“You’re shaking.”
“I’m not,” I say, clenching my teeth and somehow hearing a chatter.
“You’re shaking,” Jax says again, and I turn to him as we stand in the shadows within one of the many tunnels that lead to the arena.
Theo already went ahead after telling Jax he’llsave him a seat.As if he’s attending nothing more than a trivial jousting event, and I wonder how many trials they’ve watched, how much death they’ve seen, but I keep myself from asking.
I don’t reallywant to know.
“Maybe a little,” I admit, pulling at my braid. It’s loose, with too many strands slipping free, and I desperately wish Ishla had come to see me one final time. Not only to braid my hair properly for the trial but also to saygoodbye.
But she never came.
“It’s normal to feel nervous. It doesn’t make you weak. You don’t have to hide that from me.”
He grabs my chin, tilting my head so I’m forced to stare up at him, and gods help me.
My breath halts as I meet his gaze, nearly melting under its intensity.
His thumb strokes my cheek.
“Fuck. I really want to kiss you right now.” He squeezes my hip, and I revel in the touch. “Do you have any idea how good you look in all this leather?” he groans, and the gruff sound of it has me leaning into him, needing to be closer. “You have no idea what you do to me, Nova, no fucking clue.”
“Then show me,” I say, my voice low and sultry. “Kiss me, Ryjax. Kiss me, and then show me exactly what I do to you.” The words leave my lips before I can think them through, needing to live in the moment,thismoment, no matter how reckless it may be.
“Nova,” he warns, his voice rough as I press my body to his, feeling every hard plane of him, angling my head so my mouth is just a breath away from his. “If I kiss you now, I fear I will never stop.” His fingers flex against my skin. “And I already told you what will happen if you allow me to have you.”
Have me.
Have me in a way that no man ever has before.
And gods how Ineedthat.
How I crave to feel himeverywhere.
“I’ll get to keep you. Forever,” I whisper.
“Forever.” He says the word like a promise, tracing the curve of my bottom lip with his thumb. “After the trial.” He pulls away, and I stumble into the wall at the sudden loss ofhim.“We’ll talk after the trial. And after we talk, if you still want this. Wantme.” His eyes flicker to my waist, his gaze heavy and heated. A shiver rolls down my spine at the mere thought of having a piece of him there. “Then that’s exactly what you’re going to get.” His voice is husky, sexy, and wicked, and I don’t want to wait.
Not anymore.
I want himnow.
I take a step toward him, but he only moves farther away, and I whine, but the sound only makes him smile.
“I’ll see you after the trial, Nova. Don’t hold back.” He winks, mimicking what I said to him yesterday, but wait…
I didn’t say that.
At least…not out loud.
I tilt my head, but he’s already gone, leaving me with some time to get myself settled and ready for what’s to come.
Chapter 36
Serafina
A horn sounds, the one that signals the trial will be starting in fifteen minutes. My cheeks feel flushed, but I’m ready. More than ready. To not only survive the trial, but to face the men who so desperately want me dead.
