The kitchen was small but cozy, with a wooden table and chairs that looked handmade. Marcus was already there, cooking something that smelled really good. Like, really, really good. Zephyra's stomach growled again, which was getting embarrassing at this point.

"Sit," Valtoor said, pulling out a chair for her. "Marcus makes the best breakfast in three territories."

"You're just saying that because I'm the only one who cooks around here," Marcus said, but he looked pleased. He put a plate in ...