Cordelia is a fourteen-year-old girl who lives under the oppressive rule of her sorceress mother. She experiences the world through a lens of fear and coerced obedience, finding small moments of rebellion in closing doors and riding her horse. Despite her circumstances, she possesses a quiet resilience and a yearning for connection and personal freedom.

Evangeline is a powerful, manipulative sorceress who seeks financial security through calculated marriages. She maintains absolute control over her daughter using obedience spells that strip away Cordelia's physical autonomy. She views relationships purely as tools for advancement and harbors a deep disdain for anyone who challenges her authority or captures the attention of her targets.

Hester is the pragmatic, 51-year-old sister of Squire Samuel Chatham. Despite suffering from chronic knee pain, she is highly observant and quickly senses the danger Evangeline poses to her household. She refuses to marry the man she loves to preserve her independence, choosing instead to focus her protective instincts on her brother and Cordelia.

Samuel is Hester's wealthy, obliging, and somewhat oblivious brother. He has a weakness for beauty and fragility, which makes him an easy target for Evangeline's manipulations. Though well-meaning and generous as a host, his tendency to avoid unpleasantness blinds him to the true nature of his new guest.

Penelope is a captivating widow marked by smallpox scars. She rejects societal expectations of beauty through her sheer charisma, confidence, and impeccable style. Her humor, resilience, and candid nature make her a foil to Evangeline, as well as a source of fascination for Cordelia.

Richard is a decent, honorable lord who harbors a deep, enduring love for Hester. He is supportive and respectful, willing to follow Hester's lead in navigating social conflicts. His wealth and status make him a desirable match in the eyes of society, catching Evangeline's calculating attention for her own long-term plans.

Alice is a perceptive and compassionate young maid assigned to care for Cordelia. She quickly notices the signs of abuse and the unnatural dynamics between Cordelia and Evangeline. She shows quiet courage and becomes a vital source of comfort and practical support for the isolated girl.

Imogene is a pragmatic, bold upper-class woman who ignores passive gender roles. She is a close friend of Hester and possesses a sharp wit and a critical eye for social dynamics. She quickly recognizes the threat Evangeline poses to the household and actively helps strategize against her.

Tom is the loyal, unassuming longtime butler of the Chatham family. He previously saved Hester from drowning when she was a child and continues to act as a steadfast, protective presence in the household, willing to overstep traditional servant boundaries to keep his employers safe.

Bernard is an elderly, dedicated horseman working at Richard Evermore's estate. He is deeply traditional and fiercely protective of the animals under his care, viewing them with practical respect and voicing strong opinions about their treatment.

Ellen is a local girl who befriends Cordelia despite Cordelia's conversational struggles. Ellen enjoys a degree of freedom and emotional safety that Cordelia lacks. She senses Cordelia's hidden pain, offering her moments of genuine connection before Evangeline forces a sudden relocation.

Falada is a large horse that Cordelia initially views as her only trusted confidant. He is deeply intertwined with Evangeline's magic, serving as her familiar and acting as an extension of her surveillance over Cordelia.

Jacob is the young son of Lord and Lady Strauss. He is a talkative boy with a singular interest in horses, oblivious to the complex social and magical tensions surrounding him at the Chatham estate.