Page 64 of Blinding Light

By the time they got to the wharf, the living boat had been completely destroyed.

Moargan rushed out of the hover car, only to be stopped by two Luminary guards who’d been stationed by the dock.

“It’s too dangerous to enter, Imperial Moargan.” The captain of the fire department pointed toward the ravaged collection of wood, aluminum and fiberglass that had once been Aviel and Yure’s home. Thank fuck they hadn’t been inside the place when it had blown up. “We’re still investigating what caused the explosion. It’s a miracle that the entire structure hasn’t sunk.”

“That’s because it was decently built, you moron,” Yure snarled. Moargan hadn’t seen his friend waiting in the shadows, looking properly shaken up.

“I’m so sorry, my friend.” Moargan clasped Yure on the shoulder, hauling him in for a quick hug. His best friend had practically grown up in this place that had belonged to his family. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. If the fire was intentional, we’ll punish the ones responsible.”

“I appreciate that.” Yure pulled his coat tighter. He was shivering. From the shock or the cold, Moargan wasn’t sure.

He searched around. “Where’s Aviel?”

Yure snorted. “You know him. He never listens. He managed to worm himself inside the place with the fire brigade and is checking the remainders of our ho—” his voice broke and Yure took a deep breath “—of theboat.”

All around them, uniforms were barging around. Orders were given and yellow tape was rolled out to make sure the curious audience was kept at a safe distance.

“Moargan?” Cyprian asked. “Maybe we should let the authorities do their job?”

Moargan turned around to face his Royal Consort. He’d completely forgotten that Cyprian had followed him outside the car and onto the crime scene. Swiping his thumb over Cyprian’s lower lip, Moargan pressed a kiss in the corner of his mouth. “I’ll have someone take you to the car. Wait for me there, I’ll be with you shortly.”

“What? No! You can’t just send me away like I’m some bratty child.”

“Are you?”

Cyprian’s gaze narrowed at the insinuation. “Of course not.”

Morgen huffed out a laugh. “Exactly. So be good and wait for me in the car. Vandor! Lock Cyprian inside and guard him with your life. I’ll be right back.”

The junior general nodded and stalked over.

Cyprian’s cheeks blushed, and his yellow eyes flashed with annoyance. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Cyprian,” Moargan clipped, but his Royal Consort ignored him.

Vandor hesitated a beat before grabbing Cyprian by the shoulder. “Come with me to the car.”

Moargan’s lips painted into a smile at the way Cyprian fought Vandor. He was no match for the robot guard, though it would be amusing to see where this would go.

Nowhere, as it seemed because Cyprian gave up with a snarl.He yanked himself free from Vandor’s grip. “I can walk by myself, thank you very much.”

His hips swayed sensually in the tight leather pants and that skimpy tank as he walked to the car, white cloak long discarded.

“If he’s doing that on purpose…” He growled to himself.

There was a loud bang and they all jumped.

“Two street lights just burst!” Someone called out.

Moargan grumbled when Cyprian turned over his shoulder, a challenge in his yellow gaze, his chin pointed up. He let out a delicate sniff, then disappeared through the opened door.

Moargan couldn’t help but smile to himself. What a catch.

The captain of the fire brigade was back, this time with Aviel hot on his tail. Moargan wasn’t sure where his friend had found the bright yellow uniform.

“We found the source of the explosion. It was a data chip.”

“Adatachip?”

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