The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 58
Overview
Diem seeks solitude over Montios, honors the fallen gryvern Rymari, and senses a pull toward a shadowed forest. Returning to camp, she clashes with Luther and her mother before a Fortos commander ambushes them. Diem surrenders to protect her family, but Montios Descended intervene, seal the cave, and claim jurisdiction over her fate.
Summary
Diem flies Sorae over Montios, seeking space to think after recent upheavals. She reflects on the rift between Luther and her mother and feels a mysterious pull toward a dark forest that seems tied to her fate. Remembering Rymari, she diverts to a perpetual-snow circle, crafts an ice rose in tribute, and feels her Crown flicker unbidden.
Alarmed by strange skittering and sensing Luther’s magic flare, Diem returns to the cave. There, her lateness sparks a confrontation: Luther is furious she vanished, and her mother condemns her recklessness. The argument exposes Diem’s divided loyalties and unspoken love as she tries to defuse tension.
A Fortos commander and soldiers emerge, aiming godstone weapons. He cites Remis’s orders and claims authority to arrest Diem; she bargains for Luther’s safety and orders Sorae back to Lumnos to obey Remis, sacrificing her protector to shield her family. The commander then threatens to execute her mother to ensure compliance.
As the soldiers advance, the ground quakes. A lavender stone slab seals the cave, protecting Diem’s mother. The disturbance wasn’t Diem’s doing: a child with lavender eyes appears with Montios Descended, declaring Diem and her companions uninvited and therefore their prisoners. The Descended overrule the Fortos commander and announce their Crown will decide Diem’s fate.
Who Appears
- DiemQueen of Lumnos; seeks solitude, honors Rymari, clashes with Luther and her mother, surrenders to protect them, then is claimed by Montios Descended.
- LutherDiem’s Prince; stands vigil, panics at her vanished aura, defends her claim, restrains himself under threat, protects Diem’s mother.
- SoraeGryvern bonded to Diem; revels in flight, mourns Rymari, senses danger, is ordered back to Lumnos to obey Remis.
- Diem’s motherRecently freed and grieving; distrusts Luther, fears Diem’s risks, is shielded when the cave is sealed by Montios magic.
- Fortos CommanderRed-eyed enemy from Lumnos; arrives to arrest Diem, threatens her mother, loses control when Montios Descended intervene.
- Montios Descended childLavender-eyed girl leading Montios Descended; seals the cave, asserts jurisdiction, declares Diem their prisoner for judgment by their Crown.