Page 62 of Grounded By Love
"Yes?"
"We are stopping for a break. Would you like to stretch your legs, before we head off again?" Kaeldar asked her.
He seemed so detached, like he could care less what she ended up deciding.
"Sure. I could use a walk around, my legs are sore from all this riding." Claira wished the helmet wasn’t blocking her view of his face, because she wasn’t able to read the emotions of metal plating.
Her lips turned down into a frown, when he offered his hand to her. She wasn’t enjoying this new side to him.
Once her feet met the ground Kaeldar asked, "Is there something amiss?"
Claira didn't even bother looking up to read the emotions in his dark eyes. "Nothing at all is amiss. I am just nervous about our upcoming arrival."
Before he had a chance to answer, she walked away briskly and made her way into the forest. She needed some time by herself, without all the snorting of the horses and the clanking of the armor. Claira wanted some silence to harness her feelings.
Finding a sturdy log Claira took a seat and admired the scene before her. Taking in a few deep breathes she settled her raging nerves. Soon she was able to hear the sound of leaves crunching under an armored foot. She let Kaeldar come around the log, instead of turning to acknowledge his presence.
"Claira, will you not tell me what is wrong?" Kaeldar asked, as he lifted his helmet off of his head.
She loved the way his hair flowed out from the confines of the helmet. It was one of his charms she adored about him. Shoulder length black hair that would disappear between her legs and bring her immense pleasure.
"There is nothing wrong." She just needed to figure herself out. Her mind and body weren’t aligned, and it was tearing at her.
Bending down on one knee, helmet between his body and arm, Kaeldar looked into her eyes. Then he lifted a hand to cup one side of her face, rubbing a thumb over her cheek bone.
“If something is wrong, I want you to tell me.” His gaze seemed to penetrate her very essence, like he was searching for something. What, she had no idea, but he was searching for it all the same.
Kaeldar glanced over the top of her golden head at the warriors who were still able to spot them through the trees. He gave each of them a stern glance, until they turned away, but they were right to be puzzled.
Even Kaeldar was bewildered by how enamored he was with Claira. She was a human female, he was a rock giant male. No two were more unsuited for each other than they were.
There should be nothing, no feelings between the two of them, yet there was something lingering. Something he wasn't sure he wanted to name, because it fell in the category of affection.
He just thought it might be in both of their best interests, if no one else saw that. If he showed her too much attention, she might attract some unwanted scrutiny.
As the prince of the rock giants, he was the apple of most available females’ eyes in the giant castle. He didn't need her being hounded by any of the giant females. He knew he’d been fairly distant from her, but he had to be, for her sake.
Kaeldar had been foolish to encourage her like this. He wasn't even sure he was going to be able to protect her, as he hoped. His father was bound to try to get rid of her. She should’ve remained his healer and nothing more.
“I want you to know my people won't embrace you, but I will do my best to make sure you are safe. I just wanted you to know so you didn't expect any welcoming arms from them.”
Claira nodded. "I fully realize they won’t embrace me. I just hope they will tolerate me."
Kaeldar cupped her face again. This female was going to be his downfall, yet he was bound to love every second of it. "I will leave you now. Join us, when you are ready to continue."
"I won't be long." Claira promised him.
He gave her a small smile, right before he left her.
He felt bad for Claira. He was taking her from humans who didn't like her to giants who wouldn’t enjoy her presence. She had more of a chance of winning over her own people, because his were going to be more than a problem at trying to win over, unless he could think of something.
As the sun slipped from the sky, they finally made their way out of the forest. It was like a breath of fresh air, until she glanced over and caught sight of the rock giant castle.
It stole the breath from her lungs. She wasn't even able to blink. She would’ve thought a castle would be large, but it was enormous. She could barely believe the size of the town surrounding the castle. She could imagine the town was extensive enough to host most of the rock giants.
"Impressive, is it not?"
"Most impressive." Claira was finally able to say, as she let out the breath she’d been holding. "I never expected, well, this." She waved her hand to encompass everything before her.
