Ray leaned into the railing, and her palms wrapped painfully over the weathered wood. The knuckles of her fingers turned white. The salty air seemed too thick to breathe, and her throat tightened with emotions overflowing her. Her eyes burned with tears welling up. She was homesick and lost, thoughts swirling through her mind.
Why she was torn between these two men? She fell for Edward since the moment he had rescued her on the Admiral's ship. They had grown closer, and she finally had broken through to him. Why she felt like this in the presence of Oliver, then? She recalled all the passionate kisses they shared. Was it wise? Meeting him when Edward had pushed her away had been exciting, but she didn't know him at all. Not the same way as she grew to know Edward. Or did she really know Edward, either?
The realisation dawned on her. These were two violent, battle-hardened men, who belonged to the opposite sides of years' long conflict between the pirates and the navy. Ready to fight against each other by all means. What was Edward going to do with Oliver once he got his revenge with the Admiral? She thought about her life in the future, about her career as an actress, about trivial pleasures: bubble baths, her favourite latte to go, and online delivery. Why she felt so small and out-of-place now? Why was it so hard to breathe?
A gust of wind blew in her face, dishevelling her hair. She tried to brush them off, tucking frizzy strands behind her ears, but the breeze was stronger than her, leaving her helpless. Her shoulders shook with a silent, desperate sob, and hot tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Are ye all right, love?" a calm voice resounded behind her, and a gentle hand settled on Ray's shoulder.
"Charlie," Ray tried to control herself, but she broke into tears again.
"Ray, tell me wha's wrong? Did somebody hurt ye?"
"No, just…" she sobbed again, letting Charlie wrapped her arms around her body.
"Aye, let it all out love, cry if ye needs it."
Charlie's soothing voice and warm embrace calmed her, and Ray melted against her, crying as she hadn't done for a long time, letting her emotions out.
"That be good, now tell me wha' troubles ye."
"I don't know what I feel anymore, and for whom…" she let out, her voice still trembling.
"Be it the capt'n, love? Or the navie?"
"Both."
"Oh, poor thing," Charlie said, with a soft laugh, and her palm drew comforting circles over Ray's shoulder blades, "the heart wants what the heart wants. And in your case, it wants both the capt'n and the lieutenant. Hush. Thar be naught a wee rum won't make better."
The quartermaster reached for a flask hidden in her clothes, downed a solid gulp, and passed it on to Ray. She sighed heavily and took a small sip. Her eyes closed as she let her friend and the rum solace her.
"I will not accept a nay for an answer, Miss Bellamy," Edward said and insistently extended two weapons crossed together in her direction, "you should be prepared to defend yourself when we confront the Admiral."
"But…" Ray took a step away from him, shaking her head.
"No buts, Miss Bellamy. You had some basic training, but you require to practise. And some techniques that will come in handy."
He threw one of the swords in her direction, and she barely caught it, her hand trembling. She stumbled over some loose ropes lying on the deck.
"We need to work on that."
Edward moved behind her, and his arms enveloped her, grabbing her palm, holding the hilt. Rey's chest heaved at the sudden contact with the plane of his muscles pressed to her back. His fingers scraped over her skin as he slid their hands towards the bottom of the grip.
"Now the little finger," Edward said, his breath hot over her neck, as he guided her, "bring it all the way down here. Let us try it."
He closed her fingers in a fist around the grip and guided her for the thrust. The blade cut through the air, catching the sunlight.
"Good. That is how men hold swords," he whispered into her ear. A warmth crawled upon her face, but she couldn't tell if it was because of the tropical weather or the closeness of Edward's body. "Use the fact that you are a woman to your advantage."
He shifted her knuckles around the hilt, and it almost felt like she would hold a wand. Rey turned her face to Edward.
"Is this correct?"
"Now take a swing." He smiled, his eyes catching hers for a moment.
She slashed the blade, and it felt somehow lighter and faster.
"It is something I have learned from my mother."
Both of them laughed.
"Only women have a grip like this. It gives you more speed as the tip of your sword hits earlier. Use it."
Edward's hands slid to her hips. Ray's breath caught in her throat as his palms squeezed the flesh. Her eyes fluttered closed for just a second. All she could think of were his hands on her body.
"Edward…" she gasped, "I can't focus like that..."
He growled but didn't move his hands. He shifted her pelvis, bringing her sword foot forward.
"This gives you an extended reach and can confuse your opponent with your footwork. Now let us try it."
Ray sighed when his warm palms left her hips. Edward stepped aside and slowly took his jacket and his shirt off. Then he faced her.
"That's not fair, that's a distraction!" she laughed, taking his bare, sculpted chest in, "what if I undress?"
She drew her hand suggestively over the buttons of her shirt, and he stared at her, his eyes lightning dangerously.
"Miss Bellamy, be serious!" he said, but his lips quirked into a smirk. He lowered his voice, "I can take you up on it later after we are done with the lesson."
Ray caught a glimpse of his brown eyes and shuddered at the thought. He had so much power over her.
"Now attack me!"
Ray launched her sword towards the exposed area of his chest. Edward stepped aside, responding with a series of thrusts of his own weapon. She parried some of his lounges, but he was faster, pushing her towards the wooden walls of the quarters' gallery. Their blades crossed in front of her chest.
"Too slow, Ray! I could have hurt you many times."
The hardwood pressed into her back, and Edward lowered his face into hers. Her eyes burned. She could feel his ragged breath on her face and the arousing smell of his sweat, glistening over his skin. His brown eyes narrowed, challenging her. His groin grounded into hers.
"Hit first. Against a swordsman like me, your only chance is to be faster. And go for a finishing move as early as possible."
His palm tightened on her neck, and his thumb grazed her jaw. Rough.
"Get angry, Ray! Defend yourself!" he barked, stepping back and letting her go.
Ray closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. There was a mixture of emotions clouding her mind. Want and rage. Her mouth went dry.
Edward lunged at her by surprise, his sword cutting through the air. Her pulse pounded in her ears as her body reacted as in some kind of trance, her vision tunneling. Ray leaped off and landed nimbly at her feet, avoiding the blow. She unleashed a flurry of strikes, driving him back. He parried with a hard clash, but the force of her attack sent him staggering towards the wall and she pressed the edge of her weapon to his throat.
He smirked, dropping his own sword and his arm wrapped around her waist, tugging her towards him. Ray's lips searched for his and he forced her arm to let go of her blade. He returned the kiss, hard, forcing her to open her mouth for him. His tongue found hers, sliding over it gently at first, tasting. Their mouths moved languidly together until the kiss grew deeper, tongues insistent, twirling against each other, wet and hungry. His fingers dug in the small of her back, and she moaned in his throat.