The Illegitimate Claim (59 page)

is grossly out of line, and I assure you that you will not hear talk like that from our

family again.”

The older lady leaned forward and brushed her delicate fingertips across Redo’s

forehead. “May you grow up to be as powerful and as handsome as your papa, my

child.” Ulga looked at Andru. “I’ve always loved babies. May I hold him?”

Meah felt Andru’s arm leave her, and she turned to see him take Redo from the

servant and gently place him in the older woman’s arms…into his grandmama’s arms.

He placed his hand on Meah’s shoulder and although his expression remained stern,

his beautiful gray eyes smiled at her. “We’ll wait for you on the steps. Don’t be long.”

“My dear,” Ulga spoke softly as if not wishing to be overheard. “I believe you will

be a great asset to Gothman. When Lady Tara entered our midst, the women of

Gothman had high hopes. But she spent her reign establishing a peace between Runners

and Gothman. That allowed you to be here. I am sure of it. Now that I see this beautiful

child, I daresay you will do so much more for us. I see that you don’t follow quietly in

your claim’s shadow, no.”

She paused, cuddling the newborn to her and gently kissing his mop of black hair.

“We are viewed with little respect and thought of as less than our men. I hope you

know that is not true, I do. I know your Runner blood will have you stand up for what

is right, and now that the foundation exists, Crator will work through you to make our

nation truly one of equality. Many of the women in this community hope you can bring

a voice for us, they do. It’s an incredible burden to put on your shoulders, but Crator

doesn’t give anyone a task that they can’t handle, that much is certain. I daresay I’m

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The Illegitimate Claim

proud that he has chosen you…the four of you. I hope I live long enough to see the

results, yes.”

Meah felt her eyes moisten as she realized why Redo’s conception had been

Crator’s will. These words spoken to her by a woman who by all rights could hate her,

should hate her, opened her eyes to the life Crator had in mind for her.

Ulga saw the child as a sign that Meah took what she wanted and didn’t blindly

submit to her claim. Meah was a Runner and knew she would work to continue to see

that Runners and Gothman coexisted peacefully. But she was also Gothman, and a

woman in a position to help other women.

As she took Redo in her arms and turned to join the other three, she gave thanks to

Crator for all he’d given her. Andru walked to her and took the infant from her, then

helped her up the stairs and into the temple. Gilroy walked behind her with Ana at his

side. She could feel the strength that surrounded her. This was her family. In their eyes,

she wasn’t illegitimate. Meah knew at that moment that she was the most blessed

woman in all of Nuworld.

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About the Author

All my life, I’ve wondered at how people fall into the routines of life. The paths we

travel seemed to be well-trodden by society. We go to school, fall in love, find a line of

work (and hope and pray it is one we like), have children and do our best to mold them

into good people who will travel the same path. This is the path so commonly referred

to as the “real world”.

The characters in my books are destined to stray down a different path other than

the one society suggests. Each story leads the reader into a world altered slightly from

the one they know. For me, this is what good fiction is about, an opportunity to escape

from the daily grind and wander down someone else’s path.

Lorie O’Clare lives in Kansas with her three sons.

Lorie welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave

Publishing at 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502.

Also by Lorie O’Clare

Nuworld 1: The Saga Begins

Nuworld 2: Tara the Great

Nuworld 3: All For One

Nuworld 4: Do or Die

If you are interested in a spicier read (and you are over 18), check out the author’s

erotic romances at Ellora’s Cave Publishing (www.ellorascave.com).

Cariboo Lunewulf 1: Taming Heather

Cariboo Lunewulf 2: Pursuit

Cariboo Lunewulf 3: Challenged

Fallen Gods: Embracing Temptation

Fallen Gods: Jaded Prey

Fallen Gods: Lotus Blooming

Fallen Gods: Tainted Purity

Full Moon Rising

Lunewulf 1: Pack Law

Lunewulf 2: In Her Blood

Lunewulf 3: In Her Dreams

Lunewulf 4: In Her Nature

Lunewulf 5: In Her Soul

Sex Slaves 1: Sex Traders

Sex Slaves 2: Waiting For Yesterday

Sex Slaves 3: Waiting For Dawn

Things That Go Bump in the Night 2004 anthology

Torrid Love: Caught!

Torrid Love: The First Time

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