Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(31)

He was leading them to a rock giant camp he knew of. He almost felt like dragging out their travel time so they would miss the encampment of rock giants. Yet he had a job to do. He was a warrior, and he needed to get back to help with the war against the humans.

He knew when they arrived at the camp he would have to pretend he was taking Claira as his bedmate. It would be the only way to protect her. She’d have to be his spoils of war. He knew what her reaction would be to such a proclamation, but that was exactly what he was going to need, if it was going to look real.

Kaeldar wasn’t known for an even temper. Claira may think she knew him, but he would always be a rock giant. If he claimed her, no one would touch her. He’d take their heads, if they dared, and any rock giant would know that.

Kaeldar stopped himself.

Would he really take heads to defend a human female? He was using her for her knowledge of healing, and then he would get rid of her. Right?

The rock giant world was going to be quite different, but she would learn that soon enough. It was more violent and less forgiving.




“How long was I asleep?” Claira asked, as she woke in Kaeldar’s arms.

“All day and night.”

“That would explain the crick in my neck.” Claira used a hand to massage her shoulder, as she straightened up in front of him. “Mid-day?”

“Yes.”

Claira yawned loudly. It felt so good to give a stretch.

What she wouldn't give to sleep in a bed again. Then she might be able to get a good night’s rest. She wished she could get some more sleep, but she felt awkward asking Kaeldar to keep holding as she snoozed in his arms.

Until they rode out of the forest and entered a rock giant camp. Then she wanted to shrink into his arms.

Couldn’t he have prepared her first? A little forewarning wouldn’t be amiss. Her eyes went wide, as she took in the sights before her. She’d imagined something along these lines, but the reality was more spine-chilling than her imagination had been.

Her spine shot straight up, and she tried to become one with Kaeldar's chest. Claira did her best to bury herself in his arms and hoped no one would notice her.

A grunt sounded from behind her.

She mumbled an apology. She knew she’d sunk her elbow straight into his wound, as she tried to disappear, but she still didn't budge from her position.

The rock giants noticed their arrival, and she could feel their dark eyes landing on her, one after the other. A few of the rock giants cast her wicked smiles, as Kaeldar kept the horse moving through the camp. She could see the meaning behind those smiles. They were interested in her, and she really wished they weren't.

They probably thought Kaeldar had brought them a treat from the border. Hopefully, Kaeldar would be able to uphold his promise about keeping her safe from all of these men.

She watched as a rock giant stood, a knife being used as a toothpick. They were all just as tall and well-built as Kaeldar. Claira had no idea how he was going to fend them all off.

Shivers coursed up and down her spine causing goose bumps to spread over her flesh.

“I'm here for you.” Kaeldar whispered in her ear.

She tried her best to take comfort in his words, but somehow she had her doubts. She couldn't see any of these rock giants sparing her life. Death would probably be the kindest thing they could do to her.

They probably thought she was Kaeldar's plaything. How wrong they were about that. Kaeldar hadn't even touched her once. She was his healer, nothing more.

As Kaeldar rode through camp, she realized she really hadn't known true terror among the villagers. She felt like she might faint, her heart was beating so quickly, causing her head to feel light.

Now she feared something else besides death, the unknown about what would happen to her if Kaeldar were to die. There would be no one on her side if that happened, and she’d be at the mercy of these giants. It might make what almost happened between Robert and her pale in comparison.

Until that wound completely healed, she would be watching him like a hawk. If he died, she would’ve signed her own death warrant.

Claira tried to keep her back straight, to face them proudly, but she found herself slowly sinking down into a hunched position. All those hate filled eyes were focused on her. She obviously hadn't been thinking, when she thought this would be fine because she had Kaeldar by her side.

It really sunk in, right there and then, that she didn't actually know Kaeldar. He had shown her a different side, not too long ago, when he killed Robert. He was a trained killer through and through.

But she had dug her hole and now she was stuck. It was she who had insisted on staying by his side to heal him. She just had to face this challenge head on and get past it.

A rock giant rose and came over to stand before the horse, blocking their way.

Kaeldar pulled up on the reins, as they spoke in their own language, and Claira just sat there wondering what was being discussed.

Glancing between them she noticed the other rock giant inspecting her. She had a funny feeling they were discussing her, and curiosity pricked at her.

She was able to make a couple guesses. The other rock giant probably wanted to know who she was, why she was there, and what Kaeldar planned to do with her. As the only human among the giants, she would, of course, be the main attraction now.

As the conversation came to an end she watched, puzzled, as the other rock giant bowed to Kaeldar. What was that about?