Chains and Revelations

Westlyn awakens bound and powerless, confronted by Verrick, the dark fae king—her true father. The revelation shatters her sense of self, as she realizes she's the product of a prophecy and centuries of manipulation. Verrick's cold ambition is clear: he wants Westlyn to inherit his throne and power, using her as a pawn in his ancient schemes. Despite his attempts to seduce her with visions of power and immortality, Westlyn's resolve hardens. She refuses to be a tool for anyone, vowing to reclaim her agency. The emotional weight of betrayal and the burden of legacy press down, but a spark of defiance ignites within her. This is the moment she stops being a victim and begins to fight for her own destiny.

Bloodlines and Betrayals

In the aftermath of her capture, Westlyn is forced to confront her stepmother Eloise and her adoptive father Brian. The tangled web of lies unravels: Brian's failures, Eloise's cruelty, and the true circumstances of Westlyn's birth. Brian confesses his love and regret, revealing that he and Westlyn's mother tried desperately to protect her from Verrick's curse and the prophecy. Eloise's demonic heritage and her role in Westlyn's mother's death come to light, deepening the wounds. Westlyn's anger and grief are raw, but so is her determination. She sees, at last, that her life has always been shaped by others' ambitions and fears. Now, she must decide who she will become, forging her own path from the ashes of betrayal.

Flames at Blackmoor

As the sun sets, the gargoyles awaken to devastation: the Blackmoor library is in flames, and Westlyn is missing. Panic and guilt consume them, especially Draegan, who blames himself for their last argument. Rook's security footage reveals the unthinkable—Westlyn, under a magical compulsion, set the fire herself and vanished. The gargoyles' grief is palpable, but Rook's logic prevails: if they didn't see her die, there's still hope. They rally, determined to find her, their love and loyalty burning brighter than the ruins around them. The emotional stakes are higher than ever, as the family they've built teeters on the edge of destruction.

Fathers and Failures

Imprisoned with her wounded father, Westlyn learns the full story of her origins. Brian's love was real, but so were his mistakes—he failed to protect her, failed to trust her, and ultimately failed to save her from the prophecy's grip. The truth of her mother's death, Eloise's demonic machinations, and Verrick's manipulations come crashing down. Westlyn's pain is immense, but so is her clarity. She sees the patterns of control and sacrifice that have defined her life, and she rejects them. Her resolve crystallizes: she will not be a pawn. She will fight for her own future, and for the men she loves.

Prophecy's Price

The threads of fate pull tighter as Westlyn is prepared for another forced wedding—this time, a binding to the demon prince Zorakkov. The cathedral is a stage for betrayal and dark magic, with Verrick, Eloise, and the Forsythes all vying for power. Westlyn's fury and fear are matched only by her determination. She resists, but the ceremony proceeds, her blood and magic used to summon a legion of demons. The prophecy's words echo: she is the child of darkness and light, the one whose blood will bring the world down. Yet, even as she is bound, a flicker of her own power remains, waiting for the right moment to ignite.

The Wedding Reforged

The binding ceremony is a nightmare—Westlyn's blood and magic are used to open a gateway for hell's legions, and she is crowned as the Moon Blessed, the prophesied queen. But the demons do not bow to Zorakkov or Verrick; they bow to Westlyn. In this moment of terror and power, she realizes her true potential. The gargoyles and their witch allies break through the magical barriers, launching a desperate rescue. Chaos erupts, but Westlyn's command over the demons turns the tide. The emotional climax is fierce: love, rage, and destiny collide as Westlyn claims her power, not as a pawn, but as a queen in her own right.

Gargoyles in Ashes

The aftermath is brutal. The gargoyles, fighting to save Westlyn, are turned to stone by Verrick's fading magic. Rook and Jude are lost, their souls trapped, and the family is fractured. Westlyn's grief is overwhelming, but she refuses to give in. With the help of her witch allies, she searches for a way to reverse the spell. The emotional toll is immense—loss, guilt, and the fear of being left alone threaten to consume her. Yet, the bonds of love and loyalty endure, giving her the strength to keep fighting.

Demons Rise, Witches Rally

As the group regroups in the desolate realm of Wintermoon, they face new horrors: the land is empty, its people sacrificed by Verrick for power. The witches and gargoyles work together, pooling their knowledge and magic. Westlyn's dual heritage—Cerridwen witch and Wintermoon fae—becomes the key to unlocking new spells. The emotional core is hope in the face of despair, as love and friendship become their greatest weapons. Together, they prepare for the final confrontation, determined to reclaim their fate.

The Queen's Command

Verrick's last gambit is to force Westlyn to destroy her own gargoyles, but she turns the tables, summoning the demon legions to her side. She claims the Wintermoon crown, not as Verrick's puppet, but as her own woman. In a blaze of magic and fury, she destroys her enemies—Eloise, the Forsythes, and finally Verrick himself. The curse's tether passes to her, and she faces the ultimate choice: wield the crown's power or destroy it. Westlyn chooses love and freedom, banishing the demons and breaking the cycle of violence. The emotional release is cathartic—a lifetime of pain and manipulation ends in triumph and self-determination.

Wintermoon's Ghosts

The group returns home, forever changed. Time has passed differently, and the world has moved on. The scars of battle remain—lost family, destroyed homes, and the lingering effects of the curse. Yet, there is healing. Westlyn and the gargoyles rebuild, forging a new life from the ruins. The emotional journey is one of grief and gratitude, as they honor the past while embracing the future. The bonds of love and chosen family are stronger than ever, a testament to their resilience.

Stone and Sacrifice

The curse's true nature is revealed: it is tethered to an immortal bloodline, and only by breaking that tether can the gargoyles be freed. Westlyn, unwilling to sacrifice herself or her loved ones, finds a loophole—transferring the curse to a mortal enemy. In a ritual of blood and magic, the curse is broken, and the gargoyles are finally free to choose their fate. The emotional stakes are at their highest, as love, sacrifice, and hope converge in a moment of liberation.

Love in the Ruins

With the curse lifted, the family embraces a new beginning. They celebrate life's simple pleasures—meals together, laughter, and love. Westlyn's journey from pawn to queen to partner is complete, as she finds fulfillment not in power, but in connection. The emotional arc is one of healing and wholeness, as the wounds of the past give way to the promise of the future. Together, they create a home where magic, love, and acceptance reign.

The Curse's Tether

Westlyn's choice to destroy the Wintermoon crown and banish the demons marks the end of an era. She reclaims her agency, defining her own legacy as a witch, a queen, and a woman. The family's freedom is hard-won, but it is real. The emotional resonance is profound—a testament to the power of choice, love, and self-acceptance. The story closes on a note of hope, as Westlyn and her gargoyles look to the future, ready to face whatever comes together.

The Final Spell

The last spell is cast, and the curse is truly gone. The gargoyles are free to choose immortality or mortality, and they choose to remain together, embracing their monstrous forms and the love that binds them. Westlyn's journey comes full circle—she is no longer the forgotten girl, but the heart of a family, a leader, and a lover. The emotional resolution is joyous and bittersweet, as they honor the past and step boldly into a new life.

Homecoming and Hope

The family celebrates their victory and newfound freedom with laughter, love, and a sense of belonging. Westlyn's birthday becomes a symbol of rebirth—a chance to embrace joy, pleasure, and the simple magic of being alive. The emotional arc is complete: from chains and betrayal to love and liberation. The story ends not with a grand battle, but with the quiet, enduring power of home, hope, and the promise of forever.

Characters

Westlyn Avery

Westlyn is the daughter of a light witch and the dark fae king Verrick, making her the prophesied Moon Blessed. Raised believing she was powerless, she endures manipulation, betrayal, and loss, but her resilience and compassion define her. Her journey is one of self-discovery—reclaiming agency from those who would use her, embracing both her light and dark heritage, and forging her own destiny. Her love for the gargoyles is fierce and transformative, healing old wounds and inspiring hope. Westlyn's arc is about choosing love and self-acceptance over power and vengeance, becoming a true queen in her own right.

Draegan Caldwell

Draegan is the stoic leader of the gargoyles, burdened by guilt over the curse that doomed his brothers. His love for Westlyn is deep but guarded, shaped by centuries of loss and responsibility. Draegan's journey is one of vulnerability—learning to trust, to love, and to forgive himself. His relationship with Westlyn is both passionate and healing, allowing him to lay down the burdens of the past and embrace a future built on hope and connection.

Jude Hendrix

Jude is the wildest of the gargoyles, reveling in violence and dark humor as a shield against pain. His love for Westlyn is raw and unfiltered, providing levity and passion in the darkest moments. Beneath his bravado lies deep loyalty and a desperate need for belonging. Jude's arc is about finding peace and purpose beyond violence, allowing love to soften his edges and give him a reason to fight for more than survival.

Rook Van Doren

Rook is the intellectual heart of the group, a lover of books and knowledge who finds solace in logic and research. His connection with Westlyn is built on curiosity, respect, and shared discovery. Rook's journey is one of courage—stepping out from behind his books to fight for those he loves, and learning that vulnerability is not weakness. His transformation from stone to living, loving partner is a testament to the power of hope and intellect.

Augustine Lamont

Auggie is the most sensitive of the gargoyles, expressing his love through art, food, and gentle care. He grounds the group, offering comfort and stability in times of chaos. His relationship with Westlyn is tender and affirming, helping her rediscover joy and beauty in life. Auggie's arc is about embracing his own worth and finding happiness in the simple, everyday moments that make life meaningful.

Verrick of Wintermoon

Verrick is the dark fae king, Westlyn's biological father, and the architect of the curse. His ambition and cruelty are matched only by his loneliness and desperation for legacy. Verrick's psychoanalysis reveals a man driven by fear of irrelevance, willing to sacrifice anything for power. His downfall comes not from external enemies, but from underestimating the strength of love and agency in those he sought to control.

Eloise Avery

Eloise is a half-demon witch whose bitterness and ambition drive her to manipulate and harm Westlyn. Her cruelty masks deep insecurity and a desperate need for validation. Eloise's arc is a cautionary tale of the corrosive power of envy and the futility of seeking worth through the destruction of others. Her end is both just and tragic, a mirror to the pain she inflicted.

Brian Avery

Brian is a man broken by loss and fear, whose love for Westlyn is real but insufficient to shield her from harm. His failures haunt him, but his final acts are redemptive—sacrificing himself to save his daughter and atone for the past. Brian's arc is about the limits of good intentions and the possibility of forgiveness, both given and received.

Zorakkov

Zorakkov is the demonic force seeking to bind Westlyn and unleash hell on earth. His presence is a constant threat, embodying the seductive allure of power without conscience. Zorakkov's defeat is not just a physical victory, but a moral one—proof that love and agency can overcome even the darkest magic.

Tatiana, Laney, and Fleur

These witches provide guidance, support, and magical expertise, helping Westlyn unlock her potential and break the curse. Their presence underscores the importance of community, sisterhood, and the power of collective action. They are models of wisdom, resilience, and the enduring strength of women working together.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Bloodline

The Moon Blessed prophecy drives the plot, shaping characters' choices and destinies. It is both a source of oppression and a call to agency, forcing Westlyn to confront her heritage and redefine her fate. The bloodline tether is a literal and symbolic chain, binding characters to the past until they find the courage to break it.

Magical Compulsion and Agency

Dark magic, compulsion, and curses are used to strip characters of agency, mirroring real-world dynamics of control and abuse. The narrative structure uses these devices to heighten tension and force characters to fight for autonomy. Foreshadowing is woven through dreams, visions, and the recurring motif of chains, culminating in Westlyn's ultimate act of self-determination.

Reverse Harem and Chosen Family

The reverse harem structure is not just romantic, but thematic—each gargoyle (Draegan, Jude, Rook, Augustine) represents a different facet of love, healing, and acceptance. The found family trope is central, offering a counterpoint to the toxic legacies of blood and prophecy. The narrative arc moves from isolation and manipulation to connection and mutual empowerment.

Ritual, Sacrifice, and Transformation

Rituals—weddings, bindings, spells—are used to both oppress and liberate. The climax hinges on the transformation of these rituals from tools of control to acts of agency. Sacrifice is redefined, not as self-destruction, but as the willingness to fight for a better future. The final spell is both literal and metaphorical, breaking the curse and opening the way for new beginnings.

Duality of Light and Dark

The interplay of light and dark magic, love and rage, hope and despair, is a constant theme. Characters are forced to accept all parts of themselves, rejecting simplistic binaries. The narrative structure mirrors this duality, moving between moments of horror and tenderness, loss and joy, until integration is achieved.

Analysis

Wicked Ascending is a powerful meditation on agency, trauma, and the redemptive power of love. At its core, the novel interrogates the ways in which prophecy, bloodline, and legacy can be used to control and diminish, and how true freedom comes from reclaiming one's story. Westlyn's journey from pawn to queen to partner is a blueprint for healing—she learns to embrace both her light and dark heritage, forging a new identity that is wholly her own. The reverse harem structure is not just a romantic fantasy, but a radical reimagining of family and belonging, where love is chosen, not imposed. The breaking of the curse is both a magical and psychological act, symbolizing the release of generational trauma and the possibility of new beginnings. The novel's lessons are clear: agency is hard-won, love is transformative, and the future belongs to those who dare to write their own destinies. In a world obsessed with power and legacy, Wicked Ascending offers a vision of hope, healing, and the enduring magic of home.

Last updated: October 23, 2025