Page 83 of Blinding Light

“Helianth came back. Finally. I found him meowing by the window. Yes, you,” Archer scratched the brown cat behind his ears, making the pet purr and squint. “You poor thing. Now, you be a good boy and stay in today.”

Grabbing a final tigano from the plate, Cyprian slung his backpack over his shoulder. “I love Aviel’s cooking, but nothing beats yours,” he mumbled with a full mouth.

Archer rolled his eyes. “You’re just saying that to flatter me. Aviel’s cooking reputation is unbeatable.”

Cyprian snorted. “That’s because everyone’s afraid of him.”

They made their way through Umber Park. It was a cool, windy, autumn morning. “How are they treating you anyway? Is it true that the Imperial Prince has cameras everywhere?”

Cyprian slowly shook his head, contemplating. “I don’t think so?” But he’d have to check that out when he got back to the house. “They’re okay. I mean, I try to keep to myself most of the time.” His skin flushed to the tips of his ears at the lie, though Archer seemed to buy it.

A commotion outside the art building made them stop on the stairs.

“What’s going on over there?”

Archer stretched his neck to see over the crowd. “I’m not sure. There’s a bunch of guys there. I see Theo.”

Cyprian turned too, searching the crowd. He recognized Theo, who was pinned against a building by a large guy with a black mohawk. Two girls stood by them, giggling like nothing was the matter. “Poor guy.”

“Just leave it. Come on, they’re not our business.”

“Perhaps we can?—”

“No.” Archer pushed Cyprian inside the building. “Theo’s a weird one. So are his friends. Besides, your watchdogs are coming.”

Cyprian watched as the two Luminary security guards appeared. “Speaking of weird. They never talk to me. They always just stand there, glaring at me.”

“Well, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? And their presence keeps the others away. Aside from me, that is. You’re making me feel fucking special.”

“And you’re making me feel lucky,” Cyprian deadpanned. “At least I’ve managed to find you before they barged into my life.”

As they made their way to class, Cyprian could feel the guards hot on his tail. Moargan had assured him it was for his own security, but he wasn’t ready to accept that. Yes, there was someone out there who was killing foreigners. But deep down, Cyprian knew that wasn’t the only reason Moargan had him protected by guards. It was because the Imperial Prince was possessive as hell and wanted to know what Cyprian was up to every single moment of the day. That should be annoying. It should make him feel like he was living in a prison. But there was something else there too. Something that tugged at his heart, made it flutter. It was a precious feeling.

Moargan seemed to be as confused as he was about this whole physical connection. But both couldn’t ignore the change that had grabbed hold of them after their palming ceremony. Itfilled the air with a hesitant curiosity. Cyprian wanted to know more about the Imperial Prince. He had protected Cyprian from himself the other day. Sure, his prince was still cocky as fuck and as possessive as they could come, but there was a warmth to the way he looked at him. A tenderness in the way he fucked Cyprian.

He was there for Cyprian, Moargan had said. Whenever he wanted to talk.

Talking…

Cyprian touched his palm, only half surprised when something warm and comforting stirred in the pit of his stomach.

Talking was hard, and feelings confusing. Most of the time, he hardly understood what it was that consumed his thoughts. Let alone voice those. Cyprian hoped that Moargan would be honest with his words. That he’d be patient. This…bond…it was a challenge. Not because he didn’t want it. But because so far, his life had been nothing but deception, and it was hard to trust others.

Cyprian wanted to trust Moargan. But his fear was real. No one had ever wanted him. Not his foster parents, who had purely done the deed because of the money they had received. Not his biological father.

A monster! Not my son! A monster!

Those words had carved up his heart. They had destroyed him. All these years of searching, and for what?

For someone who never wanted you.

Now he was afraid to meet his mother.

That first day, he’d wanted to go right back to the apartment and wait for her to come out.

Celia Fandi.

Cyprian Fandi.

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