Page 6 of Blinding Light

He was staring right at Imperial Moargan Zephyranthis.

Moargan looked young, no more than a few years older than Cyprian, with smooth skin and flawless features. He was so different from the drawings Cyprian had seen of him in the library.

As they stared at each other, Cyprian noticed a straight nose and lips that turned into a smirk, showing off a set of white, jewelled incisors.

Cyprian dipped his gaze, staring at his feet, trying to slink back into the shadows. His entire body felt hot. From embarrassment or the Axe. Or perhaps it was from the imperial who had now appeared in his personal space, their chests nearly touching. It took all of Cyprian’s efforts to stay still and not run away.

Moargan leaned forward, humming, “Look what landed in my lap.” His nose skimmed the overheated skin where Cyprian’s ear met his neck. He inhaled deeply. “How I love an unhealthy portion of fear.”

Cyprian kept his gaze on his old, brown leather shoes, unsure what to say. He breathed in the faintest scent of soap and mint, and the touch of lips on his flesh made goosebumps tickle his skin. He swore he heard a low, throaty purr, and then Moargan pulled his face back with one final, violet flare before heading for the stairs, leaving him a trembling mess.

“Hold your head up and pretend nothing happened,” Bekn murmured in his ear, holding a tray in his line of sight.

“Is he gone?” Cyprian whispered after what felt like a light year, grabbing the cool metal with sweating hands.

“Yeah. He went upstairs.”

People were staring; Cyprian felt their eyes on him.Following Bekn through the throngs, he kept his expression blank, pretending he didn’t notice all the whispers.

Inside the kitchen, they started filling their trays. “Why didn’t you just step back? You don’t want to be on the Imperial's radar.”

“It was your Axe,” Cyprian growled, glancing down at his full tray. “It made me slow.”

“Maybe.” Bekn started to head out of the kitchen, then hesitated. “Just…you really don’t want him to notice you. And I would know. I’m originally from Helion, Xander. We have a complicated relationship with the Imperial family. They are loved and hated at the same time. They are all attractive, fierce, and loyal to their people. But like everything in this world, fortune comes with a price.”

Cyprian let out an uncomfortable chuckle. That man is gorgeous, with his purple eyes, his blond strands, and matching cape.

“That family is known for being cruel. Aside from the weekly Aureates—they’re like contests they organize in the arena—they are known for searching for their own private conquests. Those teeth look pretty and all. But I've heard stories. They are predators. They love to hunt.”Bekn shivered. He opened his mouth to say something else, then changed his mind.

“They use them.”Cyprian heard him whisper as they made their way to the second class.

2

They use them.

Cyprian wasn’t sure how they used them, but it sounded ominous enough not to ask for more details. He hadn’t read it during his research of the planet. The Imperials definitely held a reputation, though that could be said of all leaders.

“They sound terrifying,” was all he could come up with.

Bekn grimaced. “They need to be stopped. But it takes a lot of balls to do that.”

“I can only imagine.”

“Forget about it for now, Xander. Come on, he was just messing with you.”

“Yeah.” Bekn was right. He had to shake this off. One greeting would not put him on the Imperial’s radar.

“He’s a student at the Academy as well.”

Cyprian’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Bekn hummed. They started filling their trays with food and drinks for the passengers. Bekn handed Cyprian another cup with Axe.

Cyprian took the drink absentmindedly. “Don’t tell me he studies art.”

Bekn chuckled and shook his head. “Nope. They’re shitheads, and the Helion’s of my generation will do something to get rid of them. Come on, you’re as tight as a fucking bowstring. Cheer up. We’ll be in Helion before you know it. I can assure you; it’s a nice place to live.” He downed his own drink, impatiently waving for Cyprian to follow suit. And because part of Cyprian was still rattled after meeting the Imperial, he did just that.

“Alright, time to get back to work.”

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