Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(72)

"How bad is it?"

She shook her head. "I will tell you in the corridor."

"Claira." He waited for Claira to look up at him. "He isn't conscious. He hasn't been in a few hours now. You don't need to worry about him hearing what you say."

"I don't like to talk about my patients, while I’m still in front of them."

"Then I will leave you to tend his wound. If there is anything you need, anything at all, there will always be someone outside this door to assist you."

With that said, she was left alone with the rock giant warrior, so she could concentrate on attempting to save his life.




Claira rubbed her eyes and looked over at the rock giant laying on the bed. It had been a few days since she’d been given the task of saving his life. Thankfully, things had gone well for her. He’d regained his color, and his wound, though still nasty, was looking much better.

But it had definitely been a few hard days. She barely had time to get any rest of her own. Last night had been the first time she’d been able to get a few hours of peaceful sleep.

There was some hope for him though. Before, she would’ve thought he would die, now she knew there was a chance, but she wondered if it was truly what she had done that helped him. The rock giant had fought to stay alive, not quite ready to leave this world.

Although he hadn't yet woken, she got the sense he wasn't willing to just fade away and die, and she was glad of his determination to live. It made her job so much easier.

This could be the way to get her foot in the door with all the other rock giants in this castle.

Giving a stretch Claira sat up from where she had been slumped in a chair. She took a fire poker and stirred up the coals sending a new flush of heat soaring through the room.

Getting up she thought about how she hadn't seen Kaeldar in these last few days. She’d been sleeping in the same room as her patient, since she wanted to remain close, in case he took a turn for the worse.

Grabbing a pot of water she put it over the heat of the flames, and then went over to the bed to sit down next to the rock giant.

Claira frowned, as she noticed how flushed the giant warrior looked and the beads of sweat forming on his brow.

"No, no, please don't have a fever." She begged him, as she put the back of her hand up against his forehead.

The rock giant was burning up, and here she’d been hoping to get him through this all without any fever. It was a set back for her, but one she was determined to conquer, even if it was the last thing she did.

For her sake, she had to keep him alive.




Kaeldar was impressed by her determination to save the warrior's life. She hadn't even left the room once, since receiving the task. He hadn't the time to go up and tell her how astonished all the other rock giants were with how intent she was to save the life of a giant.

The only people not yet impressed were his parents. If anything, they despised her even more for what she was doing. They had to fear her winning hearts with her healer’s abilities.

When he was finally able to check on her, he stood in the doorway of the room. He loved the way her eyes lit up when she had a task to perform. The poor wounded man didn't realize how lucky he was to have such a dedicated healer tending to his every need. How lucky he was to have such gentle hands touching him all over.

He paused. Was he jealous of a man who might not live because of a battle wound? If he was forced to admit it, he would have to say yes. Yes, indeed, he was a little jealous. Kaeldar hadn't seen her in a few days and this wounded soldier was the reason.

The rumor mills had started talking about how amazing she was at healing, which was a good change. It was a complete turn around. Well, not complete, they still didn't like the idea of a human female around, but she was gaining points in her favor.

She was a natural with healing, it was a true gift. There was a sneaking suspicion in him that she liked having something to keep her thoughts occupied.

A smile spread over his face. If she was able to save this warrior, he was sure he’d be able to find her more patients. She would’ve performed a miracle, and anyone who was unwell would want to have her help them. He was almost positive about it.

Maybe he wouldn’t have to become king to keep her safe, maybe she could keep herself safe with the peoples’ favor.

Perhaps, he could even help her to set up her own healing practice. As of right now, all their healers were out on or near the battlefield helping the wounded soldiers. She could create a large following which might help her sway the minds of the rock giants without having to gain his parents’ love.

Kaeldar knew she would be willing to give it a chance. She wanted to get along with all the rock giants, if it was possible.




Kaeldar grinned like a little boy, when he saw Claira enter the great hall for the evening meal.

She looked beautiful, exhausted, but beautiful. Her jade eyes had a glow that only appeared when she was healing someone. He would hate to say she enjoyed healing, because he was sure she would give it up, if she could keep everyone from getting ill in the first place.

A hush fell on the hall, as she made her way over to the table. All eyes were on her, but from what he was able to hear they were mainly whispering about how she was a miracle worker.

Sitting down next to him she gave him an update. "The fever broke, which is the main reason I’m down here tonight or else I’d still be sitting beside him."