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“I’m sorry, Palmer.”

“It’s fine. Like I said, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe she was meant for the woman she met at work. Maybe she’ll find someone else altogether. It’s really not my concern.”

“What about you?” Elizabeth asked.

“Whataboutme?”

“You and love.”

Palmer sighed and said, “Right now, I’m focusing on two things in my life. One is my work. The other is lying here with you, hopefully staring up at the Northern Lights soon.” She gave Elizabeth a shy smile.

“Oh, that reminds me!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Then, she shifted out of her sleeping bag, reached for her small suitcase, which looked more appropriate for a fancy hotel room than a tent in the middle of nowhere, and pulled something out. She turned around and held out Palmer’s notebook.

“I left it at your place. Thanks,” Palmer said, taking it. “Did you happen to find my–” Elizabeth held up her pen. “Pen.”

“I did. I used it for my letter.”

“I thought so,” Palmer concluded.

“I felt bad using some of the ink, so I bought a replacement cartridge and a few extras for you. I have those in my bag. I can give them to you tomorrow.”

“That’s expensive stuff. You didn’t need to do that.”

“I wanted to,” Elizabeth replied. “The more you write, the longer you stay in St. Rais, right?”

“You want me to stay awhile?” Palmer asked.

“I’dlovefor you to stay for as long as you can,” Elizabeth replied.

“Ma’am, we need to talk to you,” Magnus said outside beyond the tent.

“Magnus, what’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked.

“Princess Victoria and her escort were out at dinner tonight.”

Elizabeth shot up and unzipped the tent instantly, letting in the freezing air. Palmer shot up out of her sleeping bag, reaching for her coat to lay over her chest and arms.

“What happened?”

“The Princess is fine, Ma’am, as is her escort, Mr.David Wilson, but there were protests waiting for them outside the restaurant where they were eating. Anti-monarchists shouted and threw objects. The Princess is okay, but she was hit in the shoulder by a rock. The man who threw it was apprehended, as were a few other protestors who attempted to attack Mr. Wilson when he went after them to protect the Princess.”

“Oh, my God!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Where are they now?”

“The Princess and Mr. Wilson are back at the palace. The royal physician is checking on her now.”

“I have to go. We have to go. I’m sorry, Palmer.” Elizabeth turned back to her, looking terrified.

“Hey, it’s fine. Of course, we have to go. I just need to put on my shoes and my coat, and we’re out of here.”

“Magnus, have everything packed up. We’ll meet you at the SUV,” Elizabeth told him.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Elizabeth zipped the tent back up. Then, her head fell to her chest. Palmer scooted over to her, placing a comforting hand on the small of her back.

“Are you okay?”