Teaser from Europa for #SFRB Showcase #SciFiRom

This year, I began a new series intended to be science fiction adventures. But, romance slipped into the first book and the story of Nikki and Kiron continues in Book 2, which is currently at a messy 32k words.
Blurb What alien creatures lurk under the icy surface of Europa?
Dr. Nikki Bell’s plan to discover intelligent life hits a rocky start when her spaceship crashes on the icy surface of Europa. Seconds before she blacks out, she spies a man’s face in the water beneath the ice. When she wakes on the submarine Station, nobody believes her story. Convinced the mysterious stranger saved her life, Nikki searches for him while she explores the ocean and its alien inhabitants.  Kiron Arqin Ramis chose exile as a Watcher on a remote outpost to redeem his family’s honor. He never expected to find an attractive Earther woman close to death. He violates the prime policy by rescuing her. Despite suffering the penalty, he strives to warn her about his hostile leaders. Nikki’s unexpected meeting with Kiron triggers a chain of disasters in Europa’s perilous oceans. Can the daredevil scientist and scarred Watcher forge a new alliance despite their people’s antagonism?   Science fiction thriller and romance: Book 1 of Taxyon Space, a saga of our journey to the stars.

Excerpt:Nikki and Kiron have been meeting in secret and they’ve been doing more than chatting. This is Nikki’s first serious relationship since her fiancé died three years ago, but she is about to learn it is different for him.  The other human colonists are unaware of the Warrish Watchers in the waters of Europa.
“Kiron,” she said, “Don’t you want to stay with me?” “I wish to swim by your side.” His response sounded like a ritual phrase. She pressed her point. “Do you love me?” He straightened and took a deep breath as if he were about to submerge in the water. “Why do you ask?” “Please,” she begged. “I’d like to know how you feel.” “My feelings have no importance in Warrish society.”  “You’re dithering. Why can’t you just say yes or no?” Brushing his knuckles over her cheek, he murmured, “Warrish have no concept of your word ‘love’. Not as I understand the meaning from Earther broadcasts.” “No love? But you must have sex. What about marriage between two people?” “The triad is the key unit. We do not choose our matches. Our families arrange a union between two triads, a male triad and a female, to unite in pairs. Triad matches are chosen for political advantage. The highest ranking families can sometimes arrange sets of interlocking triads.” Bewildered by the Warrish triad system, Nikki shook her head. “It sounds awfully complex.” She wrapped her arms around Kiron. “Forget your triad system for the moment. Kiss me.”  He complied. The membrane dimpled overhead. Kiron pushed her away. Two Warrish descended, feet first, into the tent. They aimed tube weapons. Before Nikki could react, one man flung a net around her. She glimpsed Kiron through the mesh. He glowered, his mouth a thin line of suppressed fury. His hands were pinned behind his back by a heavier man. Enraged and shaking with shock, she struggled in the net, only becoming more entangled. Unable to reach her com, she glared at the Warrish. Had Kiron betrayed her? What did they mean to do with her?
Nikki is in big trouble, and Kiron isn’t happy.

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