“I kept crying for her to take me back to Dad. I was only five years old, but I knew he was hurt badly. She didn’t listen; she just kept screaming at me that we’d never be separated again. When the police started trying to get her to pull over, she stopped the car on a bridge and dragged me out of the back seat. Holding me, she climbed over the rail …” Raine closed her eyes tightly, remembering how terrifyingly high the bridge had been.
“Raine.” Reva’s gentle voice brought her back to reality. “What happened?”
“She jumped. I was fortunate that a boater was just yards away, and he was able to get to me quickly. I had two broken legs and a fractured clavicle, but I survived.”
“Your father?”
“He recovered, somewhat. He was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
“Did your brother survive the war?”
“I don’t know. There isn’t a way for me to contact him. He lived in a different part of the United States.”
“Perhaps Skars can help you find him,” Reva suggested.
“We weren’t that close.” Raine evaded any more questions by refilling her glass from the last of the bottle. “You don’t like the wine?”
“Neinn.” Reva rose from the bench to give her an amused look. “I have a bottle in my room. You may have it if you wish.”
“Thank you. It’s my favorite so far.” Raine stared down into the wine. How could any woman not like the sparkly wine?
As Reva moved away, Raine remembered a question she had wanted to ask her then had forgotten.
“Reva …”
Reva paused. “Já?”
“Was Earth habitable to the Viking clans before it was destroyed?”
“Já.”
“Could it be fixed with your clan’s help?”
“Neinn.”
Disappointment filled her. There was no way she was going to go planet hopping until they found a new home planet.
“It would take more than our clan. It would take all of the Viking clans. We are farmers, builders, miners, and guardians. If all the Viking clans could be convinced to work together once again, Earth may stand a chance.”
From what Skars had told her, the different clans couldn’t even agree on who was going to be given the privilege of killing their enemy.
“From what I’ve learned in the short time I’ve gotten to know your clan, I’d have more luck convincing them to drink this wine.”
“Do you know why Skars bought that wine without tasting it?”
“Neinn.”
“Because it reminded him of liquid gold. From a Viking male’s first breath to their last, they can’t resist the lure of precious metals, whatever form it takes.”
Raine placed a hand over her mouth to cover a hiccupping giggle. “Skars got taken in by fool’s gold?”
Reva nodded. “I wouldn’t say it to him, but já. He’s still not happy by how bad it tastes.”
“Then he can give it to me. I’ll take it all.”
“That’s because you were never blinded by the wine’s looks, so you didn’t have high expectations that couldn’t be met. Strain the wine and put in a chalice, then ask if he likes it or not. If Skars gives his approval, then all the men will start drinking it as well.”
Perceptively, Raine stared at Reva. “You weren’t blinded by the glitter, and you didn’t like it.”
“Only because I dislike wine, regardless if it’s sparky or not.”
“If I do as you’re suggesting, would you tell them the wine was the sparkly kind after I strain it?”
Raine and Reva shared a feminine smile.
“From a Viking female’s first breath to her last, we can’t resist the lure of pulling the wool over our men’s eyes, whatever form it takes.”
Chapter 24
Raine
Raine knew Skars was furious with her the moment he stepped into their bedroom. After Reva had left, she had showered and was sitting on the mattress on the floor as she brushed out her hair.
“Why did you give one of the presents that I gave you to Milly?”
“Her clothes were wet from spilled wine, and since they had been brought to your ship to prevent them from finding out what your clan was discussing, I thought it prudent not to send her back for fresh clothes.”
“She could have remained in her wet clothes.” He angrily brought his hands to his hips as he gave her the other alternative.
“I was being a good hostess. Next time, I won’t be.”
“There won’t be a next time,” he snapped. “Bjorn told me of her behavior toward you. In the morning, I will send for the clothes. Those are Viking clothes, meant for my Viking bride. When I get them back, they will be destroyed.”
“Those are one of my favorites. I’ll wash them—”
“I saw her in the clothes when she returned. I will not see you wearing the same as her.”
“But—”
“If you had given me a gift, I would not have parted with it so easily.”
Raine felt terrible. She had unintentionally hurt his feelings.