Tianlong (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781917972529)

The Galactic Empire is collapsing. War on four fronts. Treachery at its heart. A dynasty devouring itself.

Into this chaos steps Xilan, the Tianyu of the House of Tianlong - a young woman crowned as Huangdi too soon, broken too deeply, and feared far too little. Her enemies call her weak. Her allies call her untested. But the truth is far more dangerous: she has nothing left to lose.

Fighting a war the Empire cannot win, the Huangdi turns to the only person she trusts - Zhiyuan, a soldier dragged from obscurity and bound to her by loyalty, trauma, and something neither of them dares to name. Together they uncover a weapon that could end the conflict... or erase entire civilisations.

As the Empire watches, horrified and enthralled, the Huangdi must choose between mercy and annihilation, justice and survival, the woman she was and the ruler she must become.

But the Innari are watching too. And they have plans of their own.

In a galaxy where every choice is a betrayal and every victory demands a sacrifice, the Huangdi will learn the true cost of power - and Zhiyuan will learn how far he is willing to fall to save her soul.