"Maw-lee," he said, stroking her cheek. "There is no need to apologize. You have every reason to be upset right now. I did not realize how much being Joined with me would upset you. It felt like merely a formality, an official recognition, of the fact that I would rather have you, here, with me, more than any other being I've met. And just because you can't leave yet doesn't mean I would keep
