The Weight of Crowns (The Order of the Masks #2)
Character List
Kasmira (Mira) Volaris – Daughter of Adalyn, a former member of the Ravalian Order of Masks, and King Arioch of Kalure. Mira is the rightful queen of Kalure and inherited magical abilities as a descendant of the Sorceress.
To avoid being executed as a traitor like her mother, Mira competed in the Ravalian Trials and won a place in the Order of Masks.
Mira schemed with Princess Scarlett and Prince Cassius for vengeance on the emperor, but ultimately gave up revenge to be with her lover Aric.
Forced to flee to Kalure, she took her place as the Kalurian queen, vowing to embrace her magic and lead her people into battle against the Ravalian Empire.
Scarlett Valerian – Illegitimate daughter of Emperor Kalias and ruthless sorceress Zandri, and a descendant of the Sorceress.
Ambitious for the Ravalian throne, she survived multiple assassination attempts by her half-brothers, Prince Roran and Prince Cassius.
Has natural illusion magic and developed death magic after drowning.
During the Trials, Scarlett disguised herself as a contestant named Sabine to help Mira survive.
But Mira’s engagement to Cassius made her a threat and Scarlett worked with Zandri to frame Mira for killing Emperor Kalias.
Scarlett plans to eliminate her half-brothers, deal with Mira and become empress of the Ravalian Empire.
Roran Valerian – Eldest son of Emperor Kalias and Empress Ivalene, and Crown Prince of the Ravalian Empire.
Executed Mira’s mother on the emperor’s orders, tried to murder his brother Cassius and half-sister Scarlett and is now next in line for the Ravalian throne. Currently fighting to subjugate Kalure.
Cassius Valerian – Youngest son of Emperor Kalias and Empress Ivalene, brother to Roran and half-brother to Scarlett.
Conspired with Mira in his own grab for power, tricking her into implicating his fiancée’s family as traitors and forcing Mira into a political engagement with him.
Was taken hostage by Mira and transported to Kalure as a prisoner.
Aric – Mira’s childhood friend, combat trainer and lover.
Originally from the Elusive Isles, he competed in the Trials with Mira and became a Warrior.
Sought revenge against Prince Roran for killing his brother Kain, but chose to be with Mira instead.
Mistakenly believes Mira betrayed him and was responsible for his sister Lillian’s death.
Now loyal to Scarlett and intends to kill Roran for her.
Severin – Scarlett’s secret lover, a powerful seer from the Western Lands and the head of the Order of Artisans.
Zandri decided to murder him to maintain her own control over Scarlett, and Severin allowed himself to die, hoping that one day Scarlett would learn the truth and turn against her mother.
Zandri – Scarlett’s mother and Mira’s aunt, responsible for the assassination of King Arioch of Kalure, her brother. Descended from the Sorceress, Zandri possesses powerful blood magic which she uses to control the magical Ravalian Orders.
Velanthe – Kalurian high priestess of the Temple dedicated to the Sorceress, the last stronghold of the Kalurian rebels.
Odessa Tiran – Formerly engaged to Cassius and a member of the Order of Masks. Wrongly imprisoned until Mira aided her escape and brought her to Kalure.
The Sorceress – An immortal deity whose whereabouts are unknown. The first queen of Kalure, worshipped by the Temple and its priestesses.
Lillian – Aric’s sister and Mira’s best friend. She was killed during Emperor Kalias’s assassination but resurrected by Scarlett, and is now magically tied to her.
Darius – Leader of the rebels in Ravalia and friend to Mira’s mother. Mira broke him out of the Ravalian dungeons and he helped her escape to Kalure.
Jadis and Elian – Twins and orphans, part of the Ravalian resistance. Fled with Mira and Darius to Kalure.