He could have taken her into his arms.

But something held him back.

Moreover he knew the nature of her request before she uttered it.
"Will you do what I ask you ?" she said suddenly, facing him directly.
"Will you, Big Bear ?" Merefleet did not answer her.
She went on quickly.
"My dear, it's hard for me, too, though I'm bad and I deserve to suffer." Her voice broke and Merefleet made a convulsive movement towards her.

But he checked himself.

And Mab ended in a choked whisper with an appealing hand against his breast.
"Just go right away!" she said.