Page 7 of Grounded By Love
So many possibilities floated through his exhausted yet active mind. And how could he not question her intentions? She was a human female. All humans should be held at arm’s distance.
She didn't tremble at the sight of him. Her hands were steady, and she held herself with confidence. Then again, this was her domain. Of course, she would be able to hold her head high.
He did wonder why she wasn’t terrified of him, a big bad rock giant in her tiny cottage. Unless she was used to saving injured rock giants. That would be interesting.
Claira busied herself with cleaning up the cottage, until a loud knock came at her door, and she nearly jumped sky high.
Her heart rate beat against her rib cage, as she frantically looked around. She went over to the rock giant and tucked him in so only his head was sticking out. Then thanked the heavens her cottage was dark inside.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, and let out her breath when she met Robert's gaze.
“What are you doing here?” Claira asked unable to keep the irritation from entering her voice.
“To join you for dinner of course.” He gave a long intake of breath, as the scent of her soup drifted on the currents of air.
Robert stepped forward. When he drew too close, she took a couple steps back, which gave him the chance to walk right into her cottage.
“Robert!” She almost barked at him. “Please leave. You are unwelcome within my home.”
He plopped down on the chair next to her fireplace and made no move to leave.
With a groan, she faced Robert. Why did he have to be so pushy? She couldn't help but take a glance at where the rock giant was laying on her bed fast asleep.
Robert noticed her glance. He stood and looked at the bed, and his eyes darkened. He marched towards her bed, but she swiftly blocked his way.
“Is there another man here? In your cottage?” Robert burst out in burning rage.
“I’m healing him. There’s nothing to be upset about.” Claira begged, but Robert brushed past her and flipped off the blanket.
Robert’s mouth dropped and his eyes bugged out of his face. He’d thought it was a human man, but he now saw it was a rock giant.
“What game are you playing at?” Robert whispered heatedly. He backed up as though the truth had slammed into him. It allowed her to shove herself back between the two of them.
“No game. I’m trying to save his life.”
“You should slit his throat, where he sleeps.” Robert said facing her. “I can do it for you, if you will only hand me a dagger.”
“No!” She protested vehemently. Claira covered the rock giant with the blanket again. Then she pushed Robert to the doorway of her cottage. He was still in too much shock to give her much of a fight.
He turned to face her. “The villagers will not treat you pleasantly, if they find out what you’re doing here.”
“They won’t find out, if you can manage to hold your tongue.” Claira stared him down. She didn’t have any practice at being intimidating, but she was doing her best.
Robert turned on his heel and went to mount up on his horse. Turning his horse to face her he warned her again. “You’re playing with fire, Claira. That rock giant will slit your throat, if you don’t do it first.” With that said, he galloped away.
Claira watched him, until he disappeared. She knew he wouldn’t do anything to endanger her life. Not when he was so intent on trying to convince her to marry him. Or would he? He could be rash at times, and she had seen the fire in his eyes.
He might let something slip or think he could save her if he told the others. There was nothing she could do about it now, except to help the rock giant out of her cottage as soon as possible.
She wouldn’t give him another dose of the tea. He needed to get up and out of the cottage, and he would need his mind to be clear. He might very well need to fight for his life.
Chapter 3
Within hours, Robert was back at her door, and she could tell he’d been drinking. His breath reeked of ale.
Robert heaved in a gulp of air, as though he had run all the way from the village. He pushed past her to take a seat on the chair in front of her fireplace. He cast a glare at her bed, before looking back at her. Holding his side with one hand he panted. “They found out, Claira.”
She froze in place, but clarified. “About what exactly?”
