#cesere

"They played me in their games. They freed me from my cell only to place me on the throne. They took me from you all, sent you away as a spare just in case they played me into my grave," I am unable to meet my brother's gaze, finding the bitter pall of shame and fear to potent for me to cross that final line. "There were times where I wanted to run, to escape them and vanish into thin air. You cannot know how many times I prayed for some way that they would leave me out of their plotting. But I never ran nor did I take the chances I might have done. I stayed. I let them mould me into whatever shape best pleased them, dancing to their tune. I have been a prisoner since Father died."

Cesere's eyes are on my face, tracing the jagged emotions etched in every line of my face. The arrogance slips from his eyes like tears, slow as an ancient river turning about a meander. Some defiance remains in the contours of his jaw, sharp as a knife. "Then why do it? Why didn't you leave when you could?"

"They would have come for you next. They would have taken you from Mother and did it to you. They would have put crown on your head and set you on a horse while armies fought in your name, to save a crown that held other men's ambitions, their greed. They would have torn you apart and left you hollow as a shell. But as for me," the attempted smile on my face must be grotesque or at unsettling for he flinches. "I was already dead to begin with."

-excerpt from Tris 12, Book 5 of The Thirteen Kingdoms series

Family of TTK~ Tris's siblings

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Arabella: Arabella is the eldest of the siblings, the most beautiful of them all. She is a kind sister, constantly ensuring that her family is kept safe. She is less grounded than Tris is, more interested in the glamour and lure of the court. She is his favourite sibling.

Tris: Tris is the PoV character for the Spaere-based plotlines of the novels. Tris is the second child and elder son of the family, the grounded one in a family of wealth and privilege.

Cesere: Cesere is the middle child of the family, the odd one out. He spent his early years at home but as a young child he was warded with the Duke of Vere. Cesere is the complete opposite of Tris, eager to bask in the rewards of court life and follow his ambition. He is also taller than his elder brother which pisses Tris off.

Nyria: Nyria is the pet of the family, a rather serious and cynical young girl. She acts as Tris's most reliable counsellor at court, the glue that binds the family. Despite being outgoing and fiery, she is the peacemaker, ensuring that her siblings don't actually kill one another.

Jace: Jace is the youngest sibling, sent to live with the faith at a young age. He is a rather jovial character, less serious than his siblings. He calls in on his family from time to time to drink their wine, offer sage advice and add a sarcastic view on everything that befalls him. Jace is a fully trained priest but he is a stone cold atheist.

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Side Characters of TTK ~ Cesere

"My brother is all glitter and shimmer," I explain to her. "Oh, sure it's pleasing to look at him wearing all those medals and jewels but there isn't much going on underneath."

"You don't sparkle at all, brother. And for all the brains you claim to have, nobody wants to look at you." Cesere fires back with a smirk.