The banquet hall had returned to silence after the feast. Golden chandeliers flickered above, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Outside, the wind howled faintly through the stone halls, the chill of autumn creeping through every crack in the palace.
Sebastian stood near the stained-glass windows, arms crossed, watching the moonlight fall over the training grounds below. He heard James's steps before he turned.
"You disappeared during the toast," James said quietly, coming to stand beside him.
"I needed air," Sebastian replied, not looking at him. "Too many eyes in there."
James gave a small laugh. "You never used to care about being watched."
Sebastian glanced sideways, lips twitching. "Things change."
A pause. The weight between them hadn't vanished since their last fight, but neither could pretend it hadn't shifted into something else—something quieter, heavier.
James spoke again. "Ignareth and Kaerth left together."
"I know," Sebastian said.
