Chaos Lies
Author: Sophie Gabrielle
Publisher: Self-published
Release Dates: June 25th 2021 (Original), October 15th 2024 (2nd Edition)
Series: The Chaos Chronicles #2
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
Snippet:
The plan was simple, branching out with a thousand what ifs. Nadia, Emiil, Xander, Venne, Theo, Aalto, Zara and Faith would depart with half of their troops to breach the forest. A group of scouts would go ahead, the remaining magi staying on standby at the base camp. The main group would slowly make their way through the forest until they found the village. Scouts would inspect the space before them. Depending on the state of the village, they would either covertly infiltrate and rescue the villagers or burn the place to the ground. If there’s anything left. If you didn’t burn it all yourself, Nadia thought.
Individual members began to scatter across the meadow’s edge, making final preparations. Xander appeared across the way, a blot of ink in the mist free of his usual splendour. The forward scouts huddled around him, listening intently as he gave his final orders. Nadia watched the line of troops form. At some point Emiil and Theo came up beside her, also checking the crowd. Time seemed to ebb and flow in that fog. Nadia could have waited seconds or hours for it all to begin.
Barely visible through the morning gloom were Venne and the Princess, deep in conversation. Venne’s hand casually rested on Faith’s waist. The Princess leaned into Venne, placing a hand over his heart. Nadia had the feeling she was seeing something she was not meant to. Then Zara and Aalto stepped into her line of sight. They were both decked in heavy plate armour, ready for a fight.
“Commander, Captain,” Theo said in way of greeting. His hands gripped tight around the bowstring of the longbow around his shoulders.
Zara remained silent, scanning the three with emotionless precision.
Aalto nodded to them. No salute for those who were on opposing sides so often. “The day has finally come. The Princess has waited years for this.”
Nadia started. That’s right. She wants this too. She’s waited for revenge longer than you. A flicker of sympathy sparked in Nadia’s chest, there and then gone again.
“You are fully briefed on the marching order?” Aalto asked the group. His gaze landed on Nadia in particular, frowning. She had not been to any of the meetings. Perhaps he questioned her dedication.
“We’re clear,” Nadia said through grit teeth. “Your Princess will be safely tucked away in the rear-guard, whilst we brave whatever hell awaits us.”
“The Princess is risking her life to be here,” Zara said, her words angrier than her actual tone. “Please remember that. Laastra could be on the other side of this forest waiting for us – and yet the Princess still braves the threat with no army.”
“Yes, she’s a real paragon of self-sacrifice,” Nadia muttered. Zara was right. Laastra could be already there, mustering her forces.
Beside them the scouts darted across the meadow, flitting through the wildflowers. They disappeared into the forest to check the way forward and scan for any threats. In just a few moments, Nadia would breach those shadows herself. Xander rejoined the group, watching the scouts disappear. He wore simple dark leather armour like the rest of them, meant to blend and meld into the shadows of the forest.
Aalto shook his head. “Keep your magi in line, Duke,” the commander told Xander. “We cannot fail this mission.”
Xander only nodded as the commander and captain returned to the Princess’ side. Then he turned back to his allies. “Are we ready?”
Emiil’s hand landed on Nadia’s shoulder, a warm reassuring weight. “We’re ready,” he declared, voice cracking.
Theo nodded by his side, patting his friend on the back.
Nadia said nothing, only gazed up at her partner. Pools of molten gold stared back, shining bright despite the fog-dampened dawn.
Xander turned to Theo. “Wait by the Princess. We march in but a few moments.”
Theo nodded and dragged Emiil away, both sending a backwards glance at the couple as they joined the rest of the party.
Xander did not wait for them to leave as he leaned into Nadia, pulling her against him. His touch was desperate, his fingers digging into the fabric of her clothes. Nadia closed her eyes, trying to memorise the feeling, the scent of honey and blood, of summers past. This was real. She was here. If it ended, if she lost everything to the village once again, then she would lose with him at her side. She grasped him tightly to her, fighting the tremors racking her bones.
“I’m here with you,” Xander whispered, holding her face in his hands. “It’s different. You have the power this time. You are strong. We will do this together.”
“Thank you,” Nadia said in return. “For everything.” She pressed her lips to his, savouring the impossible warmth. She could have sworn that kiss cracked her chest open to let in all the light inside him. The field disappeared around them as two lovers simply embraced. It is different, she reminded herself. Everything has changed.
There was no ceremony or speeches this time. Twenty-five magi lined up on the edge of the forest, staring into the endless tangle of branches. With swords, armour, and magic thrumming through their veins, they waited for their Princess’ order to march into the unknown.
It came as a simple hand signal. The Princess took the first step through the ominous fog, head held high. Venne marched behind her, merging with the shadows in a dark cloak. The rest soon followed on their Princess’ heels, silent as ghosts. The only communication that passed between the Seeds were looks of horror and fear as they relived every memory and horror of years past. It took everything in their bodies to take that step back into a nightmare. To remind themselves this was a step towards the end, forwards and never backwards.
The black seed they had planted inside Nadia’s chest had taken root. No matter how many times she tried to cut out the memories, poison them, replace them, it was still there, nestled in her heart like a weed that would not die. She could not escape this growth inside her. The need for revenge. Her only option was to burn it all to the ground. Nothing would grow from the ash she would leave in her wake. The Seeds and the Roots would be burnt away, nothing but a story. Xander said stories had meaning. It was time Nadia rewrote her own.
First the village. Then Laastra. Any obstacle in her way would be swallowed by flames. Her enemies would cower in her wake. Never again would she be afraid. No one would wrong her when she could set the world alight. She would have control.
Going back would solve everything. Cleave the darkness fogging Venne’s mind, reveal the path forward, banish every demon haunting him. He would finally win. Then his life would be his for the making. Finally, he would have control.
Perhaps this would end the nightmares. Clear the haze. It would make Emiil’s friends happy, he knew. He was glad to be by their side, braving this with them. He would support them, stand watch. Perhaps then he could control his life.
About the Book:
It has been over a year since the attack on Arthai City. The Seeds are no longer the fledgling wanderers they once were. Nadia has become a lethal blade, hunting down cultists rising in the name of the imposter goddess. Emiil is a shield, burdened by his friend’s pain and sworn to protect the ones he loves. Venne is a lord and councilman to the Princess, growing in power and influence. On different sides, the only thing that unites them is a need for answers – yet the only way of solving those mysteries is going back to the beginning. Can Nadia, Venne and Emiil face their pasts or will the truth be too much to bear?
The Chaos Chronicles is an exciting fantasy romance series, filled with action, morally grey characters and dark themes. Inspired by the Grishaverse and Dragon Age, this series offers a twist on mythology, magic and mayhem. It also features a variety of LGBTQIA+ characters and found family. Dive into this chaotic world today, now featured on Kindle Unlimited.
Links:
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220440576-chaos-lies
Amazon (Available on Kindle Unlimited): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B096SST4NH
Follow Sophie on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sophgabswrites.bsky.social