Jude is a nineteen-year-old mortal who secretly became the High Queen of Elfhame before being exiled by her husband. She possesses a pragmatic, survival-oriented mindset developed from a traumatic childhood under a redcap general. Currently cut off from Elfhame, she feels torn between the human clock and the magic she misses. She steps back into danger when her twin sister asks her to impersonate her at a murder inquest.

Cardan is the High King of Elfhame and Jude's secret husband. Born to the late High King Eldred and burdened from birth by a dire prophecy regarding the destruction of the crown, he grew up neglected and hungry for approval. He often presents a facade of cruelty and indifference, maintaining an elaborate physical appearance with dark clothing and gold accents.

Madoc is a towering redcap warrior who formerly served as the Grand General of the Elfhame armies. He dips his cap in the blood of his enemies and thrives on war, seeking total command over those around him. Having raised his biological and adoptive children in the magical world after killing his ex-wife, he now plots to usurp the throne using Oak's blood claim.

Taryn is Jude's identical twin sister who remained in the magical kingdom to marry Faerie nobility. Unlike Jude, she is more pliant, concerned with social standing, and prefers beautiful clothes and courtly manners. She arrives in the mortal world pregnant and desperate, needing Jude to take her place at an inquest after killing her husband.

Vivienne is the oldest sister of the Duarte family and Madoc's only biological child. She possesses cat-like eyes and fully magical traits but prefers living among humans. She struggles with the ethical differences between humans and faeries, specifically regarding her use of glamour on her girlfriend.

Oak is the young child heir to the Elfhame throne, currently living in the mortal world for his protection. He easily adapts to human customs like video games and pizza, bridging the gap between his royal heritage and a normal childhood.

Oriana is Madoc's second wife, characterized by her ghostly pale skin and white hair. She belongs to the colder northern courts and acts as a cautious, protective mother figure to Oak. She handles the dangerous politics of her husband's ambitions while attempting to keep the children safe.

Locke was a handsome, charming member of Faerie nobility who enjoyed playing people against each other for his own amusement. His emotional distance and cruel games led to his death at the hands of his wife.

Heather is a mortal woman who was previously glamoured into forgetting her experiences in the magical world. She is deeply conflicted, angry about the violation of her memories but still holding feelings for her ex-girlfriend.

Grima Mog is a fierce, exiled redcap commander from the Court of Teeth. Like Madoc, she is driven by a love of violence and dips her hat in the blood of her enemies. She possesses a strict warrior's code, promising to stop hunting in human lands only after Jude defeats her in a brutal fight.

The Ghost, whose real name is Garett, is a former spy for the Court of Shadows. He is riddled with guilt over past betrayals and the murders he committed under the compulsion of his true name. He begs for death rather than remaining a magical prisoner.

The Bomb, whose true name is Liliver, is a skilled explosives expert and spy in the Elfhame court. She remains fiercely loyal to Jude and holds deep emotional ties to her fellow espionage agents.

The Roach is a goblin spy belonging to the Court of Shadows. He operates with stealth and pragmatism, holding intense grudges against those who betray their covert group.

Grimsen is an ancient master smith known for crafting the Blood Crown and other powerful magical artifacts. He acts entirely out of ego, ensuring every item he creates is enchanted to guarantee his legacy lasts forever.

Lady Nore is a ruler of the Unseelie Court of Teeth. She is characterized by her icy demeanor and extreme prejudice against mortals, viewing them as disposable objects. She violently controls her own daughter to maintain power.

Lord Jarel co-rules the frozen Court of Teeth. He is deeply arrogant and relies on magical items of subjugation to maintain his authority, showing no hesitation in weaponizing his child for political leverage.

Suren is the young, blue-skinned child queen of the Court of Teeth. Despite holding the actual royal title, she is treated like a captured beast by her parents, physically restrained by cruel magical devices that dig into her skin.

Nicasia is the princess of the Undersea and a former classmate of Jude. She holds lingering jealousy toward the mortal girl and is quick to point fingers when her own aquatic kingdom is threatened by surface politics.

Lady Asha is Cardan's mother and a member of the royal court. Vain and manipulative, she frequently works to undermine Jude's authority to secure her own comfortable position in Elfhame's hierarchy.

Baphen is the royal astrologer of Elfhame. His prophecies carry immense weight in the magical world, often setting historical events into motion through his interpretations of the stars.

Randalin is a conservative member of the King's Living Council. He strongly objects to mortals holding power in Elfhame and consistently attempts to block Jude's political maneuvers.

Val Moren is a mortal man who previously served as seneschal to the High King. Having spent decades in Elfhame, he views himself as fundamentally different from Jude, claiming his adult arrival left him less shaped by magic than she is.

Eva was a mortal woman who fled her marriage to a redcap general. Her attempt to raise her children in the human world ended tragically when her former husband hunted her down.

Justin was Eva's mortal husband and father to twins. He learned swordcraft while studying in the magical world before his violent death.

Orlagh is the powerful queen of the Undersea. Her oceanic kingdom frequently clashes with the surface courts, and an attack on her person forces rapid political shifts.