Heat of the Everflame

Luther leads Diem to a room where there are half-mortal children Luther and Zalaric have rescued. Diem is overwhelmed by Luther’s love and sacrifice. Then they retreat to their own room where they talk intimately about Taran’s condition and the future. Suddenly they realize they’ve been locked in.

Diem and Luther struggle to get through the magic shield sealing them into their room. Luther reveals that although Zalaric has helped him over the years, there “was always a fee” (211) for his kindness. He assumes Zalaric expects something of them now. Then they realize that their magic is fading, and assume Zalaric stole it. Together, Diem and Luther work their hardest to break through Zalaric’s magic shield, bursting open the door.

Diem, Luther, and Zalaric discuss what’s going on. Zalaric admits that he is of House Hanoverre. They rejected him because they are precious about their bloodline and he’s half-mortal. Luther doesn’t reveal who Diem is but assures Zalaric he can trust her. The friends suggest Zalaric help them leave Umbros in exchange for taking him back to Lumnos. Zalaric is reluctant because he doesn’t want to leave the half-mortal children. Luther promises he can bring them back to Lumnos. Zalaric agrees but insists it will be hard to leave Umbros without notice. The Umbros citizens, or Centenaries, can see through deception.

In the morning, Diem and Luther discuss their plans. They kiss and Luther performs oral sex on Diem. When Diem urges Luther to undress so she can touch him, he refuses. An argument ensues. Luther insists he wants to be with her but won’t explain why he doesn’t want to have sex. She orders him to stay in the room but he defies her and leaves.

A frustrated Diem joins Taran, Luther, and Alixe in the next room. They discuss their plans. Diem muses on her parentage and desire to unite the realms. She admits there is something strange happening with her magic. She is also curious to discover why people have been calling her “Daughter of the Forgotten.”

Diem then decides to appoint Alixe as her High General instead of Luther. She insists their relationship will remain the same but the new position will ensure that Luther doesn’t risk his life to protect Diem.

Diem tends to Taran’s wounds, thrilled that he’s healing. Later, Zalaric rejoins the group, revealing he can’t get them out of Umbros until the next night. In the meantime, he can give them a tour of Umbros City. An irritated Luther insists he isn’t going. Diem’s heart is heavy.

Before their tour the next day, Zalaric uses his magic to make Diem, Alixe, and Taran look like other people so they’re undetectable to the Centenaries.

Throughout the day, Zalaric opens up to Diem about his life. He was also born in Mortal City and had to live in hiding. He was later captured for being half-mortal and sent away, losing his mother in the process. A woman named Margie raised him and taught him about his magic. Diem is moved by his story.

Diem and Alixe discuss Luther. Alixe assures Diem she knows him better than anyone even if they’re arguing right now.

Zalaric takes the friends to the markets. Diem buys a small vial of a mysterious substance. When she touches it, the merchant’s wares vibrate and glow. Diem later learns the bottle is dragonfyre from Rymari, the Montios gryvern. When she shows Luther, he’s upset she endangered herself being out in public all day.

Diem has a vision that interrupts their conversation. She hears the same male voice call her Daughter of the Forgotten, realizing this man is in Emarion.

At the Umbros port the next day, Diem starts musing on her return home and all the people she’ll have to face. Luther reminds her of all that’s at stake, upsetting Diem and setting off the volatile voice inside her head. Zalaric arrives. While he’s setting them up on their boat, the Umbros Chief Centenary Symond appears.

Symond and his soldiers refuse to let Diem and her friends leave. Zalaric is furious that Luther hired him to smuggle a Crown. Diem promises to go with Symond to the Umbros Queen if he spares her friends.

Symond leads the companions to the palace. While waiting for the queen, Diem and Luther get into an argument. Then the queen, Yrselle, and her gryvern appear. She tells Diem that Auralie is still in Fortos’s prison. The Crowns want to execute her, but need six votes to do so. They have five; Yrselle’s undecided vote is the sixth. She will spare Auralie if Diem stays at the palace for three days.

Diem and her companions prepare for an evening with the Centenaries. They discuss their stay in Umbros. Zalaric instructs them to try subduing the Centenaries so they will let them leave Umbros.

Before parting ways, Diem realizes she can read Zalaric’s thoughts—a magical power she’s never had before. She tells herself to be brave, hopeful that Luther will come around too.

Later, Diem and Taran find Luther slumped against the wall, looking ill. He pretends he’s just tired. Diem crouches by his side and they share an intimate exchange, making amends for their miscommunications.

Diem joins Yrselle in the throne room. She becomes increasingly frustrated throughout the interaction, the voice in her head telling her to fight. Diem quashes her anger so she can communicate with Yrselle about the Forging magic from the old days. Diem and Yrselle realize that this old magic returned the day of Diem’s coronation. In the prophecy Diem heard, “all nine Crowns” must reunite “to renew the Forging magic” (311). Her blood may have started this phenomenon on Coeurîle.

Yrselle leads Diem to the Umbros library, encouraging her to read about Emarion’s past. Diem spends hours immersed in the literature. The Kindreds’ diaries fascinate her. She wonders if, like Montios, she is destined for eternal life, as her magic has become increasingly powerful.

Diem and her friends join the Umbros court for dinner. Yrselle initiates a game. She asks questions and the players have to answer truthfully. She will detect their lies with her magic. The game reveals that Luther and Taran are loyal to Diem, but Alixe is skeptical. It also reveals that Diem can block Yrselle and the Centenaries’ magic. She starts lying and uses a shield to protect her mind; Yrselle can’t see through it.

Later when Yrselle’s glass breaks, Diem reaches out to see if she is okay. Yrselle is unscathed. She reveals that she and the Centenaries have been experimenting on half-mortals, studying their magic and taking it for themselves. She explains that this is what the war is really about, just like the Blood War. It was a battle to see if Kindred or mortal blood would ultimately triumph.