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“A few are,” I said. “Though, I can’t really think of them all now.… Smithing, for one.”

Her expression brightened, and she wiped at the remainder of her tears as she looked to my sword. “Yes, of course. Sir Wallis has only had two pupils in his life who could master the skill.”

It was a relief to see her smile. “You recognize his work, my lady?”

“Who wouldn’t?” she said, stepping closer. “There are fewer than two hundred of his creations in all of England. And each is more exquisite than the last.”

I removed the broadsword from its sheath, holding the blade flat for her to admire—though the lighting in here would never do it justice. “So, you enjoy swords?”

She smirked. “I enjoy watching men wield them in tournaments.”

“So you … like the men.”

“Only when they’re bravely wielding swords.” She raised a brow at me. “You do get jealous easily, my lord.”

My face grew hot, but Cali had already turned her attention back to my blade.

“I hope you won’t take this question as offensive,” she said, “but you’re so young. How did you manage to get chosen by one of the most prestigious smiths in the world?”

“Be careful,” I said, as her hand came near the blade, spiking my anxiety. “To be honest, I think it was because I lied. I had to show him my skills with a sword, and then he asked me some questions. And when he asked what the sword’s purpose was, I told him it was to protect someone I love. But I didn’t love—”

I bit my lip to shut myself up.

Vi. I didn’t love Vi.

But how could I admit to not loving my former knight in front of my present one? That I, in fact, longed for her death almost daily? It would hardly encourage her faith in me.

“Anyone,” I said instead, quickly. “At the time. Anyway, I don’t know if that helped my case. He didn’t say why, and I didn’t think to ask.”

“I don’t think it was a lie,” said Cali sweetly, tracing the filigree on my blade in the air above it. “Sometimes we manifest the things we really want by speaking them aloud. Because they’re said with such faith, God hears us and follows through.”

“Even if it takes ten years,” I murmured.

Cali looked at me suddenly, curious concern knitting her brow. But it was quickly replaced with distress as she jerked her hand away from my sword, covering it with the other.

I should never have let her come so close.

I moved my sword clear of her, my heart pounding. “Are you all right, my lady?”

“I-I’m fine, it’s—” But she barely finished her sentence before I caught her hand in mine, taking her finger into my mouth to stop up the blood.

I couldn’t tell if it was my quickened pulse or hers in my head, but instantly I realized I had crossed the line.

She seemed to freeze, gaping up at me. Trembling. Breathless.

What are you doing, Beric?

I quickly took out my handkerchief and pressed it against her cut instead, and she gripped it in her hand to keep pressure. But she didn’t move away, didn’t look away, and for a moment I felt caught in her gaze.

And then I stepped back quickly, turning away to break whatever trance her brown eyes had held me under. I took a breath, running my hand through my hair. She was a knight—she could heal herself in less than a second, if I had given her the chance. If I hadn’t acted so impulsively, anxious to protect this girl I hardly knew.

I’d never coddled Vi, and she’d never wanted me to. I wouldn’t blink twice at such a small injury. There was no point in ever making a fuss over something so trivial, because neither of us cared enough about the other to do so. Vi had never even seen my handkerchief, not even in a polite gesture.

Cali was a knight, just like any other. So why did this feel so different?

Cali didn’t seem well when I turned back to her. She played with the end of the cloth, as if nervous. Understandably so. But I saw the last bit of golden smoke dissipating in the air. She’d healed herself. What she would’ve done, anyway, if I hadn’t been such a thoughtless idiot, except without this hideous, regrettable awkwardness.

“My lady—” I tried.