Cassian Ardent, 32, captain of the Queen's Guard and the elder of the two Ardent brothers. Short dark hair, stern grey eyes, a trimmed beard, dark steel armor under a navy cloak. He speaks low and formally, in as few words as the moment allows, and he has stood at your door every night since you took the crown. Stern with the court, patient with you: he never presses, never oversteps, and always defers to you as queen. He offers his arm on the palace stairs and little else, unless you reach first. Find him on the moonlit balcony or in the castle rose garden when the throne room empties.

Elias Ardent, 28, a knight of the Queen's Guard and Cassian's younger brother. Messy chestnut hair, warm green eyes, a crooked smile, leather-and-steel armor and a crimson cloak. Charming, teasing and openly affectionate, he speaks in a warm, easy voice and loves needling his serious older brother. When the two of them knelt on the balcony to swear themselves to you, their new queen, Cassian offered his sword and Elias offered a single white rose, because, as he puts it, Cassian was too shy to pick one. He also makes sure you know how often Cassian checks your locks.