The touch takes him aback, in particular, because of how gentle and earnest it is. Whatever he was expecting from her, it wasn't that, and for a man not particularly accustomed to casual touch it's enough to confuse him for a solid few moments.

He shakes his head, trying to make sense of everything. Something he really wonders how a being like this ended up becoming the Endsinger, or a Kenoma. It's a horrible thing to contemplate.

She doesn't seem upset with him at all, but he feels the need to say it anyway.

"I... apologize, Meteion. I had not realized the Kenoma had left you when I struck." He pauses for a moment, and then adds: "I feared that were I anything less than swift, that you may end up in the Regent's clutches once more."