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 bard’s song carried through the air and reached Driada’s ears. Several of the men in the camp had suddenly become lyricists, writing verses and strumming their harps. Some were clever, some were not. Some sang well, and some did not.


What they all had in common was that they were singing about her.


Ever since they had witnessed what had transpired on the beach, many of them had started calling her a demigod. She prayed that these ridiculous rumors would not reach the captain’s ears, but of course she knew her hopes were in vain. There was nothing (especially in the camp) that could escape Neleos, and especially not when it was being sung at such a high volume by several men.


Chapter 19