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18

T heo was on campus the next day.

As Cyprian left the canteen with Archer in the morning, both a paper cup with coffee in hand, they saw him walking by, his gaze down, shoulders slumped. An indiscreet crowd followed his every move.

“I feel so bad about yesterday.”

“Well, don’t be.” Archer took a drink, let out an unceremonious string of curses as he burned his tongue, then gave Cyprian a sheepish grin. “Today, he’s a hero.”

Cyprian’s gaze jumped back to the other guy. “He doesn’t look like one. He looks…” His surroundings blurred, and his palm started to burn. Suddenly, instead of campus, his vision was met with a room. The intensity of its inky blackness hit him. He blinked frantically, and the hallucination rocked on its hinges before it started to fade until it was gone.

“Cyprian.” Archer squeezed his arm. “Are you okay?”

Cyprian blinked as the ache in his hand evaporated. “I’m going to go talk to him.”

“To Theo? What? No!”

Flipping Archer off with large strides, Cyprian headed toward the slumped presence of platinum curls and a rumbled school uniform. When Theo saw him approaching, his eyes hardened, and he jutted his chin forward in a stubborn stance.

“Theo.”

“What do you want, Cyprian ?”

“Nothing. I am just…” Cyprian brushed his hair against his temple, then pushed it back behind his ear. “I’m sorry, man, that’s all. I didn’t want this to happen.” It was the truth. But there was something else. Being here, close to Theo, made something crumble inside him and give way to something else.

“I didn’t want to steal from you, Cyprian,” Theo spoke softly. He sounded genuine, so different from the snarling, mouthy captive who had stood in Moargan’s room. It made Cyprian wonder which one of the two was the real Theo.

“I know.”

“Oh, you know nothing.”

Cyprian frowned at the sudden bitterness in his voice. Theo had switched moods once more. “He made me do it. That’s what you said during the Aureate .”

Theo cocked his head and took him in with his large eyes. “You heard that?” Suddenly he looked innocent. He brought his hand to Cyprian’s, and the metal of his ring touched Cyprian’s skin.

A sudden chill went through him. Cyprian’s eyes rolled back and his heart started beating in his chest.

Visions flashed back into his mind. This time when he saw the dark room, he caught sight of chains and shackles. Of cloudy water served in a dog bowl. And he heard…he heard…

Danger.

“What the—” Cyprian yanked back his hand.

But Theo had already jumped up, a wild look on his face. “You’re one of them!”

Cyprian watched him go thoughts going a mile a minute.

“Let me guess.” Archer came to stand next to him. “This stays between us?”

Cyprian’s gaze lingered on Theo while he sipped from his coffee. “Have you ever had this feeling that you…” His voice trailed off.

“That I what?”

“It’s just weird.” He turned back to face Archer. “When Theo touched me, I got this strange vision.” The blond guy disappeared out of view. “Perhaps he was afraid?”

“Well…” Archer tossed his empty cup in the bin. “The guy has just participated—and survived—an Aureate . I can imagine he’s afraid. Look how people are treating him. He’s a hero, but still…we all saw what happened to him. I’m surprised he can walk straight. It will take a few days for things to go back to normal.”

Cyprian sighed. “I guess you’re right. Shall we go?”

They strolled over campus, making their way to class. Ignoring the curious stares around them, Cyprian focused on Archer, who was talking his ears off about some art exposition he wanted to visit.

But there was more. Cyprian felt more. As if something was shifting inside of him, he could pick up on subtleties. He felt Archer’s restlessness. Heard the conversations that took place around them.

Too many words.

He made me do it.

His eyes were burning more frequently, creating visions.

Back in Moargan’s guest room, Cyprian had set up his charcoal corner—his canvas and utensils. He had started drawing those hallucinations in an attempt for them to make sense. So far, it wasn’t more than a collection of lines without a clear shape or meaning. But it was a start.

“What are you making?” Archer asked. They were sitting outside the classroom in the grass, their seats surrounded by their artistic equipment.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Cyprian admitted. He looked away from his own charcoal. “You?”

“The park.” Archer gave him a bashful smile. “You’re not the only one who loves the colours. Don’t look yet, it isn’t finished.” He gave his work a few final streaks of paint. His face flushed. “Okay, now you can.”

Archer had drawn the fountain, apple trees, and grass.

“I love those colours,” Cyprian mumbled. “You always get the best combinations. It’s like they’re sparkling with light.”

“Sparkling?” Archer chuckled. “I’m not sure of that, but if that means you like it, I’ll take it.”

“I love it. I’d totally put that in my living room if I had one.”

Archer barked out a laugh.

“Or if I have the money.”

“I’d give you the painting!”

“No way. I’d pay an artist because it’s what they deserve.”

“You’re too sweet.” Archer got up from his stool and came to stand behind Cyprian’s drawing. He let out a low whistle. “Good light. Did you draw yesterday’s Aureate ?”

Cyprian frowned. “I’m not sure. Did I?” On paper, he’d visualized the large, round center surrounded by stands, filled with grey and black swipes that represented the mass. Inside stood a person.

“An interesting drawing, Cyprian.” Profession Dai joined them. “I take it the Imperial Prince took you to yesterday’s event?”

“Yes. It was…interesting.”

Professor Dai chuckled. “Do you have events as such on Tulniri?”

“No.” He frowned at the drawing. “I don’t think so?”

“Ahh.” Professor Dai’s voice carried the hint of a smile. “So you are giving us the way you experienced it? ”

Cyprian shrugged. “Maybe? I guess.”

“Hmm.” Professor Dai pointed toward the cabins high above the stands. “And those are….?”

“I’m still working on that part.” His face heated at the memory.

Professor Dai let out another pensive hum, then traced his fingertips to the lonely figure standing in the middle. “Who’s that?” He leaned in further, his chest nearly pressing against Cyprian’s shoulder. “That’s not the person from yesterday?”

It was a woman, dressed in shades of grey.

“I—I don’t know…” He stammered. But he did. Cyprian stared and his heart thumped in his throat.

He had drawn the image of his mother.

“Am I interrupting something?” Came a warm, raspy sound.

Cyprian flinched, and Professor Dai immediately pulled back. Moargan stood at the beginning of the gardens, Vandor and Yure at his back. A cool smile spread across his handsome face. His amethyst eyes flashed at Professor Dai.

“We were analyzing Cyprian’s work,” his teacher said, a tremble in his voice. He didn’t lean in closer.

“I can see that. Don’t stop on my behalf.”

Professor Dai cleared his throat. “Very well. Who did you draw?”

“A stranger,” Cyprian lied. He stood up. “If you don’t have any further questions, I’m calling it a day.” He gave a wave at Archer.

“Absolutely, Cyprian.” The professor gave him a relieved smile and Moargan a dip of his chin. Both men didn’t speak when Cyprian brought his work inside and stalled it next to his classmate’s work by the wall, then got his things.

“Let me get that.” Stalking inside with Vandor and Yure in his wake, Moargan practically shouldered the professor before sliding an arm around Cyprian’s nape and grabbing his backpack. “I’ve got you a few surprises,” he whispered, then pulled Cyprian in, kissing him with an obscene hum filling the silence.

“Surprises?”

“Indeed.” Moargan smiled, and his purple eyes swept back to Professor Dai. “Wrap this drawing up so I can take it home. Come on, lover, you and I are going for a ride.”

He ushered Cyprian inside the hovercar and took a seat across from him.

“Let me start with the good news. You spoke the truth.”

Cyprian frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Yure tracked you down. Of course, nothing came up when we searched under your false name, but the name Cyprian Creighton gave him access to your personal records. You were raised in foster care in a jester on Tulniri, just like you said.” Moargan hooked his ankles, then gazed outside.

“Well, of course, I told you the truth.”

“Time for the bad news.” His voice had gone low, and when he turned back, his eyes were dark with emotion. “You and I both know that you entered our planet with lies. Your name, for starters. And that data chip?—”

“That got completely blown out of proportion,” Cyprian argued. “It was mine, and then it got stolen. By Theo and then by you! But it’s mine, and I had the right to use it as I please.”

“And what did you use it for, little aeon ?” Moargan opened his palm, revealing pieces of metal. The remainder of his chip.

“No!” Cyprian howled, snapping forward. Moargan met him halfway, and the fury in their eyes met, creating sizzling electricity.

“Stop it!” Yure called out from the front. “Whatever it is you’re doing, it’s causing accidents!”

Cyprian’s gaze shot outside, and a streetlight exploded. His anger was in full force. “You destroyed my chip!”

“That chip was the reason Yure’s boat exploded.” Moargan leaned back. “Did you install explosion software on that chip, lover?”

“ What ?” Cyprian’s gaze lurched back to Moargan. “Of course not. That chip…” He pressed his lips shut, mind racing. “That’s impossible.”

“I thought so too when the fire brigade told me yesterday. I didn’t believe you’d be capable of murder. I thought you truly were a foster kid who’d come here to discover his roots. And perhaps my family is right, perhaps you are a Dariux. I hope you are. But then I got the news that you were chatting with Theo today in the fucking open. For the whole world to see. And I realized something. You know what I realized?”

Cyprian slowly shook his head.

“That it’s very possible that they were right and I was wrong.” Moargan’s voice had transformed into a dangerous whisper that made the hair on Cyprian’s back rise.

He shook his head firmer. “They are wrong. I don’t know Theo. I just wanted to check how he was doing.”

“How he was doing?” Moargan snorted hatefully. “I’ve got you another surprise, lover. Although you might already be fully aware of this one.” Moargan’s lips spread in a cold, calculating smile. “The chip was empty.”

Cyprian’s gaze dropped to the remainders of the chip, frowning. “What do you mean, empty?”

“Like I said. Aviel hacked every single folder, but not a single file was saved here.” He opened his mouth and Cyprian caught sight of his shiny gems. They were a brilliant amethyst. “That stupid, fucking chip was empty!”

“No, you’re wrong. I came to Helion with a file that had all my research stored on it.” He pointed wildly at the shards in the Imperial's hand. “Are you telling me that all that information had been wiped off?”

“No, I’m telling you that there never was any fucking file on that chip of yours! You played me, lover. You tricked me into believing you. And it nearly got my friends killed.”

Cyprian shook his head, anger slowly dissipating as the full importance of Moargan’s words entered his brain. “I can’t believe that chip nearly murdered your friends. I can assure you, that chip was all I had. I’ve kept it for years, and saved hours of research on it. It’s impossible it was empty. It’s impossible that it was used to explode a boat.” He shivered at the thought.

Moargan eyed him attentively. Finally, he let out a long breath. “Come, sit on my lap.”

Absent-mindedly, Cyprian obeyed.

“Tell me what was on that chip.”

There was no need to keep it a secret anymore. The information was gone. Cyprian felt like crying. All his efforts, doing jobs on the side to pay for the illegal data lists, searching for information on other planets, anything that could explain his heritage. Anything. And for what? It was lost now. Used as a murder tool. That was even worse than Cyprian telling him that he’d obtained the information illegally. They could charge him for assault.

Good light. He could spend the rest of his life in prison.

“Lists,” he whispered. “From many different planets. Families who’d given up their babies for adoption. Anything I could find on yellow eyes. Research on different galaxies. Addresses.” He choked. They were gone too. “I bought access to addresses of families here on Helion. I really believe that one of them belongs to my biological family.”

Moargan eyed him with a combination of suspicion and something else. His amethyst irises flared. Was he upset? Did he feel sorry for him? Cyprian wasn’t sure.

“For what it’s worth, I never meant to hurt anyone.”

Moargan’s arm curled around his waist and pressed their chests firmly together .

“Good light, what have I done,” he wailed. “They will hate me. Everyone will hate me. You—will you put me away?” Thick, helpless tears rolled down his cheeks. “I have come all this way. I was so close. And now, I’ll never know…perhaps—” He looked up through his wet eyes. “Please don’t put me in that arena. I beg you.”

“Hush now.” Moargan brushed a lock from Cyprian’s wet cheek. “Don’t cry.”

More tears fell down Cyprian’s face. His eyes burned and felt sensitive, bringing him to that newfound edge of inky black visions. He grabbed Moargan tighter, needing him to protect him from that unknown darkness.

“I just wonder why, aeon . And who. And fucking how .”

Cyprian didn’t answer. Instead, he listened to his own breaths, slowly allowing him to meld into Moargan’s soothing touch on his back.

I can’t do this alone , he thought. But he didn’t voice his weakness. The prince might seem sweet now, but he was a Dariux, programmed to be cruel. A vicious king to be.

“Aside from you, who had access to that chip?”

“No one. Well, Theo.”

“Archer?”

“No.”

Moargan rubbed the back of Cyprian’s nape, circling the clammy skin. “Are you sure?”

Cyprian contemplated his answer. His roommate had never come into his room in the short time he’d lived with him. Had he? He shook his head a little firmer. “I trust Archer. Please—believe me.”

There was silence. “Strangely enough, little aeon , I believe you.”

“You do?”

“Hmm. No offense, but you don’t seem like the kind of guy who knows how to install advanced software onto a data key. ”

Cyprian huffed and pushed Moargan in his chest. “Are you saying I’m not clever enough to do that?”

Moargan tipped his head back and laughed. The sound was a pleasant rumble that made Cyprian shiver. He had never heard the Imperial so unguarded. It was…a beautiful sound. “Alright, I’ve got some more good news. So, dry your tears, lover.”

For the first time since the car had left, Cyprian looked outside the window. He didn’t recognize the neighborhood.

“As you know, Zimeon, my father’s right hand, oversaw the Dariux project when I was young. I have asked him to go back into his file and dig. Names, addresses, and anything relevant about the parents who sold their babies. As you can imagine, there were quite a few over the years, even twenty years ago. Mostly because not every baby made it to being injected.”

Cyprian shivered at the true meaning of his words. What had happened to those babies who hadn’t made the Imperial’s selection? He didn’t dare ask.

“Since the parents hadn’t named their babies, he couldn’t just search under Cyprian Creighton. It made it more difficult to figure out—you know.” He gave Cyprian an uncomfortable purse of his lips. “Who belonged where.”

Cyprian held his breath. “...But?”

“But I think we might have a hit.”

“Is that where we’re going?” Fresh tears rolled from Cyprian’s eyes and he laced his hands around Moargan’s neck, working himself closer around the Imperial. “Please tell me that’s where we’re going.”

Moargan planted a kiss on Cyprian’s nose. “Quiet down, little aeon . Your heart is nearly jumping out of your ribcage.”

Cyprian smiled through his tears. “Do they know…” The rest of that phrase died in his throat.

Moargan’s gaze softened. “About you? I’m going to be very honest here. I don’t give a fuck about those people. I do this for you. ”

Cyprian’s chest fluttered at the words.

“Come here, lover.” Moargan squeezed Cyprian’s ass and pulled him in for a bruising kiss. Lacing a hand in Cyprian’s raven strands, Moargan used them to tilt Cyprian’s head back so he could trace his tongue over Cyprian’s throat, reveling in the scent of his lover’s skin.

“Tell me what you hope will happen.” Fingers dug into Cyprian’s clothed ass, and Cyprian arched his back and rolled his hips for more friction, his earlier sadness morphing into desire.

“What happens in your dreams, hmm? Does your mother cry and take you into her arms? Or does she not even know who you are? She might even kick you out.” Moargan let out a moan and ground up against Cyprian’s rocking hips. “Denying she ever gave up her son.” He thrust up, harder and faster, and Cyprian cried out, clenching Moargan by his shoulders, his face pressed against the Imperial’s shoulder.

The words stung.

“In my dream she cries,” Cyprian admitted, mouthing the words against Moargan’s throat. Like him, Moargan was still in his Academy uniform. “In my dream, she’s happy to see me.”

“Oh, little aeon .”

Cyprian whimpered when Moargan slid him down and onto his knees, enveloped by his strong thighs. They squeezed him tight and Cyprian watched as Moargan whipped out his thick, leaking cock from his pants. Cyprian didn’t need any further encouragement.

His body was ablaze, eyes itching with burn. It was hard to see clearly.

“Whatever will happen, remember you’re mine,” Moargan rasped, and it nearly felt too much. Cyprian’s lips closed around the thick crown of the Imperial’s dick and he sucked the precum into his mouth, moaning when he was welcomed by more of the sticky liquid. It tasted divine.

Moargan brushed a hand through his hair and sighed in contentment as he watched him moving up and down Moargan’s shaft.

“That’s it,” he praised. “Make it nice and slick. Take as much of me as you can.”

Cyprian took him deeper until he gagged, then pulled off and licked his way around the shaft and head, before diving in again. He loved Moargan’s flavour and the texture of his erection.

“We’re here,” Vandor stated.

Cyprian jolted, having forgotten about the audience, although they technically couldn’t see them with the large opaque window in place.

Moargan pressed his head down. “Not yet. Finish what you started. Show me who you belong to.”

Cyprian reached out to fondle Moargan’s balls, gently playing with them in his palm while he put his mouth back onto Moargan’s cock.

Vaguely he registered that the car had stopped, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Not now. Now, everything was about making Moargan come. Moargan grunted and his hold on Cyprian’s hair tightened.

“Keep it inside your mouth, lover,” he rumbled. And then he came with a hoarse grunt, his entire body shuddering as he emptied himself in Cyprian’s mouth.

“Show me,” he growled, and he pulled Cyprian back onto his lap. “Show me how you swallow.”

Cyprian opened his mouth, showing the white, sticky substance of Moargan’s come, before swallowing it down. Moargan’s gaze fixated on the way his Adam’s apple bobbed, before he flicked his amethyst eyes to the corners of Cyprian’s mouth, to where Cyprian’s tongue was swiping away the remainder.

Moargan grabbed Cyprian for a lewd kiss, humming when he tasted himself on his lover’s tongue. His thumb brushed Cyprian’s lips, making Cyprian shiver.

“Fucking perfect.” Then he slapped Cyprian’s ass. “Now, let’s go. See who’s out there for you, little aeon .”