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

“It seems Pirei will not assist you after all, you serpent,” he whispered in her ear.


Driada closed her eyes and tears slid down her cheeks. I wish Erjon and Doreius weren’t here to see this. To see me fail.She opened her eyes and saw Neleos’ lips move but could not hear him speaking.Pirei, why? Why did not help me then, and not now?She looked past the captain, to the cloudy sky. On any other day, it would have seemed beautiful. An eagle circle above their ship.


She breathed in sharply as the captain put pressure on his dagger. She met his eyes. He was yelling now, but she was deaf to his cries. His grip on the blade loosened as he looked up to the sky. Driada saw a shadow approaching. The eagle she had seen moments before in the sky had come swooping down and latched its claws into Neleos’ shoulder. She heard a voice in her head that screamed NOW!


Chapter 24