The Kindred's Curse Saga, #2
Glow of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
Shaken by Aemonn’s rise and Eleanor’s looming expulsion, Diem learns Aemonn secretly allies with Iléana while Luther lobbies Houses in Lumnos City. The compass leads her to her burned home, where she finds Luther’s sword and breaks down. Teller’s tough love rekindles her resolve. That night, the Orb of Answering reveals Auralie—and Diem’s birth father—are alive, sharpening Diem’s stakes before the Challenging.
Summary
Diem storms to her chambers with Alixe, Taran, and Eleanor after Remis elevates Aemonn. Alixe warns Aemonn can sideline her and pull loyal guards, and reveals Aemonn would likely choose Iléana as second. Diem learns Aemonn and Iléana are close, that Aemonn staged the cousin’s dinner to divide her from Luther, and that Luther is in Lumnos City trying to dissuade Houses from Challenging her. The pressure of the two-day deadline erupts; Diem snaps, retreats, and spirals.
Seeking clarity, Diem uses Meros’s compass. Expecting it to point to Henri, she instead feels a pull toward Coeurîle before Sorae lands at the ruins of her family home. There, the onyx crust has vanished and Luther’s Sword of Corbois stands planted by the crater. Concluding Luther left it intentionally, Diem crosses the scarred ground; the compass flares as she realizes her deepest desire is the impossible return of her family and childhood. She collapses, mourning her failures and the consequences others may face.
Teller arrives with Alixe and an irate Taran in the distance. Teller challenges Diem’s defeatism, invokes Andrei’s creed—survive first, mind consequences later—and reminds her of her own ferocity and purpose. Through shared grief, humor, and hard truths, Diem reclaims her will: she will fight the Challenging for those she protects. She pockets soil from the site, carrying her home forward.
Later, on her balcony with Sorae, Diem consults the Orb of Answering at last. Her first question—whether Auralie lives—returns yes, flooding her with hope and a plan to find her after the Challenging. On impulse, she asks about her birth father; the Orb answers yes again, a shocking revelation that deepens personal stakes on the eve of the fight.
Who Appears
- Diem BellatorCrumples under mounting pressure, follows the compass to her home’s ruins, finds Luther’s sword, regains resolve after Teller’s counsel, and learns both her mother and birth father are alive.
- Teller BellatorConfronts Diem at the ruins, delivering tough love that reignites her fighting spirit; recalls Andrei’s lessons about survival.
- AlixeWarns Aemonn can remove her as Vice General and reveals his closeness to Iléana; helps protect Diem’s circle until the Challenging.
- TaranFurious at Aemonn’s treachery; vows to resign rather than serve unjust orders; stands guard while Teller speaks to Diem.
- EleanorReels from likely expulsion from House Corbois; moves into Diem’s suite for safety before the Challenging.
- LilySupports Eleanor during the upheaval; present during the strategy discussion.
- SoraeGryvern bonded to Diem; guides her flight to the ruins and wordlessly encourages her to use the Orb.
- AemonnRecently elevated rival; secretly allied with Iléana, threatens Diem’s protectors and security before the coronation and Challenging.
- IléanaRevealed as Aemonn’s close ally and probable second, heightening danger to Diem.
- Luther CorboisOff-page; in Lumnos City lobbying Houses for Diem. His Sword of Corbois is found at Diem’s home ruins.