The Kindred's Curse Saga, #2
Glow of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
During the final House Reception with Ghislaine, Aemonn publicly harasses Diem, and she subdues him. Afterward, Remis reveals he has stripped Luther of all titles and granted them to Aemonn, consolidating control before the Challenging. Eleanor defies her uncles and is threatened with expulsion, deepening the Corbois family rift.
Summary
Diem approaches the final House Reception with Ghislaine anxious about the looming Challenging. In the antechamber, Aemonn blocks her, grabs her arm, and implies leverage. Taran intervenes, but at Diem’s request releases Aemonn; Diem then locks and twists Aemonn’s arm, warning him never to touch her again as guests enter.
Through an uneasy, perfunctory meeting with Ghislaine, Diem worries over Luther’s unexplained absence while Remis pointedly avoids addressing it. The reception ends without conflict, and Diem immediately confronts Remis.
Remis announces Luther will not attend because he has stripped Luther of his Council seat and titles, claiming authority until Diem’s coronation. Aemonn steps forward as the new High General and Keeper of the Laws, threatening Taran and Alixe with punitive assignments.
Diem warns Remis that in two days either she will be coronated or Luther will be king, making them his enemies. Garath needles Diem about the fates of those close to her, then smugly ushers his kin away. Eleanor boldly rebukes her uncles’ cruelty; Garath retaliates by ordering her belongings removed and banishing her among the Unhoused.
Taran comforts Eleanor and vows Diem will win the Challenging. Garath counters that much can change in two days, leaving the rift within House Corbois widened and the stakes escalated before the succession trial.
Who Appears
- DiemProtagonist; endures Aemonn’s harassment, physically rebukes him, and confronts Remis over stripping Luther’s titles.
- Remis CorboisPatriarch; excludes Luther, strips his titles, installs Aemonn, and blames Diem for dividing the family.
- Aemonn CorboisScheming courtier; grabs Diem, is restrained by her, then receives High General and Keeper of the Laws.
- Taran CorboisDiem’s ally; intervenes against Aemonn, stands by Diem and Eleanor, and vows victory in the Challenging.
- Eleanor CorboisDiem’s blood-bonded ally; defies her uncles and is threatened with expulsion to the Unhoused.
- Garath CorboisRemis’s brother; taunts Diem about losses and orders Eleanor’s removal from the palace.
- Alixe CorboisObserver on the Council; anxious, targeted by Aemonn’s assignment threats alongside Taran.
- House Ghislaine delegatesWealthy visiting House; conduct a polite, uneventful final reception that masks the Corbois power shift.