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

Before Driada could open her mouth to scream, the captain jabbed a finger in her direction.


“You conniving witch! When did you start plotting against me?”


Driada threw her hands into the air in protest. “I had no idea this was happening!”


Neleos scoffed and shook his head. Several men grouped behind him, echoing his mirth. “Did you really expect me to believe that? To believe that you had no idea, and that you didn’t purposely use your dark magic to convince these good men that you are blessed by the god?”


“There’s no use trying to hide what you are, sorceress!” He said as he stalked back and forth across the deck. “I knew your father was insane, but I didn’t know it had touched your entire family.”


“Don’t you dare insult my father! He was one of the most famous royal shipbuilders in Ios!”


“Hiding behind that title won’t work anymore,” Neleos sneered. “It is clear to me the only way to settle this, and to see who truly is blessed by the god, is to duel.”


Chapter 23