"I lived this life as long as I'd been alive, until I came here. I can't hold my own against wizards or gods or fucking crazy Cassidy... but you put me on the street with nothing but the clothes on my back? I'll be okay. I'll be better than okay. I need this. I need... to know I can still survive in a world that isn't all crazy magic shit and stuff I can't just get over like flicking a switch. I need to know I've still got me, Tej. I need to know I can be broken and still be able to get up every day and go out and find a way to get a good meal and a place to sleep without anyone's charity. I hate that."
She half-turns, then, to look at him, and smiles -- truly smiles.
"Don't get me wrong, though -- you don't know how good it feels to know I've got a white knight." She reaches up and flicks his hair. "Metaphorically speaking."