The Kindred's Curse Saga, #2
Glow of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 43
Overview
Diem battles Rhon Ghislaine, initially unable to attack and publicly exposed as powerless. A battlefield vision clarifies her purpose; she embraces both halves of her magic, becomes immune to Rhon’s assaults, and overpowers him. After sparing him, his treachery forces her to kill him, then she unleashes awe and terror to compel every House to kneel, formally beginning her reign.
Summary
Rhon opens the duel with relentless dark magic, battering Diem’s shield while she struggles to retaliate. She outsmarts him with distractions and sand, drops his shield, but her power refuses to attack. Exposed as seemingly unable to use magic, the crowd jeers and Rhon declares her unworthy.
Reeling and concussed, Diem faces a killing blow and is thrust into a vision: a moon-bright, grey man tempts her to destroy the Descended. Diem rejects him, claims both her mortal and Descended selves, and vows to rule for her people. The god-voice answers; she returns empowered.
Back in the arena, Rhon’s spikes strike harmlessly as Diem discovers she absorbs his magic. Light and shadow answer her will; she binds him easily. When he begs, she chooses mercy and commands his yield, declaring strength measured by lives saved.
Rhon then betrays her, lunging with a hidden blade. With a flash of silver, Diem incinerates him to ash. Furious at the crowd’s thirst for blood, she unleashes terrifying power—vines at every throat, the sky darkened, lightning and stars—drops the barrier, and freezes the amphitheater in fear.
Diem forces public submission: Jean and Marthe Hanoverre, Evrim Benette, and Ryx and Ravyn Byrnum yield; Luther Corbois pledges with a kiss. She confronts Remis and Garath, then proclaims the Challenging ended and her reign begun as Sorae’s cry signals the realm’s new order.
Who Appears
- DiemProtagonist and new Queen; unlocks dual light-and-shadow magic, becomes immune to attacks, kills Rhon after his betrayal, compels Houses to kneel.
- Rhon GhislaineChosen opponent; assails Diem, is outwitted, begs mercy, then treacherously attacks and is incinerated.
- Luther CorboisAlly and lover; urges Diem to finish the fight, pledges House Corbois, shares a reverent kiss.
- RemisUncle and Regent; watches as Diem seizes authority, yields to her declaration of reign.
- GarathUncle; present in the royal box, cowed by Diem’s show of power.
- Jean HanoverreHanoverre heir; choked by vines and forced to acknowledge Diem’s supremacy.
- Marthe HanoverreMatriarch; defiant but ultimately declares House Hanoverre will kneel.
- Evrim BenetteHouse leader who quickly pledges fealty under duress.
- Ryx and Ravyn ByrnumByrnum leaders; promptly kneel and swear loyalty to Diem.
- SoraeGryvern; invoked as a bluff during the duel, later heard returning as Diem claims the throne.