The creature cried in anguish, cradling her face with both hands, and she lurched to the side as if taking a mortal blow.

Devan didn’t know how much his opponent was hurt, or what kind of recovery powers she had. He just knew this was an opening he might not get again. With as much strength as he could put into the blow, he swung right at her head.

The creature dodged, still screeching in pain, and then turned and fled. Devan stared after her, panting harshly. Her speed was too much; even mounted, he’d have a hard time keeping up. Who knew how fast she’d recover and come back at him? Devan wasn’t keen on sticking around to find out. He had a chance to retreat and he was taking it. He scrambled for the saddle, gouged arms protesting the movement of him climbing onto Dan’s back. As soon as he had any semblance of a seat, the stallion whirled on his back legs and sprinted back the way they had come.

Gods above, Devan loved his horse. He owed him a barrel of apples for this bit of common sense. Maybe some cherries. Dan would do absolutely ludicrous things for cherries.

Devan hung on tight and stayed low, one eye fixated behind them. He wouldn’t breathe easy until they were actually out of the woods. He’d urge Dan faster if the horse wasn’t already putting every ounce of speed into his sprint as it was.

In fact, he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen his horse run this fast. The brat, he’d been holding out.

Devan could feel the blood pouring from the open wounds on his arms, his face, all hot to the touch. Unnaturally so. It would be his luck to survive this initial contact with the creature only to die of its venom later.

That settled it. As soon as they were clear of the woods, he was calling Tan.

Dan flagged a little, unable to keep up the mad sprint indefinitely. Devan clung and glanced behind them once more. They were well out of sight of where they’d been, and he saw no signs of pursuit.

He’d feel better about that if he’d been able to see the initial attack. Right now, he trusted absolutely nothing.

Dan was down to a normal run by the time they cleared the edge of the woods. The horse breathed hard, sweat on his neck and flanks, but he didn’t falter until they were well out on the highway, the afternoon sun bathing them in light. Devan just clung to the saddle, trying to breathe around the pain. Every injured part of him felt like liquid fire was being actively poured onto his skin. Tears leaked from his eyes just from the level of agonizing pain.

He couldn’t keep riding. Devan recognized he was in trouble, and as hard as it was to focus, he had to. No one was around to save him. He slowed his stallion to a walk, then pulled them off the side of the road altogether. He stayed seated, just in case, Dan pointed to face the woods so he could easily keep an eye on the entrance.

Devan poked at one of the deeper gashes in his arm and winced. That was really not good. It bled profusely and was hot to the touch. The entire area was blistering, and lines of red were streaking up and down his arm. Shit. That didn’t look good at all.

He futilely wiped tears from his eyes before he lifted the ring closer to his mouth and distinctly called, “Tanawat Ritthirong Shinawatra. Are you listening?”

The answer was clear as a bell a moment later. “My darling! I’ve been languishing while waiting for your call, absolutely languishing. How are you?”

“I’m hurt.”

The tone abruptly changed from playful to all business. “Where are you? What’s happened? How badly are you hurt?”

“Outside of Hunter’s Woods. A creature attacked me. I’m bleeding from several places and the claws might be poisonous. Tan—” Devan’s head swam and he had to shake it to fight the urge to pass out. Shit, he hadn’t lost that much blood, had he? “I might pass out.”

“I’ll be there in thirty seconds. Absolutely do not pass out. Do you understand me, my love? Stay awake. You can collapse into my arms once I’m there.”

Devan’s head was truly swimming now and it was hard to focus. His breathing was harsher now, sweat dewing on his forehead. Wherever the creature had touched him felt like a fire held directly against the wound.

Thank fuck he could call for Tan directly. He wouldn’t make it if he tried to ride for help now.

Oh, shit, he had to get off Dan. Before he fell off and broke something.

In the most uncoordinated move he’d made in his life, Devan fumbled his way out of the saddle and to the ground. Then he clung to the saddle for support, leaning heavily against Dan’s sweaty side.

Breathe. Breathe, Devan. Stand there and breathe. Help’s coming.

“Tan?”

“Almost at my portal circle. How are you?”

“Definitely poisoned. If you’ve got a ready antidote, you’d better bring it.”

Tan swore in his native tongue and Devan heard the sound of a door slamming open and smacking against stone.

“Three seconds, Devan. I’m portaling to you now. Just hold on.”

Devan was reasonably sure he could hold on for three more seconds.

Maybe.