Jericho

by Nini Church

  “Oh yeah.” She rubbed her hands together. “One of each please.”

  With the room full and everyone hungry, to free up a stool Jericho lifted Abe up, placing her gently over his woody, ass nestled square in his lap. When she squirmed, her hot ass nuzzling him, he held her fast around the waist, lifting her slightly away.

  He noted her usually tiny waist was thicker and he felt a strange pulse – an unknown beat – then it was gone. Startled, he pulled back, peering at Abe – she seemed settled and happy – enjoying a chicken potpie filled with peas and carrots in a glossy cream sauce. Jericho pounced on his fork and dug in.

  It pleased him Abe turned out to be an excellent cook and rivalled Fifi with her culinary skills. When he’d questioned her about it, Abe simply revealed how she’d spent years in stasis preparing imaginary meals for an imaginary family.

  That was Abe’s truth – deep abiding loneliness to ensure she stayed pure.

  A purity she’d shouted out to one and all – including her parents – that belonged only to him. Announcing her love to them – and he knew what that felt like for his heart was full of love for Abe.

  A comfortable silence fell over the kitchen. Everyone bent over their meal, forks scraping plates as they shoveled in heaps of delicious food.

  Matty shuffled out of the kitchen to avoid the temptation of filling her gullet like everyone else was doing – she didn't need the extra poundage. Hell, nor did Abe, but for once Matty didn’t want to stir up shit by mentioning her friend was getting fatter by the second.

  Jericho nuzzled Abe's ear, silky blonde hair brushing his face. He was fucking home, man. Big time home with Abe, his team, Matty, Fifi and Elron. Home and Abe made it so.

  Jericho couldn’t ask for more.

  Until Caleb's head swung up as his roid began to beep continuously. "And they come."

  Jericho grinned. "I haven't made an official announcement yet."

  "This is epic, can't hold back the tide, boss." Cal's smirk grew huge.

  Jericho knew what was coming, but had to ask, "How many?"

  Around a mouthful of food, Abe asked, "How many what?"

  "Jinn." Jericho beamed – Abe was in for a shock. His people were coming to welcome her, bearing gifts and pledges. "How many Cal?"

  "So far, the Jinn span roughly half a mile around the compound."

  Abe cut in. "Huh?" Hand shaking, she put down her fork.

  Jericho watched his mate closely. How would she react?

  Emerald eyes glittering wildly with amusement, Abe cleared her throat. "Ahem. Listen everyone, I haven't made a formal announcement yet either, but I'm opting for consort-without-any-sharing-ever instead of Queen."

  Zulu huffed then laughed. Conn stared incredulously before realizing this was Abe the practical joker. Reno grinned and softly whistled – We will rock you – an old ‘70’s tune stuck in his head.

  Cal shook his head not realizing Abe was teasing. "Position isn't available. It doesn't exist."

  Abe winced. "Thanks for that, Cal. Now tell me why are they here?"

  Dumbfounded, Cal could only stare at Abe. WTF? She really didn't know? Hadn’t Jericho told her? Man, these two really weren’t into sharing their shit with each other and now Abe was asking him. "To welcome you and pay homage. They bear gifts. Its Jinn tradition when our King mates."

  "Gifts? For who?"

  "For you Abe." Jericho's heart clenched. She had never shown greed before and it would kill him if he saw it now.

  Abe's emerald eyes glittered with delight– they all watched the change in her and a few lowered their heads, wondering if greed was gonna show Abe was an imposter. It was a hard blow for many of them present – a blow below the belt – as they never suspected it of her.

  Her mind spun over possibilities – how it could work if some would give money – it was all she needed to finalize a long held plan – only a fantasy really. Money was the only part missing to make it work. Well, money and power too.

  Face gleaming, Abe was lost in her own world of long held plans. Yeah, it was exhilarating and heady to realize now her plan just might work – and that was written all over her face.

  Key to making it all come together was her mate – King of the Jinn – who wielded enormous power and that was also essential to bring her plan into reality.

  Abe meant to use that power.

  Right now.

  Busy finishing her pot pie and unaware of the growing tension and horror apparent on quite a few faces, Abe asked, "Jericho, is there anyone like a gift coordinator?"

  He waited a heartbeat or two, praying silently he hadn't made the worst mistake of his entire life and mated a spoiled, greedy bitch Princess. "Piccola, where you going with this?" Deep blue eyes pierced her and when seeing her delight and wide greedy smile – his gut clenched.

  It alarmed Abe when she sensed disappointment from Jericho. But why? Was this his cold, distant side? In disbelief, she dared to ask, “Don’t you trust me?”

  At this point and feeling as if he were falling into an unknown chasm – it tore at Jericho that he wasn’t sure of anything right this instant and refused to consider what answer he might give her. Instead, he turned to his tech wizard. "Cal?"

  It stung hard that Jericho refused to answer her – boy if ever there was a tell it was this one – she didn’t know shit about Jericho. Unsteady, but keeping her face serene, she decided it was best to shut up and let her mate jump to assumptions about her. Truly, it told Jericho didn’t know shit about her either.

  A sad tale that, she mused.

  Cal cut into the heavy silence. "Boss, Merry Allan is in charge. She’s available any time to display the gifts for our Queen."

  As Cal spoke, Abe noticed no one would look her in the eye nor even look in her direction. To some extent, they’d all withdrawn their support and that left her real cold inside. Her stomach flipped – it made her sick that every damn face in the room had turned dark and stormy – even angry – and it was tellingly clear exactly what they were thinking about her.

  Too many years spent in stasis planning strategies meant that no matter what others thought – no way in hell was she giving up so easily now that her dream was in sight.

  Money and power was all she ever needed to bring her plan into reality. Her heart swelled at the concept of fulfilling her one true desire. Now, as their new Queen, she would accept the Jinn gifts – ensuring her vision would become everything she hoped. It was thrilling to consider she could achieve so much more than she had ever thought possible.

  Everyone watched her closely as they loudly sucked in deep breaths, gobbing in air, not knowing what to expect from her next as they had automatically rejected the Abe they thought they knew. Greed had a way of revealing the truth beneath any façade.

  Reno was conflicted about what was happening, but he couldn’t deny he felt sick. Not one to jump to conclusions, Conn gave Abe the benefit of the doubt, refusing to give into the aura of greed he sensed around her. He knew Abe better than that. Didn’t he?

  Zulu shook his head, beads at his temples clattering loudly. Always he went back to his source within – what he knew about Abe – how she had been around them, her joy and giggling bringing light into their dark world.

  The tribal warrior sensed Abe was up to something, but it wasn’t what the others assumed. "My Queen, her heart’s in her chest. Er…her breast. …in the right place.” Face turning deep red, he’d fumbled it again, knowing he shouldn’t be making any reference to her chest or breasts – and hid his embarrassment with a deep bow.

  Abe looked to Zulu, giving him a heartfelt nod of gratitude. "Thank you.” She winked at him. “It truly does take a tribe, Zulu, doesn't it?"

  Zulu's dark eyes blazed with delight. "We are tribe.”

  In a deep and abiding way, she knew she had been born to bring her plans to fruition in just this manner and that gave her strength to rise above it while refusing to bow to their terribly hurtful and nasty assumptions. Regally Abe tilted
her chin, took a deep breath to shore up her courage, and stated, "If I may, I wish to speak to Merry Allan alone."

  Gobsmacked, Conn wanted to shy away when seeing sheer desperation on Jericho’s face as Reno and Rad stood a foot apart behind him and tense as hell.

  Cal couldn’t take his eyes off Abe – her usually sparkling orbs were now dark and cloudy. Strangely, he sensed she was hurt – females were like that – revealing their emotions by just one change. "Uh, hell... Uh… Boss?"

  Jericho struggled to regain his equilibrium while denying the change in Abe. And yet, the last thing he wanted was to blow this more out of proportion than it already was – he was jumping to so many fucking conclusions his brain rattled. "Indeed, whatever my Queen wishes."

  Cal sent Merry the Queen's command.

  Abe glanced at her mate, startled but not really surprised by the hard way he bit out my Queen. It only took seconds before realizing Jericho held very little faith in her too. What had she ever done to deserve this? Slowly, her clouded green eyes dulled further as faintly from far off she heard glimmers of her mate’s internal argument.

  Greedy? Could it be I don't really know her? What the fuck did I do?

  Jericho’s internal monologue drove home that even though her mate and all the others knew her well – they all too readily rejected that and instead thought the worst of her.

  By far the severest kick to her sensitive pride was Jericho assuming she was a greedy little pig and that hurt deeply. Mentally, she withdrew her connections to everyone, refusing their taint. She didn’t hide from her pain to keep safe as Mamam had always taught her to do.

  No she faced it head on, including her mate's doubt – and she forgave him in an instant for he truly didn’t understand. It didn’t take away her fury or the pain.

  Merry Allan arrived and was quickly introduced – not presented she noted – to Queen Annabelle Evergreen Sullivan.

  Conflict and tension layering the room, Merry wondered exactly what she had walked into – certainly not the happy couple she expected. Rumor had it that the newly mated pair were besotted with each other. Now, she suspected the rumors were untrue and all wrong.

  Stricken with panic – her pretty features tightened into deep creases as her brown eyes swarmed everywhere but Jericho or his new mate. Discomfort lay over them like a shroud and she didn’t have any idea what to do – nor it seemed did anyone else.

  Obviously furious now, Abe wasted no time asking Merry to join her in Jericho’s office while curtly admonishing Caleb that she wanted privacy.

  Merry followed her down the hallway the required six steps behind.

  Once inside, Abe slammed the door closed. “Apologies Merry, I know we’ve just met and I’m giving you the wrong impression, but those oafs in the kitchen really make me angry. Males are so dense! What a bunch of idiots.”

  Merry’s mouth fell open and stayed that way. The idiots the Queen referred to were the most highly regarded and skilled warriors on the planet.

  Abe saw the utter shock on Merry’s face. “Close your mouth, Merry, I’m just angry and letting it out. Between you ‘n me, I love my mate. Now, come sit.” She spent five minutes calming down Merry, easing her fears that Jericho most certainly wasn't angry with her.

  The two spoke for almost half an hour when Merry eagerly agreed Abe’s request could be satisfied.

  A wide smile lit Merry's face. "Thank you." Already she found this female fascinating and really amazing once the Queen laid out her plan. She was sworn to secrecy about the name of the plan for that was meant to be a surprise from the Queen to her King. “This is amazing and I’m grateful to be a part of it. I swear to you I won’t speak a word of your secret to anyone.”

  It was Abe’s turn to smile. Had she found a friend in Merry? They did hit it off once Merry calmed down. To carry out her plan, she needed friends.

  Jericho paced the kitchen like a caged animal, fighting a war inside. There was the Abe he knew and loved with a passion and now there was this new Abe. An Abe whose eyes had lit with deep pleasure at the mention of riches and gifts.

  Confused as hell, he asked himself – Was it actually greed he had seen in her eyes or something else entirely?

  Truly, he wasn't sure and it was tearing him apart.

  When the office door opened and both females came down the back hall, the gloom in the kitchen was palpable. He and his team were of one mind on this – they were seeing a new Abe – the real Abe? – in action and going for what she wanted.

  There was no mistaking the absolute pleasure on her face when gifts were mentioned. Before his eyes, he had watched her morph into a new and greedy Abe.

  A cringe crawled up Jericho's neck and spread over his scalp. Was he the biggest fool ever? Well aware of the damage she could do with her greed – he wanted to throttle her.

  Abe returned to the kitchen first with Merry a few steps behind.

  Eyes lit on both females, all of them taking in Merry's amused and delighted expression while Abe remained stoic and formally distant.

  Jericho noticed Abe wouldn't look at him and saw the tight pinch at the corners of her lips, telling she was deeply hurt. Hell! What about him? Yeah, once again this wasn't about him and he had fucking blown it with her this time for sure by jumping to conclusions that might just be way off base.

  WTF!

  His heart clenched hard and his breath shortened. He would never figure out his female. Maybe that was the ultimate challenge to mating – to understand his mate and somehow make her happy.

  Right now, Abe didn't look happy at all.

  "Jericho, I've asked Merry to explain my request." She spun past them and went out the back door, heading across the greensward towards the closest Jinn encampment.

  At the end of his rope and confused as hell, but knowing he’d made a fatal error with her, Jericho barked, "Abe, where the fuck are you going?"

  A long frustrated sigh blew out as Abe turned back to him. "Just listen to Merry. That's all I'm asking."

  Several Jinn he knew well – sons from the most prominent families – fell in behind Abe as she made her way across the greensward. Already it was starting – their homage and honor to their Queen – Jericho nodded his acceptance to the lead warrior.

  Jericho glanced to Conn, Zulu and Rad. All three were about to take off to guard their Queen, but as Merry began to speak they stopped, listening intently to every word.

  Merry, in explicit detail without revealing the secret, explained that her Queen's request pertained to building race hospitals.

  Every scrap of air sucked out of the room.

  Warriors deflated in disbelief and shame – guilty as hell on all counts.

  Merry continued on unaware of the impact of her words – further explaining that her Queen wanted to give those offering mating gifts a chance to donate instead to such a wonderful cause.

  Merry informed them, eyeing Jericho, "The Queen's recommendations have been accepted pending your approval." She bowed deeply to Jericho, trying to hide her exuberant smile.

  Reno sagged against the counter and Cal let out a hell of a long whoosh of air he had been holding forever. Zulu looked chuffed – he had been right about his Queen. Rad shook his head at all of them – he hadn't taken a hard position with Abe but preferred to wait, not wanting to assume the worst even if it turned out to be true.

  "Merry, whatever Abe wants – you make it possible."

  "Indeed, cousin, it is my pleasure. Congratulations and if I may, you've chosen well. Damn well."

  Jericho grinned from ear to ear. "I know it." He didn't add – I just maybe fucked it up big time. How was he ever gonna make this right with Abe? He shot out of the kitchen in pursuit of his mate.

  He would never admit it, but intentions were high to grovel – a little – maybe plead some and then get down on his knees and beg her forgiveness if he had to.

  Three days later the party was over and they had another dedicated team of warriors living permanently at the co
mpound. Abe's elite squad – and to a male they had knelt before her and pledged their lives.

  Abe's response – "I accept, but do it on your feet and not your knees."

  One week later

  Too quiet, Jericho fidgeted and he never did that. Something was afoot and he hadn’t a clue what and was worried it wasn't good. One moment Abe was out of sorts and the next back to her normal sunny self in the blink of an eye.

  He brooded in his newly refurbished office.

  By himself.

  He was anxious from the moment he opened his eyes this morning as Abe cried softly beside him. When he kissed her tears away asking what was wrong she shoved out of bed and ran for the shower.

  He felt helpless. Another first.

  They had shared a night of total bliss and then some. Yet Abe was unhappy and that meant Jericho wasn’t happy. And the very reason why he was in his office alone.

  Metatron appeared, dwarfing the room. “I got time. You?”

  In seconds, Reno pounded on the office door, bellowing, “My man, we got boo coo movement inside the perimeter. Answer me.”

  The door swung open with a flick of Metatron’s hand. “Let my daughter know her mate’s with me.” Both disappeared.

  Bear roared from the kitchen, pounding down the hall, coming up on his back legs as Reno swung the door wide and turned, legs braced, shoulders hunched low and on fucking point.

  He glared up at Bear, willing the beast to lose it so they could go toe to fucking bear claw. Reno was pissed and all fucking in.

  All. Fucking. In.

  “Bring it,” Reno snarled at Bear, not caring about the whole couple of tons shit thing he had goin’ on.

  Jericho was gone.

  Bear landed surprisingly softly, huffing. He shifted his massive bulk sideways knocking Reno into the wall. A huge paw clamping across the big warrior’s chest pinned him high, leaving his feet dangling.

  Bear swung his head up, brown eyes beady and small in such a large head, staring hard. His unspoken message clear. Don’t mess with me, I’m bigger and stronger.

  Reno eyed Bear right back. “Jericho’s safe right?”