Blood Bound

Astrid Nachstern, the witch princess of Arturea, serves as one of the novel’s two protagonists. Introduced as a studious and dutiful heir, Astrid is initially defined by a deep-seated insecurity and a magical block that prevents her from performing battle-casting. This psychological barrier stems from the trauma of accidentally causing her father’s death with a miscast shield spell six years prior. 

Consumed by guilt and the belief that she is “useless” (4), Astrid resigns herself to dying in the duel against Prince Zryan, viewing it as an inevitability. Astrid is also depicted as dealing with changes in mood, for which she regularly consumes a tincture. Astrid’s management of her mental health humanizes her character, making her relatable. Her expertise lies in alchemy and potion-making, a craft she uses as both a tool and a substitute for the offensive magic she cannot access. Her primary motivation is a deep sense of responsibility for her people, who are suffering from the catastrophic effects of the Blight, a magical climate crisis she is determined to stop.

The change in Astrid’s character is catalyzed by her arrival in Vatra where she meets Zryan and Skylar. The discovery of Skylar as the new heir and Astrid’s dueling partner provides a path to survival, but it also creates a new moral conflict: The necessity of killing an unprepared and innocent person. This internal struggle forces Astrid to confront her own ethics and the true cost of her duty. Her power also evolves; she discovers her latent witch Gift is that of an Amplifier, allowing her to magnify the magic of others. This ability, coupled with Bastet’s transformation into a winged panther, symbolizes the unleashing of her true potential. By the novel’s climax, she finally overcomes her trauma and successfully casts a powerful shield spell to save herself, marking the completion of her journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance. It is also suggested that Astrid is often underestimated by others because of her feminine beauty and petite height—Skylar affectionately refers to her as “Little Witch” while Zryan calls her “Dimples.” The manifestation of Astrid’s superior battle skills, therefore, also upturns the notions of others about her. 

Astrid’s relationships are central to her development. Her bond with her best friend and bodyguard, Jessa, provides her with steadfast support, and Jessa’s tragic death becomes a powerful motivator for justice. Her burgeoning romance with Prince Zryan challenges her preconceived notions about her kingdom’s enemies and forces her to reconcile her duty with her personal feelings. Ultimately, it is her connection with Skylar that is most transformative. What begins as a fated enmity evolves into a secret alliance and, finally, a platonic spiritual bond. This relationship allows Astrid to find an ally and a sister, solidifying the novel’s exploration of The Subversive Potential of Female Friendship.

Prince Zryan de Veras is one of the main characters of the book and the primary love interest for Astrid. Zryan is a formidable warrior and a Prime Teleporter, bonded to the powerful thunder dragon Mjolnir. His introduction plays with the anti-hero stereotype of romantasy, his towering physical presence and glum manner intimidating Astrid, who believes Zryan is “bred to kill her” (52). This intimidating facade, however, conceals a deeply principled and compassionate man who is fundamentally at odds with his family’s tyrannical rule.

Zryan’s true character is revealed through his secret identity as the leader of the rebel movement. He actively works against his father, King Zachary, to rescue conscripted Blooded citizens and undermine the oppressive regime. This internal conflict between his public duty as a prince and his private mission as a rebel defines his arc. He is fiercely protective of his people and is tormented by the injustices he is powerless to stop openly. Zryan’s decision to help the rebel Mikhael escape and his confession to Astrid that he is trying to “right the wrongs of my family” highlight his commitment to justice over lineage (299).

His relationships with Astrid and Skylar are central to his role in the narrative. His romance with Astrid is a slow-burn connection built on witty banter, mutual respect, and a shared sense of duty. He is the first person to see Astrid beyond her role as an enemy, and his protection and support help her regain her confidence. With Skylar, his long-lost sister, Zrayn’s dynamic is more complex. He shifts from a potential adversary to a reluctant mentor and ally, guiding her training while navigating the shock of being usurped as heir. Ultimately, Zryan is an important bridge between the novel’s warring factions, embodying the hope for a future where diplomacy and compassion can triumph over conflict.

Queen Ottilie de Veras emerges as the primary antagonist of the novel. Initially appearing as a poised and elegant consort to King Zachary, she is revealed to be the calculating mastermind behind Vatra’s suffering and the numerous attempts on the heirs’ lives. Her deception is masked by her seemingly passive role and her secret Blooded power. Publicly known as a low-grade Discerner, she is actually a Prime Nullifier, a rare and powerful Blooded capable of suppressing the magic of others. This ability allows Ottillie to maintain control, orchestrate events from the shadows, and hide her true intentions even from her own family.

Ottilie’s prime motivation is to retrieve the Heart, which she reveals was stolen over two decades ago. Every action she takes, from the murder attempts on Astrid and Skylar to the draining of Blooded citizens to fuel the kingdom’s Vitalas supply, is to maintain the illusion of Vatra’s power and buy time to find a way to the other world where she believes the Heart was taken. She is ruthless and devoid of empathy, viewing human lives as disposable resources in service of her grand design, highlighting The Amoral Nature of Power. 

Ottillie often uses loyalty and love to manipulate others. She exploits Axel’s devotion, which stems from her taking him in after his parents’ deaths, and she leverages her position as Zryan’s mother to justify her horrific actions. Her single-minded pursuit of the Heart blinds her to the suffering she causes, making her a formidable antagonist whose actions drive much of the plot’s mystery and horror.

Axel is a morally ambiguous character who is a foil to both Zryan and Skylar. As a Prime Influencer and a trusted member of Queen Ottilie’s court, he is initially positioned as an antagonist, acting as Skylar’s handler and enforcing the queen’s will. His defining trait is his loyalty toward Ottilie, who gave him a home and purpose after his mother was killed and his father died by suicide. This devotion makes him complicit in the queen’s schemes, including the early assassination attempts on the heirs. He justifies his actions with the belief that he is doing what is necessary to protect Vatra, telling Skylar, “I only want what’s best for this country” (454).

Axel’s character is conflicted, as his steadfast loyalty is eroded by his growing feelings for Skylar and his lifelong friendship with Zryan. He is torn between his duty to the queen and his conscience. While he begins as a cold and detached guard, he shows glimpses of compassion, offering Skylar his coat, taking her on a trip into the city, and stepping onto the shores of Isla Draka to save her. This internal conflict culminates in the final confrontation at the Heart, where he is forced to choose between Ottilie’s command and Skylar’s life. In his final moments, he shows his true allegiance by giving Skylar back her emotions and accepting his death at her hands, a tragic end for a man caught between duty and morality.

King Zachary de Veras is an antagonist in the novel, embodying the overt tyranny and cruelty of the Vatran monarchy and highlighting The Amoral Nature of Power. A powerful Bone Wielder bonded to the ice dragon Bruma, Zachary rules through fear and intimidation. He publicly executes a so-called rebel to assert his dominance and shows open disdain for anyone he perceives as weak, including his own daughter, Skylar, until she proves her value by hatching the fire dragon. 

While formidable, Zachary is ultimately a less complex villain than his mate, Queen Ottilie. He appears to be largely unaware of the full extent of Ottilie’s plans, including the fact that the Heart is missing. His focus is on maintaining power and projecting an image of strength, which makes him a useful, if unwitting, pawn in Ottilie’s more sophisticated schemes. His blatant cruelty serves to misdirect the protagonists and the reader, obscuring the true source of the kingdom’s decay until the final act.

Queen Guinevere “Gwen” Nachstern is the ruler of Arturea and Astrid’s fiercely protective mother. As a powerful witch with a formidable bear familiar, Bjorn, she is a capable and pragmatic leader burdened by the responsibility of saving her kingdom from the Blight. Gwen’s actions are driven by a deep love for her daughter, whom she calls her “miracle girl” (21). This love leads her to make morally ambiguous decisions, most notably orchestrating the discovery of Skylar in order to spare Astrid from a duel she believes Astrid cannot win. While she acts out of a desire to protect, her methods create significant tension with Astrid, who feels betrayed by her mother’s lack of faith. Gwen also thrusts Skylar into danger in an attempt to save Astrid. Gwen represents the weight of leadership in a time of crisis, torn between her duties as a queen and her instincts as a mother.

Jessa is Astrid’s best friend, bodyguard, and a member of the elite Ulvene guard of Arturea. She is a loyal, pragmatic, and fierce warrior whose life was tragically shaped by the Blight, which killed her entire family. This personal loss fuels her dedication to Astrid and the survival of Arturea. Jessa acts as Astrid’s primary support system, providing tough-love training, and emotional grounding. Her role as a decoy, wearing the same clothes and hair color as Astrid, foreshadows her ultimate fate. Her murder at the Masked Ball is a key moment in the narrative, serving as the catalyst for Astrid’s rage and the solidification of the bond between Astrid and Skylar. Jessa’s death emphasizes the personal stakes of the political conflict and the senseless brutality of the forces working against the heirs.