Page 90 of Blinding Light

“I—I appreciate that, sir.” His heartbeat drummed like crazy, and Moargan had to bite his lip from moaning. His damn, programmed body.

“Well, this family has welcomed you, Cyprian,” his father continued. “And you want to know why?”

Milanov used the glass to point toward Cyprian. “Because there’s something about you. My son chose you, but coincidences don’t exist. You must have learned that by now. Moargan chose you because his mind told him that you were the one. I believe that you will be a force to be reckoned with.”

“With all due respect sir, but?—”

“No buts. Are you feeling any changes yet?”

“No.” Cyprian sounded miserable, the grip on Moargan’s hand tightening as he straightened his spine. “Perhaps we’re wrong, sir.”

Moargan thought of the conversation they'd just had in the car. Thought of the way the light bulbs had shattered. “Cyprian.”

Cyprian shook his head. His eyes were wide with fear.

Just you and me.

Moargan sighed in defeat.

His father gave Cyprian a slow smile. “Well, let me know if anything changes.” He focused back on Moargan. “I heard you arrested the father. Ludo Fandi?”

“I did.”

“You didwhat?” Cyprian’s eyes jumped up and burned a hole in Moargan’s cheek.

He ignored it, but his thumb swiped over Cyprian’s trembling flesh. His hand was clammy. “I did. The man violated the terms and conditions of the contract he signed at the time. It states that one child per family can be accepted, yet he sold all four of his children.”

“Is that true, Zimeon?”

Milanov’s right hand stepped up from his post by the fireplace. “No.”

“True,” Moargan agreed. “Theinitialcontract doesn’t contain those conditions.” Moargan smiled at his father. “But the new contract does.”

Milanov leaned back in his seat, a slow smirk appearing on his lips. “You’re as wicked as I was at your age. Fair enough. So, what’s going to happen to the poor man?”

Moargan lifted the hand that was joined with Cyprian’s. “That’s for my Royal Consort to decide. When the time’s right, we will organize a publicAureate. You will, lover, won’t you? Punish the old man?”

Cyprian’s eyes blazed with fire. “I’m not cruel like you.”

“Yes, you are,aeon. By the time you’re finished with him, he’ll be begging for you to take his life.” Moargan leaned in andbrushed their lips together. “You’ll punish all those who don’t respect you.”

“The Dariux way,” his father agreed. “Speaking off…” He clicked his fingers and Vandor opened the door. “I’ve got you a gift, son.”

Two Luminary guards came walking in. Between their broad frames, they dragged a young man wearing a purple jumpsuit. His hands and feet were shackled, and as soon as his eyes took in the view, they widened in horror.

“Please, don’t kill me. Please.”

“A gift?” Moargan licked his lips as his need slammed into him, chasing what was to come. “What did he do?”

Next to him, Cyprian gasped, squeezing his hand. “Moargan, don’t do this.”

Moargan kissed Cyprian’s hand, then slid his own away from the embrace and got out of his chair.

“He caused a car accident that led to the death of a family of four,” Vandor stated. “Only the youngest girl survived. She was only two years old.”

Slowly circling the whimpering prisoner, Moargan clicked his tongue. “Ouch.”

“He was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”

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