Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“I think it’s wild to everyone,” Benji says with a shrug. “It’s new for me, and I’ve been a dance husband for a decade.”
“You’ve met celebrities before,” Mik reminds him.
“Not royalty. This is new. Even I’m nervous.”
“And Benji never gets nervous,” Skyla informs us all. “Okay. I really have to start my hair and makeup. After the reception, we have to come back here so I can do it all over again. Stage makeup is different.”
“We’re here to help,” Billie reminds her.
“And I love you for it,” Skyla says, bringing both Dani and my sister in for a group hug. “But now it’s time I have a private freak-out.”
“That’s our clue to clear out,” Brooks announces, gesturing for everyone to leave. Mik and Benji head for their suite so they can also get ready.
And when we’re alone, I take Skyla’s face in my hands.
“Stop being nervous, Irish.”
“I will. Later tonight when it’s all over. Now leave me alone so I can get pretty.”
“You’re already pretty.”
“Beckett.”
I laugh and back away. “Okay, okay. I’ll go check in with Brad.”
“Your Majesty.” I tip my head down in the bow I was taught before we walked in here. I’m the last of the four of us to meet the royal couple, and I’m nervous as fuck.
But King Frederick smiles and shakes my hand.
“Mr. Blackwell, it’s a pleasure,” he says. “I hear you’re from Montana.”
With a surprise, I nod. “I am, yes, sir.”
“My brother, Sebastian, and his wife have a home there in Cunningham Falls.”
“That’s a beautiful area,” I reply. “It’s about four hours from Bitterroot Valley by car. Have you been?”
“Oh yes, many times to visit. Thank you for coming all this way. Skyla is exceptionally talented.”
I smile and look her way. She’s chatting with King Frederick’s wife, Queen Catherine.
“She’s been looking forward to performing for you,” I reply. “And it’s an honor to be here, Your Majesty.”
We chat for just a few more moments, and then we’re led out to the waiting cars to take us back to the hotel.
“All of that nervousness for less than thirty minutes,” I say, pressing my hand to Skyla’s thigh as we ride through London.
“Honestly, the hardest part is over. I can block out who’s in the audience and just dance.”
“Our Skyla has always been good at that,” Mik agrees with a nod. He looks handsome in his tuxedo. “No matter who was in the audience, malishka can focus on the performance and block everything else out. Not everyone can do that. She has nerves of steel.”
“Or a bad memory.” Skyla laughs.
I lean over and kiss the top of her head. “You’re halfway there, baby.”
Our family has excellent seats in the auditorium where tonight’s celebration is taking place. King Frederick wanted a show, featuring not just Skyla and Mik with their ballet piece but other artists as well. Music, drama, comedy. It’s been a fun evening of live theater so far, and my girl is up next.
The lights dim after the applause dies from the last act, and as the live orchestra begins to play, Mik and Skyla walk out on stage, hand in hand, their posture regal.
This is the first time that I’ve really seen her dance, and my heart begins to race.
The emotion of the piece isn’t conveyed only in the dance or the body language. It’s also in their facial expressions and the chemistry between them. To say that it’s a moving experience is doing it a disservice.
It’s nothing but pure love on that stage—between the characters they’re portraying and the two dancers. I can see the emotion in their eyes as the music swells, and she wraps her arms around his neck in a tender embrace. They’re pure magic as they seem to float over the stage. How do they make it look so effortless? I know for a fact that it’s anything, but with all the hard work they’ve put in leading up to this.
The way he holds her, carries her, and cups her face makes my chest hurt. Not in jealousy, but because I know, I can see, how much they love this.
Skyla fits with my family like a puzzle piece, but she fits here, too.
She should be on a stage with Mik.
She was made for this, for dancing with her best friend and making an audience believe every step, every smile, every move is just for them.
Skyla takes my breath away.
When the performance is over, Mik and Skyla take their bows to a standing ovation. I see people wiping tears from their eyes, and when I look up at the royal box, I see that the whole royal family is standing and smiling as well.
Yeah, she belongs on a stage as much as she belongs in Montana, and now I have to figure out a way for her to have both. Because I won’t give her up. But I can’t ask her to walk away from this either.