Ah, he thought, and resisted the urge to jerk back, separate the contact he had with Patrick. Instinct to guard himself and the magic that lived inside of him. He remained where he was, though, even as his body grew stiff and his jaw tightened as he pushed his baser urgings back.

So he let Patrick do what he was doing, eyes closing, making himself more aware of the faint burn of magic. Cautious still, in case he would need to tear away.