Page 80 of Grounded By Love
Claira woke to find Kaeldar's warm arms surrounding her. Before a smile could break out over her lips, she smothered it. She needed to get her heart back, there was no future for them, there was just now, and she didn’t need her heart to be torn apart when it all ended.
"Good morning. How are you feeling, Claira?" His rich voice whispered into her ear.
"Wishing I could sleep some more, but I see you’re wide awake and probably wanting to get going on your day. I’m sure you have things already planned."
His lips widened into a smile, and she sucked in a breath for a whole different reason. He was breathtakingly handsome, but when he smiled, he transformed into a god, a scarred god of war.
She couldn't help but marvel at what he’d been blessed with. He would make any other man envious and every woman drool with hunger, when he walked by.
But for now, at least, he was all hers. She felt a sense of pure joy at the thought of it. Every moment needed to be treasured with him. Claira knew she might not have long to enjoy his company.
"I have to head out of the castle today."
She frowned. "Leave the castle?" She prayed she’d heard him wrong, and he hadn't just said he was going to leave her alone.
One of his hands came up to stroke her blonde hair. "Yes. I will have to be leaving the castle." As if he knew her thoughts, he reassured her. "It shouldn't take too long, a few hours at most."
"I knew you would have duties. I was just hoping they would be around the castle."
"I will post a guard at the door, and if you leave I will have them accompany you." Again he tried to reassure her of her safety.
She just kept thinking of his parents. They seemed inclined to get rid of her and to make her feel uncomfortable, and they were succeeding with the latter.
Claira disliked letting them win, but she was one against many. For her whole life she had been craving the feeling of love and of feeling like someone wanted her to be around.
If there could be something between them, she wanted the chance to discover it, but she didn’t want to get killed for it. Maybe it would be best if she stopped their lovemaking. After all, she still needed to get her heart back under control. Every time he was with her, she found her mind leaving her and her senses heightened.
"I think I will stay in the room, while you’re gone. There’s no need for me to flaunt my existence."
He shrugged unconcerned. "I understand, and I won't pressure you to explore the castle, while I’m gone." He grimaced. "I hate to say this, but I am glad you will remain in my chambers. With the way my mother and father are behaving, I’m afraid you might not be safe out in the open."
Slightly displeased he had shared that tidbit with her, she sighed and rolled onto her back. "I feel as though I’m causing trouble by being here."
Lightly, his rough padded fingers glided over her belly. She let out a giggle. Amazing how gentle a rock giant warrior could be with all the hardened battle muscle he had. She’d seen him wield a sword with staggering power.
“What business will be taking you away then?”
“Just some war business. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Will you be rejoining the war effort?”
Kaeldar shrugged. “Depends, but I’ll do my best to stay near, if not at the castle.”
Claira couldn’t bring herself to inquire about anymore information. At some point, she would have to though. She couldn’t remain with a warrior. It was one thing if other rock giants killed humans, but it was another for him to do it.
Claira stayed in his chambers the whole time Kaeldar was gone from the castle. She truly had nothing to do, but that had been her fault. Kaeldar had offered to retrieve either books or some needle work for her, but she had insisted she was fine.
So she found herself either sitting in the chair, exploring everything in his room, or looking down at the bustling castle grounds below her. She found Kaeldar’s balcony a great draw for her curiousity and a relief for her boredom.
As of right now, she found herself curled up under the covers enjoying the waking moments after a nap.
The door burst open, and she jumped up in the bed pulling the covers over her chest, even though she was fully clothed.
A loud exhale came out, as she saw it was Kaeldar who’d entered the room.
He looked frazzled, as he glanced about the room. When his eyes landed on her, he motioned her forward. "Come here, Claira."
She did, as she looked him up and down. He had obviously come straight from the stables. Something unpleasant had to be going on for him to have such a wildly unstable look in his onyx eyes.
