Trystin in Our Vicious Oaths: Healer, Strategist, and Second in Line
Overview: The Grand Duke Behind the Throne
Trystin is the grand duke of the Apollyon Court, cousin to King Malachizrien—known throughout the novel as Malachi—and second in line for the throne. He is the son of Nychelle, the queen mother who helped raise Malachi after his parents' assassination, making Trystin both a blood relative and a political pillar of the ruling family. His defining skill is rune magic: he draws elaborate markings that blaze crimson as he works, using them for protection, teleportation, and healing. Where Malachi wields raw void magic with devastating force, Trystin's power is precise, deliberate, and rooted in ancient craft.
He is also, notably, the court's voice of restraint—the one who reminds even the king when ancient laws cannot be broken, and the one who steps in to heal the wounded when catastrophe strikes.
Plot Role: The Steady Hand in Every Crisis
Trystin appears at nearly every major turning point of the novel, usually in a supporting capacity that shapes the outcome. He is present when Malachi first reveals his plan to assassinate the Hyperion and Aether kings, and he is the one who warns of retaliation from the other four courts—a caution that proves prescient. He stands in the throne room when Kadeesha arrives at the Apollyon palace, and he announces the infamous Moonlit Revelry that becomes a turning point in Kadeesha and Malachi's relationship.
His most consequential actions come during moments of crisis. When Cassius formally challenges Malachi for the throne, Trystin shields his cousin with a protective rune, preventing Malachi from committing a politically disastrous murder. When the palace gates explode and Samira is buried under stone, Trystin is the one who heals her with rune markings, saving her life when Malachi is occupied with his own wounded friend. When Rishaud attacks the market square with sunfire, Malachi orders Trystin to conjure rain to stop the blaze. And in the final preparations for war, Malachi instructs Trystin to assume the Apollyon throne if he and Kadeesha fall in battle.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
Trystin's actions reveal a consistent set of motivations. He is deeply loyal to Malachi and to the stability of the Apollyon Court. When he warns of retaliation from the other courts, he is not opposing Malachi's plan—he is trying to make it more survivable. When he shields Cassius, he explains that killing a formally declared challenger would violate ancient laws and make Malachi look weak. His concern is not abstract justice but the practical preservation of the throne.
He is also more affable than his cousin. The evidence shows Trystin deliberately rankling Malachi, a dynamic that suggests a comfortable, teasing relationship between the cousins. At the Moonlit Revelry, he is seen with a male companion, drinking spiced cognac and announcing the debauched gathering with evident enthusiasm. He is comfortable in the court's pleasures, but he is also capable of grim work: he helps coordinate the interrogation of Lady Niyarre's daughter and supports the inquisition against the Cleric's Rebellion.
His rune work reveals a methodical, patient temperament. When he heals Samira, he works silently and meticulously, forehead creased in concentration, drawing symbols around her head and along her body before collapsing from exhaustion. He is honest about his limits—he admits that even he has limits to what he can achieve—but he does not refuse to try.
Chronological Arc: From Advisor to Successor
Trystin's arc is one of steady, behind-the-scenes influence rather than dramatic transformation. Early in the novel, he is part of the inner circle that discusses Malachi's assassination plan, offering strategic warnings. When Kadeesha arrives at the palace, he is present for the negotiations that establish the terms of her stay. He announces the Moonlit Revelry, participating in the court's excesses while also serving as a witness to the escalating dynamic between Kadeesha and Malachi.
When Cassius challenges Malachi, Trystin's role becomes more active. He physically intervenes to prevent Malachi from killing Cassius in his private quarters, then teleports the challenger back to the throne room. This moment establishes Trystin as the one who enforces the ancient laws that even the king must respect.
The palace explosion marks a turning point. Trystin's healing of Samira is his most significant act of the novel, and it deepens his connection to Kadeesha's circle. From this point forward, he is increasingly involved in the war planning. He contributes to the strategy of using Kadeesha's pregnancy to sway the vassal monarchs, and he is present when Rishaud arrives at the gates. In the final chapters, he is entrusted with the succession itself: if Malachi and Kadeesha fall, Trystin will take the throne.
Relationships
Malachi: Trystin is Malachi's cousin and closest male relative. Their relationship is marked by teasing and mutual respect. Trystin is willing to challenge Malachi's impulses—he warns of retaliation, he blocks the killing of Cassius, and he makes dry comments about Malachi's brutality—but he never questions Malachi's right to rule. He is the voice of restraint that Malachi sometimes needs.
Nychelle: Trystin calls Nychelle