Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(59)

"Enjoying what you see?"

"Yes." She nodded her head, her flaxen hair swaying around her shoulders. She watched as his eyes diverted to her long locks which flowed around her shoulders.

"Would it be alright, if I went out onto the balcony?"

He kept staring at her hair without replying.

"Kaeldar?"

Still his eyes watched the tendrils of her hair.

"Kaeldar!" She said more urgently.

"Yes?" He shook his head, coming out of the slight stupor he’d been in.

"I was wondering if it would be alright to step out onto the balcony." She heaved a heavy sigh. "What I wouldn't give to have one of these on my cottage." She smiled.

"Please, go forth. I think you might enjoy the sight before you."

She soaked up the affection in his voice, like a dry sponge. Maybe he still wanted her.

Claira knew it shouldn't bother her so much that he was being confusing with his emotions, but it did. She had dreams about being in his life. Maybe she was just thinking impossible thoughts though. She was a healer, and he was a warrior.

They couldn’t get more opposite. He would be injuring people, and she would be patching them just to send them out to get beat up by Kaeldar.

Casting her downer thoughts from her mind, she faced towards the double glass doors. Her hands wrapped themselves around the door handles, one on each, and then she shoved the doors open, her arms spread wide.

She couldn't help the grin from forming on her face, as she left the confines of his room to stroll out onto the balcony. The fresh air filled her lungs, as she breathed in deeply.

As she stepped out onto the grey stone balcony, she saw some of the village spread out around the thick castle walls, which separated the castle from the village.

Briskly, she walked over to the edge of the balcony and set her hands upon the stone wall of the balcony. She had a breathtaking view from the balcony. Her eyes skimmed over the roofs of all the tiny houses within the village. Well not actually tiny, just from this height they looked small to her. She hadn't thought she climbed that many steps, when she made her way with the servants.

Leaning over the edge of the stone wall she looked down at the courtyard in front of the castle. It was busy with lively activity below. It must’ve been cleared of people, when Kaeldar and the other men arrived. Now though, everyone was tending to their lives again.

A shiver ran down her arms. Thank goodness the castle courtyard had been cleared of people, when they arrived. Claira knew she would’ve lost it completely, if she’d been surrounded by so many rock giants in such a small space.

This view gave her an idea of what a human castle must look like, since she’d never been to one.

Biting her bottom lip with her teeth she almost felt a little remorseful she’d never gone to a castle before. With so many people running around, she might’ve been overlooked for her strange need to help people by searching out the best herbs. She may have been able to blend in better.

Or she would just have that many more people out for her blood.

Then again maybe they wouldn't hate her, after all, the villagers had been turned against her because of that awful mayor. He’d been unable to just let her live her life.

She was tempted to ask Kaeldar to go back and take care of the mayor, but that wasn’t her way. Someday the mayor would get his payback for his animosity towards her, but it wouldn’t be by her hand or her command.

After seeing Robert killed before her very eyes, Claira didn't want to ever be the source of another's death. She still felt ill every time she thought about Robert's demise, even if she knew it hadn’t been her fault. He should never have come after her, and he’d been foolish to think he could take her from such a strong warrior, like Kaeldar.

At the time she’d been curious why Kaeldar had come back for her. There’d been no reason for him to, yet he had. So far, they were even when it came to saving each other.

With him acting distant, he made her think he was drifting away, but with the way he always came to save her, she thought he might care for her.

With a heavy sigh, she turned her eyes upwards, as she gazed up at the gorgeous clouds being lit up by the sunset. She’d never had such a wonderful view of the fading sky in her entire life. Here, she was able to see all the amazing hues of the sky, as the sun dropped down below the horizon.

As the evening progressed, she watched the stars above her twinkled into life. It was almost as if they were shining down just for her.

This moment was one she would treasure, because she knew it would probably be one of the most peaceful moments she was going to get. There were bound to be some bumpy roads ahead, and she would need to take it all one step at a time.

The day eventually faded into the darkness of night, and she retreated back into Kaeldar's room where she found him dressing. The clothing was so different from what he’d been wearing while they’d been on the move.

She couldn't help but smile. He looked absolutely dashing in his new clothing. It was a mix of black fabric and dark brown fur. She loved the long haired fur that curled around his neck, and down his shoulders and chest.

It must have cost him so much. No wonder he didn't think twice about offering her some clothing. He was generous, and he clearly had enough wealth to go around.

Clothing as fine as his would be beyond her wildest dreams. It definitely showed her the large difference between their class level. Here she’d been living in a one room cottage, and he’d been raised in a spacious castle.