Through the Veil

Cedar, a restless academic with a passion for caves and ancient art, stumbles through a crumbling English castle and finds herself in a devastated fae city. Her rational world is shattered as she's confronted by the inhuman beauty and terror of the fae, especially the enigmatic Prince of Shadows, Pelleas. Cedar's bewilderment and fear are palpable as she's swept into a realm where magic is real, rules are perilous, and her very presence is a threat. The sense of being utterly out of place, yet unable to turn back, sets the tone for her journey—a story of survival, discovery, and the first glimmers of a connection that will change both her and the fae world forever.

Captive to Shadows

Cedar is quickly claimed by Pelleas, who believes her to be his soulmate—a magical bond that grants both power and peril. She's shackled, dragged through ruined cities and treacherous caves, and forced to navigate the dangerous etiquette of fae society. Pelleas is both captor and protector, his motives tangled by politics, trauma, and the weight of his own monstrous nature. Cedar's defiance and wit clash with his arrogance, but beneath the antagonism, a reluctant respect and fascination begin to grow. The chapter pulses with tension, as Cedar learns the rules of survival: bargains are binding, words are weapons, and trust is a rare and precious commodity.

Soulmate Chains

Cedar and Pelleas are bound together by the magic of the soulmate bond, but what should be a blessing is a chain. Cedar is forced to play the role of fae princess, hiding her humanity and learning to navigate a court that would destroy her if her secret were known. Pelleas, tormented by his own secrets and the expectations of his father, the Raven King, is both jailer and fellow prisoner. Their relationship is a dance of power, vulnerability, and growing intimacy, as they test the limits of their bond and the boundaries of their own desires. The emotional stakes rise as Cedar realizes that her survival—and perhaps her heart—depend on understanding the man behind the mask.

The Prince Unmasked

The glamor that hides Pelleas's monstrous form is shattered, and Cedar is forced to confront the reality of her soulmate: not a beautiful prince, but a creature of shadow, wings, and claws. The revelation is both horrifying and liberating, stripping away the lies that have defined their relationship. In the aftermath, Cedar and Pelleas must renegotiate their connection, forging a new understanding based on honesty, pain, and the possibility of acceptance. The chapter is raw with emotion, as both characters grapple with shame, desire, and the hope that even monsters can be loved.

Bargains and Betrayals

Cedar is thrust into the heart of fae politics, forced to bargain for her life and Pelleas's freedom. Every promise is a trap, every kindness a potential betrayal. The Raven King's machinations tighten around them, and Cedar must choose between her own safety and the fate of her soulmate. The cost of trust is high, and the consequences of failure are deadly. As Cedar learns to wield the tools of fae society—wit, courage, and the power of the spoken word—she discovers that sometimes the only way to win is to play the game better than anyone else.

The King's Game

Tathalin, the Raven King, is revealed as both ancient and monstrous, his love twisted by loss and ambition. Cedar is forced into a marriage that is both a political alliance and a personal nightmare, her agency stripped away by the binding force of fae law. Pelleas is collared and humiliated, his magic suppressed and his will subjugated. Yet even in defeat, Cedar finds a way to fight back, using the very rules of Faery to protect what she loves. The chapter is a crucible of suffering and resilience, as both Cedar and Pelleas are pushed to their limits—and beyond.

The Stag and the Stag King

The arrival of Dain Sundamar, the Stag King, brings new complications and old wounds. The tangled history of the fae courts—betrayals, wars, and divine meddling—comes to the fore, forcing Cedar and Pelleas to confront the legacy of their families and the gods themselves. Unexpected alliances are forged, and the lines between friend and foe blur. Cedar's humanity becomes both a liability and a source of strength, as she navigates the shifting allegiances of a world on the brink of transformation.

The Wedding That Wasn't

Cedar's wedding to Tathalin is a farce, a ritual that cements her as a pawn in the King's quest for immortality. The ceremony is a spectacle of beauty and horror, with Cedar bound by ancient contracts and the weight of history. Yet even as she is claimed by the King, Cedar's defiance burns bright. She finds unexpected allies and lays the groundwork for rebellion, refusing to be a passive victim of fate. The chapter is a study in endurance and cunning, as Cedar learns that sometimes survival means playing the part until the moment is right to strike.

The Silver Coronation

The long-awaited Silver Coronation arrives, bringing together the powers of Faery, the ambitions of kings, and the meddling of gods. The Anvil of the Gods becomes a battlefield, as ancient magic is unleashed and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Cedar, Pelleas, and their allies must navigate a labyrinth of shifting realities, deadly bargains, and the raw force of creation and destruction. The chapter is a crescendo of action and emotion, as every choice carries the weight of eternity.

Breaking the World

In the chaos of the Coronation, Cedar and Pelleas are torn apart, their soulmate bond shattered by the breaking of ancient vows. The world itself is unmade and remade, as gods die, kings fall, and the boundaries between Faery and Mortality are rewritten. Cedar's grief and determination drive her to the heart of the void, where she must choose between saving the world and saving the man she loves. The chapter is a crucible of pain and hope, as Cedar discovers that true power lies not in magic, but in devotion.

The Aftermath of Power

The dust settles on a changed Faery. The Raven King is dead, the old Court is gone, and a new order rises from the ashes. Cedar and Pelleas, reunited but forever changed, must reckon with the consequences of their choices. Allies become family, enemies become neighbors, and the work of healing—both personal and political—begins. The chapter is bittersweet, as the promise of eternity is tempered by the scars of the past.

Reforging the Court

Cedar and Pelleas, now King and Queen of Comet Court, set about the daunting task of creating a new society from the remnants of the old. They must balance justice and mercy, tradition and innovation, as they welcome the outcast, the wounded, and the hopeful into their new home. The work is hard, but the rewards are profound: friendship, forgiveness, and the slow, steady growth of trust. The chapter is a celebration of resilience and the power of chosen family.

Devotion and Balance

With the world at peace, Cedar and Pelleas finally have the space to explore the depths of their bond. They learn to trust, to forgive, and to love without reservation. The wounds of the past begin to heal, and the future opens before them, bright with possibility. The chapter is tender and joyful, as the two soulmates discover that true balance is not the absence of pain, but the presence of devotion.

Family, Forgiveness, Forever

The story closes with a family reunion, as the scattered Xirangyls and their loved ones gather to celebrate survival, love, and the forging of a new world. Old grievances are laid to rest, new bonds are formed, and the promise of eternity is made real in the laughter of children and the warmth of shared meals. Cedar and Pelleas, surrounded by friends and family, look to the future with hope, knowing that whatever comes, they will face it together.

Characters

Cedar Hannigan

Cedar is a fiercely intelligent, stubbornly independent mortal woman whose passion for ancient art and exploration leads her into the heart of Faery. Thrust into a world of danger, beauty, and impossible rules, she survives through wit, courage, and a refusal to be anyone's victim. Cedar's journey is one of transformation: from outsider to queen, from captive to creator, from skeptic to soulmate. Her relationship with Pelleas is the crucible in which she learns to trust, to love, and to claim her own power. Cedar's humanity—her empathy, her humor, her willingness to fight for what she loves—becomes the key to saving not just herself, but the world.

Pelleas Xirangyl

Pelleas is a study in contradictions: beautiful and monstrous, arrogant and vulnerable, powerful and powerless. Raised as a tool for his father's ambitions, he hides his true self behind layers of glamor and wit, terrified of rejection and desperate for acceptance. His soulmate bond with Cedar is both a lifeline and a torment, forcing him to confront the parts of himself he most fears. Pelleas's journey is one of unmasking: learning to accept his own nature, to trust in love, and to choose his own destiny. His devotion to Cedar is absolute, and together they forge a partnership that is both passionate and healing.

Tathalin Xirangyl (The Raven King)

Tathalin is the embodiment of Faery's oldest wounds: immortal, brilliant, and utterly broken by loss and betrayal. His love for Nephinae curdles into obsession, and his quest for immortality drives him to monstrous acts. As both father and nemesis to Pelleas, he is a figure of both awe and horror, his power matched only by his capacity for cruelty. Tathalin's downfall is both tragic and necessary, a warning of what happens when love becomes possession and pain is left to fester for millennia.

Dain Sundamar (The Stag King)

Dain is a living weapon, forged by divine meddling and scarred by war. His monstrous form and fearsome reputation mask a deep capacity for loyalty and love, especially for his mortal soulmate, Leah. Dain's journey is one of redemption: learning to trust, to forgive, and to build a new world from the ashes of the old. His alliance with Cedar and Pelleas is hard-won, but ultimately transformative, as he becomes both friend and family.

Ayre Xirangyl

Ayre is the youngest Xirangyl prince, a survivor who remakes himself and others to endure the horrors of war. His magic is both a gift and a curse, and his choices haunt him. Ayre's relationship with his brothers is fraught with pain and longing, but his love for his mortal soulmate, Lilly, and their daughter, Kyra, gives him hope. Ayre is a symbol of resilience and the possibility of healing, even after unimaginable loss.

Danica Khellair

Danica is a mortal woman with the rare and dangerous power to break magical bonds. Her courage and determination make her both a target and a savior, as she risks everything to save those she loves. Danica's journey is one of sacrifice and self-discovery, as she learns to wield her power not just for survival, but for justice. Her alliance with Cedar and Pelleas is uneasy but essential, and her actions are pivotal in the remaking of the world.

Cass Marys (Xarcassah)

Cass is a Fury and a healer of legendary skill, whose compassion and strength make him a natural leader. His love for his soulmate, Quyen, and his willingness to fight for the vulnerable, set him apart in a world of power games and betrayals. Cass's magic is the balm that allows the new world to heal, and his friendship with Cedar and Pelleas is a model of trust and forgiveness.

Omaxion (The Unicorn)

Omaxion is the embodiment of liminality: neither wholly of Faery nor Mortality, she is the guardian of the paths between worlds. Her intervention is subtle but profound, guiding Cedar and Pelleas towards balance and healing. Omaxion's wisdom and compassion are the foundation upon which the new Court is built, and her presence is a reminder that true power lies in the spaces between.

Ithronel

Ithronel is a once-great goddess whose pride and hunger for control lead to her downfall. Her war with Cass and her obsession with Pelleas are both tragic and terrifying, a warning of what happens when mercy becomes domination. Ithronel's fate is a lesson in humility and the dangers of unchecked power.

Estienne Xirangyl

Estienne is a master of subtlety and endurance, navigating the treacherous waters of fae politics with grace and cunning. Her loyalty to her family and her willingness to defy the Raven King make her a key ally in the new world. Estienne's presence is a reminder that change often comes from those who are willing to wait, to watch, and to act when the moment is right.

Plot Devices

Soulmate Bonds and Magical Contracts

The soulmate bond is the central device of the novel, a magical connection that grants both power and vulnerability. It is both blessing and curse, shaping the destinies of Cedar and Pelleas and driving the plot forward. The rules of Faery—bargains, promises, and the impossibility of lying—create a world where every word matters and every relationship is fraught with danger. The breaking and reforging of these bonds is both literal and metaphorical, mirroring the characters' journeys towards trust, healing, and true partnership.

Glamor, Masks, and Unmasking

Glamor magic is both a tool and a metaphor, allowing characters to hide their true selves and survive in a world that punishes difference. The shattering of glamor is a moment of vulnerability and revelation, forcing characters to confront the truth of themselves and each other. The process of unmasking—of learning to accept and love what is real, not just what is beautiful—is at the heart of the novel's emotional arc.

Political Intrigue and Divine Meddling

The novel is structured around the machinations of kings, queens, and gods, each with their own agendas and wounds. The Silver Coronation is both a political event and a cosmic convergence, bringing together the ambitions of mortals and immortals alike. Foreshadowing is woven throughout, as ancient betrayals and bargains come due, and the characters must navigate a labyrinth of shifting alliances and deadly secrets.

Liminality and Way-Walking

Cedar's ability to walk between worlds—and Omaxion's patronage—embody the novel's fascination with liminality: the spaces between, the power of transition, and the possibility of transformation. The narrative structure itself mirrors this, moving between past and present, Faery and Mortality, reality and dream. The breaking and remaking of the world is both a literal event and a metaphor for the characters' journeys towards wholeness.

Balance, Devotion, and Healing

The novel's structure is cyclical, moving from trauma and captivity to healing and balance. The soulmate bond, once a chain, becomes a source of strength; the wounds of the past are acknowledged and tended, not erased. The final chapters are a celebration of chosen family, forgiveness, and the promise of forever—a reminder that true power lies not in domination, but in devotion.

Analysis

"Captive to the Shadow Prince" is more than a fantasy romance; it is a meditation on the cost of survival in a world built on cruelty, and the possibility of transformation through vulnerability and devotion. Mallory Dunlin uses the trappings of fae politics, magical bargains, and divine intrigue to explore the deepest wounds of the human (and inhuman) heart: the longing to be seen, the terror of rejection, and the courage it takes to love without reservation. Cedar and Pelleas's journey—from captor and captive to partners, from brokenness to balance—is a testament to the power of honesty, forgiveness, and chosen family. The novel's ultimate message is that healing is possible, not through the erasure of pain, but through the willingness to face it together, to build something new from the ruins, and to choose each other, again and again, for the rest of forever.

Last updated: October 30, 2025