Clara's jaw tightened. She remained rigid beneath his palms, the heat of his skin burning hers.
"This is already more contact than I agreed to," she said.
"I know," Julian replied. His thumbs shifted slightly and settled more firmly on her shoulders. "But the method requires direct contact. If I stay in front of you, you will only watch my face and try to read my expressions. From here, you can focus on the sensation itself."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Breathe. If you remain this tense, the mana will resist you."
Clara closed her eyes for a brief moment, forcing air in through her nose and out through her mouth. The first breath was shallow. The second was deeper. She did not fully relax, but the tense lock in her shoulders eased by a fraction.
Julian felt the change beneath his hands.
"That's better," he murmured. "Stay like this. Do not fight the first wave when it comes. Just let it move."
