Snow's blows slammed into his chest and sides, again and again, and Kash rocked under them. He bore up under it, like he promised her he would. He kept his eyes on hers and when she started to falter, when the screams started to go flat, he caught her around the shoulders and held her against him, giving her something to struggle against or lean into.

He ached, but he felt balanced. Like he'd done something he could be proud of.