A Court of Wings and Ruin

Half-High Fae and Half-Illyrian, Rhysand (“ree-sand”), called “Rhys,” is the handsome and extremely powerful High Lord of the Night Court and Feyre’s husband and mate. Though Rhys maintained a reputation for cruelty for centuries, this was a strategic illusion meant to frighten other courts into leaving the Night Court in peace. This dynamic is an extension of Rhys’s own personality: He is often arrogant and sarcastic, but to those who know him well, he is generous, kind, and as loyal as Feyre, to whom he is utterly devoted.

Rhys values consent after his traumatic experiences with Amarantha. He works diligently to extend his protection to others—from Feyre to the priestesses in the library to the entire city of Velaris—and it pains him greatly when he must hurt those he loves, such as when he betrays Mor by allying with Keir and Eris. However, Rhys learns that the best way to protect those he loves is through vulnerability, not dramatic shows of strength; it’s only by revealing how he suffered under Amarantha that he gains the trust of the other High Lords to facilitate the Prythian alliance.

Maas portrays Rhys as a tragic hero in A Court of Wings and Ruin; despite his valiant efforts and brilliant strategies, Rhys ultimately gives his own life to repair the Cauldron. This event is heavily foreshadowed throughout the novel and confirmed to be the moment the Suriel warns Feyre of in A Court of Thorns and Roses. Rhys’s death has the valence of fate, emphasizing the tragic nature of his character arc. Feyre also notes, “This had been his problem from the start. Always him, always sacrificing—” (134). That Feyre calls this a problem, rather than an asset, indicates Rhys’s difficulty accepting the sacrifice of others. Rhys’s resurrection at Feyre’s insistence and with the participation of all High Lords reaffirms the importance of his ability to build relationships over his willingness to stand alone.

Nesta Archeron is Feyre’s eldest sister, a formerly human woman transformed to High Fae by the King of Hybern using the Cauldron. During the non-consensual transformation, Nesta managed to steal part of the Cauldron’s power in retribution for its violation of her will. Early in the novel, Feyre notes that Nesta’s “steel and fire” became “magnified” in the process (174). Nesta’s previously cold and calculating nature becomes a lethal focus on vengeance.

Despite her outward confidence, Nesta struggles to reconcile with life as High Fae and experiences upsetting psychological consequences from her transformation; she becomes claustrophobic and unable to use a bathtub, as it triggers painful memories. However, as Nesta witnesses the sacrifices, commitment to justice, and mutual support among the Court of Dreams, she gains an appreciation for how strong relationships with others create meaning in life, and she opens herself to the possibility of love with Cassian.

Nesta’s character arc pivots at two points in the novel. First, when Feyre and Nesta escape the Ravens at the library, Nesta witnesses first-hand Feyre’s willingness to sacrifice her own safety to protect others. This motivates Nesta to appeal to the High Lords on the basis that the only way forward is the mutual survival of the human and faerie peoples. Nesta’s bravery—and willingness to share her own traumatic experiences—represents a shift from strategic independence to cunning collaborator and helps her find the courage to confront the Cauldron directly, both while scrying and in the final battle. Her beheading of the King of Hybern grants her the vengeance she promised at the end of A Court of Mist and Fury.

By the end of the novel, Nesta’s cautious belief in the possibility of a new treaty between humans and faeries hints at the depth of her sadness over her father’s death. When the others celebrate victory in Velaris, she retreats back to solitude, indicating she still has much healing to do.

Nesta is the primary protagonist and narrator of the spin-off sequel, A Court of Silver Flames.

Feyre and Rhysand’s Court of Dreams in Velaris is made up of their official advisors who are also their closest friends and chosen family.

Cassian is an Illyrian warrior and Rhysand’s general. A superlative soldier, Cassian notes he has “walked beside Death [his] entire life” and is as fearless in battle as he is tenacious in teasing his friends (242). Cassian is deeply loyal, and he struggles with his failure to prevent Nesta and Elain’s transformation and with Rhys and Feyre’s insistence on self-sacrifice. Throughout the novel, Cassian offers support and advice and urges others to accept help. In the later battles, Cassian asserts his will against Rhys’s orders to single-handedly hold battle lines and defend Nesta, whom he loves, from the King of Hybern. Along with Nesta, Cassian narrates the spin-off sequel, A Court of Silver Flames.

Azriel is another Illyrian faerie and Rhys’s spymaster; he is able to manipulate shadows and sense subtleties imperceptible to others. Azriel has pined for Morrigan for centuries, but she does not return his romantic feelings. Azriel’s prowess in war is second only to Cassian’s and he eagerly defends his friends on the battlefield. He is also an expert strategist, and his espionage guides Rhys’s decisions and facilitates Feyre’s rescue of Elain. Azriel was abused as a child, and despite his lethal abilities, he is fundamentally kind and emotionally aware. Elain’s gentleness appeals to Azriel’s compassion, and Feyre wishes he were Elain’s mate instead of Lucien when she suspects Azriel has romantic feelings for her sister.

Amren is Rhys’s second-in-command and a 15,000-year-old otherworldly creature bound to a High Fae body. Amren is secretive and temperamental but often maintains order when the others experience conflict. She is highly skilled in magic, and her arcane knowledge often guides Night Court strategy. In her High Fae form, Amren experiences love and friendship for the first time, which she calls “gifts” before unleashing her true manifestation to destroy Hybern—and herself—in the final battle. When Rhys pulls her out of the Cauldron, she is resurrected as completely High Fae.

Morrigan, called “Mor,” is Rhys’s cousin and third-in-command of the Night Court. Her golden blonde hair and gorgeous looks belie her lethal abilities and boisterous nature. Mor found chosen family in the Court of Dreams after her own family tortured her for exercising her sexual agency, and her character emphasizes The Importance of Consent and Bodily Autonomy to Identity. Mor’s traumatic past causes her to conceal her bisexuality and romantic preference for women, which is the reason she does not reciprocate Azriel’s romantic feelings.

Elain is the middle Archeron sister, and Lucien is the estranged youngest son of the High Lord of the Autumn Court; after Elain is transformed to High Fae in the Cauldron, it’s revealed that she and Lucien are mates. Elain and Lucien’s dynamic contrasts with Feyre and Rhys’s ecstatic mating experience. Where Rhys and Feyre bond through emotional vulnerability and have a relationship founded on mutual trust, Lucien and Elain’s difficult histories prevent them from opening up to one another.

Elain is the gentlest of the three Archeron sisters; she loves gardening, and Feyre notes her special “strength” to “look at the hardness of the world and choose, over and over, to love, to be kind” (156). Elain starts having visions after her transformation, and this, in addition to her grief over losing her human fiancé and her discomfort with the unwanted mating bond, causes deep sadness and periods of non-lucidity. Elain slowly improves, largely through the kindnesses of others, especially Azriel. She regains the strength to face Graysen, and though his rejection devastates her, her hard-won confidence enables her to stab the King of Hybern.

Lucien, whom Feyre calls a “clever fox,” is Tamlin’s wily emissary and friend, though his loyalties are complicated by his deep love for Elain and hatred of Hybern. He already experienced one ill-fated relationship and fears he will lose Elain, too. His frustration is compounded when he realizes Feyre found the kind of peace in Velaris he has longed for but now fears is forever out of reach. When Elain is unable to tolerate his presence, he goes on a solo quest to secure allies on the eastern continent, removing himself from much of the narrative. At the end of the novel, Elain is able to converse with him without discomfort, and Lucien hopes this will lead to greater intimacy someday.