A week later, the night of the Royal Banquet arrived.
Gray stood alone beside one of the palace's outer fountains, waiting for Seraph.
The fountain itself was carved from white marble veined with faint gold, water falling in thin, even sheets from three stacked basins.
Soft lantern light from the nearby walkway caught on the surface and broke into small, changing reflections.
Behind him, the palace halls were already filling with carriages and distant music.
He had chosen this spot on purpose, visible enough that Seraph would find him easily, quiet enough that he would not have to stand among the arriving nobles just yet.
His appearance that night left very little room for anyone to look away.
He wore a tailored black suit so dark it seemed to swallow the lantern light rather than reflect it.
The fabric was fine and close-fitting, cut to follow the lines of his shoulders and waist without a single loose fold.
