The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 50
Overview
Diem and Luther reconcile and define their relationship on their flight to Fortos, noting weakening borders and keeping their magic. In Fortos City, Diem confronts the King, demands to see her imprisoned mother Auralie, and spars verbally about Coeurîle and the war. When refused, Diem unleashes her aura, overpowering the King in his fortress and compelling him to take her to Auralie.
Summary
Leaving the palace, Diem heals Luther’s stab wound from Alixe and they share an intimate reconciliation. Diem admits fears about commitment, and Luther assures her he accepts all of her, easing her doubts. Crossing into Fortos, they feel the border’s pain but retain their magic, noting the realms’ boundaries are blurring.
They fly Sorae to Fortos City and land in the training yard to create witnesses. Surrounded by armed soldiers, Diem demands the King. The Fortos King arrives, hostile and dismissive, insisting she is not yet Queen. Diem counters with her Crown and gryvern, needling him about the Kindred and Coeurîle.
Inside his fortress, the King forces a private meeting in a godstone-safe room. He probes Diem about the Coeurîle attack and Descended allies, while Diem maintains she was kidnapped and that Arboros was taken too. They discuss the war’s strains, Umbros’ refusal to serve the army, and the inability to verify Arboros’s survival due to rebel control and winter fog.
Diem states her true purpose: to see prisoner Auralie Bellator—her mother. The King refuses, claiming Diem is implicated and cannot be trusted. He tests her aura; when Diem’s power responds, he retreats, intending to bring Auralie to the room instead.
Escorted back through the halls, Diem abruptly unleashes her aura, flinging soldiers and slamming the King into a wall, unintentionally sending Luther skidding too. Demonstrating overwhelming power, she forces the King to relent. Shaken and reassessing her, he grudgingly orders them to follow, conceding to take her to Auralie.
Who Appears
- DiemProtagonist Crown; heals Luther, defines relationship boundaries, confronts Fortos King, and uses overwhelming aura to force access to Auralie.
- Luther CorboisDiem’s Prince and lover; wounded by Alixe, reassures Diem about commitment, supports her in Fortos and revels in her power.
- Fortos KingHostile ruler; interrogates Diem about Coeurîle and allies, refuses Auralie visit, is overpowered by Diem’s aura and compelled to comply.
- SoraeGryvern bonded to the Crown; carries Diem and Luther to Fortos and awaits orders during the confrontation.
- Auralie BellatorDiem’s imprisoned mother; off-page focus of Diem’s mission to gain visitation in Fortos.
- HenriFormer betrothed; referenced in painful fallout that fuels Diem’s fears about lifelong bonds.
- AlixeGeneral and ally; previously fought with Luther; her earlier stabbing of him is noted as Diem heals him.