Most people in Ios know better than to challenge Vivarre and its powerful navy. Queen Thea, however, is not afraid to challenge anyone who gets in her way. For years, her kingdom has been supported by pirates. They sail the Iosian sea and raid any ship they come across for resources.<br><br>When Thea takes the throne she is challenged by enemies and allies alike. Though women can be warriors, they can never be true rulers. She hopes to change that belief, but she cannot do it alone. Driada is the only female pirate enlisted in Ios. She has served her kingdom faithfully for years, her dedication inspired by her father’s work on the royal ships. When she sees injustices being done against innocent people, she cannot simply sit idle while they suffer.<br><br>When these two bold, powerful women meet, it is obvious that they must form an alliance to keep Ios safe. But this alliance quickly shifts from being solely a political move, to one of the heart. Thea is forced to decide which path will lead to victory -- fighting Vivarre without divine help or betraying her promise to never bow down to the gods ever again.

Thea

Thea was still growing accustomed to their foreign customs and religions. She had no idea how she would continue to maintain peace between them, as her late husband had. Thankfully, though, she had paid close attention to his diplomatic meetings. She had always been listening, even when she wasn’t by his side. The servants knew better than to tell the king that the queen had been listening at the door. And when they were in private together, the king would tell her all about the warring tribes and their demands.


Despite having never sat on the throne, Thea felt she possessed enough knowledge of her people to lead them. But despite this confidence, she couldn’t discount the nibbling feeling of doubt and fear in her stomach. There was so much she didn’t know. So much she still had to learn.


Chapter 3