Free Do Or Die [Nuworld 4] by Lorie O'Claire Page A

pregnant. His hand held that
    hardness and the heat from him warmed her. His other hand held her arm and she
    relaxed, letting him enjoy the life that grew inside her.
     
    “Dr. Digo can tell you who the papa is,” he whispered hoarsely without looking up.
     
    “Andru,” she gasped and backed away.
     
    He held her tightly. “I need to know, Ana. It’s driving me crazy.”
     
    “And what if you’re the papa?”
     
    “Then I’m the papa.”
     
    “And what about Gilroy?”
     

 
    “You are his claim. That won’t change.”
     
    “Andru, just leave it alone. It won’t help you if I take that test.”
     
    “It will if I know the child is Gilroy’s.” His hands ran up her arms to her shoulder
    and then he buried his hands in her hair. “Ana, Crator plays some cruel jokes on us. If
    you weren’t my sister…there is no other woman like you.”
     
    “I know, Andru. We are part of a whole and will always be perfect for each other.”
    She choked on her words and he pulled her to him.
     
    Neither one of them was sure how long they held each other silently. A loving hug
    between brother and sister, nothing more, although so much more had been shared.
    Finally, he pulled her away, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
     
    “Tomorrow you will go see the doctor.” It was a direct order.
     
    “What about Gilroy?”
     
    “You won’t tell him about this conversation,” he said simply, but she knew his tone
    was serious. Then, clearing his throat, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “This
    is a written description of what Lara looks like. I want you to send out a transmission to
    all Runner clans announcing that she is wanted by the Blood Circle Clan.”
     
    “Does Mama know about this?”
     
    “She will when you’ve told her you’ve done it.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Ana didn’t go to the doctor the next day. Gilroy caught up with her when Andru
    took her to see the Gothman armies so she could see how the two armies varied. His
    face lit up when he saw the twins and Ana squeezed Andru’s arm before walking over
    to greet her claim.
     
    “What are you doing here?” he asked, as he wrapped his arms around her
    possessively.
     
    “I’ve spent the day watching the Runner armies do their exercises and Andru
    thought it would be a good idea to see the Gothman armies as well.”
     
    “You look tired.”
     
    “I am.” She smiled at him and he pulled her in closer and kissed her cold lips. “I
    want you at home, warm and rested,” he whispered to her. “But you have to learn these
    things, my lady. Tomorrow, though, you will take a break from all this. I’m taking you
    to Taratown.”
     
    “Why are we going there?” She immediately felt relief that she wouldn’t be able to
    carry out Andru’s order.
     
    “I thought we could order furniture for our house. There is a carpenter down there
    whom Lord Darius tells me made the cradles you and your brother slept in after you
    were born.”
     

 
    “I think we still have those cradles somewhere.” Ana smiled up at him, excited
    about the plans he’d suggested. “Will we have new furniture in every room?”
     
    “Whatever your heart wishes.” He brushed her forehead with his lips.
     
    * * * * *
     
    They spent the entire day in Taratown, ordering couches and matching chairs. She
    chose a complete bedroom set for them and the baby’s room, a kitchen table and a
    formal dining room table. They also bought some clothes for the baby as well as some
    beautifully stitched quilts. Ana was exhausted when they finally returned to her
    parents’ house, but allowed herself to be pulled into plans for her claiming party.
     
    Gilroy’s mama, Ulga, and two of his younger sisters were at the house discussing
    the plans with Tara and Syra when they entered.
     
    “Ah, there they are.” Ulga eased her petite frame from her seat at the dining room
    table and hugged her son then planted a kiss on Ana’s cheek. “What a handsome