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

The sun was high in the sky, clouds drifting over the soft blue sky. Flowers bloomed in the trees outside her window. There were no yells, no sounds of blades cutting through flesh. There were only the mundane sounds of everyday life; bells ringing outside, gardeners working on their hands and knees, and horses neighing as they were pulled into the paddock.


Thea reached for the vial on her bedside table. “Finish this. It will help you sleep.”


Driada did not resist when she pressed the glass to her lips. It was not long before her lids grew heavy. “Thank you for taking such good care of me,” she whispered.


“I hope you will do the same for me, one day,” Thea said with a smile. “Now go to sleep. All will be well.”


Chapter 68