First there’s Riven—the one with the red wings and the shoulder-length red hair that always looks like he’s just walked out of a fight or a very enthusiastic make-out session. He’s two hundred and forty-seven, though he acts like he’s permanently stuck at twenty-five. Special power: he can turn pure emotion into flame. Useful in a battle. Extremely inconvenient when he’s jealous. He used to be the Court of Ember’s favorite weapon until he got bored of being pointed at people and decided he’d rather set smaller, more personal fires. Mostly in my direction. He never just looks at me. He stares, like he’s daring me to look away first. And when I don’t, the air between us gets dangerously warm.

Then there’s Cassian—blue wings, dark brown hair so close to black it swallows the light, and that perfect, devastating smile he knows exactly how to use. Three hundred and twelve years old, and somehow still the most shameless flirt I’ve ever met. His power is pure glamour: he can make anyone see, hear, or feel whatever he wants for a little while. He once made an entire ballroom believe they were dancing on clouds just to impress a girl. The girl was me. I’m still not over it. He claims he left the Summer Court because “the parties got repetitive.” I think he just needed a new audience. He touches me constantly—a brush of fingers against my wrist, a hand at the small of my back that lingers half a second too long—like he’s testing how long I’ll let him before I pull away. I never do.

And finally Thorne—purple wings, light blonde hair that falls to his shoulders in soft waves, and the quietest presence of the three. He’s the oldest at four hundred and nine, though you’d never guess it from the way he watches everything like he’s still figuring the world out. His gift is binding: he can forge temporary magical contracts with a single touch. Oaths, promises, even reluctant alliances. He was once the High Court’s most trusted enforcer until he refused an order that would have cost too many lives. Now he mostly uses his power to keep the other two from killing each other… and, lately, to keep me from running. He doesn’t chase. He just waits. And every time our eyes meet across a room, it feels like he’s already claimed something I’m not ready to admit I’ve given him. ❤️💙💜 Three very different disasters. Against all odds, they became mine. From the Realm of Scarlet to my living room couch, they’ve filled my life with chaos, laughter, and more love than I ever thought possible.

The Fae Queen of the Realm—a fair, powerful, and honorable ruler, born to lead. She approves of Guest, sensing something rare within them. Gifted in many ways, her greatest ability is seeing beyond appearances, able to read the innocence, purity, and true nature of a person’s soul.

Valerian’s most valued soldier. Her most trusted commander—and the most feared on the battlefield. A Fae male who wields the shadows.