Page 45 of Blinding Light

Students cheered and applauded.

“We will bring him down!” Helianth repeated through the holo screen and next to him, Archer hollered as he applauded fervently with the others. Cyprian shook his head and smiled.

“But the fear is real,” the Imperial took over and around them, the crowd became silent once more. “I need you to lookafter one another. Keep off the streets at night. Stay safe. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call the service line.” A number appeared on the bottom of the holo screens. Milanov waited for a beat. “Safety of our loved ones is priority number one in times like these. And we will assure yours. Fortunately, there’s also a moment for happiness. My eldest son, Moargan, and heir to the future of Helion, will soon give an official statement. I, as his father, am delighted to confirm that Moargan has laid a claim on the young man named Cyprian Creighton, from Tulniri.”

A photo of Cyprian appeared on the holo screen. It was the image Captain Delaine had taken of him when he had boarded the spacecraft.

Cyprian’s mouth fell open and his mind stuttered in an attempt to process this information. Moargan had told him he’d claimed him, but Cyprian hadn’t believed it to bethistrue.

“A claiming?” Archer gasped next to him. Cyprian felt his curious gaze burn into his flesh. “That’s the first time in my life an Imperial has claimed someone.” He sounded excited.

Students openly stared at them. The secretive whispers came back, invading Cyprian’s ears. His eyes started burning and it felt like the words penetrated his brain.

This is the guy the Imperial wants?

He has yellow eyes.

He is so plain.

He has yellow eyes.

He’s weird.

Yellow eyes…yellow eyes…yellow eyes…

“I need to get out of here.” Cyprian pushed himself through the crowd as he ran for the door, inhaling the fresh air once he was outside.

Breathe.

“This way.” Archer guided him toward the art building.

Cyprian let him. He felt numb. “This is all going so fast,” he murmured.

Archer hummed a reply as he held out the door. The classroom was still empty, but it would fill up soon with curiosity and more vicious looks. The thought made Cyprian feel even more vulnerable and afraid. “What does a claiming mean, anyway?” He asked, slumping down into his seat. He felt like crying. Emotions trembled inside his body, making his chest ache.

“Exactly that,” Archer said. “The Imperial has put you in a safe zone. I think it has to do with that serial killer, though I honestly don’t know why. There are so many foreigners that reside here.”

“I’m staying with him,” Cyprian peered outside the window. “He told me it would be my house from now on.”

Archer didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. No words could make Cyprian understand what was going on.

“But it’s not—it’s not what I had in mind. I wanted to come here to—” He stopped himself. He hadn’t told Archer the truth about his origins, and he wanted things to stay that way. He had wanted to move in the shadows. Not…this.

Liar.

He winced at his inner voice.

“To study?” Archer gave him a soft smile. “And you are, Xan—Cyprian. I can’t believe you gave me a false name.” He shook his head. “I think there’s more to you than meets the eye. Maybe that’s what the Imperial finds attractive in you. And mine will never know of my existence.” He let out a sigh and glanced away.

Around them, the class was filling up with students.

Cyprian scratched the back of his head as he thought his situation through. “Can I fight this claim? Like…can I openly disagree?”

Archer’s gaze swiveled back. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I want to make my own decisions.”

Professor Dai entered the classroom, a big smile on his face. “Good morning. The Imperial Prince sends his greetings and hopes that you are well. He will be home late tonight. Now, class.” He swirled around to face the other students who had walked in and taken their seats. “I know we haven’t had a claiming in a long time, but I don’t want that to affect our work. No funny faces in this group. We focus on our art. So if there’s anything you wish to ask Cyprian—” he gave Cyprian a pointed look at the change of name—“I suggest you do it now. Nothing?”

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