A Light in the Flame

Jennifer L. Armentrout

62 pages 2-hour read

Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Light in the Flame

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

A 20-year-old Princess of Lasania who carries the embers of life within her. Raised in isolation as an assassin meant to kill the Primal of Death, she is adjusting to her growing powers and newfound freedom. She experiences severe anxiety but remains fiercely protective of those she loves. Her supernatural abilities manifest in unpredictable ways as the power threatens to overwhelm her mortal body.

Key Relationships

Destined partner of Nyktos/Ash

Daughter of Queen Calliphe

Daughter of King Lamont

Stepsister of Tavius

Stepsister of Ezra

Former student of Sir Braylon Holland

Host to the soul of Sotoria

The Primal God of Death who rules the Shadowlands and receives departed souls. He appears as a tall, muscular man with wavy auburn hair and silver eyes, often wearing dark, immaculate clothing. He claims to have removed his own capacity to love to avoid weaknesses, though his actions suggest otherwise. His duty to judge souls leaves him heavily burdened, visually represented by shifting dark marks on his skin.

Key Relationships

Destined partner of Seraphena (Sera) Mierel

Son of Ethyos

Nephew of Kolis

Close friend of Nektas

Target of blackmail by Veses

An ancient draken who serves in the Shadowlands court and acts as a wise, paternal figure. He can shift between an enormous winged dragon form and a tall, coppery-skinned human form with red-streaked hair. As the first dragon to give his fire to create mortals, he holds a deep connection to the origins of the world. He offers Sera guidance and a sense of safety in her new environment.

Key Relationships

Father of Jadis

Surviving heartmate of Halayana

Subordinate and friend of Nyktos/Ash

Guardian of Reaver

The false King of the Gods who stole the title of Primal of Life. He shares a striking physical resemblance to his twin brother, though his beauty is polished and accompanied by a blinding golden aura. He rules through fear and cruelty, creating unnatural creatures like the Craven to enforce his will. His obsession with maintaining control corrupts the natural balance of the lands.

Key Relationships

Uncle of Nyktos/Ash

Twin brother of Ethyos

Obsessive pursuer of Sotoria

Former captor of Aios

Master of Dyses

Supporting Characters

A beautiful god at the Shadowlands court with deep red hair and pale skin. She originally served in Dalos but escaped after enduring severe abuse as one of the false king's captives. She uses her empathetic nature to comfort and advise Sera as the mortal adjusts to her new life. She views the political maneuvers of the Primals with healthy skepticism.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Bele

Former captive of Kolis

A skilled fighter and god in the Shadowlands court, recently elevated to near-Primal status. She has long black hair, light brown skin, and silver eyes that reflect her new power level. She struggles with sitting still and often uses an irreverent sense of humor to mask her protective instincts. Her sudden increase in strength draws unwanted attention from her former ruler.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Aios

Hunted by Hanan

The Primal God of Wars and Accord, ruling over the mountainous territory of Vathi. He is a muscular warrior with brownish-blond hair and numerous battle scars, often wearing shadowstone armor. He possesses a charming but occasionally leering demeanor that causes friction with other leaders. His political allegiances remain difficult to verify.

Key Relationships

Twin brother of Kyn

Political rival of Nyktos/Ash

Pledges loyalty to Seraphena (Sera) Mierel

Ruler of Thad

An ancient Fate, known as an Arae, who spent years posing as a mortal mentor in Lasania. He instructed the young princess in combat and survival while secretly monitoring the divine power hidden within her. He speaks with cryptic authority about destiny and choices.

Key Relationships

Former student of Seraphena (Sera) Mierel

The deceased King of the Gods who originally possessed the embers of life. He placed his power into a mortal bloodline to keep it safe from his greedy twin brother. His actions set the entire modern conflict into motion.

Key Relationships

Son of Nyktos/Ash

Twin brother of Kolis

The Primal Goddess of Rites and Prosperity who uses blackmail to maintain access to power. She acts with extreme entitlement and views mortals as disposable playthings. Her presence in the Shadowlands causes significant friction.

Key Relationships

A young draken child living in the Shadowlands. She is playful, dislikes using forks, and forms an immediate, instinctual attachment to the newest arrival at the palace.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Nektas

Playmate of Reaver

A small draken living in the Shadowlands. He acts as a loyal companion to the younger residents and displays surprising bravery when his friends are threatened by much larger foes.

Key Relationships

Friend of Jadis

A god serving as a loyal guard in the Shadowlands. He originally fled from a cruel master who drowned an entire city, finding sanctuary under a more just ruler. He frequently accompanies the kingdom's leaders on dangerous excursions.

Key Relationships

Employee of Nyktos/Ash

Friend of Rhahar

A dedicated god and guard in the Shadowlands court. He officiates formal ceremonies and understands the deep magical connections between the earth and divine beings, offering explanations when nature reacts unexpectedly.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Nyktos/Ash

A loyal guard in the Shadowlands who uses humor to defuse tense situations. He watches over the kingdom's guests but finds himself vulnerable to the brutal attacks of invading forces.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Nyktos/Ash

The Primal of the Hunt and Divine Justice. He feels threatened by sudden shifts in power and sends armies of lesser warrior gods to reclaim those he believes belong under his control.

Key Relationships

Former master of Bele

Rival of Nyktos/Ash

The Queen of Lasania who raised her daughter to be a silent, obedient weapon. She allowed a dangerous environment to fester in her home, prioritizing political survival over maternal affection.

Key Relationships

Widow of King Lamont

Stepmother of Tavius

The deceased mortal ruler of Lasania. He desperately attempted to renegotiate an ancient pact to save his newborn child, inadvertently alerting dangerous forces to her existence.

Key Relationships

Husband of Queen Calliphe

The new mortal Queen of Lasania. Unlike her cruel brother, she remained ignorant of the abuse occurring in her home and maintains a genuinely loving connection with her sibling.

Key Relationships

The deceased, sadistic stepbrother of the Lasanian princess. His history of physical and emotional torment deeply scarred his sister and shaped her desire for independence.

Key Relationships

Stepson of Queen Calliphe

A mortal woman from ancient history whose soul has been hidden away by the Fates. She has been relentlessly pursued through multiple cycles of life and death by a dangerous god who claims to love her.

Key Relationships

Pursued by Kolis

A young draken from the mountainous territory who is forced into human form during a political execution. His fate becomes a turning point for divine politics.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Attes

The Primal of Peace and Vengeance who rules alongside his twin brother. He acts with swift brutality to avenge perceived slights against his people.

Key Relationships

Twin brother of Attes

An ancient oracle and god of divination who hides in the mortal lands. He possesses the frustrating ability to foresee inevitable tragedies, though his visions occasionally prove subject to change.

Key Relationships

Consultant to Nyktos/Ash

Tutor of Kayleigh

A tall, masked male serving in the court of Dalos. He acts as an escort and enforcer, possessing unnatural resilience and ties to the mortal lands that make him exceedingly dangerous.

Key Relationships

Servant of Kolis

Provoker of Nyktos/Ash

The mortal Princess of Irelone who studies under a disguised divine scholar. She demonstrates hospitality to traveling gods despite her natural human fear of their power.

Key Relationships

Student of Delfai

Host to Nyktos/Ash

A goddess connected to ancient divinations. She shares critical prophecies handed down by her mother to help the current generation prepare for an impending war.

Key Relationships

A draken who presents as a mortal woman. She attempts to keep her charges safely hidden during battles but quickly joins the fray when the fighting escalates.

Key Relationships

A brave draken defending the Shadowlands. Her tragic fate during an early battle deeply impacts the morale of the defenders and spurs others into action.

Key Relationships

A god serving in the Shadowlands. He originally escaped a cruel, city-drowning master alongside a fellow guard, finding refuge through a clever divine loophole.

Key Relationships

Friend of Saion

Employee of Nyktos/Ash

A mortal survivor of horrific physical assault. She was brought back to life by a divine spark, and her ongoing recovery illustrates the heavy toll of mortal suffering.

Key Relationships

The Primal of Rebirth, known as one of the few leaders with a clear moral compass. She uses her unique abilities to preserve ancient souls until the proper time.

Key Relationships

Ally of Nyktos/Ash

Preserver of Sotoria