“You are very worried," Evan said quietly placing his things on his shelf.

I needed to be distracted. The thought came clearly into my head and I whipped around with my palms out.

“NO," I said forcefully, “I am very pregnant and very worried, but I do not need to be distracted right now. It would not be fun for me."

I knew what distractions meant to them. They'd done it before by bringing me pleasure until I passed out from it. I found the idea disconcerting and I was not in the mood.

“We are a family and I can say no to you all," I said covering my bare breasts and backing away.

“There is more than one way to distract you from your worry,” Damien sighed calmly, approaching from the side.

“Sit with us and let us help."

Damien settled himself on the bed and I watched him warily.

"Come," he instructed, pointing at the bed along his flank, “rest here on your side."

They didn't want to fuck me, I realized suddenly. My family just wanted to relax me. The anxiety was distressing to all of us.

Without thinking further I crawled beside Damien and lay on my side with my back to him. Big, warm hands slowly kneaded shoulder and upper back. A second set of hands went to work on my legs and feet. Evan's hands ran Lovingly along my scalp and I melted into the bed.

The gentle massage was just what I needed. Their hands found all the tight places the day had Left and slowly worked them out. None of the family pushed too hard, but they made short work of the tension in my body. When they were done it felt Like I was floating.

Damien and his Brothers were Warriors. They had been trained to fight since they were very young. The coming battle did not scare them; it intrigued them.

“You aren't afraid," I said opening one eye and watching Christof as he watched me.

“No," he answered simply and he spoke for all of them.

My family would fight to the death to protect Jonathan and that didn't scare them at all. For family, they were always willing to give whatever it took. Nothing less would do, ever.

"You will be safe here," Kein said touching my stomach. "The men and women in this camp believe you have inherent rights to be free and survive. Even without us, you will do well."

“I will fight, too," I said laying my hand over Kein's, but he shook his head.

"You will stay safe in this mountain. You will give birth to our daughter and nurse her so she is strong. My Brothers and I watch you. Your gait is slow and awkward. Battle is not a good place for you," he answered simply.

They were right and I knew it. I could not go to fight like I was; it would endanger our youngest child.

"I'll do what I can," I murmured watching Kein's hand rub over my distended belly.

“We all will," Damien responded pulling a blanket over my body and settling himself behind me.