SPOILER WARNING May contain plot details |
| “ | He had never raised a hand to discipline Jude or her sisters, even when they got into big trouble. He wouldn’t hurt anyone. He just wouldn’t. | ” |
–Jude Duarte about Justin Duarte, her father, The Cruel Prince | ||
Justin Duarte was a human who lived in Faerieland for some time before returning to the mortal realm. He was the father to Taryn and Jude Duarte, step-father to Vivienne, and husband to Eva Duarte.
Physical Description[]
It was said that he looked just like his daughters, Taryn and Jude Duarte. It can be assumed he had brown hair and eyes.
Personality[]
He was an interesting person, according to Madoc. He loved his daughters, Vivi, Taryn, and Jude. He was not a violent man or a fighter. Jude describes him as someone who wouldn't hurt anyone. Justin was a strong person and was able to escape Faerieland with Eva and Vivi to the mortal realm and remain hidden from Madoc for ten years.
Biography[]
He loved swords ever since he was young. Instead of going to college after he came of age, he had an apprenticeship with a master sword-smith. From there, he got himself introduced to an assistant curator in a museum. He was able to see ancient swords up close and hone his craft. He heard about the kinds of blades that could be wrought only by the fey, so he began looking for them. Later, his skills became honed enough that he was eventually allowed into the Faerie Realm.
In the Faerie Realm he searched out Grimsen, who he had forged a knife for and wanted to know what he thought of it. Grimsen told him that if he practiced for fifty years he might make the greatest blade ever made by a mortal man. He then told him that if he practiced for a hundred years, he might craft one of the finest blades made by anyone. None of it satisfied Justin. Grimsen then offered him a bargain, saying that he would give him one of his secrets, so that Justin could learn the practice of a hundred years in a single day. But only if he would part with something he didn’t want to lose. It is unclear if Justin took the bargain or not.
He became involved with Eva, Madoc’s wife, and together they faked her death and escaped to the mortal world, where Eva gave birth to Vivienne, Taryn, and Jude. Ten years later, Madoc got news of Justin's bragging that he could "forge faerie blades" and came to their doorstep. Madoc killed him with a sword to the stomach.
He forged the sword Nightfell, which was gifted to Jude by Madoc.
Trivia[]
- Justin was of Latinx descent.[1]