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I turned around quickly. “Sir, I do apologize for all the ruckus, but please just give me a chance to—”
“Stand there,” he said, pointing at the wall.
I snapped my jaw shut and rushed to do as I was told. “A-am I … am I in trouble? Or did you truly just pull me out of the queue to audition?”
He went to a table on the other side of the small room, the only piece of furniture inside other than two chairs on either side of it. “Name?”
“Because of a birdcall?”
“The position of Royal Knight requires accurate pitch. You executed a perfect birdcall. I don’t understand the confusion.”
“O-oh—” Relief settled on me, and I grinned. “I thought you were going to stab me and throw me out the window.”
He stared at me for a moment, and I had a distinct feeling my joke hadn’t landed as intended. “What is your name?”
“Cali. That is, Calliope.”
He raised his dark brows the slightest bit. “Truly?”
It wasn’t a common practice in England, to be named after Greek Muses. But then, my parents had been uncommon people.
It was part of the reason my aunt hated me so much.
“My parents named me with the hope it would encourage musical talent,” I said. “They always said I was born to be a knight.”
“Mm.” He didn’t look convinced. “And your parents are?”
It had been a pretty lie until now. I should have never brought them up.
“I was raised by my uncle,” I said, praying my voice kept steady. “John Bailey.”
“Another Bailey.” He sounded unimpressed. “Hopefully you’re more talented than the last one.”
“I am.” I hadn’t meant it to sound arrogant, but there was no taking back my words. Anyway, I was. I had practically taught Ann everything she knew.
Now was the time to prove it.
Another sound of skepticism from him. “Are you unmarried?”
It seemed an odd question, given the nature of the position. But now that I was in the audition room, I needed to do all I could to secure my place. “Yes.”
“Why? You’re old enough.”
“My aunt thought I’d be of better use at home.”
“Your cousin would be of better use at home.”
I snickered, swallowing back the sound when he looked at me.
I could have sworn he was going to laugh with me this time. Instead, he cleared his throat. “Let’s begin,” he said, and lit the candle on the table.
“Please don’t tell me this is the skill you chastised everyone about earlier.”
His expression gave away nothing. “I trust you know what to do.”
I felt the vibration of magic inside me, and when I flicked the air with my fingers the candle immediately extinguished. The boy didn’t look impressed, simply moved on to the next test, laying a piece of fabric on the table.
“Tear this in two,” he instructed.
