Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(81)

He nodded, as he stood up. "You always surprise me with the strength you have inside you."

"Thank you." She said, pleased he felt that way about her. She tried to be strong, but it was getting harder. There seemed to be a lot of things being thrown at her, while she was with the rock giants.

"I think it might be best to return you to the human world. You will be safer among your own people, and you can be left at a different village, a village where you will have a new start. Perhaps you will have a better chance of them accepting your presence than the rock giants."

Claira shook her head. “I can’t believe what you’re saying.” She refused to believe what had come out of his mouth.

He took her shoulders and gave them a light squeeze. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it is the best way, if not the only way. If you come back with me to the castle, there will be other attempts on your life, and I can't let that happen, because one of them might end up succeeding."

She shook her head. Of course, she wanted to remain alive, but she also wasn't thrilled with the idea of having to go back to a human village. It would be a life where she would remain misunderstood and held at arm's length.

“I was almost killed in the last human village.”

“But I can’t keep you safe at the rock giant castle, Claira. You will have a better chance among your own people.” Claira opened her mouth, but Kaeldar didn’t let her argue with him. “It has already been decided, Claira.”

“By who? You?”

“Yes, and you can’t convince me otherwise, so don’t try. I've packed a bit," he explained, "not much, but it will be enough for me to get you to a human village."

He must love her, if he was letting her go for her safety. Dare she hope? Or had she given her heart to him only to have him break it?

Claira had a hard time making her feet move after him, since she didn't want to leave. Dragging out every moment was the only thing she was able to do.

She could fight with him about the decision, but she could tell he wasn’t about to give up. He might just end up tying her back up and dragging her to a human village.

She was going to miss him dearly, but there was time. He could always change his mind, before they arrived at a human village, especially, if his heart was breaking as much as hers currently was.

She knew he had told her not to try to talk him out of it, but she might just give it a try.




A few days passed and Kaeldar made good time, since he only allowed himself a few hours of sleep. He needed to get her to a human village, before his determination cracked. Letting her go from his arms and his protection was going to kill him, but it had to be done.

His heart breaking was nothing, compared to her life. The thought that they could run away with each other kept entering his mind, but he kept pushing it away.

What life would he be able to provide, if they lived alone in the mountains?

It wouldn't be something she would enjoy. She would have no one to heal, besides him, and the days would be long and difficult.

No, that wasn't a solution to their problem.

The only way they could be together would be if Kaeldar took his rightful place as the king of the rock giants.

He just had no idea how much time that might take for him to accomplish. Not only would he need to be king, he needed to make sure the majority of his people would support him in his decision to bring her back.

He had never been close to his people, since he had never wanted nor needed a bond with anyone, until Claira came along. He had always been a warrior first. The war on the humans was all he devoted his time to, and he had never given love a thought or a chance.





Chapter 21


The day she was to leave came to quickly. As they crested a hill, a human village came into view.

She had done her best to convince him, but when he threatened to gag her she had decided to shut her mouth. He wasn’t going to listen to a word she had to say on the subject.

The sun had yet to shine its bright rays on the tiny town, so there wouldn't be any need to worry about some poor villager stumbling upon them.

She couldn't do it. There was no way she would be able to walk away from Kaeldar and towards that town. Absolutely no way.

But in the end she hadn't needed to worry about walking.

Kaeldar turned her head around and planted a hard kiss on her lips. It was a kiss full of longing, sorrow, and goodbyes. Claira hoped it would last forever, but too quickly the kiss was broken.

Kaeldar's strong hands circled her waist, and he swung her down off the giant horse.

Desperately, Claira threw out a hand to grip his pants. "I love you."

The words were out, before she could think twice about it. She had uttered words she feared wouldn't be uttered back to her, and she was right.

Looking down at her Kaeldar said, "This is best. For both of us, Claira."

With that he was gone, the horse galloped back down the side of the hill, back to the rock giant castle.

Huge tears leaked down her face, as she watched him leave her. Stumbling a couple of steps down the hill she held out a hand, until he disappeared into the rising sun.

He had left her. He had abandoned her.

It was for the best. He had said so.

There was nothing she could do, unless she wanted to chase after Kaeldar on foot, which would be silly.