It is very true that he can't use his magick on someone who's on his shoulders. He stumbles, and the strikes to his neck elicit a strangled yelp of pain. He staggers, nearly falls, and reaches up, grabbing hold of her. That energy in the gauntlets wicks into her like touching a wire--just enough to be painful but not enough to shock. He twists, aiming to throw her.

He's losing coherency fast, though, as, even if he succeeds, it's a few heartbeats before he follows up with another strike, a trio of spears.