Answer: Zélie, the protagonist of the novel, is Tzain’s younger sister and Mama and Baba’s daughter. Ever since the Raid, when her mother was violently killed before her eyes, Zélie has lived in a state of perpetual fear and anger. She has trained with the staff so that she can defend herself and her family against attack. Even amidst the unfair taxes that King Saran constantly levies against divîners and their families, Zélie has worked hard to feed her family. Despite these noble intentions, Zélie is also headstrong and short-tempered, especially with guards who threaten or harass her, and this attitude has put her family in danger. Zélie feels as if she is never doing enough to keep her family safe. At the same time, she knows that she is part of a wider cause: the only way to end the oppression of divîners like her is to overthrow the monarchy and put power back in the hands of those who can do magic. Because of this violent past, Zélie is reasonably mistrustful of nobles like Amari and Inan, though Zélie and Amari eventually develop a deep friendship, and Zélie and Inan share a brief romance. Zélie slowly lets her guard down once she sees that other people have good intentions. Zélie is also guided by her love for her mother and the traditions of magic and faith that bind them together. Harnessing the power of all her ancestors, Zélie succeeds in restoring magic in the kingdom.
