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

Afterwards, as they lay in each other’s arms on the thick furs, they took a few moments to relax. Thea ran her fingers through Driada’s soft hair, the curls more prominent than before. The light from the setting sun shone in through Thea’s window. The sweat on Driada’s skin made it seem almost like she was glowing. Even Aryos would pale in her beauty.As the columns of light slowly disappeared, Thea noticed tears welling in Driada’s eyes.


Driada blinked her tears away. “Nothing’s wrong, really…I’m happy. But I’m also terrified.”


Thea propped herself up on an elbow, her pulse racing. “Of me?”


“No, no! Despite how wonderful it is to finally be with you like this…” She paused. “I’m frightened because I know that soon we might lose it all.”


“Driada, you mustn’t speak like that…” Thea said. “Even if war does come to Ios, we will find a way to be together.”


“I will need to be at sea,” she whispered. “I can’t remain in bed with you, as much as I would like to.”


Chapter 58