The Princess and the Prix

by Nell Stark

  “That was for you, Peter,” she whispered, before opening her mic to congratulate the team.

  Later, on the podium, she echoed that sentiment in public. “I’d like to dedicate my victory to Peter Taggart,” she proclaimed to the crowd, which roared its approval back to her, “one of the finest human beings I know, and one of the most talented drivers in the history of this sport. I miss him every day.”

  Once, she glimpsed Alix in the crowd below, and the princess dared to blow her a kiss before the sea of people once again blocked her from view. Everything was a whirlwind: the post race interview led directly into the press conference, and then Petrol Macedonia wanted to parade her in front of a few of their most influential sponsors. By the time Thalia had finished with her on-track obligations, it was nearly time to leave for the Onyx Salon.

  She ducked back into the garage to collect her personal effects, only to laugh in delight as Alix poked her head out from between the curtains that cordoned off the medical bay and gestured that she should join her. Once inside, Alix stepped into her arms.

  “You were brilliant,” she said fiercely, enclosing her in a tight embrace.

  For one blissful moment of respite, Thalia rested her cheek on Alix’s hair. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” With obvious reluctance, Alix stepped back. “I know it’s time to go. But I just wanted to tell you…when we’re back in London, I want to find an opportunity to come out publicly as a couple.”

  “You do?” They had discussed the prospect of being open about their relationship several times, but never with a timetable.

  “Yes.” Alix cupped her face and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “No more sneaking around. No more lying, even by omission. I want to tell the world who I really am. And I want to tell them I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Alix sat on the king-sized bed, waiting for Thalia to finish primping in the bathroom and reflecting on how glad she was to have a reason to make new memories at the Savoy Hotel. Her previous visit here had been on the day of Peter’s death. It was fitting, then, that today they would celebrate his life’s work and establish one branch of his legacy by officially founding a scholarship to Eton for disadvantaged boys in his name. An extension on the school’s gymnasium had also been commissioned with Petrol Macedonia’s funding and would be named in his honor. The team principals were all present, and both Lord Rufford and Thalia would be delivering speeches at the luncheon that had been prepared so many flights below where they now stood.

  She and Thalia had also decided that this would be their first public event as a couple. They would arrive together, hand in hand, as though their relationship was the most natural and normal thing in the world. Because it was. And when the inevitable barrage of invasive questions was fired, they would refuse to answer. Alix had already lined up an exclusive interview for the next day with a reporter recommended by Sasha. The world—her family included—could stew in its juices for twenty-four hours and reflect on the ethics of their obsession with public figures’ private lives. Alix was nervous, certainly, but not paralyzed by anxiety. It would be a relief to stop looking over her shoulder. She did worry that her parents would feel betrayed. All she could hope was that one day, they would come to understand that her sexuality wasn’t a scandal, and that she would have been much more forthcoming with them had they given any indication they might be tolerant.

  The bathroom door opened and Thalia emerged, banishing Alix’s moment of melancholy. She was stunning in the emerald, floor-length gown she had selected for the occasion. Alix had chosen to wear a charcoal pantsuit, and she smiled at the realization that their respective choice in clothing had shifted dramatically from their first meeting at Sasha and Kerry’s wedding. When Alix thought of how much more comfortable she felt now in her own skin, she could hardly remember the woman she had been before Thalia.

  “You look beautiful,” she said.

  “Pot, kettle.” Thalia held out her hand, and when Alix stood, she pulled her close for a lingering kiss. Finally, she pulled away just enough to press their foreheads together. “Last chance,” she said, a note of trepidation in her voice. “It’s really fine if you don’t want to do this today. You can stay here and I’ll rejoin you after the event. It will turn into a madhouse, you know—lots of camera bulbs going off, and plenty of inappropriate questions.” Her mouth compressed into a line. “Though I hope they hold back for the sake of Peter’s memory.”

  Alix appreciated the opportunity to change her mind, but she also needed Thalia to know that wasn’t going to happen. “The only place I want be is up at the podium, celebrating and supporting this very important moment with you.”

  Thalia’s answering smile was brilliant. “Then shall we?”

  Hand in hand, they stepped out into the hall.

  About the Author

  Nell Stark is an award-winning author of lesbian romance. In 2013, The Princess Affair was a Lambda Literary finalist in the romance category, and in 2010, everafter (with Trinity Tam) won a Goldie award in the paranormal romance category. In addition to the everafter series, she has published four standalone romances: Running With the Wind, Homecoming, The Princess Affair, and All In.

  By day, Nell is a professor of English at a college in the SUNY system. With their son and two dogs, she and Trinity live a stone’s throw from the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City.

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