Chapter Text
Jupiter was the most elegant at the ball. Everything was perfect, her hair, her dress and her dazzling smile. Caine was performing his guard duty like a champ, never loosing trace of his Queen even when he did not look at her, he knew her scent and he heard the beating of her heart. He new she was safe, maybe a little bit bored and that her feet hurt from standing too much, but that was the usual at these events. So, everything was fine, that is, until Domitien Abrasax arrived, fifth tertiary heir of the House of Abrasax and Titus’s grand-son…
Domitien was dressed like a space playboy with a red cape and Jupiter thought he looked like a fool. But she plastered a big smile on her face and looked at him like everyone else. Her gaze saw a tiny movement in his hand and suddenly everyone froze in place as a loud growl sounded through the ball room. Jupiter recognized it and was more then surprised when Caine jumped at her, she could see that his mind was elsewhere, that he was not conscious of his action and suddenly, instead of attacking her he was kneeling in front of her, his hands on his lap, still absent-minded. Everyone gasped.
There was movement in Jupiter’s sight, she saw her guards arrive and she stopped them with a gesture of her hand. Stinger was right at her side, anxious and waiting. He hoped this would not be a repeat of 20 years ago. She gestured him toward Domitien and made a sign to her hand. Stinger understood and her guards surrounded him. Then as everyone looked at her and Caine, she grabbed her skirts and knelled in front of him, touched his cheek gently and gestured to Kiza, the head of her household, to come to her. She did not want to leave him alone in this state, but she had to deal with Domitien. Since Stinger was occupied with his task, the next best thing was the daughter of his commander and best friend, that he considered like a sister.
When she stood up everyone was still waiting frozen in place. Everything had taken less then a minute, but Queen Jupiter, recurrence of Seraphi Abrasax, was battle tested, the most powerful Queen and no one questioned her will. While Kiza stayed with Caine, she marched forward to Domitien while she made a quick call on her implant to the Aegis. Her royal guards had not touched him but his face was as pale as marble when she stood in front of him. Jupiter looked at him with a glare so sharp it could have teared through metal and held her hand open in front of him. He knew the power she had and, like Titus, he wanted part of it. His plan had failed and he had no option but to hand her a tiny vial. Jupiter took it with her handkerchief and handed if to Stinger with an understanding look in her eyes. At that moment Captain Tsing of the Aegis arrived and they handed her Domitien has a prisoner.
She then turned back to see Caine standing, haggard and holding on to Kiza. He looked so ashamed, he had no idea of what happened but he seemed to think he had snapped for no reason like when he killed that entitled, 20 years ago. Jupiter rushed to him, grabbed him in her arms and held him close until he shook his head, took a step back and looked down to his feet. Her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest when she took her hand to lift his head so he would look her in the eyes, she put all her love in her gazed and simply said “Nothing happened, this was not you, you were manipulated.” His eyes went wide and he nodded.
She then addressed the guests at the ball. “This was an attempt on my life and on that of my consort – it was the first time she had called him that in public – by Domitien Abrasax, by use of a chemical substance. Only Caine Wise’s love and loyalty to me saved my life, once again. Be assured that the matter will be dealt with.” She then made a small circle with her pointer in the air signalling her party that they were leaving, put her hand around Caine's elbow and walked out of the ball room. They all followed and returned to her ship in silence. The guests were still stunned, but soon returned to their ball.
Caine was… surprised? No, confused! He felt the blackout coming, pushed a growl to warn everyone and then thought only of Jupiter and her love. The next thing he remember was kneeling, hands on his lap with Kiza by his side. Oh no, it happened again! What did he do this time? There was no blood in his mouth or on his hands at least. He stood, blinking, trying to remember, but there was only a void in his memory. Kiza was still holding him, saying “Everything is ok.” and no guards were around him. Then familiar arms were around him, holding him tight. No! They will all say things about you! He thought. He took a step back and looked down to his feet in a contrite stance. When Jupiter made him look up, he was sure to see disappointment in her eyes, but he saw only love, oh a love so deep, and… understanding? She then spoke, with a gentle voice “Nothing happened, this was not you, you were manipulated.” Surprised, he nodded.
When she spoke to the guests though, he did not know what to think. Did she just call him her consort? Attempt on her life? Chemical substance? He was missing too much information! When she put her hand around his elbow and gave a departing signal he walked beside her, still confused, but glad he was not under arrest. His ears were also a little pink… her consort…
When safely aboard her ship she turned to Stinger.
– I want the content of that vial analyzed, use a sealed environment, no need to trigger another incident. This is a top priority, request all the personnel required. Money is not a problem and coordinate with the Aegis too. Her voice was calm, but you could hear her fierceness and strength in it.
– Of course, Your Majesty.
– And Captain Apini, you know what this means, don’t you? She rarely used his rank and last name when addressing him. Which reflected how serious this was.
– Yes, Your Majesty. It means that Caine was used as a weapon 20 years ago and that someone got away with murder.
– Thank you, Stinger. She said with affection.
– I want to get to the bottom of this too, Jupiter. This was the friend in him talking.
– Kiza, I want all the recordings of the incident sent to my chambers. As soon as you can gather them. Caine has to see what happened.
– Yes, Your Majesty! said Kiza.
They all left except her personal guards, Caine was still unsure of what to do, but when she said his name, ever so gently, he followed her to their chambers.
As soon as the door was closed she started babbling while going to her giant closet. “Oh, Caine that was crazy. I had this whole speech written, I wanted to surprise you. I rewrote a law...” She came out of the closet wearing a pair of comfy sweat pants and an old t-shirt, her sleeping attire, bare foot and holding a sheave and her babbling was cut short by the look on his face. He looked like he was giving up on them.
– Caine? She said.
– Your Majesty? He sounded hollow.
– Caine! Come here, please.
He approached her slowly, looking down, wary of what he might do. She made him sit on the edge of the bed, took his shirt off, glad for space shirt that were removed so easily, knelt behind him and started kneading his shoulders. She worked on them until she felt him relax a little and then said. “We will talk about what happened once you have seen the recordings. For now, just remember that I love you.” And he left out a slow breath.
She still loves me, and she said nothing happened, and publicly named me her consort. His head was spinning. He took a deep breath, steadied his shaking hands and tried to relax a little.
They heard a knock at the door and the chamber presence said “Kiza Apini is at the door, Your Majesty.”
– Let her in, Max. she said to the chamber presence.
Kiza walked in with 3 sheaves containing the recordings of the incident, placed them on the table while saying “This is all the recordings. If either of you want to talk, you know how to find me. Dad is getting everything ready for the analysis. I’ll leave you to it.” And left the room.
Jupiter got up, took the sheaves and handed them to Caine.
Caine took a deep breath and played the recording on the first sheave, then the second and the third. He saw the arrival of Domitien Abraxas, his growling, his jumping and kneeling. He saw the guards being stopped by Jupiter, her brushing her fingers on his cheek while he was still blacked-out, the heavy breaths of Stinger, the guards going after Domitien, Kiza being by his side and the vial handed over by Domitien and Captain Tsing arresting him. Jupiter holding him in his arms, making him look her in the eyes. He heard her words again and finally breathed normally. He did not commit any crime unless you count growling at a ball.
– Feeling better? Jupiter asked
– Yes, he replied.
– Stinger has the vial, we will get to the bottom of this, she said firmly.
– Thank you, Your Majesty.
– Anything for my consort, she replied, handing him the sheave she was holding when she had come out of the closet.
It was the sheavework naming him officially her consort. After reading it, he looked at her with his ears and eyes burning.
– I love you, Jupe.