Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(36)

“If you need me, I won't be too far away.” With that last statement, he left the tent.

Sitting up she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Sounds came from outside the tent, lots of growling and deep voices. A shiver ran up over her spine. Claira shook her head and rose from under the covers, pushing them off.

She wandered around the perimeter of the tent, twiddling her thumbs yet again. It seemed something she was going to do a lot, while she was with Kaeldar.

As the minutes passed by her eyes landed on the trunk. She found herself wanting to take another look. There might be something in there, which she could use to keep her mind occupied.

She was sure Kaeldar was going to take a while longer and boring to death was not in her agenda for today.

She approached the wooden trunk, lifted the lid, and took a peek inside. Swords and daggers greeted her eager eyes.

There were a lot of them, so nothing to entertain her mind with. Some looked nice, others looked like they had seen better days. She closed the lid softly. Weapons weren't in her area of interest, as a healer.

Just as she started to pace around the tent again, Kaeldar stepped through the flap. A brown leather bag was in one of his hands, and he tossed it to her. It went sailing through the air, and she barely reacted fast enough to catch it.

Opening it she found some dried meat. Not exactly what she would think of to eat in the morning, but it would do. Taking a piece, she chewed on it. “So, where did you go?” Claira asked over her mouthful.

“I was finding out when this camp was due to move and where they were going.”

Claira raised an eyebrow at him, as she picked another piece of dried meat to chew on.

“They’re getting ready to leave right now, and it appears we will be moving along the border.” Kaeldar explained to her.

“Will we be leaving with them?” Claira asked, praying the answer would be a no.

“We will be traveling with them.” Kaeldar confirmed.

She hoped she wouldn’t have to be around all these rock giants for too much longer. Taking one last piece of meat out of the bag she tossed it back to Kaeldar.

As she munched, Kaeldar led her out of the tent. Their horses were already tacked up and ready for them, and there was a new horse waiting as well. A rock giant horse, and it was about twice the size of a human horse.

Claira let out a low whistle. Seeing giant horses from a distance wasn't the same as seeing one up close.

She patted her horse on his soft pink nose and was glad he was still doing alright. He seemed comfortable with all the rock giants around, and Claira was jealous of his state of mind.

The rock giants moved around the camp, paying her no mind, which she was thankful for. They were efficient, as they packed up the camp around them. She would’ve thought it would take them hours to get a camp this size ready to move, but it didn't. By the time she and Kaeldar were ready so was the rest of the camp.

Kaeldar mounted up and offered his hand down to her.

A frown formed on her face. “What about the other two horses?” She asked him.

“The other horses will ride at the back and be used as pack horses. A human horse isn’t built with a giant in mind. Years of breeding have made ours so large and strong.”

She wasn't keen on the idea of her horse being by himself. He’d been her only friend for several years.

“You can ride at the back of the army with your horse, but I will remain at the front.”

She wasn't keen at being too far away from Kaeldar, after what she’d gone through. Claira gave one last pout of her lips, but slipped her small hand into his larger one. The idea of riding alone was not high on her list.

“Promise the horses will be fine?” She asked, as he swung her up before him.

“They will both be fine. Rock giants don't tend to eat horses.”

“Tend to?” She asked, alarm spiking through her.

A smile broke across his face, and she realized he was just pulling her leg.

“Not funny.” Claira moped, as she gave him a playful smack on the arm.

She faced forward, as one of Kaeldar's arms snaked around her waist, bringing her snuggly against his body. It made her feel comfortable and safe, like no one and nothing would be able to touch her.

Soon they were well on their way, with Kaeldar up near the front of the army, while her horses were taken to the back.




They traveled for a full day and a little into the night, before the rock giants made another camp. She had tried to sleep or entertain herself with the scenery, but she had little to no success.

The rock giant army amazed her by how organized they were. War seemed like a lifestyle choice. If she stayed with them, she felt like she might always have her hands full with healing. That is, if they trusted her enough to let her lay her hands on them.

Kaeldar dismounted from behind her. “Would you like to come down or stay up there, while I set up the tent.”

“I'll come down.”

He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her down. This time he didn't slide her down his body, and she was thankful for that. She didn’t need him flooding her senses.

Claira didn’t understand why her mind kept fleeing her, when he was around. This was the first time a man had been able to make her forget herself, but he wasn’t a normal man. He was a pure warrior, as well as a giant.

She watched, as Kaeldar untied the tent from the back of the horse and went to set it up. He had it up within minutes, when she would’ve taken a day or two to get it set up.