Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(33)

She kept remembering how the other rock giant bowed to him. He couldn’t just be a soldier. She may not know a lot about soldiers, but they didn’t bow to each other. “Who are you, because I get the feeling you aren’t just a normal soldier.”

He turned to look at her, a crease forming between his brows. “Who am I?”

“Yes. The other rock giant bowed to you, when we entered camp. Soldiers don’t bow to each other.” Claira folded her arms in front of her chest, as she stuck out a foot.




Her question caught him a bit off guard. Kaeldar didn't know if he actually wanted to tell her the truth. So, instead, he replied with, “I am his commander.”

She watched him for a second, but then nodded, accepting his answer. “So I was right. Not a simple soldier then.”

He let out a breath he hadn't known he’d been holding. He hadn't wanted to tell her about being the possible future king of the rock giants. He was a part of the family who initiated the war with the humans, and he wasn’t sure what her reaction might be towards him being a prince.

Then again what did he care what she thought of him? He believed in the war, if only to put the humans in their place, and show them they could only push the giants so far.

He shrugged to himself. It didn't matter who he was, it just mattered if he kept his promise to her. No matter what it took, he had every intention of keeping her safe among his people.

As she went over to the furs to sit down, he glanced at his wound. It was definitely looking a lot better, and he expected to be in top shape in no time.

“Your skills are impressive. I’m sure I can find some work for you here among my people. With a war, we are always in need of skilled healers.”

They had their healers stretched pretty thin with the war, and they could always use more hands.

“Would your people allow a human to heal them?” Claira asked. “They might not trust me.”

“It might take some convincing on my part, but it would be preferable to death.” They would need to trust she wasn't going to poison them in the sick bed, but he was sure he could prove her ability in healing. He was already a living example.

If he wasn’t able to convince them, he would need to figure out what to do with Claira. So far, her only value was her skill with healing.

Worst came to worst, he could always leave her at some human village near the rock giant border. She was resilient enough to get a new life started, even if she was shunned.

His word would hold some weight, as prince, but he’d have to keep it from his father's ears or there could be problems. A prince with a human in tow wouldn’t please his parents.

Bending down he grabbed a new shirt and slipped it on over his head. “I will be back. Stay within the tent, for your own safety. No one will enter my tent without my permission.”

As he headed for the tent flap, she rushed to catch his arm. Damn, she moved quickly. He turned to face her.

“I will come with you.”

He read the uncertainty within her eyes. She wasn’t keen on being left alone. “Stay inside the tent, and you have nothing to worry about. Trust me?”

She took a little bit to answer. He saw the emotions flicker through her beautiful jade eyes, as she thought about it. “Yes, I trust you.”

He felt satisfaction flow through him, and then pushed it away. He was getting too close to her. She was his healer, not his female.

“Then stay within the tent, and you will be fine.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze for reassurance.

“I may trust you, but I feel safer by your side.”

He could tell she was trying to be strong, and Kaeldar could understand how the rock giant world could be intimidating to a lone human female.

“Stay.” He hoped the confidence within his eyes would give her some courage.

“No.”

His eyes widened, as his brows rose. She had a confident streak hidden within her body, when she wanted it.

Kaeldar shrugged his shoulders. “So be it, but don't stray far from my side.”

Her head bobbed in acknowledgement.

It was time to see if he really could keep her safe among his men.




This ended up being another very poor decision on her part. Why had she insisted Kaeldar keep her by his side? She probably would’ve been safer in the tent. Out of sight, out of mind.

Claira was glued to his side. She never strayed too far, as they moved through the camp. Every time she met the gaze of a rock giant, she was able to read the malicious intent clearly. If they got a chance to harm her, she knew several of them would end up taking it.

Although understandable, it terrified her to the core. Her flesh prickled, as she felt so many stares directed her way. She was half tempted to ask Kaeldar to take her back to the tent, but she knew he wouldn’t be amused if he had to retrace his steps. It had been her decision to join along.

Now she knew, at least, that it wasn't any better walking around with Kaeldar than just sitting in the tent twiddling her thumbs.

Claira was so engrossed in the stares directed at her that she face planted into Kaeldar's back, when he suddenly stopped in front of her.

She raised a hand to feel her nose. She felt like she could have broken it, had she been walking any faster, his back was so rock hard. A frown turned down her lips, and she peaked out from behind him to see why he stopped so suddenly.