Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Chapter 28
Raine
Freshly showered and dressed, Raine went to the main room in Skars’ ship to wait for him. Taking a seat on a soft cushion, she twisted her hands in indecision at what to do.
How could she stay with him after the lies he had told her, yet the baby’s safety had to be taken into account. She protectively brought her hand to her belly. Earth wasn’t safe for them, nor was there much food to be found. If not for the few items she had found, she would have gone hungry … they would have gone hungry, Raine corrected herself.
The five days she had spent alone in the vault had shown herself something else. She didn’t want to be without Skars. She had missed him, missed lying in their bed, talking into late at night, playing with his feet. Truthfully, she missed everything about him … except when he was being a deceiving bastard or when he wouldn’t let Milly stay with—
She corrected that thought; she had actually been relieved she hadn’t been cooped up with her again. Once was enough for her where that was concerned.
When the elevator door opened, Raine stood up, expecting to see Skars. Her mouth dropped open when Reva walked in dressed in a way that Raine had never seen her before.
She was wearing an old-fashioned gown that went to her feet, with long sleeves. Almost all her body was covered except for her face, which had bright purple circling her eyes, then spreading outward to cover her cheeks. Her blondish-red hair had been braided back, highlighting the bright splashes of color on her face.
“I thought you were Skars.” Raine didn’t know how to react to Reva’s strange appearance.
“Skars won’t be allowed to see you for the next two days and nights. It is our clan’s custom to spend seven days apart before the marriage ceremony. You won’t see him until he is standing with Thorsen as the wedding begins.”
“I can’t marry Skars.” Raine fought back tears. She had never had a true friend to confide her secrets and fears to, and despite the strange makeup on Reva face, Raine could see understanding in her eyes.
“Skars told me when he found the survivors, that he helped them get healthy and find a safe place to stay on Earth. Milly told me she saw Skars, Thorsen, and you with the survivors. Instead of finding them a safe place to stay on Earth, the men were just sent back on their own. Even worse is, Milly said the women were traded to King Jurzed. I can’t marry a man who would do something like that … I just can’t.”
“Raine, did you ask Skars about what Milly told you?”
“I did, and he admitted it was true.”
“You misunderstand me. What Milly told you is truth, but did you ask Skars why he sent the men back and sent the women to King Jurzed?”
“No, because he lied—”
“He didn’t lie. He just didn’t tell you everything. I can assume he didn’t because he didn’t want you doubting his love for you.”
“Skars loves me?” Raine didn’t know if she should believe her or not, but God, did she want to.
“Very much.” Reva took her hand. “Come sit down.”
Raine let Reva lead her to the cushions. Sitting down next to her, Reva didn’t release her hand, her clasp instilling a warmth she desperately needed.
“There is much Skars hasn’t told you. The reason the surviving men and women were brought aboard the ship is to find out if any of them are of Viking descent. Has Skars told you about Xioarius and what happened on Raum?”
“Já.”
“Did he tell you about our tattoos?”
“Já, that the tree of life disappeared the day Raum was destroyed.”
“Good. At least that much he told you. The tattoo is our Viking heritage. It was a gift from the gods because we were taken from our homeland. It connects the Vikings to the Martian side of us, so we never forget our ancestral roots despite how many galaxies they took us to.”
Raine listened intently, Skars’ explanation becoming clearer.
“I told you the Viking centers the Martian side of us. For complete happiness, the Martians’ needs must be met. For that to happen, we have to find our tru-mate.”
“What is a tru-mate?”
“Your people call it a soulmate, but to us, it is much more. At a tru-mate’s first touch, the Martian within us calms. What one feels, the other does. One cannot survive without the other—the loss too unbearable for them. Many take their lives because they cannot bear the pain. You’ve been on board for several weeks; other than me, have you met any other Viking maidens?”
“No.”
“Because there are only three. The other two have found their tru-mates. There are no maidens left. Skars wasn’t looking for survivors; he’s searching for tru-mates.”