A Promise of Lies Summary, Characters and Themes

A Promise of Lies by Clare Sager is a dark fantasy romance that unpacks the emotional and political turmoil within a divided fae world.  At its heart, the novel centers on Bastian, a fae warrior marked by loss and loyalty, and Katherine, a human woman caught in the machinations of power-hungry courts.

Their love is challenged by captivity, betrayal, war, and deep-rooted trauma.  With magical secrets, royal conspiracies, and the constant threat of violence, the story becomes a high-stakes journey of survival and revolution. What begins as a tale of stolen freedom unfolds into a powerful transformation of individual agency and structural change.

Summary

A Promise of Lies begins with a prologue that reveals the emotional and moral complexity of its hero, Bastian.  In a harrowing confrontation with his father—once a noble figure turned traitor—Bastian is forced to kill him.

The act is both a moment of self-preservation and a revelation of love, as his father dies protecting Bastian with a magical charm.  This initial tragedy sets the tone for Bastian’s journey: one of loyalty weighed against love, where every action carries emotional consequences.

Years later, Bastian is in the throne room during an eclipse when Katherine, the woman he loves, is taken by Cyrus, the new king of Dawn Court.  Despite overwhelming fury, Bastian restrains himself, understanding that impulsive revenge would only endanger Katherine.

His grief is deepened when he realizes that his queen, Braea, handed Katherine over to their enemies.  Bastian’s magical ability to split into two bodies adds another layer of risk and secrecy—one of his bodies dies in the battle, and he must recover it before others discover the truth.

In Dawn Court, Katherine is presented as a guest, but it is clear she is a tightly controlled prisoner.  She’s given iron-laced jewelry to suppress her magic and is kept under constant surveillance.

Cyrus exerts control through psychological manipulation and performative generosity, trapping Katherine in a palace that is both gilded and suffocating.  While navigating these dangers, Katherine clings to the belief that Bastian is near, especially when she realizes her rooms mirror his.

Back in Dusk, Bastian confronts Braea for her betrayal.  Their relationship shatters completely when she refuses to express regret, prioritizing political gain over personal connection.

Bastian, crushed by this cold pragmatism, briefly unravels, but with help from his allies—including the sharp-tongued Ella—he commits to a longer game.  They strategize to diminish Katherine’s perceived value in Cyrus’s eyes by spreading false rumors, hoping to buy time and opportunity for a safer rescue.

Cyrus’s first public speech as king reveals the depths of his ambition.  Capitalizing on the public’s fear and grief following an assassination, he blames the fictional “Hydra Ascendant” and enforces laws that target shapechangers, consolidating power under the guise of security.

Bastian, in disguise, manages to counter this move subtly, asserting Dusk’s independence without sparking conflict.  Cyrus’s manipulation of both narrative and legal systems underscores his growing tyranny.

Inside the palace, Katherine begins crafting her own resistance.  A spy arranged by Bastian helps set up a secret meeting, where he proposes marriage as a political solution to bring her home.

Katherine, haunted by past abuse and suspicious of strategic intimacy, refuses.  Instead, she persuades Bastian that uncovering Cyrus’s crimes is a better route.

She stages a public break from Dusk to gain Cyrus’s trust and infiltrate his inner circle.  Her deception works: Cyrus begins granting her more access, believing she is truly loyal.

Katherine eventually finds a critical piece of evidence—a mysterious letter encouraging Cyrus’s betrayal of his father.  The note hints at a conspiracy beyond Cyrus himself, suggesting his ascent to power was orchestrated.

As she deepens her role as spy, she also learns to manipulate Cyrus’s narcissism, gaining further access while pretending to be submissive.  Her strength lies in her ability to endure, adapt, and gather intelligence.

Back in Dusk, tragedy strikes again.  Cyrus executes Kaliban, Bastian’s father, and displays the severed head at the city gates.

Bastian is broken by this brutal spectacle, but instead of retaliating, he is met with unexpected dignity: Braea orders a respectful burial, and the people mourn alongside Bastian.  This communal grief reminds him of the cost of war and the complexity of his own emotions.

He reunites with Katherine in secret, and their time together becomes a healing balm, helping them recover from past trauma through intimacy and trust.

As politics heat up, Sura, Bastian’s aunt and a rebel claimant to the throne, enters the scene.  During an invasion on the night of the Wild Hunt, her daughter Amaya—Bastian’s cousin and potential heir to both courts—is discovered.

Braea murders Sura to quash dissent, echoing her past execution of Bastian’s mother.  The shocking revelations destroy Bastian’s faith in his queen and grandmother.

He and Katherine decide to protect Amaya’s identity, seeing her as key to a new, more just future.

Cyrus’s masquerade ball becomes a climactic moment.  Dressed in grandeur and wielding authority, he publicly abuses Katherine, drawing blood in a symbolic show of possession.

Bastian nearly intervenes but is held back by his allies.  The group prepares for a coup using the evidence Katherine has uncovered, aiming to expose Cyrus and dismantle his reign.

Kat’s continued bravery in the face of constant humiliation becomes central to the movement for change.

The final confrontation arrives when Braea, presumed dead, returns to seize power.  She reveals the horrifying secret of her survival—like Bastian, she can split herself into two bodies.

In a devastating faceoff, Bastian tricks her into thinking he has chosen her side, then mortally wounds her.  But Braea strikes back, appearing to kill Bastian.

In a moment of feral grief and fierce courage, Kat pushes Braea over a balcony, killing her.  When it seems all is lost, Bastian revives through Elfhame’s ancient magic.

In the aftermath, the lovers finally begin to rebuild.  Bastian becomes ruler, but not as a traditional king.

He establishes a democratic council, sharing power with Katherine and others.  Katherine emerges as the “Kingmaker,” pushing for progressive laws and reclaiming her voice through political activism.

Their home becomes a haven, a space of beauty and safety, lovingly decorated by Katherine as a surprise for Bastian.  The bloom of a long-sought purple rose in their garden signifies the triumph of resilience and hope.

The story ends not in grandeur, but in intimacy.  Their laughter, their mutual devotion, and the simple joy of being alive mark a future built not on revenge or tradition, but on partnership and progress.

A Promise of Lies closes with the promise of a new beginning—one forged in truth, love, and the will to change the world.

Characters

Bastian

Bastian, a central figure in A Promise of Lies, emerges as a deeply conflicted fae warrior whose life is defined by trauma, loyalty, and love.  From the very beginning, Bastian’s emotional world is torn apart by the brutal reality of killing his own father, a tragic act laden with both necessity and remorse.

His father’s dying revelation—that he had used a protective charm on Bastian instead of himself—haunts him, setting the tone for Bastian’s enduring struggle with guilt and self-worth.  Years later, Bastian continues to be battered by political betrayal, romantic loss, and emotional isolation.

When Katherine is taken by Cyrus, Bastian’s anguish and fury are palpable, yet his deep understanding of the political chessboard forces him to suppress his impulses.  The added complication of his magical ability to split into two bodies becomes both an asset and a burden, emphasizing the fragmented nature of his identity.

Despite the support of allies like Ella, Bastian’s vulnerability is never far from the surface, particularly in the wake of Queen Braea’s betrayal.  However, it is in his relationship with Kat that Bastian finds true healing.

Their connection becomes a crucible through which both characters confront their deepest wounds.  His capacity for love, self-sacrifice, and resilience ultimately carries him through betrayal, grief, and political upheaval.

By the end, Bastian emerges not only as a king but as a man transformed by the trials he has endured and the love he has fought to preserve.

Katherine (Kat)

Katherine’s character arc in A Promise of Lies is one of the most poignant and powerful, tracing her evolution from a captive navigating abuse and political imprisonment to a cunning, self-possessed political actor.  Initially thrust into a gilded cage within the Dawn Court, she is subjected to manipulations that seek to undermine her will and autonomy.

The emotional scars inflicted by her abusive uncle and the oppressive tactics of Cyrus deepen her psychological burdens, yet she never yields.  Kat’s resolve crystallizes as she embraces the role of a spy, her intellect and strategic thinking rising to the forefront.

Her refusal to marry Bastian—even as a means of escape—reveals her firm grip on agency and her refusal to let trauma dictate her decisions.  Her encounters with Cyrus become a dance of performance and manipulation, allowing her to gather vital intelligence while maintaining the illusion of submission.

Her romantic bond with Bastian provides not just emotional solace but a space for empowerment, particularly in reclaiming her body and desires after years of repression and violation.  By the end of the story, Kat has transformed into the “Kingmaker,” wielding her influence to dismantle oppressive institutions and advocate for justice and equity.

Her discovery of the purple rose—symbolizing hope and transformation—perfectly encapsulates her journey from victim to visionary.

Braea

Braea, the Night Queen and Bastian’s grandmother, is one of the most chillingly complex antagonists in A Promise of Lies.  At first glance, she seems like a steely political pragmatist, making ruthless decisions—like handing over Katherine to Cyrus—in the name of strategy.

However, as the story unfolds, Braea’s actions reveal a deeper, more sinister obsession with control and legacy.  Her betrayal of her daughters, including Nyx and Sura, underscores a haunting history of maternal violence masked as political calculus.

The revelation that Braea possesses the same body-splitting magic as Bastian unveils her as a spectral embodiment of dynastic tyranny—one who quite literally cannot be killed by conventional means.  Even her supposed death proves to be a misdirection, showcasing her uncanny ability to manipulate appearances and power.

Braea’s final confrontation with Kat and Bastian is a psychological battle as much as a physical one, marked by a terrifying assertion of dominance.  Her eventual death—cast from a balcony by Kat in a burst of righteous fury—symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of a new, more just political vision.

Braea’s legacy, though dark, plays a crucial role in shaping the motivations and growth of those who resist her.

Cyrus

Cyrus, the newly crowned King of Dawn, represents the tyrannical face of power in A Promise of Lies.  Charismatic and manipulative, he uses political pageantry and public speeches to cloak his authoritarian impulses in the guise of stability and security.

From exploiting public grief to enacting draconian laws, his reign is marked by a gradual consolidation of power under the veneer of order.  His psychological manipulation of Katherine is particularly insidious, relying on charm, surveillance, and magical suppression to maintain dominance.

Cyrus’s abusive tendencies—both emotional and physical—escalate as he feels control slipping, culminating in a disturbing public display of violence at the masquerade ball.  Yet Cyrus is not simply a brute; he is also a puppet, implicated in a broader conspiracy suggested by an anonymous letter urging him to betray his father.

This revelation complicates his character, hinting at a man seduced by influence and eager to assert power in the wake of insecurity and doubt.  Ultimately, Cyrus’s descent into paranoia and cruelty signals the self-destructive nature of unchecked power and serves as a cautionary mirror to the more redemptive paths taken by Bastian and Kat.

Ella

Ella, a trusted ally to Bastian and Katherine, is a force of razor-sharp intellect and emotional clarity in A Promise of Lies.  Though not given as much narrative space as the protagonists, Ella’s role is critical in shaping the resistance strategy.

Her unflinching honesty provides a moral compass for Bastian, especially when he teeters on the edge of emotional collapse.  When Bastian is consumed by rage or despair, Ella intervenes with both pragmatism and compassion, reminding him of the bigger picture.

Her strategic mind is evident in the orchestration of public performances, such as the staged falling out between Kat and Bastian, which is instrumental in advancing their undercover operations.  Ella embodies the necessity of detached clarity in a world overwhelmed by emotional stakes.

Her loyalty is unwavering, not born of blind devotion but of shared purpose and a commitment to justice.  Through Ella, the narrative affirms that strength also lies in intellect, loyalty, and emotional resilience.

Amaya

Amaya, the hidden daughter of Sura and a child of both Dawn and Dusk bloodlines, represents potential, innocence, and the fragile hope for a different future in A Promise of Lies.  Her sudden introduction into the narrative complicates the already volatile political landscape, as she carries legitimate claims to both thrones.

Amaya’s fear during the Wild Hunt and her trust in Kat and Bastian reveal her vulnerability, while her lineage makes her a living symbol of possible unity.  By rescuing and concealing her, Kat and Bastian not only save a life but protect a future that might escape the violent cycles of betrayal and vengeance that have defined their own lives.

Amaya’s presence serves as a moral and emotional anchor, particularly for Bastian, who finds in her the opportunity to protect what he couldn’t save in the past.

Kaliban

Kaliban, Bastian’s father, appears only briefly in A Promise of Lies, but his influence reverberates throughout the entire narrative.  His death at Bastian’s hands—an act compelled by duty—leaves behind a legacy of love, guilt, and tragedy.

Kaliban’s choice to protect Bastian instead of himself with a magical charm is a powerful testament to paternal sacrifice, setting the emotional foundation for Bastian’s inner turmoil.  His posthumous presence, particularly in the form of public desecration by Cyrus and the somber mourning rites led by Braea, continues to shape Bastian’s psychological arc.

Kaliban becomes a figure of reverence and heartbreak, symbolizing the often unbearable costs of war, loyalty, and political betrayal.  His story serves as both a cautionary tale and a point of emotional grounding for Bastian as he grows into leadership.

Sura

Sura, Bastian’s aunt and a rebellious claimant to the throne, brings a disruptive energy to A Promise of Lies, challenging the stagnant and violent dynasties of both Dawn and Dusk.  Her infiltration of the palace and her attempt to protect her daughter Amaya reveal a complex mixture of maternal instinct, ambition, and political desperation.

Her tragic death at the hands of Braea cements her as a martyr in the eyes of the resistance.  Sura’s legacy, like Kaliban’s, becomes a catalyst for transformation, revealing the lengths to which the old guard will go to maintain control and the need for a new political order.

Themes

Love and Agency Under Oppression

Kat’s journey through the courts of power in A Promise of Lies is marked by a gradual, hard-earned reclamation of agency in a world that consistently seeks to deny her autonomy.  Her relationship with Bastian is not simply a love story—it becomes a site of resistance, transformation, and healing.

Kat is introduced as a character surviving in captivity, under the scrutiny of a manipulative regime that treats her body as both a symbol and a weapon.  Her uncle’s abuse, Cyrus’s control, and the binding iron bracelet all signify layers of oppression that silence and restrict her.

However, her romance with Bastian slowly becomes a space where she regains the ability to make choices—not out of compulsion, but desire.  The intimacy between them, especially scenes where Kat asserts her physical and emotional needs, positions her not as a victim of desire but as its architect.

She chooses when and how to be vulnerable, especially in the aftermath of trauma.  The sensuality they share is written not as escapism but as a confrontation with pain and a reassertion of worth.

Their love, instead of softening the story, becomes a mirror to Kat’s internal rebellion and gradual empowerment.  By the end, Kat is no longer just a woman in love—she is a leader and a force of political change, capable of shaping laws and dismantling systems that once used her.

Her love story does not rescue her; it reflects her evolution into someone who has learned to define freedom on her own terms.

Power, Legitimacy, and Resistance

The question of who deserves to rule—and by what means—is central to the emotional and political architecture of A Promise of Lies.  Cyrus, the newly crowned monarch of Dawn, represents the traditional consolidation of power through fear, performance, and manipulation.

His propaganda around Hydra Ascendant and his legislative overreach reflect how public fear can be weaponized to justify authoritarianism.  His parading of Kat, his persecution of shapechangers, and his iron-wrought gifts show a ruler obsessed not with justice, but control.

In contrast, Bastian emerges as an alternative model of leadership—haunted by lineage and loyalty but increasingly aware of the moral compromises power demands.  His grief over Kaliban’s execution, and later his devastation at Braea’s betrayal, reveal a man forced to confront the rot at the core of inherited rule.

By the time he ascends the throne, his decision to establish a democratic council signals a seismic shift in the political order, challenging the foundational belief that magic or bloodline alone confers the right to rule.  Resistance, in this world, takes many forms—from Kat’s strategic espionage to Ella’s honesty to Sura’s fatal ambition—but all of them point to a growing awareness that power without justice becomes tyranny.

The legitimacy of leadership in this narrative does not rest in titles, but in the willingness to share power, question tradition, and protect the vulnerable.

Grief as a Catalyst for Transformation

Grief is not a passive undercurrent in A Promise of Lies; it is a crucible through which both Kat and Bastian are transformed.  Bastian’s story is framed by the deaths of his father, mother, and eventually the apparent loss of himself.

Kaliban’s death is particularly haunting—not merely for its brutality but for the way it forces Bastian to confront his father’s love and sacrifice, withheld until the final moment.  The funeral rites, the community’s mourning, and Bastian’s breaking point in song illustrate how grief can momentarily suspend the machinery of war and power.

Similarly, Kat’s grief is multifaceted: she mourns a stolen childhood, lost autonomy, and the psychological toll of enduring as a political pawn.  Even within the intimate spaces she shares with Bastian, her grief surfaces—not as weakness, but as a mark of endurance.

The story treats grief not as a hurdle to be overcome but as a companion to love and agency.  It informs every decision, every sacrifice, and ultimately every transformation.

In the moment when Kat physically kills Braea, it is grief—not vengeance—that fuels her strength.  It is grief that propels both lovers toward a vision of a world that could be kinder, freer, and less haunted by the past.

The narrative’s recognition of grief as an active force adds emotional depth to the plot, anchoring the fantastical stakes in profoundly human experience.

The Politics of Deception and Performance

Deception is both a shield and a weapon throughout A Promise of Lies, and nearly every character is engaged in some form of performance—whether for survival, rebellion, or ambition.  Kat’s role in Dawn Court becomes one long act of strategic submission.

She feigns weakness, loyalty, and fragility in front of Cyrus not to gain favor, but to gain time and access.  Her calculated public falling out with Dusk, her manipulations of Cyrus’s ego, and her espionage in his office all depend on her mastery of appearances.

Similarly, Bastian’s use of magical duplication allows him to maintain his own deception, not just for strategic advantage but as a means to preserve secrecy and protect those he loves.  Even Braea, presumed dead, returns as a master manipulator whose own political performance stretches across lifetimes.

The courts themselves are theatrical—masquerade balls, public executions, and royal speeches function more as tools of propaganda than governance.  What the story underscores is that in a world governed by perception, survival demands not just courage but performance.

And yet, the most powerful performances are those that eventually give way to truth.  When Kat and Bastian drop their masks in moments of intimacy or defiance, the resulting honesty becomes revolutionary.

Deception is shown not as inherently corrupt, but as a necessary adaptation in a world that punishes sincerity.  The question the story continually asks is not whether one must lie to survive—but what truths are worth risking exposure for.

Identity, Inheritance, and Reclamation

Bastian and Kat both wrestle with questions of who they are versus who they are expected to be, and this tension animates much of A Promise of Lies.  Bastian’s struggle is rooted in lineage—he is the heir to a powerful bloodline, capable of splitting himself and bound to a queen whose rule he once upheld.

Yet he is repeatedly confronted by the failures and betrayals of those who shaped him.  His father’s final sacrifice, his mother’s hidden past, and Braea’s treacherous actions force him to question whether inheritance is a legacy or a burden.

The revelation that Braea executed her own children fractures the myth of noble lineage and propels Bastian toward a redefinition of self—one that is chosen rather than inherited.  Kat, meanwhile, reclaims her identity not through blood but through resistance.

Once used, silenced, and objectified, she crafts a new self as a political force, a lover, and a visionary.  The name “Kingmaker” is more than a title—it is a reclamation of her right to shape the world that once tried to shape her.

Both characters’ arcs challenge the deterministic logic of destiny, asserting that true identity is forged through action, love, and conviction—not simply ancestry.  Their eventual union is not just romantic but ideological: a partnership that reimagines what it means to rule, to belong, and to be whole.

Their journey affirms that identity is not static—it is something that must be wrestled from the wreckage of what others expect.