In the Court of Night, Ellara, a blood servant, angers Princess Seraphina after spilling blood wine at a banquet and pointing out silver dust along the rim of the goblet. Duke Cassian breaks a nobleman’s wrist on her behalf and proclaims her under the protection of his blood oath. Ellara’s blood drives vampires into frenzy, and she begs Cassian not to draw near. She learns the brand on her shoulder is a royal sigil seared away with silver by Mara.
When Queen Olia gives birth on the Blood Moon Night, Mara abducts the infant bearing golden royal lineage and swaps her with Seraphina. The true princess Ellara is left to grow up among the blood servants. Ellara uncovers the truth by deciphering ancient blood script. Meanwhile, Seraphina slowly poisons the queen with black rose oil and silver ash toxin, framing Ellara as a spy for the vampire hunters.
To shield her two daughters, Mara takes her own life in the dungeons, leaving behind a bracelet and a memory crystal proving Ellara is the rightful Daywalker heir to the throne.
At the engagement ceremony, Ellara passes the Trial of Sunlight, revealing her royal solar runes. Cassian forges an equal blood bond with her. Seraphina is exposed in public as she attempts to poison the queen once more, and Regent Dorian stands accused of falsifying blood lineage records.
Ellara ultimately abolishes mandatory blood servant pacts and proclaims the right to freedom. Seraphina is stripped of her titles to await trial. Ellara places the crown upo
