Before long the two dies had retreated to the comfort and retive safety of Ruby’s cabin. Once inside, Ruby offered Reine a seat and poured the dy a gss of red wine before sitting down beside her. “Now then.” Ruby fshed her hallmark smile, “Allow me to expin the return of the sash dear.” When Reine readily sipped her wine and nodded her head with excitement in her eyes, Ruby assured Reine further. “It was not a rejection. Who would ever turn away your ivory skin and radiant hazel eyes?” A bright red blush filled Reine’s cheeks and the dy lightly ughed. “It was because you might find someone else that suits your needs.”
“What do you mean, Captain Ruby?” Reine offered meekly.
“I have a little understanding, a bargain…if you will, with my dies. I am willing to offer this to you as well, but it is completely up to you, dear.” Ruby paused, “As, please just call me Ruby while we are in private.”
With an almost hungry look in her twin hazel eyes, Reine nodded and after more red wine passed her lips, she readily agreed. “Yes, Ruby. I would love to hear this understanding.”
“First and foremost. You need to know this much. This time right now is just for us, I pn to give you everything about me, one hundred percent. Whatever happens after tonight is completely up to you. If you want to return, you can. If not, then I will not think less of you for it. This pce, this room… is meant for exploring each other, feelings, desires, needs.” Ruby took a light breath and cupped Reine’s cheek, “ I will always do my best to make sure you are well cared for here, while we are here. It doesn’t always have to be sex, it can be simple touching and talking. Whatever your heart needs that day or night.” Ruby paused for the heaviest part of her ‘rules’ to let what she’d said prior to sink in for Reine. “I do have many partners, however, while in here and it’s the two of us, it will only be the two of us. I will give you everything I have in me while we are together. When we part, you will never have a jealous lover watching you or trying to control you. I want us to be us, for our time. Is this acceptable to you?”
Downing the rest of the gss of wine, Reine nodded her head causing her long brown hair to fall innocently over her eyes. “Now I understand what you meant, Ruby.” She reached for Ruby’s hand and kissed it. “You don’t want me to feel guilty if I meet someone else, so the favor should go to them. Right?”
“Exactly, my dear.” Ruby pyfully pitched Reine’s chin after the light kiss. “You are adorable though. Like a porcein doll.” Ruby pulled off her rose bandana and hung it beside her flowery captain’s hat and shook out her long cornrows. “What is your desire, Reine? I told you I have a soft spot for French names. Do you know the nguage by chance?” Ruby questioned and took a few minutes to light a couple of nterns and incense of sandalwood to match the oil she’d worn all evening. “More wine?”
Pointing to Ruby’s rge and ornate bed, Reine pulled off her shoes and crawled onto the plush bnket and sat down with her legs crossed over one another. “I am a touch nervous, Ruby. Perhaps let the wine settle?” Reine unclipped the hair comb keeping her hair in a small ponytail and mirrored her hostess. “No, I do not speak French…” She watched as Ruby pulled off her own leather boots, “...but my father does. It is beneficial in his business I suppose.” She shrugged.
“Business? What kind?” Ruby asked intently as she untied her corset. “Don’t worry, Reine. I am only getting comfortable. No pressure, alright?” Ruby reassured her guest.
With a drunken nod, Reine agreed. “I wasn’t thinking you were pressuring me.” She looked around the room and noticed a few bloody pnks of wood with ship names on them, then back to the rows of flowers that outlined Ruby’s windows. “There is an air of danger and compassion here.” Reine patted the bed, “My father is a tailor mostly.” Reine loosened her own corset and took a deep breath. “Heaven have mercy, these things make it difficult to breathe.” Reine rubbed her sides, “He also sells the test fashions from Spain and France, hence he speaks both.” She shrugged.
Stripping down to her undergarments, Ruby sat on her bed and nodded as Reine spoke, “That expins the expensive clothing and sash.” Adjusting the tiny buckles on her dagger’s sheath, Ruby tested to make sure that her prized possession was safely part of her calf. “Sounds like a decent man.” Ruby offered politely and noticed that the combination of wine and ale mixed with rum had run its course and Reine had a gzed look in her eyes. “Reine, you look ready to fall over dear.” She pointed to one of the pillows at the head of her bed. “Go on and y down and get some sleep.”
“So-sory Ruby.” Reine sniffled and fell over lightly crying. “I thought I wanted to - to…you are so alluring.” Reine mumbled, “Hold me?”
“J'en serais ravi, Reine. Dors bien, précieuse dame.” Ruby settled down beside her chosen dy and gently ran her hand through her long brown hair and ughed when she saw the confused look in Reine’s eyes again. “I would be happy to, Reine. Sleep well, precious dy.”
It was the sound of seagull calls that stirred Ruby from her slumber, and to her surprise Reine was now in a tight ball against her ample chest. “Reine, dear.” Ruby whispered, “It is morning, do you need to get home?”
Reine’s eyes fluttered open and she sleepily looked into Ruby’s lovely hazel gaze. “I should, but I am perfectly happy right here.” A little rumble came from Reine’s tummy and she nibbled on her lip for a moment. “I don’t want to leave, if I don’t have to.” She wrapped her legs with Ruby’s, “I have nothing to go home to except an angry father that I will have to listen to his speeches about me being his only way into nobility and titles.” She frowned, “Ever love and hate someone at the same time, Ruby?”
“Often.” She chuckled and held up her finger. “I have some bread and fruit. You will be without me for a couple of minutes.”
“At this point it's more hate than love, I want to be out from under his control. I am sick of being barter for some random noble. I feel like a whore.”
