Rufus Tarus is a Moroi royal and the cousin of Daniella Ivashkov. He might be a brother or cousin of Damon Tarus and a son or nephew of Reece Tarus. He is one of the monarch candidates after Tatiana's death. Rufus, Marie Conta and Lissa are the only candidates who pass all the monarch tests. Adrian states that he doesn't like Rufus because he is telling him to do something useful with his life.