A Royal Privilege: A Jupiter Ascending Fan-Fiction: Book 3

Chapter 7: The Morning

Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Caine sat up in his assigned bunk that was situated on the lower rung. "Jupiter!" he called out, receiving no answer. Rising to his feet, fully dressed, he assessed his location being, MB3—Men's Barracks at Legionnaire Central Command. He walked the length of this room. Passing the lockers and the showers, he proceeded through the double doors. Outside, he glanced upward at the night sky. 7 PM, he thought. Where is everyone?

He moved from one building to the next, finding no one. Trekking across the airfield, he stood in front of the open, empty hanger, again, finding no one; no planes, and no land vehicles. He continued his journey, coming across WB4—Women's Barracks—a place he is absolutely not allowed. Listening closely, he heard muffled activity just beyond its doors, the first sign of life since finding himself here. Damn the consequences, he thought, and walked through the double doors.

Entering inside, he saw only one person. A woman, with long dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail. Petite in stature, she stood with her back to him. "Jupiter," he breathed, moving to place a hand on her shoulder. The woman gripped his fingers, flipping her tiny frame over him. She pinned his arm behind his back and kicked him to the ground, forcing him into a chokehold.

Once her victim was immobilized, she softly whispered in his ear, "Hiya, Pup."

Hearing a gunshot, Caine jumped up. "Jams!"

Jupiter awoke, startled from lying on his chest. "Caine?" she mumbled.

"Yeah," he said, falling back onto his pillow in a cold sweat.

Jupiter felt his forehead, which was clammy to the touch. "Why do you keep having these dreams?"

"I don't know. I'm fine now."

"No, you are not fine. Far from it."

The intercom buzzed. "Sir, it's Bob. Can I come in?"

"Yes. Enter," Caine ordered.

"Sir, Captain Tsing wishes to speak with you, before your... oh, you're both up?"

"Yes. Caine had another post-traumatic stress nightmare," Jupiter explained, very worried.

"Another one?"

"Bob!" Caine growled.

"Bob, what are you doing here this early?" Jupiter asked.

"Um, well... today is—"

"Mission Day," Caine finished Bob's statement.

"Caine, don't go!" his wife pleaded.

He got out of bed, planting his bare feet on this plush rug. "You know I can't do that, they'll kill me for sure."

"My love, you are in no condition to go, if you're still struggling with PTSD years after your last combat situation." Bob gave his boss a quizzical look, then turned his attention back to making breakfast. "I order you not to go," Jupiter protested from bed. "They can't touch you if you're under my protection."

"Jupiter, please!" Caine walked into the bathroom and directly into the shower.

"Dammit!" She flung off the covers to unceremoniously fall out of bed.

"Your majesty?" Bob inquired. "Are you okay?"

"Yep. I'm fine," she insisted, forgetting how swollen her body becomes after a night of activities with her Lycantant lover. "It's just... Caine is a bit of a brute."

"Yes, well... he certainly is that," Bob quipped. "Oh... wait? Do you need my help?"

"No-no. I'm good." Moving slowly, she rose from the floor and reached for her robe. Tying the ribbon around her waist, she patiently waited to ambush Caine at the bathroom door to continue their—discussion. He emerged five minutes later, completely dressed in his royal guardsmen uniform. Basic black with full sleeves and his rank insignia pin to the right side collar. "Your life belongs to me, as mine belongs to you," she repeated the very first vows they made to one another. "You promised me this. We promised each other. Please, I don't want you to go."