"Shh," Keefe said as Sophie whimpered in his embrace.
While his warm arms soothed her, they had no effect over the goosebumps racing along her skin. "It wasn't real, sweetheart."
"It felt real." She choked on the words, mind upturning with memories of the monster that lived in her subconscious.
"Breathe with me, okay?" Keefe left a kiss on her temple and held her close enough to feel his soft exhalations on her cheeks. They were warm, like rays of sun painting her cheeks, but they left cold moonbeams in their wake.
Sophie inhaled with him. Let it go.
"Good girl," Keefe whispered, his warm arms encircling her and wrapping her in a love so familiar she found herself smiling into his shoulder.