Before Luna could respond, Kaiden yoinked the gremlin out of her seat and into his lap, ending the kitten duel before it truly began.
A lot of hissing and scoffing did happen even while in his lap, though.
Their car continued down the private road, passing a training pavilion and a stretch of woodland before turning into a courtyard screened by pines.
Beyond it stood a broad, beautiful house of pale stone and dark timber. Deep eaves shaded glass doors along the upper floor, while a garden stream passed beneath the covered walkway leading to the entrance.
Kaiden got out first and offered Aria his hand.
"Oh, Kai..."
She had caught sight of the sea through the open front doors. He followed her gaze past the entrance hall, through a spacious sitting room and out onto a terrace where a pool reflected the sky.
Beyond its edge, the coast curved away beneath them.
"Fuck me," Luna breathed as she joined them.
"Later," Kaiden nodded, accepting the mission.
