The Kindred's Curse Saga, #1
Spark of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
Diem flees into the marsh after the confrontation at home, but Diem's unstable magic overwhelms Diem in a violent surge of light, heat, darkness, and a commanding voice. Teller witnesses the transformation and realizes Diem has been chosen by the Crown. The revelation that Diem is now Queen of Lumnos radically changes Diem's identity, political stakes, and relationship to the power Diem has feared.
Summary
After being thrown out, Diem storms away from the house toward the marsh at night. Teller calls after Diem, but Diem cannot stop because Diem's anger and fear keep intensifying, and Diem senses that Diem has lost control of Diem's power.
In the trees near the shore, Diem trips and falls to Diem's knees. The ground glows in moonlight, Diem feels unbearably hot, and the noises around Diem become overwhelming. A voice that had been chanting now taunts, pleads, and screams for Diem to free it, calling Diem the Daughter of the Forgotten.
Teller approaches and asks if Diem is all right, but Diem can barely see through the blinding light. Steam hisses under Diem's hands, the earth beneath Diem turns into complete darkness, and a distant ancient cry echoes through the night. The pressure and heat gather at Diem's head, becoming a crushing weight.
As the voice demands to be claimed as Diem's birthright and destiny, Diem reaches a breaking point. Diem raises Diem's hands to the gods, a beam of light shoots from Diem's palms into the sky, and Diem silently surrenders to the voice.
The light fades, the voice quiets, and the sensations stop. Diem looks up through tears to see Teller horrified. Teller reveals that Diem is wearing the Crown, meaning Diem has been selected as the new Queen of Lumnos.
Who Appears
- DiemFlees in panic, loses control of magic, and is selected as Queen of Lumnos.
- TellerFollows Diem into the marsh and witnesses the Crown appear on Diem.
- The voiceMysterious presence calling Diem Daughter of the Forgotten and demanding release and surrender.