Why is Queen Mab not angry at Dresden for breaking his oath?

Question

Warning - this question contains significant spoilers from "Changes" and "Ghost Story".

In "Changes", a wounded Dresden is forced to ask Queen Mab for help. She is a bit worried that Harry will try to cheat her out of the deal:

[Mab] paused and murmured, “But you have proven willing to destroy yourself in the past. You won your last confrontation with my handmaiden in just such a fashion, by partaking of the death angel. What prevents you from taking a similar action to cheat me of my prize?” “My word,” I said quietly. “I know I can’t bluff you. I won’t suicide. I’m here to deal in good faith.”

But we know that Harry is not too honest in his promise, as the climax of both books says that

Dresden hired Kincaid to shoot him and asked Molly to hide this memory.

It's almost certain that Mab knows what has happened (Leanansidhe knew but Demonreach forbade that she say it.), yet she seems more worried than angry. And the fate of Lloyd Slate shows that she can hold a grudge.

So why hasn't she punished Harry for this misdeed?

Answer 1

Technically, when he made this vow, no word he spoke was untrue. He intended to uphold what he said, at the time he said it.

Of course, the only reason that works is because he'd already created the out, and erased it from his mind. As in John Robinson's earlier answer, he'd beaten her at her own game, mostly. It required her direct intervention and further bargains to make sure he didn't completely succeed. And so far in the series since, he has had to keep that word, so she won in the long run.

As for punishment... well, if she did punish him for that defiance like she punished Lloyd Slate, she'd no longer have a Knight. The kicker here though is that Slate betrayed Mab, and while Dresden may fight her tooth and nail, he holds no illusions what Mab would do once he crossed a line. Mab needs him, not only to fulfill his function as Knight, but that defiance against all takers (even her) is precisely what makes him far more dangerous and powerful. Mab needs that will, precisely as he pointed out to her under Demonreach, and breaking him completely will only erode that strength.

Torturing him in smaller moments though, she can savor.

Just to toss one speculative statement out there - there's hints that Mab actually appreciates the fact that he considers her a hostile ally, and is willing to pull such stunts. His defiance of her keeps him sharp, and may even keep Mab herself on her toes. Both angles would keep Winter strong.

Answer 2

He beat her at her own game, and she can respect that. So she's waiting to play the game back.

Every time there are dealings with the Faerie Courts, we're reminded that the Fae are uber-lawyers -- if there's a loophole in an agreement, they will find it and take advantage of it.

He didn't suicide, someone else shot him. He did follow his word by the letter, just not the spirit. Course, only the letter matters to the Fae, so it works out. He'll just have to be very careful with any future agreements he makes with Mab, because she'll want to get back at him.