Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(41)

After grabbing a sword and trying to find a partner, Kaeldar stopped. Maybe he should distract his body by teaching Claira how to use a dagger. A dagger would be one of the best weapons for her. It was small, and she clearly knew how to hide it on her body.

With it decided, he made his way back to the tent.




Claira touched her fingertips to her plump lips. The kiss affected her at an alarming magnitude. She’d wanted him to continue, but instead he ruined it by snatching her dagger.

Of course, she was sure the kiss meant nothing to him. After he held up her dagger, she knew he only used the kiss to distract her. He’d used her body against her, and she despised him for that.

Kaeldar pushed through the tent flap surprising her. “Come here.” He demanded.

“Excuse me?” Claira raised an eyebrow. “I am not at your beck and call.”

“Would you like to learn how to use a dagger or not?”

“You would teach me, after I pulled it on you?”

“I may not be thrilled about it, but this is something you need to know. I can’t be by your side every day.”

“Promise you won’t use kisses to win?” Claira folded her arms in front of her chest.

His eyes dipped down to glance at her lips, and then back up at her eyes. “Will it work again?”

“Dream on.” Claira brushed past him. “So where are we going to practice?”

“Follow me.” Kaeldar took off, and Claira had to quicken her steps just to keep up.

While they walked, Claira noticed the swords and daggers he strapped to his body since she last saw him. It made for an intimidating sight, but it gave her confidence in his ability to train her.

A few rock giants made moves to follow, but with a sharp snarl from Kaeldar they went back to minding their own business. Claira was grateful for it. She already suffered enough embarrassment in front of them for one day.

“This should be far enough to give us some privacy.” Kaeldar turned to face her.

Flipping a dagger out of a sheath, Kaeldar grabbed it by the blade, holding the handle out for her to grab. Claira took it and nibbled her lip. This was definitely going to be interesting. In some ways, she felt like Kaeldar had the harder task in front of him, with teaching her.

“What now?”

“Now I will teach you to defend yourself.”

Kaeldar grabbed his own dagger and leapt forward. Claira let out a squeal, and her dagger slipped from her fingers.

“Claira. You need to keep a hold of your dagger. How do you plan on using it, when you don’t have it?”

“I never would have guessed.” She shot back. “You just surprised me.”

“Your enemy won’t announce when he’s going to kill you.” Kaeldar shook his head. “I would never harm you, but even if you fear me, you should use it to your advantage. Don’t let it use you.”

Going back to his starting spot, Kaeldar asked, “Are you ready to try again?”

Claira grabbed her dagger. “What if I harm you?”

“You won’t, so don’t hold anything back. I will be the only one holding back, alright?”

“If you want to risk it.” Claira shrugged her shoulders, as she got into place.

“There’s the confidence you need.”

Kaeldar lunged forward again, and Claira sidestepped out of his way. Claira tried to take a jab at him, but he spun on his heel, reached out, grabbed her dagger’s blade, and yanked the hilt from her grasp.

Claira’s mouth popped open. “But your hand!” She cried out in alarm.

Rushing forward she pried the dagger out of his hand to look at his palm.

“Look, no wound.”

“I just wanted to make sure.” Claira backed away from him.

“Now should we give this a couple more tries?”

Claira nodded.

After several more attempts, Claira actually improved, to both their shock.

“Once more then?”

Claira gave a determined nod.

Kaeldar lunged. Claira ducked, rolled across the ground, and then leapt up to her feet, but Kaeldar was already behind her. Grabbing her from behind with an arm as he tried to get her dagger. Claira threw her head back and managed to clip him in the chin.

Growling Kaeldar stumbled back, but didn’t let go.

Swinging her around her gripped her throat. Before Claira could think, Kaeldar’s lips met hers.




He had no idea what had come over him, but as her body was struggling against his, he’d felt an overwhelming surge of lust. When he gripped her throat, he pulled her in and kissed her.

Claira gave a moan, and all thoughts fled his mind.

The daggers slipped from their fingers, as they wrapped around each other. Her arms came up and clung onto his shoulders, as he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

She was so sweet, just like honey, and it was intoxicating.




Claira couldn’t make her mind think correctly. She was draped over the rock giant, and her mind was racing with arousing images. His muscles were right under her eager fingers, and his dizzying mouth was scorching her with every caress.

When one of his hands came up to fondle her breast, she arched her chest against his grasp.

What was she doing? She couldn’t be kissing the rock giant. She didn’t even know him.