Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(18)

It would be normal for them both to be curious about each other. They’d been raised to hate each other, yet they kept saving each other.

Some scalding fat rolled onto her finger, and she turned her attention back to the piping hot rabbit. Steam rippled off it, but she held it by the stick with two hands and took a mouthful. Allowing the juices to flow over her tongue, she groaned with pleasure, as the meat filled her hollow stomach.

Within minutes the rock giant had finished his. He had to be ravenous, since his body would be demanding fuel to heal his wound.

She offered him the other half of her rabbit, but he shook his head.

“I’m full. If you can, you should eat it. It will help you to recover faster.” She held it out to him again.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I’m not the one who needs more nourishment.”

He took it from her and finished the rest of it with some quick bites.

She was more than comfortable relaxing in front of the fire, but Kaeldar rose and made his way over to the tent. When he disappeared behind the tent flap and she didn't hear anything, she grew curious.

Not to mention she didn't feel like staying out in the forest without any company. There was always the probability a rock giant scouting party could come by. No spot near the borders was safe these days.

When she popped her head inside the tent, she saw how tiny it truly was. Kaeldar was already lying down and taking up more than half the available space. There was no way she could sleep beside him without them touching. She wasn’t used to sleeping next to a man, let alone a rock giant.

A spike of trepidation flowed through her, but she reasoned with herself. If he wanted her dead, he wouldn’t have saved her, but there was still the chance he could snap and lash out at her.

Then again the small tent could be an advantage. It would allow her to watch over him more closely through the upcoming nights. She just had no idea what to expect. Claira prayed he would be able to keep his hands to himself for at least this first day and night.

After sitting down next to the rock giant, she tentatively put her hands on his armor. He didn't move, but he did open his eyes to look up at her.

“Do you mind if I check your wound?” She asked. She didn't need him dying on her. He was her best hope at a new life.

“Don’t.” He growled out.

Claira leaned her butt back on her heels. “With all that you’ve done, I worry about your wound.”

“It’s fine.” He said gruffly.

“You don’t look fine.” Claira returned.

“Will you keep pestering me?” Kaeldar arched a thick eyebrow in question.

“Let me look at your wound, and then we will discuss me leaving you alone.”

He eyed her for a few seconds, and then gave in with a nod of his head.

Claira smiled, as she removed his armor and the fur lining underneath. The wound had indeed reopened, but thankfully not by much. Scrounging up some fabric she wrapped his wound back up in a fresh bandage. He was going to need the rest of his blood, if he was going to stay strong.

Kaeldar fell asleep, before she even finished, and after some time, she nodded off. She’d had such a strenuous few days, and she was ready for some well-deserved rest.




Claira woke in the middle of the night to the sounds of spooky night animals, like the hooting of an owl. She’d never slept in a tent before, and she missed the solid wood walls of her cottage. The flimsy tent walls made her question whether or not they were actually safe inside.

She could feel the rock giant breathing evenly behind her, and she took comfort in the fact he was around. Eventually, she grew too tired to stay awake for much longer.

Throughout the whole night, she rolled around on the hard ground, barely able to get any sleep. Towards early morning, she started to feel unbearably warm. As she woke, she wondered if she was coming down with an illness.

After feeling her forehead, she felt his, but although a little warm he seemed fine to her.

“I better take a look at your wound.” Claira reached for his wound, but his hands shot out to grab hers.

“I am fine. Let me sleep, Claira.” Kaeldar growled at her. Deciding the discussion was over he rolled over onto his side leaving her to just stare at his back.

He was definitely becoming a frustrating patient. Then again when were men good patients? He probably thought himself indestructible, but he might make a fatal mistake if he kept thinking that way.

Yet, Claira let him have his way, for now. If he thought he was fine, then she would wait. She only hoped he knew when to ask for help and when to refuse it, but she’d watch him like a hawk, just in case he was stupid.




By the next morning, the rock giant was up and about within the tent, but before she let him out of the tent, she was going to have some words with him.

As Kaeldar headed for the tent flap, Claira sidestepped into his path. He tried his best to slip past her, but she wasn't allowing it. Not this morning. Her hand shot out to block his way better.

His dark eyes narrowed, as he took a step back and watched her from under his lashes.

“I need you to stop reopening that wound. As a healer, I would encourage you to follow my advice, and that means you need to start taking it easy. I've saved your life once, and I don't want you ruining all of my effort.”

He stared down at her with his cold pitch black eyes.