Of Secrets and Solace by Ellysa Marin

In a world dominated by war and the relentless pursuit of truth, how far would you go, what secrets would you keep, to protect what you love?

Elyria was once home to the gods.

It has been a millennia since the gods were imprisoned in Meru by Fate, but wisps of their magic remain embedded in the blood of humans—some with the ability to wield that magic, and others with the ability to store it. Rulers of free territories are forced to ally together–or fall alone–in a bid to protect their territories from a growing conflict between the descendants of Kaos and Solace, one that threatens to boil over completely.
The Truthsayers and the Keepers—descendants of Kaos and Solace—receive messages from their imprisoned gods in the forms of truths and visions. Each group acts on the perceived will of their god in a bid to eradicate the other, paving the way for the gods to escape Meru and continue their fight against Fate.
General Rohak d’Alvey sold his soul and traded his family’s beliefs for a seat at the Warlord’s table, but his position is growing increasingly uncomfortable; especially as he uncovers powers and knowledge his closest friend has hidden for decades.
Lex d’Talionis, a Mage in the Warlord’s army, has command of both Pain and Pleasure—an anomaly in Elyria. Awakened as a teenager, Lex devoted his life to service in the Northern Territory’s army under General d’Alvey, but he holds information of his own—information that could cripple the Warlord’s plans.

In Hestin, a Warlord-allied territory, Miss Ellowyn d’Aelius prepares for her Awakening ceremony where she will discover not only her magical affiliation but also her designation. Her parents–the Lord and Lady of Hestin–and brother are all some variation of an Elemental, and she expects to emerge the same. But when an elusive Priest of Fate appears to conduct her ceremony and she begins to have strange dreams of a cracked landscape plagued by a magical storm, Ellowyn starts to wonder if there is more to her heritage than her family is telling her.

Further south, the war between the Last Keeper and the Warlord spills over into the Borderlands—a territory with no allegiance—and Faylinn, a scholar and healer with no magical affinity and no memories, is sucked into a conflict she tried to avoid. When her village is destroyed and her mentor disappears without a trace, Faylinn must decide whether to stay and help her people rebuild, or accompany General d’Alvey back to Vespera in a bid to unearth the secrets hiding in her memories.
Kaos and Solace grow restless and the Children of Fate must decide what they will do when the gods once again walk in Elyria.

**This book contains significant dark fantasy themes and adult encounters and is not recommended for those under eighteen. Please read the content warnings listed in the book or on the author’s website before reading.**