Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(58)

Thankfully, she wasn't left alone with her thoughts for too much longer.

A knock sounded on the wooden door, and as she swiveled to look at the door, Kaeldar came in closing the door softly behind him. His helmet was under one of his arms, and he set it down on a chair, before he stripped off his armor.

She watched, as he peeled each layer of metal off of himself. Then he worked on his clothing. She watched with rapt attention, as he started with his shirt, exposing his pectoral muscles to her hungry gaze. Next he worked on his socks, and after he was done with that, he worked on the ties on his trousers.

With wide eyes, she gently sat upon the bed, not wanting to make any noise lest she disturb him and he stop.

Yet he did stop. Either he wanted to tease her or he had decided not to get undressed and both reasons disappointed her.

Kaeldar laid his large frame down on the other side of the bed across from where she was sitting. Her hands fiddled away in her lap, until she sprung up from where she was sitting and took a few quick steps away from the bed.

Wondering what to do next, she stood by herself awkwardly. She had no idea what to do now that she was standing up, but she had wanted to move. He was laying on the bed, relaxed as could be.

Spinning around, slowly but surely, she glanced down at Kaeldar.

He had a soft white pillow propped up behind his back. She appreciated the sight of his chest, which was made of strong muscle honed by war and sword practice, his long legs stretched down the length of the bed, and his ankles were crossed.

When she looked back up at his face, he’d moved his hands behind his head with his fingers interlaced together. As he noticed her watching him, he presented her with a lazy grin. He was such a cocky man, which wasn't actually bad or anything. It just meant he knew who he was, and he knew where he belonged in the world, and it was an attractive feature.

Twisting her hands in the fabric of her shirt she was about to make a decision what she should do next, when Kaeldar finally broke the long silence. It startled her, when his voice rang out loud and clear in the room.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Claira, but I was just thinking I should have some dresses made up for you."

Claira shook her head, while she held up a hand. "There is no need for that." Yet the thought of some new clothing sounded so spectacular to her. "But thank you for wanting to help me."

"It is no problem for me." He said sternly, wanting no more arguments from her.

Unfortunately for him, she wasn't about to quit expressing her opinions. "I’ve never been one to take handouts and giving me clothing must be quite expensive. So if you insist on getting me dresses, I will work to pay it off, as I have nothing else to give."

"It will not impeed my purse, trust me. Besides," he closed his eyes and rested his head back, "what honor could I have, if I let the female who saved my life over and over again wear the same clothing, when I can provide her some new ones."

Damn him, but he was right. If she didn't let him do it now, she would be denying him his so called honor. Blast the man. She knew it would mean a lot to him to provide for her, and she wouldn’t mind some new clothing.

Claira respected him for the way he behaved, it was nice to know such a great man like him existed in the world. Especially, since these days were full of trouble and war.

"Claira."

She looked over at him, his piercing black eyes searching her jade ones.

"I won't force you to accept them, but I do hope you will."

He was right. It would be impossibly silly, if she refused to accept his generous offer. Claira couldn't keep on wearing her rags. She knew she must look horrible. If there was one thing she didn't want to look like in front of the rock giants, it would be a pathetically frail woman who didn't deserve any of their respect.

"I would be more than happy to accept your offer." She wiped her hands down her shirt and added on, "I wouldn't mind wearing something new, something clean." She would be able to go up against any opposition, if she was clean and feeling refreshed from everything she had gone through lately.

His eyelids slid closed, and he seemed to doze off, so Claira decided to explore the room a little.

It was definitely his chamber. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind. Everything around her screamed masculine. There were swords strapped to the wall above the fireplace, and there were tapestries depicting battles and hunting scenes, which were spread over the stone walls of the room.

Some of the tapestries appealed to her more primal side. She was curious if they might hold the history of his people. They had to. There just seemed to be an importance to them that was tangible. They held a dual purpose of keeping out the cold and reminding him of the glory of his people.

Wanting to brush her fingers over the scenes she decided to restrain herself. She would hate to be the person who accidently ruined something precious.

Leaning in she took a good look at a few of them. A grimace formed on her face, as she examined them more carefully. The artists definitely hadn't wanted to leave out any gruesome details in the battle or hunting scenes.

Put off Claira turned her attention back to looking around the room. The double glass doors leading to a large balcony drew her in. Stepping close she peered out the window.

Glancing over her shoulder at Kaeldar she noticed his eyes had cracked open to watch her as she made her way around his room.