The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 63
Overview
Diem seeks solace with Luther, and their intimacy cements mutual love. Auralie interrupts, accusing Luther of revenge and ambition, but Diem defends him and lays bare years of hurt over Auralie’s secrets and absence. Confronted with the damage, Auralie relents. The three agree to truthfulness and a tentative reconciliation.
Summary
Diem finds Luther and, reeling from earlier revelations, asks for distraction. Their escalating intimacy affirms their trust and love, and Luther vows their first time will be worthy, not stolen. Diem realizes she needed reassurance she isn’t alone.
Auralie bursts in with a blade, accusing Luther of defiling Diem to avenge the past. Luther denies it; Diem declares she loves him. When Auralie insists Luther seeks the throne, Diem and Luther refute her, citing his willingness to die for Diem and their earlier joking about crowns.
The confrontation pivots as Diem unleashes long-suppressed anger: Auralie’s secrets, absence, and allegiance to the Guardians left Diem and Teller vulnerable and grieving after their father’s death. Auralie, shaken, recognizes the harm she caused and breaks down.
Diem recounts how Luther protected and supported her and Teller without asking anything in return. Auralie softens, asks for a chance to make amends, and questions Luther’s intentions. Luther swears Diem’s happiness is his only goal.
They agree to complete honesty going forward. Diem embraces Auralie, and with Luther’s hand in hers, they return to camp together, establishing a fragile new start.
Who Appears
- Diem BellatorProtagonist; seeks comfort with Luther, professes love, confronts Auralie about lies and absence, demands honesty, and brokers a tentative family truce.
- LutherDiem’s lover and protector; reassures her, resists disrespecting their first time, denies ulterior motives, pledges Diem’s happiness as his only goal.
- AuralieDiem’s mother; interrupts with accusations, fears Luther’s ambition, faces her failures, repents, and agrees to start anew with honesty.