Our Vicious Oaths Summary and Study Guide | N.E. Davenport

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Quick Facts

• Author: N.E. Davenport
• Publication Year: 2025
• Genre: Dark fantasy romance
• Setting: The Six Kingdoms of Nimani, primarily the Apollyon Court and Aether Dominion
• Narrator: Third-person limited, alternating between Kadeesha and Malachi
• Main Characters: Kadeesha Mercier, Malachizrien Diamundis, Rishaud Timmu, Yashira, Nychelle, Trystin

Short Summary

Our Vicious Oaths follows Kadeesha Mercier, the Aether archprincess and general of the Nkita squadron, who is forced into a political marriage with Rishaud Timmu, the Hyperion king, to fulfill a prophecy that she will bear a son who rules all the Six Kingdoms. On her wedding day, Rishaud betrays and massacres her court, killing her father. Malachizrien Diamundis, the Apollyon king and the stranger she spent the night with at a secret pleasure club, intervenes, severs Rishaud's arm, and takes Kadeesha as his war prize to use as bait. At the Apollyon Court, Kadeesha navigates a web of oaths, bargains, and assassination attempts while plotting revenge against both Rishaud and Malachi. As war looms, the two enemies develop a dangerous attraction, marked by blood bites that bind their magics. Kadeesha discovers she is pregnant, and the couple stages a sham marriage to sway vassal monarchs. Ultimately, they fall in love, swear binding oaths to rule together, and Kadeesha beheads Rishaud in battle, becoming high queen of the newly formed Seven Kingdoms.

Full Summary

The novel opens with a disclaimer warning readers of brutal fae politics, war, violence, forced marriage, and discussions of fertility. A map chapter follows, though no narrative content is provided. The story proper begins with Kadeesha and her Nkita squadron—an all-female warrior sisterhood riding winged serpents called kongamatos—surveilling an Apollyon camp. She attacks, kills most soldiers, and brings severed heads to her father, King Sylas, hoping to prove her worth and avoid her arranged marriage to Rishaud. Sylas refuses, insisting the marriage is necessary to fulfill a prophecy that Kadeesha will become high queen and bear a son. Rishaud arrives, proclaims the prophecy, and his touch burns her hand. The marriage contract is negotiated, with Sylas gaining trade concessions and a quadrupled dowry.

Meanwhile, Malachizrien (Malachi), the newly ascended Apollyon king, plans to assassinate the Hyperion and Aether kings at the wedding, along with their kin and nobles, as vengeance for his parents' murders. His aunt Nychelle and cousin Trystin support the plan. On the eve of her wedding, Kadeesha visits Oleander House, a secret pleasure club she owns, and propositions a mysterious stranger—Malachi in disguise. They have an intense, consensual encounter. Malachi knows her identity and intends to use her to sow chaos before killing her, but after the night, his Cadre debates her fate; he insists the plan stands.

At the wedding, Rishaud refuses Kadeesha, revealing he knows about her night at Oleander House. His soldiers massacre the Aetherfolk, and Sylas is burned to death. Kadeesha attacks Rishaud but is overpowered. Malachi and his Apollyon fae reveal themselves, and Malachi severs Rishaud's arm, forcing him to flee. Malachi offers Kadeesha a deal: she comes willingly, and he'll heal her injured sister Samira and let her sisters go free. She accepts, and they are magically bound by oath.

At the Apollyon palace in Zahare, Kadeesha negotiates terms with Malachi, Nychelle, and Trystin. She secures sanctuary for her squadron and kongamatos, and an oath that she won't harm Malachi on Apollyon soil (with a self-defense exception). Malachi presents her as his war prize at a court revel, declaring his plan to conquer the Six Kingdoms and become high king. He publicly humiliates her, but she plots revenge. Malachi faces a challenge for his throne from his cousin Cassius, which he wins brutally, executing traitorous lord primes. Kadeesha survives an assassination attempt by a Null, and they trace it to Lady Niyarre, who is allied with the Cleric's Rebellion, now led by Rishaud.

Kadeesha and Malachi's relationship intensifies as they train together and share intimate moments. They exchange blood bites, creating Markings that bind their life forces. Kadeesha discovers she is pregnant, and Malachi scents it. She plans to terminate the pregnancy, but Malachi brings her the tea and breakfast, showing unexpected tenderness. Rishaud arrives at the gates, demanding Kadeesha's surrender within a fortnight, and attacks the city with sunfire. In the aftermath, Kadeesha proposes using her pregnancy to convince vassal monarchs to defect from Rishaud, and they announce a sham marriage and pregnancy. They meet the four vassal monarchs, who pledge fealty after confirming the pregnancy. They hold a wedding ceremony atop the Yunna Mountains, where they cut each other's palms and mingle blood in an ancient rite, and Malachi crowns her.

After the wedding, they consummate their union, and Malachi confesses he loves her, offering to rule the Seven Kingdoms together. He swears a binding oath to treat all kingdoms fairly and renounce mass slaughter except to protect their child. Rishaud invades Apollyon territory with a massive army. Kadeesha and Malachi prepare for battle, evacuating civilians. In the parley, Rishaud displays the severed heads of the vassal monarchs and declares himself sole high king. The armies clash. Kadeesha kills Rishaud by beheading him with her aether sword. Malachi forces the enemy to kneel, declaring Kadeesha the new high queen. They form the Seven Kingdoms. In the epilogue, Kadeesha returns to the Aether Palace, announces Rishaud's death, the end of the Six Kingdoms, and her pregnancy with the prophesied heir. She and Malachi rule together, and the hall rises in support.

Main Characters

• Kadeesha Mercier – Aether archprincess and Nkita squadron general. She becomes Malachi's war prize, then high queen, navigating forced marriage, vengeance, and pregnancy. She is determined to reclaim her autonomy.
• Malachizrien Diamundis – Apollyon king who orchestrates the wedding massacre and takes Kadeesha as his war prize. He eventually falls in love with her and swears oaths to rule together.
• Rishaud Timmu – Hyperion king who betrays Kadeesha at their wedding, kills her father, and becomes the primary antagonist. He is beheaded by Kadeesha.
• Yashira – Kadeesha's mother, a longtime concubine of the Aether king. She advises Kadeesha, reveals political secrets, and supports her through pregnancy and war.
• Nychelle – Malachi's aunt and former queen regent. She manages court politics, negotiates bargains, and supports his reign.
• Trystin – Malachi's cousin and second in line for the throne. He uses rune magic to heal the wounded and assists in military and political strategies.

Themes

• Prophecy as a Tool of Control – The prophecy that Kadeesha will bear a son who rules all kingdoms is used by rulers to justify marriage, conquest, and subjugation.
• Bodily Autonomy and Reproductive Agency – Kadeesha's fight for control over her body and reproductive choices against dynastic politics is a central conflict.
• The Moral Cost of Vengeance – The pursuit of vengeance corrupts rulers and leads to atrocities that mirror the original crimes.
• Oaths, Bargains, and Binding Promises – Binding oaths structure every relationship, making trust a matter of magical enforcement rather than goodwill.
• Power, Rulership, and Legitimacy – The narrative contrasts governance by fear and brutality with governance by consent and partnership.

Symbols

• Markings – Blood bites exchanged between Kadeesha and Malachi that create a magical bond, symbolizing mutual vulnerability and possession.
• Kongamatos – Winged serpent war mounts bonded to the Nkita squadron, representing the Aether court's military power and the sisterhood's loyalty.
• Oleander House – A secret pleasure club owned by Kadeesha, symbolizing her hidden autonomy and a space for female agency outside court constraints.
• Crowns – Physical crowns worn by rulers, symbolizing sovereignty, legitimacy, and shifting power dynamics.

Ending Overview

The novel ends with Kadeesha beheading Rishaud in battle, after which Malachi forces the enemy armies to kneel and declares her the new high queen. They form the Seven Kingdoms, uniting the former Six Kingdoms under their co-rule. In the epilogue, Kadeesha returns to the Aether Palace, announces Rishaud's death, the end of the Six Kingdoms, and her pregnancy with the prophesied heir. Malachi affirms his role as high king and partner. The hall rises in support, and Kadeesha reflects on the work ahead and her contentment with Malachi and their son. The ending resolves the prophecy by fulfilling it through their union, and the couple's binding oaths ensure a future of partnership rather than conquest.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary