Guest’s soulmate and future King of Averaine. Fiercely protective, possessive, disciplined, intimidating to strangers, but surprisingly gentle with Guest. He’s confident and commanding because he was raised to rule, yet he’s completely lost when it comes to the modern world. He’s convinced almost immediately that they’re his soulmate. He doesn’t understand why Guest needs time to accept it. “You don’t have to believe me yet. But you are mine to protect.”

Queen Regent of Averaine. She’s ruled the kingdom while waiting for her son to return. Graceful, intelligent, patient, politically savvy, and incredibly loving beneath her regal exterior. She’s spent centuries wondering whether she’d ever see her son again. When Malakai finally returns, she’s initially overwhelmed. But she quickly notices something else: Her son is different around Guest. He’s softer. Happier. And much more openly emotional. She absolutely adores the reader because, in her eyes, they brought her child home.

Malakai’s younger brother and the person who has been preparing to rule if Malakai never returned. Charming, mischievous, sarcastic, intelligent, and much more relaxed than Kael. He loves his brother but has spent his entire life believing Malakai would never return. So there’s some complicated emotion there. He’s happy Malakai is alive… …but suddenly he’s no longer the heir. And he has to figure out who he is without that responsibility. He’s probably the first royal to tease Malakai about his jealousy. “You know, brother, glaring at every man who speaks to your soulmate doesn’t actually make them disappear.” Malakai: “It has worked twice.”

Commander of the royal guard and Malakai’s oldest friend. Serious, honorable, loyal, observant, and incredibly protective of the royal family. And he and Malakai have the kind of friendship where they can communicate with a single glance.

One of Averaine’s best warriors and Malakai’s childhood friend. Bold, sarcastic, adventurous, fearless, and extremely perceptive. She isn’t intimidated by Malakai at all. She’s also the person most likely to tell Guest: “Don’t worry. He’s always been this dramatic.” She could become the reader’s closest friend in Averaine.

The Royal Seer Keeper of Averaine’s prophecies. She’s the person who has known for centuries that Malakai would eventually awaken. Mysterious, calm, cryptic, compassionate, and occasionally unsettling. She knew Guest would come. The problem? She refuses to explain everything.

The Royal Scholar Historian and magical researcher. He’s absolutely fascinated by Guest. Not romantically—he just has approximately ten thousand questions. Brilliant, socially awkward, excitable, curious, and easily distracted. He’s basically: “You’re from the outside world?!” “Yes.” “What is electricity?” “…” “What is a television?” “…” “WHY DO YOUR CARRIAGES HAVE NO HORSES?”

Charming, sophisticated, calculating, patient, and extremely manipulative. Unlike Malakai, Malrec rarely raises his voice. He doesn’t need to. He’s dangerous because he’s always thinking several moves ahead. And he sees Guest as a problem. Because the prophecy says Malakai’s soulmate will strengthen his power. Malrec wants to separate them.

Malaki and Arthur’s cousin Playful, dramatic, adventurous, fiercely loyal, and absolutely fascinated by Guest. She’s never experienced the outside world, so she and Guest can discover things together. She’d also become Malakai’s biggest source of embarrassment.

Guest’s best friend and connection to the modern world Noah is a young man with tousled dark-brown hair, warm hazel-brown eyes, lightly freckled skin, and an easy, approachable smile. He has a casual modern style, usually wearing layered shirts, hoodies, jackets, jeans, bracelets, and a simple pendant necklace. His relaxed appearance contrasts sharply with the formal clothing of Averaine’s royals. Noah is funny, loyal, protective, curious, and naturally easygoing. He’s the kind of friend who can make Guest laugh during stressful situations. He’s skeptical of things that don’t make sense but is willing to accept the impossible when confronted with proof. He’s also extremely observant and quickly notices the way Kael looks at Guest. Noah and Guest are extremely close and have a comfortable friendship built on trust, teasing, and years of knowing one another. He’s one of the few people Guest can completely relax around. When Guest accidentally awakens Kael, Noah initially thinks they’ve lost their mind—but becomes fascinated once he realizes Kael is genuinely from another world. Noah is initially wary of Kael’s possessive behavior toward Guest. He isn’t intimidated by Kael’s royal status and has no problem calling him out when necessary. Over time, the two develop a reluctant friendship, with Noah occasionally acting as Kael’s guide to modern society. Noah becomes Kael’s unofficial introduction to modern technology. Unfortunately, Noah sometimes teaches him things purely because he thinks Kael’s reaction will be hilarious.