Cole hushed him through nightmares as best he could, but it was a choice of keeping the ribs healing faster, the pain at bay, or turning his full attention to the nightmares.

When Krem woke, Cole straightened up, wincing slightly as his spine and collarbones cracked themselves out after a whole night of sitting still and silent. "I was working," he said, but his voice cracked with his silent night and he had to clear his throat.