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He roars with rage, punching at me, but I duck out of reach. The general is panting now, his eyes wild… for the first time, realizing he might lose. As he springs toward me, I wrap the sash around my palms—and then I leap from the tower. Wind pummels my face, my body, searing every part of me. My hair unravels from the topknot, whipped by the wind, my bone-white grip tightening on the sash. Screams rise from those watching. A little blood titillates, but a gruesome death spoils the entertainment. It makes it too real. Time slows as the ground flies up. Inside, I’m frozen through, praying the knot I tied earlier will hold, that the sash is long enough.

It pulls taut, my body jerking to a violent stop, every nerve afire. Dangling from the sash, I’m swinging a foot above the ground, General Xilu close behind. I raise my dagger, then slash through the cloth, crashing down into a pool of mud—a heartbeat before the general lands beside me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

F aces crowd around me. Strangers, most of them—some curious, a few concerned. Daiyu is pale, while Lord Liuming doesn’t hide his glee at watching me sprawled here—almost broken. Farther behind I glimpse Shan, wiping his eyes, unable to push his way through the nobles.

As I roll myself up gingerly, General Xilu looms over me. Without a word, he draws his arm back, his fist colliding against my cheek. My head snaps back as I taste blood. Fury surges, eclipsing the pain, as I swing at the general, punching his collarbone. But my blow is feeble, my mind spinning as he advances toward me again.

“General Xilu, step away from her.” The crowd parts as Princess Chunlei appears. As I sink down on the ground, my legs still shaking, she bends to take my hand. “Where does it hurt?”

“Everywhere.” A thin whisper as I pull away, afraid she’ll see the mark on my finger.

“I won’t let him harm you anymore,” she assures me, searching my face. “You’re safe now.”

I want to thank her, but it hurts too much. In a way, I’ve saved her too—from the general’s victory, from being his prize. If he lashes out this way before all, what is he like within the walls of his home?

The chief attendant hurries toward us, halting at the sight of me. Without a word, he rushes back to inform his master.

“You didn’t win; you cheated,” General Xilu rages, pointing at me.

“I did not cheat.” My throat is bruised; each word feels like pushing a stone through it. “It was a fair match according to the rules. Crying foul won’t change the outcome.”

I’m too shattered to mind my words, nor can I back down. I won’t let him steal the victory I’ve earned.

General Xilu’s expression darkens as he lunges toward me again—but the blow never lands, the general dragged away from me. Jin’s arm is locked around his neck, holding him back with surprising strength, then shoving him to the side. As the Thorn Valley soldiers rush to surround him, Jin kneels by my side, inspecting my wounds.

“Since when does Thorn Valley intercede in our affairs?” Prince Zixin’s voice rings with authority as he stalks forward.

“Since everyone is content to watch as the valiant General Xilu murders an innocent for defeating him. She is the Thorn Valley champion; she fought in Lord Chao’s name. Her victory is ours.” Jin’s caustic tone lacks deference. “If the general hasn’t had his fill of violence today, I will take her place—a fight without weapons.”

I want to tell Jin to back away; the general would break him into pieces. But I also don’t want him to go; it feels safer with him here… maybe because I’m half delirious from pain and blood loss. Impatience grips me to ask about my ring, but not here.

Jin faces Prince Zixin, silent and unsmiling. “Your Highness, you should crown the victor at once, following the rules of the tournament. She needs a physician.”

“She cheated,” General Xilu seethes. “The sash, the fragrance—”

“General Xilu, do you mean that tiny bottle of scent commonly carried by ladies?” Jin laughs derisively. “Unlike the second dagger you used to attack?”

The general swings to Prince Zixin. “Your Highness, I demand justice—”

“Demand?” the prince repeats stonily. “Do not forget yourself, General Xilu.”

I push myself up slowly, then bow to the prince. “I broke no rule; there were none to break beyond the use of weapons.”

As some of the guests nod, Prince Zixin’s mouth tightens. The gaze he flicks to me is sharp with accusation and fury. He must want to declare the general the winner, but his hands are tied before the court. Maybe after the coronation, he could disregard their opinions. But it appears princes are more vulnerable than kings—they can be plotted against, supplanted more easily.

General Xilu gestures furiously, rash in his rage. “Your Highness, you must disqualify her. Crown me the victor. Only I can rescue the duke’s daughter—”

“General Xilu, are you commanding me?” Prince Zixin’s tone is glacial.

The general’s lips mash together as he glares at me. I’ve gained an enemy today, one I must guard my back against for the rest of my days. Another reason to never return to the Iron Mountains.

“Are you hurt?” Prince Zixin asks, his expression shuttered.

“Yes.” My voice slurs, I’m almost folded over with pain.

Prince Zixin nods at the chief attendant. “Summon the royal physician.”