The Kindred's Curse Saga, #2
Glow of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
At Ulther’s funeral, Garath maneuvers Diem into publicly lighting the pyre to test and expose her power. Luther bolsters Diem, and she begins to unleash her magic, but the sight of Maura and her grieving father shatters her focus. Sorae ignites the pyre instead, and Luther sends Diem back to the palace, promising to bring her father.
Rumors of Garath’s abuse of his sons deepen stakes, while Diem’s failed display risks a Challenge and heightens tensions between mortals and the Descended.
Summary
During the prolonged funeral rites, Eleanor tells Diem rumors that Garath abused his sons, Aemonn and Taran, and that their mother Freah is either loyal to or afraid of him. Eleanor then teases out Diem’s growing connection with Luther, while Diem admits she is already “spoken for,” revealing the mortal match that alarms Eleanor.
Remis announces Diem must light the royal pyre. Garath claims he ceded the honor to her, baiting a public test of her power. Remis and Garath argue that an impressive display could deter a Challenge, while Luther urges caution but ultimately encourages Diem to “unleash.” Diem accepts, her skin glowing and dress shadowing as she gathers power.
As Diem readies a dramatic ignition, she notices the segregated mortal section, spots Maura, and then locks eyes with her weeping father. The shock and guilt extinguish her magic mid-display. Chaos brews in the arena as the crowd reacts and Luther struggles against Remis and Garath to reach her.
Sorae lands, snarls the crowd into silence, and bathes the pyre in pale blue dragonfyre, completing the rite. The heat and memory of the armory attack jolt Diem, but Luther steadies her and orders Sorae to carry her back to the palace for safety, promising to bring her father to her.
Who Appears
- Diem BellatorNew Queen pressured to display magic; begins to unleash but falters after seeing Maura and her grieving father.
- LutherSupports and urges Diem to unleash, then protects her and vows to bring her father to the palace.
- GarathEngineers the public test, pushing Diem to display power; rumored abuser of his sons.
- RemisFacilitates the ceremony and argues a powerful display could deter Challenges; restrains Luther.
- EleanorConfides rumors about Garath, probes Diem’s feelings for Luther, reacts to Diem’s mortal match.
- SoraeGryvern who intervenes, igniting the pyre with dragonfyre and flying Diem back to the palace.
- MauraMortal palace healer; her fear-stricken presence contributes to Diem losing control of her magic.
- Diem’s fatherIn the mortal section, openly weeping; his sight shatters Diem’s focus. Luther promises to bring him.
- TaranOffers Diem a nudge to the pyre; part of the family rumored abused by Garath.
- AemonnAlso rumored victim of Garath’s past abuse; watches the proceedings in distress.
- FreahMother to Aemonn and Taran; seen as loyal to or afraid of Garath.