A thick, sharp-tipped arrow lodged deeply into his shoulder. Her breath caught so hard she actually choked on air.
"Oh my God...Eryx..."
She shot to her feet so fast the water splashed violently behind her. She didn't feel the cold anymore. She didn't feel anything except panic clawing up her throat.
She ran.
Her legs moved before her mind did, carrying her across the stone ground in an instant. Just as she reached him, Eryx's knees buckled completely.
He pitched forward right into her arms.
She barely caught him, his full weight slamming against her smaller frame. Her legs shook, but she held on, gripping his back, her eyes wide in horror.
"Eryx…" her voice trembled, barely more than a whisper, "Eryx, what happened?"
His head dropped against her shoulder, hot breath hitting her neck, but his body was hot.
He groaned weakly, jaw clenched tight, trying to keep himself upright even though he was clearly losing the battle.
"Stay with me, Eryx."
