Bonus Content: Character Profile and Illustration

Rhiannon Iridia Titania Amator, Eldest Princess of the Empire and Second Eldest Child of the Emperor

Age: 24

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Favorite color: Magenta

Hobbies: Messing with people, stargazing, singing, cinnamon flavored things

Likes: Winning, annoying Erik, her younger siblings, grapefruit, music

Dislikes: Blood, crickets (they scare her, though she’ll never admit it), being bored

Favorite Animal: Large dogs, especially wolfhounds (like the Irish wolfhounds in this world, but just called wolfhounds in Ar Goll)

Symbolic Animal: Celastrina ladon, the Spring Azure butterfly

Celastrina ladon are found throughout many parts of North America, from Alaska through Newfoundland and along the Atlantic seaboard and accross the United States. Like its name suggests, the spring azure butterfly is a harbringer of spring, a sign that winter has fully receded and the cycle of rebirth is continuing. They are notable as well for the contrast between the beige outer faces of their wings and the brilliant blue inner portion. While Rhiannon is certainly not someone to be overlooked, she is capable of masking her intentions depending on the setting, a survival tactic she developed growing up in the Imperial Court. While she may appear almost drab to her enemies, like an azure butterfly with its wings closed, she is stunning when she reveals her true self, and to many who support her in her fight for the throne she is a symbol of returning spring.

At this point in the story, we have a limited perspective on Rhiannon thanks in large part due to the focus that's been on Ianthe's escape. While Erik's relationship with her is complex and nuanced - they see each other as family, but are now also bound as political allies with largely overlapping but not identical priorities and values - Ianthe's relationship with her remains limited. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to share more of Rhiannon's story. 

Symbolic Flower: Red sunflower

Growning up, my family and I grew produce and flowers in backyard gardens to varying success. One plant which did well early on was the sunflower. I was fascinated by all the colors of those flowers - as a child, I initially thought that there were only yellow sunflowers, and instead we had a garden full of red, white, orange, yellow and even multi-shaded flowers.

Different color sunflowers can have different meanings. While yellow sunflowers are often associated with optimism, white sunflowers with purity, and purple with mystery, red sunflowers are generally linked to more vibrant emotions - passion, courage, and enthusiasm. Rhiannon is a person who feels things very deeply, and while she is in a complex position of power and vulnerability and she is skilled at designing complex strategems and analysis, at her core her strength and determination come from those emotions. Personally, I still think of any sunflower as being a symbol of some optimism too, and Rhiannon's playfulness is also a part of what makes the red sunflower so suitable for her.