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Palmer pocketed her phone and said, “Victoria told me Queens of St. Rais don’t wear wedding rings. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s true,” Elizabeth confirmed.

“Does that mean that as a Consort,Iwouldn’t wear one?”

“There’s never been a Queen Consort to a Queen, sweetheart. I think we can make up the rules on that if we want.”

Palmer nodded silently, thinking back on that text message. She didn’t want to get ahead of herself. There were still a few months left in the year for journalists in that category to write amazing pieces and blow her own out of the water, but just knowing that she was in the running made her so happy. Then, she turned to see her girlfriend staring back at her with those gorgeous blue eyes. She knew it was time.

???

When they arrived at the airport in St. Rais’ capital city, they did so with unexpected fanfare. People were happy their Queen was home and that Palmer was now there to stay. Palmer was happy, too. Without Elizabeth noticing, she’d made a few calls to shift their schedule around, and things were in motion by the time they got back home to Coburn.

“Hey, I was wondering,” Palmer began. “Any chance you could come into the backyard with me?”

“Right now?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, right now.” Palmer laughed. “Come on.”

She tugged on Elizabeth’s hand until they made their way outside to the spacious backyard with its small running fountain and greenhouse just beyond. When Palmer opened the door to the greenhouse, her heart began beating wildly, and she worried that maybe she was getting ahead of herself. She’d planned to do this in a few months. Maybe she should wait until she’d lived here for a while. Then, she could ask.

“Oh, my God!” Elizabeth cupped her hand over her mouth.

Palmer looked around and smiled. No, this was the right time and the right way to do this.

“When I left here, Palmer, there weren’t this many roses in our greenhouse.”

“There are one hundred and eight of them.” Palmer moved around Elizabeth to where she found what she needed. She picked them up, looked down at them, and then held them out for Elizabeth. “Two roses entwined together symbolizes eternal love. The ring attached to the ribbon on them also does that, though, I think.”

“Palmer…”

“The one hundred and eight red roses around this room mean I get to ask you a question.” She swallowed hard. “Will you marry me, Elizabeth? I want every day with you, beautiful. And I want us to start the new chapter of our lives with you wearing this ring. I don’t know if that’s okay because you’re a Queen and–”

Elizabeth pulled Palmer into her and kissed her, interrupting the speech she’d been planning for the past many months. It didn’t matter, though; Palmer was being kissed by the only woman she ever wanted to kiss again.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said when she pulled back. “And I will absolutely be wearing this ring. We’ve already broken all the rules anyway, right?”

Palmer noticed Elizabeth’s hands were shaking as she tried to untie the ribbon around the roses to remove the ring.

“Let me,” Palmer offered, and Elizabeth passed her the flowers.

“I love you,” Elizabeth told her. “I have one of these for you.” She pointed at the ring. “I was going to give it to you in a couple of months. I’ve planned a trip to the hill to camp out and watch the Northern Lights.”

“I ruined your plan?” Palmer asked, feeling bad.

“I don’t care. This is better.” Elizabeth laughed. “This iswaybetter. I get to marry you sooner.”

Palmer slid the ring off the ribbon and nervously placed it on Elizabeth’s hand.

“Thomas is going to have a panic attack.” Palmer laughed.

“I don’t care. He can breathe into a paper bag for a minute.” Elizabeth laughed again. “Palmer, you’re the love of my life.” She wrapped her arms around Palmer’s neck. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

Palmer leaned in for another kiss and suggested, “I can ask if someone will bring all these roses into the house. Do you want to go back inside?”

“Yes, to our bedroom.” Elizabeth kissed Palmer’s cheek.

Palmer laughed and said, “Good. It’s getting cold out here.”

Elizabeth laughed even louder, and Palmer knew she’d never get tired of that sound.