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C yprian stirred awake with the faint taste of Moargan lingering in his mouth. His eyes fluttered open as the memory of last night’s events raced through his head. He was no longer a virgin.

Moargan, Helion’s Imperial heir, had claimed him as his, had given him his very first blowjob, had cuffed him, and had fucked him. How had he come from being a foster kid who’d gone off-planet in search of his biological family to being claimed by a member of the most powerful family of Helion?

Helion. His birth planet? What if it wasn’t?

What if it was?

More importantly, did it matter? He had spilled the truth. They now knew he was a refugee and they had the chip in their possession. They’d find the lists he had purchased, and they were as illegal as his current status.

Why have a baby if you never wanted to keep your child?

Many nights he’d lain awake wondering. Perhaps he hadn’t been a sweet baby. Perhaps he’d scared his parents with his horrific eyes. He’d tried blue contacts for a while, but they had itched his eyes, and he’d given up.

Cyprian rolled onto his side, only to find that Moargan had already left the bed. A sinking feeling bloomed in his stomach and in that moment, he missed the arrogant Imperial. Needed to feel his strong arms around his shoulders as he pulled Cyprian close and moan that he was going to fuck him so good.

His ass clenched at the thought. His throbbing ass.

Rejection controlled his life, this queasy feeling of insecurity. He’d always wanted to belong. Had always wanted to feel special, and loved.

Sad really .

Maybe. And maybe that was exactly why he was so pliable in the Imperial’s arms.

Because Moargan fed his illusions.

He made him feel desired. He had noticed Cyprian, had chosen him from all those trembling passengers and from the academy.

Why? Moargan had a reputation for enjoying his conquests. To chase his prey down in Aureates, to bring them back to his lair and play with their fate. Theo was a living example of that. That poor guy. Cyprian still wasn’t sure about the punishment he’d witnessed. The branding, the torture. It should be enough for him to run and hide. But where? And what would happen to Theo now?

Those were valid questions too. But not the ones he wanted answers to.

No, right now he wanted to have his chip back. He needed those addresses. One of them would give him the result he so desired. It had to be.

Multiple planets appeared to have people with yellow eyes. And multiple planets had reports of adopted children who had been shipped off-planet. But while other planets also performed adoptions, there was a small detail that had brought his attention to Helion's deep space in the first place. Before, he’d felt this strong physical pull to come here. A detail so small he wouldn’t have noticed had it not been pointed out by his online contact.

The motivation for adoption.

On other planets, most babies were shipped away because of family circumstances . A few were labeled under claimed by father , which was dubious. Others were bought. Financial transaction.

But all babies that left Helion, were labeled under research purposes .

He’d worked for months to be able to buy that full list of dates on which these babies had left Helion. There hadn’t been any names, so there was no certainty that he was onto something other than his gut feeling and a need to discover the full truth.

And now the chip had been taken from him and he would never know.

Worse, they might use it against him.

The sound of rain pattering down on the window brought him out of his reverie. He’d have to find a way to get his hands back on his property.

Cyprian got out of bed and quickly got ready for the day. It didn’t take him long to collect his bag and school utensils, but as he walked down the corridor, his pace faltered.

The smell of cooked bacon and scrambled eggs, of simmering coffee and casual chats, brought him toward the kitchen, where he hesitated, wishing for his usual reservations to push him toward the front door. His curiosity won.

He took a hesitant step inside the kitchen, his school bag clutched against his shoulder.

Aviel stood behind the stove, laughing at something Yure said. Next to Yure, on another stool, sat Moargan. Dressed in his satin, low-rise sleeping pants, he sipped from a mug of coffee and smoked a red cinder cigarette. His blond hair was swept to one side, revealing his decorated ears.

“Good morning, Cyprian .” Aviel waved at him, a smirk on his face. He’d caught Cyprian staring at Moargan. “I trust you slept well?”

Cyprian flushed and pulled the straps tight. “I did.”

“Sit down, I’ll cook you some breakfast.”

“No, don’t bother.” Cyprian fisted his hands until the straps stung in his flesh. “I am meeting Archer for breakfast.”

“Are you now?” Moargan drawled. “Vandor!”

The junior general kicked himself off the wall and headed for the door.

Cyprian watched the scene unfold. “I don’t need anyone to bring me to school. I’m perfectly capable of going by myself.”

Yure snickered over his coffee, and Aviel let out a low whistle.

Moargan’s smile was wicked. “I’m sure you can. Now, Vandor will take you to campus. He’s got classes as well. Don’t want to reject a friendly ride, would you?”

Cyprian’s gaze turned to the junior general, who stood tall, dark, and stoic. “Uhm, no.”

“I’m glad that’s cleared up.” Moargan slid down his stool and came his way. “Have a great day, little aeon . Don’t forget to watch the television.” He flashed another smile, then brushed his lips over the sensitive spot on Cyprian’s throat. Then he swaggered off and all Cyprian could do was watch him glide through the corridors and back to their bedroom.

Turning back, he caught the junior general’s gaze and cleared his throat. “Shall we go?”

The ride was swift,the driver polite. Even the security control didn’t cause any problems, and before he knew it, he stood in front of the many campus restaurants.

“Cyprian.” Vandor stood behind him. His voice was low, with a faint rasp. He probably didn’t use it much. “I have two guards protecting you when I’m in class.”

“I don’t need any guards,” Cyprian snipped, then turned to face the junior general. “I have lived a life in the shadows and did just fine.”

Vandor gave him a hint of a smile. “Things are about to change. It’s my job to keep you safe.” And then he left, vanishing in the increasing group of students that walked around campus.

What things ? He wanted to ask.

All around him, he felt the stare of other students, and that made him stagger uncomfortably as he kept his gaze toward his feet.

It felt…it felt as if something had happened overnight. Had Theo lied about the chip? Had he leaked something? Perhaps Aviel had. He looked like a sneaky fucker.

What if suddenly everyone knew that he wasn’t Xander Devers, but Cyprian Creighton, a foster kid from Tulniri, who had come to Helion to find his origins because he had crazy as hell yellow eyes that everyone seemed to hate so much?

Regret burned in his gut.

He should never have come here.

“Xander!” Archer waved at him from the queue. “I’ve been in this queue forever, letting other people pass.” He smiled. “It can get really busy here in the morning.”

Cyprian joined him. “I’m so sorry for all the shit you’ve been through,” he blurted. “I can’t believe they threw you out of your own house. I was afraid to reach out to you yesterday, and when I didn’t see you on campus I—I don’t know, I guess I panicked.”

“Same for me,” Archer admitted. “When you left my apartment with the Luminary, I felt like throwing up. I was so scared for you. Did they hurt you?” He stepped back and gave Cyprian a once-over. “You look…fine?”

“I am fine. They didn’t hurt me.” Not in the way Archer assumed, at least, his wincing ass was the perfect example.

“Where are you staying?” Archer glanced behind them, then took a double-take. “Are those Luminary guards here for you?”

“It’s a long story,” Cyprian sighed. One he didn’t want to share. Judging by the way Archer’s eyes widened, he wouldn’t let it go though.

The lady behind the counter waved Cyprian off when he wanted to pay. “Your breakfast is on the house.” She gave him a big smile. “And we hope to see you sometime soon.”

“Uhm…”

Archer whistled. “Nice. I should have let you pay for mine too. Come on, let’s go. People are watching.”

Grabbing their full trays, they made their way through the overcrowded breakfast place. There were no more tables free, so they moved to the bars that had been placed against the walls. Large holo screens automatically protruded from the wall, unfolding smoothly as the metallic voice of an announcer spoke through the crowded canteen. No one paid any attention.

“What about you? Where are you staying?” Cyprian asked.

“I’m back in my apartment.” Archer flicked his hand casually. “Imperial Moargan is letting me stay in my home until he decides whether he wants to continue the purchase. The Luminary confirmed that he wasn’t sure yet.”

Relief washed through Cyprian. “That’s great. I was so worried and afraid that I had given you bad luck or something.”

Around them, voices hushed others to quiet down as the metallic voice kept on talking. On-screen, a desk came into view. Behind it stood a golden flag.

“It’s an official announcement. Look.” Archer squeezed Cyprian’s arm. “That golden flag is a symbol of the Imperials.”

“It’s a repeat.” A girl in front of them turned over her shoulder, eyes widening when she saw Cyprian. “But you already know that.” She nudged her friend who turned around as well and they whispered in excitement.

A handsome, middle-aged man with blond hair and purple eyes moved to stand behind the desk. His white cape fluttered over broad shoulders and his mouth was tipped up into a professional smile.

“That’s the Imperial,” Archer hissed next to him.

A younger version of the Imperial appeared on screen and stood next to his father, making some of the students whisper when he smiled right into the camera.

Helianth Zephyranth, second son of the Imperial Milanov Zephyranth.

“This message is for all fellow Helions,” Milanov began. “I’m afraid we come with alarming news. News that concerns us all. At this very moment, our country is bleeding. A vicious murderer preys on our streets, attacking foreign inhabitants who have chosen the beautiful planet of Helion to find happiness. This murderer is not only leaving a scatter of death and pain but also disrespects the reputation of our planet. We, Helions, pride ourselves on being supportive and loving. In sharing and caring with our fellow inhabitants.” The Imperial let out a heavy breath, and it was Helianth who continued their speech.

“Together with the Luminary and the national police, Kylix Zephyranth and I are in charge of tracking down the killer and giving him the punishment he deserves.” His purple eyes blazed through the screen, and Cyprian felt Archer shiver beside him. Cyprian thought of the cat his former roommate had, and he couldn’t help but grin inwardly. So, this was Archer’s secret crush? He hadn’t connected the dots before. That was a dangerous one to have.

“I have been given a full workforce, and together, we will be dedicating all our time to finding the killer. And let me tell you something. We will bring him down!”

Students cheered and applauded.

“We will bring him down!” Helianth repeated through the holo screen and next to him, Archer hollered as he applauded fervently with the others. Cyprian shook his head and smiled.

“But the fear is real,” the Imperial took over and around them, the crowd became silent once more. “I need you to look after one another. Keep off the streets at night. Stay safe. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call the service line.” A number appeared on the bottom of the holo screens. Milanov waited for a beat. “Safety of our loved ones is priority number one in times like these. And we will assure yours. Fortunately, there’s also a moment for happiness. My eldest son, Moargan, and heir to the future of Helion, will soon give an official statement. I, as his father, am delighted to confirm that Moargan has laid a claim on the young man named Cyprian Creighton, from Tulniri.”

A photo of Cyprian appeared on the holo screen. It was the image Captain Delaine had taken of him when he had boarded the spacecraft.

Cyprian’s mouth fell open and his mind stuttered in an attempt to process this information. Moargan had told him he’d claimed him, but Cyprian hadn’t believed it to be this true.

“A claiming?” Archer gasped next to him. Cyprian felt his curious gaze burn into his flesh. “That’s the first time in my life an Imperial has claimed someone.” He sounded excited.

Students openly stared at them. The secretive whispers came back, invading Cyprian’s ears. His eyes started burning and it felt like the words penetrated his brain.

This is the guy the Imperial wants?

He has yellow eyes.

He is so plain.

He has yellow eyes.

He’s weird.

Yellow eyes…yellow eyes…yellow eyes…

“I need to get out of here.” Cyprian pushed himself through the crowd as he ran for the door, inhaling the fresh air once he was outside.

Breathe .

“This way.” Archer guided him toward the art building.

Cyprian let him. He felt numb. “This is all going so fast,” he murmured.

Archer hummed a reply as he held out the door. The classroom was still empty, but it would fill up soon with curiosity and more vicious looks. The thought made Cyprian feel even more vulnerable and afraid. “What does a claiming mean, anyway?” He asked, slumping down into his seat. He felt like crying. Emotions trembled inside his body, making his chest ache.

“Exactly that,” Archer said. “The Imperial has put you in a safe zone. I think it has to do with that serial killer, though I honestly don’t know why. There are so many foreigners that reside here.”

“I’m staying with him,” Cyprian peered outside the window. “He told me it would be my house from now on.”

Archer didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. No words could make Cyprian understand what was going on.

“But it’s not—it’s not what I had in mind. I wanted to come here to—” He stopped himself. He hadn’t told Archer the truth about his origins, and he wanted things to stay that way. He had wanted to move in the shadows. Not… this .

Liar.

He winced at his inner voice.

“To study?” Archer gave him a soft smile. “And you are, Xan—Cyprian. I can’t believe you gave me a false name.” He shook his head. “I think there’s more to you than meets the eye. Maybe that’s what the Imperial finds attractive in you. And mine will never know of my existence.” He let out a sigh and glanced away.

Around them, the class was filling up with students.

Cyprian scratched the back of his head as he thought his situation through. “Can I fight this claim? Like…can I openly disagree?”

Archer’s gaze swiveled back. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I want to make my own decisions.”

Professor Dai entered the classroom, a big smile on his face. “ Good morning. The Imperial Prince sends his greetings and hopes that you are well. He will be home late tonight. Now, class.” He swirled around to face the other students who had walked in and taken their seats. “I know we haven’t had a claiming in a long time, but I don’t want that to affect our work. No funny faces in this group. We focus on our art. So if there’s anything you wish to ask Cyprian—” he gave Cyprian a pointed look at the change of name—“I suggest you do it now. Nothing?”

Silence followed, and Cyprian let out a shaky, relieved breath. His fingers were itching to create, to lose himself in his mind and forget that life had only become more complicated. Visions sparkled to life on his canvas as Cyprian started a new drawing.