The Scythian Trials

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  “Of course I was,” she answered, distracted as she looked down and realized she was practically naked.

  “I’ll kill him.” His hands clenched into fists.

  “Wait ... You don’t understand.” She sidled closer to the closet. “I wasn’t ... well, yes, I was wearing this, but I had my dress on, too.” Flustered, she crossed her arms, making her breasts protrude from their cups. “So, you want to desensitize me now? I thought Victor had to be present.”

  “Not quite. And isn’t there a robe or something ... anything for you to put on?” Jax kept his gaze on the wall.

  She stopped edging toward the closet and faced him. “No one asked you to come to my room. And if I’m so damn hideous why don’t you withdraw as one of my candidates?”

  Surprised, his gaze met hers. “You think I’m not attracted to you.”

  “According to Zander, Tovaris don’t follow the rules, they take what they want. Yet before we came to Carpathia, you were involved with the female in town, and you never treated me as anything more than a patient. Not to mention that now the Trials have started, you’re leaving in the middle of the first round. You do the math.” She headed toward the sitting area.

  Jax lunged at her, spinning her around and then wrapping her in his arms. One hand splayed between her shoulder blades while the other rested on the rounded flesh above her legs. He pulled her close, allowing her to feel the thick bulge pressing on her stomach.

  “This is why I need you dressed.” He ground into her.

  Wide-eyed and speechless, all Nya could do was blink.

  Jax’s voice grew husky. “I’ve wanted you for years, but you needed a counselor, not some half-crazed Tova throwing you over his shoulder and claiming you as his mate. And I would tell Alexandra to kiss my ass and stay at the Trials, consequences be damned, but this mission affects us both, and that I can’t ignore.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Never mind. Just know that once this is over, I promise I’ll tell you everything.” Jax buried his nose in her hair. He inhaled deeply and then groaned. “Your scent is driving me crazy, has been all night. And then seeing you like this. God, Vtachi.” He swiveled his hips into her like he couldn’t help himself. “You can’t stand in front of a Tova wearing a few scraps of lace. A warrior has only so much control, and mine is almost gone.”

  He gripped her hair in his fist, forcing her to meet his gaze before he leaned in and kissed her. Nya’s heart raced as his tongue explored her mouth, searching as if he wanted to know every part of her. Aggressive, hard ... possessive. There was nothing gentle about it, only sheer raw need.

  Passion flooded that empty feeling in her chest, and she lost her breath. She whimpered and pulled away, gasping for air. Jax tipped her head back farther, exploring her neck, kissing and licking spots that made her shiver.

  “How do you do it?” she whispered as he ran his thumb under the curve of her breast.

  “Do what?”

  “Make me feel so alive.” She tensed at her unexpected honesty, but her words seemed to have the opposite effect on him.

  A deep groan rumbled in his chest as he unhooked her bra, tossing the delicate lace behind her. She shuddered as his teeth raked over the sensitive skin under her jaw and nibbled down her neck, exploring the soft hollow of her collarbone before running his tongue along the edge of her heritage tattoo.

  His lips brushed her shoulder. “I feel the same, but you’re so much more to me than this. You’ve taught me to search for the meaning beneath words, that music’s true beauty is found in its silence, and often the smallest scars carry the most pain.”

  The air swirling around them grew warm, humid, as his palms traced the contour of her ribs dipping into her waist, and then flaring slightly at her hip. He ran his fingers over soft, lace-covered curls, swirling and searching until they found the warm flesh beneath.

  Everything within her focused on the raw pleasure as he nudged and stroked her. She fumbled to grab his shoulders so she wouldn’t lose her balance.

  Nya slowly inhaled in wonder as his scent mingled with hers. She arched her hips forward, trying to contain the dull ache blooming there. Jax’s nimble fingers continued their sweet torture while the rough wool of his sweater chafed her sensitive breasts.

  “Jax,” she whispered, pulling up his shirt and exploring deep reefs of muscles on his lower back. Her fingers dipped beneath his waistband, traveling around his hip before grazing his lower abdomen, wrapping around his hardened flesh.

  Jax froze at her touch. He softly cursed as he pulled her hand away and placed it on his chest. He took in her flushed face and half-lidded gaze, and his eyes warmed with compassion. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it get this far.”

  She stared at him, trying to get her breathing under control. She didn’t understand.

  He brought her hand to his face and kissed her palm. “I know how to stoke a female’s fire, Vtachi.”

  “Congratulations.” She stiffened and tried to pull away.

  Jax refused to let her go. “That came out wrong. What I meant was that I want you to choose me because I’m your equal, not because I can make you melt.”

  Her cheeks heated as she looked away.

  His voice became gentle. “You’ve never known what it is to feel passion. You’re just now opening your eyes to the possibility of any relationship.” He ran his fingertips up and down her spine, and she shivered. “Touch, sexual pleasure, it’s all so new to you. I want you to be sure it’s me you want, not just this.”

  Her stomach dropped as realization hit. “This is part of the therapy, isn’t it?”

  Jax kept his hold. “In a way. You’re doing much better than I expected.”

  She closed her eyes. God, she was such a freak. For a minute, she thought he wanted her—really wanted her. “Well, what did you expect?”

  He ignored the sarcasm and kissed her nose. “Having a meaningful conversation while you’re practically naked is something I’ve dreamed of, only I thought we’d be doing this in bed after shouldering each other’s marks. I hate that I have to leave.”

  Goosebumps peppered her skin. “Let me go, Jax.”

  He hesitated, but eventually, his hands fell to his sides.

  She turned from him and headed toward the bathroom, needing some space.

  Something deep inside wailed at the thought of Jax leaving, the strength of it made her heart ache. She wanted to run to him, throw her arms around his neck and beg him to stay. But Jax was a Tova, and she couldn’t stand the thought of him seeing her as weak.

  She found a robe, donned it, and tugged the sash tight around her waist.

  They stood there, each studying the other.

  “Why are you here, Jax?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression weary as loneliness flashed in his eyes. Nya had an urge to wrap him in a protective embrace.

  His expression became that cool shrink face he usually wore. “We still haven’t fully discussed today. Were you okay with the others touching you?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I attacked Zander, so we’ll count that as a no.”

  “But you lost it because he pissed you off, not because he touched you, right?” His biceps bunched like he wanted to hit something.

  “I’m not sure. What are you getting at?”

  “I’m the only male that’s ever been this close to you.”

  Her frown turned into a scowl. “So.”

  “I think it’s important for you to explore your options.” His voice darkened.

  Insecurity bloomed, and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “One minute you say you want me as your romni, the next you’re encouraging me to get physical with someone else. Don’t you find that strange?”

  Jax’s fingers dug into his palms. “Strange doesn’t even begin to describe it. But I know I’m right. You must go into this eyes wide open. You need to be sure.”

  The insecurity exploded to doubt.

  Tovas
were ruthless. If Jax wanted her, he would have taken her years ago. And yet, here he stood, just minutes ago he held her in nothing but her panties, and now he was encouraging her to, ‘explore her options.’

  Didn’t that speak volumes?

  Her chin quivered, and she turned away, pretending to look out the window. “So, this is your way of fighting for us—encouraging me to see others while you walk away?”

  “Vtachi, no.” He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her, his lips finding her ear. “I am fighting for us, but it’s complicated.” He kissed the side of her face. “I know what I want. Now it’s up to you to decide if you feel the same.”

  Moonlight streamed through the forest, creating a silhouetted canopy against the cloudless sky.

  Nya blinked back the tears. “Have you spoken with Victor about this? Does he agree with you?”

  Jax rested his chin on her shoulder. “From a psychological perspective, yes.”

  She closed her eyes and concentrated on his scent, the feel of his arms around her, the way his five o’clock shadow prickled her cheek.

  “Vtachi?”

  Taking in his scent one last time, she pulled away, avoiding his perceptive gaze. “All right. If you want me to explore my options, I will.”

  “It’s not what I—” His phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket as he softly cursed. “I have to go.”

  Silence settled around them as they walked to the door. Nya reached for the knob, but he gently pulled her hand away, placing it over his heart instead.

  “Trust me. Look at these other males, try to see them as a mate. I’ll be back, and then I’ll prove that I’m your equal.”

  Her breath hitched as she wrapped her pinky around his. “Staratsa, Jax.”

  Before he could reply, she turned and headed toward the bathroom.

  Penn looked at the single spiral bracelet that adorned his wrist. A dragon’s head on one end, the tail on the other. His Ana had given it to him the day they shared their blood. Penn had the good sense to hide it until the night his father died, but it had been on his wrist ever since.

  Pain had been the only consistency in his life. It grew worse when he thought about his brief time of freedom before the Drahzda discovered he and his mother survived the crash and had fled to Ireland.

  After he’d gone through the Phoenix conditioning, he’d learned that killing eased the heat flooding through his veins. His father started him out with low-life thugs and drug lords who strayed from the rules. But he quickly moved up the ranks and finally was given a squadron to hunt Scythians. After his first kill, his father was well pleased, and so he took advantage of Dmitri’s good mood and broached the subject he had been waiting to discuss. He wanted to go back for his Ana. It was the only family dinner he thought of fondly.

  “I don’t care if you have a Scythian whore, son.” Dmitri filled his glass with wine. “But you’ll never take one for a wife.” He set the bottle down.

  Penn smiled. He’d abide by his wishes for now, but when Dmitri died, Nya would become Ana Sarkov before they planted the old man in the ground. “I’ll keep her as my mistress then ... but you agreed. No other Drahzda may touch her.”

  Dmitri frowned, deep in thought as he took a roll and sopped up gravy from the roast, stuffing it in his mouth. “All right,” he said. “I’ll abide by my word. But since you’re bringing her here, I have a few conditions.”

  Anxiety ran through Penn. “And they are?”

  “We get more blood samples, and I question her first. After we have extracted what she knows of the Phoenix project, she’s yours.”

  Penn sat back in his chair. “You will personally assure she survives the questioning?”

  “She may be weak, but she’ll live.” Dmitri cut his meat before pointing the knife at Penn. “And boy? You start a war over this, and it will be more than your life’s worth.”

  That day, Ana officially became his. Penn’s body stirred as he anticipated their first night together. Oh, Penn could have taken her when she was drugged and shackled. But he wanted more, and the years apart made that need almost unbearable. He endlessly fantasized about it ... her glossy black hair fanning across feather pillows as her beautiful blue eyes and lush lips sparked with need. Her body tone, fit and lush, waiting for him to possess. Yes, she was intelligent, but she’d learn to mind her tongue. And yes, she was strong, but Penn had ways of keeping her physically weak. After all, he was the man. It was unnatural for a woman to be more powerful. But once she learned her place, they would have a good life together.

  Jax buckled his harness to a carabiner in the cargo hold of a Scythian military transport plane. They taxied down the runway, and he wedged himself between large crates secured with netting. Memories of last night played vividly in his mind.

  He finally got to taste his Vtachi, feel her warmth, watch her eyes glaze as pleasure roared through her. God, he ached just thinking about it. Their chemistry was off the charts. But as much as we wanted to be all over her until they no longer knew where he ended and she began, sex wasn’t all he wanted. Not by a long shot.

  He wanted intimacy—he craved it, actually. He wanted the entire Scythian world watching as he defeated Nya in the arena and then he claimed her as his equal. He wanted to shoulder her mark, and then remove her arm cuff and ink her with his crest. And then he’d take her back to that ridiculous room they had her in and place a symbol meant just for her above her heart. He’d carry her to that bed and look into her eyes as he took her for the first time. And then in the morning, they would go, just the two of them, to a place far from Carpathia. He’d coax her to open up, share her thoughts and fears, and he’d do the same, giving her his every insecurity and dreams for the future. In time, they’d connect on all levels, which, God willing, would develop into an intima bond.

  His phone beeped, and he pulled it from his pocket. Victor’s name appeared on the screen, and Jax frowned as he read the text.

  Nya remembered giving Penn a sample of her blood before she was taken, but that’s not the worst of it. Zander’s been tracking the Drahzda, and they’re heading toward Russia. Inform Ike. I’ve been monitoring Alexandra’s secretary’s correspondence. This morning, she canceled your return flight home. Use alternative methods and get back here as soon as possible.

  Jax cursed and hit the side of the crate with his fist. First Ike and Gia need him on a mysterious mission during his trials, and now Sarkov was headed their way. His gut screamed the two were somehow connected.

  How the hell did Penn get her blood? And why was the Chancellor risking him not being there for the first round’s closing ceremonies? Surely she knew Zander would protest if they tried to disqualify him.

  The plane hit turbulence, and Jax braced himself against the crate and the belly of the aircraft. A growing sense of unease rippled through him. He checked his watch and cursed again. It would be a few hours until they landed, and then he’d be on a train and then another flight. God help him if the Fourth Gen’s Commander wasn’t waiting when he finally arrived.

  Someone better have answers, and soon.

  Nya took a left into a small alcove beyond the library’s main entrance. White and black checkered tabletops stood in rows, chess pieces already arranged, ready to play. She found the farthest corner and settled in. Scythian young loved chess, but full-fledged warriors rarely played, which was why she chose the spot to meet her candidates there instead of the foyer.

  The light shifted from the door as someone else entered the room, and Nya silently cursed. The uncommitted followed her everywhere, and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with more males. Honestly, her mind was still on Jax.

  “This seat taken?”

  Nya looked up, relieved to see Xari grinning.

  “Bet you thought I was another male come to hound you into watching him on the field.

  Nya shrugged. “Something like that.”

  Compassion warmed her friend’s eyes. “You thirsty? I brought water.”

&nbs
p; “Thanks.”

  Xari took a seat, shifting the pieces off the board. She handed Nya a clear bottle before she uncapped her own and took a sip. “By the way, your candidates are on the way. I gotta say that Killian is an amazing warrior.”

  “Yes, he is.” Nya rubbed her forehead as a dull ache settled behind her eyes. “What about you? How are your Trials going?”

  She sighed and took her cap between her thumb and forefinger, spinning it, sending it dancing across the squares. “I have no clue. How do they expect us to choose someone in two weeks? I like Erik, but we don’t really have a lot in common. And he’s so withdrawn, serious. The others aren’t much better.”

  They watched the cap slow until it finally wobbled then stopped.

  “Are you attracted to any of your warriors ... you know, sexually?”

  Xari glanced up. “Yeah. Three of them. Although Erik is the only one that smells like heaven.”

  Nya picked up Xari’s cap, setting it off again, watching it turn to a blur as it whirled in a circle. “Well, that’s something.”

  The cap slowed. “What about you? I know you’re attracted to Jax, and the Italian seems like he’d be fantastic in bed. But what about the American?”

  “Jax is, well, he’s Jax. Giovanni would be a great rovni. And Killian’s Scottish, actually. He’s nice ... there’s a connection that could grow. I just don’t know.”

  “And what about the other two?”

  “Aren’s the one that pulled me off Zander, and Luka is a Greek warrior. He can cook, but I haven’t been around him enough to know anything else.”

  Xari grinned. “He’s one of the mop-headed twins, isn’t he? I think it was his brother that kept pestering me the night they arrived. They’re cute, but I’m not sure either of them would be considered your equal.”

  Nya shrugged again. “I like that he’s so easy going. They seem carefree. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that in a warrior before.”

  The humor left Xari’s eyes. “Yeah, you could use a little carefree in your life.”

  Nya picked up the cap and put it between her finger and her thumb, sending it around the marble again. “Can I tell you something?”