Page 52 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

Azi: How did it go last night?! Did the dress work its magic?

Zoe laughed softly. Her cousin was so nosey, but it was nice that she was checking in. It had been a while since Zoe had a close female friend.

Zoe: I met Akamos, had my drink spiked, and came home. I'm fine. Kahil gave me an antidote.

Azi: Good to know you're okay. Did you make out with him at least? Stop holding out on me. My tea leaves this morning said something happened between you two.

Zoe: Fine! We hooked up! Stop looking into your tea leaves about my sex life.

Azi: Sex was involved too?! Nicely done, cousin. We need to hang out. I need details. Those Order boys have always made me curious with that elixir of theirs and what it can do.

Zoe: It was something else, that's for sure. As for hanging out, maybe we have to wait a bit. I have to go and see Lydia tonight.

Azi: She's the worst in the nicest possible way. You'll see what I mean. Don't let yourself be alone with her. We can catch up soon. CALL ME. I know you need a friend right now, and I'm it.

Zoe: I will, and I appreciate you. STOP looking into your leaves.

Azi: Just make sure you're using birth control. I bet Kahil has an appetite. Big boy like him has to.

Zoe's cheeks went red. "Does he ever."

Honestly, she'd never been so happy to have an IUD in her life. She liked that Azi had bothered to check in on her. It had been months since she had really opened herself up to the idea of having a close friend after losing the last one the same time as her ex-boyfriend. Azi was family too, and it made Zoe feel squishy with happiness.

Zoe finally finished braiding her hair, and once she deemed herself presentable, she wandered out to see what Kahil had made to eat. She was starving, her body demanding that she eat and hydrate.

Kahil and Kerem were setting up at the dining table, the latter settling just for tea instead of breakfast. Kahil placed a plate of shakshuka in front of Zoe with a wink. He had put clothes on which was a shame, but his hair was still a messy riot.

"You're the best bodyguard ever," she said with an adoring smile. She scooped some of the spicy baked eggs into her mouth and groaned. "Damn, this is so good. What brings you here so early, Kerem?"

"You call midday early?" he said, trying not to laugh.

"Long, long night," she replied, grinning like an idiot.

Kerem rolled his eyes to heaven. "One that I don't need to know all the details of. I only want to know what Akamos wanted."

"I think he wanted to check me out, and he gave mebaba'schess set back."

Kerem brightened. "He did? I'm surprised he had it. Oman loved that set."

"It was strange. Akamos saidbabagave it to him before he died," Zoe said and ate another mouthful of food. If she hadn't been in love with Kahil already, that breakfast would have done it.

"Odd. If your last clue from the Serpent Column led you to Akamos to get the set, then Oman must have hidden something in it. Did you check it?" Kerem asked, looking about for it.

"We haven't had the chance," Kahil replied. "Zoe was drugged when we got home, and we had to deal with that first. Then other stuff became a priority."

"I bet it did," Kerem huffed out a laugh.

Zoe bit down into some toast. "Let me eat and then we can hunt mysteries. I need caffeine to get my brain working properly. It's a little sleep deprived."

"I made another full pot of tea, don't worry,balim." Kahil's ankle wrapped around hers under the table, and she smiled into her breakfast.

Kerem pointed at them. "Are you two going to be this ridiculous from now on? Because if you are, Arslan can deal with you."

"I haven't done anything," Kahil said innocently.

"Just eat your breakfast so we can get to work." Kerem drank some of his tea while Kahil pulled a face at him. "You two have a meeting with Lydia tonight, so you need to get your energy in check. She will know something is up and try and use it to her advantage."

"I promise I won't drink anything she offers me. I learned my lesson," Zoe said, crossing her heart.

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