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.”
“No, Your Highness. I am well enough.” I struggle to keep standing, intent on securing my victory.
My smile morphs into a grimace, my cheek swelling from General Xilu’s blow.
Part of me still hopes to salvage the situation.
Only the prince and I know what he’s offered me, and what I did not accept.
It’s safer to leave things unspoken, to let him imagine his own reasons for my actions, those that will make him hate me a little less.
As Princess Chunlei warned me: No one, king or pauper, likes being made a fool of.
And I’ve just succeeded in spectacular fashion.
Prince Zixin nods at the chief attendant. “Announce the victor.”
Someone rushes to me, wrapping a white cloak around my shoulders. A mistake, as my blood soaks through in crimson blots. I don’t care, glad for the warmth, my body cold all the way through. Another tries to smooth my tangled hair, combing it to lie across my back.
Jin pushes a porcelain bottle into my hand. “For the pain.”
From another, I’d hesitate. But I uncork the bottle and swallow it all down, bitter with a sourish tinge—tasting like no herb I know. The discomfort fades, my breathing easing.
“Kneel,” the chief attendant hisses.
I drop down, clasping my hands and pressing my forehead to the earth. Dramatic, certain to draw attention—but I want everyone to remember this. There can be no doubt.
“You are the champion of the Iron Mountains. Will you accept the quest to rescue the Duke of the Amber Forest’s daughter?” Prince Zixin asks, his eyes bright.
I straighten, raising my head. “For the honor of the Iron Mountains, in the name of Thorn Valley—I will.”
The prince pulls me up, gripping my arm a little too tightly. He bends as he whispers into my ear, “Be careful whom you trust; don’t believe any promises others might make. Only I can give you what you truly wish—your heart’s desire.”
As his gaze drops meaningfully to my hand, a shiver runs through me. He means my ring, dangling it over me like a lure. But Jin promised to secure it; they should have already stolen it back… unless they failed. And if so, I’m still trapped, no matter how far I go.
He smiles like he reads my mind. “Never forget, you are the champion of the Iron Mountains. Remember who you serve.”
The prince’s meaning slithers into me slowly—insidiously. As the Iron Mountains champion, should we succeed, I have the right to claim the promised starfire, the right to gift it to another. A grave betrayal of Jin to yield the starfire to Prince Zixin—but only then will he return what’s mine.
I’m hesitating… I don’t dare refuse yet.
And so, I smile back at the villainous prince, one full of false promises and lies.
Let him think I can still be won over. While I don’t want to betray Jin—my life is worth more than any jewel, even starfire.
My allegiance should lie with the one who can return my ring.
Prince Zixin leans toward me, almost intimately, as he releases my arm. “You must take care to come back to me unharmed.”
The possession in his tone stings like a scrape on my skin. Yet as I look around the crowd that surrounds us, my gaze sliding to the bamboo tower above—triumph sweeps over me, drowning my fear and unease.
I’m alive. I won. And I’m free… at least, for now.