"You defeated most of them. I was just fucking useless bait." He watched the liquid in the glass start to tremble. The more he willed his hand to stop, the more it shook.

His eyes finally snapped up. He looked her right in the eye. "You've made it abundantly fucking clear I am useless and weak when it comes to protecting you. Everything I try is 'don't do that, it'll kill you.' Or stay here while you go miles away without saying a goddamn thing to me. I want to be your equal, but we both know I'm not."