Page 30 of Black Hearted (Cursed Fae #4)

Zane

I nearly kissed Lorelei when she was lying under me as I shielded her from the burning rain.

I’d seen the spark of desire in her eyes, the way she fixated on my lips, and it was physically painful to hold back.

But what a first kiss that would have been.

Something to tell our future children, I’m sure.

“I kissed your mother after she was nearly melted by poison rain.”

No.

I wanted our first kiss to be perfect—romantic—a moment she would cherish and look back on with as much fondness as I would.

Lorelei and I had all the time in the world to fall in love and enjoy each other.

If I’d learned anything from watching my brothers fall for their wives, it was to let things develop naturally and to give Lorelei her space.

Right now, we needed to focus on breaking the curse.

When we completed our mission, I’d court her properly.

Lorelei deserved that much. But it was hard not to think of romance when she was near.

She smelled of freshly cut flowers and something sweet that drove me insane.

Her healing gift was extraordinary, and the way she cared for even the flowers she drew energy from left me in awe.

What I’d told Lorelei about the Savage Lands feeling familiar was true.

Besides the luna blossoms I’d recognized from Ethereum, there were other plants I knew from back home.

I was relieved to have my powers back, but it couldn’t have been a coincidence that they returned to me the moment we stepped into the Savage Lands.

Was it possible that this part of Faerie was connected to Ethereum in some way?

If so, maybe there was an open portal nearby.

Or maybe I was stretching, letting my mind invent connections.

Either way, having my powers back meant I could protect Lorelei better, and for that, I was grateful.

Especially after hearing that the curse was trying to take them from me completely.

It was getting late, and I knew we’d only be able to travel another hour or two before we were forced to make camp for the night.

We were hiking through the thick underbrush when Lorelei suddenly screamed.

The sound was sharp and full of terror. I barely had time to turn toward her before her body hit the ground, and then she was dragged away, her nails clawing at the earth in desperation.

“Zane!” Her shrill cry pierced the air as she was yanked by an unseen force.

I didn’t think; I just started running, forcing myself not to lose sight of her.

I couldn’t see what had her, but whatever it was pulled her away so fast that I had to sprint at full speed just to keep her in view.

Her poor body was dragged over brush and roots, scraping against the ground as she screamed.

Rage built inside me like a firestorm, propelling me forward.

There was no monster or beast in sight, and it wasn’t until she was pulled out of a dense cropping of trees that I saw what had her:a vine wrapped tightly around her ankle.

Reaching for my magic, I pushed myself to run faster. The vine dragged Lorelei into another densely forested area, and for a terrifying moment, I lost sight of her. Her screams stopped, and dread clawed at my chest. Had she lost consciousness?

I sprinted through the trees, leaping over brush, determined not to lose her.

When I caught sight of her again, lying limp as the vine tugged her mercilessly, rage coursed through me like lightning.

I aimed my hands at the black, gnarled vine that was trying to steal her from me and let my power surge.

I paused, hesitating before unleashing a stream of black lightning. If I missed, I could sever her ankle. But if I didn’t act, the vine could drag her somewhere I couldn’t follow. My heart pounded as I made the split-second decision to try.

I shot my magic at the vine. And I missed.

“Lorelei!” I yelled, desperation thick in my voice, but she didn’t respond. The vine continued to drag her across the forest floor.

It was clear she was unconscious. A feral need to protect her consumed me, driving me to act. I reached for my power again, focusing everything into the next two bolts. They fired in quick succession, and relief surged through me as one met its mark. The vine snapped.

Lorelei’s momentum carried her forward, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop. A hissing noise echoed through the forest, sharp and menacing, as the severed vine writhed on the ground.

With my heart lodged in my throat, I sprinted to her limp form. She was still breathing, but my chest felt like it was being torn open as I took in the small cuts marring her arms, legs, and face. Her bottom lip was split open, crimson blood trailing down her chin.

“Lorelei.” My voice was shaky as I crouched down and gently pulled her into my arms. Her body was so still, her face pale beneath the dirt and blood smeared across her skin.

The sight of her like this gutted me. I had promised her mother I’d keep her safe, and now she looked like she’d been trampled by a wild horse.

Desperate, I reached down and plucked a handful of vibrant purple and pink flowers from the forest floor. Laying them on her chest, I silently willed her healing magic to awaken. But nothing happened.

No.

My hands trembled as I brushed dirt from her hair and face. She was covered in blood and grime—on her cheeks, her neck, even tangled in her hair. The weight of my failure pressed down on me like a physical force.

Staying alert to our surroundings, I stood with her in my arms and began retracing the path the vine had dragged her through the forest. The trail her body had carved into the ground served as my guide, ensuring we didn’t get lost. Thankfully, Lorelei’s pack was still strung over her shoulder, not having been lost, and I pulled out the map her mother had sketched for us.

After orienting myself, I set off for a small pond marked to the east.

I had underestimated these cursed lands. The warning that the curse would come for us wasn’t just a vague threat—it was a brutal reality. Burning rain and killer vines might only be the beginning.

An image of Nellie flashed in my mind. Her freckled face, her wide eyes filled with hope. I had promised her I’d return, that I’d come back to her. But if I wasn’t vigilant, if I failed to protect Lorelei again, I might not survive to keep that promise.

I clenched my jaw, the weight of my vow settling like steel in my chest. I wouldn’t let my guard down again. I wouldn’t let Lorelei out of my sight—or my arms—until this curse was destroyed.

When I reached the pond, I carefully set Lorelei down on the shoreline.

Mentally, I thanked the Spring queen for the extra provisions she’d sent with us.

Pulling a length of rope from my satchel, I tied one end securely around Lorelei’s waist and the other around mine, leaving only about four feet of slack between us.

If something tried to drag her away again, it would have to take me with her.

Using a clean strip of linen I’d gotten from the Spring queen, I dipped it into the pond and began to carefully wash Lorelei’s exposed skin.

I started with her hands and arms, moving gently to her ankles and shins.

Finally, I ended with her perfect face, wiping away the dirt and blood that marred her features.

Seeing her injured like this tore me apart. Small purple bruises were starting to form, and the weight of guilt pressed on my chest so heavily it was hard to breathe.

Lorelei whimpered softly, and my gaze snapped to her face.

“Lorelei?”

Her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped. In the next instant, the grass beneath us began to turn white as if frost had kissed it. Before my eyes, her cuts and bruises vanished, leaving her skin smooth and unblemished.

Thank the fates.

She sat up suddenly, her expression filled with wonder and a touch of fear. When her wide eyes met mine, her voice trembled as she said, “I couldn’t control it. The vine that grabbed me—it had no energy. I couldn’t fight it.”

The anguish in her voice pierced me, and I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and protect her from whatever came next. But I didn’t want to overwhelm her further, so I stayed still, keeping my voice calm and steady. “It’s all right. I won’t let that happen again,” I promised.

Her gaze dropped to the bloody linen strip in my hands, then moved to the rope tied around her waist and looped around mine. Her expression softened, and a small, hesitant smile tugged at her lips. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

I gave a dry chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “You just healed in seconds after being dragged through half the forest. What’s to be scared about?” I teased.

Her smile widened slightly, and she fingered the rope around her waist. “Is this supposed to protect me if the vine comes back?”

I nodded. “Exactly. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

Pink bloomed across her cheeks, and her blush made her even more beautiful. “A handsome lord wants to tie himself to me?” she said with a teasing lilt. “You won’t hear me complaining about that.”

She thought I was handsome? Her words sent my heart into a chaotic rhythm, thudding wildly in my chest. For a moment, I forgot about the dangers of the Savage Lands, the looming curse, and everything else. All I could focus on was her.