Proud Feather

At nineteen, Chu Ling stands alone atop the walls of Shangyuan, enemy forces closing in. Her brother died in disgrace when she was sixteen—she fought for justice and was branded arrogant, exiled to a temple. At eighteen, she refused a political marriage and was banished to her fief. Now her father is dead, the new emperor has proven incompetent, and the north invades while the capital surrenders. Leading her Iron Guard, she defends the last stronghold with every breath—until word arrives that reinforcements will never come. Betrayed by the court she served, Chu Ling must decide: accept defeat,…