding paper cups with coffee as they got settled. This was only the second day, so there wasn’t much more than a polite greeting and a wave for him.

“Good morning, class.” Professor Dai walked in. “We’ll start today by discussing yesterday’s artwork you made.”

There was a shout outside and all gazes turned to the window. A student ran away, followed by two Luminary. Professor Dai continued talking as if nothing had happened, but Cyprian couldn’t look away, his eyes glued to the unfolding scene outside. It was not a fair competition. The student was brought to his knees, head tilted by platinum blond curls that made him think of Bekn.

Another uniform appeared. Black curls, flashing eyes. It was unmistakenly Aviel. He held out his palm against the guy’s forehead. A few seconds later, the blond slumped forward.

“Xander?” Cyprian startled. The last thing he saw was howthe guy was being carried away. “Do you want to start?” The professor smiled.

“Uhm.” Cyprian’s hands started sweating as he looked around. “I don’t, I…”

The door opened with a bang and in strolled Moargan Zephyranth. The other students gasped. Cyprian’s ears buzzed as he fought the desire to hide under the table.

Moargan was here to punish him. He was here to make him suffer from fleeing his bed. Cyprian stared down at his hands, blocking out his surroundings. He couldn’t think straight anymore.

Professor Dai piped up. “What a pleasant surprise, Imperial Zephyranth. Take a seat and join us. Our students were about to discuss what brings them inspiration. Xander, will you start please?”

Cyprian felt like throwing up when Moargan sat down. One glance at the door showed a Luminary guard. Just like on the spaceship, there was no way out. His eyes found the drawing, but what had been a way to connect to the person he cared for most, had become an unwanted void.

Someone giggled.

“I, uhm…”

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