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

“Why did you send your spies to search for me? Before I became captain?” Driada asked. “I understand why you’d want a detailed account of all that has happened, for your own benefit…but it seems that you were searching for me well before I rose to the rank of captain.”


Thea’s cheeks colored. “It’s true. I sought you out before you became a captain. I…thought we got along well at the tavern. I wanted to see you again. I simply didn’t expect it to be under these circumstances.”


“Neither did I,” Driada said with a small smile. “In fact, as I was on my way here, I was terrified that you were going to have me tried for treason.”


“Treason?” Thea repeated. “Whatever for?”


“For killing Neleos, of course,” Driada said. “I had to kill him to earn my place. Something tells me that’s not entirely legal.”


“You were defending yourself, were you not?” Thea asked.


“Yes, but it’s not like my fellow sailors tried to stop us from fighting,” Driada observed.


Chapter 28