Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(47)

But he was a little upset the others had heard the sounds of pleasure from her throat. Those sounds were only meant for him to hear. Kaeldar cast a glare around at the men who decided to send a wink or a knowing smirk his way.

He didn't need them doing it to Claira. They might make her uncomfortable, and Kaeldar wouldn't stand for it.




Claira stretched her arms up above her head. A smile couldn't be stopped from spreading over her lips. She found someone who could accept her for who she was, even if he was acting strange this morning. Or at least it felt that way, but he was a man, maybe cuddling hadn’t crossed his mind.

She put a hand down to her sensitive area and rubbed it a little. It might be sore, but it was a good feeling. None of her other partners had filled her with such passion or so fully.

Thoughts of Robert came creeping back into her mind. She was sleeping with his killer. Kaeldar had done it to save her, but trading one life for another?

She still couldn't believe what Robert tried to do to her. She regretted his death, but also felt like he deserved it for what he attempted. It was a conflicting issue she couldn’t decide on.

The villagers had been foolish. She would’ve stayed and taken good care of their needs, if they’d only accepted her. They hadn’t, but she found a rock giant who accepted her.

Claira would welcome Kaeldar between her thighs, if he desired to bed her again. When he looked at her, he made her feel seen.

Maybe tonight Kaeldar would want to join her for another round. She could always try to initiate sex with Kaeldar again. She had no idea what had overcome her last night, but she didn’t regret it at all. She might not be the shyest person, but she wasn’t brimming with courage either.

With a heavy content sigh, she rose and got dressed. As she slipped on her clothing, she knew she absolutely needed a new outfit. This one was becoming one large rag. Not to mention, she probably didn't look all that good in it anymore.

She couldn’t do anything about it, at the moment, so she ran her nimble fingers through her hair, trying her best to take out the worst knots. When her blonde hair felt smoother, she took it all and wound it around itself to make a slight bun at the back of her neck.

Thankfully, Kaeldar didn’t leave her to twiddle her thumbs. He was back within a few minutes, and he brought food with him. Her stomach gave an eager growl, as she grinned up at him.

When he didn’t return her smile, she frowned. Was it just her or was he acting a little aloof?

Kaeldar held his hand out to her. Looking at his outstretched hand she saw a chunk of bread and a dried piece of meat.

Glad to have something to fill her stomach, she took the offered food and munched on them. The chunk of bread was a little on the crusty side and the dried meat was salted, but that was as much as she could say about it.

Nothing impressive, but she didn't expect anything mindblowing. They were in an army camp, after all. She could only hope Kaeldar would get them somewhere with decent food or send out a hunting party for fresh meat.

Right as she took a large bite of the crusty bread, Kaeldar spoke to her in his deep gravelly voice. “I don't want you to be uncomfortable, but thought you should prepare yourself. The warriors in the camp know what we did last night.” At the blank look she sent him, he continued. “When we had sex.”

Claira couldn't stop herself from choking on her bite of bread. Throwing a hand up to her throat she tried to cough up the bread crumbles.

Kaeldar bent down next to her and laid a large hand on her back. “Are you alright, Claira?”

Sucking in a deep breath she turned to look up at him. “Why do you think they know what we did last night?” She croaked up at him, her throat still had some breadcrumbs lodged away in there.

“While I was out there to get our breakfast, some of the men threw me winks and grins. We weren't exactly the quietest last night.”

She hadn't thought they’d been that loud though. Maybe they had been, after all, these were fur tents. It wasn't like much sound was going to be contained within the thin walls.

Trying her best to stem any blushing, she felt a slight hint of embarrassment. How could she not? She felt like the men outside of the tent would judge her or think she was some easy mark who would do anything to ensure protection.

Was there a tiny part of her that had wanted to ensure protection?

Yes. Perhaps there was a part of her that wanted to be his bedmate for the benefits, but there was another part that found Kaeldar intriguing. He acted kind to her, and he kept her safe. He was honorable, and she wanted to know him better.

“We should be leaving soon, so I would suggest being prepared to move out within a short time. The group will be separating. You and I will go with the group that is headed back to the rock giant castle.” He explained to her, as she finished the breakfast he brought her.

“And the other group?” Claira inquired.

“They will be going out to raid,” he coughed into his fist, “other human villages.”

“A village? Kaeldar how can you let this happen?”

“What do you want me to do about this, Claira?”

“Stop them!”

“I can’t stop them, Claira, this is war. You have to realize that. I’m not fighting for humans, nor have I pretended not to be a warrior. I’m not their commander, I’m just a commander.” Which wasn’t exactly a lie. He was a prince, and his father held control over the military.