<div style="text-align: justify;">Melinda was really enjoying that forming bond with Dalindme. It was a bond she had never shared with anyone, except, perhaps, her late father. Mr. Sullivan had always been good at observing people, and he seemed to feel her emotional states in a way nobody else could. And now, Dalindme was there and seemed to have an amplified version of that ability.<br/><br/>With a soft sigh, Melinda thought about how comfortable that was. She didn't have to explain her feelings in detail. She simply had to feel and let him pick up on them. This alone made Melinda feel like sticking around Dalindme for a long time. That, and a feeling she had deep down inside that they could not live without each other now that they had met. <br/><br/>When Dalindme said that he knew she wouldn't hurt him, Melinda showed a warm smile and nodded. "Not ever", she repeated gently, her hand still on his arm. And then the tiredness got the best of her again. She was feeling a lot better than earlier, but the blood loss, the hot bath, the meal, all those influences had gathered to make her sleepy. As Dalindme asked her if she wanted to sleep, Melinda nodded again. It felt good and comfortable being carried by him, and resting her head on his chest while he carried her back to her resting chamber.<br/><br/>In being put on her improvised bed, Melinda sighed softly. It felt like a good place for her tired body. "Stay", she murmured before Dalindme could leave the chamber. "At least until I sleep again?", she completed, her eyes almost pleading for his presence. Her body language, and the gaze she gave him seemed to communicate that she didn't want to be left alone.</div>