Page 19 of Grounded By Love
“I am fine. Let me sleep, Claira.” Kaeldar growled at her. Deciding the discussion was over he rolled over onto his side leaving her to just stare at his back.
He was definitely becoming a frustrating patient. Then again when were men good patients? He probably thought himself indestructible, but he might make a fatal mistake if he kept thinking that way.
Yet, Claira let him have his way, for now. If he thought he was fine, then she would wait. She only hoped he knew when to ask for help and when to refuse it, but she’d watch him like a hawk, just in case he was stupid.
By the next morning, the rock giant was up and about within the tent, but before she let him out of the tent, she was going to have some words with him.
As Kaeldar headed for the tent flap, Claira sidestepped into his path. He tried his best to slip past her, but she wasn't allowing it. Not this morning. Her hand shot out to block his way better.
His dark eyes narrowed, as he took a step back and watched her from under his lashes.
“I need you to stop reopening that wound. As a healer, I would encourage you to follow my advice, and that means you need to start taking it easy. I've saved your life once, and I don't want you ruining all of my effort.”
He stared down at her with his cold pitch black eyes.
“Do you plan on letting me past?” Kaeldar asked, as she continued to stand in his way. “Or do you have something else you would like to ask of me?” His voice took on a deeper tone, as he looked her body up and down.
She realized she was still staring straight at his chest, while remembering him naked. Blushing even deeper she quickly moved out of the way, and then followed him out of the tent.
As he packed the tent up, she watched him from the sidelines. She wasn’t sure she should be traveling with him, yet she had nothing to lose, since Claira had no family, and no one who would miss her.
She couldn't help the back and forth, to go with him or to go back to her human life. If she went back, she would have to choose a different village, because her village would never welcome her back into their fold. Or she could go with him and hope for the best.
Claira felt certain Kaeldar wouldn't stop her, if she decided to leave.
They were heading deeper into rock giant territory, and she knew Kaeldar wouldn’t be able to make any honest promises towards her safety, and if he did she probably wouldn’t believe him. Claira assumed he was nothing but a soldier, and he wouldn’t have any power to keep her safe among his people.
As she watched him pack the tent, she realized he looked a little on the pale side, and his eyes were slightly dull. She was a healer, and he was still in need of her help. She couldn't very well abandon him and still call herself a healer.
The rock giants had started this war, not that it wasn't deserved. The human population never tried to have good relations with the giants, since the giants were thought to be below humans in every way.
Claira didn’t feel like the rest of her kind. She wanted to save her judgement until she met more of his kind. She wouldn’t be able to heal properly, if she despised everything around her.
The rock giants were giving the human army a run for their money, at every turn though. The war was about even, when it came to the battles. It was hard to predict who the winner would be or if they would be a winner.
Within minutes Kaeldar had everything ready to go, and they were soon on their way through the forest. Claira only allowed them to travel for half a day before demanding they set up camp again. She was determined to see him rest, so his wound would heal faster.
Chapter 8
Robert couldn't believe his luck. There was their camp, and soon he would rescue his darling Claira.
He knew she doubted his love for her, but that was why he’d told the village about the rock giant. Claira wasn’t safe with such a monster in her cottage. She was just too naïve to realize it, so it was his responsibility to protect her.
He’d expected their group of two to travel farther than they had, yet they were only about a three-day ride from the village.
The mayor had helped him steal away, during the night, and even gave him a horse.
After the rock giant had taken Claira, Robert had pleaded with the mayor. He implored the mayor to allow Claira to be a part of the village again. He needed Claira to be his wife, he had chosen her the moment she’d come to their village, and he would have her, even if it was the last thing he did.
The mayor consented, and told Robert that if he could save her from the rock giant's clutches, then she could return. It hadn't taken much persuasion, which had surprised Robert. But there was the condition that Robert would have to convince her to be his wife and give up healing.
A smile broke out on his face, as excitement coursed through him. He knew Claira would be grateful to him for saving her. How could she not? He was about to be her knight in shining armor.
After watching the camp and seeing only Claira, who was organizing some herbs, he decided it was time to step in to save her.
The rock giant hadn't made an appearance as of yet, and Robert hoped that meant the rock giant had gone out somewhere in the forest. He and Claira would need some time to sneak back to the village.
Puffing up his chest he cleared his throat. It was his time to show her he was the man she’d been dreaming of. He would make all her dreams come true, if she would just let him. He strutted into the clearing with a large grin, while one of his hands gripped his sword hilt.
