The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana: The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles, #1

By Rayne Forrest and KC Kendricks

Captain Ian Logan of Terra commands one of the most powerful starships ever built, the Rea Cheveyo. As the captain of the flagship of the League of Aligned Worlds, Ian has the authority and the latitude to get things done. When the Adonican mystic, Kiana ni Jamallan, maneuvers her way onto his ship, Ian is caught in her spell.

Kiana knows her superiors are corrupt. She needs Ian’s help to get the proof. When the crew of ship vanishes without a trace, Kiana and Ian race against time to uncover the truth behind the ghost ship - a truth that threatens to separate them forever behind Adonica’s wall of secrecy.

Knowing Ian, or any offworlder, is against everything Kiana has been taught. She has a destiny, one she must fulfill, and it doesn’t include taking a human lover. But rules are made to be broken. Kiana won’t walk away from Ian, and the passion found in his arms. Stepping into her destiny is both her freedom and the only way back to Ian.

_*_*_

Kiana took a short, sharp breath and pursed her pink lips in aggravation. “I am the Adjutant here.”

Ian wondered what she’d done to be given that position. There weren't more than fifteen Adonicans in permanent residence on Jericho Bruis. They hardly needed the long arm of Adonican law.

God, she was a pretty little thing.

He pushed that thought away before he did something unforgivable like smile at her.

“Please allow me to extend my apologies for the behavior of my crewman.” Ian glanced at Heath. “If you wish, I will bring Lieutenant Parker to your office, and he will apologize.”

The Adjutant glared at him. “Thy apology is accepted. But in the future, thee will instruct thy personnel to avoid coming under my notice.” Her gaze swept Ian from head to toe. His skin flushed hot in its wake.

“Thee are arrogant. All of thee humans are.” She sneered. “I once believed us to be brothers and sisters, all children of Cromas. Now that I see thee up close, I know my mistake.”

Pretty or not, Ian was at the end of his patience. He disliked being called arrogant, perhaps because it had the sting of being somewhat true upon occasion.

“I know little of Cromas, being uneducated and ignorant as well as arrogant. Perhaps thee would have time to enlighten me.”

“Now thee mock me. What else should I expect from such as thee? Enlightenment is wasted on many.”

She turned on her heel and reached the door in three long strides. She stopped and looked back at Graham.

“I regret to inform thee that Prefect Eilis ni Vashin has declined thy request to allow a ship to land at the spaceport of Fiv. Thee may, however, transfer cargo to a barge at Station Harit. I am sorry, Colonel Dayshaun, but I warned thee.”

“Yes, you did. Nonetheless, I appreciate your efforts with your government.” Graham sounded politely disappointed.

The woman nodded to him and disappeared through the door.

“What a little spitfire,” Heath muttered. Ian turned and glared at him.

“Post the word, Mr. Douglas. We know the Adonicans are xenophobic. They don’t wish to be involved with us, and we will respect their wishes.” Ian looked at Graham. “Did she really call us toads?”

Graham nodded. “She’s in a good mood today.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Deer Enterprises/White Deer Books
• Release date: Mar 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540166951

Book preview

About The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana

Captain Ian Logan of Terra commands one of the most powerful starships ever built, the Rea Cheveyo. As the captain of the flagship of the League of Aligned Worlds, Ian has the authority and the latitude to get things done. When the Adonican mystic, Kiana ni Jamallan, maneuvers her way onto his ship, Ian is caught in her spell.

Kiana knows her superiors are corrupt. She needs Ian’s help to get the proof. When the crew of ship vanishes without a trace, Kiana and Ian race against time to uncover the truth behind the ghost ship - a truth that threatens to separate them forever behind Adonica’s wall of secrecy.

Knowing Ian, or any offworlder, is against everything Kiana has been taught. She has a destiny, one she must fulfill, and it doesn’t include taking a human lover. But rules are made to be broken. Kiana won’t walk away from Ian, and the passion found in his arms. Stepping into her destiny is both her freedom, and the only way back to Ian.

What they said about The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana

5 Angels from Fall Angel Reviews!

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana brilliantly and poignantly weaves the burgeoning, soul stirring love and fervor of Ian and Kiana in the midst of interstellar betrayal and sedition. [The author] deftly describes the need for trust or love will wither. Kiana wrestles with her cultural imperatives that humans and Adonicans are incompatible; however, when she is with Ian she experiences unparalleled ardor and tenderness. Ian and Kiana’s saga is a touching, heartrending, stunning discovery of the capacity for truth and justice to defeat those who would destroy them and their budding love. I eagerly await the next book in The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles. - Reviewed by: Dena, Fallen Angel Reviews

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4 Cups! [The author] describes the struggles of Ian and Kiana as they find they cannot avoid the feelings they have for each other. She weaves this conflict through an exciting space story filled with intrigue.  Hidden secrets threaten the budding relationship.  The love scenes are sweet, adding just the right spice to the story.  I enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the sequel. – Candy, Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books and Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

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Forbidden love and political intrigue amid the stars, fans of futuristic romance will enjoy KIANA. - Patricia Green, Romance Reviews Today

Intro

Kiana took a short, sharp breath and pursed her pink lips in aggravation. I am the Adjutant here.

Ian wondered what she’d done to be given that position. There weren't more than fifteen Adonicans in permanent residence on Jericho Bruis. They hardly needed the long arm of Adonican law.

God, she was a pretty little thing.

He pushed that thought away before he did something unforgivable like smile at her.

Please allow me to extend my apologies for the behavior of my crewman. Ian glanced at Heath. If you wish, I will bring Lieutenant Parker to your office, and he will apologize.

The Adjutant glared at him. Thy apology is accepted. But in the future, thee will instruct thy personnel to avoid coming under my notice. Her gaze swept Ian from head to toe. His skin flushed hot in its wake.

"Thee are arrogant. All of thee humans are. She sneered. I once believed us to be brothers and sisters, all children of Cromas. Now that I see thee up close, I know my mistake."

Pretty or not, Ian was at the end of his patience. He disliked being called arrogant, perhaps because it had the sting of being somewhat true upon occasion.

I know little of Cromas, being uneducated and ignorant as well as arrogant. Perhaps thee would have time to enlighten me.

Now thee mock me. What else should I expect from such as thee? Enlightenment is wasted on many.

She turned on her heel and reached the door in three long strides. She stopped and looked back at Graham.

I regret to inform thee that Prefect Eilis ni Vashin has declined thy request to allow a ship to land at the spaceport of Fiv. Thee may, however, transfer cargo to a barge at Station Harit. I am sorry, Colonel Dayshaun, but I warned thee.

Yes, you did. Nonetheless, I appreciate your efforts with your government. Graham sounded politely disappointed.

The woman nodded to him and disappeared through the door.

What a little spitfire, Heath muttered. Ian turned and glared at him.

Post the word, Mr. Douglas. We know the Adonicans are xenophobic. They don’t wish to be involved with us, and we will respect their wishes. Ian looked at Graham. Did she really call us toads?

Graham nodded. She’s in a good mood today.

Chapter 1

Kiana ni Jamallan of Adonica lifted her head and stared about her sterile cubicle, confused. Cromas. She’d fallen asleep at her desk. A quick check of the time told her about thirty deons had passed. She hastily ran her fingers through her hair and smoothed the front of her uniform.

She punched in her pass code to reactivate her computer terminal and settled in to wait for the inevitable call from her superiors. Someone would notice the lag of activity and appear to check on her.

They always did.

The file she’d been reviewing was open, and she forced her mind to concentrate. She’d read this information several times and it made as little sense now as it had the first time.

A man was accused of killing his wife. His prefect said he was guilty. The overseeing tribunal of the man’s district agreed. The man’s children had come to Kiana, a journey of over one thousand routi, to ask for her help in proving their father’s innocence. They’d offered her everything they owned in payment.

It was not the behavior one would expect from children whose mother had been brutally murdered in her own home by their father.

Kiana had taken the daughter aside and gently held her hand while listening to the girl’s story. Then, likewise, she took the son aside. They spoke of loving parents, partners in marriage and childrearing.

Of more value to Kiana were the psychic impressions she’d received from touching them. Neither son nor daughter had a duplicitous nature. There was only truth, and desperation, in them.

Kiana believed the man innocent. The evidence spoke of his innocence, and of another’s unwelcome coveting of the husband. Now she had to find a way to prove it without her superiors discovering how she’d acquired some of her information. She couldn’t allow them to know the strength of her gifts for fear of what they might do to her and her family if they knew the truth.

A soft knocking made her gaze dart to her door. Oh, thank all the gods! Her inquisitor was Najok va Merro.

Tall and handsome, Kiana knew she should find Najok appealing, and she did, but as a sort of older brother. She knew he hoped for more. He didn’t make a secret of it, but it would never be. She had a destiny to fulfill. She remembered the urgent, whispered voices of her parents speaking with the Aquene when they thought Kiana slept and couldn’t hear.

The memory of those words gave her the strength to endure what she must. The belief something greater than the life she now led lay ahead was all she had to hold onto in her darkest nights. Najok would willingly be at her side, but she wanted to love the man she chose to partner with.

Najok was a good man, though, and she greeted him with genuine warmth.

Greetings, Najok. Kiana stood and welcomed him into her office with widespread arms.

Greetings, Kiana. I am sent to see if thee require assistance. Are thee unwell?

I thank thee for thy concern. I am fine but perplexed over an accusing. I am sorry thee have been sent out of thy way.

Thee have sought truth before, and found it. Thee will find it again.

Kiana sighed tiredly. I truly hope thee are correct, Najok. I am making little sense of the evidence against Panter va Carro. It seems too contrived.

Thee have applied to Prefect ni Vashin to be allowed to visit Panter va Carro?

I have. Prefect Eilis has not had time to respond to my request. Thee know her to be a busy woman.

Najok’s dark eyes flashed with understanding. Kiana’s pulse raced as he spoke.

Perhaps Prefect Eilis ni Vashin need not know all thy activities, he said, his voice low.

Kiana sank back into her chair. Najok risked disgrace.

Najok, thee cannot arrange such a thing. Thee know the repercussions if discovered. Kiana kept her voice equally soft.

Najok held out his hand to her. Kiana rose swiftly and took it. Her senses flooded with impressions from Najok’s memory.

She saw the room where Panter’s wife was found, his stricken face as the prefects accused him, his children embracing him and giving him comfort.

Kiana pulled her hand away.

Thee have access to Panter’s home now? she whispered.

Najok nodded.

Will thee share evening meal with me, Kiana? Najok spoke in a loud voice. There was always the chance of someone listening.

Najok, thee know I have several files open. I must see to my work.

Kiana, thee know thee must take care of thy body. Thee are too thin. It is settled. I will call for thee at the sixth sounding.

Najok! Kiana did her best to sound outraged.

It is decided, Kiana. We will discuss it no further! Najok put just the correct ring of authority into his voice. He smiled, nodded, then turned and left.

Kiana dropped into her chair. She took a deep breath before muttering about men in general and Najok in particular. She had to play her part, just in case.

Inside, she quivered with nerves. Najok knew something, something so important he was willing to risk being cast out to show it to her. She flipped back to page one of Panter va Carro’s file and began reading.

Immersed in the file, the chimes of the sixth sounding surprised Kiana. Najok tapped on her door. She shut down her workstation and jumped to her feet.

Thee do not have to do this, she said again, sounding as annoyed as she could manage. She started down the corridor in front of him.

Thee are a valuable investigator. Thee know this. Thy attitude needs work.

Kiana whirled around. My attitude!

Najok remained calm. Once thee eat, thee will be more agreeable.

Kiana turned and stalked off. Najok followed her, staying a few paces behind her. Anyone who listened, or worse, watched, would see only a junior prefect and an investigator at odds with each other, an extremely normal occurrence.

Once outside the sprawling complex where members of Adonica’s judiciary system worked, and away from direct observation, Najok called for a public transport. Barely a routi later, their ride ended. Najok tucked her hand in behind his arm, and they strolled like lovers out enjoying the evening. Kiana carefully blocked Najok’s thoughts from reaching her mind, and the awareness of his affection for her. The work she was about to do was too important to allow any distractions to interfere.

They’d walked almost another routi, changing direction several times, when Kiana sensed Najok’s tension growing.

How much further? she asked.

It is the house at the end of this lane.

Kiana immediately separated herself from Najok. Being in physical contact with him would prevent her from receiving impressions from her surroundings. It was this ability, being able to read inanimate objects, that made her such a highly sought-after investigator. It was an ability she allowed no one to know she possessed.

She touched the wooden fences that lined the lane. Bending down, she felt the very earth they walked on. There was a disharmony here. The closer she got to Panter’s house, the stronger it became.

Najok opened the gate for her, and she stepped into the yard. When they reached the walled courtyard, she placed her hands on the dark green stones warmed by the heat of the sun. She slowly expanded her mind and her awareness outward, beyond herself. Inside.

Kiana opened the inner gate, and impressions assaulted her. It had happened here, at her feet. She saw the body of Panter’s wife, the bloodstained terra-cotta tiles beneath her, the spilled black dirt from the brightly painted flower urn she’d been holding, the broken urn itself, the bright yellow flowers crushed and weeping clear nectar.

The file said she’d been killed inside the house. She looked at Najok and her heart raced.

He knew! He saw it, too!

How could he know unless he, too, was Aquene?

Prefect ni Vashin seeks to have thee removed, he said quietly. If thee give testimony on this, thy way is clear to escape her.

And what of thee, Najok? She will remove thee, as well. She is jealous of those whose gifts are greater than hers. What are thy options? Do thee have protection from her?

Najok shook his head sadly. I do not worry for myself. Thy situation is of greater concern to me. Thee have a destiny.

Kiana turned and stepped away from him, so he couldn’t see her confusion, and fear. If Najok were Aquene, had he been sent to watch her? Guard her?

If this were a way to escape the misery of being under Eilis ni Vashin’s tyranny, she would take it. What lay behind the door to the future might be just as difficult, or even worse, but she’d deal with it as it came to her.

As for Najok, his candor in admitting he had no family to protect him left him open to attack from her if she chose that path. She did not.

Or perhaps he simply sought to move into Kiana’s position as an investigator. She felt sorry for him if he did. But she sensed he did not.

No, Najok had protection he didn’t realize he had. He sought the truth, and he sought to do good for those around him. The gods protected those with such purity of purpose.

Najok risked everything bringing her here and then confessing his vulnerability. There were still truths for her to uncover. Truths the young man waiting for her decision already knew.

She could always go home and accept the aching dullness of the path her parents had selected for her before her psychic abilities were found to be so advanced. Before she’d heard those whispered words in the night. She is Aquene.

Right now, she had one choice and that was to tell the truth. What happened next would be as it should be.

Oh, my father, my mother, forgive me yet again.

She turned and looked into Najok’s worried eyes.

Prefect, I have testimony to give. Will thee hear?

He nodded, and Kiana drew a deep breath and gingerly eased down onto the tiles, positioning her body where Panter’s wife had died. She relaxed and let it come.

* * * *

I suppose thee think thyself to be above censure. Thee found the truth, after all.

Prefect Eilis ni Vashin spoke calmly, but Kiana knew that beneath the tranquil, regal appearance, the woman’s heart spewed venom. That she’d come all this way to Kiana’s small, poor rooms meant whatever decision had been handed down was to her liking.

No, Prefect, I do not think to be above censure. I suspect thee are here for that purpose.

Thee do think thyself to be overly intelligent. The prefect’s eyes glittered above a feral smile. Kiana knew they were down to it.

Thee have a new assignment, Kiana ni Jamallan. One that will likely test thy opinions on outworlders.

The prefect paused. Kiana knew the woman did it for effect, hoping to unnerve her. It was a game Eilis often played, like a zatta with rodent prey.

I doubt my opinions on offworlders will change, Prefect ni Vashin. The teachings of the Cromas tell us we are all their children. This thee cannot dispute.

Thee are an insolent little bitch. I weep with joy to be rid of thee. Pack thy bags. Thee have been chosen to serve as representative of our laws on the humans’ space station. Eilis reached out, grasped Kiana roughly by the chin, and said the traditional blessing. Her fingers dug into Kiana’s tender flesh with bruising intent.

May thee prosper on thy path, and may thee be content. She thrust Kiana’s chin away, a sharp, jerking move that wrenched Kiana’s neck.

Kiana kept her head up proudly, even insolently. My gratitude, Prefect ni Vashin. I embrace the opportunity to serve. May thee have happiness, and may thee have long life.

Kiana delivered the response perfectly, unflinchingly. She’d burn in a human hell before she’d give Eilis the satisfaction of seeing her lose her temper.

"Thy transport leaves in forty deons. I am sorry thee will not have time to take leave of thy family." Eilis ni Vashin turned and left Kiana’s rooms. The door slammed behind her.

Kiana sank onto the edge of her bed and wept silently into her hands. She could see her mother’s stricken face when she learned Kiana had been effectively banished from Adonica.

Serving on the humans’ space station would taint her forever. Her mother’s hopes of home and family for her vanished. No respectable family would allow one of its sons to marry her after she’d been among human males. It mattered not she would not allow any intimacy to occur with one of them. The damage would still be done.

There wasn’t even time to call her mother. She had time to record a message, though. She could do it as she packed. Her hands shook as she programmed the little recorder.

Her message to her parents was brief. She was sorry. She hoped they could still find it in their hearts to love her. How she kept her voice steady, she didn’t know.

It could be years until the opportunity to return safely occurred. It could be years until she’d see her mother again. The only thing that kept her from giving in again to the tears that burned her throat was the certainty Eilis was spying and hoping for just such a weakness.

Kiana prepared to call for a courier to deliver the message chip to her parents when there was a light tapping on her door. She opened it immediately. She’d known Najok would come as soon as he could.

I am sorry, Kiana. I wish thee well. Can thee forgive?

Don’t be sorry, Najok. Thee did what was right. Thee could not let an innocent man be sent to the penal colony, or put to death. She held out the message chip. Will thee see my parents get this?

"I would be honored. I will explain to them what happened, what thee dared