Pain quickly turned to panic.
“Elis.” Latham was on his feet, reaching out. He found and clutched Elis’s arm.
Fear gripped Elis. He retched. His chest convulsed. He tried to clear his raw throat, but he could only heave. The edges of his vision were growing dark. He gasped, clutching his throat.
“Elis?” Latham’s arms were around him, holding him. “Breathe Elis. Please. Please,” he begged. “Elis!”
Latham’s terror added to his own. His heart fluttered painfully.
Latham touched Elis’s face, fingers tracing his lips then pressed his hand over Elis’s mouth. Elis tried to tear it away, but Latham was too strong. “Breathe through your nose, Elis. Come on. Come on, love. Please. Breathe for me.” His voice cracked.
Elis was going to die, he could feel it. Unless he did as Latham said. He splu
