Arette is a self-described "terminal pragmatist," and she doesn't really care what you think about it. A top student at Columbia Medical School and a champion sabre fencer, she thought her life was pretty much perfect until it wasn't. She's only 23 when her fiance is killed in an accident, and she's forced to reckon with his family's curses.

Gaspard is moody, unpredictable, and guarded. He is the fiercest vaulted soldier in the history of Dioltas, and the youngest to ever be appointed Lord Captain of the King's Javelins. He wields Cróga, a legendary lance that belonged to the first King's Javelin.

Kallagan (Kal) is charismatic, loyal, and serious about his duty as Valor to the future queen. Despite his gregarious demeanor and noble lineage, there is an air of mystery about him, and nobody ever seems to know where he is.

Princess Amandie is a vaulted daughter from the First Duchy of Leim. Born with the gift to pass vaulting onto her children, she was betrothed to Prince Vinnian of Raelta as a child. Outwardly, she appears dutiful and submissive, but she's not content to live caged.

Prince Talan is the youngest of King Mael's three sons, which means nobody really cares and most people don't even know he exists. Like his brothers, he was born with the gift of vaulting. He lives in his father's castle, yet he walks through town like a commoner. He's not sure Raelta will ever know what to do with him except ask him to play the lute.

A prophesied hero who is destined to save Dioltas. But he's more interested in having a drink at The Matron's Table.