FightingSanity by Viola Grace Page B

problem, minders can reach into a patient’s mind and simply solve the problem for them by removing the offending memories or implanting new ones.”
    She swallowed. “Did you do that to me?”
    He looked as if she had struck him. “No, of course not. All you have required is my presence, an anchor to reality. All your memories are still your own.”
    She was immediately contrite. “I am sorry. I just have no idea how I have managed to come to the tentative balance that I now have.”
    She felt the light touch on her mind and he could tell that she was telling the truth.
    “You got to where you are by continuing to move toward your goal no matter what state your mind has been in. Even the construction was a step that you engaged in to cure yourself.”
    Erinii grinned, “Do you think they will let me try it again?”
    She looked from Turnari to Dravi and back again.
    Turnari finally inclined his head. “We can ask. It will hurt nothing to make the offer.”
    She chuckled and rubbed her hands together. “Nice. What do we do now?”
    Turnari grinned. “Now? Now, we head to the Sector Guard base so that you can tell them everything you remember about the talents at the station. The Guard is taking custody of them and will slowly bring them around once they have determined which are felons and which are not.”

    Chapter Twelve
    Three weeks after the debriefing, Erinii was going to scream. With her help, the construction was almost done and Dravi was so happy for her that he had taken her to dinner in the village.
    As she watched him across the table, her heart ached in her chest. No matter what she had done, he had not made one romantic move toward her, even though they slept together every night.
    She could not rest if he wasn’t holding her. They had tried around week two and she had quietly spoken to the foreman and declined to assist on those days, knowing that her mind was far from stable with lack of sleep.
    Dravi had filed the necessary paperwork with the Citadel and it was final. She was assigned to his quarters and they lived together as companions.
    She wanted more.
    “When do you head out on your next assignment, Dravi?” She used her spoon on the soup that she had been served and smiled at the delightful flavour that burst across her tongue.
    “ We head out in three days to Gascorrow. They have a similar situation to Bassinor and they are requesting advice on how to deal with their talents.”
    His inclusion of her relaxed her somewhat, but she was still seeking some sign of physical interest.
    They ate in silence for a few minutes before he asked, “What is wrong, Erinii? You are uncharacteristically quiet.”
    She bit her lip. Why don’t you want me?
    What?
    You heard me, why don’t you want me? We have slept together every night for almost a month. I know your body is interested, but you don’t do anything about it. Why don’t you want me?
    Simply asking him the question directly was exhausting. She slumped down in her chair and reached for the wine with a shaking hand. His hand intercepted hers and he held it.
    “I do want you. I simply had to wait until your mind did not need mine. As a minder, I could not involve myself with a patient, but as of today, you are no longer a patient but my companion.”
    She blushed as his thumb caressed the back of her hand with a slow stroke. Heat spiralled outward from that small touch.
    “What about my dependence on you for sleeping?”
    “I fall into the category of anchor and it is a passive situation. I don’t do anything to you other than provide my physical presence to assist you in sleeping. Many couples need each other to get a good night’s sleep. My parents certainly fall into that situation.”
    “Your parents are still alive and bonded?”
    He gave her a quizzical look. “Of course. Why?”
    “On Bassinor, it is traditional for a man to start multiple families and eventually choose the one he feels fits best. It was why Davio and I don’t