Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(60)

Amazing how she’d thought she might actually be something he would want, and that she would be able to fit in. She wouldn't know the first thing about living in a world with all this fluff.

Kaeldar turned to see what she was doing, and she felt his eyes drift over her frame.

"I won’t be able to get any new clothing for you, before the evening meal. What you have will have to do for now, but I promise to get some clothing, as soon as possible."

She was going down for dinner? Among rock giants? Was he planning on her being alive later tonight? Though she might be being a little over dramatic.

Claira never even thought dinner was going to be a possibility. It hadn’t crossed her mind she might have to sit in a hall full of rock giants.

How was she going to deal with being surrounded by all those rock giants? How would the rock giants deal with it? She was unable to see any of them wanting her to eat with them.

"Kaeldar?"

He turned back to look at her.

"I don’t believe I’ll be welcome at dinner. Maybe I should just wait up here, and perhaps have some food sent up. I don't want to cause any ruckus over me being here. Out of sight out of mind is better, in my opinion."

He tisked. "Claira, you can't live up here forever. Some day, you will have to go down, and some day they will have to get used to seeing you around the castle, maybe even in the village."

Claira cast her eyes away, a sparkle of wetness glistened in her green eyes. She was terrified of stirring up trouble by being present at dinner. She always put up a brave front, but she had emotions like anyone else. She wasn’t about to break down, but she was starting to feel the immense stress weighing down on her shoulders.

There’d been enough trouble back in her village, and she seemed to attract hatred from others. She didn't want Kaeldar in the middle, because although he was acting differently towards her, she still knew he would do anything to keep her safe.

"If you insist I go, then let me take a look in the mirror first."

Pointing to a table in the corner he said, "There is one over on that side of the room. Take your time.”

Nodding her thanks she headed over, dreading what she might see in the reflection. Taking a steadying breath she looked into the mirror and grimaced. Worse than she could’ve ever thought.

Her hair looked dirty, the blonde had been dulled, and she looked like she had a few smeared marks on her face. Licking a thumb she tried her best to wipe them off, but the marks were determined to mar her face.

She restrained a groan that formed on the tip of her tongue. Here she was going to be a soiled human woman among so many finely dressed rock giants. If only she could have the time to take a bath and change her clothing.

With a frown plastered to her face, she turned around to take a look at Kaeldar.

He was standing beside the door, one hand on the handle, and an impatient look on his face. "Are you ready to go down now?"

"As ready as I will ever be, I suppose." Claira stated glumly. He was definitely acting abnormally, now that they were here at the castle.

"Good." He opened the door and motioned her forward.




As they neared the hall and the noise of the dining giants entered her ears, her steps slowly faltered. She couldn't force herself to take another step forward. No matter how much she tried, she just couldn’t lift a foot.

Kaeldar's arm threaded it's way through her own. Looking up she met his steady and reassuring gaze. Thankfully, he didn't have his shield up, and she was able to read his concern for her discomfort.

It pleased her immensely, but the pity she saw made her chin come up. She wasn't one to be pitied.

Some of the villagers had sympathized with her, before it turned to burning hatred. Claira didn’t need it, she was a strong woman, that was why she’d picked healing. It gave her a sense of belonging.

Waiting by her side, Kaeldar gave her time to think and take control of her feelings.

"I am ready." Claira whispered up to him, while she faced back to the hall.

Kaeldar took the initiative and led the way. Since her arm was entwined with his, she had to get her feet to move or be dragged into the hall. If he hadn’t taken her arm, her feet would’ve faltered again.

As they took the first few steps into the great hall, it was as if she hit a wall of sound. The rock giants sure knew how to enjoy themselves, she would give them that.

There was such a vast number of rock giants within the great hall. Overwhelming terror shot threw her and choked up her throat. If Kaeldar hadn't been beside her, she would’ve turned tail and fled the room.

She could never have imagined how many rock giants would be in the great hall.

It seemed as though some of them had been waiting to see her. Eager eyes looked up from random tasks, as she and Kaeldar walked in. It wasn't surprising the word had got around. She was the only human around for miles upon miles. Their was bound to be a lot of curiousity and open-mouthed gawking.

Rock giants stopped eating, as Kaeldar led her through the hall. With so many pressing stares, she felt sweat build up on her brow.

How could Kaeldar protect her from all of these rock giants? He was only one man, after all. There were some who despised her presence and others who just wanted to see what she looked like.

She tried her best to keep her eyes forward and her chin held high, yet, she felt herself being drawn towards their gazes. It was too much to bare, and it made her skin crawl.