The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 56
Overview
Diem escorts freed prisoners to safety, then returns to Lumnos to reunite Teller with their mother. They find the palace encircled by soldiers; a deadly godstone bolt wounds Sorae, and Alixe signals them to leave. Diem chooses to retreat rather than endanger Teller, revealing their mother to him before withdrawing, eyeing Montios.
Summary
On the tense flight back to Lumnos, Luther feeds Diem enough magic to mend her wounds, while Diem struggles with a lingering darkness and resentment toward her mother. They deliver the freed Fortos prisoners to the border, where Runa and Enness depart with supplies and routes from Luther. Diem warns them away from Vance and directs them to Maura or Taran if they need help.
Diem, Luther, and Diem’s mother remount Sorae to return to the palace despite low magic and risk. Friction flares as Diem’s mother insists on distance from Luther, and Diem presses to keep her promise to Teller. Approaching Lumnos, they discover the royal dock heavily guarded and the palace grounds ringed by army and Royal Guard.
Spotting Teller on Diem’s balcony, Diem orders a rapid descent. Under heavy fire, Luther’s shield deflects arrows, but rooftop archers strike Diem. On a second pass, Sorae is hit by a godstone-tipped bolt; Luther dangles from Sorae to wrench it free, saving the gryvern.
They glimpse Remis harried by Fortos soldiers and Alixe signaling them to go. Diem still tries to reach Teller, but Luther warns that extracting him would make Teller a fugitive. Diem halts just beyond range, silently apologizes, and chooses not to take him.
Diem reveals her mother’s face so Teller can see she is alive. As troops press forward and Sorae keeps distance, Teller breaks free, pleading for them to stay. With no safe path, Diem orders the retreat, leaving Teller behind and turning their sights toward Montios.
Who Appears
- DiemQueen and narrator; escorts escapees, attempts to reach Teller, is wounded, ultimately retreats to avoid endangering him.
- LutherPrince; shields Diem, provides healing magic, removes a godstone bolt from Sorae, urges strategic retreat and suggests Montios.
- Diem’s motherRescued and traveling with Diem; distrustful of Luther; reveals herself to Teller before the retreat.
- SoraeGryvern; provides air support, is struck by a godstone bolt, recovers after the bolt is removed.
- TellerDiem’s brother; appears on the balcony, pleads for them to stay, sees their mother alive.
- AlixeRoyal ally; pale and under pressure at the palace entrance, warns Diem to go.
- RemisRoyal; seen being shoved by Fortos soldiers outside the palace, unable to halt the assault.
- RunaFreed Descended; departs with the group, thanks Diem, hints at possibly joining her army later.
- EnnessFreed Descended; expresses gratitude and leaves with Runa to return home safely.
- TaranRoyal contact; restrains Teller on the balcony, can aid escapees if Diem is absent.
- PertheAlly on the balcony; helps hold Teller back until he breaks free.
- Fortos CommanderLeads soldiers and Royal Guard around the palace; orders volleys and godstone weapons against Sorae.