Heat of the Everflame

Diem and Eleanor catch up at the palace. Diem is happy to be back but conflicted about what to expect next. The two discuss all that has happened since the Challenging. They discern that when Diem uses her magic, she can create godstone from the refuse of the fires she makes.

The friends encounter a hall lined with royal guards. Inside the royal chambers, they encounter Remis and the other members of the court. Remis informs Diem she isn’t really Queen because not all the Crowns participated in the coronation.

Remis demands that Diem let him rule until the other Crowns decide what to do about her coronation. An argument ensues about the future of Emarion. Remis is uninterested in a civil war and has no concern for the mortals. Finally, Diem cedes her ruling power to Remis because she knows the Crown is loyal to her. He agrees to support her in the meantime.

Diem reconvenes with Luther, Alixe, Taran, Eleanor, and Teller. In private together, they discover Diem’s ability to read minds. They decide to use this new power to free Auralie from Fortos.

Diem heads to Mortal City with Sorae, where she encounters Henri and Lana (a healer Diem worked with in the past) kissing in the woods.