The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Diem crashes Remis’s tense meeting with Houses Corbois and Hanoverre, trading barbs until grief and rage unleash her shadows on Garath. Jean claims to be Zalaric’s father, rattling Diem. In private, Remis argues to delay her rule to avert war; Diem consents on strict terms: Alixe becomes High General and progeny laws are suspended.
Summary
Diem arrives at a heavily guarded chamber where Remis meets with Aemonn, Garath, and House Hanoverre’s Marthe, Jean, and Iléana. She restrains the guards with shadows and inserts herself into the talks. Iléana taunts Diem over Luther and her secret mortal engagement, which Aemonn leaked, provoking Diem’s grief over her father’s murder.
As the Hanoverres depart, Jean whispers that he looks forward to meeting “little Zalaric,” implying he is Zalaric’s father. Shaken, Diem’s power flares. Garath insults her, and Diem’s shadows choke him until she releases him; when Garath attacks, his magic fizzles against Diem, revealing her immunity and control.
After Alixe departs to warn Zalaric, Diem and Remis argue. Remis cites Fortos’s claim that her coronation ritual is incomplete, suspicions about the Guardians, and escalating House fury. He maintains soldiers are to keep peace and admits he lacks magic to enforce order, saying he’s preventing worse violence.
Diem challenges Remis’s priorities and threats but recognizes civil war risks. Remis urges she stay out of power temporarily to calm the Houses and Crowns. Diem agrees on two conditions: appoint Alixe as High General and suspend progeny laws with no action against mortals or half-mortals.
Remis accepts, noting he cannot bind a bargain without magic. Diem asserts she can hold him to his word and states she’s doing this for Luther to avoid father–son war. They part with wary detente: Remis will act as regent until the coronation ritual completes, while Diem retains the Crown and leverage.
Who Appears
- DiemConfronts Remis and rival Houses; unleashes shadows on Garath; absorbs his attack; negotiates terms for Remis’s regency.
- RemisArgues Diem must delay rule to avert war; admits lacking magic; accepts Alixe as High General and suspends progeny laws.
- AlixeDefends Diem, is proposed and secured as High General; sent to warn Zalaric.
- GarathInsults Diem and attacks; is choked by her shadows and stunned when his magic is absorbed.
- Jean HanoverreClaims he is Zalaric’s father, destabilizing Diem; departs with his family.
- Marthe HanoverreMatriarch challenging Diem’s legitimacy; removes Iléana from the confrontation.
- Iléana HanoverreTaunts Diem over Luther and her engagement; fuels Diem’s grief and anger.
- AemonnStands for the Queen but leaked her engagement; helps remove Garath after the clash.
- SoraeDiem’s gryvern; her howl underscores Diem’s claim to the Crown.