"That is...kind. So kind of you. A public refusal would have been -- it would have been difficult."

Humiliating. She meant it would be humiliating. Even so, she turned her body just so in order to look him full in his face, provided he would lift his gaze to meet hers. "If you'd rather not be named a shield, I promise I won't do it. Not for you. It's hardly needed, besides--"

She knew she could depend upon him in her hour of need. He needed no slick gimmick to pin his aim to her cause.