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“Yes?” Elizabeth sniffled. “Is everything okay? Do you–”

“Everything’s fine. I’m fine. Areyouokay?” Palmer asked, moving into the room uninvited but praying it would be okay with Elizabeth. “It’s dark in here.”

“It’s nighttime,” the woman replied, clearing her throat. “I was sleeping.”

“Sleeping?” Palmer said before she could stop herself. “Okay. I’m sorry for waking you up.”

“Did you need something?”

Palmer had to think fast. She couldn’t yet see Elizabeth since her eyes hadn’t properly adjusted to the total darkness of the room.

“No, I just wanted to know if you’d hear it if I maybe played music on my phone. I don’t have headphones, and I was thinking about listening to it a little out loud. I wasn’t sure how thick these walls were.”

“You can hear me, can’t you?” Elizabeth asked, sniffling again.

“Yes.”

“I see.” The sheets or blankets moved around. “I apologize. Yes, you are more than welcome to listen to music. It won’t wake me up.”

“Can I sit down?” Palmer asked, her eyes adjusting enough to see Elizabeth sitting up in the bed.

“Palmer, I just want to get some rest.”

“I know. Maybe I can help,” she said, moving closer to the bed. “Do you want to talk for a bit?”

“Not really.”

“Okay. What if I just lay down next to you?”

“That would be inappropriate,” Elizabeth replied.

“No, I didn’t mean…” Palmer wanted to smack herself. “Not like–”

“Palmer, I’ll be fine. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”

“Right.” Palmer lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone. Good night.”

“Yes, good night, Palmer,” Elizabeth said.

Palmer returned to her room, closing the door behind her and wishing she’d never even opened it up, to begin with. She’d been right: Elizabeth was embarrassed now. And Palmer hated herself for making her feel that way. She’d only wanted to help; to hold her, or just let Elizabeth talk if she needed someone to listen. Palmer slid into the now-cool sheets under the comforter, turning off the lamp by the table and deciding tonight was just not her night. She’d close her eyes and try to get some sleep. Then, tomorrow, she’d return to her hotel, and that would probably be the end of whatever this new friendship was, given the Queen’s reaction to her just barging in on her in bed.

“Stupid. Stupid,” she chastised herself as she stared up at the ceiling.

“Palmer?”

Palmer froze. Was that Elizabeth?

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I barged in onyou,” Palmer replied, moving to sit up.

“No, please. Stay there.”

Palmer could make out Elizabeth’s form moving around to the other side of her bed.

“Would you do what you said before?” Elizabeth asked.