Varvara was the queen of Paralia, though her husband Chares died in the civil war in Thesos. She was trying to get her son Demetrius appointed as the new king with herself as queen regent.

This plan got derailed when Azizah proposed to marry her, and the charditean laws considering supernaturals stated she would not be able to take a position of leadership if she did that. After some changing of plans she agreed to marry Azizah regardless.