Chapter 56
Peony
Her nest was warm and comfortable. For Atem, she was sure. She couldn't really tell because she was resting against him, her back to his chest, her head on his shoulder. His arms around her kept her immobilized, as if she had any intention of moving.
Temnavi was sleeping in his room. He had passed out the moment they returned to the palace.
Atem, on the other hand, was wide awake.
She didn't really sleep, she just kind of dozed, so she was aware of him occasionally kissing the top of her head, stroking her body, cupping her lower belly as if he might be able to feel their baby growing yet.
She apparently had thirty tendays, nearly a full Earth year, before she even began showing, if her pregnancy followed domini rules.
He still caressed her belly and stroked their son.
She was carrying Atem's son. It was an incredible thought. So beautiful that it made her too happy to properly sleep.
“Are you awake, vi Peony?” Atem asked softly as the morning sunlight was streaming in through their windows.
She hummed in response, snuggling deeper into his arms.
He chuckled. “You must wake, vi Seerin.”
“Why?” Her voice wasn't exactly petulant. She wasn't even really asleep, but she was so comfortable she didn't even want to move. She couldn't imagine anything that might convince her to leave this bed.
“You have to tell your story, of course.”
Her eyes popped open, surprised. “What? Really?”
“Naturally,” he kissed her temple, amused by her surprise.
“You fought well. You protected both our sons and yourself.
The people know you were missing. They have all been looking for you.
I will also have to explain to them why I killed First Scholar and Third Guardian.
And I can't wait to tell them that you carry my pup. And I mean my pup.”
“A pretty big update,” Peony chuckled, lifting her head so she could smile up at him. “Do you think they'll say you're telling them the impossible too?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. I don't rightfully care. Donivi has his scans proving us correct if we feel we have to share them.”
“Oh, so patient confidentiality is a thing here?”
He laughed. “You're still mad he told me of your pregnancy first?”
“Yes! That was my privilege, and he took it.”
“I will make him ask your forgiveness and remember that for the next pup you bear me.” He took hold of her face and sweetly kissed away her pout. “Mates have no confidentiality between them though. He wasn't wrong to inform me by our expectations.”
“Human women like thinking of fun ways to tell their males they're pregnant.” She poked his side. “I didn't get to do that.”
Atem gave her an apologetic look. “And I ruined it further by attacking you instead of listening. Forgive me, vi Peony. I did not realize that the telling was such an important ritual for your people. I'll make sure Donivi knows for next time.”
She gave him a grateful smile before chuckling. “Next time? I'm barely pregnant now and you're already preparing for a next time?”
Atem growled playfully, pushing her back onto the bed so he could cover her body, kissing and sucking at her neck as his claws cut through her night clothes she had changed into after the long bath they had indulged in together upon returning.
She protested the careless treatment of the soft fabric even as she was digging her nails into his back, trying to pull him impossibly closer.
“I believe I told you before,” he growled in her ear, making her shiver, “that if I could, I would never let your womb be empty again. If it's possible for you to bear my pups, I'm going to have as many from you as I can.”
She chuckled. “You can have three! And maybe we should make sure that this one can be safely delivered before we start planning for more.”
Atem made a sound that was neither agreement nor disagreement.
More like, he was just acknowledging her words without giving up his point.
It was a discussion he was going to save for later.
She didn't have to hear him say it to know that he was just letting the subject drop for now and that he fully intended on going through with his promise.
And though she knew pregnancy was difficult, she couldn't help but be open to the idea. Three was her maximum number of human babies. But that was because she knew how sick pregnancy could make someone and how hard labor could be.
But the domini could turn off period pains and she didn't even have morning sickness. Maybe it would be such an easy pregnancy that she wouldn't be able to stop wanting more. Atem's enthusiasm was certainly going to be a temptation.
She certainly couldn't even pretend to be firm about the argument as he kissed and stroked away her resistance. She was eager for him to claim her body in their nest. They had come through a battle and the bloodlust was still in their veins. It had to be worked out.
Atem shredded both of their clothes in his eagerness to claim her. The lazy energy of the early morning was gone as they grasped for each other with a choking desperation. A need to reaffirm her health and work out the last of his rage rose in both of them.
Their movements were fast and harried, need burning hot and heady and immediately bubbling over with an intensity that blindsided her with how suddenly it came over them.
It was like a single kiss was a spark on a bomb that had just been simmering, waiting on them to pay it the slightest attention so it could explode.
Peony was so focused on their kiss, on their tongues wriggling together, that she didn't realize Atem had notched himself at her entrance until he thrust forward, sheathing himself inside her with a single, sharp movement that completely stole her breath.
He didn't even give her a moment to adjust. He immediately began pumping his hips, forcing sharp, panted moans from her lips as he grasped her waist, forcing her to remain still so he could claim her as fast and hard as he wanted.
Her nails dug into his back. She could do nothing but hang on, pushing her legs so far apart the tendons between her thighs ached.
But she tilted her hips up, desperate for more.
The pleasure danced just on the edge of pain as it burst with each pounding thrust. Made only that much better when she felt his tail flicking expertly at her clit.
Her orgasm seemed to sneak up on her. She cried out, all four of her limbs clenching tight around him as the rippling of her pussy brought Atem over the edge with her.
He roared, his entire body tightened, his knot rapidly expanding and sealing her entrance as he poured his hot seed deep inside her channel.
They clutched each other tight as she kissed along his neck, jaw, and face as she slowly came down from their high.
His scent was heavy in the air thanks to their love making.
She took deep, grateful breaths of it. She would never take his smell for granted again.
Her heart, still beating a bit fast from the quick sex, was completely at peace.
The heat of Atem's body, the strength of his touch, the slight spice of his scent, was better than the spa.
Here in her nest, in his arms, his cock still in her body, was the best place in the universe. It was like even the memory of the anxiety that had been ripping her apart barely half a day ago had faded away completely.
“Come, vi seerin,” he said, lifting himself off her with a smile. “The people are eager to hear your story.”
She laughed, running her hands down his sculpted chest. “I didn't think I'd ever have to do this again, you know.”
“If I have my way, this will be the last time.” He took hold of her hands and brought them to his mouth, kissing her fingers reverently.
“I am so unspeakably proud of how strong you are, Peony.
You've no idea how much I love how hard you fight and how you refuse to give up.
But regardless of how much I love it, I don't ever want to see it again.”
Peony laughed. “Yeah, it's not fun for me either. I'm happy to be barefoot and pregnant around the palace for the foreseeable future.”
“You tease me, my mate,” he growled, nipping playfully at her finger.
She giggled wickedly as he walked backward on his knees, pulling her up. She grumbled and pouted but didn't fight as he got to his feet.
Since they had returned, Atem had been doing everything for her, and that continued now as he lifted her up in his arms and walked her to their shower.
He had walked her the entire way here, stopping only to bring Temnavi to his room and put him to bed before picking her back up and continuing to their room.
He carried her to the toilet and the bath, washing her himself, then carried her to bed.
Even now, freshly cleaned from their shower, he set her down in their closet before picking one of her simpler dresses himself – this one pale red to match his eyes.
He then dressed her, barely letting her stand on her own.
She allowed him the chance to be overly protective and care for her like she was a toddler because, for the moment, it felt amazing.
She had been too tired to fight last night, and she was still luxuriating in the freedom from her anxiety to stop him now.
She was sure, later, she was going to ask him to ease off, but he was so focused on completing the simple tasks and she was so happy to have him nearby and, for now, she wanted him to spoil her.
Once she was fully dressed, her picked her back up and left their room, talking into his combot the entire time as she buried her nose right back in his neck. She couldn't get enough of his smell and, after being without it for so long, she was eager for more.
The girls were waiting for them in the room that led out onto the balcony. Scarlet seemed worried that Atem was still carrying her, so she had him put her down there. He didn't leave her side though, keeping one arm around her waist as she talked to them.