Editor's introduction -- Introduction from the woman who started it all -- Margo Lai's guide to dueling unprepared / Alison Tam -- Princess, shieldmaiden, witch, and wolf / Neon Yang -- Elinor Jones vs. the Ruritanian multiverse / Freya Marske -- Plan Z / Django Wexler -- Little birds / Cara Patterson -- Positively medieval / Kaitlyn Zivanovich -- Book and hammer, blade and bone / Ann LeBlanc -- What finds you in the deep / K.A. Doore -- The sweet tooth of Angwar Bec / Ellen Kushner -- Danger noodle / S.K. Terentiev -- Chicago iron / Chris Wolfgang -- In the salt crypts of Ghiarelle / Jennifer Mace -- The city unbreachable / Yoon Ha Lee -- The commander and the mirage master's mate / Elaine McIonyn -- The epic fifth wedding anniversary of Zaynne the barbarian and Tikka the accountant / Elizabeth Davis -- The Parnassian courante / Claire Bartlett -- The scholar of the bamboo flute / Aliette de Bodard.

There are many ways to be a heroine. Princess and swordswoman, lawyer and motorcyclist, scholar and barbarian: there are many ways to be a heroine. In this anthology, seventeen authors find new ways to pair one weapon-wielding woman and one whose strengths lie in softer skills. "Which is more powerful, the warrior or the gentlewoman?" these stories ask. And the answer is inevitably, "Both, working together!" Herein, you'll find duels and smugglers, dance battles and danger noodles, and even a new Swordspoint story! From big names and bold new voices, these stories are fun, clever, and always positive about the power of love.