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

The captain lashed his whip a few inches away from the woman’s face. Sand flew in the air. She remained silent, preparing for when the whip would hit her back. Please, Pirei, god of the sea: if you ever loved my father and what he did for our king, answer my prayer. Do not let this injustice continue any further. I beg you!


Her prayers remained unanswered. The captain kicked the slave onto her belly and spread his legs on each side of her. Neleos raised the whip and brought it crashing down. It licked her back and left a gaping wound. She did not cry out, but from her trembling lips Driada knew she would not be able to withstand much more.


“At least if she faints, she won’t have to suffer his cruelty,” Erjon whispered.


“That is hardlya relief,” Driada shot back. “Do you think that he will stop simply because she’s unconscious?”


Chapter 12