Burn of the Everflame Characters

Mortal-born healer turned Queen of Emarion, mate to Luther, daughter of Auralie and Andrei, and biological daughter of Ophiucae/Omnos. She carries multiple Crowns and fights for equality between mortals, Descended, and half-mortals.

Arc: She goes from prisoner on Coeurile to reluctant queen who frees the gryverns, destroys the heartstone, kills Ophiucae, dies, and eventually returns to Luther and her people after a year. She chooses chosen family, hope, and a rebuilt Emarion over the fate the gods tried to force on her.

• Luther Bellator — her mate, King, and the man she loves
• Auralie Bellator — her mother
• Teller Bellator — her younger brother
• Andrei Bellator — the father who raised her
• Ophiucae — her sire and enemy
• Sorae — her bonded gryvern and companion
• Eleanor — her friend and Regent
• Alixe Corbois — her High General

A Corbois prince, half-mortal son of Remis and Florille, and Diem's mate and King. He wields shadow and illusion magic and is defined by his devotion to Diem and his struggle to protect those he loves.

Arc: He goes from grieving rebel and hidden mate to King Consort, kills Diem at her request, mourns her, accepts the crown, and at last reunites with her. He learns to lead, to forgive his father, and to live with grief and hope.

• Diem Bellator — his mate, Queen, and the woman he loves
• Taran — his cousin and closest friend
• Remis Corbois — his father
• Lily — his sister
• Auralie Bellator — his mother-in-law and supporter
• Teller Bellator — Diem's brother and his brother-in-law
• Sorae — his ally and Diem's gryvern
• Ophiucae — his enemy

The hidden tenth Kindred, also called Omnos, Diem's birth father, and master of Umbros and Forging magic. He is a vengeful conqueror who enslaves minds, destroys realms, and believes power must be controlled or destroyed.

Arc: He is freed by Diem, tries to recruit her, is killed by Luther, and then is finally killed by Diem after the heartstone shatters. His death and possible healing drive Diem's final sacrifice.

• Diem Bellator — his daughter and enemy
• Lumnos — his sister
• Auralie Bellator — former lover and mother of Diem
• Vance — subordinate and uneasy ally
• Xipherus — his gryvern
• Luther Bellator — enemy who kills him once
• Teller Bellator — enemy who helps bring about his death

A mortal leader of the Guardians who killed Andrei Bellator under coercion and later allies with Ophiucae. He is driven by vengeance and a desire for a Descended-free world.

Arc: He goes from vengeful Guardian commander to mind-erased puppet of Ophiucae, then is killed by Diem. His earlier manipulation of Henri shapes Diem's grief and wrath.

• Ophiucae — ally and enslaver
• Diem Bellator — enemy who kills him
• Henri Albanon — manipulated follower
• Andrei Bellator — murdered by his order
• Auralie Bellator — former ally who distrusts him

Head of House Corbois after Remis, brother of Remis, and abusive father of Taran and Aemonn. He is cruel, power-hungry, and contemptuous of Diem and half-mortals.

Arc: He disowns Taran, tries to control his sons, and is exposed before the council. He remains an antagonist whose abuse shapes his sons' lives.

• Taran — his son whom he disowns and abuses
• Aemonn — his son whom he abuses
• Remis Corbois — his brother
• Luther Bellator — nephew and enemy
• Diem Bellator — political rival

Matriarch of House Hanoverre and a bitter political rival of Diem. She wants to preserve House power and limit Diem's authority.

Arc: She manipulates the council, demands power for the Twenty Houses, and is outmaneuvered by Eleanor's compromise. She remains an opponent of reforms after the war.

• Diem Bellator — political rival
• Iléana Hanoverre — her granddaughter
• Jean Hanoverre — her grandson
• Garath Corbois — political ally
• Luther Bellator — calls him a Corbois king

Marthe's grandson, a cruel Hanoverre heir, and Zalaric's father who abandoned him for dead. He kills indiscriminately and targets Zalaric and Luther's family.

Arc: He saves Aemonn only to mock him, kills Clia Amraut, tries to kill Zalaric, and is stabbed by Aemonn. His magic engulfs Aemonn, but Aemonn later heals.

• Marthe Hanoverre — his grandmother
• Iléana Hanoverre — his sister
• Zalaric — his half-mortal son he abandoned
• Aemonn — rival and enemy
• Taran — enemy

Ophiucae's gryvern, red-tipped and vicious, who attacks Sorae and burns both armies. He is killed by Alixe with the ballista.

Arc: He goes from Ophiucae's mount to a healing attacker who pins armies in dragonfyre, then is drawn close by Symond and killed by Alixe. His death costs Alixe her life.

• Ophiucae — his gryvern
• Sorae — enemy gryvern he bites
• Alixe Corbois — enemy who kills him
• Symond — enemy who draws him into the open

The Crown of Ignios who stabbed Diem and later lies dying from godstone poisoning. He admits to killing Diem and taunts Ophiucae about it.

Arc: He is poisoned, confesses to Diem's murder, is attacked by Luther, and is ultimately killed or punished for his crimes. His death fuels the Ignios succession crisis.

• Diem Bellator — stabbed her and claimed to kill her
• Luther Bellator — attacked by him
• Ophiucae — taunts him about Diem
• Ignios — his realm

Head of House Benette and political opponent of Diem. He pressures Norwick, refuses half-mortal representation, and reacts with rage when threatened.

Arc: He remains a House power broker who opposes Diem's reforms and tries to control Norwick's vote.

• Norwick Benette — his nephew he pressures
• Diem Bellator — political opponent
• Luther Bellator — threatened by him

Vance's second-in-command in the Guardians, who hated Diem and killed Andrei Bellator. He later leaves with Vance for Mortal City.

Arc: He remains a violent enemy, is killed by Diem when Vance's men are executed. He is remembered as one of Andrei's murderers.

• Vance — his commander
• Diem Bellator — enemy who kills him
• Andrei Bellator — killed by him
• Henri Albanon — fellow Guardian who antagonizes him

Diem's mother and a Guardian rebel leader who fights for mortal freedom. She is a fierce protector, former lover of Ophiucae, and widow of Andrei.

Arc: She moves from estrangement with her children to reconciliation, fights Ophiucae, and after Diem's death comforts Luther and helps raise her grandchild. She learns to use her anger and love rather than hide her pain.

• Diem Bellator — her daughter
• Teller Bellator — her son
• Andrei Bellator — her late husband
• Ophiucae — former lover and enemy
• Luther Bellator — her son-in-law
• Cordellia — Guardian ally
• Vance — former Guardian she once trusted

Diem's younger brother, a maker of flameroot and godstone pastes, and Lily's love. He is brave, sharp, and determined to protect his family.

Arc: He goes from hurt son and angry brother to a sacrifice who manipulates Ophiucae into lowering his guard so Auralie can kill him. He dies, chooses to remain in the afterlife with Andrei, and is remembered as the namesake of Taran's orphan school.

• Diem Bellator — his older sister
• Auralie Bellator — his mother
• Andrei Bellator — his father
• Lily — his love and mother of his son
• Luther Bellator — brother figure and ally
• Ophiucae — enemy he helps kill
• Taran — friend and chosen family

Diem's bonded gryvern, fiercely loyal and protective, later freed from the Forging bond. She is mate to Tybold and mother of a young gryvern daughter.

Arc: She goes from bound gryvern to freed mother who chooses Diem over Tybold, then reunites with Tybold and their daughter. She remains Diem's companion and defender.

• Diem Bellator — her bonded gryvern and companion
• Tybold — her mate
• Luther Bellator — ally she carries and shields
• Xipherus — enemy gryvern
• Vexes — fellow gryvern she wounds to protect Diem

Diem's friend, Regent of Lumnos, and founder of Eleanor's Embers, a group of Descended recruits who support reform. She becomes a confident political leader.

Arc: She grows from a quiet noble into Diem's trusted Regent and an advocate for the powerless. She helps govern after the war and supports Luther as King.

• Diem Bellator — her friend and Queen
• Luther Bellator — ally and friend
• Taran — friend
• Remis Corbois — ally and political rival
• Auralie Bellator — ally in rebuilding Mortal City

High General of Lumnos, Luther's cousin, and a complex loyalist who becomes one of Diem's most trusted commanders. She is skilled in illusions and battle strategy.

Arc: She moves from Crown loyalist and former enemy to Diem's loyal High General, dying heroically to kill Xipherus. She is welcomed in death by Andrei and Teller.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen and commander
• Luther Bellator — her cousin and family
• Remis Corbois — former commander
• Taran — cousin
• Xipherus — enemy gryvern she kills at the cost of her life

Luther's cousin, Zalaric's mate, and Aemonn's brother. He is joyful, loyal, and determined to protect his chosen family after escaping Garath's abuse.

Arc: He goes from abused Corbois son to a Bellator by choice, mates Zalaric, helps rebuild the palace, and plans an orphan school. He remains Luther's closest friend and Diem's loyal supporter.

• Zalaric — his mate
• Luther Bellator — his cousin and best friend
• Aemonn — his brother
• Diem Bellator — friend and Queen
• Garath Corbois — his abusive father

A half-mortal illusionist and designer, son of Jean Hanoverre, and Taran's mate. He survived abandonment and built a life among the Umbros half-mortals.

Arc: He moves from abandoned half-mortal to Taran's beloved mate and an advocate for war orphans. He helps protect Diem and Aemonn and becomes part of Luther's chosen family.

• Taran — his mate
• Luther Bellator — friend and ally
• Aemonn — ally who saved him from Jean
• Jean Hanoverre — his father who abandoned him
• Diem Bellator — friend and Queen

Luther's sister, a healer, Teller's love, and mother of Andrei Teller Bellator. She is compassionate, stubborn, and learns to heal both bodies and grief.

Arc: She goes from refusing a political betrothal to becoming a healer, grieving Teller, and building a family with Sarla. She remains close to Luther and Diem's family.

• Luther Bellator — her brother
• Teller Bellator — her love and father of her son
• Remis Corbois — her father
• Sarla — her partner and midwife
• Diem Bellator — friend and sister-in-law

An Ignios gryvern who saved Diem's life twice, later freed from the Forging bond. He is Sorae's mate and a protective, gruff father.

Arc: He goes from jealous gryvern to freed mate and father, leaving with Sorae after the war. He remains loyal to Sorae and his daughter.

• Sorae — his mate
• Diem Bellator — gryvern who saved and was freed by her
• Nidara — Ignios ally who warns Diem about him

Former Crown of Sophos, mate of Obaneryn, and a keeper of history. They are cautious, scholarly, and marked by grief over Sophos's destruction.

Arc: They go from prisoner and suspicious former Crown to an ally who fights beside Diem's army. They survive and study Teller's flameroot paste.

• Obaneryn — their mate
• Diem Bellator — uneasy ally and former prisoner
• Ophiucae — captor
• Luther Bellator — rescuer
• Teller Bellator — conflict over Perthe's death

Former King of Meros, mate of Doriel, and a wind-wielder. He is grief-stricken by the destruction of his people yet fights for those who remain.

Arc: He moves from captive Crown to ally who uses his wind for Diem's archers, weeping as his people die. He pledges to fight because safety means nothing without a home.

• Doriel — his mate
• Diem Bellator — ally
• Symond — Centenary who mocks him
• Alixe Corbois — asks him to use his wind

Former Arboros Queen who helped trap Diem on Coeurile and later kneels to her. She becomes Diem's emissary to Arboros.

Arc: She moves from Crown adversary to reluctant servant of Diem, yielding out of fear and self-preservation after Ophiucae's departure.

• Diem Bellator — Queen she kneels to and serves as emissary
• Auralie Bellator — former ally
• Cordellia — longtime ally
• Sophos — she blames him for Diem's imprisonment

Yrselle's former Chief Centenary, a bitter and powerful Umbros magic-user with a hidden son. He is antagonistic toward Diem but ultimately sacrifices himself to help kill Xipherus.

Arc: He goes from hostile captor and accuser to reluctant ally who fights and dies drawing Xipherus close so Alixe can kill him. He confesses he dishonored his Queen once and will not run again.

• Diem Bellator — Queen he resents and eventually serves
• Yrselle — his Queen
• Drusila — fellow Centenary
• Alixe Corbois — ally he aids in her final shot
• Xipherus — enemy he draws into dragonfyre

A Centenary mother and mate of a Meros Descended man. She advocates for fighting alongside Diem and protecting her child.

Arc: She moves from refugee seeking asylum to ally who fights and reunites with her mate. She remains a voice for the Centenaries' survival.

• Diem Bellator — Queen she begs for asylum
• Symond — fellow Centenary
• her child — daughter she sends to safety
• her Meros mate — mate and father of her child

Taran's brother, abused son of Garath, and a reluctant fighter who stands up to his father. He saves Taran and Zalaric and later survives a near-fatal wound.

Arc: He moves from silent, abused son to defiant ally who confesses a life debt and pledges to fight. He is healed and begins to reconcile with Taran.

• Taran — his brother
• Garath Corbois — his abusive father
• Zalaric — brother-in-law he saves
• Luther Bellator — ally
• Diem Bellator — he grows fond and protective of her

Luther's father, former Regent of Lumnos, and Head of House Corbois who lost his magic to a bonded bargain. He is proud, flawed, and ultimately protective of his family.

Arc: He moves from antagonist father to ally who accepts Diem, fights in the war, mourns Aemonn, and urges Luther to lead with courage. He reconciles with Luther and prepares to be a grandfather.

• Luther Bellator — his son
• Lily — his daughter
• Taran — his nephew
• Garath Corbois — his brother
• Diem Bellator — his son's mate and Queen

Ignios High General and later ally of Diem. She is honest about Ignios's desperation and carries grief for her sister Tallurah.

Arc: She moves from Ignios military leader to Diem's trusted advisor and High General. She supports Diem's rule and helps rebuild after the war.

• Diem Bellator — Queen and ally
• Alixe Corbois — ally
• Tybold — Ignios gryvern she warns Diem about
• Tallurah — her deceased younger sister

Arboros rebel leader and Guardian commander, skeptical of Luther but loyal to Auralie and Diem's cause. She fights for mortal freedom and speaks against Descended oppression.

Arc: She moves from distrusting Luther to fighting beside Diem's army and committing the Guardians to the war if mortals gain peace. She is possessed by Ophiucae but recovers and continues to fight.

• Auralie Bellator — Guardian ally
• Diem Bellator — Queen and friend
• Luther Bellator — former distrust turned ally
• Vance — former Guardian she calls a monster made by the Descended

An old friend of Diem, a smith who helped her escape Arboros, and the maker of godstone armor. He is practical, loyal, and protective of Diem.

Arc: He leaves the Guardians after their violence, joins Diem's army, and makes the godstone armor that protects her and her family. He continues to serve as a trusted ally.

• Diem Bellator — old friend and ally
• Alixe Corbois — collaborator on godstone armor
• Luther Bellator — ally with some tension
• Henri Albanon — calls in a favor to spare him

Diem's former betrothed and childhood friend who killed Andrei under Vance's coercion, then later helped rescue Diem. He is ashamed and seeks penance.

Arc: He goes from betrayer and murderer to a conflicted ally who helps Diem escape, is pardoned, and leaves to be with Lana and their child. He remains marked by his guilt.

• Diem Bellator — former betrothed, betrayer, and pardoned friend
• Lana — his partner and mother of his child
• Vance — manipulator he followed and feared
• Andrei Bellator — the man he killed under coercion
• Teller Bellator — enemy who attacks him

Henri's partner and mother of his unborn child. She is caught between love for Henri and the consequences of his actions.

Arc: She moves from Henri's alibi and lover to grieving partner after his banishment, pleading for his life and relying on Maura's comfort.

• Henri Albanon — her partner
• Diem Bellator — pleads for Henri's life
• Maura — comforts her

A healer and mentor to Lily and Teller, regarded by Diem as a second mother. She treats the wounded and teaches healing.

Arc: She remains a steady healer through the war and comforts Lana. She helps Diem recover and continues to work in the healers' center.

• Diem Bellator — healer and found family
• Lily — mentor
• Lana — comforts her
• Sarla — colleague she may work with

A Fortos healer, Lily's midwife, and later Lily's partner. She leaves the army after her friends die in the war.

Arc: She moves from army healer to Lily's partner and caretaker of baby Andrei. She stays for dinner at Diem and Luther's home and is accepted into the family.

• Lily — her partner
• Andrei Teller Bellator — carries him
• Maura — plans to ask about working at the healers' center
• Diem Bellator — guest and friend

Diem's adoptive father, Teller's father, and Auralie's husband. He was a moral anchor for his family and was killed by Henri under Vance's orders.

Arc: He is dead for most of the story but appears in memories and the afterlife, welcoming Teller and Alixe. Diem declares him her true father at the end.

• Diem Bellator — the father who raised her
• Teller Bellator — his son
• Auralie Bellator — his wife
• Henri Albanon — killed by him under Vance's coercion
• Alixe Corbois — welcomes her in death

One of the nine Kindred, Diem's aunt, and a goddess who guides Diem. She reveals the truth about Omnos and the Forging spell.

Arc: She moves from guiding deity to freed Kindred who reunites with her mate in the afterlife. She tells Diem she has glimpsed happiness ahead.

• Diem Bellator — her aunt and guide
• Ophiucae — her brother
• Luther Bellator — deity he once served and later renounced
• Umbros — sibling Kindred

One of the nine Kindred, associated with Yrselle and Umbros. He tests Diem, tells her to be worthy, and mourns Yrselle.

Arc: He is freed when Diem destroys the heartstone and reunites with his mate. He takes Yrselle's body and kisses her forehead before vanishing.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred who tests her
• Yrselle — his favorite Crown
• Lumnos — sibling Kindred
• Ophiucae — his brother

One of the nine Kindred, proud and regretful, who chose only men to bear his Crown. He warns that Crowns are heavy.

Arc: He is freed with the other Kindred and reunites with his mate. He blames Diem for his Crown's grave before accepting the end.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred who addresses her
• Ophiucae — his brother and enemy
• Montios — sibling Kindred

One of the nine Kindred, gentle and wise, who says great power lies in stories. She offers to tell Diem the Kindred's history.

Arc: She is freed when the heartstone shatters and reunites with her mate. She leaves through the Everflame with the other Kindred.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred who speaks with her
• Fortos — sibling Kindred
• Lumnos — sibling Kindred

One of the nine Kindred, whose firstborn was poisoned by godstone. He mourns the Kindred's mistakes and later protests trusting Ophiucae.

Arc: He is freed when Diem destroys the heartstone and reunites with his beloved. He says they would have given Diem and Teller more time if they could.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred who addresses her
• Faunos — sibling Kindred
• Ophiucae — his brother
• his firstborn — child poisoned by godstone

One of the nine Kindred, pragmatic and mourning a mortal mate. She asks Diem to be kind to her King.

Arc: She is freed when the heartstone shatters and reunites with her beloved. She leaves through the Everflame with the other Kindred.

• Obaneryn — her King
• Diem Bellator — Kindred who asks for mercy
• Ophiucae — her brother and enemy

One of the nine Kindred, dismissive of mortals and doubtful of Diem because of Ophiucae. She argues stronger blood will prevail.

Arc: She is freed when the heartstone shatters and reunites with her mate. She leaves through the Everflame with the other Kindred.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred who doubts her
• Ophiucae — her brother
• Fortos — sibling Kindred

One of the nine Kindred, said to have loved the man who led the resistance against them. She runs to embrace her mate in the afterlife.

Arc: She is freed when Diem destroys the heartstone and reunites with her mate. She leaves through the Everflame.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred she meets in the afterlife
• her mate — reunited with him

One of the nine Kindred, eager for knowledge and ready to pass on. He tells Diem that destroying the heartstone broke the Forging Spell.

Arc: He is freed when Diem destroys the heartstone and reunites with his mate. He runs eagerly through the Everflame.

• Diem Bellator — Kindred she freed
• Lumnos — sibling Kindred
• his mate — reunited with her

A Sophos gryvern freed by Diem. He is battered and ashamed, attacks Diem out of guilt, and is wounded by Sorae before leaving.

Arc: He moves from bound gryvern to freed, conflicted creature who cannot reconcile his failure with Diem's mercy.

• Diem Bellator — frees and heals him, then is attacked by him
• Sorae — wounds him to protect Diem
• Sophos — his realm

Former Faunos Queen, proud and prickly, who later allies with Diem. She listens to her beasts and sends them to fight against Ophiucae.

Arc: She moves from hostile former Crown to ally who shields the Guardians and sends her animals into battle. She remains wary of Diem's rule.

• Diem Bellator — former enemy turned ally
• Alixe Corbois — negotiated with her
• Doriel — fellow former Crown
• Obaneryn — fellow former Crown

Head of House Benette and cousin of Perthe. He initially hates Diem for freeing the rebels but refuses to vote against her to save himself.

Arc: He moves from hostile council member to a man who repays Perthe's life debt by standing against the Houses. He remains a wary ally.

• Perthe Benette — his cousin whose life debt he repays
• Diem Bellator — council rival and later ally
• Evrim Benette — his uncle

Vance's third-in-command, uneasy about Vance's plan, who captures Diem after the explosion. He later lets her group go after learning Luther works with Auralie.

Arc: He moves from Vance's enforcer to a doubtful man who apologizes and permits Diem's escape. He is struck by Ophiucae's Fortos magic.

• Vance — his commander
• Diem Bellator — captor who later lets her go
• Luther Bellator — adversary who reveals Auralie's alliance
• Ophiucae — victim of his magic

A brief summer fling of Diem from before the war. He is used as Ophiucae's vessel and speaks with Ophiucae's voice.

Arc: He appears as the last man in line, is possessed by Ophiucae to offer Diem a fresh start, and is killed by Diem. As himself, he was kind and did not hate Descended.

• Diem Bellator — old summer fling
• Ophiucae — possesses and speaks through him

A mortal boy from Sophos and former library clerk who was infatuated with Diem. Ophiucae takes his mind, leaving only a compulsion to kill Diem's army.

Arc: He is captured, cannot be healed, and is killed by Symond to free him. Diem performs the Rite of Endings over him.

• Diem Bellator — she tries to save him and mourns him
• Symond — kills him to free him
• Ophiucae — took his mind

A Faunos Descended woman captured by Ophiucae, who betrays Diem to save her niece. She is bound and forced to drink flameroot.

Arc: She moves from betrayer to captive, then to a mother-figure for her niece under Ophiucae's control. She remains a prisoner in the Forgotten Lands.

• Diem Bellator — betrayed her to save her niece
• Ophiucae — captor who compels her
• her niece — the girl she protects

A mortal soldier who challenges Diem's right to rule, then accepts her offer to serve as Commander. He represents mortal soldiers learning to trust her.

Arc: He moves from skeptical soldier to Commander in Diem's army. He fights in the war and reports on enemy movements.

• Diem Bellator — her Commander
• Alixe Corbois — reports to her as High General

A recruit or ally who shouts 'For Teller' and charges the rebels during the brawl after Teller is insulted.

Arc: He appears briefly defending Teller and helping turn a scuffle into chaos.

• Teller Bellator — defends him

Taran's first betrothed, who accepted a bribe from Aemonn to walk away before the mating. He is remembered as the man who failed to show.

Arc: He does not appear directly; his betrayal shapes Taran's fear of being unlovable and Aemonn's guilt.

• Taran — former betrothed
• Aemonn — accepted his bribe to leave Taran

Heir of House Amraut, a Descended fighter on Aemonn's side during the battle. She is killed by Jean Hanoverre's thorny vines.

Arc: She appears in battle casting waves of magic before Jean's vines kill her.

• Aemonn — fights on his side
• Jean Hanoverre — killed by him

Luther's late uncle and a former King of Lumnos. He is remembered as a hollow king who let others run the realm while grieving his mate.

Arc: He is dead before the story; his example haunts Luther's view of kingship.

• Luther Bellator — his nephew
• Remis Corbois — former king he served

Luther's mortal mother, killed or sent away by Remis. Luther publicly reveals her existence to support half-mortal rights.

Arc: She is dead before the story but her memory drives Luther's identity and his conflict with Remis.

• Luther Bellator — his mother
• Remis Corbois — he sent her away or caused her death