Serefin Meleski

**Serefin Meleski** (pronounced: *Sereh-fin Mel-ES-kee*) is the High Prince of Tranavia.

## Biography

### Early Life

Serefin grew up in the palace in Grazyk. He saw very little of his parents growing up. His childhood was spent with tutors and servants. His parents were figureheads who would move in and out of his life with little permanence. He was friends with his half-brother, who he believed was his cousin, Malachiasz Czechowicz. In a flashback it is revealed that Serefin never really wanted his power, and was scared of the Vultures. When Malachiasz would perform magic, he would want to leave. But they were close as brothers, until Malachiasz was taken away.

Serefin is one of the most powerful blood mages in Tranavia. He was made a general six months after coming to the war front when he was sixteen. He used the war to fuel his grasp of blood magic. He has spent the last three years at the front, with only the occasional leave to return home. For the last five months, at his father's instruction, he has charged his company of soldiers with looking for evidence of Kalyazi magic. He is known for his ability to get information from his captives, usually through torture. His guards and best friends are Ostyia Rabalska and Kacper Neiborski.

### Blessed Monsters

In the end, Serefin returns to Tranavia to retake his throne from Ruminski, with the support of Zaneta. When he can, he helps Malachiasz with understanding the new magic in Tranavia. Ostyia returns with him as his general, and Kacper returns as his consort.

## Physical Description

Serefin has eyes that are very pale blue, like ice. He has terrible vision, especially at night. He is tall with brown hair and pale skin. Serefin has a vicious scar slashed over his left eye. It starts at his temple and ends just at his nose.

## Personality

Serefin is an alcoholic as a result of his teenage years spent at the war front. He makes snide comments and has no interest in being king. He believes he never will be king because he will be killed before it can happen. He is exhausted by the century-long war between the two countries. Due to his upbringing and the treatment of his father, Serefin has developed a healthy sense of paranoia. He’s sad on the inside but tries to be positive and happy on the outside. He is a ruthless general and strategist. He knows he will have to stop his father, or his father will kill him. Serefin struggles with his self-esteem due to his father’s constant bullying. He has spent his whole life feeling starved for attention and affection. Serefin’s drinking problem is his way of coping with what he has seen at the front. He is sweet and loyal once he trusts people. Serefin worries about everything and suffers from anxiety.

## Trivia

* Serefin had a pet cat growing up named Piotr. His father hated the cat because he was a "stable cat with an attitude." But Serefin kept bringing him into the palace to dismay of everyone around him.

## Relationships

### Nadya Lapteva

Nadya met Serefin for the first time in the monastery when the Kalyazi had been attacked. She felt really intimidated by him as he was said to be a powerful blood mage. After she managed to escape him, he cast a linking spell between them to track her. Since the link was broken, he left for Tranavia. They met once again in Grazyk for the *Rawalyk* and Nadya was disguised as Jozefina, he was immediatey aware of her after she won the duel against Felicja. After Nadya was captured by the Vultures in the library, he went to check up on her in Pelageya's room and learnt that she meant to murder his father. Together, they worked alongside Malachiasz and concocted a plan. When Nadya believes that Malachiasz had murdered Serefin, she mourns him and is delighted when he is resurrected. After Malachiasz disappears and Serefin learns about her true identity, they are still willing to befriend each other. They have a complicated relationship. They both admit to not liking each other, but they still care about one another. When they are reunited in Komyazalov, they immediately hug. They understand why the other hates and distrusts them. Eventually they do become friends.

### Katya Vodyanova

Everyone expects Serefin and Katya to hate each other, as they are both future rulers of their countries which are at war with each other. However, they are actually fond of each other, but their relationship is complicated. Serefin does find Katya to be bossy and irreverent though. They both agree that the war is bad for both countries and needs to end. They also understand the truth about the fallen gods and that they pose a much bigger threat. Serefin doesn't trust her and she doesn't fully trust him because of who and what he is.

### Izak Meleski

Everyone knows Serefin and his father have a strained relationship at best. Serefin doesn't know if the rift between them is due to fear, distaste, or the reality of sending Serefin away to war at such a young age. Serefin used to be desperate for his father's approval, but now he knows his father doesn't care about him and he will never win his father's love. Serefin never understood why he had been shoved aside to fight in war. Izak tries to gloss over it, but the truth is that Serefin is a talented blood mage and Izak is not. Serefin is also too opinionated and powerful, and is thus a threat to Izak's sovereignty.

## Gallery

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