The Gilded Horizon did not sit on the ground at all.
It hung above the Aurelian capital on a garden the size of a small city, tethered to nothing anyone could see, drifting slow and serene over rooftops of white stone and gold. The whole family stood at the edge of it after arriving and simply looked for a long moment, because looking was, for once, allowed to be the whole plan.
"John undersold it," Marcus said.
"John undersells everything," Almond said. "It's how he keeps people showing up."
A host greeted them at the garden's edge, took one look at the banner Marcus carried, and bowed low enough that his forehead nearly touched the grass.
"Ananta Regalon," the man said. "One hundred and eighty-third. We had heard you might come. The falls suite is already prepared, exactly as requested."
Ainen leaned toward Almond. "I could get used to this."
"Don't," Almond said. "We leave in ten days."
"I said I could. Not that I would."
---
