Rhys was the single, unequivocal friend in Cole's existence. The one person who had been kind, loving and protective. And Cole, Cole didn't doubt Rhys.

Cole still doubts and doesn't understand affection and kindness. Rhys had thought he was a young, lost mage, without realising he was a spirit. And if Ben has a brief moment of wonder about 'with' or not, Cole doesn't manage to pick up the nuance of the thought, because he's briefly lost in thought.

"He is. He was still alive when I was last in Thedas. He and Evangeline-Who-Is-Also-Faith."