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C yprian woke, curled snugly against Moargan’s side and chest. Judging by his cramped muscles, he hadn’t moved the entire night. Peeling himself free, he headed for the bathroom to relieve himself, then walked to the kitchen, determined to bring Moargan breakfast in bed. Anything to extend their moment together. The Imperial Prince would soon enough be claimed by his busy agenda. Kylix and the prisoners, Helianth and his recovery, and his father who’d surely soon return from the hospital.

Cyprian strolled to the kitchen but paused at the sight of Aviel, already up and in control of the stove, swinging his hips to a melody that filled the space. When he saw Cyprian, he smiled, raven curls bouncing and eyes flashing, the perfect embodiment of a handsome menace.

“Hi. You’re up early.” Cyprian crossed his hands in front of his chest, aware that he was scarcely dressed in only his pajama pants. He hesitated before taking a seat at the kitchen island. He had intended to sneak in and out in less than a minute, but with the wicked Dariux hanging about, that wasn’t going to happen.

“I am.” Aviel watched him, grinning. “Go on. Ask your question, I can feel it burning in your mind.”

“Okay, well…” Cyprian watched him stirring in the pan. “Do you ever do anything else but cook?”

Aviel’s grin widened. “Come on, you can do better than that.”

Cyprian sighed, hands curling in his lap, unease increasing. There was something about the guy that was so intense. “Okay. What happened yesterday? How did you end up in my room?”

Aviel finally stopped stirring. Discarding the wooden spoon, he took out a tray and put two plates on it. “I heard voices.”

“Voices?”

“Yeah. From inside your room. From your drawing, to be precise. You wanted me to find the stairs, so I did.” He dropped a few tiganos on each plate and started preparing the eggs. “You were given a precious gift, Cyprian. Now I understand why you and Moargan were designed for each other.”

“Why?” Cyprian asked. The words made his mind race.

Aviel looked away as he whistled a tune.

“What exactly is my gift?” Cyprian tried again. The other question had obviously not been the one Aviel wanted to answer.

This time Aviel looked up, his golden eyes seering into his own. “The link starts with you, Cyprian. Dariux are powerful, but only when we operate together. Think of us like an elite troop. We will only make a difference when we are all grouped together. Helianth reached out in search of help. His mother felt it, somewhere in the back of her beautiful, troubled mind. And you felt it too. Your drawings gave us the key to the location. Your mate came to your rescue.” Aviel held out two mugs. “Coffee or tea?”

“My brother was there.”

Aviel halted mid-air. “Your brother ?”

“Davon-tus.” Cyprian repeated the words the other guy had whispered, before disappearing into the darkness. “He saved our lives. Turned everything to ice.”

“To ice? Ouch. Poor brother.”

Cyprian stood up. “Moargan said that Kylix was irritated. But he wouldn’t hurt him, would he? ”

“Well…” Aviel placed two coffees on the tray. “He pissed off Moargan’s cousin. And you don’t want to piss off the head of the Luminary. His fire is activated.”

“His fire?”

“Fire, yes.” Aviel’s eyes flashed maliciously. “And your brother? He’s ice. And he’s hiding.”

“How do you know he’s hiding?”

“I know everything.” Aviel looked proud. “And you will soon, too.”

“Why’s Kylix angry with him?”

He shrugged. “Who knows why Kylix feels the need to be angry? He’s an Imperial Prince, obnoxious, cocky and sexy as hell. Proud. And yesterday wasn’t the first time he entered a crime scene, only to find that someone beat his ass there, and the criminal was already frozen, presented in a package to him.”

Cyprian felt his chest swell with pride for his brother. “Well, I think it’s great.”

Aviel chuckled. “It is. Unless you have an ego like the Zephyranthis family has. Anyway, don’t worry your beautiful head over that now.” He finished the eggs. “I’ll be quick, we don’t want the grumpy cat to wake up with you gone.”

“Grumpy cat?” Cyprian smiled. “Is that what you call him?”

“Sometimes. Secretly.” Aviel winked. “Alright, sweetheart, tiganos, eggs, anything else?”

“No, thank you.” Cyprian’s mind was settling down. Licking the gem on his incisor, he thought of that foreign feeling yesterday, when it had reverberated with need . It had made him growl, had made him lose control.

“Are you getting used to it?” Aviel was watching him with interest. “The gem?”

“I guess I am. Do you have any?”

“I do. Here.” He pointed to his jaw. “In the back of my mouth. You will have four, two in the front, two in the back.”

Cyprian let that piece of information settle in and grabbed the tray. “Thanks for breakfast.” In the door, he halted and turned over his shoulder. “One day you’ll tell me why you’re always cooking.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Aviel’s wicked chuckle followed Cyprian’s light footsteps back to the sleeping quarters.

Not Moargan’s. Theirs .

His Imperial Prince was still fast asleep when Cyprian got back in the room. Placing the tray on his bedside table, Cyprian climbed in bed and snuggled back in the protective grip of Moargan’s arm. Like this, wrapped up like a precious gift, Cyprian’s body zinged. His mind came to rest. Here he felt protected and cherished by another person. And not just another person. Cyprian glanced up, fingertips gliding over Moargan’s full, parted lips, sharp cheekbones, and straight nose. He slid up to his forehead and those perfectly arched eyebrows. The muss of blond strands looked like spun silk. His finger felt the slick, cold material of all those jewels that adorned Moargan’s ear. Brushing his lips over Moargan’s, he let out a hum. Moargan’s mouth was perfection. Firm, yet soft. Wet and warm. Moulded in a shape that accommodated him wholly.

His bonded. His fated mate. Created to belong together.

Cyprian thought of his home back in Tulniri. He thought of his ambitious foster parents who had kept their dark side so well hidden. Thought of what he had fled from.

Moargan stirred, arm clenching around Cyprian’s shoulder as he stretched those long, strong limbs. “Cyprian?”

“I’m here.”

“Hmm, what’s that smell? ”

“Breakfast.”

“You got us breakfast? Fuck, yes.” Moargan hummed happily, dropped a kiss on Cyprian’s cheek, then left for the bathroom. When he returned, he held a golden bracelet in his hand. “This is for you.” He wiggled his own wrist. “I’ve got one too.”

Cyprian watched as he locked it around his skin. “It’s beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.” Moargan snatched half of Cyprian’s tigano out of his hand with his mouth, smiling and chewing when Cyprian yelped.

“You beast.”

“You love it.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do.” Moargan’s teeth came out and nipped on Cyprian’s bottom lip, tugging playfully before reaching his arm around Cyprian’s neck. He pulled Cyprian in, and they kissed, hot mouths brushed together.

“How can you be real?” Cyprian murmured between kisses.

“Only for you, lover.” Moargan took another piece of tigano and placed one corner in Cyprian’s, the other in his own. Biting and chewing, they finished the wrap until their mouths found each other again. Time passed as they lay there, reveling in feeding each other.

“You’re hot for me, lover, I can feel your hard cock against my thigh.” Moargan gave it a little squeeze, making Cyprian hiss. Desire tingled down his spine. “But I’ve got bad news for you. Remember our traditions?”

“Nooo.” Cyprian groaned. He did.

“Yes,” Moargan smirked, gave him a final pack, then climbed out. “We are expected at the arena tonight for your first Aureate.”

“Aren’t we supposed to go to the hospital first?”

“Kylix believes there’s no time. Enough rumors have been spread. We need to get the punishments out of the way to restore the peace and safety in Helion. Besides, my father will come back today, and he won’t be coming alone.”

“Are you saying what I hope you are?” He followed Moargan to the bathroom, where they got ready for the day.

“Yes, aeon , I am. They are both leaving for the day, both our mothers. The elite lounge of the arena will look like a fucking hospital today.”

“Helianth?”

Moargan nodded, eyes focused on closing the final button at Cyprian’s neck. “He will be there. My father refuses to let him leave his bed, so he’ll be our third patient.” Finishing his shirt, Moargan turned him around, dropping a kiss on Cyprian’s nose. “Glorious. Fierce and handsome. Everyone wants to see you seek justice for your life. Once that is done, we will have our ceremony.”

A low buzz settled in Cyprian’s stomach. Placing a hand on it, he saw that Moargan did the same thing. ‘Do you?—”

Moargan nodded. “I feel it too, lover. It’s the craziest thing that has ever happened in my life. But whenever you are near, I can sense you with a yearning that slashes through every common sense and tugs at my heart, begging to be let in. I need you with a ferocity I never knew existed.”

“My angel.” Cyprian pressed his lips shut, suddenly embarrassed by the way those words just tumbled out of his mouth. But Moargan smiled, and his amethyst eyes flashed.

“Such beautiful words.” His mouth found the spot on Cyprian’s throat, making Cyprian moan when he toyed with the bruised skin.

“Good light, you’re so evil,” Cyprian panted. They gazed at each other through the mirror, Moargan’s eyes flickering with glee.

“But you love me still.”

“I don’t—” Cyprian stopped himself. He wasn’t sure how to answer that. Did he love Moargan? How long had they known each other? Weeks? Months? Forever?

They had been made to be together.

Moargan licked Cyprian’s cheek teasingly, darting his tongue into the corner of his mouth. He shivered at the touch, cock throbbing inside his pants. He was so hungry for Moargan.

“I do.” The words left his mouth on a rushed whoosh. Yes, he did love Moargan. He had fallen deep with no way of climbing up. Cyprian didn’t even want too anymore.

Moargan hummed in satisfaction. Their palms met. A steady thrum skimmed through Cyprian’s veins, and he sighed, sagging against Moargan’s chest. Moargan’s hands curled around his waist, keeping him close. “Good. Because you’re mine.”

Mine. Mine. Mine.

Cyprian’s eyes fluttered when he heard the words echo through his mind.

Moargan’s mouth brushed his raven strands. “And you know, I’m kind of crazy about you too, aeon . Can’t fucking wait to see what you’ve got in store for Helion tonight. You’ll show them worthy, of that I’m sure. You are no longer a foster kid searching for his roots. You have found me. And with me, an entire family where you belong. You belong to Dariux, because you are one of us.”

T onight, the arena was overcrowded. Helions had come in mass, for this was the event of the year. Their streets had been unsafe for the past months, and finally, authorities had captured those who’d brutally taken innocent lives.

And then there was the ceremony. The Imperial, Moargan Zephyranth, was officially allied with his mate, Cyprian Creighton, becoming Zephyranth.

A true happening.

As such, the arena was filled with loud music, and merchants selling food and drinks.

Inside the elite lounge, there was also a buzz, the air filled with an excitement the Imperial family hadn’t felt for years.

Norma Zephyranth had returned. In a hospital bed, her eyes shut, although fluttering. Milanov had told the rest of the family about his wife’s connection with Cyprian. How she had managed to use her own Dariux enhancements, the ones refused by her body but clearly accepted by her mind, to get access to Cyprian and beg him for Helianth’s safe return.

The media was all over it. How Moargan’s Royal Consort had done the rightful thing. How he sacrificed his own safety to get the Imperial Prince Helianth back to safety. Had begged for this mate to come and save them. And Imperial Prince Moargan had come, together with the Luminary, headed by Kylix.

It would be a tale that people would tell their children for years to come.

Helianth was also present. His tanned skin was bruised, though he was alert as he sat in his hospital bed, an ember drink in his hand, cuddled by an obscene pile of fluffy pillows. His bed stood by the window, next to his mother’s.

On Norma’s other side stood another bed. Four nurses stood around Celia Fandi’s sleeping frame. Cyprian’s mother would wake up later, for the first time in many years not in a hospital room, but in the arena. They weren’t sure how her brain would react to that, but enough nurses had come to support her.

Kylix entered the lounge, black cape sweeping around his lean frame. His black hair was swept back from his forehead, making those dark eyes even more impressive. He brushed a hand through Helianth’s hair and squeezed his shoulder. “It’s good to have you back.” Then he took his leave to one of the glass cubicles. Two male Luminary guards, students still, followed him in silence. The door locked a few seconds later.

Milanov Zephyranth returned from his speech and took place on the chair that stood next to Norma and Helianth’s bed. It would be showtime soon.

Cyprian let himself be escorted outside the elite rooms and toward the stairs. As he was given instructions by his guards, ten iron cages were dragged onto the sand surface that formed the heart of the arena. What followed was a heavy hush as the crowd waited for what was to come.

It would be a choice. Cyprian’s choice. One death, ten targets. Eight members of the Luminary had been arrested, Bekn included. Theo had been taken into custody and of course, the tenth cage was his own biological father, Ludo Fandi.

“Are you ready?” Moargan asked. They were both entirely dressed in white. But where Moargan’s cape fluttered in the breeze, Cyprian wore his over his head, licks of black hair framing his temple.

“Yes.” Cyprian had never been more ready. It was time to embrace his fate, embrace his Dariux.

“Then let’s go.” Moargan brushed a kiss on Cyprian’s forehead and swiped his thumb over the flushed skin. “Otherworldly. So precious. Born to kill.”

The words settled in Cyprian’s chest, making golden liquid race through his veins. His angel was right, he could feel the hunger.

There was a blare of a horn and then the large doors to the arena opened.

Cyprian followed Moargan as he stepped through the open doors and into the heart of the arena.

The Imperial Prince inspected the cages. With his hands casually tucked behind his back, he swaggered from one prison to the other, smiling when he recognized Theo. “Hello again. Quite the mess you’re in once more, don’t you agree?”

Theo’s gaze darted between Moargan and Cyprian, blue eyes wide with fear.

When he finished his round, Moargan turned back to Cyprian, pulling him in with his strong arms. Cyprian swayed, the bond purring at the strength and scent of his mate. “Your first Aureate, lover. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it.” His grin was wicked, and his amethyst eyes flared with glee. Then he let go of Cyprian, swept around, cape fluttering around his impressive build, and swaggered back to the door.

Cold nerves hit Cyprian hard when he stood alone in the center of the arena. But before he had time to doubt the moment, a drum started banging in a pounding single beat, and the crowd, impatient per usual, took over the rhythm with their voices.

Cyprian took in a deep breath and tilted his head as his eyes reached for the sky. It was blue, with a hint of colour radiating from the closest planet. Around him, the crowd’s single cry found a crescendo, and Cyprian’s earlier fears melted like ice, erasing his doubt. Moargan was right. This was his moment. And he would take it.

The gem on his incisor pulsed, making him hungry for something. He licked it and a growl escaped his throat, low and guttural.

He was hungry for violence.

As he passed their cages, some of the Attica members pleaded for their lives. Cyprian ignored them. His gaze swept on every one of them, yellow eyes taking their time to take in their faces.

Helianth had been severely beaten and drugged.

The drug was Bekn.

But the beating…

“Which one of you did it?” Cyprian demanded. “Which one of you beat the living shit out of Helianth Zephyranth?”

No one replied.

“That’s what I thought.” Cyprian huffed. “Brave when you’re all stuck together, preying on innocent people. But standing here behind bars? Not so much.” He turned to the audience. “And then they say we are violent?”

The crowd erupted in support.

Helions need a hero, Moargan had said. He had been right.

Cyprian walked back to the cage he had selected and nodded to its keeper. The barred door clicked open. Theo stood, trembling. His purple suit sat too large over his slim body. His unruly curls reached his quivering neck.

“Bekn.” Cyprian turned to the other blond’s prison. Even in their current state, the resemblance was staggering. “I’ve got your brother here in my possession. I can do what I want to him. But if you tell me I can’t touch him, I won’t.”

“P-please,” Theo begged. But Bekn ignored and glared at Cyprian instead.

“And have you come after me?” He snarled.

Cyprian shrugged. “Guess there’s only one way to find out.”

Bekn’s eyes darted to his younger brother, then back to Cyprian. He scoffed. “You can have him.”

“Bekn!” Theo cried out. Cyprian’s heart clenched at the carelessness in Bekn’s voice. Whatever had happened to them, had made him hate his younger brother enough to sacrifice his life.

“Theo.” Cyprian took a step forward, making the other man retreat until his back hit the prison bars. “Do you know where your brother keeps his drug lab?”

Theo nodded shakily.

“Don’t tell him, you fucking runt!” Bekn called out behind him.

“Shut up. This is the last time you’ll talk to him like that.” He turned back to Theo. “You won’t die today.” He gestured to his keeper. “You can bring him back, we’ll keep him in the family for now.”

Theo’s eyes widened. “As a s-slave you mean?”

Cyprian wasn’t sure yet. He wasn’t sure of anything, but he did know that Theo didn’t deserve to die. He had been a victim himself. But now was not the time to show any weakness. They’d talk things through once tonight was over. “Yes,” he said instead.

The crowd approved, cheering and shouting their agreement.

Cyprian turned back to the prisoners. “Open all the cages!” He called out. Barred doors slid open, followed by a thunderous sound. The crowd sighed in anticipation, creating a heavy silence throughout the entire arena. None of the prisoners left their cells. Instead, they huddled up in a corner, eyes wide as they awaited their sentence.

Cyprian pointed his finger. “See that old man there?”

All eyes flashed to Ludo Fandi, who shriveled back in his cell, shaking his head wildly.

“He’s yours to attack. Yours to hunt. But remember this—” The first prisoner slowly walked out of his cell, “he’s not yours to kill.”

More prisoners dripped out of their cells. One fool tried to flee, screaming and begging as he went for the doors of the arena.

“Ignore him,” Cyprian growled. His yellow gaze was focused on the rest of Attica. Their initial hesitation was slowly morphing into something different. Ludo Fandi had become prey in a quest for survival, and they all knew one thing—only one of them would die today. The old man would be the sacrifice.

They crept closer to the final cell, where Ludo Fandi still sat, bewildered. He didn’t seem to realize the others were going to do this, were going to come for him, snatch him up and beat him down if it meant their own lives would be spared.

When he finally did, his movements were sluggish, the moment too late. The crowd roared at the unfolding show. Purple jumpsuits scattered everywhere, owning the heart of the arena, the prisoners snarling and hunting as they ran along to the beat of the drums.

Ludo Fandi never stood a chance. He barely made it halfway, until Bekn had caught up with him, making the old man stumble and fall. The rest fell over him like a swarm of birds of prey. They pummeled him, shouting and swearing, and tore off his clothes.

Cyprian watched with an empty heart. This man, who had fathered him, who had forced his wife to sell him, and the rest of his siblings, who had left his wife to rot after beating her almost to death, was Cyprian’s to kill.

“That’s enough.” He lifted a hand. Strolling forward, he gazed down at the man who had spit at him when he’d stood by the door of his apartment and had begged for his love.

And then his vision faltered, splitting in two. One was still here, glaring at Ludo Fandi, but the other one peered right at himself as if he looked down from the crowd. Cyprian felt his brother’s presence. Felt him watching from up there.

Once more, he had come for Cyprian, only today he’d come to see him kill their father.

“Hi.” Cyprian whispered.

“Who the fuck are you talking to?” Ludo spit out. Blood dribbled from his nose down over his lip.

Hi.

“Have you come to kill him with me?”

Ludo’s eyes turned to slits. “You fucking monster.”

Yes.

Cyprian smiled. His eyes started to burn and tear, making his vision blurry. Ludo’s eyes widened, mouth falling agape, leaking blood inside.

“Good light. You…”

A wave of cold air landed on both of them.

Ludo blinked, eyes stuck on Cyprian’s as he fed him with the vision of his death. “You will freeze to death, father . You will turn into a large ice cube that intertwines with that ice-cold heart of yours.”

“What? You…you…” Ludo’s eyes turned wide with panic as he witnessed his coming death. “You monster!” He rasped.

“Yes.” Cyprian smiled. “ Your monster.”

Ludo tried to grimace, but his chattering teeth prevented his lips from stretching out. He stayed like that, mouth half open, as he stared at Cyprian. His eyes were wild, filled with horrifying visions.

There was another wave of ice. And another one. Cyprian’s shiver melted as a wave of heat waved over him, preventing him from facing a similar fate to his father. Moargan. He was here, and he had his back.

“We celebrate the dead!” Someone called out.

The cry was taken over by the audience. Chaos erupted in the pit. With Ludo being taken away from them, but the gates still locked, the prisoners couldn’t escape. Instead, they’d started attacking each other, desperation clawing at their impatience and the unmistakable fear of their death.

“Put the blond one back in his cage!” Morgan roared. Keepers made their way back inside the center and started clearing the scene. Bekn was locked back in, but some of his friends were less fortunate. Black Mohawk was attacked by four raging prisoners, who’d found stones that were thrown from the audience and used them to kill. He blew out his last breath while being surrounded by four attackers who had been his friends.

So much for solidarity.

The rest of the arena was swept clean in a matters of minutes. And all the while, Ludo Fandi sat kneeling, in agony, until another wave of frost caused the final straw. Cyprian watched as his entire frame slowly froze to death.

“May you never live again,” Cyprian whispered.

Ludo blinked one final time. His lashes were covered with a layer of ice, and his eyes, wide and filled with fear, stared at Cyprian. He didn’t blink again.

“Davon-tus,” Cyprian whispered. “Who are you?”

I’m sorry. I can’t.

“Please?”

Our secret.

Cyprian looked up, searching the arena. “Where are you?” He called.

He didn’t get a reply.

“Lover,” Moargan crooned in his ear. He had come up from behind him, fingertips warming every inch of skin they could find. “That was spectacular.”

The crowd exploded when Cyprian turned around in his hold.

Okay, brother , he thought to himself. Have it your way. But I’ll find you one day.

The moment was interrupted by drum rolls and more shouts.

“We celebrate the dead!”

“We celebrate the Imperial family!”

Milanov’s voice flared through the microphone, announcing that everyone would receive free drinks and food for the ceremony.

“This is it, lover.” Moargan’s arms snaked around Cyprian’s nape, pulling him close. “Are you ready to become mine?”

“I already am,” Cyprian whispered. “With every breath.” He leaned in, and their lips brushed in a soft kiss that grew more intense with every moan they stole from each other.

“Then let’s complete the cycle,” said Moargan. “Let’s connect the past with the present. With Dariux. I need you close by me for the rest of my life.”