Page 75 of Thief of Hearts

My mouth hung open. I didn’t know what to say. Zain had a baby piglet in his arms and it squealed, wanting to be let down.

“What is your brother’s name again?” he asked. “Thorax?”

“Thrax.”

“I have named this pig Thrax because I knew you wouldn’t name him, and I offer him to you so that I may gain your favor!” he said.

“You stole a pig.”

“Liberated a pig. For you.”

I didn’t know what to do in this situation, having never been in one even remotely similar before. “Thank you? Why don’t you put the pig down and we’ll figure all this out in the morning.”

He let the pig go and it bolted across the room. How had he managed to catch a skittish piglet while presumably still hungover? That was hard enough to do sober.

Zain collapsed on his bed, once again falling asleep quickly.

I lay staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I listened as the pig finally calmed down and stopped squealing.

Dagger hadn’t moved the entire time.

The piglet made one last snort of protest and it sounded as if it too went to sleep.

Zain had stolen that pig. That should have bothered me.

It worried me that it did not.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I awoke the next morning to the sound of Zain groaning loudly. I opened my eyes and turned toward him. He was holding his head in between his hands. “Why does it feel like someone is repeatedly bashing in my skull with a mace?”

“Most likely because you were very drunk last night.”

“I was?” He sounded surprised.

“Yes. And if you didn’t know, you speak like you’re the star of an ancient play when you’re drunk.”

“I—” He faltered when he heard the piglet squeal. “What is that?”

“The pig you stole to win my favor.”

“What? I don’t remember any of that.”

Admittedly, it made me a bit sad that he didn’t remember doing it—even if it had been strange and I had been tired, it was still a sweet and romantic gift.

The first I’d ever received.

“Did I . . .” He looked panicked.

“Were you amorous? Yes. But you needn’t worry—I have a great deal of experience with drunk men.”

He looked relieved. There was no need for concern—I would have easily held him off if he hadn’t taken no for an answer.

“Why did I want to gain your favor?” he asked.

“I was upset that you disappeared after the pankration event and I didn’t see you until the chariot race.”

“Oh?”