Page 11 of Grounded By Love
Robert would want her to play the part of a traditional wife, but Claira wouldn’t be able to accept that. She had her healing, and she needed to practice it. There was no possible way she would give it up for a man.
Again he finished his bowl of soup and handed it to her. When she refilled it, she turned around to find him asleep.
“Did you not hear me about needing to get up and leave?” Claira knew she was just talking for the sake of talking. He was snoring like his life depended on it. “The villagers will kill you, and maybe me.”
He needed to be awake and responsive. Frustration coursed through her. Bolting over to the window she peered out. Still fairly dark, but morning was just around the corner.
She could always go with the rock giant, but if she remained behind, she could delay the search party they were sure to send out after him. The villagers would be hot on his heels. He would need to ride, and he would need to ride like the wind.
She gave him a few minutes, but when he still hadn't woken up she gave up. Claira came up to the side of the bed, gripped his shoulders and shook him awake. “I don't know if you understood me or not, but we have to get you out of here. Now!”
He blinked up at her, as if trying to clear the fog from his brain. Claira helped him into a sitting position and assisted him to stand. He was a bit wobbly, but he held his own weight.
Claira got a good view of his manly parts, but she glanced away. No need to ogle him. Claira led him over to a corner of the cottage, where his clothing, armor, and swords were. She couldn't very well send him off butt naked. Letting go of him she turned away to let him get dressed in peace.
She heard buckles clatter and cloth brush over his skin. Claira couldn’t help herself. She took a peak over her shoulder. Hissing in a breath she faced away again. His body made hers react suddenly and violently. Once silence had fallen over her small cottage, she turned back to face him.
Sucking in a deep breath, she looked him over. She’d thought he looked like a fearsome warrior before, but now, he looked more formidable. Actually standing at his full height she could see why people feared the rock giants. She was unable to imagine how any man could go into battle against this.
The rock giant was clearly watching her facial expressions, so she schooled them, not wanting to give away how she was feeling.
Grabbing one of his arms Claira guided him to the door. Then led him outside to her waiting horse. Thankfully, he followed her lead, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to move him, if he didn’t want to move.
The horse gave a snort, at the sight of the giant.
Letting go of his arm she held the reins of her horse. “Calm down now. I need you to take the rock giant for me.” She whispered. This rock giant could make anything and everything tremble in its shoes, so she wasn’t surprised her horse was startled to see him.
Once he mounted up, she addressed him. “I wish you the best of luck. Don't slow down for any reason. I’m sure they will try to find you, when they discover what I’ve done.”
The rock giant just stared down at her with his deep onyx eyes. He had to be experiencing some side effects from the tea she’d drugged him with. So she slapped the stallion on the flank hoping the rock giant wouldn’t fall off.
She watched, as they disappeared into the forest.
All the pressure that had been on her shoulders fell away. Now she only had to fear for her life, when the villagers came. Their chance to finally burn the “witch” had come. She shook her head. Wait until she was gone and disease would spread making them wish they still had her around. Then they might learn to cherish others.
Turning back to her cottage she prayed for the rock giant.
Chapter 5
The sun shone down on the lonely cottage, highlighting the group of men riding towards it. The large group of approaching hooves gave away the troop of villagers.
Claira got up from her chair to peer out the window. It looked like every single man from the village had come. They must’ve been afraid at the thought of a rock giant. Clearly, they thought he would give them a run for their money. They were going to find out soon enough how much of a run he was going to be giving them.
Claira stepped outside and closed the cottage door behind her.
She wasn’t surprised the town mayor was leading the group. He’d be the first one chopping at the bit to get her burned at the stake. They stopped a few feet away from her.
He dismounted, took off his hat, and addressed her. “Hand over the rock giant, Claira, and nothing will happen to you.” He talked to her like he would a disobedient child, and it made her bristle.
She gave him her most clueless smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She folded her arms in front of her. She was going to delay them for as long as possible. That meant not letting them into the cottage to find the rock giant missing.
“There are no rock giants here.” She tried to smile sweetly, but she hated this man. He’d tried to get rid of her once, proclaiming her a witch, but thankfully the villagers had been too uncertain about a decision, since she’d been new to the area.
Robert came to stand beside the mayor. “Claira, they know you have him in the cottage.”
She cast a glare in Robert’s direction. How had she ever thought of him as a possible friend? If he were a friend, he would’ve helped to hide her secret, not expose it.
“Don't make me pull you aside.” The mayor warned her. “We want to work with you.” He was only pretending to be on her side for the villagers’ benefit. He didn’t want to come off as the bad guy. The mayor had an image to maintain, after all.
