The grand palace courtyard quieted down considerably after most highborn banquet guests returned to the bright, warm ballroom inside.
Distant orchestra music drifted out to the garden benches on a gentle breeze carrying the scent of trimmed hedges.
Hajin stood beneath the night stars with both hands buried deep in the pockets of his dark formal coat.
Juna leaned comfortably against the outer palace wall nearby with her slender arms loosely crossed over her dress.
Her sharp white wolf ears tracked every small movement across the courtyard without her closed eyes opening.
Uriel stood several feet before him and stared stubbornly at one empty, ivy-covered wall across the garden.
Her flushed cheeks stayed bright red from the banquet while she stubbornly refused to meet his calm, tired gaze.
He shifted into her direct line of sight, and she turned her head away in an exaggerated, dramatic huff.
