Page 50 of Thief of Hearts

“You are very talented. I feel like I’m the one who should be thanking you.” He pulled the picture I’d sketched of him sleeping from the bottom of the pile.

He’d seen it. Of course he’d seen it.

I put my hands over my cheeks in horror.

“I didn’t know last night was so memorable for you that you had to commit it to papyrus,” he said in a teasing tone. “I’m willing to model for you, whenever you’d like.”

How did he always manage to find a way to make everything worse? Now all I’d be able to think about was him posing for me so that I could draw every one of those lines, ridges, and planes that covered his body.

“Your skin is red. Were you outside for a long time?”

My skin was not red because of the sun. “I was outside for a long time. Where I met a man who threatened me.”

His expression turned serious. “Who?”

“I don’t know his name.”

“Tell me everything that happened.”

So I relayed the story to him. I didn’t think any of it was very significant, and I certainly wasn’t worried about this man harming me.

“Would you know him if you saw him again?” he asked.

“Yes.” I’d made sure of that.

“Come with me.” Every step he took exuded anger.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“If that man tells the tournament officials that he successfully bribed you, they will kick you out for cheating.”

“But I didn’t take his money!”

“It would be his word against yours, and for all I know, he’s a respected citizen here.”

Which would mean the officials wouldn’t believe me—a noncitizen and a woman. “Where are we going?”

“The gymnasium. A man who would make threats like that is one that is deeply invested in the tournament. He’s probably sponsoring an athlete and has spent a fortune wagering on him. I’m certain he’ll be there watching over his investment.”

It didn’t take us long to reach the gymnasium.

“Which one?” Zain asked.

I scanned the faces of the men on the sidelines and found the one who had threatened me. “There. He has suns around the collar of his tunic.”

“A Jacharian,” he said through clenched teeth. “I should have known. Stay here.”

I was torn—part of me wanted to go with him, but the other part recognized that he’d asked me to stay back for a reason and that I should respect it.

Whatever Zain said to him, the Jacharian looked terrified and like he was shrinking into the ground.

Zain returned to where I was and together we left the gymnasium.

“Why did you want me to wait?” I asked.

“Because I didn’t want you to hear the foul things that came out of my mouth. I’d hate to change your good opinion of me.” I knew he’d meant it as a joke but he just sounded furious.

“What did you say to that man?”