Page 99 of Blinding Light

Moargan sent a quick message to Helianth. He didn’t expect his younger brother to reply, but at least he would know that Moargan was thinking of him. That he was proud of him, regardless of the stupid mission he was on. Once Helianth was back, he’d tell him exactly what he thought of it. For now, he just wanted him safe.

This was unexpectedly difficult. To see his baby brother as the man he had become, and let him go and make his own decisions. When Helianth had wanted to become a Luminary general Moargan had been the only one to vote against it. Of course, that had been overruled by the massive support the others had given him. And he was proud of his younger brother, he was. But losing someone was painful, and the family had already gone through it once.

She wasn't gone. She just wasn’t with them.

And that was so fucking hard.

He took another few drags and felt the drugs kick into his system, nerves relaxing. “Okay, Mama, tonight’s a favorite,” he hummed into the darkness. “This is the story of Taita, themagician of the Circus of Tryst, a planet far, far away from here.” Moargan’s lips curled up in a slow smile as the words brought fresh memories. Of a different time, a different voice. “I know this is your favorite story, Mama. But especially for Helianth, I will give you a different version tonight.”

Moargan lit up another cigarette as he let the words flow. Tonight he had a date with the night. Every now and then, his gaze flicked to the bed, to where Cyprian was sprawled out on the bed, silken comforter blanketing his divine skin, dreaming sweet dreams. And fuck his body and mind for betraying him like this, but Moargan hoped those dreams were of him.

26

“Tiganos. Check. Coffee. Check. Great company. Check. Are you now going to tell me why the hell we’re sitting here?” Archer held up a hand in the air. “No, let me guess. This is about Professor Dai’s challenge. I was thinking of going to the port since you love Helion light so much. It’ll be a great location to create.”

Cyprian grinned, his mouth full of breakfast.

“Oh? That’s it? I guessed it already?”

He shook his head, swallowing another delicious bite of tigano. Helianth’s furry frame slid past him, purring when Cyprian’s hand brushed over the soft brown hairs. “I have a major favour to ask you.”

Archer’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Shoot.”

Cyprian hesitated. Then he blurted, “The University of the Living Dead.”

Archer frowned. “What about it?”

“Have you ever heard of it?”

“I have,” Archer drawled, eyes narrowing, “but it’s not a very nice place, so I’ve been told. I’ve never been. Most of us have never been. I mean, it’s far away and not open to thepublic. Plus we have hospitals here in Zephyr. Why are you asking?”

“My mother’s there.”

Archer’s mouth fell open, eyes widening. “Yourmother? Hang on, when did you find out about this?”

“Last night.” Cyprian’s face heated. “I overheard Moargan talking to Yure and Aviel. They were in the kitchen, and I wasn’t, but?—”

“You were eavesdropping.” Archer’s smile was small, his gaze filled with pity.

“Yeah.” Cyprian’s heart had dropped the moment he’d heard them talk of his mother. He hadn’t meant to linger and steal their conversation. But when he’d heard Aviel mention that Yure had found something, this feeling of hope had spiked. And then they had spoken of his siblings… They had spoken of many other things that were both terrifying and intriguing, but then Yure had told Moargan that they knew the current location of his mother. And…Cyprian had pretended to sleep when Moargan had returned to the bedroom. Had listened when his angel had read a story beautiful and sad with a nostalgia so intense it had threatened to drown him in sorrow. And shame. Because of course, there were no such things as butterfly roofs and happy families. Not in his tale.

“It’s a hospital,” Archer looked up from his multi-slate.

“Do you have the address?” Cyprian’s mouth was dry. His multi-slate pinged.

“There you go. But listen,” Archer leaned in and squeezed his arm, “if you want to go and visit your mom, I can go with you. Unless you want to go with the Imperial Prince?”

“No,” Cyprian blurted. He cleared his throat. “I mean, Moargan is a busy man. He—” He stared down at his arm, where Archer’s hand still held tight. He couldn’t drag Moargan to a hospital. It would ruin his reputation. But Cyprian could use a friend. “Are you serious?”

“Of course.” Archer winked. “It’s far away and you might get lost.”

They agreed to leave class early today. The journey was long and Cyprian needed to find a way to shake those guards off. He didn’t want them to know where he was going. Didn’t wantMoarganto know he knew, despite this connection they were forging around their bond. Cyprian loved how Moargan had opened up to him, how he had shown him his old bedroom. It had been intimate, proof there was so much more than his privileged self. He had spoken of the Dariux to Cyprian, a cruel world filled with primal needs. And in return, Cyprian had been honest to him about his visions. Those words, leaving his troubled thoughts, had made him feel lighter. A secret was revealed. They would continue unwrapping whatever it was that had settled in his mind. And then there was that story Moargan had read to the stars last night…had Cyprian heard it right when Moargan had used the word ‘mama’?

The baby picture was hidden in the pocket of his jacket, hot and guilty because he had snatched it from Moargan’s file.

Maybe the Imperial Prince deserved to join him today. After all, he’d come for Cyprian when he’d fallen apart in front of the apartment of Ludo Fandi. Still, this felt different.

This was a mental institution.

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