Fallen Empires Archives - Page 11 of 22

Relationships are… complicated #Relationships #Authors

Kayelle Allen 12/21/2021 Character Insights

From the interview on RelationshipsAreComplicated.com

Tell us about the characters and relationships in your stories

One theme in my books is trust. Not only of others, but of yourself. Pietas, my immortal king, at times deals with family issues with the emotional level of a teenager, and I have a three-year-old who looks at life with the wisdom of an ancient. Emotional maturity has little to do with age, and my books reflect that. I have a race of catlike people called the Kin who can smell every emotion, and it's all but impossible to lie to them. Another race, the Chiasmii, are dual gendered, telepathic and see the auras of humans. Between these two races, humans have a hard time pulling a fast one -- but being human -- they still try.

Read the entire interview

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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Powerful as fire — the immortal king #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 12/01/2021 Character Insights 3 Comments

Pietas Ritual - by Blue Crystal

The beautiful animated image of Pietas is the creative collaboration of BlueCrystal_Works, Nik Nitsvetov, and photographer Belyaeva Yuliya.

This short excerpt is part of the Ritual of Strength performed by Pietas in the Bringer of Chaos series.

"As fire has victory over life, so I have victory over my enemies."

Pietas passed a hand through the flame and hissed at the searing heat, relishing the pain. Of all the elements, fire alone had power to linger on an Ultra's skin. He welcomed it as a symbol of victory.

"I am powerful, as fire is powerful."

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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White puffy things on a stick #Smores #PietasFans #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 11/03/2021 Character Insights 4 Comments

What is your favorite meal?

Fish, cooked over an open fire, and vegetables grilled beside it.

If any, what food do you refuse to eat?

I have quite literally starved to death before. There is no food I won't eat.

Tell us about a meal or food that says "home" to you.

Fish cooked around a campfire followed by those sweetish brown crackers. You put a white puffy thing on a stick and hold it over the fire until it starts to melt, and then you put that between the crackers and chocolate. I don't know what you call them, but I call them delicious. They are the perfect end to a campfire meal shared with friends.

When you find yourself with some type of unknown food on your plate, what do you do?

I ask questions, and poke at it a bit, but inevitably, I eat it.

Have you ever eaten military style rations, and if so, what was your favorite?

For more years than I care to count. Anything that comes in a box that heats itself is a winner.

If you cook, what kind of food do you like to prepare?

I am hopeless in the kitchen, but my staff sees that I never go hungry.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

A flavorful wine, especially one grown in vineyards owned by friends.

Favorite non-alcoholic beverage?

Clean, fresh water.

What do you grab when there's no time for a regular meal?

Whatever holds still long enough for me to put it into my mouth.

Who are your favorite people to share meals with?

The people on the High Council, and other dear friends.

Tell us what your author eats or drinks while writing about you.

Kayelle guzzles water, but she also drinks a caffeine free sugar free Coke. And coffee with cream and chocolate. Hot herbal tea in the evening. Sweet tea in the morning. Hmmm. She drinks a lot, but I've only seen her drink alcohol or wine on rare occasions.

What do you feed your pet/s?

Tiklaus is a ginormous panther who rules our home and eats whatever is put within reach. I make sure it's healthy and fresh.

Tell me in the comments what you like to eat for dinner.

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~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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They are 8′ tall identical twins who share everything #Excerpt Origin of Pietas by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 09/01/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

Six Meets "The Twins"

"So what's the deal?" Six jutted his chin toward them. "Are these guys clones? Do they always finish each other's sentences?"

"Ultras are created in pairs, so technically, everyone is a twin. Few exceptions. But... Armand and Philippe were created during one of the first experiments. Back before we were called Ultras. They're the only survivors. We don't talk about it around them. When our people say 'the twins' they are usually talking about them, or about my sister and me. Remember I said two trusted guards watched our family? That was them." He started to move away, stopped himself. "And no. They don't finish each other's sentences. In fact, who speaks first is the best way to tell one from the other. Philippe finishes Armand's sentences. He never speaks first. Armand never speaks last. Each says the same amount of words. If a sentence has an uneven amount of words, Armand says the most. It's uncanny. I've never figured out how they manage it."

"What does Armand do if Philippe isn't around?"

"You will never see Armand without Philippe, or Philippe without Armand."

"Must make it hard to meet women. Or are they just interested in guys?"

"Like I said, Ultras are open about sex. In fact, I think my parents are one of the few monogamous pairings. The guys meet plenty of men and women. They might not be scientist material, but their bodies are perfect. And like everything else in their lives, they share. Fights break out over who has a chance to be with them."

"Get out." Six gave the twins a long, appraising look. "Weird."

"Among my people, Six, the twins don't even crack the door on weird."

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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The brain-embedded chip would save him. Right? #SciFi #SpaceOpera #FreeBook

Kayelle Allen 08/21/2021 Fallen Empires

When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six.

He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.

Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see.

To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...

---

In this scene from Lights Out, Tornahdo waits for his ship to dock. The space station they approach is where the peace talks he's been sent to secure are being held. But as the ship nears, he fights with the brain-embedded chip that the Ghost Corps swears gives him complete control.

Excerpt

From the ship's bridge, the space station Enderium Six filled every viewscreen. It occupied busy space-lanes outside the Terran Crescent. A steady stream of ships debarked, heading in different directions. Tornahdo's experience with peace talks was limited but something was...off.

Not a good sign for ending a war.

He reined in that thought. Nothing negative. Nothing sarcastic.

He must not allow emotion to claim victory after learning to suppress it. Didn't matter if his anti-emo chip was malfunctioning or not. When the chip worked, it controlled every aspect of his emotions. When it didn't, he controlled them. He'd done that all his life.

Besides, who but a rank newbie counted on military tech to save his butt?

The general would not be pleased with his current struggle after he'd fought to win her approval. He'd asked himself why he desired her admiration but pondering that question always gave him a headache. He just needed it.

Maybe because his new training permitted a single emotion in his heart. Hatred.

Hardest thing he did. Hating. Wasn't his nature. But ghosts followed orders.

He should not give credence to the niggling doubt that something, somewhere was missing. But grasping the meaning behind the worry? Futile.

He must not worry. He must permit no emotion other than hate.

Ultras controlled the emotions of others. The anti-emo chip blocked them.

The chip kept him safe in battle, faithful as a good soldier.

He must not think of self. Only duty. And with duty came danger.

Only days before, the Ultra's High Council had elected Pietas ap Lorectic as Chancellor. They chose a bloodthirsty, narcissistic megalomaniac with delusions of godhood and a fabled hatred of humans, and then sent him to chair peace talks.

Typical.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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Oh no. This is going to be trouble. Excerpt from Lights Out #SciFi #MFRWhooks #FreeBook

Kayelle Allen 07/28/2021 Character Insights 6 Comments

From across the bar, Ravenstongue sauntered toward him. "Why you here?"

Tornahdo kicked back in his chair. After stretching out his legs, he crossed his ankles. "Why do you care?"

"Big ops tomorrow. Lights out in ten. Time for you to go home and go to bed."

Behind the bar, the keeper closed up shelves and battened down doors.

"Yeah?" Tornahdo flicked a hand toward the door. "I'll follow you out."

"I'm not leavin'. Didn't you hear? We passed inspection with the highest scores. Got a free night out." Ravenstongue jabbed a finger toward Tornahdo. "But you gotta go home like a good boy."

In no kingdom in the galaxy would that happen.

Ravenstongue lifted two fingers, signaling his cohorts.

The keeper ducked behind the bar while the goons flanked their wannabe boss, imbecilic grins in place.

A pair of demons usually sat on Tornahdo's shoulders. The bad demon laid out strategy while the good demon discouraged action. Tonight, the good demon flipped a middle finger toward Ravenstongue with a not-so-subtle suggestion to kick his ass.

Tornahdo took his time rising, slid his chair under the table. "What did you say?"

"I said, 'You gotta go home like a good boy.'"

Hanging his thumbs in his belt, Tornahdo gave him a slow smile. "Go back to the bar, finish your drink and we'll pretend we're all friends and leave together. This is your last chance for a peaceful end."

"Peaceful." With a scoff, Ravenstongue jerked his head toward Short Goon. "You hear that?"

"Yeah. Maybe we oughta do what--"

Ravenstongue jabbed him with an elbow.

"I mean, yeah! I heard that." He leaned closer to his boss. "We gonna?"

"No, you idiot. Shut your face and back me up."

How did these hotheads enlist? Ghost Corps must have been desperate for bodies. Literally. A fighter's corpse they could reanimate. Which was a sobering thought.

Was that what the corps thought of him?

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas cosplay.

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No, you may not call me Pi! #PiDay #PietasFans #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 03/14/2021 Character Insights

Bringer of Chaos

This scene from Bringer of Chaos marks a major turning point in the story.

Six and Pietas have been reluctant enemies, and now move into being reluctant friends.

It still doesn't mean Six trusts him enough to tell him his name.

Excerpt "My Name is Pietas"

Days passed into weeks.

Six spent time hunting, fishing, gathering wood for the fire, hauling water. The man gave no indication of impatience, ever. Six was at his side, offering, assisting, without Pietas having to ask.

One evening after dinner, they stretched out side by side near the fire, staring up at the stars.

"Thank you, Six."

"For what?"

"You've been good to me. I appreciate it. I don't say that enough."

He folded his hands over his waist. "No problem. Glad to do it, Three Point One Four."

"Three point..." Pietas grappled with what the number might indicate. "Pardon?"

"I've decided that's your name. Now that we're friends."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your name." Six sat up. "Since you call me Six, I'm going to call you Three Point One Four."

"I fail to see the significance of the number."

"Really?" A big smile crossed Six's face. "And here I thought you were good at math. It's pi."

"No!" Pietas sat bolt upright. "I forbid you to call me that. I am Pietas. Pee-ah-toss."

"I dunno. I'm partial to Pi. I think I'll keep it."

"No. You may not call me Pi. My name is Pietas."

"Why not?"

"It is not my name!"

"Oh, you mean like Six isn't my name. It's a number."

"Simple remedy. Tell me your name."

The quiet lengthened, but then Six stretched both arms over his head, and gave a wide yawn. "Nah. I don't think so."

"Fine, then." Pietas settled himself on the ground once more. "Six it is."

"Guess I'm stuck with it." He grinned at Pietas as he stood. "Pi."

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Sample Ring of the Dragon, a sci-fi MM Romance, part of the #LGBT #Romance #Giveaway

Kayelle Allen 03/05/2021 Fallen Empires

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He can save mankind. All he has to do is die. Again #SciFi #SpaceOpera #FreeBook

Kayelle Allen 11/24/2020 Fallen Empires

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Where are my plants? #Excerpt Ring of the Dragon #SciFi #Robots

Kayelle Allen 11/04/2020 Fallen Empires 13 Comments

Pietas halted in the doorway. Despite its multiple couches, statues, and art, his stateroom evoked an emotional chill. From the door, nothing broke the stark monotony of white. And why did he care?

Because he'd do anything to impress Cyken.

"Fool that I am." Pietas tapped his bracelet. "Uurah. I ordered plants for my quarters." He crossed to the life-sized statue of Cyken commissioned multiple lifetimes ago. "Where are they?"

"An android crew is on its way, my lord. They should be there any second."

Why had he not noticed a shiny spot on one cheek of the black-and-gold marble? Pietas brushed the back of his fingers across the statue's cheek in a hand-kiss, an affectionate greeting among their people. He did that every time he passed. Had he caused this? Perhaps so. He'd touched it at least once a day, over hundreds... no, thousands of days.

Curious, he turned to the white marble statue outside his bedroom. Two worn places on this one. Cheek and shoulder. A third statue stood further out of his path, but in direct line of sight upon leaving his bedroom. If his gaze had weight, that one would have holes in it.

Here he stood, surrounded by life-sized images of three people he'd loved most, yet feeling more alone than he'd ever been in his immortal life.

The door buzzed, and Pietas tapped his bracelet to open it.

Six androids entered, each carrying a large pot with green plants. "Where would you like these, my lord?"

Another bracelet tap. "Uurah. They want to know where these plants are supposed to go. Get down here and deal with this."

"Yes, my lord. On my way."

Pietas beckoned one of the androids closer and inspected the plant. A robust ivy, common on most worlds. "Uurah, why are they all green? I ordered flowering plants. This room is solid white. I can't greet Cyken in a room that's solid white."

"Three questions."

"Are you on your way? If yes, you may ask."

"I am, my lord. Has Cyken not met with you in that room before?"

What kind of question was that? "You know he has."

"I am confused. Since you have greeted General Cyken there before but now cannot, has something changed in your relationship that I need to be aware of?"

Fates preserve him from literal androids. "No, Uurah. No change. What else?"

"The plants are green and the statue of Cyken is black-and-gold, are they not?"

"Yes, yes." Pietas pressed two fingers against his tight brow. "What's your point?"

"How can the room be solid white if those items are there?"

He stopped himself from snapping a response. Wishing for patience only bred trouble. One did not acquire patience by everything going one's way. He must keep his head while teaching this new variant of Uurah.

What idiot had convinced him upgrading this android again would be worthwhile?

Oh, yes. That would be Cyken. Bless him.

"Uurah, just get down here and bring flowers."

~ * ~
Ring of the Dragon has not yet been released. Although it is complete, it will be released with three other books. Want to know when? Here's how you can discover my new book releases: 1) Sign up for my newsletter. You'll get a five book starter set and other exclusive perks. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2) Follow my Amazon Author Page and get one alert from Amazon when a new story is available. 3) Sign up for AuthorAlarms and the app will send you one email when I release a book. You can add and remove authors on this app at any time.

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From the interview on RelationshipsAreComplicated.com

Tell us about the characters and relationships in your stories

Bringer of Chaos

Introducing new covers for the Bringer of Chaos series

Bringer of Chaos

Pietas Ritual - by Blue Crystal

Bringer of Chaos

Six Meets "The Twins"

Bringer of Chaos

Excerpt

Bringer of Chaos

Uh oh...

Bringer of Chaos

Bringer of Chaos

Excerpt "My Name is Pietas"

Lights Out

Origin of Pietas

Forged in Fire

LGBT Romance Book Fair for Free books

Where are my plants?

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