Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(7)

What was she doing? Fantasizing about a hurt rock giant? She was clearly getting desperate to find someone to love her.

Robert loved her, but he just wasn’t the right man. She could feel it in her bones.

Shaking her head, she got down to business. Taking a wet cloth, she washed his face, down his neck, over his chest, and abdomen.

Claira prayed he’d live. She would love to see him walking out of the cottage on his own two feet. It would be quite the scene to behold. She smiled down at him, as she hummed while she worked.

After she finished with his lower half, she made sure not to expose his private parts. He would be the one to wash down there, when he recovered enough to do so. She didn’t feel comfortable with her feelings. It felt awkward to wash him down there, when she was fantasizing about him.

Claira heated up some broth for him. Gently, she lifted his head and spoon-fed him the warm broth.




Kaeldar had grown used to the tender care of the human female. It still bewildered him why she was taking such great care with him. Perhaps she was a simple minded female who didn’t realize he was a rock giant.

He was able to tell she was drugging him though. With the attention she had been giving him, he should have been well enough to move around. Yet, he found his limbs frozen in place, no matter how hard he strived.

She’d let up on the drug for a while, but when he’d thrown himself off the bed, she re-drugged him. So in a way, it was his own fault that he wasn’t able to move.

When she gave him a sponge bath, he loved the warm trail of water she left on his skin. He’d been in the forest soaked to the bone thinking he would die of hypothermia. Now he had a beautiful human female washing his naked body. He’d seen a few glimpses of her through his drugged state, and he liked what he’d seen.

If she hadn't drugged him, he knew he would’ve had the hardest cock in the lands. Her sponge dipped close to the apex of his thighs, as she kept washing. She was such a tease.

He watched her with a half lidded gaze, as she poured something into a bowl. His stomach growled at him, but he was unable to tell her of his hunger. His mouth wouldn’t move, and he found it beyond frustrating.

Kaeldar wasn’t used to being immobile. Vulnerable didn’t even begin to describe how he felt. He was a warrior. He was trained to always have the upper hand, and now he didn’t.

Then she made her way over to sit by him. Her arm snaked under his head and lifted him up. The trickle of warm soup entered his eager mouth. The taste was delightful. He would take anything she gave him, no matter what it was. Everything that went into his mouth would make him stronger.

While she spoon-fed him, Kaeldar wondered again why she was taking care of him. Did she live alone or in a village? Was she healing him so her fellow humans could just interrogate him?

So many possibilities floated through his exhausted yet active mind. And how could he not question her intentions? She was a human female. All humans should be held at arm’s distance.

She didn't tremble at the sight of him. Her hands were steady, and she held herself with confidence. Then again, this was her domain. Of course, she would be able to hold her head high.

He did wonder why she wasn’t terrified of him, a big bad rock giant in her tiny cottage. Unless she was used to saving injured rock giants. That would be interesting.




Claira busied herself with cleaning up the cottage, until a loud knock came at her door, and she nearly jumped sky high.

Her heart rate beat against her rib cage, as she frantically looked around. She went over to the rock giant and tucked him in so only his head was sticking out. Then thanked the heavens her cottage was dark inside.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, and let out her breath when she met Robert's gaze.

“What are you doing here?” Claira asked unable to keep the irritation from entering her voice.

“To join you for dinner of course.” He gave a long intake of breath, as the scent of her soup drifted on the currents of air.

Robert stepped forward. When he drew too close, she took a couple steps back, which gave him the chance to walk right into her cottage.

“Robert!” She almost barked at him. “Please leave. You are unwelcome within my home.”

He plopped down on the chair next to her fireplace and made no move to leave.

With a groan, she faced Robert. Why did he have to be so pushy? She couldn't help but take a glance at where the rock giant was laying on her bed fast asleep.

Robert noticed her glance. He stood and looked at the bed, and his eyes darkened. He marched towards her bed, but she swiftly blocked his way.

“Is there another man here? In your cottage?” Robert burst out in burning rage.

“I’m healing him. There’s nothing to be upset about.” Claira begged, but Robert brushed past her and flipped off the blanket.

Robert’s mouth dropped and his eyes bugged out of his face. He’d thought it was a human man, but he now saw it was a rock giant.

“What game are you playing at?” Robert whispered heatedly. He backed up as though the truth had slammed into him. It allowed her to shove herself back between the two of them.

“No game. I’m trying to save his life.”

“You should slit his throat, where he sleeps.” Robert said facing her. “I can do it for you, if you will only hand me a dagger.”