Chapter 40 #2
It shredded under their sharp edge as the platform tilted – as it was designed to do – and they continued their fall.
Though significantly slower now. When he grabbed the next vine, he was completely in control, spinning his body around, dispersing the last of his momentum before landing neatly on the tiny, circular platform it held.
He didn't stop. He jumped off immediately.
He climbed them down with a series of jumps and vine swings like a trained acrobat as the crowd roared their appreciation.
Peony even found herself laughing, enjoying the ride as he took them the long way around the center platform, showing off his skills at climbing.
He was surprisingly fluid and graceful despite having her as dead weight on his back as he twirled and leapt and spun.
When his feet finally landed, with a solid thud, on the center platform, the watching domini near deafened her with their cheers.
He took her arms and unwound them, pulling her around his front and lifting her into the air like she was a weight bar.
The crowd somehow got louder as the combots got close ups of her.
She was surprised to see herself on the holodisplay/jumbotron beaming, hair wild, as though she had just come off a great roller coaster.
Atem roared again, brandishing his prize – her – and showing that she was unharmed despite being unable to climb. He was an expert climber, a strong protector, and still graceful and powerful when it came to stunts despite the added weight.
The announcer was saying something, praising him and admiring her, but she barely heard as Atem put her down and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply.
Staking a claim on her in front of his entire planet.
As though giving her the honor of entering the arena with her hadn't been enough of a signal, he left them no doubts as to her meaning to him.
Breaking the kiss, beaming, fangs gleaming, he took her hand and escorted her to the lounge area so he could set her down.
“Are you all right?” He asked, breathless with excitement.
Peony laughed, taking his hand and kissing his knuckles. “Perfect. That was fun!”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, vi Peony, you please me so much.”
She beamed, sitting back as a small hover platform lowered to them, bringing the others with it. Atem went to greet them all, hugging each girl like the sisters he claimed them to be and kissing Temnavi's head as though he were his real father.
Orphans weren't a big problem on Turv since they didn't reproduce as easily or prolifically as humans, so Temnavi was a rare case.
She hadn't asked what happened to the boy’s parents, though she knew he didn't want Atem to adopt him in truth as he didn't want to replace his real father.
She thought it was sweet, in a way, if a bit misguided.
Atem didn't mind though. He was Temnavi’s father in every way that mattered – taking care of the boy, watching over his education, and teaching him how to be a proper male.
They were adorable as he brought the young man to sit beside Peony.
“Quite an audience,” Scarlet said, smiling at her, as Alanna and Hattie escorted Holly to the lounge – the nervous girl looked like she was about to either run like a scared deer or pass out as she felt all those eyes on her.
Atem had told her that she didn't have to come if it was too much for her, but she had insisted she be here.
“This is important to you and your people and as your family, even just a newly adopted family, I am going to be there!” She had declared, more to herself than them, her expression afraid but determined.
Still, the poor thing looked like she dearly wished the floor would open up and swallow her as she sat on a cushion between Hattie and Alanna who both immediately went to work distracting her with the various foods that Tilii was laying out for them to enjoy.
“The first challenger has arrived!” The announcer declared before they were even comfortable.
Peony tensed but didn't let it show on her face.
Tilii had already informed her, when she begged for more information about the fighting since all Atem would tell her was that she had no reason to worry, that most of the fights would be in the morning and just before sunset.
Those who believed it was better to challenge him first, hoping to beat him before anyone else had the chance, would be there to greet them when they arrived.
Others would trickle in through the day.
In the last couple marks before sunset, the largest group would start trying – those who had decided to wait until he was tired and most likely to be injured to take their chance.
Those ones also ran the risk that they wouldn't be able to challenge him before sunset, as it didn't matter how many were still in line once the sun went down so they would be the most desperate and vicious.
She was trying to be supportive. That was the whole reason she was here.
Support, appreciation, and honor. All for him.
And she was happy to do that. She just wished that this was all ceremonial and he wasn't actually being fought for the throne – so to speak.
She didn't think he actually had a throne, but the point still stood.
Another hovering platform brought the first of the males that would begin the pattern of the day. He was bigger than Atem – thicker and more muscular, built like a linebacker. His tail had a kink, telling her it had been broken once, but he wasn't heavily scarred.
He saluted first to her and the others, honoring Atem's clan as was considered proper, before facing the Dominani with a growl. He was also wearing white shorts and white paint, though no gold.
Atem saluted them as well, fist over his heart, grinning at Peony, before turning to face his opponent. There would be no weapons. They faced each other with claws, fangs, and strength – as every domini had before. Anyone could shoot a gun, after all. The fight was what was important here.
Peony was nervous, but she tried not to show it as the two men stared at each other, waiting. She had never seen Atem fight before. She knew he had to have earned his position, but the other guy was huge and what if Atem made a mistake? What if this was all a mistake?
The announcer shouted a single – “Rai!” Ancient domini. She wasn't sure if it meant 'go', 'start', or 'fight' but it was clearly the permission they were waiting for.
Both males charged. She tensed.
She didn't even see what happened.
Atem moved so fast, she wasn't able to track it. The two men met and, not even a second later, the bigger male was thrown back. He slammed, back first, against the platform. Atem chased him down and kicked him over the side.
Peony's head immediately snapped to the jumbo-holo-tron and watched as a combot followed the male's flailing body.
Atem's aim had been impeccable. There was nothing for the male to grab as he fell multiple stories.
He hit the ground with a solid thud and explosion of sand particles that made her wince.
Healers were already rushing to meet him even as Atem lifted his extended claws, accepting the roared cheer as was his due.
The challenger was loaded onto a hovering stretcher and carted away. A small robot, like a mix between a roomba and a zamboni, smoothed the sand and retreated. Atem preened as the floor was reset for the next match.
That set the tone for the next four challengers.
They came, one after another, and each of them was beaten back with all apparent ease.
Atem didn't break a sweat, much less bleed.
He was well fed on the blood mousse that he had feasted upon this morning, well rested after an early night, and filled with testosterone after spending the first part of their early night making love to Peony.
These males were fools to choose first thing in the morning for their challenge.
By the time the fifth opponent was knocked unconscious by Atem, after having avoided being thrown to the sand like his predecessors, she was cheering along with the crowd.
Hands in the air, jumping up and down as she celebrated.
Healers came by hover platform to fetch the male as Atem returned to the main platform, having been forced out to chase him as he avoided being thrown off.
He smirked at Peony's enthusiasm but didn't approach until the announcer declared that the morning pack was finished and the crowd should prepare to be amazed because the first act of the day was now coming to the ring – twin sisters dressed in elaborate, pale blue costumes covered in sequins and glitter that carried with them golden laser swords.
Atem lounged beside Peony, accepting the morsels of fruit she offered from her fingers, even allowing her to bring a cup to his lips.
He didn't ignore the performers, as that would be considered rude, but his hand was never still as he caressed Peony's arm, her hip, her waist, traveling up just far enough to tease the underside of her breast, then back down again.
The twin females and their sword dance, which was mesmerizing and incredibly complex and acrobatic, had to compete with the thrill of his touch on her bare skin. She was almost embarrassed to say that, no matter how intricate and practiced their performance was, they were losing.
There was something so unspeakably primal and exciting about watching her male emerge from combat victorious.
She hadn't been prepared for it, but the extra heat coming off his muscles from the exertion, the smug power in his frame as he lounged beside her, having felt that strength as he deadlifted her over his head, was making her so wet she couldn't focus.