By the time they turned toward the Varn residence, Simon had seen the floating flower gardens, the upper terrace, and enough lanterns to light a small kingdom.
The gardens had been worth visiting.
Round beds of flowers drifted above a canal, their trailing roots brushing the water. Neris had proudly explained how the flowers changed colour when touched.
Seraya waited until Simon reached toward one.
"That variety releases pollen."
Neris caught his wrist.
"Not that one."
Simon looked between them.
"Which one then?"
Neris pointed at a flower and Simon picked it.
Afterward, Neris hurried them toward the lantern walk.
There, she bought a small paper dragon that followed the movements of her fingers. She sent it circling above Simon before attempting to make it bow.
It bowed into a fountain.
Seraya retrieved it with a serving tray borrowed from a nearby stall.
"You could have warned me that the formation was weak," Neris complained.
"You said you knew how it worked."
