Rules of the Obligated

Clara Darlington, a human "Obligate" in the fae Court of Dawn, lives by three rules: never anger, trust, or love the fae. Her life is a sentence of servitude for a forgotten crime, and she clings to routine and anonymity to survive. The fae world is dazzling and perilous, and Clara's only hope is to keep her head down, serve her term, and return home. Yet, beneath her careful composure, she is haunted by the sense that her past holds secrets that could destroy her. The rules are her shield, but also a cage, and the story begins with her determination to endure, even as the world around her brims with magic, danger, and the ever-present threat of fae caprice.

Pixie Havoc in Aurelis

Clara's day begins with chaos as she discovers pixies have ravaged the Aurelis Library, devouring priceless books in their quest for power. Armed with her librarian's tools, she hunts them through the stacks, only to be rescued by Lord Ivor, a fae noble with a mysterious interest in her. The encounter is charged with tension and awkward gratitude, as Clara is reminded of her lowly status and the dangers of fae attention. The destruction left by the pixies is a stark reminder of the fragility of order in Aurelis, and Clara's efforts to restore the library are shadowed by warnings from her mentor, Thaddeus, about the perils of becoming entangled with the fae—especially those as captivating as Ivor.

Lord Ivor's Request

Lord Ivor, renowned for his beauty and prowess, requests reading lessons from Clara, defying the belief that fae cannot comprehend written language. Their sessions are fraught with unspoken tension, as Ivor's charm unsettles Clara and stirs forbidden hopes. Despite her efforts to remain detached, she is drawn to his vulnerability and persistence. The lessons become a secret thread binding them, even as Clara is warned by Thaddeus of the tragic fate of Mary West, another Obligate who loved a fae and was destroyed by it. The chapter explores the intoxicating danger of fae-human relationships and the thin line between duty and desire.

Warnings and Memories

Clara is summoned by Princess Estrilde, her fae mistress, who is both beautiful and cold. Estrilde's disdain is palpable, and Clara is tasked with performing at a royal feast—a terrifying prospect. The chapter delves into the psychological toll of Obligation, the suppression of memories, and the constant fear of punishment. Clara's interactions with Thaddeus and the other Obligates reveal a community bound by shared trauma and whispered warnings. The memory of Mary West lingers as a cautionary tale, and Clara's own suppressed past begins to press against the edges of her consciousness, hinting at secrets yet to be revealed.

Summoned by the Princess

Estrilde's command to perform at the feast is not just a test of Clara's abilities but a demonstration of power. Clara is dressed in fae finery, made to feel both exposed and invisible. The preparations are humiliating, and the performance itself is a trial by fire. As she recites a tragic human poem, Clara feels a strange magic awaken within her, captivating the fae audience and manifesting shadowy illusions. The experience is both exhilarating and terrifying, as Clara senses that something within her is breaking free—something the fae have tried to keep locked away.

A Night of Performance

The feast is a spectacle of fae glamour and intrigue, with Lord Ivor and Princess Estrilde at the center of attention. Clara's performance is interrupted by the arrival of Thaddeus, who announces the presence of a Noswraith—a nightmare creature—loose in the library. Panic erupts, and Clara is thrust into the heart of the crisis. The king, Lodírhal, is forced to lift the magical restrictions on Clara's powers, revealing that she possesses a dangerous magic tied to writing and stories. The chapter is a turning point, as Clara's true potential is unleashed, and the boundaries between reality and nightmare begin to blur.

The Feast and the Heir

Amid the chaos, the political machinations of the fae court come to the fore. King Lodírhal, weakened by the loss of his Fatebonded queen, announces his intention to name an heir. The court is rife with speculation, and Princess Estrilde's ambitions are threatened by the unexpected arrival of Prince Castien, Lodírhal's half-human son. The chapter explores themes of legitimacy, prejudice, and the precariousness of power. Clara, caught in the crossfire, witnesses the dangerous games of the fae and the ways in which human lives are used as pawns in their schemes.

The Noswraith Unleashed

Clara is sent into the library to confront the Noswraith, armed only with a blank book and a pen. The creature is a manifestation of nightmare, melting and devouring everything it touches. Clara's suppressed memories and powers surge to the surface as she realizes she can bind the Noswraith by writing its story into the book. The battle is both physical and psychological, as Clara is drawn into the nightmare realm and must use her wits and will to contain the monster. The experience leaves her shaken and changed, aware that her magic is both a gift and a curse.

The Binding Power

With the Noswraith contained, Clara becomes the focus of fear and fascination. The Prince of Vespre, Castien, reveals himself as the true heir and the master of the Doomed City, where Noswraiths are collected and bound. He recognizes Clara's power and claims her Obligation, bargaining with Estrilde to take her into his service. The transfer is both a liberation and a new imprisonment, as Clara is torn from everything familiar and thrust into a world where her magic is both needed and feared. The chapter explores the price of power, the burden of guilt, and the possibility of redemption.

The Prince's Arrival

In Vespre, Clara is introduced to a city built on nightmares, where human librarians battle to contain the horrors spawned by human imagination. The Prince is both mentor and tormentor, pushing Clara to develop her abilities while reminding her of the destruction she has caused. The other librarians—Nelle, Mixael, Andreas, and Vervain—are a motley crew, each marked by their own traumas and secrets. Clara's training is grueling, and the threat of the Noswraiths is ever-present. The chapter is a study in adaptation, as Clara struggles to find her place in a world that is both wondrous and terrifying.

Bargained Away

Clara's transition to Vespre is marked by loss—of home, of friends, of the fragile safety she had built in Aurelis. She is haunted by memories of her family, especially her brother Oscar, and by the unresolved feelings for Lord Ivor. The Prince's hatred is a constant reminder of her guilt, and the other librarians' wariness keeps her isolated. Yet, in the midst of despair, Clara finds unexpected connections—with the troll children who adopt her, with the ancient library that seems to have a will of its own, and with the magic that flows through her pen. The chapter is a meditation on grief, resilience, and the search for meaning.

The Doomed City

Vespre is a place of contradictions—beautiful and grotesque, vibrant and decaying. The librarians are both jailers and creators, responsible for containing the very nightmares they once unleashed. Clara learns the history of the city, the origins of the Noswraiths, and the delicate balance that keeps disaster at bay. The troll children become both a comfort and a responsibility, challenging Clara to embrace her own capacity for care and creation. The chapter explores the ethics of power, the dangers of unchecked imagination, and the possibility of forging community in the face of doom.

Troll Children and Troll Truths

Clara's bond with the troll children deepens, revealing the complexities of troll society and the magic that binds families together. The children's need for a mother awakens Clara's own longing for connection and purpose. Through them, she learns that creation and destruction are two sides of the same coin, and that love—however dangerous—can be a source of strength. The chapter is rich with folklore and myth, blending the mundane with the magical, and challenging Clara to redefine what it means to belong.

The Library of Nightmares

The Vespre Library is both a sanctuary and a prison, housing the greatest collection of magical knowledge and the most dangerous Noswraiths. Clara's training intensifies as she learns to sense, bind, and contain the nightmares that threaten to break free. The other librarians' stories are revealed—Nelle's loss, Andreas's poetry, Vervain's sorrow—and Clara begins to understand the true cost of creation. The library itself becomes a character, alive with secrets and shadows, and Clara's relationship with it is both adversarial and intimate. The chapter is a meditation on the power of stories and the responsibility of those who wield them.

The Hungry Mother

Vervain's Noswraith, the Hungry Mother, breaks free, unleashing chaos on the city. The monster is a manifestation of Vervain's grief and guilt over lost children, and its rampage is both literal and symbolic. Clara is drawn into the heart of the nightmare, forced to confront her own fears and the limits of her power. The battle is a test of will, creativity, and compassion, as Clara must find a way to bind the Hungry Mother without losing herself to the darkness. The chapter is a powerful exploration of trauma, motherhood, and the redemptive potential of storytelling.

The Battle in the Nightmare

The final confrontation with the Hungry Mother is both epic and intimate, as Clara, aided by the Prince and Captain Khas, battles the Noswraith in the nightmare realm. The fight is as much psychological as magical, with Clara using her writing to shape reality and contain the monster. The Prince's intervention is costly, leaving him weakened and near death, but together they succeed in binding the Hungry Mother. The victory is bittersweet, as Vervain is left broken, and the cost of power is made painfully clear. The chapter is a climax of action, emotion, and revelation, bringing the story's themes to a head.

Atonement and Acceptance

In the aftermath, Clara is recognized as a full librarian, given her own quill, and welcomed into the Vespre community. The Prince, recovering from his ordeal, reaches out to Clara, and a fragile understanding is forged between them. Clara's guilt over her past is tempered by the knowledge that atonement is a journey, not a destination, and that creation and destruction are inseparable. The story ends with Clara embracing her role as a creator and a guardian, ready to face whatever nightmares the future may bring, and finding, at last, a place where she belongs.

Characters

Clara Darlington

Clara is a human Obligate, sentenced to serve the fae for a crime she cannot remember. Intelligent, resourceful, and deeply empathetic, she survives by following strict rules and suppressing her emotions. Her suppressed magical power—writing that can bind or unleash nightmares—makes her both valuable and dangerous. Clara's journey is one of self-discovery, as she confronts the truth of her past, the consequences of her creations, and the possibility of forgiveness. Her relationships—with Ivor, the Prince, the troll children, and her fellow librarians—reveal her longing for connection and her capacity for both creation and destruction. Ultimately, Clara's arc is about accepting responsibility, embracing her power, and finding purpose in service and community.

Prince Castien of Vespre

Castien is the half-human, half-fae Prince of the Doomed City, burdened by a curse that punishes him for using human magic. Brilliant, sardonic, and deeply wounded, he is both a jailer and a creator, responsible for containing the Noswraiths that threaten Eledria. His hatred for Clara is rooted in the loss of his mother, Queen Dasyra, killed by a Noswraith Clara unwittingly created. Castien's relationship with Clara is fraught with resentment, guilt, and reluctant admiration. As her mentor, he pushes her to develop her abilities, even as he struggles with his own pain and the weight of his responsibilities. Castien's arc is one of grudging acceptance, as he learns to see Clara as more than the sum of her mistakes and to trust in the possibility of redemption.

Princess Estrilde

Estrilde is Clara's original fae mistress, a figure of beauty, power, and cruelty. She embodies the dangers of fae caprice, using her Obligates as tools and punishing any sign of defiance. Estrilde's rivalry with Lord Ivor and her desire for power drive much of the courtly intrigue. Her decision to sell Clara's Obligation to Castien is both a punishment and a relief, freeing Clara from her immediate control but casting her into new dangers. Estrilde represents the seductive and destructive allure of fae society, and her interactions with Clara highlight the psychological toll of servitude and the struggle for autonomy.

Lord Ivor Illithor

Ivor is the golden champion of the Court of Dawn, marked by both beauty and scars. His request for reading lessons from Clara is an act of vulnerability that sets him apart from other fae. Ivor's kindness and attention awaken dangerous feelings in Clara, challenging her resolve to keep her heart guarded. His support during crises and his willingness to defy fae norms make him both an ally and a source of inner conflict for Clara. Ivor's arc is one of quiet rebellion, as he navigates the expectations of his world and the complexities of his own desires.

Thaddeus Creakle

Thaddeus is the senior librarian in Aurelis, a human who has served the fae for decades. Wise, cautious, and deeply caring, he acts as a surrogate father to Clara, offering guidance and warnings about the dangers of fae entanglements. Thaddeus's knowledge of magic and the history of the Obligates is crucial to Clara's survival. His gift of a powerful quill and his final farewell mark the end of Clara's old life and the beginning of her new journey. Thaddeus represents the resilience and quiet heroism of those who endure in the face of oppression.

Nelle Silveri

Nelle is the senior librarian of Vespre, a human who has lived for centuries and witnessed the rise and fall of many. Sharp-tongued, practical, and fiercely protective of her own, she is both a mentor and a gatekeeper for Clara. Nelle's history with the Noswraiths, her loss of her husband, and her pragmatic approach to magic and danger make her a grounding presence in the chaos of Vespre. She embodies the wisdom of experience and the strength that comes from enduring loss and continuing to fight.

Mixael Silveri

Mixael is Nelle's son, a junior librarian who brings levity and warmth to the grim world of Vespre. His easygoing nature and willingness to help Clara adapt make him a valuable friend and ally. Mixael's own magical abilities and his dedication to the library's mission reveal a depth of courage and commitment. He represents the possibility of finding joy and connection even in the darkest of places.

Andreas Cornil

Andreas is a librarian marked by introspection and a poetic soul. His past is shadowed by mistakes and regrets, and his approach to magic is more artistic than practical. Andreas's relationship with Clara is one of mutual respect and quiet support. He serves as a reminder that creativity and vulnerability are both strengths and weaknesses in a world where imagination can be deadly.

Vervain Keldi

Vervain is a tragic figure, a once-renowned novelist whose grief and guilt over lost children gave birth to the Hungry Mother, one of the most dangerous Noswraiths. Her struggle to contain her own creation and her eventual breakdown are central to the story's exploration of trauma, responsibility, and the limits of atonement. Vervain's relationship with Clara is fraught with tension and empathy, as both women grapple with the consequences of their creative power.

The Troll Children (Dig, Har, Calx, Sis)

The troll children are both comic relief and a source of emotional depth. Their need for a mother and their magical bond with Clara challenge her to embrace her nurturing side and to find meaning in care and connection. Through them, the story explores themes of belonging, otherness, and the redemptive power of love, even in a world built on nightmares.

Plot Devices

Obligation and Magical Bondage

The concept of Obligation is central to the narrative structure, serving as both a literal and metaphorical device. Humans who break the ancient Pledge are bound to serve the fae, their memories and powers suppressed for the safety of all. This device allows for the gradual revelation of Clara's past and the slow awakening of her abilities. The rules of Obligation create tension, limit agency, and force characters into difficult choices, while also providing a framework for atonement and redemption.

Writing as Magic

The unique magic system is built around the act of writing—stories, spells, and bindings that shape reality. Clara's ability to bind Noswraiths by writing their stories into books is both her greatest strength and her deepest vulnerability. The act of creation is fraught with danger, as imagination can give birth to nightmares as easily as to beauty. This device blurs the line between fiction and reality, making the library a battleground where words are as deadly as swords.

Suppressed Memories and Identity

The suppression of memories serves as both a plot engine and a source of psychological tension. Clara's journey is one of uncovering the truth about her crime, her power, and her capacity for both harm and healing. The gradual return of memories is mirrored by the lifting of magical restrictions, creating a sense of suspense and inevitability. This device allows for character growth, thematic exploration, and the ultimate confrontation with guilt and forgiveness.

The Nightmare Realm and Noswraiths

Noswraiths are nightmares made flesh, born from human creativity and suffering. Their containment and the constant threat of their escape drive the plot and provide a metaphor for the dangers of unchecked imagination and unresolved trauma. The Nightmare Realm, where battles are fought on both physical and psychological levels, is a space where characters confront their deepest fears and desires. This device heightens the stakes and grounds the story's exploration of creation, destruction, and responsibility.

Courtly Intrigue and Power Struggles

The machinations of the fae court—succession, rivalry, and manipulation—provide a rich context for Clara's personal journey. The shifting alliances, betrayals, and ambitions of characters like Estrilde, Ivor, and Castien mirror the internal struggles of the human characters. This device adds layers of complexity, suspense, and thematic resonance, highlighting the interplay between individual agency and systemic power.

Analysis

Entranced is a darkly imaginative fantasy that interrogates the power and peril of creation. At its heart, the novel is a meditation on the responsibilities of artists, the consequences of trauma, and the possibility of redemption. Through Clara's journey from powerless Obligate to empowered librarian, the story explores how stories—both those we tell and those we suppress—shape reality. The magic system, rooted in writing and imagination, is a brilliant metaphor for the dangers and wonders of creativity: every act of creation carries the risk of unleashing nightmares, but also the hope of binding them. The fae world, with its beauty and cruelty, serves as a mirror for human society's own hierarchies and injustices. The characters' struggles with guilt, loss, and longing are deeply human, even as they battle monsters born from their own minds. Ultimately, Entranced suggests that atonement is not about erasing the past, but about accepting responsibility, forging connections, and choosing to create with care. The story's blend of horror, wonder, and psychological depth makes it a compelling exploration of what it means to be both a creator and a caretaker in a world haunted by its own dreams.

Last updated: October 16, 2025