Burn of the Everflame Characters

The mortal-born healer turned Descended Queen of Lumnos and later Queen of Emarion, mate of Luther, and daughter of Auralie and Andrei Bellator. She bears multiple Crowns, can make godstone, and is bound by a life-for-life bargain to kill Ophiucae. She is defined by love for her family and people, guilt over the war, and a refusal to submit to fate.

Arc: Survives Coeurile, frees the gryverns, loses and regains her magic, learns Ophiucae is her sire Omnos, kills him at the cost of her own life, and ultimately returns from the After to rebuild with Luther and her chosen family.

• Luther Bellator — her mate and King
• Teller Bellator — her younger brother
• Auralie Bellator — her mother
• Andrei Bellator — her father
• Ophiucae — her sire and enemy
• Sorae — her bonded gryvern
• Alixe Corbois — her High General
• Eleanor — her Regent and friend
• Taran — her friend
• Zalaric — her friend
• Doriel — her ally and former prisoner
• Yrselle — her predecessor as Umbros Queen
• Henri Albanon — her former betrothed

A Corbois prince, half-mortal son of Remis and Florille, and Diem's mate. He is a powerful shadow and illusion magic user, former Guardian commander, and later King Consort and King of Emarion. He is defined by devotion to Diem, guilt over his family's past, and protective courage.

Arc: From desperate rescue of Diem to accepting their mating bond, leading armies, killing Ophiucae, being forced to kill Diem at her request, and eventually taking the crown to lead Emarion in her absence until her return.

• Diem Bellator — his mate and Queen
• Auralie Bellator — his mother-in-law and ally
• Teller Bellator — his brother-in-law
• Sorae — his ally gryvern
• Taran — his cousin and closest friend
• Zalaric — his friend
• Alixe Corbois — his cousin and ally
• Remis Corbois — his father
• Lily — his sister
• Ophiucae — his enemy

The hidden tenth Kindred, brother of the nine, and Diem's birth father, also called Omnos. He is an immortal conqueror with Umbros mind-control, Forging magic, and a desire to remake Emarion. He was imprisoned for killing mortals and their mother, and is charismatic, vengeful, and obsessed with Diem joining him.

Arc: Freed accidentally by Diem, he wages war across Emarion, captures and manipulates Diem, is killed by Luther and then by Diem, but his potential healing forces Diem's final sacrifice.

• Diem Bellator — his daughter and enemy
• Luther Bellator — his enemy
• Auralie Bellator — his former lover and co-parent
• Teller Bellator — his enemy
• Vance — his subordinate
• Xipherus — his gryvern
• Kindred — his siblings

A mortal former Guardian leader who becomes Ophiucae's commander. He is driven by revenge after losing his family, kills Andrei Bellator, and seeks a Descended-free world. He is cruel, manipulative, and ultimately mind-erased and killed by Diem.

Arc: From Guardian leader to Ophiucae's ally and enslaver, he is disarmed and killed by Diem after being revealed as her father's murderer.

• Diem Bellator — his enemy
• Henri Albanon — he manipulates him
• Ophiucae — his ally
• Francis — his subordinate
• Brant — his ally
• Auralie Bellator — she once trusted him

The former King of Ignios, dying of godstone poisoning. He admits to killing Diem and is tortured by Luther, then dragged before Ophiucae and killed. He represents the Crowns' corruption and cruelty.

Arc: From arrogant Crown to exposed murderer, he dies at Ophiucae's hand after boasting of Diem's death.

• Diem Bellator — he murdered her
• Luther Bellator — his enemy
• Ophiucae — he kills him
• Ignios — his Kindred

Remis's brother, former Head of House Corbois, and abusive father of Taran and Aemonn. He is power-hungry, cruel, and disowns Taran. He blackmails Remis with his lost magic.

Arc: From House Corbois Head to exposed abuser, he loses power and is opposed by his sons and brother.

• Taran — his son
• Aemonn Corbois — his son
• Remis Corbois — his brother
• Luther Bellator — his nephew
• Marthe Hanoverre — his ally

Marthe's grandson and a cruel Hanoverre noble. He mocks Zalaric as a half-breed, attacks Diem with magic, kills Clia Amraut, and tries to kill Zalaric and Aemonn. He is stabbed by Aemonn and engulfed by his own magic.

Arc: From arrogant council opponent to battlefield killer, he is attacked by Aemonn and his fate is left uncertain.

• Marthe Hanoverre — his grandmother
• Iléana Hanoverre — his sister
• Zalaric — his enemy
• Aemonn Corbois — his enemy
• Taran — his enemy
• Luther Bellator — his enemy

The matriarch of House Hanoverre, a political rival of Diem who demands House rule, opposes half-mortal representation, and schemes for power. She is bitter and unyielding.

Arc: From council power-broker to final holdout who resigns under Diem's reforms, she remains a wealthy opponent.

• Diem Bellator — her rival
• Iléana Hanoverre — her granddaughter
• Jean Hanoverre — her grandson
• Garath Corbois — her ally
• Luther Bellator — her opponent

Marthe's granddaughter and Luther's former betrothed. She is cruel, mocks Diem, and reveals Luther's secrets at the council. She is silenced by Luther's exposure of House Hanoverre.

Arc: From scorned ex-betrothed to humiliated political opponent, she remains hostile.

• Luther Bellator — her former betrothed
• Diem Bellator — her enemy
• Marthe Hanoverre — her grandmother
• Jean Hanoverre — her brother

The Head of House Benette, a political opponent of Diem who initially refuses a council seat shared with half-mortals. He pressures Norwick and opposes reform.

Arc: From defiant House leader to forced participant in Diem's council, he loses influence.

• Norwick Benette — his nephew
• Diem Bellator — his opponent
• Luther Bellator — he questioned him
• Doriel — he spoke about the knife

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

Arc: From Ophiucae's enforcer to killed in battle.

• Ophiucae — his rider
• Sorae — his enemy
• Alixe Corbois — she kills him
• Luther Bellator — his enemy

Vance's second-in-command who hated Diem, slit Andrei Bellator's throat, and later left with Vance to Mortal City. Diem kills him.

Arc: From Guardian antagonist to murderer, he is killed by Diem.

• Vance — his commander
• Diem Bellator — her enemy
• Andrei Bellator — he killed him
• Henri Albanon — he antagonizes him

Diem and Teller's mother, Andrei's widow, and a leader of the Guardians. She is a fierce mortal rebel who fights for equality, distrusts the Crowns, and will sacrifice herself for her children. She once loved Ophiucae and is haunted by her past choices.

Arc: From estranged mother to reconciling with Diem and Teller, fighting alongside former enemies, and finally helping crown Luther and supporting her family after Diem's death and return.

• Diem Bellator — her daughter
• Teller Bellator — her son
• Andrei Bellator — her husband
• Luther Bellator — her son-in-law
• Ophiucae — her former lover
• Remis Corbois — her uneasy ally
• Cordellia — her Guardian ally
• Henri Albanon — she defends him

Diem's younger brother, a healer and inventor who creates flameroot and godstone mixtures. He is brave, angry over his father's murder, and determined to protect his family and find a purpose. He loves Lily and dies stabbing Ophiucae to save Diem.

Arc: From grieving son to Royal Guard recruit and inventor, he drugs Diem to confront Ophiucae alone, dies killing him, and chooses to remain in the After with Andrei rather than return.

• Diem Bellator — his sister
• Auralie Bellator — his mother
• Andrei Bellator — his father
• Lily — his love and mother of his son
• Luther Bellator — his brother-in-law
• Ophiucae — his enemy
• Taran — his family

Diem's bonded gryvern, formerly bound by the Forging spell. She is fiercely protective, loves Tybold, and remains loyal to Diem even after her bond is severed. She communicates through gestures and flame.

Arc: From enslaved gryvern to freed companion who chooses Diem over Tybold, survives battle, carries Diem and Luther, and later returns with Tybold and their daughter.

• Diem Bellator — her rider and bonded human
• Tybold — her mate
• Xipherus — her enemy
• Luther Bellator — her ally
• Teller Bellator — her friend

Lumnos High General, Luther's cousin, and later Diem's loyal commander. She is pragmatic, skilled with illusions, and struggles with her family's legacy. She sacrifices herself to kill Xipherus.

Arc: From Crowns' general to Diem's High General, she chooses Diem's path, leads the army after Diem's disappearance, and dies heroically saving her people.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen
• Luther Bellator — her cousin and ally
• Remis Corbois — her former superior and family
• Cordellia — her comrade
• Xipherus — the gryvern she kills
• Andrei Bellator — welcomes her in death

Diem's friend, Regent of Lumnos and all realms, and founder of the Embers, a group of Descended supporting Diem. She is brave, politically shrewd, and loyal to Diem. She helps guide the postwar council.

Arc: From sheltered noble to confident Regent and council leader, she supports Diem's reforms and continues governing after the war.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen and friend
• Luther Bellator — her friend
• Taran — her friend
• Norwick Benette — her ally
• Remis Corbois — her ally
• Auralie Bellator — she works with her

Luther's cousin and closest friend, later mated to Zalaric. He is loyal, humorous, and protective, but deeply wounded by his father Garath's abuse. He fights with the Bellators against House Corbois.

Arc: From abused son to proud Bellator and mate of Zalaric, he survives grief over Aemonn, helps rebuild, and remains Luther's brother in all but blood.

• Luther Bellator — his cousin and closest friend
• Zalaric — his mate
• Aemonn Corbois — his brother
• Garath Corbois — his father
• Diem Bellator — his friend and Queen
• Auralie Bellator — his Bellator family

A half-mortal Hanoverre son, Taran's mate, and a skilled illusionist and designer. He is elegant, sharp-tongued, and devoted to Taran and to creating a home for war orphans. He rejects his father Jean and House Hanoverre.

Arc: From hidden half-mortal to openly mated with Taran, co-leading palace restoration and planning an orphan school, and bonding with Aemonn.

• Taran — his mate
• Jean Hanoverre — his father
• Aemonn Corbois — his ally
• Luther Bellator — his friend
• Diem Bellator — his friend and Queen

Luther's sister, a healer trained by Maura, and Teller's lover. She is gentle but strong, refuses a betrothal to Lorris Benette, and becomes pregnant with Teller's son. She is later with Sarla.

Arc: From sheltered Corbois daughter to healer and mother, she forgives Teller, names their son Andrei Teller, and builds a life with Sarla after Teller's death.

• Luther Bellator — her brother
• Teller Bellator — her lover
• Remis Corbois — her father
• Sarla — her partner
• Diem Bellator — her friend
• Maura — her mentor

Diem's former betrothed and close friend, later Lana's partner and father of her child. He is forced by Vance to kill Andrei, betrays Diem, but later helps her escape Ophiucae. He is haunted by guilt and seeks forgiveness.

Arc: From Diem's ally to her father's killer, then a broken man who helps her escape and is pardoned; he leaves to be with Lana and their child.

• Diem Bellator — his former betrothed and friend
• Lana — his partner
• Andrei Bellator — he killed him
• Vance — his manipulator
• Luther Bellator — his rival and uneasy friend

The former Crown of Sophos, mate of Obaneryn, and a scholar who controls knowledge. They are cautious, guilty over Diem's island imprisonment, and later an ally who records the council and fights for Diem.

Arc: From Crowns' representative to prisoner, ally, and council member; they lose Sophos, reconcile with Diem, and pledge to fight.

• Obaneryn — their mate
• Diem Bellator — their ally and former prisoner
• Ophiucae — their captor
• Luther Bellator — their ally
• Teller Bellator — their ally

The former King of Meros, mate of Doriel, and a noble who initially opposes Diem. He is later mind-controlled by Ophiucae, grieves for his people, and fights alongside Diem's army.

Arc: From Meros Crown to prisoner and ally, he uses his wind magic despite grief, and remains with Doriel through the war.

• Doriel — his mate
• Diem Bellator — his ally
• Ophiucae — his enemy and controller
• Alixe Corbois — his ally
• Meros — his Kindred

The former Arboros Queen who delivers the Crowns' invitation, later kneels to Diem and becomes her emissary. She is pragmatic, desperate for peace, and fears Ophiucae. She survives the loss of her magic.

Arc: From Crowns' negotiator to Diem's emissary, she yields after Ophiucae's departure and serves the new Queen.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen
• Auralie Bellator — her former ally
• Cordellia — her ally
• Ophiucae — her enemy
• Arboros — her Kindred

The former Faunos Queen, proud and dismissive of mortals. She loses her Crown, demands it back, and later joins Diem's army with her animals after Alixe persuades her.

Arc: From antagonist Crown to reluctant ally, she sends her beasts to fight and survives as a Faunos leader without a Crown.

• Diem Bellator — her former enemy and ally
• Alixe Corbois — she persuades her
• Ophiucae — her enemy
• Doriel — fellow former Crown
• Obaneryn — fellow former Crown

Luther's father and former Regent and Head of House Corbois. He is proud, politically calculating, but loves Luther in his own way. He lost his magic to a bonded bargain and later reconciles with Luther and accepts Diem.

Arc: From antagonist father to penitent ally, he admits his secrets, fights in the war, mourns Aemonn, and supports Luther as King.

• Luther Bellator — his son
• Lily — his daughter
• Diem Bellator — his daughter-in-law and Queen
• Garath Corbois — his brother
• Auralie Bellator — his uneasy ally

Taran's older brother, abused by Garath and initially silent. He tries to protect Taran by bribing Baird, later stands up to Garath, confesses a life debt, and is nearly killed by Jean Hanoverre. He survives and is brought to Luther's home.

Arc: From abused, complicit son to defiant ally, he takes a blow for Zalaric, heals, and begins to mend with Taran.

• Taran — his brother
• Garath Corbois — his father
• Zalaric — his brother's mate
• Jean Hanoverre — his enemy
• Luther Bellator — his ally

A Benette council member and cousin of Perthe. He confronts Diem about Perthe's death, refuses to vote against her to save himself, and repays Perthe's life debt. He later pledges House Benette to fight.

Arc: From grieving cousin to loyal council ally, he risks death and supports Diem.

• Perthe Benette — his cousin
• Diem Bellator — his ally
• Evrim Benette — his uncle
• Eleanor — his ally

An old friend of Diem who helped her escape Arboros. He joins her army, gathers smiths to make godstone armor, and later calls in a favor to spare Henri.

Arc: From fugitive ally to armorer and friend, he supports Diem's war effort.

• Diem Bellator — his friend
• Alixe Corbois — his collaborator
• Luther Bellator — his wary ally
• Henri Albanon — he saves him

Yrselle's former Chief Centenary, bitter and grieving after Umbros's fall. He captures and nearly kills Diem, later joins the fight, and dies drawing Xipherus close for Alixe's shot.

Arc: From antagonist Centenary to reluctant ally and sacrificial hero.

• Diem Bellator — his Queen and enemy
• Drusila — his fellow Centenary
• Yrselle — his former Queen
• Alixe Corbois — his ally in death

A Centenary mother and mate who defends Diem, argues for the Centenaries to fight, and saves Diem from Symond. She seeks asylum for her child and later stays with Diem.

Arc: From captive Centenary to ally who protects her family and fights for Umbros's future.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen and ally
• Symond — her fellow Centenary
• her child — her daughter
• her Meros mate — her mate

The High General of Ignios, later Regent, who advises Diem, exposes the Ignios Regent's lies, and supports her rule. She lost her sister Tallurah to the Royal Guard.

Arc: From Ignios military leader to Diem's loyal advisor and Regent, she helps rebuild and fight.

• Diem Bellator — her Queen and ally
• Alixe Corbois — her ally
• Tybold — the Ignios gryvern
• Tallurah — her sister

A mortal soldier who challenges Diem's right to rule, then accepts her offer to become Commander of Lumnos's army. He is practical, brave, and later a High General.

Arc: From skeptical mortal soldier to trusted Commander and High General.

• Diem Bellator — his Queen and commander
• Alixe Corbois — his High General
• Fortos — his soldier

Diem and Teller's adoptive father, Auralie's husband, and a mortal Guardian leader. He is killed by Henri under Vance's order. His ashes are forged into godstone armor and he welcomes Alixe in death.

Arc: Dead before main events, his memory drives Diem and Teller; he appears in the After with Teller.

• Diem Bellator — his daughter
• Teller Bellator — his son
• Auralie Bellator — his wife
• Henri Albanon — he killed him
• Vance — his enemy

Henri's partner and the mother of his child. She pleads for Henri's life after Diem spares him and later grieves his banishment. She is connected to the healers and comforted by Maura.

Arc: From Henri's alibi to mother and partner, she survives the war and remains with Henri.

• Henri Albanon — her partner
• Diem Bellator — she pleads with her
• Maura — she comforts her
• Lily — her friend

A healer who is like a second mother to Diem. She treats Diem after winterwood poisoning, teaches trainees, and comforts Lana.

Arc: She remains a healer and mentor through the war.

• Diem Bellator — her healer and mother figure
• Lana — she comforts her
• Sarla — her colleague
• Lily — her mentor

A Fortos healer and Lily's partner after Teller's death. She is the midwife for Lily's pregnancy and carries baby Andrei Teller Bellator.

Arc: From army healer to Lily's partner and caregiver, she joins the family.

• Lily — her partner
• Teller Bellator — father of Lily's child
• Maura — she plans to work with her
• Diem Bellator — her guest

An Ignios gryvern who saved Diem's life twice, loves Sorae, and is jealous and protective. He attacks Diem out of jealousy but later mates with Sorae and has a daughter.

Arc: From hostile gryvern to Sorae's mate and father, he remains gruff but family-oriented.

• Sorae — his mate
• Diem Bellator — his rider and ally
• Nidara — she warns Diem about him

A Sophos gryvern freed by Diem, guilt-ridden over failing his realm. He attacks Diem in anger but is wounded by Sorae and leaves.

Arc: From enslaved gryvern to freed, he struggles with shame and leaves.

• Diem Bellator — she freed and healed him, he attacks her
• Sorae — she wounds him
• Sophos — his realm

A gryvern who flirts with Tybold and is snapped into submission by him. She is freed by Diem.

Arc: She is freed and flies away.

• Tybold — she courts him
• Diem Bellator — she frees her

A gryvern who eyes Tybold with curiosity, provoking Sorae's jealousy. She is freed by Diem.

Arc: She is freed and leaves.

• Tybold — her curious interest
• Sorae — she provokes her jealousy
• Diem Bellator — she frees her

A scamp-like, flirtatious gryvern who bunt heads with female gryverns and flirts with Sorae. He is freed by Diem.

Arc: He is freed and gallops away.

• Sorae — he flirts with her
• Tybold — he provokes him
• Diem Bellator — she frees him

The former Queen of Umbros and predecessor to Diem. She warned Diem about flameroot and rosebane, secured Auralie's pardon, and culled Umbros Descended. She is dead when Diem finds her corpse.

Arc: Dead before main events, her warnings and legacy guide Diem; she is reunited with Umbros in the After.

• Diem Bellator — her predecessor and ally
• Umbros — her Kindred
• Symond — her Chief Centenary
• Centenaries — their Queen

Diem's deceased guard and protector, killed during Doriel's betrayal. He saved Teller and Luther, and his life debt binds Norwick to Diem. He appears in the After.

Arc: Dead before main events, his grave is a touchstone for Diem and Teller; he is at peace in the After.

• Diem Bellator — he protected her
• Teller Bellator — he saved him
• Norwick Benette — his cousin and life debt
• Luther Bellator — he saved him
• Doriel — betrayed by them

A Guardian rebel leader who initially distrusts Luther and argues for accepting the Crowns' invitation. She later fights alongside Diem and recites the Rite of Endings.

Arc: From skeptical rebel to ally who commits the Guardians to fight for peace.

• Auralie Bellator — her ally
• Diem Bellator — her Queen
• Luther Bellator — her ally
• Vance — former Guardian she condemns

A mortal rebel guard who blocks Luther and insults Diem as a fraud queen. Luther chokes him until Diem's voice stops him.

Arc: Minor antagonist to Luther, he represents mortal anger toward Descended.

• Luther Bellator — his adversary
• Diem Bellator — he insults her
• Cordellia — her guard

A kind mortal from Diem's past, used by Ophiucae as a vessel to speak to her. Ophiucae destroys his Crown and Diem kills his body.

Arc: From old summer fling to Ophiucae's puppet, he dies by Diem's hand.

• Diem Bellator — her old summer fling
• Ophiucae — possesses him

Vance's third-in-command who captures Diem after the explosion, then later lets her group go out of doubt and apologizes about Andrei. He is struck by Ophiucae's Fortos magic.

Arc: From Vance's loyal subordinate to conflicted ally who lets Diem escape.

• Vance — his commander
• Diem Bellator — he captures and releases her
• Luther Bellator — he confronts him
• Auralie Bellator — he sends apology

A mortal boy from Sophos and former library clerk, infatuated with Diem. Ophiucae mind-controls him; he cannot be saved and Symond kills him to free him.

Arc: From innocent clerk to mind-erased puppet, he dies and is buried by the narrator.

• Diem Bellator — she knew him in Sophos
• Symond — he kills him
• Ophiucae — his controller

A Faunos Descended woman whose niece was taken to the Forgotten Lands. She betrays Diem to save her niece, is compelled by Ophiucae, and is later seen caring for her niece in the settlement.

Arc: From desperate aunt to Ophiucae's captive, she survives in the settlement with her niece.

• Diem Bellator — she betrayed her
• Ophiucae — her captor and compeller
• her niece — the girl she protects

A dark-haired little girl in Ignios who marvels at Diem's white braid and moonlit eyes before her mother pulls her away.

Arc: She appears briefly, showing Ignios's fear and wonder.

• Diem Bellator — she meets her
• her mother — she pulls her away

Nidara's younger sister, forced into the Royal Guard by their father. She loved to cook and died in the dunes with her mouth full of sand.

Arc: Dead before main events, her memory drives Nidara and Diem's flame ritual.

• Nidara — her sister
• Nidara's father — he forced her into the Royal Guard

An Ignios man who asks Diem where the King is during her throne room confrontation.

Arc: Minor questioner.

• Diem Bellator — he questions her

A thoughtful mortal council member in Lumnos, mentioned by Auralie.

Arc: Minor council figure.

• Diem Bellator — her council member

A council member who votes against removing Diem's seat.

Arc: Minor council vote.

• Diem Bellator — he votes for her

A Head of House who explains the bonded bargain prevents Heads voting as one for Diem. She asks about replacements if they resign.

Arc: Minor council figure.

• Diem Bellator — a wary Head

A Head of House and twin of Ryx. She pressures Norwick not to break the bargain and later tells Marthe to crawl back to her crypt.

Arc: Minor council opponent turned pragmatist.

• Ryx — her twin
• Norwick Benette — she pressures him
• Marthe Hanoverre — she criticizes her

Ravyn's twin and a House Head who worries Norwick will lose his head and tells Marthe to shut up.

Arc: Minor council figure.

• Ravyn Byrnum — his twin
• Marthe Hanoverre — he criticizes her

Heir of House Amraut who fights on Aemonn's side and is killed by Jean Hanoverre's thorny vines.

Arc: Minor battle casualty.

• House Amraut — their heir
• Jean Hanoverre — he killed her

A Royal Guard recruit who shouts 'For Teller' and charges the rebels during the brawl.

Arc: Minor recruit.

• Teller Bellator — he defends him

Taran's first betrothed, who accepted Aemonn's bribe to walk away and left Taran humiliated.

Arc: Minor past figure.

• Taran — his former betrothed
• Aemonn Corbois — he bribed him

A Benette noble whom Remis tried to betroth to Lily; Lily refused the match.

Arc: Minor off-page figure.

• Lily — she refused his betrothal
• Remis Corbois — he arranged it

Luther's mother, a mortal killed by Remis, whose death Luther publicly reveals to support half-mortal rights.

Arc: Dead before main events, her memory drives Luther's identity.

• Luther Bellator — her son
• Remis Corbois — he killed her

The late King of Lumnos and Luther's uncle, described as a hollow King who let others rule while grieving his mate.

Arc: Dead before main events, his reign contrasts with Luther's.

• Luther Bellator — his nephew

A gryvern of the Centenaries, mentioned by Symond as absent and needed. Not seen directly.

Arc: Minor off-page gryvern.

• Symond — he mentions her
• Centenaries — their gryvern

A fallen Fortos gryvern named by Lonard, prompting Fortos soldiers to salute.

Arc: Minor battle casualty.

• Lonard — he names him
• Fortos — their soldiers salute

The infant son of Teller and Lily, named after his grandfather and father. He is carried by Sarla and held by Luther.

Arc: Born after Teller's death, he represents hope and continuity.

• Lily — his mother
• Teller Bellator — his father
• Luther Bellator — his uncle
• Diem Bellator — his aunt
• Sarla — his caregiver

One of the nine Kindred, sister of Omnos and aunt of Diem. She guides Diem, reveals the Kindred's history, and gives her the gift to kill Ophiucae. She killed their mother and lied about it.

Arc: From cryptic guide to confessor, she reunites with her mate in the After after Diem frees them.

• Diem Bellator — her niece and guide
• Ophiucae — her brother
• Umbros — her brother
• Kindred — her siblings

One of the nine Kindred, brother of Omnos. He tests Diem, mourns Yrselle as his favorite Crown, and takes her body after the ritual. He is troubled by their past.

Arc: He guides Diem, reunites with his mate, and passes into the Everflame.

• Diem Bellator — her niece and guide
• Yrselle — his favorite Crown
• Lumnos — his sister
• Ophiucae — his brother

One of the nine Kindred, soft-spoken and wise. She offers Diem their story and speaks of mercy. Her journal is found in the Umbros library.

Arc: She reunites with her mate in the After.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• Kindred — her siblings
• her mate — reunited with him

One of the nine Kindred, who loved the man who led the resistance against them. He appears among the Kindred and later reunites with his mate.

Arc: He passes into the Everflame after Diem frees them.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• his mate — reunited with him
• Kindred — his siblings

One of the nine Kindred, he mourns his firstborn poisoned by godstone and argues for justice. He reunites with his beloved in the After.

Arc: He gives Diem his Crown and passes on.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• his firstborn — his child poisoned by godstone
• his beloved — reunited with him
• Kindred — his siblings

One of the nine Kindred, pragmatic and grieving for a mortal mate. He confronts Luther and asks Diem to be kind to his King.

Arc: He reunites with his beloved in the After.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• Obaneryn — his King
• his mortal mate — his husband
• Kindred — his siblings

One of the nine Kindred, mocking and self-interested. He questions whether Diem will turn out like Ophiucae. He reunites with his mate in the After.

Arc: He gives Diem his Crown and passes on.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• Ailani — his Crown
• Kindred — his siblings

One of the nine Kindred, proud and regretful. He warns that the Crowns are heavy and objects to mercy. He reunites with his mate in the After.

Arc: He gives Diem his Crown and passes on.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• his Crown — his chosen ruler
• Kindred — his siblings

One of the nine Kindred, a scholar who recounts the Kindred's history and joins the heartstone. He gives Diem cryptic guidance and later reunites with his mate.

Arc: He helps Diem understand the Forging spell and passes on.

• Diem Bellator — her niece
• Doriel — his Crown
• Ophiucae — his brother
• Kindred — his siblings