Page 41 of Ascending
Elizabeth laughed as they arrived at their tent, which was surrounded by several others.
“Go on in. I’ll wait out here,” she said. “Magnus will have brought your bag in already.”
“I should probably tell the paper they’re paying for a night in a hotel I’mnotstaying in,” Palmer said as she unzipped the tent and went inside. “Oh, my God, it’s so warm in here!”
Elizabeth laughed further and then explained, “The same company that made your clothing makes these tents. They’re very warm on the inside. Sleeping bags are as well. I promise, you won’t be cold, Palmer.”
“Ma’am, we’d like to know if you are in for the evening,” Magnus said from behind her. “We have several fires going and can bring your dinner to you in your tent.”
“Magnus, I’d like to walk a bit with Miss Honeycutt. We won’t go far or be long.” She glanced in the tent’s direction. “Miss Honeycutt hasn’t yet acclimated to our weather here in St. Rais.”
“I heard that,” Palmer replied through the zipped-up tent.
“I know. I said it loud enough so that you would,” Elizabeth replied. “Would you give us some space on the trail? We’ll follow your lead, and you can have men behind us if you’d like.”
“I would, Ma’am, yes.” He bowed and walked off to get his men.
The tent unzipped, and Palmer exited, zipping it up again.
“Okay. I’m ready to freeze my ass off.” She looked over at a guard who had overheard her. “Sorry. I mean, I’m ready to… freeze mybuttoff?” He glared further. “I’m ready to freeze my butt off,Your Majesty?”
He nodded at her. Elizabeth could only laugh, though. God, she hadn’t laughed this much with anyone, ever; not even… Her thought concluded when Magnus re-emerged with six men.
“Ma’am, we’re ready.”
“Very well. Miss Honeycutt, would you like to take a walk with me as the sun sets?”
“I would love that,” Palmer replied.
They started walking, with Elizabeth taking in the view of her country she’d never seen like that before. The hill overlooked the city, giving her an amazing view of its skyline and the palace just beyond it. It was mostly dark outside than not this time of year, so they relished in the sun as it stood in the sky. It always looked so beautiful when it set. Elizabeth sat outside many nights at her house and at Alexander and Teagan’s place, too, watching the sunset. Tonight was different, though. Elizabeth was walking with Palmer, a woman she didn’t yet know well but so enjoyed talking to and, somehow, knew she could trust with just about anything.
“Palmer?”
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“Just call me Lizzy; I beg you,” she replied, chuckling at her new friend. “Magnus?” she said loudly.
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“I’ve given Palmer permission to call me either Elizabeth or Lizzy instead of Her Majesty or Ma’am. Please tell your men not to glare at her anymore.Youare also welcome to call me Elizabeth, if you’d like.”
“Ma’am,” he replied.
“You’ll get him next time,” Palmer teased.
“No, I won’t,” Elizabeth replied softly. “His father served my father. He’s a traditionalist. Also, why are you walking behind me?” she asked, turning her head slightly to see that Palmer was about one step behind her.
“Following the rules.”
“Palmer, come on. You know I’m trying to stop some of these outdated customs. Back when that one began, people thought royalty descended from God or, in many cases, gods. I’m human, just like you. Walk beside me, please.”
“Okay… But maybe you should make another announcement that you’ve given me permission so I don’t get in trouble again.” She moved up next to Elizabeth.
“You’ll be fine. I’ll protect you,”Elizabethteased her this time.
“Look at this, Elizabeth,” Palmer said softly as they arrived near enough to the precipice to stand comfortably and look out at the city and the sun setting behind it. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Yes, it is,” Elizabeth replied.