The world darkened at the edges of her vision. Eva clutched at the place where her heart felt like it was being ripped out.
Xylon noticed Eva collapse, her breath coming in desperate, ragged gasps.
His eyes widened with alarm, and he darted across the room, pushing past Sylvan and Iclyn.
He reached Eva in a few long strides and dropped to his knees beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her trembling form against his chest.
She was suffocating, her panic palpable. Her hands clutched at her chest, her nails digging into her skin as if she could physically hold herself together.
Without hesitation, he slipped his arms under her body, lifting her off the cold, hard floor.
He adjusted her so that she was sitting on his lap, cradling her like a fragile doll.
Her body trembled violently, her face pale and drenched with tears.
"Eva, breathe. Just breathe," Xylon murmured, his voice filled with urgency and concern.