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A s they left the car and headed for the door, Moargan had to acknowledge the obvious—everything felt different. Had it started the moment they’d entered Ludo Fandi’s apartment and Moargan had seen true horror in Cyprian’s eyes? Perhaps it was their bonding ceremony that had turned his claim on Cyprian into the intense promise the palming ritual was supposed to be.

No.

The change had been set in motion the very first moment Moargan had laid eyes on Cyprian. That was the truth. Moargan could feel it in his body. That moment marked the beginning of how his lover had weaved the slightest of silk thread around Moargan’s existence and had wrapped himself around everything Moargan breathed. And he had done so without wanting to invade. No, Cyprian was discreet in every single aspect of his life. His footsteps, his voice, and even his movements were reticent as if he lived in a permanent state of apology.

Sorry.

Sorry for being here.

That had to change. Firstly, because Cyprian had every right to be around. Secondly, because he’d have to step up sooner or later. They were now bonded. The ritual had completed that. But could they also be fated mates?

A spark shot through this bond, warming his palm. Moargan’s head jerked up. “Did you just?—”

Cyprian gave him a sheepish grin and nudged his chin toward the front door of the house Moargan had grown up in. “They’re waiting. I didn’t know if it would work.”

“Well, it does.” And it felt amazing. Moargan kisses Cyprian deeply before his lover can push him away with a cute blush.

“Moargan. They’re watching.”

“So?” Moargan threw an arm around Cyprian and dragged him toward the house, inwardly purring like a cat. “Let them see.” He chuckled at the push to his side he received in reply.

“Hi Moargan.” Vandor greeted them by the door. He dipped his gaze. “Cyprian. I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened with your father.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah.” Vandor opened his mouth, but no other words came out.

“Come on.” Moargan tugged on Cyprian’s hand. “He’s always been a bit of a weirdo.”

Cyprian snorted. “Perhaps he’s shy.”

“Perhaps he’s weird.”

Cyprian pinched his side, making Moargan laugh.

“You fight like a woman.”

“And you…” Cyprian circled Moargan’s waist, dropping his voice. “Fight like a bear.”

“Like a bear, yeah? Well, if you want, I can chase you like one. Would you like that?” Moargan growled and leaped forward, barking out a laugh when Cyprian yelped and ran, bumping right into Zimeon .

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” he stammered, cheeks blushing beautifully.

Zimeon grinned. “Hi there. It’s good to see you two. Your father’s waiting in his study.”

“On our way.” Moargan hauled Cyprian back by his hand and steered both in the right direction.

“This house is so impressive,” Cyprian sighed as they made their way through the tangle of corridors and impressive rooms. “I can’t believe you grew up here. Does anyone else live here besides your dad?”

“Helianth still has his room, although he has his own house as well. And Kylix comes here from time to time.”

“That’s your cousin, right?”

“Yes. His mother is my father’s younger sister. Remember the two blue-haired dudes we met during Helianth’s Aureate? Those are two other cousins. Their father is a brother of my father.”

Cyprian hummed in appreciation. “It must be nice to have such a big family.”

“Big? Ask Yure about a big family. His mother had like eight brothers and sisters.”

“Had?”

“Yeah. His parents died a few years ago.”

They entered the office. Zimeon was already there, together with Vandor and two more older Luminary who stood by the window. His father was seated on one of the massive, leather couches by the fire, talking to someone through his multi-slate.

As they sat down, Moargan could feel Cyprian’s heartbeat pick up. His lover was nervous, though he needn’t be. Still, Moargan wasn’t complaining. Despite the magnificent orgasm Cyprian had just given him, he was always ready for the next round. The way his lover had talked to him? The way he had sprawled out on his thighs, claiming his seat, riding Moargan like a pornstar? He repositioned himself on the couch.

“Son. It’s good to see you.”

“Father.”

They stood, embracing each other.

“And you, Cyprian.” Milanov smiled warmly. “I wanted to see how you were doing after your last visit.”

Next to him, Cyprian’s heart sped up like crazy. His aeon was nervous. Scared even, despite Moargan’s earlier words. Perhaps he couldn’t blame him, considering the disastrous meeting he’d had with his own father. Needing to break the ice, he searched around. “Is Helianth not coming? He missed training this morning as well.”

A glimmer of guilt shone through his father’s eyes, gone in the next blink. “Your brother’s away for a few days,” he finally said.

“Oh? No one told me. Where’s he off to? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine, son.”

“So…where is he?” Moargan asked, when it was clear that his father wasn’t going to say anything else. “We’re in the middle of the school year.”

“The Luminary made a formal request to send Helianth away on a secret mission?—”

“You mean Kylix did,” Moargan deadpanned. He leaned forward; attention perked. “Let me guess. This is about the killer.”

When his father nodded, Moargan sighed and dropped his gaze, staring at the ground. “For fuck’s sake. Are you sending him out to get hurt himself?”

“He’s only gone for a few days, son. He’s a grown man who will devote his life to the Luminary once he has graduated. Let it go.”

Moargan’s mind spun at the thought of his little brother being out there. “Kylix is with him?”

“Yes. So are at least five other uniforms, so leave it. He’ll be back before you know it. Now. I tried to call you. Why is it that you’re so difficult to reach?”

“Why why ?” Moargan bristled, looking up. “I may have switched off for a night, but that’s all.”

His father hummed, gaze shifting to Cyprian. “If you say so. Were you already in a bad mood before you came here, or am I the source of your indignation?”

Moargan exhaled through his nose. “I’m sorry, Father.” It was Helianth. His brother’s absence somehow rattled Moargan.

“Apology accepted. Tell me about your trip north, Cyprian.”

Moargan felt Cyprian stiffen. “I-I went to meet with my father.”

Milanov nodded. Then he took another drink, visibly not waiting for an answer to the question he didn’t ask.

He didn’t have to.

“It wasn’t a success, sir. He didn’t remember me. Didn’t—want me. Not back then, not now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Cyprian. That must have been hard.”

“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 did what ?” 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. “The initial contract 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 public Aureate . 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 and brushed 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.”

“Bad...” Moargan whistled lowly, then tilted back the guy’s head by his hair. “Boy.”

“P-please.”

“Hmm.” Moargan deeply inhaled the scent of fear, savoring the intoxication. “You know you killed four innocent people, right?”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen.” Tears fell down his cheek.

“But it did. And look at you. Now you’re here, at my mercy.” Moargan smiled with flashing teeth. “Your lips tremble sweetly.” Unable to resist, he licked the curve of that mouth.

Someone cleared his throat, and when he peered up, he caught Cyprian’s glare. Moargan smirked. “Oh, you don’t like that, aeon ? Come here.”

Cyprian hesitated, then got up and stalked his way. “I won’t hurt this man.”

Moargan forced the guy to look at Cyprian. “Do you know who this is?”

The prisoner sobbed and shook his head.

“My Royal Consort. My chosen one. He’s a good man. A man who has searched for his own family his entire life. And you just slashed away an entire family, leaving a two-year-old to live a miserable, lonely life.”

The prisoner’s shoulders trembled with shock as more tears flowed down his face. “I’m so sorry. I know what I’ve done is unforgivable, but I fell asleep behind the wheel. When I woke up?—”

“Why did you take the car when you knew you shouldn’t?” Cyprian asked.

“No,” Moargan yanked the prisoner’s head back until he choked and begged to be released. “ He doesn’t get to talk. I get to play.” His fingers traced the lines of Cyprian’s pale skin and he leaned in to taste those plush, wet lips. “You are so lovely, Cyprian,” Moargan mumbled. “So sweet.” He growled, and the gems on his incisors flashed a bright violet that made the prisoner wail. “And you,” he turned his gaze to the prisoner, “are unfortunate. Because you,” he tilted his head back until the prisoner cried out in pain, “are going to die. Slowly, painfully, deliciously—” He pressed his nose against the man’s neck. “Yes. So much fear. Listen to that heartbeat.”

“Please, anything else,” the prisoner sobbed. “I’ll do anything!”

“Ssh, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Make me a soldier, make me anything, but don’t let me die in prison! ”

“In prison?” Moargan chuckled viciously. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you die in prison. But you’re lucky, interrogation time is over. String him up boys, I’m starving.” Moargan winked at a frozen Cyprian. “You’ll soon be hosting your own Aureate , my aeon . It’s time you learn from the best.”