Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(70)

If Kaeldar became king, then they would abide by his ruling, especially if he made Claira his queen, but maybe he was getting ahead of himself. He’d only known her for awhile and talking about her being his queen was a little sudden.

For now, he had to worry about how to get the kingship. He would either have to wait until his father died or challenge his father for the position, which would involve a battle to the death or banishment.

"Claira, are you alright? I realize that was..." He searched for the right word, "unpleasant, but you must believe it would not have appealed to me whether or not you had been here." He picked the females he wanted to be with, not his parents.

He lifted a hand to her cheek rubbing a thumb across her high cheekbone.

Claira lifted her head to look at him. "Perhaps bed would be the best thing right now." One of her hands lifted to her brow, and she gave it a vigorous rub.

Tired from shock and embarrassment, he assumed. Bed would indeed be best for them both. They needed to have a fresh mind in the morning.

"Come I will undress you."

"I don't want to... sleep in that bed." She looked at it and gave a grimace. "Not after those two women have been laying on it naked."

Kaeldar frowned. "What would you like me to do then?"

"Do you have any spare blankets and pillows you could get your hands on?"

"Yes. I can always get my hands on extra bedding."

"Then we can change the sheets, so we don’t have to be on those.”

"Give me a few minutes then, and I will be right back." Kaeldar said, before he left the room. He wanted her to be comfortable, and if changing the sheets did that, then he would get them changed.




Claira woke to find Kaeldar's warm arms surrounding her. Before a smile could break out over her lips, she smothered it. She needed to get her heart back, there was no future for them, there was just now, and she didn’t need her heart to be torn apart when it all ended.

"Good morning. How are you feeling, Claira?" His rich voice whispered into her ear.

"Wishing I could sleep some more, but I see you’re wide awake and probably wanting to get going on your day. I’m sure you have things already planned."

His lips widened into a smile, and she sucked in a breath for a whole different reason. He was breathtakingly handsome, but when he smiled, he transformed into a god, a scarred god of war.

She couldn't help but marvel at what he’d been blessed with. He would make any other man envious and every woman drool with hunger, when he walked by.

But for now, at least, he was all hers. She felt a sense of pure joy at the thought of it. Every moment needed to be treasured with him. Claira knew she might not have long to enjoy his company.

"I have to head out of the castle today."

She frowned. "Leave the castle?" She prayed she’d heard him wrong, and he hadn't just said he was going to leave her alone.

One of his hands came up to stroke her blonde hair. "Yes. I will have to be leaving the castle." As if he knew her thoughts, he reassured her. "It shouldn't take too long, a few hours at most."

"I knew you would have duties. I was just hoping they would be around the castle."

"I will post a guard at the door, and if you leave I will have them accompany you." Again he tried to reassure her of her safety.

She just kept thinking of his parents. They seemed inclined to get rid of her and to make her feel uncomfortable, and they were succeeding with the latter.

Claira disliked letting them win, but she was one against many. For her whole life she had been craving the feeling of love and of feeling like someone wanted her to be around.

If there could be something between them, she wanted the chance to discover it, but she didn’t want to get killed for it. Maybe it would be best if she stopped their lovemaking. After all, she still needed to get her heart back under control. Every time he was with her, she found her mind leaving her and her senses heightened.

"I think I will stay in the room, while you’re gone. There’s no need for me to flaunt my existence."

He shrugged unconcerned. "I understand, and I won't pressure you to explore the castle, while I’m gone." He grimaced. "I hate to say this, but I am glad you will remain in my chambers. With the way my mother and father are behaving, I’m afraid you might not be safe out in the open."

Slightly displeased he had shared that tidbit with her, she sighed and rolled onto her back. "I feel as though I’m causing trouble by being here."

Lightly, his rough padded fingers glided over her belly. She let out a giggle. Amazing how gentle a rock giant warrior could be with all the hardened battle muscle he had. She’d seen him wield a sword with staggering power.

“What business will be taking you away then?”

“Just some war business. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Will you be rejoining the war effort?”

Kaeldar shrugged. “Depends, but I’ll do my best to stay near, if not at the castle.”

Claira couldn’t bring herself to inquire about anymore information. At some point, she would have to though. She couldn’t remain with a warrior. It was one thing if other rock giants killed humans, but it was another for him to do it.