Grounded By Love (The Giant Wars #2)(83)

She had, after all, told him she loved him, and he’d said nothing in return. He had only galloped away. There was nothing to prove that he would come back for her. She should move on with her life, let herself have some happiness. Christopher wanted to share his life with her.

It had been a month, since Christopher had proposed and although she hadn't said yes or no the offer was still there. He had given her time and space. Men didn’t come any nicer than him.

The villagers knew she’d had a hard past. They’d been able to see the misery and loss in her eyes, when she’d first walked into the village.

When he had first proposed, she had the urge to yell yes, but then Kaeldar's face had floated through her mind. It just didn't seem fair to say yes, when she knew in her heart she was still pining over another man.

With a heavy sigh, she got up from where she’d been sitting. The woman she was healing would live just like all the others Claira had helped in recent days.

She would give an answer to Christopher who had waited patiently for a month. It was the least he deserved, she couldn’t just stop her life. A few months was a long time.




Kaeldar drew in a harsh breath. The morning air was cold with the rain from the night before. It was time for the challenge he’d declared yesterday.

His father had been shocked by the declaration, it hadn’t been expected, and his mother had begged him not to go through with it. His mother was afraid she would either lose a son or a husband, but it was too late.

Kaeldar wanted the challenge.

Looking out over the arena his eyes widened as he took in the massive group of giants who’d come to see the challenge. He hoped they were there for support, but he knew it was also free entertainment.

Testing the balance of his sword Kaeldar slowly made his way forward. His father was standing on the other side, with his mother still begging him just to forfeit the kingship, but his father was too proud.

Kaeldar would have to take it by force.

He stopped in the middle of the field and waited for his father. He was in no rush. He could feel the adrenaline pump through his body for he had no idea who would win.

No one cheered, no one in the crowd seemed to make a sound. They were just as curious who would win, the young man who had war experience or the king in his prime with war experience.

His father met him in the middle, and they bowed to each other, to show respect. Circling each other they both searched for the others weak points.

His father leapt forward. Kaeldar side stepped and deflected the blow with his own sword. Before Kaeldar could get a strike in, his father backed away. The old man was fast, he would give him that.

They circled again. Kaeldar was going to let his father lead this charge. He had never watched or fought his father before, so he didn’t know his weaknesses.

His father again charged forward, but this time Kaeldar held his ground and met his father’s sword strike. They backed away only to come forward yet again.

“Give up boy, and I might just spare your life.”

“Never.” Kaeldar growled. “I have more than one reason to fight you and win.”

“You think the people will accept a human female? You are just a deluded brat.” Their swords clashed together again.

“I have faith in the people. They will come to accept her given time away from your rule.”

His father’s eyes flashed at the veiled insult.

Kaeldar wondered if he would ever find a weakness or if he would have to tire his father out.

When his father lunged again, Kaeldar’s sharp eye picked up on where his father was favoring. Giving his father a couple more strikes Kaeldar waited, and then went on the offensive.

Kaeldar feigned an attack from the left, and then went in on the right. He thought he had his father, until he felt the slice of a blade cut into his arm.

Pulling back sharply Kaeldar gazed at his wounded arm in bewilderment. The crowd gave a cry of alarm at the sight of blood.

What had just happened? His father had been where he’d wanted him. It just showed that his father’s battle experience was going to throw him for a loop.

His father stepped forward, yet again ready to seize another opportunity, but Kaeldar was quick on his feet and danced away. He would have to assess the damage to his arm, when the battle was finally over with.

Moving around the arena Kaeldar led his father while trying to figure out how best to just get the fight over and done with.

His father rushed Kaeldar. They might be related, but they went at this battle with different techniques.

Kaeldar raised his sword to block his father, until he saw the moment he had been waiting for.

Quickly, he side stepped, as his father swung his sword. Kaeldar managed to get his sword into place, and before his father could react he disarmed him. Within a flash of metal, Kaeldar had the sword pointing at his father’s throat.

To kill him or not to kill him?

Now that Kaeldar was the victor, he could spare his father’s life.

“What are you waiting for?” His father demanded.

“Don’t do it!” His mother cried out from the side lines.

Kaeldar looked over at her, while she was held back by other males.

“Stupid boy!” His father barked, as he knocked the sword from Kaeldar’s hands and attacked him.

Kaeldar was done with being called, “stupid boy”.