"When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten by time. I have amassed enough money in my miserable life to not need any more - so you will understand me clearly when I say that wherever you set your throne, no matter how long it takes, I will come to you, and I will bring music and dancing." - Madam Florine to Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, Queen of Shadows, page 141
Madam Florine is an esteemed dance teacher and a retired dancer. Prior to Celaena's capture and sentencing to Endovier, Florine served as her dance instructor. In Queen of Shadows, she helps Aelin infiltrate the glass castle to rescue Aedion at Dorian's birthday party, after which she and many of her dancers fled Rifthold.
Appearance
Florine is described as ageing but beautiful, with chestnut hair, hazel eyes, and thin lips. Her movements are very graceful.
Character
Florine is very strict, earning her the nickname "Instructor Overlord" from Aelin. However, she is a very talented dancer and teacher, and her stringency yields great results in both her own dancing and that of her students.
Despite Florine's sharp tongue and blunt manner of speech, she is generous and kind. Deeply loyal and courageous, Florine does not abandon her morals or forget her friends, and she is willing to risk her own safety - and that of her students - in order to do what she believes is right.
Biography
The Assassin's Blade
Florine is briefly mentioned as Celaena's dance instructor. She is aware of Celaena's financial circumstances and benevolently allows her not only to continue taking lessons for free, but also to stay in the studio after lessons and use the pianoforte to practice.
Queen of Shadows
Florine plays an essential role in Aelin's rescue of Aedion Ashryver, whom the King of Adarlan will have executed at Dorian Havilliard's twentieth birthday party. Arobynn acts as a liaison between Florine and Aelin, as Aelin does not wish to risk arousing suspicion by being seen with Florine. Likewise, Florine does not pack in order to circumvent suspicion, planning to flee only with what she can carry to the performance.
Aelin disguises herself as an understudy in Florine's dance troupe, who will perform the "Handmaidens of Death" dance from a popular symphony for Dorian's birthday party. Florine has uniformly altered the costumes by raising the bodice's open back to cover Aelin's scars and by adjusting the costumes to accommodate Aelin's weapons and supplies. The dancers all wear heavy cosmetics and body paint, which further serve to disguise Aelin.
Aelin casually begins a conversation with her to ensure that every element of the plan is clear and in place. Florine eyes Aelin's scars and begins to avow that she had nothing to do with Aelin's capture, but Aelin cuts her off and assures her that if she had, she would be dead by now. When Florine expresses surprise that Aelin is trusting her, Aelin remarks that she believes Florine likes money more than she likes the king, and that she and Florine share outrage over the closure of the Royal Theatre and the execution of Pytor and his musicians.
As they wait to get inside the glass castle, Aelin recalls the kindness Florine displayed towards her after she left the Assassins' Keep. Aelin asks if Florine remembers the preparations for escape laid out by Arobynn - a ship, hired by Arobynn, will be waiting for Florine and any of the dancers who wish to flee with her - to which Florine affirms that she has.
When Aelin makes a scene to obtain water so she can wash away the Wyrdmarks, Florine plays along, demanding water from the guard (one of the guards who is privy to the plan) and scolding Aelin for crying and ruining her makeup.
Upon entering the glass castle, Florine lectures her dancers before giving them each a black glass flower filled with reactive powder. She then quietly tells Aelin that she will find her to bring music and dancing to the newly rebuilt Terrasen before dismissing the dancers to their performance.