by Lily Thomas
The two rock giants barely even glanced her way, but it allowed her a chance to openly observe them. There was something about them that made her a little nervous. The way they carried themselves was different from the other rock giants, like they deserved respect from anything and everything around them. Then again she didn’t have much to base her feelings on.
It was her first look at a female rock giant. She was smaller than Kaeldar and the other man, but she was still much taller than Claira. Her black tresses were long and done in a braid, which ran down her back.
So it wasn't just the men who had such deep black hair. Though if Claira squinted she was able to catch sight of a few white or grey hairs among the thick mass of ebony hair.
This was her first time to see and observe them up close. For now, she was enjoying the opportunity.
As Kaeldar spoke to the giants in front of them, she felt the weight of rock giant eyes on her back from within the courtyard. At least, someone found her interesting, because it look like the pair of rock giants talking to Kaeldar couldn't be bothered by her presence.
She felt completely invisible, which wasn’t such a bad thing.
The older woman clutched one of Kaeldar's hands and ushered him inside the castle, with the older man following the two of them.
Claira rushed to follow quickly on their heels. She didn’t want to lose sight of Kaeldar.
As she followed them into the castle, she couldn't help but put some dots together. Every other rock giant gave them a good amount of space. Servants gave head bobs, as they passed by, so they had to have some sort of power here.
She had only a fleeting moment to think on the subject, before Kaeldar motioned over some servants who’d been lined up against a wall.
Kaeldar turned to her. "You will accomanping them up to my room, since I will be taking some time down here."
It was then that the older rock giants re-noticed her presence. As their eyes focused in on her, she felt like she was just some sort of insect they wanted to squash. She could see they were wondering why Kaeldar had her or was even talking to her.
Both of their onyx eyes glared daggers down at her, but she had no time to think about it. Kaeldar told the servants something, and then she was swept away from the group.
Looking over her shoulder she tried to give Kaeldar a pleading look. She didn't want to be separated from him, but he had already turned away from her.
When the servants took Claira away, he made sure not to look after her, as she left. There was no need to give his parents any reason to wonder what she meant to him. She needed to be a war prize and nothing more in the eyes of his parents.
After all, if any one could read him, it would be them. He’d have to watch himself, because he didn't need his parents trying to get rid of the human that captured their son’s heart.
They were the king and queen of the rock giants, and they would loathe her existence for making their only child want to have a human by his side.
He still didn't know, quite yet, what he felt for her. His life style wouldn’t be easy for her, but he wanted her by his side anyways. Kaeldar enjoyed her presence beside him, but he wasn't sure if that meant anything was going to come of it. Claira wouldn't be able to stand up for herself, and he wouldn't expect her to. For now, distance was best when they were in public.
While she was here at the castle, he planned on keeping her safe from his own people. Though the current person he should worry about was his own father. His father was the king, and if his father wanted her gone, no other rock giant would disobey.
Once Claira disappeared from sight, his mother, instantly, turned to him with wide eyes. "Why in heaven would you have a human female with you? Why, my dear, did you send her to your rooms?"
His father turned his dark eyes on Kaeldar as well. "I demand to know why my son and heir is fooling around with a human female. Leave prizes of war to the soldiers. You’re a prince!"
"I owe her my life. Actually, you owe her the life of your precious son and heir. Without her, I would be a lifeless corpse rotting on the battlefield, and I decided she would be my prize.”
His father gave a large scoff. "I doubt I will ever owe or will ever need to owe a human female for anything."
"You weren't there, father, you wouldn't know what happened."
His father gave a growl and took a step towards his son. His intimidation may have worked, when Kaeldar was just a child, but now Kaeldar was both taller and older. He was more than able to handle himself with his father, and now he had a reason to stand up to his father.
Claira. She was his reason to stand up to his lifetime foe.
Knowing his father would just growl, grumble, and try to force another answer from between Kaeldar's lips, he decided to leave.
"I will see you later for the evening meal. I am exhausted and will retire now to my rooms. Please, do not disturb me."
"Of course, you will be wanting to relax. I can only imagine what you’ve gone through, while out on the battlefield." His mother interjected, before his father could pick another squabble with his son.
Kaeldar looked down to see the restraining hand on his father's arm, as his mother flashed Kaeldar a sheepish grin. She always tried to play the referee in their little spats, but she would never go so far as to stop his father, when he had his mind made up.
Spinning on his heels he left his mother and father to stare after him. What he should’ve done was incline his head to show respect to them, but how could Kaeldar, when he held no high opinion about these people in his life?
Claira was glad when the rock giant servants left her alone in the room, but at the same time she felt abandoned. She was in an intimidating fortress, with no idea of what she’d got herself into.
She could only hope Kaeldar wouldn't take too long. At least, she was assuming he would be following after her in just a little while. Unless, of course, he wasn't planning on meeting up with her in this room.
Her heart rate spiked. She didn't think she would get any sleep, if she was left by herself for the night. She’d fear her throat getting slit, while she was slumbering.
Claira had seen affection shining in the black eyes of the older rock giant woman, when she looked at Kaeldar. Perhaps she was on the right track thinking they were relatives.
Thankfully, she wasn't left alone with her thoughts for too much longer.
A knock sounded on the wooden door, and as she swiveled to look at the door, Kaeldar came in closing the door softly behind him. His helmet was under one of his arms, and he set it down on a chair, before he stripped off his armor.
She watched, as he peeled each layer of metal off of himself. Then he worked on his clothing. She watched with rapt attention, as he started with his shirt, exposing his pectoral muscles to her hungry gaze. Next he worked on his socks, and after he was done with that, he worked on the ties on his trousers.
With wide eyes, she gently sat upon the bed, not wanting to make any noise lest she disturb him and he stop.
Yet he did stop. Either he wanted to tease her or he had decided not to get undressed and both reasons disappointed her.
Kaeldar laid his large frame down on the other side of the bed across from where she was sitting. Her hands fiddled away in her lap, until she sprung up from where she was sitting and took a few quick steps away from the bed.
Wondering what to do next, she stood by herself awkwardly. She had no idea what to do now that she was standing up, but she had wanted to move. He was laying on the bed, relaxed as could be.
Spinning around, slowly but surely, she glanced down at Kaeldar.
He had a soft white pillow propped up behind his back. She appreciated the sight of his chest, which was made of strong muscle honed by war and sword practice, his long legs stretched down the length of the bed, and his ankles were crossed.
When she looked back up at his face, he’d moved his hands behind his head with his fingers interlaced together. As he noticed her watching him, he p
resented her with a lazy grin. He was such a cocky man, which wasn't actually bad or anything. It just meant he knew who he was, and he knew where he belonged in the world, and it was an attractive feature.
Twisting her hands in the fabric of her shirt she was about to make a decision what she should do next, when Kaeldar finally broke the long silence. It startled her, when his voice rang out loud and clear in the room.
"I didn't mean to startle you, Claira, but I was just thinking I should have some dresses made up for you."
Claira shook her head, while she held up a hand. "There is no need for that." Yet the thought of some new clothing sounded so spectacular to her. "But thank you for wanting to help me."
"It is no problem for me." He said sternly, wanting no more arguments from her.
Unfortunately for him, she wasn't about to quit expressing her opinions. "I’ve never been one to take handouts and giving me clothing must be quite expensive. So if you insist on getting me dresses, I will work to pay it off, as I have nothing else to give."
"It will not impeed my purse, trust me. Besides," he closed his eyes and rested his head back, "what honor could I have, if I let the female who saved my life over and over again wear the same clothing, when I can provide her some new ones."
Damn him, but he was right. If she didn't let him do it now, she would be denying him his so called honor. Blast the man. She knew it would mean a lot to him to provide for her, and she wouldn’t mind some new clothing.
Claira respected him for the way he behaved, it was nice to know such a great man like him existed in the world. Especially, since these days were full of trouble and war.
"Claira."
She looked over at him, his piercing black eyes searching her jade ones.
"I won't force you to accept them, but I do hope you will."
He was right. It would be impossibly silly, if she refused to accept his generous offer. Claira couldn't keep on wearing her rags. She knew she must look horrible. If there was one thing she didn't want to look like in front of the rock giants, it would be a pathetically frail woman who didn't deserve any of their respect.
"I would be more than happy to accept your offer." She wiped her hands down her shirt and added on, "I wouldn't mind wearing something new, something clean." She would be able to go up against any opposition, if she was clean and feeling refreshed from everything she had gone through lately.
His eyelids slid closed, and he seemed to doze off, so Claira decided to explore the room a little.
It was definitely his chamber. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind. Everything around her screamed masculine. There were swords strapped to the wall above the fireplace, and there were tapestries depicting battles and hunting scenes, which were spread over the stone walls of the room.
Some of the tapestries appealed to her more primal side. She was curious if they might hold the history of his people. They had to. There just seemed to be an importance to them that was tangible. They held a dual purpose of keeping out the cold and reminding him of the glory of his people.
Wanting to brush her fingers over the scenes she decided to restrain herself. She would hate to be the person who accidently ruined something precious.
Leaning in she took a good look at a few of them. A grimace formed on her face, as she examined them more carefully. The artists definitely hadn't wanted to leave out any gruesome details in the battle or hunting scenes.
Put off Claira turned her attention back to looking around the room. The double glass doors leading to a large balcony drew her in. Stepping close she peered out the window.
Glancing over her shoulder at Kaeldar she noticed his eyes had cracked open to watch her as she made her way around his room.
"Enjoying what you see?"
"Yes." She nodded her head, her flaxen hair swaying around her shoulders. She watched as his eyes diverted to her long locks which flowed around her shoulders.
"Would it be alright, if I went out onto the balcony?"
He kept staring at her hair without replying.
"Kaeldar?"
Still his eyes watched the tendrils of her hair.
"Kaeldar!" She said more urgently.
"Yes?" He shook his head, coming out of the slight stupor he’d been in.
"I was wondering if it would be alright to step out onto the balcony." She heaved a heavy sigh. "What I wouldn't give to have one of these on my cottage." She smiled.
"Please, go forth. I think you might enjoy the sight before you."
She soaked up the affection in his voice, like a dry sponge. Maybe he still wanted her.
Claira knew it shouldn't bother her so much that he was being confusing with his emotions, but it did. She had dreams about being in his life. Maybe she was just thinking impossible thoughts though. She was a healer, and he was a warrior.
They couldn’t get more opposite. He would be injuring people, and she would be patching them just to send them out to get beat up by Kaeldar.
Casting her downer thoughts from her mind, she faced towards the double glass doors. Her hands wrapped themselves around the door handles, one on each, and then she shoved the doors open, her arms spread wide.
She couldn't help the grin from forming on her face, as she left the confines of his room to stroll out onto the balcony. The fresh air filled her lungs, as she breathed in deeply.
As she stepped out onto the grey stone balcony, she saw some of the village spread out around the thick castle walls, which separated the castle from the village.
Briskly, she walked over to the edge of the balcony and set her hands upon the stone wall of the balcony. She had a breathtaking view from the balcony. Her eyes skimmed over the roofs of all the tiny houses within the village. Well not actually tiny, just from this height they looked small to her. She hadn't thought she climbed that many steps, when she made her way with the servants.
Leaning over the edge of the stone wall she looked down at the courtyard in front of the castle. It was busy with lively activity below. It must’ve been cleared of people, when Kaeldar and the other men arrived. Now though, everyone was tending to their lives again.
A shiver ran down her arms. Thank goodness the castle courtyard had been cleared of people, when they arrived. Claira knew she would’ve lost it completely, if she’d been surrounded by so many rock giants in such a small space.
This view gave her an idea of what a human castle must look like, since she’d never been to one.
Biting her bottom lip with her teeth she almost felt a little remorseful she’d never gone to a castle before. With so many people running around, she might’ve been overlooked for her strange need to help people by searching out the best herbs. She may have been able to blend in better.
Or she would just have that many more people out for her blood.
Then again maybe they wouldn't hate her, after all, the villagers had been turned against her because of that awful mayor. He’d been unable to just let her live her life.
She was tempted to ask Kaeldar to go back and take care of the mayor, but that wasn’t her way. Someday the mayor would get his payback for his animosity towards her, but it wouldn’t be by her hand or her command.
After seeing Robert killed before her very eyes, Claira didn't want to ever be the source of another's death. She still felt ill every time she thought about Robert's demise, even if she knew it hadn’t been her fault. He should never have come after her, and he’d been foolish to think he could take her from such a strong warrior, like Kaeldar.
At the time she’d been curious why Kaeldar had come back for her. There’d been no reason for him to, yet he had. So far, they were even when it came to saving each other.
With him acting distant, he made her think he was drifting away, but with the way he always came to save her, she thought he might care for her.
With a heavy sigh, she turned her eyes upwards, as she gazed up at the gorgeous clouds being lit up by the sunset. She’d never had such a wonderful view of th
e fading sky in her entire life. Here, she was able to see all the amazing hues of the sky, as the sun dropped down below the horizon.
As the evening progressed, she watched the stars above her twinkled into life. It was almost as if they were shining down just for her.
This moment was one she would treasure, because she knew it would probably be one of the most peaceful moments she was going to get. There were bound to be some bumpy roads ahead, and she would need to take it all one step at a time.
The day eventually faded into the darkness of night, and she retreated back into Kaeldar's room where she found him dressing. The clothing was so different from what he’d been wearing while they’d been on the move.
She couldn't help but smile. He looked absolutely dashing in his new clothing. It was a mix of black fabric and dark brown fur. She loved the long haired fur that curled around his neck, and down his shoulders and chest.
It must have cost him so much. No wonder he didn't think twice about offering her some clothing. He was generous, and he clearly had enough wealth to go around.
Clothing as fine as his would be beyond her wildest dreams. It definitely showed her the large difference between their class level. Here she’d been living in a one room cottage, and he’d been raised in a spacious castle.
Amazing how she’d thought she might actually be something he would want, and that she would be able to fit in. She wouldn't know the first thing about living in a world with all this fluff.
Kaeldar turned to see what she was doing, and she felt his eyes drift over her frame.
"I won’t be able to get any new clothing for you, before the evening meal. What you have will have to do for now, but I promise to get some clothing, as soon as possible."
She was going down for dinner? Among rock giants? Was he planning on her being alive later tonight? Though she might be being a little over dramatic.
Claira never even thought dinner was going to be a possibility. It hadn’t crossed her mind she might have to sit in a hall full of rock giants.
