The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
Diem leads a covert terrace escape but is discovered by the Umbros gryvern. Sorae arrives, and Diem orders Sorae to evacuate Luther, Taran, Alixe, and a frozen Zalaric. Confronted by Yrselle and Symond, Diem resists mass compulsion, manifests a frost-fire shield and her Crown, declares total resolve, and leaps from the cliff.
Summary
Diem, Alixe, Taran, Luther, and Zalaric attempt a night escape from Umbros. Cloaked by Alixe and Zalaric, Diem stays visible to deflect suspicion, torn between saving Luther and risking her mother, whose life depends on Yrselle’s vote. On the terrace, Diem steels herself to protect everyone.
The Umbros gryvern arrives, tracking Luther’s blood. Diem reveals herself to divert it and nearly earns its restraint when Sorae, sensing danger, dives in. The roar alerts the palace. Diem orders Sorae to prioritize Luther and sends Alixe, Taran, and a mind-stilled Zalaric aloft, despite Luther’s protests.
Symond and the Centenaries confront Diem; she injures Symond and Yrselle arrives with her gryvern. Yrselle insists Diem submit, warning of a rising “he,” but Diem refuses to abandon Luther. Centenary assaults and the gryvern’s dragonfyre force Diem to fight.
Diem’s godhood surges; her shield ices against flame while she withstands layered compulsion. Yrselle strikes personally, driving Diem to her knees. Diem’s Crown manifests—shadows, thorns, light, and crystal—empowering her with searing frost-fire armor and immortal vigor.
Claiming she will burn all of her soul to win, Diem rejects Yrselle’s command, steps to the brink, spreads her arms, and deliberately falls from the cliff, choosing defiance and preserving her friends’ escape.
Who Appears
- Diem BellatorProtagonist; orchestrates escape, bargains with gryvern, sends friends away, resists mass compulsion, manifests frost-fire shield and her Crown, then leaps.
- YrselleUmbros Queen; confronts Diem, orders capture, hints at a rising threat, personally attacks Diem’s mind, presses for submission.
- LutherGravely wounded by godstone poisoning; hidden, then evacuated on Sorae under protest as Diem prioritizes his survival.
- SoraeDiem’s gryvern; arrives in alarm, evacuates Luther, Taran, Alixe, and immobilized Zalaric per Diem’s direct order.
- AlixeCasts illusions to hide the group, supports Diem emotionally, mounts Sorae and helps secure the others for escape.
- TaranAssists and straps Luther for flight; helps Alixe load Zalaric; departs on Sorae during the escape.
- ZalaricUses light magic to deter pursuers; immobilized by Centenary magic; evacuated between Alixe and Taran.
- SymondCentenary leader; goads Diem, admits manipulation, aids the assault; ribs crushed by Diem before Yrselle intervenes.
- Umbros gryvernTracks Luther’s blood, confronts Diem, nearly stands down before Sorae’s arrival; later attacks with dragonfyre beside Yrselle.