Page 48 of Thief of Hearts

“I understand that feeling all too well,” she said. “I saw your dream before this one. Was that your goddess?”

“Yes, it’s Invara. At least, I assume it’s her.”

Lia had her “I knew it” expression but did me the courtesy of not saying it out loud. “What does she say to you?”

“Just one word. ‘Win.’”

“Win what?”

It was then that I remembered no one knew where I was or what I was doing.

“Wait,” Lia said, walking closer to the group. “I know him.”

Oh no.

She turned toward me, her eyes wide. “That’s the man who stole Xander!”

“Kept him safe,” I said, accidentally repeating what Zain always said about it.

“Basileia! What is going on?”

I tried to respond but everything swirled around me and we were no longer at the palace. We were in my room. I saw myself, Zain, and Dagger all sleeping. It was surreal.

“Are you doing this?” I asked her.

“Yes. Why are you sharing a room with a criminal? Are you sleeping with him?”

“You can see that I am.”

“No, Basileia, are you having sex with him?”

“I’m not, and even if I was, that wouldn’t be any of your business.” There had to be some boundaries. Lia didn’t need to know everything, despite what she thought.

“Is he making you say that?” she demanded.

“Lia, no.”

“Why are you sharing a room with the king of thieves?”

“I promise that I’ll explain everything later,” I said.

She shook her head. “Tell me where you are and I’ll send Rokh to you and then we’ll come and rescue you ourselves.”

There was not a doubt in my mind she would do it. They would all come and “rescue” me and then I wouldn’t win the tournament.

“I’m not in any danger,” I said. “I’m fine.”

“Basileia, I’m being serious.”

“So am I. I will explain it to you later, but for now, I have to go.”

I managed to force myself awake, cutting the connection. I was going to have to be careful. I couldn’t have Lia popping into my dreams every night because eventually she would figure out where I was. She would show up and arrest everybody and it would cause an international incident.

Lia had said her goddess urged her to find me. I had to hope Dea and Invara would stay out of this. Once I had the diviner stone, they were free to send as many dreams as they wanted. But until then . . .

The sun had just started to rise over the horizon. This was one of my favorite times to draw, so I grabbed the papyrus and lead that Zain had given me and headed out into an empty courtyard.

I realized that I hadn’t thanked him for the gift, so I came up with a way to do so. I drew a picture of Dagger for him. I had forgotten how soothing I found drawing—I instantly felt calmer and more at peace.