Falling through the emptiness, the air rushed against my body as I slammed against the phoenix’s back. Pain tore through me, of scorching heat—the creature’s feathers piercing my flesh like a nest of pins. Grasping my magic, I wove a stronger shield, forcing my mind to clear as the phoenix bucked wildly beneath. I clung harder, its barbs scraping my skin, searing even through my barrier. Swiftly, I snatched the cords from my sash, looping them around the phoenix’s neck, knotting them to form a crude harness. I yanked it, just as I had seen Lady Xihe do when we followed her, the creature shrieking as it dove through the air at a blinding pace. The wind surged against my face—trees and clouds blurring as they melded together, the phoenix spiraling in tighter circles, frantic with rage. I clung fast, clenching my thighs around its body, gripping the reins as I uttered soothing words and entreaties until at last its pace gentled, the heat subsiding from its body.

Only then did I loosen my hold. The phoenix circled once around the grove before obediently flying back to where Lady Xihe waited, the wind chime stirred into a haunting melody.

“It lives. You did not win,” she snarled.

As though sensing her displeasure, the phoenix’s head drooped, its wings trailing on the ground.

“You did not say I had to kill it,” I countered, sliding down from its back. “It would be a needless waste of life when it was merely obeying your command.”

The goddess’s knuckles whitened around the hilt of her whip, the flames surging brighter as though channeling her wrath. “How dare you pretend to care for another’s life? You, the daughter of that butcher Houyi.”

“Do not insult my father.” My voice came low and furious. “I kept my word; I defeated your champion. It is you, trying to break yours.” In truth the terms had not been fully laid out, each of us interpreting them to suit our ends.

As Lady Xihe raised her arm, her whip blazing—I summoned the Jade Dragon Bow, flying up from the ground into my grasp. Yet I did not draw it. I did not want to hurt her, I never had.

But I would defend myself.

Her whip descended upon my head, crackling ropes of flame unfurling. My energy surged forth, crafting a barrier of wind that slammed between us. Fire thrashed against the translucent surface, the goddess baring her teeth as she channeled more of her power, the heat intensifying. Cracks rippled through my shield like cobwebs, flickers of flame bursting through, the pain almost blinding. I staggered back, digging my heels in as I sealed the shield’s cracks, panting from the strain. As Lady Xihe snarled, her palms aglow with crimson light—I tensed for another blow—but then she stilled, slanting her head back as though listening for something.