Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.

Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of a ruthless and ambitious prince who tempts her with a world she has never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, and she is soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally a cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her. This fantasy romance, inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale, is the first in a new series.