The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
Mortally wounded by a dagger meant for Luther, Diem urges Luther to unleash his full power and then to turn it on her so her godhood can respond. Luther massacres Ignios guards, nearly kills the King, but spares him at Diem’s insistence to avoid the gryvern’s vengeance. The gryvern evacuates the King, Luther’s magic helps stabilize Diem, and Taran and Alixe return; the group withdraws across the border.
Summary
In the aftermath of the beach confrontation, Diem lies stabbed through the chest as rain falls. The Ignios King orders both Diem and Luther killed. Realizing a crucial truth, Diem fights to tell Luther to use his magic. When Luther understands, he drops his weapon and releases his full power.
Luther’s day-and-night magic erupts, annihilating the Ignios guards and shattering the King’s defenses. As Luther moves to finish the King, Diem recognizes the gryvern’s intent to avenge its rider and begs for mercy, trading the King’s life for Luther’s safety. The gryvern seizes the cowering King and flies away.
Luther returns to Diem and blankets her with protective light, which soothes her toward death. Diem instead urges him to “attack” her with his magic so her godhood can respond. After anguished hesitation, Luther obeys, driving power into her until her magic meets his, clearing her lungs and slowing the bleeding.
Taran arrives, furious that their supposed allies tried to abandon Diem, and Alixe follows, urging retreat before the King returns. With Luther weakened and Diem stabilized, Taran carries Diem while Alixe supports Luther. Together they cross the border through the painful warding and withdraw from Ignios.
Who Appears
- DiemStabbed in the chest; orchestrates Luther’s magical onslaught and then directs him to attack her to trigger healing.
- Luther CorboisUnleashes overwhelming day-and-night magic, slaughters guards, spares the King for Diem, and uses his power to stabilize her.
- Ignios KingOrders Diem and Luther killed; overpowered by Luther; escapes when his gryvern evacuates him.
- Ignios gryvernFixates on Diem and implicitly bargains: spare the King to spare Luther; carries the King away.
- TaranReturns after realizing a betrayal; carries Diem during the retreat across the border.
- AlixeArrives with Taran; supports a wounded Luther and urges immediate withdrawal before the King returns.