The kitchen was warm and bright, sunlight spilling across the marble counters. Charlotte moved with practiced ease, pulling jars of herbs from her basket and setting them beside the stove. The kettle hissed softly as it heated.
Aries slumped into a chair at the island, still fuming. Kieran sat across from him, towel draped around his neck, hair damp and messy. Aqua hovered near the doorway, unsure where to stand.
Charlotte clucked her tongue. “Aqua, sweetheart, come sit. You look like you’re about to faint.”
Aqua obeyed, sliding into the seat beside Charlotte. She kept her eyes down, but she could feel Kieran’s gaze flick toward her—quick, guilty, then gone. She risked a glance back. He looked away just as fast.
Aries noticed. His jaw tightened.
Charlotte began crushing herbs in a mor
