Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(13)

The mayor tried switching his tactic. “I’ll spare your life, if you will just tell me where the rock giant went. Come now, Claira, no one wants to see you die.”

Claira wasn't a fool though. She knew he would never actually spare her life. She had dug herself the perfect hole, and he was going to use it to bury her once and for all.

The villagers would stand by and let him snuff her life out, because they believed he had their best interests at heart. They all had weak backbones, when it came to standing up to the mayor. He had ultimate power here.

The sound of approaching hooves finally drew the mayor's attention away from her. Robert and the rest of the village men were coming back from their search around the area.

“There were no tracks for us to follow, so we did a search of the surrounding area and found nothing.” A man reported back.

A sigh of relief escaped Claira. She’d done it. She saved the life of the rock giant, and she couldn't help but feel proud of her triumph.

“Tie her hands. She’s aided the rock giant in its escape, so she will be the one to take its place.” The mayor proclaimed to them all. “Aiding a giant is treasonous.”

“Say what you must to justify my death.” Claira couldn’t help but utter.

The mayor ignored her comment. He had her where he wanted her. Now she was a dead woman walking.

Within seconds, her hands were tied in front of her, which were then tied to the side of the mayor's saddle. They were going to make her walk the whole way to the village?

Robert gave her a sympathetic glance, but said nothing as they led her back to the village. He hadn’t thought this all out. Clearly, Robert thought she had no spine and would give the rock giant up to the villagers. He shouldn’t have assumed she was so meek.

The hot sun pounded down on her, and sweat poured over her skin, causing the rope to itch and stick to her sensitive skin. Eventually, she felt like a wilted flower and probably looked like one. Her shoulders slumped, as she plodded across the ground. Claira had to go as fast as the horse or get dragged.

None of these men would care. Robert might, but he wouldn’t speak up for her. He was the one who had the weak spine. She wouldn't be in this situation, if it hadn’t been for him.

When the town came into view, she pulled herself together. Claira wanted to appear strong, and she didn’t want people to think she regretted her actions.

Villagers came out of their homes to gape at her. She kept her shoulders straight, her chin up, and her eyes flashed defiance. No one would beat her down. No one. If healing was a crime, then she was guilty.

Once they got to the middle of town, the mayor cut her loose, only to have another man come up and take her by the arm harshly.

“You’ll sit in a cage for a full day, before you are burned at the stake for aiding the rock giant!” The mayor proclaimed in front of the whole village that had gathered around.

Robert paled. “Burned at the stake?”

“She’s a witch, and now she’s used her powers to help the enemy. We mustn’t let her go unpunished.”

Robert glanced in her direction. If he was seeking forgiveness, he’d better look elsewhere. He’d chosen his side.

Even as they pushed her into the cage, Claira held her head high. She didn’t want to give away the fact that her heart was beating madly, and she was petrified of what was to become of her. The sound of the lock settling in place made her stomach twist. They were going to starve her out in the open for a full day, before burning her alive at the stake.

With her locked away, the people dispersed, going about their business like nothing happened. It was amazing how easily they could ignore her dilemma, after the mayor had given her a death sentence.




Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone already? Claira wanted to bag her head against the bars of her cage.

“I promise you, I will convince the mayor to release you.” Robert declared from the other side of the cage.

Shaking her head, she raised an eyebrow at him. “The mayor will never let this go, Robert.”

“I will strike up a deal, for your release.”

“He’s had it out for me, for a long time.”

“No. Don’t think this way. You will live.”

“Robert, I’m in a cage watching while they prepare the platform for my burning. I think I have the right to be looking on the down side of life.”

Eventually, he left her in peace, only to have village children came over to gawk at her.

“Don’t stand too close to the witch!” One mother came over to shoo away the curious children.

Claira rolled her eyes. She’d assisted in the births of some of these children, yet she was now a danger to them. How laughable!

Others came by to hurl insults her way, trying to beat her down even more. The mayor was encouraging them, she was sure. He was probably whispering into their ears. It was what he did.

She tried to push any negative feelings away, but eventually her hatred for the villagers started to show through the cracks. She’d done her best to make a life here. It was just denied to her at every turn. She couldn’t help, but be resentful.




Kaeldar was draped over the horse's neck, as it galloped through the forest. His wound was killing him with the throbbing pain. Every time the horse took a step, it jarred his injury, but he had to get farther away.