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(A novel by Alexiane de Lys) For a hundred years, Tavéar and Finéar have waged a merciless war. On one side, dukes capable of unleashing the elements with their emotions (the Tavéarites). On the other, the Soulless, deprived of all power (the Finéarites). They are, however, far from being devoid of emotion. They possess dragons, to whom they bond to bring prosperity and fertility to their lands. (There are 3 breeds of dragons: Siëlk, large, impulsive, and powerful (very common); Rarhk, cunning, swift, and slender (rarer); and Choivpa, gigantic, incredibly powerful, and rare (only 4 exist in the world).) Part of the population belongs to the Impassible caste, which includes never showing any facial expression, feeling, or emotion, as dragons are easily angered by this. Another caste, the Ordinary, allows the Finéarites to live and express their emotions as they see fit, but they cannot have a kio'éli (that is, a dragon to whom they bond). Guest has always been the Outcast of his family. The eldest of her siblings, she has a twin brother, Aydan, an Impassible who ascended the throne in her place; a younger sister, Yna, a fearless and rebellious 12-year-old girl, already perfectly Impassible, who hates Guest like the plague; and another brother, Joakim, a recluse who spends his time sleeping with his servants, drinking, and doing drugs (but who nevertheless adores Yna). She failed Elgaïra, the ceremony to choose a kio'éli, and is unable to hide her emotions like other Impassible. Many despise her, but her solar, calm, sensitive, and profoundly kind nature gives her an image of a wise and pure girl, in addition to her striking beauty. She is deeply in love with Ismaëll (whom she always call "Sir Arxor"), her bodyguard, but he seems to hate her in return. She finds it hard to bear.