Page 119 of Ascending

“It would be easier forusif–”

“I don’t need easy,” Palmer cut her off softly, standing up then. “I just need you.” She winked at Elizabeth. “I need to go unpack, so I’ll leave you two alone. Sorry for the interruption.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Elizabeth offered, moving to stand.

“It’s okay. I know my way around now. Hey, if this placedoesget turned into a museum, maybe I can give tours. I can show them the bowling alley,” she joked.

“I’ll meet you in the bedroom in a bit,” Elizabeth replied.

Palmer wiggled her eyebrows at her, making Elizabeth laugh.

“She’s good for you,” Rebecca said once the door was closed behind Palmer.

“Yes, she is.”

“The museum isn’t a bad idea. You could give it to the country. It would go a long way.”

“It would.” Elizabeth nodded.

“Have you given any thought to what you’d do if the nation decides to keep the monarchy and you as its monarch?”

“Of course.”

“I meant, regarding your relationship with Palmer,” Rebecca clarified.

“I haven’t figured that part out yet, no.”

“You’ll need to soon, Ma’am.”

“I’ve got time. If the vote is that I remain, I have time before I need to start determining my next personal steps.”

“Not much. Victoria is getting married. She’ll have children shortly after, most likely. The country will start to wonder why you’re not doing the same thing.”

“They can wait, too.”

“Elizabeth,” Rebecca began. “You love Palmer. She loves you. That’s easy to see. St. Rais can handle a gay Queen, Ma’am. I promise you that your people will support you in this.”

“It might not even be an issue. Palmer and I could ride off into the sunset, so to speak, if the vote goes differently.”

“You’d move to America?”

“We haven’t talked about that yet.”

“It seems to me that she’s hoping you remain Queen.”

“She’s trying to be positive for me.”

“Still.” Rebecca stood. “If you don’t mind me saying, Ma’am, she’d make agreatQueen Consort.”

CHAPTER 38

“Can I ask you a question?” Elizabeth asked.

“Could you make it more ominous?” Palmer teased.

They were lying in Elizabeth’s bed, and Palmer had her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. Elizabeth’s head was on her chest, and her fingertips were drawing lazy circles on Palmer’s stomach.

“Sorry,” Elizabeth chuckled against Palmer’s breast. “I guess I just want to know which you’d really prefer.”