“Did Thorsen try to trade me to King Jurzed so I can be with Piper?”
“King Jurzed refused to trade anything for you.”
“Then give me to him for free.”
Raine pressed her dry lips together. She had hoped to keep Lucas in ignorance about that request. “He didn’t want you.” Nor did he want Milly, which Thorsen had offered to give him as well as two barrels of their wine. Raine kept that fact a secret, not wanting to hurt Milly’s feelings.
Glancing toward Milly in the new clothes she had just given her to wear, Raine started twisting her hands nervously. The woman was too happy with herself for Raine not to know she had screwed up.
Skars had agreed to let them come to his ship to share their evening meal tonight because there was some type of clan meeting on Thorsen’s ship. During their dinner, Milly had spilt a glass of wine on her clothes, and she had made her go into the chest that Skars had given her for her clothes to find another outfit she could wear. Milly had snatched a matching sea-blue top and pants to change into.
Bjorn, who had remained with them after escorting them to her room, had given her a warning stare she shouldn’t. Raine pretended she hadn’t seen it, not wanting to argue with Milly.
“Maybe the meeting they’re holding tonight is to decide what they are going to do with us, and that’s why we came here?”
Brinn’s query drew her thoughts away from Milly, who was making her feel uncomfortable with the passive-aggressive way she kept staring at her.
“I’ll ask when he comes back.”
“What if he doesn’t come until we’re gone?” Milly’s pinched lips showed the politeness she had been exhibiting so far was fading fast. “Will it take another two weeks before her highness sees us again?”
“Milly,”—Silvia cast Bjorn a worried glance—“he can hear you.”
“How was what I said bad?” Milly’s face became just as pinched as her lips. “Calling her highness shows she’s better than us.”
“I don’t think I’m better than any of you.”
“You don’t? My mistake.”
Standing by the elevator, Bjorn moved to take a position further into the room, playing idly with the ax hanging from his side.
Milly slunk back in her seat.
“I’ll ask Skars if his brother can answer any of the questions you’re worried about.”
“Please don’t.”
Raine saw Brinn’s hand shake on the drinking glass she was holding when she looked toward her at her quiet plea.
“We really don’t want to make trouble. We can wait until you invite us back.”
“How are you feeling, Brinn?” Raine reached out to take Brinn’s free hand lying in her lap.
“Almost back to normal, considering I live on a spaceship. Chieftain Thorsen has given us each a room, and Trygve comes and checks on me daily.”
“That’s a relief. I’ve been worried about you all.”
“Don’t be. They are taking good care of us.” Sylvia gave Brinn a wink. “Especially Brinn. I think Trygve has a huge crush on her.”
Brinn’s cheeks turned crimson. “He does not. He’s just been concerned over my blood pressure. They don’t have medicine like we used to have. They treat most of their ailments with medicinal herbs. He doesn’t want to give me what they would take because their bodies are different.”
“I’m glad he’s being cautious.”
“He also told me Chieftain Thorsen has ordered all his men to find any medicines when they go through buildings.”
“They are going through buildings?” Raine asked. “What are they looking for?”
Brinn shrugged. “I imagine what everyone else is looking for—food and supplies. With so many people on board, we really don’t know how they are fixed for supplies.”
Disquiet, Raine saw the expression on Lucas’ face. Remaining silent, aware of Bjorn listening to their conversation, she placed the question on the mental list she was going to ask Skars later tonight.
Releasing Brinn’s hand, Raine picked up her glass to take a drink. This drink was different from what they had drunk on Thorsen’s ship. It was glittery, and the taste was weaker, yet on her third glass, it was headier the more she drank.
Reva stepping off the elevator was a welcomed distraction of having Milly’s eyes drilling holes into every movement she made.
Raine smiled at the woman. They had shared lunch a couple of times. Several times, Raine had made attempts to see her when she had grown bored with her own company, but each time, she had been told Reva was busy. She had asked several times if there was anything she could help out with on the ship and had been refused.
“Bjorn, you may escort Raine’s company back to their rooms.”
Wondering why Skars or Thorsen hadn’t just messaged Bjorn, Raine didn’t protest their leaving. As much as she disliked being bored, Milly put a cloud over any enjoyment she might have with the rest of her friends whom she had grown close to when they had lived in the vault.