Page 116 of Thief of Hearts

To mask that, he began talking about our journey. He seemed very excited that we were going to retrieve this weapon for him. I took some satisfaction in knowing that he wouldn’t have it for very long and that I would soon relieve him of all the concubines he had stolen.

He provided us with maps and said that his staff were preparing the supplies and horses that we would need for the trip. “It is a three-day journey there and then three days back. You will be deep in the Wastelands. I have heard many stories about the kinds of monsters that live there.”

“Perhaps after we retrieve the caduceus, we will be able to use it against the monsters,” I said.

“It’s not a weapon. It is a symbol. Nothing more.”

That made me think he was lying and that it was probably a weapon of great power. If Eramis had wielded it in battle, of course it did something.

Zain and I exchanged glances, and I knew he was thinking the same thing as me.

We were going to find out what it could do.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Dione accompanied us to pick out what we needed and wanted for the trip. The thing that amazed me most were the waterskins. They were magic—they continually refilled and kept the water cold.

“These make it so that you won’t need to worry about finding oases,” she said.

Another thing I would have to bring back with me to Thrace. What a difference these could make in long marches and extended battles!

When we returned to our room, we found that Dione had sent over a stack of books that Zain had requested, along with trays of food. He and I went over the map. I couldn’t read the words, but I came up with some symbols that I would remember for various reference points.

Including a dragon where the cave was supposed to be.

“What if it’s not there?” I asked.

“Then we’ll figure something out.”

“You know that you don’t have to come with me.” Actos had given this task to me, not to Zain. “I could tell the king that you ran off once we get clear of Epirius.”

“I know. But I want to. You need to steal something and I’m excellent at stealing. And I thought maybe if I did this for you, then you might help me with—”

“I already told you, no. I’m not helping you steal for your own personal gain. It’s bad enough I’m doing it to actually help people. My grandmother is probably in the underworld cursing at me for all of this.”

Especially the lies. So many lies.

He nodded and picked up one of the books and began to read. It was an abrupt end to our conversation that I had been enjoying. He and I chatting felt the same way it had when we were in Sagaris.

I ignored the small burst of hurt in my chest and went back to packing my things in the bags Dione had provided.

Hours passed, more supplies arrived along with more food, and Zain continued to read.

It was nearly time to go to bed when he finally shut the latest book he’d been reading.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” I asked.

“I did. I had Dione bring me books about diviner stones because I wanted to make sure how they worked.” He noticed my frown at his mention of the stone and hurried to continue. “When it said your name, I wasn’t sure what that meant. But everything I’ve read tells me that the only thing the stones do is give answers, nothing else. So it wasn’t claiming you as the rightful owner, but that you are the answer to my problem.”

I shrugged.

“You’re not going to ask me about it?”

“I already know what you want.”

A bird cawed in the distance and I was grateful for the distraction. It was too bad that our window didn’t open. “What kind of bird do you think that is?” I asked.

“A crow? A raven?”