Oak is the 17-year-old prince of Elfhame and heir to the throne. He possesses a gancanagh nature inherited from his birth mother, giving him an innate ability to charm and persuade others. Though he projects the persona of a careless royal, he secretly investigates conspiracies against his family. He feels the heavy burden of his family's expectations while attempting to forge his own path.

Suren/Wren is the 18-year-old queen of the Court of Teeth. Created from magic rather than born, she carries the scars of a deeply abusive upbringing under her former captors. She wields a dangerous unmaking magic that allows her to destroy matter and enchantments, though doing so drains her physically. She struggles to trust others, particularly Oak, after perceiving his past actions as a betrayal.

Bogdana is an ancient, powerful storm hag harboring a deep grudge against the Greenbriar royal line. She acts as a dark mentor to Wren, pressuring the young queen to continuously use her draining unmaking magic. She leverages her age and magical prowess to intimidate those around her, pursuing her own long-term ambitions under the guise of advising the Court of Teeth.

Jude is the High Queen of Elfhame and Oak's fiercely protective older sister. Having grown up as a mortal in Faerie, she rules with a calculating, intimidating demeanor to maintain control over the Folk. She expects Oak to succeed her and Cardan on the throne, unaware of the full extent of his secret maneuvers to protect their reign.

Cardan is the High King of Elfhame. He possesses a sharp wit and closely observes the political maneuvers within his court. While he maintains a regal and sometimes aloof exterior, he is deeply perceptive, catching onto Oak's deceptive strategies long before others realize the prince's true capabilities.

Tiernan is a loyal knight serving as Oak's personal guard under Jude's orders. He acts as a grounded, stabilizing presence, frequently advising the prince against reckless behavior. He carries emotional baggage from his past romantic involvement with the cursed soldier Hyacinthe.

Hyacinthe is a formerly cursed soldier who once served Madoc. He now owes his allegiance to Wren after she freed him from his affliction. Pragmatic and cynical, he provides Oak with unpredictable counsel while managing his unresolved feelings for Tiernan.

Madoc is a former general of the Folk and Oak's foster father. He is a pragmatic, ruthless warrior who trained Oak in combat, attempting to instill his own bloodthirsty philosophy into the prince. He closely watches the shifting power dynamics of the court, always alert to new opportunities for influence.

Oriana is Oak's foster mother. She saved his life before he was born and views him with immense maternal protectiveness. She frequently worries about his propriety, deeply opposing his connection to Wren while cautioning him about the dangers of his inherent charming abilities.

The Ghost is a highly skilled spy serving the Elfhame throne. He acts as a mentor and trusted friend to Oak, teaching him stealth and observation. He possesses deep knowledge of the court's dark history.

Lady Elaine is a courtier in Elfhame and Oak's former lover. She involves herself in dangerous political conspiracies, making her a target for Oak's secret investigations as he uses his charm to extract information from her.

Jack of the Lakes is a kelpie bound to serve Oak. True to his mythological nature, he is a dangerous water creature known for drowning his riders, yet he provides crucial, swift transportation when the prince requires it.

Randalin serves as the Minister of Keys in Elfhame. He operates as an ambitious bureaucrat, seizing opportunities to boost his own reputation and influence during tense diplomatic standoffs.

Bex is Wren's mortal sister. Raised in the human world, she carries a deep sense of guilt regarding her sister's traumatic past and remains fiercely loyal to her, despite her inherent distrust of Faerie politics.

Taryn is Jude's twin sister and Oak's older sister. Having survived her own tumultuous past in Faerie politics, she now focuses on raising her son, Leander, while remaining tightly bound to her siblings' royal dramas.

Locke is Oak's deceased half-brother. In life, he was a notorious trickster who treated people as entertainment. He continues to haunt Oak's thoughts, serving as a dark reflection of the manipulation Oak fears he might be capable of.

Liriope is Oak's deceased birth mother. She was a gancanagh whose immense charm and beauty made her irresistible, traits she passed down to her son before her tragic murder.

Valen is a former general who now works as a guard under Wren's rule. He harbors a deep resentment toward Madoc and Oak, eagerly seeking opportunities to inflict cruelty upon the captive prince under the guise of interrogation.

Mother Marrow is a pragmatic hag operating out of Mandrake Market. She deals in powerful, enchanted goods and maintains a vast network of information regarding the magical forces at play in Faerie.