Page 31 of Blinding Light

Milanov’s gaze softened. “I know.” He flicked his gaze Helianth’s way. “But you’ve got a point. The killer is publicly mocking the Imperial leaders, showing us that he can assault and kill on the streets that we so carefully keep safe. We won’t just warn the people of this spreader of destruction, we will also show them what they need. Our supremacy.”

“Father.” Helianth paled.

“Book the arena.”

“Father. Please.” It was no secret that Helianth didn’t enjoy his Aureates in public. This was not just a public display for the audience but also to show his younger brother who ruled within their family.

Milanov shook his head. “Not this time, son. Though you can choose the outcome yourself. That’s the liberty I’m giving you. You can either fight him, fuck him, enslave him, or make him a new soldier for the Luminary. But you’ll have to make him your conquest and hunt him down the traditional way. Show your supremacy.”

“Father…”

“Free entrance,” his father ordered with a clipped nod in Moargan’s direction. “That will draw many people in.”

Helianth stopped protesting and pressed his lips tightly together, his gaze dark with held-in rage.

“Okay, I’ll organize it,” Moargan obeyed. Sometimes it was hard to be the eldest son. He wanted to say something to reassure Helianth, but now wasn’t the time.

Moargan’s multi-slate read a message.

Aviel is getting through to him. Your boy is finally eating.

“Fucking finally,” he grumbled, though his frustration was barely meant for the Luminary junior general.

Tonight’s meeting had been a shit show, the result of two headstrong men. And where he had hoped to be at home hours earlier to enjoy watching the look in Xander’s eyes as he was once more forced to enter Moargan’s mansion, he’d most likely come home to a sleeping beauty in his bed.

Although…that thought wasn’t so bad. He wondered if he could feed Xander his cock while he was sleeping. Had he even sucked cock before? A thought that had fire licking inside his veins with alarming speed.

“And what are you so busy with?”

Moargan’s head yanked up. He had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he had missed his father’s inquisitive stare. Getting up from his seat, he put his jacket on. “Nothing. Although, if I’m no longer needed here, I hope you’ll excuse me. I am going home.”

“Home? At this time? Don’t tell me you’re tired. It’s barely nine.”

“Someone waiting for you at home, brother?” Helianth smirked, sour mood forgotten, replaced by a craving for revenge. The little shit.

“Someone?” Milanov frowned.

And there they went… Moargan flicked his hand. “It’s nothing.”

“Well, if you can truly call your new boy toynothing, be my guest,” Helianth added.

Asshole.

Moargan rolled his eyes, ignoring how their father swirled his glass, chuckling at that.

“I seem to be spot on with my timing for a public chase,” Milanov said. “The crowd needs a reminder. And you do too, son. It’s good to see you smiling again.”

Helianth’s grin dropped at the words. “I don’t want to do this and you know it.”

Milanov raised his glass in Helianth’s direction. “Well, that’s too bad, because it is what you were made to be, Helianth. My Dariux. You should be proud of that.”

Helianth’s gaze darkened. “Never. I could never be proud of my hunger for violence.”

“Alright, that’s enough.” Moargan grabbed his younger brother tight by his shoulder and leaned in to drop a quick kiss on his father’s cheek. “We are leaving.”

“But—”

“Now.”

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