# Maia — Wet Magic character guide

> Maia in Wet Magic by E. Nesbit.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Princess Maia, the Princess Maia

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-the-rescue

## Snapshot

A captured mermaid princess whose haughty calm under the Mer-king's questioning turns a rescued stranger into the children's fierce, unyielding ally.

## Who they are

Maia is the royal Mer-woman the children haul out of a barrow and back to the sea, and she repays them by treating their world as a curiosity worth studying. Brought before the King and Queen, she refuses to betray the fighting strength of Merland, answering questions with a princess's disdain even as the cup of forgetfulness is poured. Her composure under threat models the courage the children will need, and her presence binds them to a war beneath the waves they never asked to join.

## Relationships

### [Ulfin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/ulfin)

_romantic_

Maia and Ulfin are likely lovers or romantic partners, given their high interaction count and pairing.

### [Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/bernard)

_friendship_

Bernard and Maia are friends or allies, with a positive and cooperative dynamic.

### [Mavis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/mavis)

_friendship_

Maia and Mavis are close friends or sisters, sharing a warm and supportive bond.

### [Kathleen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/kathleen)

_friendship_

Kathleen and Maia are friends or companions, sharing a positive and cooperative bond.

### [Reuben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/reuben)

_friendship_

Maia and Reuben are friends or companions, with a warm and supportive bond.

### [Princess Freia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/princess_freia)

_friendship_

Maia and Princess Freia are friends or allies, with a positive and supportive bond.

### [Francis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/francis)

_friendship_

Francis and Maia are friends or companions, with a warm and cooperative dynamic.

### [Ulfin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/ulfin)

_romantic_

Maia and Ulfin are likely lovers or romantic partners, given their high interaction count and pairing.

### [Ulfin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/ulfin)

_romantic_

Maia and Ulfin are likely lovers or romantic partners, given their high interaction count and pairing.

### [Reuben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/reuben)

_friendship_

Maia and Reuben are friends or companions, with a warm and supportive bond.

### [Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/bernard)

_friendship_

Bernard and Maia are friends or allies, with a positive and cooperative dynamic.

### [Mavis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/mavis)

_friendship_

Maia and Mavis are close friends or sisters, sharing a warm and supportive bond.

## In the story

### [Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/chapters/iv-gratitude)

The rescued Mermaid; impatient and demanding, she complains about being dry and insists on being taken to the sea; shows favoritism toward the Spangled Boy, calling him a hero; ungrateful to Mavis and Francis; finally returns to the sea with a splash.

### [VII: The Skies Are Falling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/chapters/vii-the-skies-are-falling)

The Mermaid Princess who rescued the children, leads them through the realm, and later commands troops against the Under Folk.

### [VIII: The Water-War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/chapters/viii-the-water-war)

Princess Maia leads the defense of Merland, commands the troops, and devises battle strategies with Reuben's help.

### [The Under Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/chapters/x-the-under-folk)

The Mer Princess; remains calm and refuses to betray her country; realizes the captive king is her father.

### [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/chapters/xii-the-end)

Obligingly makes room for Ulfin at the banquet; expresses surprise at the Under Folk's true appearance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters/maia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wet_magic_se/characters