| Name | Rhysand |
|---|---|
| Age | 535 (ACOTAR), 536 (ACOMAF), 536-537 (ACOWAR), 537 (ACOSF) |
| Species | Half-High Fae & Half-Illyrian |
| Status | Alive |
| Court | Night Court |
| Rank/Title | High Lord of the Night Court |
| Eye Color | Blue-violet eyes |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Family | Unnamed Father †, Unnamed Mother †, Unnamed Sister †, Nesta Archeron (sister-in-law), Elain Archeron (sister-in-law), Nyx (son), Morrigan (cousin) |
| Love Interests | Feyre (Mate) |
| Appears in | A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, Kingdom of Ash (mentioned), A Court of Silver Flames, House of Sky and Breath, House of Flame and Shadow |
Contents
Biography / History
Early Life
Rhysand was born to the High Lord of the Night Court and his Illyrian mate, making him half–High Fae and half-Illyrian. He once had a younger sister, though little is known about her. At eight years old, his mother brought him to an Illyrian war-camp to ensure he could fight without relying solely on magic.
At the camp, Rhys met Cassian, an impoverished Illyrian bastard. The two boys immediately disliked each other, though Rhys eventually invited Cassian to stay in his family home after witnessing the harsh conditions he lived in. Even then, their rivalry continued until Rhys’s mother enforced discipline and education for both.
A year later, Azriel arrived. Though Rhys and Cassian initially tormented him, Rhys’s mother took Azriel in, and over time the three realized they were stronger as allies. Their early bond became the foundation of the future Night Court Inner Circle.
The War
When the War between mortals and faeries began, Rhysand was 28 and fought with the Night Court on the side of mortals. During the conflict, his legion was captured by Amarantha’s forces. For weeks, Rhys was tortured, pinned with ash bolts through his wings, and chained with Hybern-forged stone designed to suppress High Fae magic.
Despite the torture and the deaths of his soldiers, Rhys refused to yield. He secretly planned to kill Amarantha at the first opportunity, even at the cost of his own life. Before he could act, he was forced to watch Amarantha defeat and capture Jurian, whom she tortured for days.
Rhys was eventually rescued by his father, but the damage to his wings was so severe that healers warned he might lose the ability to fly if he continued fighting. He returned home to recover while the War’s final battles played out.
Rhysand’s Succession as High Lord of the Night Court
Rhysand’s rise to High Lord of the Night Court began with a political rivalry between his family and the Spring Court. As a young heir, he occasionally trained and spent time with Tamlin, the youngest Spring Court son. Their tentative friendship caused tension, especially with Tamlin’s father, who viewed Rhys as a threat.
This hostility turned deadly when Rhysand’s mother and sister traveled to visit him in the Illyrian camps. Knowing Rhys’s usual path, Tamlin’s father, his sons, and Tamlin intercepted them and killed them, sending their heads downriver as a message. Tamlin’s father kept their wings as trophies.
When Rhysand and his father learned what happened, they went to the Spring Court. Rhys killed Tamlin’s brothers, while his father murdered Tamlin’s parents despite promising not to harm Tamlin’s mother. Rhys tried to stop further bloodshed, but Tamlin opened the door, saw the carnage, and killed Rhys’s father.
With both High Lords dead, the magic of Prythian transferred their power to their heirs. Tamlin became High Lord of the Spring Court, and Rhysand became High Lord of the Night Court. Rhys immediately fled, and the event created a lasting enmity between them.
Rhysand Under the Mountain
After Amarantha seized control of Prythian, Rhysand became one of her primary political targets. As the son of the High Lord who had killed her favored Spring Court ally during the War, Rhys was singled out for punishment. Once Amarantha overpowered the seven High Lords and established herself as High Queen of Prythian, she forced Rhys to remain Under the Mountain, using him as her obedient, visible symbol of dominance. Though he complied outwardly, Rhysand secretly despised her and suffered deep psychological trauma from the years spent in her control. Everything he did Under the Mountain—from political manipulation to strategic compliance—was part of a long-term effort to protect Velaris, shield the Night Court, and survive until Prythian had a chance to break free.
A Court of Thorns and Roses — Timeline Events
Calanmai
Rhysand attends Fire Night at the Spring Court. He saves Feyre from three Fae harassing her and notes a mortal should not be there. Their brief encounter sparks his curiosity.
The First Trial
Rhys is the only one who bets on Feyre during the Middengard Wyrm trial. When she is dying from infection, he bargains with her: one week each month in the Night Court in exchange for healing. He marks her with the Night Court tattoo.
The Second Trial
Feyre must read—but Rhys knows she cannot. He sends pain burning through her tattoo when she reaches for the wrong lever, guiding her to the correct answer and saving her life.
Shielding Feyre
Painting, exploring the estate, and gradually lowering her defenses, Feyre begins to fall in love with Tamlin as life in the Spring Court becomes gentler.
The Third Trial
During Feyre’s torture and death, Rhys tries to protect her despite the risk. He tells her afterward that he did it so she would not die alone.
Sensing the Mating Bond
After Feyre is reborn as High Fae, Rhys feels the mating bond snap fully into place. Startled, overwhelmed, and frightened she will reject him, he abruptly winnows away mid-conversation.
A Court of Mist and Fury — Timeline Events
Rescuing Feyre from Her Wedding
Rhys feels Feyre’s panic through their bond as she breaks down at the altar. He immediately appears at the Spring Court, invokes their bargain, and takes her to the Night Court—saving her from a marriage she doesn’t want.
Introducing Feyre to the Night Court
Rhys brings Feyre to the Moonstone Palace in the Night Court. He tells her she inherited powers from the High Lords and pushes her to train, insisting she deserves freedom, not confinement.
Retrieving His Mother’s Ring from the Weaver
Rhys sends Feyre to the Weaver’s cottage to steal his mother’s ring—a test of her growing strength and an item tied to his family history.
The Summer Court Heist
Rhys accompanies Feyre and their friends to the Summer Court to steal the first half of the Book of Breathings. He smooths tensions, distracts Tarquin, and helps them escape undetected.
Starfall
During the Night Court holiday, Rhys shares Starfall with Feyre, one of the most intimate emotional moments between them as he shows her the beauty he fights to protect.
Feyre Becomes High Lady of the Night Court
Before leaving for Hybern, Rhys brings Feyre to a Priestess in Velaris. In a private, sacred ceremony witnessed only by the Inner Circle, Feyre is sworn in as the first-ever High Lady of the Night Court. Rhys makes her his equal in every way—politically, magically, and in authority. Feyre becomes the first High Lady in Prythian’s history.
Hybern Mission
Rhys, Feyre, and the Inner Circle travel to Hybern to nullify the Cauldron, but the mission collapses. Jurian is alive, Tamlin betrays them to reclaim Feyre, and Nesta and Elain are forcibly Made. When the King discovers Rhys and Feyre are mates, Rhys keeps her steady as she performs her final deception—pretending he has controlled her mind—so the others can escape while she remains behind as a spy.
Letting Feyre Go as a Spy
Rhys senses Feyre’s plan instantly—and lets her leave with Tamlin, trusting her completely. He honors her choice, knowing she goes as the High Lady of the Night Court.
A Court of Wings and Ruin — Timeline Events
Guiding Feyre Through the Bond
While Feyre spies in the Spring Court, Rhys communicates only through their mating bond. He comforts her, provides updates on her sisters, and helps her pass information back to the Night Court.
Reunited in Velaris
Rhys races home as soon as he senses her again. They reunite physically and emotionally. Despite their past tensions, he welcomes Lucien as a guest for Feyre’s sake.
Preparing for War
Rhys and the Inner Circle begin gathering allies and planning for war. He sends letters to every High Lord requesting a meeting and agrees to let Lucien search for the cursed queen Vassa to secure her support. When Hybern’s Ravens infiltrate Velaris in an attempt to kidnap Nesta, Rhys—alongside Bryaxis—swiftly kills them, preventing their escape and exposing Hybern’s growing desperation.
Battle at the Summer Court
After Varian alerts Amren to Hybern’s attack on Adriata, Rhys leads the Night Court army and Inner Circle into the Summer Court. He battles Hybern’s forces and confronts Tarquin afterward, who reminds him that he still has not forgiven past betrayals.
Meeting of All High Lords
Rhys attends the historic meeting of all seven High Lords in the Dawn Court. When Tamlin lashes out at Feyre, Rhys strips him of the ability to speak, refusing to tolerate further insult. He faces both Beron and Tamlin without hesitation, asserting his authority and the Night Court’s strength. Throughout the meeting, Rhys stands firmly at Feyre’s side—especially when her combined High Lord powers flare, making it clear he supports her without question.
War Erupts
When the wall falls, Rhys immediately mobilizes. He commands the Night Court’s Illyrian armies in multiple battles—Summer, Winter, and the final conflict in the south.
Revealing His Secret Bargain
Before the final battle, Rhys admits he also struck a bargain with the Weaver, securing her help to fight Hybern.
The Final Battle
Rhys fights on the front lines as Hybern’s Cauldron ravages the armies of Prythian. He helps coordinate forces as the Bone Carver, Bryaxis, and the Weaver join the field. When Nesta lures the King away, Rhys supports Feyre’s plan to nullify the Cauldron.
A New Oath
Rhys and Feyre make a final promise: when one dies, the other goes too—bound together beyond life.
A Court of Silver Flames — Timeline Events
Appearance
Rhysand is described as tall, extraordinarily handsome, and physically powerful. He has:
- Short blue-black hair, compared to raven feathers
- Blue-Violet eyes with silvery, starlit flecks
- Tan skin, though he was once pale after decades Under the Mountain
- Sharp, elegant features and a commanding, sensual presence
- A muscular, athletic build, shaped by Illyrian training
- Large, smooth membranous wings he can summon at will, dark and slightly iridescent with clawed tips
His beauty is repeatedly noted as legendary, often considered unmatched in Prythian.
Changes Through the Series
- Under the Mountain:
Years of captivity leave Rhysand noticeably paler and more hollowed, the strain of Amarantha’s control visible despite his composed façade. - Night Court (Post-ACOTAR):
After returning to Velaris, he regains his natural tan coloring and overall vitality. His presence becomes brighter, stronger, and more relaxed the longer he is home. - Beast Form:
When transformed, Rhys takes on a monstrous form with black scales, elongated canines, talons, massive wings, and the face of a creature born from nightmares.
Tattoos & Marks
Rhysand’s body holds multiple symbolic tattoos tied to bargains, vows, and personal oaths:
- Knee tattoos – mountain and three stars:
On both knees, Rhys bears tattoos of mountains crowned with three stars. They symbolize that he will bow to no one and nothing except his own crown. - Behind the ear – deal with the weaver:
A small curling tattoo behind his ear marks his bargain with the Weaver. - Left Forearm – death bargain with feyre:
A tattoo running from wrist to elbow marks his vow to move into the next life at the same time as Feyre, mirroring their unbreakable bond. - Chest and arms – Illyrian & Night Court markings:
Rhys also has tattoos across his chest and arms, intricate in design and often associated with his magic, heritage, and Night Court identity.
Personality
Rhysand is defined by a sharp duality: the seductive, dangerous High Lord the world sees, and the deeply loyal, quietly selfless male beneath the mask.
Key traits
- Charismatic and deliberately arrogant:
Rhys is fully aware of his beauty and power and often leans into it, making playful, self-aggrandizing comments. His charm is intentional—part weapon, part shield. - Mysterious, dark, and dangerously composed:
He projects an air of ease, elegance, and wicked humor, moving through political and social situations with smooth confidence that can turn lethal in an instant. - Master manipulator and strategist:
Rhys is skilled in deception, illusion, and psychological warfare. He can lie flawlessly, hide every emotion, and play a role for as long as necessary to protect his court’s secrets. - Deeply loyal and protective:
Despite his outward detachment, Rhys cares fiercely. He will sacrifice anything—his freedom, his reputation, even his life—to keep his people safe. His devotion to the Court of Dreams and to Feyre is absolute. - Gentle beneath the mask:
Behind the swagger and sharp edges, Rhys is kind, generous, humble, and capable of profound empathy. Very few see this side of him, but those who do become his family. - Trauma-hardened but resilient:
His years Under the Mountain left him with deep emotional scars. He hides the damage behind humor, control, and poise, revealing vulnerability only to those he wholly trusts. - Playful, flirtatious, and sharp-witted:
Rhys is a shameless flirt with a dry, wicked sense of humor. His teasing is often a way to diffuse tension, mask pain, or draw out the people he loves. - Fierce in love:
When Rhys loves, he loves without restraint—passionately, loyally, and with an intensity that borders on feral when those he cares for are threatened.
Powers & Abilities
High Lord of the Night Court
Rhysand is widely considered the most powerful High Fae in Prythian’s history, surpassing every High Lord before him. His strength comes from a rare combination of natural magic, his High Fae lineage, and the raw power inherited when he ascended as High Lord.
Core Abilities
- Immense raw magic: His overall power level surpasses that of every other High Lord.
- Hybrid heritage: As a High Fae–Illyrian hybrid, he combines noble High Fae magic with the naturally powerful Illyrian bloodline.
Night Court & Mental Magic
- Darkness manipulation: Rhys can manipulate and control shadows and darkness.
- Daemati powers: As a Daemati, he has specialized mind-based abilities.
- Mind reading: He is adept at reading others’ thoughts and memories, a skill Amarantha used to her advantage Under the Mountain.
- Memory manipulation: He can alter and reshape memories at will, or cause people to ignore certain events, as seen with Varian and Cresseida.
Physical & Combat Abilities
- Flight: Rhys can summon Illyrian wings through magic and fly, including while carrying others in his arms.
- Illyrian combat training: Trained in Illyrian war-camps since the age of eight, he excels in weapon combat and hand-to-hand fighting. Only Cassian is able to defeat him.
Advanced & Offensive Magic
- Winnowing: Rhys can transport himself across distances—both short and long—through winnowing, a form of magical teleportation honed through training.
- Misting: He is capable of killing enemies instantly by turning their bodies into mist with little more than a thought.
Relationships
| Feyre | Rhysand first senses Feyre long before they meet, dreaming of her while trapped Under the Mountain—visions he later understands were early signs of their bond. In A Court of Thorns and Roses, they cross paths during Fire Night, where Rhys drives off the faeries surrounding her and questions her presence. When he later finds her living in the Spring Court, he violates her mind and allows her to give a false name. Under the Mountain, he maintains a cruel façade but secretly protects her: substituting Clare when ordered to capture her family, aiding her through the trials, and betting on her success. After Feyre dies solving Amarantha’s riddle, Rhys sees her death through their bond and helps revive her by urging the High Lords to give their power. In A Court of Mist and Fury, Rhys feels Feyre’s deteriorating mental state in the Spring Court and intervenes on her wedding day when she silently calls for help. During her monthly visits, he teaches her to read and slowly brings her into the world of Velaris. When Tamlin locks her inside the manor, Rhys sends Mor to save her. In the Night Court, their connection deepens until Feyre learns from the Suriel that Rhys is her mate. After he explains everything, she accepts the bond and becomes his High Lady. In A Court of Wings and Ruin, their partnership strengthens through war preparation, battle, and political negotiation, with Feyre and Rhys acting as equals in strategy and sacrifice. Their bond becomes central to the Night Court’s survival. In A Court of Frost and Starlight, they begin rebuilding their lives and city after the war, choosing peace together and discussing the future they want. In A Court of Silver Flames, Feyre’s pregnancy brings new conflict when Rhys learns it is fatal due to the baby’s wings. He hides the truth while searching for a solution, and Feyre is devastated when she later discovers this. During labor, both she and the baby nearly die, surviving only through Nesta’s intervention. Their son, Nyx, is born—fulfilling the bond that began as a dream and grew into the family Rhysand once believed he would never have. |
|---|---|
| Amren | Amren serves as Rhysand’s second-in-command and one of his most trusted advisors. Early in their acquaintance, Rhys jokingly invited her to bed, only for Amren to laugh him off without hesitation. Over the years, she played a crucial role in helping him gain finer control over his immense power. |
| Morrigan | Morrigan is Rhysand’s cousin and the third in command of the Night Court. She and Rhys grew up together and remain the only blood family either of them truly loves. Their bond is strong, though strained when Rhys summons Mor’s abusive father to Velaris without warning her, a decision that leaves her shaken. |
| Nesta | Nesta Archeron and Rhysand share a tense, often hostile relationship rooted in years of mutual dislike and misunderstanding. Rhys does not forget how Nesta treated Feyre in the past, and Nesta sees Rhys as an overbearing new authority in her sister’s life. Their clashes intensify as Nesta spirals after the war, with Rhys placing strict limits on her behavior to protect Feyre and the Night Court, while Nesta resents his control and questions his motives. Despite their animosity, the two reach an unspoken understanding in A Court of Silver Flames after Nesta saves Feyre, Rhys, and their unborn child during a fatal labor. In doing so, she earns Rhysand’s respect, and he accepts her as part of his family, while Nesta acknowledges him as her High Lord. |
| Tamlin | Tamlin and Rhysand were once friends, but their relationship shattered when Tamlin aided his father in the massacre of Rhysand’s mother and sister. In retaliation, Rhys and his father attacked the Spring Court: Rhys killed Tamlin’s brothers, while his own father murdered Tamlin’s parents despite promising to spare Tamlin’s mother. Tamlin then killed Rhys’s father in self-defense. From that day forward, the two developed a deeply hostile, resentful dynamic that only worsened after Tamlin’s treatment of Feyre. In the years following the war, Rhys attempts at times to help Tamlin recover his Fae form, though their interactions remain strained; during one visit, Rhys finds Tamlin despondent and mocks him, highlighting how far their former friendship has fallen. |
| Cassian & Azriel | Cassian and Azriel are Rhysand’s brothers in all but blood, their bond forged in the Illyrian war-camps where the three grew up together. Cassian and Rhys began as rivals before choosing loyalty over conflict, while Azriel joined them later, taken in by Rhys’s mother and quickly becoming part of their makeshift family. Over the years, the trio survived training, war, and trauma side by side, forming the core of the Night Court’s Inner Circle. Cassian is one of the only warriors capable of matching Rhys in strength, and Azriel is the one he trusts for absolute stealth and truth. Together, they are Rhysand’s oldest, closest allies—his chosen family and the foundation of his court. |
