| Name | Mortal Queens |
|---|---|
| Species | Human |
| Status | Alive |
| Home | Mortal Lands |
| Rank/Title | The Queens of the Realm |
| Appears in | A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin |
Contents
Biography / History
History of the Mortal Queens
After the War, the Mortal Queens signed a Treaty with the faeries and helped establish the Wall separating Prythian from the Mortal Lands. They were entrusted with half of the Book of Breathings, kept in their seaside palace on the Continent, as the book contained spells capable of nullifying the Cauldron’s power.
Deception, Vassa’s Curse & Alliance with Hybern
When Hybern sought their allegiance, he sent Jurian as an emissary. Queen Vassa saw through his lies and urged the others to prepare their armies. Fearing Vassa’s influence, the remaining queens betrayed her—selling her to the death-lord Koschei, who cursed her to transform into a firebird by day and bound her to a lake.
A Court of Mist and Fury
At Rhysand’s request, the queens agree to meet the Night Court to discuss giving up their half of the Book of Breathings. Suspicious and stalling, they demand proof of Rhysand’s goodness.
In a second meeting, only two queens appear. Using Veritas, Rhysand reveals the truth about Velaris. Touched by this, the eldest queen secretly leaves the Night Court their half of the Book—hidden under her chair—and asks them to protect her identity. She exposes another lie: the “sick” sixth queen is not ill.
When the remaining queens discover the betrayal, they murder Demetra, ally with Hybern for a chance at immortality, and reveal Velaris’s location—leading to its attack.
Later, the queens witness the Cauldron turning Nesta and Elain Archeron into High Fae, convincing them that immortality is within reach. Feyre vows revenge for their cruelty.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Back in their palace, the queens wait for Hybern’s orders. Hybern’s Ravens later reveal the queens are too terrified to enter the Cauldron after seeing Briallyn emerge as a withered crone—punishment for following Nesta.
Meanwhile, Elain’s visions show Vassa trapped in her firebird form. Determined to help, Lucien sets out to find her. Mr. Archeron bargains with Koschei to grant Vassa temporary freedom so she can fight for Prythian.
Lucien eventually reaches Vassa and escorts her and Mr. Archeron to the final battlefield. There, they join forces with Drakon and Miryam’s legion to help turn the tide of the war.
After the battle, Vassa asks Feyre and Helion to break her curse, but neither can. Before returning to the lake, she offers Jurian a place in her court, acknowledging his true loyalty to Prythian and the mortal realm. She also expresses deep sorrow for Mr. Archeron’s death, honoring him as a father figure.
Finally, it is revealed that when the queens discovered Demetra had given away the Book, they handed her over to the Attor, who tortured and killed her as punishment.
Appearance
The six Mortal Queens differ in age and appearance, yet their true power lies far beyond their looks:
Eldest Queen:
Brown-skinned, with sharp, cold eyes and an unbent, commanding posture despite her deeply lined, aging face. She wears an embroidered wool gown in the deepest blue.
First Middle-Aged Queen:
Fair-skinned and dressed in black, with a face set like carved granite. She often wears a frown and a silver ring.
Second Middle-Aged Queen:
Dark-skinned and dressed in white, with a gentle, sweet-featured face. She smiles frequently and also wears a silver ring.
Briallyn:
The second-youngest queen, appearing in her mid-twenties, with black hair, black eyes, and a calculating, cunning demeanor. After entering the Cauldron, she is transformed into a withered Fae crone.
Demetra:
The youngest queen, with riotously curly golden hair, amber-brown eyes, and freckled skin dusted with gold. She is described as a lion in human form.
Vassa:
The sixth queen, known for her beauty, freckled golden-brown skin, silky reddish-gold hair, thick dark lashes, and striking up-tilted blue eyes. Due to her curse, she transforms into a firebird during the day.
Powers & Abilities
Winnowing
Mortal Queens possess the rare ability to winnow, though only in the presence of their fellow queens. This power was granted to them by the Fae after the War, and they guard it with strict secrecy and great zeal.
