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

“We…don’t, my queen. Or we didn’t, until she joined, a few years ago.”


“And worked her way up to the rank of captain,” Thea said in awe. She reached for a pitcher and poured herself a glass of wine. She drank deeply and sighed. “How did that even happen?”


“I’m not certain. The only thing I could find on her history was that she is the daughter of Nikaseos. One of the royal ship builders.”


“Did you invite her to meet with me?”


Thea’s pulse quickened. “Did she respond? When will she be coming?’


“You did very well in inviting her here,” Thea said distantly. Her mind was somewhere else entirely, thinking fondly of Driada’s eyes, her face, her mouth…


Chapter 26