The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 73
Overview
Diem and Luther share quiet intimacy and discuss governing reforms and a future family before attendants summon Diem alone for the coronation voyage. On the boat, Doriel produces a dagger that mirrors the blade that killed Diem’s father, raising suspicions about Sophos ties. Pressed for political support, Diem seals a bonded bargain: Doriel will push Meros to pardon Diem and her mother, and Diem vows to kill Ophiucae despite deep misgivings.
Summary
In Sophos’s forbidden library, Luther insists Diem eat before their departure to Coeurîle. They share playful intimacy and candid plans: Diem proposes a mixed mortal–Descended council for Lumnos with her as tie-breaker, and they imagine a simple home near her family’s cottage, hinting at a future family. Luther’s protectiveness surfaces as attendants arrive, insisting only the Queen may go.
Escorted to the shore, Luther struggles to let Diem board without him, promising to wait at the dock. On the swift royal boat, Doriel’s curt focus shifts to politics and security, while Diem conceals uncertainty about the rebels’ response on the island.
When Doriel produces a gilded dagger for a bonded bargain, Diem recognizes its design as nearly identical to the blade that killed her father—supposedly a coronation gift from King Ulther. Shocked, Diem suspects Sophos involvement via House Benette but withholds accusation to preserve Doriel’s crucial vote with Meros.
Doriel presses for a binding vow: Diem must swear she knew nothing of the island and Sophos attacks and that she will kill Ophiucae; in return, Doriel will urge Meros to pardon Diem and her mother and recommend clemency to the other Crowns. Diem wrestles with her desire to redeem her blood father versus her duty to protect Emarion.
Choosing duty and strategy over hope, Diem cuts her palm and clasps hands with Doriel. Magic seals the bonded bargain, locking Diem to the promise to kill Ophiucae and committing Doriel to advocate for the pardon—advances that may save her mother but deepen Diem’s internal conflict and suspicions about Sophos.
Who Appears
- DiemQueen of Lumnos; proposes shared governance, dreams of a family, suspects Sophos ties to her father’s murder, and seals a deadly bonded bargain.
- LutherPrince; protective and tender, urges Diem to eat, longs to stay by her side, agrees to wait at the dock.
- DorielSophos Crown; insists only Diem sail, wields a dagger like Diem’s father’s killer’s, and binds a bargain to push Meros to pardon.
- Doriel’s attendantsSummon Diem, bar Luther from the voyage, escort the pair to the shore and the royal boat.