Chapter 40 #3
The twins completed their act and Atem cheered for them – which was the only reason she even noticed that they had finished at all. She quickly clapped and yelled as well, though she honestly couldn't recall a single thing about their performance.
After them, another challenger was ready.
This guy was the thinnest and tallest domini she had seen yet, and he actually provided Atem a challenge.
He still didn't bleed, but he forced Atem to chase him all through the arena as he used the platforms as makeshift weapons.
Which, despite the 'no weapon' policy, was apparently allowed.
After that, they were entertained by a poet who recited something long and beautiful that she couldn't understand but Atem, whispering in her ear, told her was an ode to fallen warriors. He was followed by a male that sang a victory anthem in honor of Atem.
Once those two were done, another challenger had finished the trial of the Firsts.
It was a female this time and Atem met her with the same ruthless efficiency as he had the males before her.
The domini were a warring people and war didn't have genders.
Though their males did tend to be more battle minded than their females, they were not built stronger like human males.
They just thirsted for the fight more and so warriors tended to be males.
At least, that was how Scarlet had explained it to her after she had started learning about the alien physiology in her studies.
This female did last longer than her male predecessors, but that was more because she was cautious in her approach than any particular skill.
Which the crowd did not appreciate, all of them trying to goad her into running in headfirst. Atem met her caution with his own slow, coiled strength.
He adapted his fighting style to fit her, and it was fascinating to watch.
When she finally attacked, they practically danced around each other, and Peony could see how sparring became the basis for domini dancing styles. But within moments, she, too, was thrown over the edge to meet the sand below.
After her, a chorus of singers took to the platforms to perform an elaborate battle song and dance that heavily featured drums. They were followed by another poet, this one recounting an ancient tale of epic battles in a long past war.
His performance was like listening to a proper retelling of the Iliad, as it was meant to be presented, and it took the better part of a mark.
His performance had been specifically picked for that time so that Atem could eat his midday meal and the spectators could go get food as well.
Peony fed Atem bits of raw liver – his favorite – from an animal she had never seen and paired it with his favorite bloodshake.
He had her on his lap – since the poet didn't need to be watched – and accepted her offerings like the ruler he was.
“Having fun, vi Peony?” He asked, his voice a low rumble of contentment.
“I'll admit, I was wrong,” she said, grinning as she fed him a small, purple berry. He licked at her thumb as he took it from her. “You're incredible and I had no reason to worry.”
“Ah, my pride is soothed,” he purred, running his hands up her thighs.
“Already?” She gave him a look of mock surprise. “I haven't even repented yet.”
“Repented?” He asked, eyes flashing with interest.
“Oh, yes.” She ran a finger down his bare chest. “I had some ideas for how to make it up to you. I was very naughty for doubting you, after all. But if your honor is satisfied-”
He growled, jerking her hips forward, pressing his hardening cock against her.
“You choose bad times to tease me, female,” he said.
Peony chuckled evilly, tossing another berry into his mouth. He snapped his jaws into it with a fierce growl, making her laugh as she wiggled with excitement.
“You will not sleep this night, vi adassi, nor will you walk easily tomorrow. Prepare yourself,” he snarled in a way that made her moan, near melting against his chest.
It wasn't until the performer finished and the announcer declared the next challenger that she realized what he had called her. By then, it was too late for her to question him as he was walking forward to meet his newest opponent.
The smart challengers were those that gave him time to get tired, so the second half of the day was both busier and filled with more skilled combatants. Atem was finally given a real fight and bouts lasted longer than a single minute.
It was the third challenger of the afternoon that drew Atem's first blood.
The vicious female was incredibly fast and had come after Atem like a wildcat, all claws and fangs.
She caught his chest, opening two lacerations with her longest fingers.
The sight of his dark blood against his white skin sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Atem didn't even seem to notice as he tired the female out then knocked her down with a solid elbow to the face. She slammed hard to the ground and was too dazed to do more than weakly struggle as Atem grabbed her by the ankle and bodily threw her from the platform.
The crowd roared in excitement and approval. Atem gathered the blood from the cuts, spreading it over his hand and held it up for the crowd to see and appreciate.
Peony knew what was coming. She thought she would be grossed out, even just a bit, but when Atem smeared his blood over her neck and down her chest, towards her heart, she felt only the strangest sense of pride and power.
The hungry way he gazed into her eyes as he performed the action made even the blasting roar of the crowd fade.
She didn't touch the blood as he turned to face his next opponent. She felt it itch as it began to dry, but she didn't dare disturb the mark as he defeated the large male that probably outweighed him by half or more without losing another drop of blood.
As the day grew later, the challengers grew in frequency until there was no time for a performance between bouts anymore.
Apparently, a line had formed. Atem had told her that most of these domini just wanted the honor of saying they fought him and already knew they were going to lose, but it was still unnerving to see how many potential planet kings and queens waited to take him on.
Sometime later, Atem's blood was drawn again. This time, from a scrape from where he had been thrown towards the edge by a male that was both huge and fast. He had caught Atem by the hair and immediately threw him away, trying to take advantage of his opportunity.
Atem hit the ground hard. Slid a fair distance. Nearly went over. Then, caught the edge by his claws. He used that one limb to swing up and over, slamming his feet into the face of the male that had stupidly come to check and watch him fall. He was knocked unconscious, not thrown to the ground.
The bloody scrape on his right bicep left its mark on the back of Peony's hand as he pressed it there for just a second. He grinned at her, obviously having the time of his life, before turning to face the next opponent that was stepping off the hover platform.
The sun began to sink down and the battles became more frantic.
Atem kept gesturing for his challengers to come before the previous one was defeated.
The fight had to be one-on-one – to prove that the challenger was capable of besting him alone, not for the sake of fairness for Atem – but he wanted the next person ready to fight the moment the one before him had lost.
The crowd loved it. They roared and cheered so loud the air was vibrating with their power. Atem loved it as well. He had a wicked grin across his face the entire time. Peony cheered, supporting her male with all her heart, even as she wondered if this was too much.
She almost forgot what the end of the day would bring.
Just as the sun started to kiss the horizon, all of Atem's Firsts came down to the arena – including the First Voice, who she had never seen before this moment.
He spent all of his time in space because the majority of his job was to communicate with other species for Atem.
He was a kind looking male with eyes even darker red than Atem's.
His shoulder length hair was set loose, like everyone else, as he wore the same, traditional, white garb.
Atem grinned as all five Firsts stepped onto the platform.
“Who challenges me?” He asked, raising a single hand, claws out and threatening even as he had an easygoing grin stretched across his face.
Donivi, all dressed in white, stepped forward first.
“I have served you, the dominani before you, and your father before him.”
Peony blinked, surprised. She hadn't heard that Atem's father had been dominani at one point.
She knew the title/name wasn't passed down through bloodlines.
And he wasn't here with Atem's clan. She hadn't really given much thought to it, but it did seem odd that his only family were the five humans he adopted and the young domini he would adopt if he could.
Before she could do more than realize that was short sighted of her not to notice, Donivi continued-
“I am gray with age and my combat days are long behind me. I recognize your physical superiority with no need for you to prove it in battle. I relinquish my right to challenge and hope that I may serve you well as First Healer for as long as my old limbs will function.”
Atem saluted him, slamming his fist over his heart. “You are an honorable male, Donivi, and I am privileged to have your skills at my side. Attacking you would only bring dishonor on me, and I thank you for sparing me that. I shall rely on you as my father did before me.”
Donivi saluted him in turn before stepping back and standing at the edge of the platform. Torvii, the second oldest, stepped forward in his place.
Unlike Donivi, he was smirking as he lifted his claws. Atem grinned, taking his stance as well.
The announcer's enhanced voice yelled out-