Blood and Betrayal

In the Veridian Empire's palace, a night of joy turns to horror as Emperor Branock Aris faces an impossible decision: his wife and newborn twins are dying. He summons the powerful Alchemist Theodore Gayl, who uses forbidden blood magic to save them. The cost is immediate and terrible—a red mist descends, cursing the land. The Somnivae curse is born, and the fate of the empire is forever altered. This act of love and desperation sets in motion a chain of betrayals, secrets, and suffering that will haunt generations.

Cursed Beginnings

Twenty-seven years later, Rose Wolff, orphaned and marked by tragedy, runs the Arcane Apothecary in Feywood. She is shunned by her superstitious town, blamed for the curse that has plagued the empire since her birth. Rose's life is shaped by loss—her mother died giving birth to her, her father was murdered, and her uncle, the province's champion, is soon to risk his life in the Decemvirate. The curse's shadow looms over every moment, fueling Rose's isolation and the empire's growing unrest.

Outcast in Feywood

Rose's only solace is her family—her cousin Beau, her loving but overprotective aunt and uncle—and a few loyal friends. She is fiercely protective, quick-witted, and unafraid to bend the rules, even if it means poisoning a rival or breaking social norms. The town's whispers and suspicion only harden her resolve. When her uncle is chosen as Feywood's challenger for the Decemvirate, Rose is swept into a world of political intrigue, ancient magic, and the possibility of escape from her provincial prison.

The Decemvirate Beckons

The Decemvirate, a brutal competition held every ten years, determines how the empire's magic is divided among the provinces. Each province sends a champion to face three perilous trials. Feywood's hopes rest on Rose's uncle, but when he falls victim to the Somnivae curse en route to the capital, Rose is thrust into the role of challenger. With her family's fate and her province's magic at stake, she must navigate a treacherous court, rival challengers, and the enigmatic Emperor Gayl.

Shadows of the Capital

In the capital, Rose encounters a dazzling but dangerous world. She meets other challengers—each with their own ambitions and secrets—and forms uneasy alliances with Nox, a mysterious Shifter, and Arowyn, a cunning Strider. The city is a powder keg of political tension, prejudice, and violence. Rose is drawn into the orbit of the Sentinels, a rebel group led by the lost Aris twins, Leo and Rissa, who seek to end Gayl's tyranny and the curse. Loyalties blur as Rose is recruited to spy on the emperor and uncover the truth behind the Somnivae plague.

The Somnivae Plague

The Somnivae curse, born of blood magic, puts its victims into an unending sleep, their bodies preserved but their lives stolen. No one knows how to break it. Rose's quest becomes personal as her uncle, her closest friend, and countless innocents fall victim. The curse is a living reminder of the empire's original sin, fueling fear, division, and the emperor's power. Rose's determination to end the curse drives her deeper into forbidden magic and dangerous alliances.

Allies and Adversaries

As the trials begin, Rose forges bonds with unlikely allies—Nox, whose true nature is shrouded in secrecy, and Leo, the brooding Aris twin with a haunted past. She faces off against ruthless challengers like Callum, the sadistic Illusionist, and navigates the treacherous politics of the court. The lines between friend and foe blur as Rose's feelings for Leo deepen, and she is forced to question who she can trust. Every relationship is a potential weapon—or a lifeline.

The First Trial: Riddles

The first trial plunges the challengers into a labyrinth of riddles and magical puzzles, each tailored to their province's magic. Rose must use her wits and her Alchemist's skills to survive, facing sabotage from rivals and the lingering suspicion of the court. The trial exposes her vulnerabilities and strengths, forcing her to confront the legacy of her parents and the darkness within herself. Victory comes at a cost, and the seeds of future betrayals are sown.

Poisoned Hearts

Between trials, Rose is drawn into the Sentinels' rebellion and the emperor's web. She is tasked with stealing Gayl's Grimoire, the key to the curse, and must balance her loyalty to her family, her growing love for Leo, and her own survival. Blood magic tempts her with power and freedom, but every use comes with a price. The boundaries between right and wrong blur as Rose is forced to make impossible choices, risking everything for those she loves.

The Second Trial: Illusions

The second trial is a dreamscape of terror and heartbreak. The challengers are plunged into illusions that force them to confront their deepest fears and make agonizing decisions—who to save, who to sacrifice. Rose is haunted by her past and the possibility of losing her family again. The trial leaves scars on every survivor, and not all make it out alive. The cost of power becomes undeniable, and the true nature of the curse—and the emperor's role in it—begins to emerge.

The Price of Power

As Rose delves deeper into blood magic, she discovers its seductive allure and devastating cost. She learns that Gayl has been siphoning the magic of the cursed to fuel his own power, making him nearly invincible. The truth about her parentage, the emperor's crimes, and the origins of the curse are revealed in a shattering confrontation. Rose must decide how far she is willing to go—and what she is willing to become—to end the cycle of suffering.

The Third Trial: Sacrifice

The final trial is a gauntlet of elemental challenges—earth, water, fire, and air—designed to break the challengers and eliminate all but the strongest. Allies become adversaries as the rules change: only six can escape, and not all will survive. Rose faces betrayal, loss, and the ultimate test of courage. In a climactic battle, she must use everything she has learned—her magic, her wits, and her heart—to confront Gayl and the darkness within herself.

The Emperor's Truth

In a harrowing confrontation, Gayl reveals the full extent of his crimes: he murdered Rose's father and the other Sanguivex to protect his secret, and he has used the curse to amass unimaginable power. He offers Rose a place at his side, tempting her with the promise of greatness. But Rose chooses her own path, rejecting his legacy and embracing her own strength. The final battle is not just for the empire, but for her soul.

Siphoning the Wicked

Rose uses the forbidden siphoning spell to strip Gayl of his stolen magic, killing him and absorbing the power herself. The act nearly destroys her, plunging her into a void of agony and madness. She is saved only by the love and loyalty of her friends, especially Leo, who refuses to let her go. The curse is broken, but the cost is high—Rose is forever changed, and the scars of the past linger.

Breaking the Curse

With Gayl dead and his magic inside her, Rose becomes the key to waking the cursed. One by one, she restores the lost, reuniting families and bringing hope to a broken empire. The process is exhausting and painful, but Rose is determined to see it through. The Sentinels rise to power, and Rissa Aris is named interim empress, ushering in a new era of unity and justice. The wounds of the past begin to heal, but the future remains uncertain.

Love and Loss

In the aftermath, Rose and Leo grapple with the losses they have endured—friends who died, innocence lost, and the weight of their choices. Their love, forged in fire and blood, becomes a source of strength and healing. Together, they choose to leave the capital and travel the empire, bringing hope and restoration to those still suffering. The journey ahead is daunting, but they face it hand in hand, determined to build a better world.

A New Dawn

As Rose and Leo set sail for the provinces, the empire begins to heal. The Sentinels work to unite the people, erase old divisions, and ensure that magic is no longer a weapon of oppression. Rose, once an outcast, becomes a symbol of hope and resilience. The story ends not with a final victory, but with the promise of new beginnings—a world where the wicked no longer rule, and where love, courage, and sacrifice light the way forward.

Characters

Rose Wolff

Rose is a fiercely intelligent, sharp-tongued Alchemist marked by tragedy and suspicion. Orphaned by her mother's death and her father's murder, she is raised by her aunt and uncle in Feywood, where she is blamed for the Somnivae curse. Rose is fiercely loyal to her family and a few close friends, but her isolation breeds both resilience and a hunger for belonging. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she is thrust into the Decemvirate and forced to confront her own darkness, the seductive power of blood magic, and the legacy of her parents. Rose's psychological arc is defined by her struggle to trust, her fear of loss, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for those she loves. Her relationship with Leo, built on mutual pain and healing, becomes her anchor as she faces the ultimate test of courage and compassion.

Zareleon "Leo" Aris

Leo is the lost son of Emperor Branock Aris, forced into hiding after his family's fall. Haunted by guilt, trauma, and the knowledge that his very existence is the key to the curse, Leo is both fiercely protective and deeply wounded. His dual heritage—Alchemist and Shifter—makes him powerful but also an outsider. Leo's psychological journey is one of learning to forgive himself, to accept love, and to fight for a future beyond vengeance. His relationship with Rose is transformative, allowing him to find hope and purpose. Leo's willingness to sacrifice himself for others is both his greatest strength and his deepest vulnerability.

Theodore Gayl

Once a brilliant Alchemist and friend to Rose's father, Theodore Gayl becomes the empire's most powerful and feared ruler. His use of blood magic to save the Aris twins unleashes the Somnivae curse, which he then exploits to siphon the magic of the cursed and amass near-godlike power. Gayl is both mentor and villain to Rose, tempting her with knowledge and greatness while hiding his own monstrous crimes. His psychological complexity lies in his genuine affection for Rose and his belief in his own righteousness, even as he commits unforgivable acts. Gayl's downfall is a result of his hubris and inability to see the humanity in those he uses.

Clarissa "Rissa" Aris

Rissa is Leo's twin and the true heir to the Veridian Empire. Forced into exile, she becomes the leader of the Sentinels, a secret rebellion dedicated to ending Gayl's rule and the curse. Rissa is pragmatic, strategic, and fiercely loyal to her brother and their cause. Her psychological arc is one of reclaiming her birthright, learning to trust others, and balancing justice with mercy. Rissa's leadership is both a burden and a calling, and her relationship with Rose evolves from suspicion to deep friendship.

Nox Duma

Nox is a dragon Shifter from Drakorum, forced into the Decemvirate by his province's leaders, who hold his sister hostage. Outwardly charming and irreverent, Nox hides deep pain and a longing for freedom. His immense power makes him both a target and a potential ally. Nox's psychological journey is one of self-acceptance, resistance against exploitation, and the search for belonging. His friendship with Rose and Arowyn is a rare source of joy and trust in a world that sees him as a tool.

Arowyn Garrolas

Arowyn is the Strider challenger from Celestria, known for her sharp wit, resourcefulness, and refusal to trust easily. She is fiercely independent, shaped by a life of hardship and betrayal. Arowyn's psychological arc is about learning to let others in, to risk vulnerability, and to fight for something greater than herself. Her friendship with Rose and Nox is hard-won but deeply meaningful.

Horace Banathery

Horace is a member of the Royal Guard and a secret Illusionist, torn between his duty and his conscience. He becomes a steadfast protector of Rose and the Sentinels, sacrificing everything for their cause. Horace's psychological journey is one of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and the pain of living a double life. His death is a devastating loss, symbolizing the cost of rebellion and the price of hope.

Larken "Lark" Everest

Lark is the youngest and first female head architect of the Decemvirate, secretly working with the Sentinels to undermine Gayl. She is brilliant, ambitious, and burdened by guilt for her role in the trials' suffering. Lark's psychological arc is about reconciling her ambition with her conscience, learning to accept help, and fighting for redemption.

Morgana and Ragnar Gregor

Morgana and Ragnar are Rose's aunt and uncle, who raise her after her parents' deaths. They are loving, protective, and deeply affected by the curse. Their relationship with Rose is a source of both comfort and pain, as they struggle with their own losses and the burden of secrets. Their psychological journey is about letting go, trusting Rose to forge her own path, and finding hope in the face of despair.

Callum Orlox

Callum is the Illusionist challenger from Iluze, a master of manipulation and psychological torment. He is Rose's nemesis, using his magic to exploit her deepest fears and traumas. Callum's psychological role is that of the antagonist who forces Rose to confront her darkness and the limits of her compassion. His eventual death is both a relief and a reminder of the cost of survival.

Plot Devices

Blood Magic and the Curse

Blood magic is the central plot device, both the source of the Somnivae curse and the key to its undoing. It represents the seductive allure of power and the devastating consequences of crossing natural boundaries. The curse itself is a living symbol of the empire's original sin, a constant reminder of the price paid for love, ambition, and desperation. The use of blood magic to both destroy and heal is mirrored in Rose's journey, as she must learn to wield it responsibly and accept its cost.

The Decemvirate Structure

The Decemvirate's three trials—intellect, heart, and courage—provide the narrative structure and emotional arc of the story. Each trial is designed to test not just magical skill, but the character and values of the challengers. The trials force Rose and her allies to confront their fears, make impossible choices, and face the darkness within themselves. The escalating stakes and shifting rules create tension, suspense, and opportunities for both betrayal and heroism.

Foreshadowing and Revelation

The story is driven by secrets—about the curse, the emperor, Rose's parentage, and the true nature of magic. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense and deepen the psychological complexity of the characters. Revelations are carefully timed to upend assumptions, force difficult choices, and propel the characters toward transformation. The gradual unmasking of Gayl's crimes and Rose's own potential is mirrored in the unraveling of the curse and the empire's old order.

Psychological and Moral Dilemmas

The trials and the curse force the characters to make agonizing decisions—who to save, who to trust, how far to go for power or love. These dilemmas are not just external, but deeply psychological, exposing the characters' fears, desires, and capacity for both good and evil. The story explores the gray areas of morality, the danger of unchecked ambition, and the possibility of redemption.

Love as Redemption and Anchor

The relationship between Rose and Leo is both a source of vulnerability and strength. Their love is forged in trauma and loss, but becomes a lifeline—a reason to fight, to hope, and to choose compassion over vengeance. Love is not a cure-all, but it is the force that allows both characters to heal, to forgive themselves, and to imagine a future beyond pain.

Analysis

"In the Wake of the Wicked" is a sweeping fantasy that interrogates the nature of power, the legacy of trauma, and the possibility of redemption. At its heart, the novel is about the cost of survival—what we are willing to sacrifice for those we love, and what happens when the pursuit of power eclipses our humanity. The Somnivae curse is both literal and metaphorical, representing the ways in which the sins of the past haunt the present, and how cycles of violence and secrecy perpetuate suffering. Rose's journey from outcast to hero is a testament to resilience, the importance of chosen family, and the courage to face one's own darkness. The novel challenges the idea of easy answers or simple morality; every victory comes with a price, and every act of heroism is tinged with loss. Yet, it is also a story of hope—the belief that even in a world shaped by wickedness, love, compassion, and the willingness to change can light the way to a better future. The lessons are clear: true power lies not in domination, but in healing; not in secrets, but in truth; not in isolation, but in connection. The story's modern resonance lies in its exploration of trauma, found family, and the necessity of confronting the past to build a more just and compassionate world.

Last updated: October 31, 2025