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 foresaw the looks of skepticism that would appear on the faces of her people when they saw a queen sitting on the throne, and not a king. Though it was not unheard of for women to pick up weapons in Ios, it was common knowledge that they were not fit to rule. When had there everbeen a skilled female ruler or philosopher in the history of their tribe? And yet, despite the weight of the past, Thea knew that she must retaliate against their enemies harder and swifter than her husband ever had.


Chapter 5