Chapter 58.

3 DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING.

'Wide right step...'

'Swipe low, extend out...'

'Swing around, hard and fast...'

'Twirl, not alone, but with your sword...'

'Now strike, urgently and powerful.'

'Feel the rage, feel the fright. Now, overcome it.'

Training was yet again an intense session. There was no need to confirm that his demeanor was stiff and tension high, so high that it caused Rey to hold back from asking what was bothering him.

Instead, she let the silence fill the air between them as they dressed for the day, and let it linger as they ate their breakfast before training.

Sighing, she went back to practicing the moves he had shown her, repeating the only few words he had spoken to her earlier.

'Now overcome it.' his deep voice rang.

Rey's movements became quicker as she continued making the same step and jab, her power performing just as much as her muscles and bones were.

Sighing, Rey looked behind her to see Kylo standing against the wall, arms crossed and foot planted on the stone behind him.

He looked a mix of relaxed and rebellious, a sight that seemed to please Rey as she offered an unreturned shy smile.

Hesitantly, she spoke. "How's it looking?"

He observed her for a moment, his face emotionless as his eyes cast down her stance.

Wordlessly, he gave a single nod of approval.

Rey's smile slowly fell as she glanced away, deactivating her lightsaber and placing it at her hip, thankful for the wind in the air today before she turned back to face him.

"What's bothering you?" she asked with a shake of her head.

Kylo's dark eyes glanced to meet hers before focusing on the sea behind her.

Again, he remained silent.

Grumbling, Rey stalked towards him, her sudden movements catching him off guard as he watched her, his eyes slightly wide and body tensing up.

Rey stood inches away from him, peering up at him with a hard glare as she pointed a slim finger at his chest.

"Don't shut me out just because you can't use your words!"

Kylo's eyes narrowed at her as his jaw visibly tensed. He moved to stand firmly on both feet, his presence at the door of her mind, loud and stubborn.

Rey continued, "Say something!" she begged. "Do something, anything!"

With both palms, she flattened them against his crossed arms and gave a hard shove, Kylo watched her still, barely budging.

The fact that he barely moved against her pushes aggravated Rey to no end, her cheeks reddening as she shoved him again, this time, with a little force.

His arms gently fell to his sides, and he made quick work to rebalance himself on his feet, his amusement and annoyance growing as he looked down at the growing, angry ball that is Rey.

With a huff, Rey stepped back, meeting his eyes.

Timidly, her mind flipped through memories over the past month, finding the time she had slapped him hard across his cheek, letting the memory play from her mind to his as she glared at him.

Kylo's knew the memory all too well, and his glance fell down to her hand that slightly twitched.

The corner of his mouth quirked into a smirk, his eyes drifting back to hers.

"You wouldn't." he finally spoke, his tone both warning and tempting.

Rey bit the inside of her cheek as she continued glaring at him, her fingers drumming against her hip as she contemplated. Eventually, her glare fell away as she knew he was right, though his attitude and silence still made her want to act out.

Kylo, however, was still smirking down at her, his eyes hooded in a lazy stare, amusement shining through with his smile slowly widening at her defeat.

It only added to her annoyance.

Rey glanced down to the ground, making sure to shield her thoughts as she slowly brought her gaze back up, her eyes landing on the lightsaber clasped at his hip.

With a small smile, she met his eyes once more, seeing the amusement slowly fade as the change in the atmosphere came to his realization.

In that instant, not allowing him to gain any upper hand, Rey reached out and grabbed his saber, amazed at how well it fit in her hand as she grasped it tightly, holding it to her chest and gripping her own at her hip to ensure he didn't take it.

She took several steps back, widening the distance between them as he yelled a curse at her, this time Rey was the one smirking.

His long legs made a single, wide step to her, making Rey take a leap back with her eyes on him.

"Rey..." he muttered, his eyes narrowing a harsh glare as his heart sped and fist clenched.

She was toying with him...

His mind began screaming insults at himself for shutting her out and being so defeated from his encounter with his mother that he had no hint of Rey's mischievousness until his lightsaber had been taken from him.

He swallowed hard, taking another step towards her.

"Tell me what was bothering you." She demanded, making a show of her gripping his saber even harder.

"No." he instantly returned, stepping to her again.

In the middle of Rey growling at him, Kylo took one last giant step to her, only for Rey to quickly dodge his hands as she took off running across the yard, Kylo watching with surprise as both fists clenched.

Kylo took off after her, and though she was quick, he was long and easily trapped her as she tried to zigzag her way out of his reach. His strong arms circled her waist and dragged her back to his chest, ripping his lightsaber out of her hands and locking it into its place at his hip.

Rey couldn't help the breathless laugh that erupted from her chest as she let her head fall against him, feeling the tension slowly fall away.

Kylo let out a grumble of a sigh, dipping his head low, his mouth hovering right above her ear.

"You will not be shown any mercy for that little act, I hope you know." he warned, and his response only caused Rey to laugh more.

Kylo was surprised when he felt himself smile at the sound, though he continued.

"And as for the threat of slapping me, again may I add," his tone dropped deep and low, sending shivers down Rey's spine and a warm jolt to the pit of her belly. "Save it for the bedroom."

With that, he let go of her waist, stepping out from behind her and grabbing his belongings before leading the way back to the suite, a smile still displayed at his lips as he felt the blood rush to her face through the bond.