Omar felt like her toe had kick started his heart. The act of her toeing away Rancik’s business card made him feel as though he’d fallen to the floor. He had fallen. He’d fallen hard for Lark Voorheen.
/> Chapter Sixteen
Omar didn't take his eyes off her the entire ceremony. Lark felt pinned in place by the best man’s gaze. When the king said his vows, Lark felt certain she heard the words and Omar’s voice. When Omar handed the king the sparkling ring, Lark had a vision of the marquis handing a ring to her.
She’d dreamed of getting married as a little girl. But the thought, the fantasy, hadn’t crossed her mind in years. Definitely not since she’d stepped into the glittery shadows behind magicians.
For years, she'd been dancing in the dark where no one could see her talent. Omar al Shariff had given her a spotlight. He didn't ask for any of the shine to spill on to him. He was happy to stand in the background and watch her sparkle.
That's why when he came to her at the reception and swept her into his arms, she was so dazzled.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey,” she parroted.
"I've made a decision."
"You have?"
“Hmm,” he nodded. “I can't do this."
He spun her in his arms. Away from the warmth of his body, Lark felt desolate and cold. He held her only by her fingertips, and she resisted the urge to claw her way back to him. She hadn’t needed to. Just as quickly as he spun her away, she was back inside his embrace.
"I can't hide us anymore," he said, gazing down at her with a bright light of care in his dark eyes. "We're coming out of the closet. Or from the back of the stage. Whatever. I don't care.”
His large hands slid down to the small of her back. He pressed her to him in a possessive hold for all to see.
“All I know,” Omar continued, “is that I have been in the same room with you for an hour, and I haven't kissed you. It was the hardest performance of my life. There won't be a repeat show."
"What are you saying?" She knew what he was saying, but she wanted it spelled out, spoken out loud.
“I’m saying that I’m going to kiss you senseless in front of the entire noble class of Córdoba, its citizens, and the press."
“Oh.” Well, that made it crystal clear.
Omar’s gaze locked on her lips, but he didn't press forward. Even though he'd made the decision, he was still waiting for her permission. God, this man.
"There is one thing," said Lark. "The Duchess."
"I'm dumping you, my dear," said the Duchess Mondego from behind her. Nian swayed in her son’s arms.
"Don't break her heart," said Zhi. "She knows how to make a man disappear."
Lark giggled at the mother and son duo. When she turned back to Omar, she was met first by his lower lip and then his upper lip. Time stopped, and the music went mute all around her as Omar claimed her mouth in the midst of the dancing crowd.
It was the flashes of light that finally brought Lark back to her senses. From around the room, cameras caught their embrace. Omar held her tight but didn't hold back as they danced. Lark forgot to care what people might think of her. Marlena’s glare and terse words were way off in the distance as Omar spun her round and round the dance floor.
He held her tight, letting her know that he had her back. That mattered more than others who were prepared to stomp all over it. Anytime Omar spun her away, he left his hand suspended in the air with the knowledge she’d come back to him. And she did with each change of beat, with each new song. Until he had to return to his duty and give the best man’s speech.
"I was chosen to give this speech because I’m the brother Leo never had," said Omar from his place on the raised platform.
The crowd chuckled, all eyes turning to Prince Alex, who simply rolled his eyes and waved his hand magnanimously for Omar to continue.
“Truly, we are a lucky nation to have such a duty-bound king. Leo put his heart aside for years to take care of us. But the first time I saw him and Esme together, I knew we were in trouble.”
Again, a light chuckle breezed through the crowd as their gazes turned to their new queen. Esme hadn’t stopped beaming since Leo had lifted the veil from her face. The two were truly in love.
“The saying goes that a great flame follows a little spark. Well, I saw a spark in my friend’s eyes that day. By the next day, we all saw the flames.”