Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(30)

Claira sat up and rolled the fur cover down to get a look at his wound. She nibbled her lip, as she pressed her fingers around the wound judging his reactions to different levels of pressure. When he didn't even wince once, she smiled a little.

“It’s definitely looking a lot better than I hoped for. If you aren't having any pain, then I think you could travel without any major concerns. Just take things slowly, and this time, let me know when you have any discomfort.”

As he stood to get dressed, he caught Claira blushing as her eyes landed on his nakedness. She turned her head to the side to avert her gaze.

He was proud of his body. Kaeldar wouldn’t complain, if she wanted to eyeball him. He wouldn’t mind her appreciating the training he kept up on. The blush that crept up her cheeks was charming though.

He threw on his clothing. He may not mind, but he didn’t want to bother Claira too much, and he was ready to get moving. He’d have time to make her blush, once they were to a safer area.

He had them packed and ready to go in a matter of minutes. As he turned to see if she was prepared to leave, he found her kneeling by the river washing herself with a wet cloth.

He decided to let her take her time, since it was the least he could do. She probably hadn’t much time for herself, while taking care of him. If he’d let her take care of his wound earlier, he wouldn’t have put them both through this set back.

When Claira finished up, she came over, a smile gracing her lips. He could tell she felt better about herself, but he had to admit either way she was attractive, for a human female.

“Are you ready to go or is there anything else you need?”

Claira puffed up a little. “I think I should be allowed some time to clean up, thank you.”

He smiled, as she stood up to him. He didn't know if it was because she knew he wouldn't hurt her or because she just had a strong backbone, but he was surprised by how fierce she could be. “I wasn’t accusing you of taking too much time. I just want you to be comfortable, after what you did for me.”

He was pleased to find she had a backbone, because she was going to need it when they got to his people.

Claira nodded and changed the subject, as she mounted up. “While you were out, I had a scary encounter with some riders in the forest.”

Kaeldar froze. He knew she was leaving out details to gain his curiosity, and she had it.

“Riders?” He asked as he mounted up on the second horse, and they started on their way.

“Yes. I believe there were three of them, and from what I could tell, they appeared to be rock giants.”

His heart hit the ground, as his breath caught in his throat. She could’ve been killed, while he was in a fever. He should have let her tend to his wound sooner. He was going to get her killed with his stubbornness.

“Where did you see them? When?”

Claira explained, she had been out searching for a few herbs, when she saw the giants. Then she described how she had stayed hidden until they disappeared.

“I’m glad you are safe.” He may have no intention of hurting her, but he knew other rock giants wouldn't care for her life. She would just be one more human.

They fell into silence, as they made their way through the forest. Kaeldar kept thinking about how to keep her safe, when they came across other rock giants. He knew they would think he had her for more intimate reasons. Why else would he keep a human female alive?

It was a little too late for him to take her to a different human village. Not that he thought she would leave him. She still wanted to keep an eye on his wound, if he knew her.

Then came the question of a human village accepting her. He doubted they would with the way the last village treated her. Even before he had shown up on the scene, she’d been treated like an outsider. She was stuck with him, and he would do his best to keep her alive.

He was left to his own thoughts until the afternoon, when he noticed Claira drifting off into sleep, while on her horse. She would shake her head and wake, but he didn't need her falling off her horse and getting injured.

Eventually, her head drooped, and she didn't wake. So Kaeldar pulled his horse up to hers, grabbed her, and placed her in front of him.

Claira tried to protest. “I’m awake, put me back.”

But Kaeldar only shook his head down at her. “I don't think so. You are going to end up falling off your horse, and we don't need you getting injured as well.” Then he added, “You stayed up to take care of me, you need some sleep, Claira. Get some.”

She stared up at him, and he thought she would keep protesting, but instead she nodded. She fell asleep, as soon as her head touched his chest.

He gazed down at the top of her blonde hair. His heart got a strange hitch in it, and he couldn't help but puff out his chest a little. She trusted him enough to sleep within his arms.

He told himself she didn't mean anything to him. She was just a human female he owed his life to, that was all. There was nothing between them, nothing at all. There never would be anything between them either.

Taking the reins of the second horse he tied them to the back of his saddle and then got back to traveling. He tucked her a little more firmly against his front, as he wrapped an arm around her slim waist.

She was so tiny compared to giant females, so short and lightweight without much muscle build. It was a nice change to have such a feminine body in his arms. It was an attribute most giant females lacked.