Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven) (10 page)

“Thank you for allowing us to stay among you.”

Kenzie shifted slightly to see Kynan. The goodbyes were taking place at
the Square of Four and over half of Terraneu had shown up. Kynan,
Star,
and the other androids were leaving for
Earth. At yesterday’s
meeting,
Star had
volunteered
The Elyon
and/or
The Hedal
to take those humans that
wanted to go, back to Earth. Kynan hadn’t looked surprised so perhaps Star had
spoken with him before suggesting it.

“We will honor our promise to protect the settlement of Earth survivors
in Scotland. I will put a select few MAN units I trust in charge.” Kenzie knew
the androids had offered to guard the community she had once hoped to call
home, the reassurance of Kynan eased some of her guilt at not going back. The
MAN units would be far more adept at protecting New Hedal, as Kynan was calling
it
than she was.

“If there is an emergency, we will get a message to you through the port
pad.” Kniam was shaking Kynan’s hand. “Thank you again for your assistance.”

There was a flurry of activity as the leaders said good-bye.

“Kenzie. May I have a moment.” Kenzie turned to see Weston at the edge of
their group.

“Of course.” She squeezed Knacayn’s hand and moved to have a private word
with her friend. She did consider Weston in that way. On Earth, she may have
even chosen him as a husband. They would never know since she had never
considered going back. Staying here on Terraneu was her decision. Knacayn
offered the one thing she couldn’t resist. Peace. Earth was going to be the
same as before. The androids would get the fun of dealing with what was left of
the Earth factions. Kenzie hoped for the sake of those returning, their loved
ones were still there.

“I wanted to say good luck here on Terraneu. I know you will be happy and
I’m sorry for the way I acted.” Weston seemed uncomfortable and spoke rapidly
to get his goodbyes said. “Take care of yourself.” Looking toward Knacayn he
awkwardly hugged her.

“
Goodbye,
Weston. Take care.”
Kenzie hugged him back. “I hope you find happiness back on Earth.”

Weston smiled at her one last time and then moved to join the others
going back. There
was
only a handful
staying. The rest were already grouped around the departing androids.

Starting toward Knacayn, she stopped short when she heard her name again.

“Kenzie.”
This time,
it was Two.
“May I have a moment.”

She turned to see Two standing a few feet away. “Of course Two.” She
moved to stand in front of him and waited to see what he would say.

“I want to thank you for helping us be accepted at the dance.” Two spoke
softly.

None of the guards had been
given
a
second of peace after that first dance. The women had clamored for each dance,
the males wanted to be taught the moves the guards were doing, and the party
had gone on until sunrise.

Two continued, “Kynan has been requesting his people take a designation,
instead of the numbers we have been using. Thanks to you, and the others here
on Terraneu, some of us have decided on names.”

“You have? That is great.” Kenzie couldn’t believe these days on Terraneu
had meant so much to the guards. She felt honored Two was finally content
enough to pick a
name
and she had helped
in some small way. “Do you mind if I ask you what you have chosen?”

“I will be known as
Shaden
. In the
old
tongue,
it means ‘guardian’.”

“That is a very nice name.
Shaden
suits you.” At that
moment,
Kynan called
for his guard to assemble. Before
Shaden
could turn away she grabbed him around the waist and hugged. “Take care of
Kynan and Star.” She pulled away from the stiff male, thinking she had offended
him. Raising her eyes worriedly to his face she relaxed when she saw his smile.

“I will Kenzie. I chose the name wisely.” He turned away and then back
again, “Thank you again. You would make an adequate android, for a small human
female.” Kenzie choked with laughter at his attempt at a joke.

“
Shaden
. It is time.” Kynan called
again. With one last look, another rush of goodbyes and then with a shimmering,
the androids and humans returning to Earth were gone.

“Are you sure you will not miss Earth?” Last night Knacayn had offered to
go back to Earth if it would make her happy. She refused the offer immediately.
Terraneu was her home now. This community of family and friends is where she
wanted to live her life.

“I’m sure.” She turned into his arms and together they walked toward the
park. Knacayn had football practice later and was going to get some extra work
in early. He had bemoaned how out of shape he was and Kenzie had almost choked
on the water she was drinking. There wasn’t an ounce of extra flesh on his
body, how did he figure he was out of shape?

“Are you guys heading to the park?” Knadyn pulled up next to them. “I
could use some extra training too.”

Kenzie looked over in time to see Ava roll her eyes. “Knadyn thinks he is
out of shape.”

Kenzie laughed, “Knacayn does too.”

“Where are you heading?” Steph rushed to catch up. “The park? Mallex was
going there to get some extra practice in on soccer.”

“Steph, not soccer. Football.” Mallex grouched
good-naturedly
.

“Whatever.” Steph bumped him with her hip. “You know what I meant,”
whispering
conciliatorily,
she added,
“Mallex thinks he is—”

“Out of
shape,
” She and Ava added
as Steph finished.

Laughing, the females trailed after the males, as they jostled and joked
toward the park. Brennae and Marcael joined them just as they reached the
grassy area. The park was crowded with men. It seemed they all had
the
same idea. The guards of Kynan’s had shamed
them with their stamina and strength. As unrealistic as it was to expect to
compete with androids, the males of Terraneu had sure given it a good try. Now
they were here at the park to
work-out
even harder.

As she sat on the grass watching with Steph, Ava and Brennae they were
soon joined by Amber, Gwen, Mauri,
Cat,
and Jen. As well as their mates, Kniam, Kneus, Knollig,
Knaleg,
and Thian. The males soon teamed up against each other in a
game. The females cheered and shouted advice from the sidelines.

 
Laughing over the antics of the
men, Kenzie knew she had made the right choice. In both her decision to stay on
Terraneu and taking Knacayn for a mate. She got offered a seat on the female
council that afternoon. Kenzie told them she would seriously consider the
opportunity. It wouldn’t take up too much time and if she didn’t enjoy it there
was always the option of stepping down. On
Earth,
that never would have been an option.

She would start teaching in a few days, and that would be enough to fill
her days for now. Knacayn wasn’t pushing her into making a move to New Haven.
They were going to enjoy life as it was for a while.

Looking around her Kenzie realized Earth was a million light years away
in more ways than one.

Other Titles available:

Terraneu Series

Kniam:
A Terraneu Novel (Book One
)

Knollig:
A Terraneu Novel (Book Two
)

Knaleg:
A Terraneu Novel (Book Three
)

Kneus:
A Terraneu Novel (Book Four)

Marcael:
A Terraneu Novel (Book Five)

Knadyn:
A Terraneu Novel (Book Six)

Aquadomina Series

Raife
: An Aquadomina Novel (Book One)

The Reborn Series

Coming soon to Ellora’s Cave

Alea Reborn

Emily Reborn

About the Author

What haven’t I talked about yet? I have gabbed about my two daughters.
One has her Associates degree and is going for her BA. One is working toward
her Associates degree, and then will decide on her BA. My husband and I
celebrated our 23
^rd
year of wedded bliss and are heading through our
24
^th
!

Our four dogs are still terrorizing the house and I struggle to write
around the canine fur ball(s) in my lap. That pretty much summarizes my life
here in the Wild West!

As always, my thanks go out to everyone whose support and kindness
give
me the push to make
everyday
matter
and to write,
edit
and publish my
stories.

I wish all my readers the best in 2016 and can’t believe how fast this
year is going by! I am honored and excited to be taking
Maliuth
and Galan to Ellora’s Cave for publishing. They will be
under the titles Alea Reborn and Emily Reborn. I will update as those two books
get a make-over.

There is a link on my
website
at
http://www.stormymcknight.com/
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updates and events. Also new covers, story ideas, book trailers and the latest
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Stormy