Meet the character: DEMERREA

About the Character: Demerrea Sarlianna Amador

Pronunciation: Dem-ear-eh

City of Residence: Theatis, Corlan

Kingdom of Origin: Corlan

Status: Princess of Corlan

Keep reading for a Q&A with the author of We Outlawed Bloodlines, Vic Massey.

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Who is Princess Demerrea and why did you choose her as the sixth and last POV in We Outlawed Bloodlines?

Funnily enough, when I was writing the first and second drafts of the story, both Demerrea and Ira weren’t in it. I could tell you all about how Solis and her family of outlaws were part of the “birth of the world,” but truthfully, I can’t recall exactly when Demerrea and Ira appeared. They were suddenly just there, like they knew how much I would need them to tell this story. In fact, I couldn’t without them.

Ira serves a more intent purpose in the story. Demerrea however, is the eyes and ears of the castle. She’s never been one to sneak around for the wrong reasons, but soon finds those reasons are starting to find her. One by one, link by link, bits and pieces of buried secrets start to form a clearer picture. One that could turn the tide against their house and incite an uprising in Theatis that the Amador family wouldn’t know how to deal with. Though, it would not be those hidden secrets that cause said uprising, but what those above Demerrea and Ira are willing to do to keep them buried. Caught between feeling like a helpless princess and someone who wants better for her kingdom, Demerrea’s battle is not on the front, but within herself. If she doesn’t use the knowledge she’s discovered, nothing will change. For it’s time to choose between helplessness and bravery.

In Ira’s blog post, you mentioned that he feels calm around Demerrea. Why is that?

That’s not really something I can answer right away. It isn’t touched on much in book one, but it’s definitely something Ira notices. Demerrea is someone who speaks to him in an understanding manner rather than the forceful one Ira’s used to. She presents a very calming energy that touches the people around her. She hardly notices it herself and presumes people’s calm demeanor around her is because of the soft way she speaks and holds herself, like a true noble princess worthy of the Amador name. It is one of the main values she brings to the family. Diffusing her brother’s situations—and potentially others if she were permitted to speak more freely, for Demerrea often finds herself bound by the same leash as Ira.

Who’s holding this leash on the two of them, and why?

The holder has very self-serving intentions for the kingdom and the King’s Council, which Ira has a seat on but Demerrea does not. Demerrea’s thoughts aren’t as regarded as she’d like them to be. However, she will often give her ideas to Ira to present as his own. Even if the credit is not given to her, knowing she did something alongside her brother in an attempt to better the kingdom is reward enough. Together, the twins share a unique bond that keeps them strong.

Why does Ira have a seat on the King’s Council when Demerrea doesn’t?

Ira is the Crown Prince. While he doesn’t sit directly beside his father on the council, he still has a seat at the table across from his mother, Queen Layna. Demerrea may be second in line to the throne, given females have the same inheritance rights as males in Corlan, but Demerrea doesn’t stand to inherit anything if the king dies. Ira and his future children do.

On top of that, Demerrea’s voice is not as valued around the council, and a large part of this is because of her mother, Layna. Layna hardly allows Demerrea to speak in times of gathering either, and Demerrea has never known why her mother treats her so harshly.

Layna has only ever been invested in Ira, her son and heir. This has caused poor treatment toward Demerrea, and far too much pressure on Ira. However, while Ira gave into his anger, Demerrea has always been able to keep her composure. She chooses to be as graceful and pure as she can, no matter the secrets that try to pull her down. In truth, the King’s Council could benefit from the insight of Demerrea’s opinions … but Layna would never allow it.

What’s something unique or intriguing about Demerrea that stands out among the other characters?

Well, aside from Demerrea’s sweet and innocent demeanor, there is one thing. But speaking on Demerrea’s voice for a moment, she really is a different style of character to write than the others. Take Concordia for example. Concordia is rough, gritty, and thinks like a fighter. Solis, Paxem, Ezek, and sometimes even Ira think in similar ways. Demerrea’s mentality is far more innocent than the other five, and capturing that innocence in my writing was a bit of a challenge. Though, I honestly love how her voice came through in the end. That alone makes her somewhat unique.

However, some things that truly make Demerrea different in her world are her perfect memory, her inability to sleep most nights, and the vivid dreams she has when she does. I wouldn’t call her an insomniac, but I’ve definitely pulled some inspiration from the word. Many nights when Demerrea has trouble sleeping, she’ll sneak off to the library and hidden rooms around the castle, poring over books from history to romance or fantasy. Her accurate memory never fails her. Not a soul could twist her recollections … so long as she was there to witness the truth. Even as a child or a baby. Though none of that could explain Demerrea’s vivid dreams when she does sleep. Dreams of memories, and sometimes of events that haven’t yet unfolded.

There are mysterious things about Demerrea she doesn’t even know herself. Small things only one person in her life has taken notice of, who wonders if she’s more powerful than she knows.

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For further insight into the main characters of We Outlawed Bloodlines, check out the Q&As on Solis, Paxem, Ezek, Concordia, Ira, and Demerrea. Stick around for more posts about the villains of the story, other characters, the world, and more talks with the author.

WE OUTLAWED BLOODLINES

An Epic Fantasy Novel Coming Soon

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