Page 55 of Grounded By Love
“Would you mind swinging me up to sit side saddle in front of you?”
“Of course.” He almost seemed surprised she thought that would have to be a favor. He took her hand into his own and gently swung her up in front of him.
“Doing alright?” Kaeldar asked her, once she settled in front of him.
“Yes, thank you so much.” She snapped. How could she be pleased with him, when he wasn’t going to at least try to save those villagers? She wanted to yell at him, but causing a scene wouldn’t be in her best interest. The rock giants would expect him to do something about her causing trouble.
If he noticed the tone of her voice, he didn’t give any indication.
A rock giant came up beside them and offered Kaeldar the tent, which had been wrapped up into a tight roll. Kaeldar accepted the tent roll and tied it down to the back of the saddle.
“How are my horses doing?” Claira asked, hoping Kaeldar would know.
“They’re doing fine and have already been readied to go. I made sure of that this morning, when I went to grab us some breakfast.”
“Thank you.”
“Again, your horses will be following at the end of the group.”
Claira kept her back rigid. There would be no resting against Kaeldar's chest, until she figured herself out. She liked him, but she wanted those villagers to be saved.
Kaeldar guided the horse through the camp to talk to his fellow rock giants. Even among so many rock giants, Claira felt comfortable as long as she was beside Kaeldar. The warmth of his body seemed to come out to embrace her and made her feel completely safe.
Which made her think of the villagers who were going to have no one to protect them. She felt guilt eat at her, but more than that she felt helpless.
Claira tried to relax her nerves, as their group made their way to the rock giant castle. The protection Kaeldar offered her would soon be tested.
The day of travel passed quickly. Every once in a while, they would stop, so Claira could get off the large horse to stretch her legs.
On one of their stops she decided she wanted to see her horse.
“Your love for the beast is admirable.”
“He isn’t a beast. Besides he saved your life or don’t you remember?”
Kaeldar grabbed hold of her hand and guided her to the back of the group where she was able to visit with her horse. He was a friend she never wanted to lose. He had been the only one to accept her for who she was, until she met Kaeldar.
Holding out her hand to her horse she waited for his nose to come up and softly nuzzle her offered hand. The small white hairs on his soft pink nose tickled, and she gave a hearty laugh.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kaeldar smiling down at her, as he watched her interaction with her horse.
“He seems to have missed you.” Kaeldar stated, as the horse butted his head against her shoulder.
As she ran her fingers through the horse's mane she laughed lightly. “I’ve missed him and have been worried about his well-being.”
“No need to worry about the horse. No one here is going to kill or harm him. We don't eat horses, and besides he’s being useful.” Kaeldar motioned to the packs her horse was carrying.
“I will still fret about him. I feel as though he is my closest friend.”
Was that pity building in his dark eyes, because her only friend was a horse? Claira felt shame crawl up her neck.
She’d never been able to make any friends among her own people, and here she had just come out and admitted it by claiming her horse was her best friend.
Thankfully, a rock giant warrior came up and talked to Kaeldar, distracting him.
“Are you ready to leave? We still have quite some time, before we reach the castle. We’d like to head out as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Thank you for allowing me to visit with my horse.”
