Serpent & Dove

Content Warning: This section contains references to self-inflicted bodily harm, witch burning, rape, and violence.

Louise, who goes by Lou and a host of other pseudonyms, is the protagonist. Lou had a privileged upbringing in Chateau le Blanc, initially unaware that her mother planned to slash her throat on her 16th birthday, sacrificing her life to end the king’s line. Lou, determined to live, trades her spiritual connection to the Dames Blanches for her physical life and escapes to the city of Cesarine, but her mother’s actions leave Lou with a visible scar and trust issues.

To survive while hiding from her mother and coven, Lou works as a thief and doesn’t use magic until it’s absolutely necessary. She keeps many of her feelings—as well as her true identity—to herself. She deflects questions by changing the subject and is quick to undercut interest in her with a sarcastic quip. If this fails, she will lie. She tries to enjoy the simple things like cinnamon buns, a frivolous relationship with Bas, and her friendship with Coco. Although Lou has suffered a great deal of trauma, she is grateful to be alive and seems to find the world at large miraculous (if not safe).