Penelya Khevet was a female Cardassian who lived in the 24th century.

She was born in the 2350s on the Cardassian colony world of Ithic, and in 2370, was orphaned when her parents were killed in a Maquis attack on that world. She went to live with her uncle, Mikor Khevet, on Cardassia Prime.

Her life on Cardassia was very different than the life she lived on Ithic. As an orphan she had no rights and no status in Cardassian society and was entirely dependent on her uncle's charity for everything from food and shelter to permission to receive an education or travel. She met Rugal Pa'Dar and the two became friends, and later became romantically involved. She was extremely humble and grateful to her uncle and other family members for providing for her after the loss of her parents although Rugal was of the opinion Mikor Khevet was merely using her, conditioning her to be a free farm manager.

In 2373, after Cardassia joined the Dominion and eliminated the Maquis, Mikor Khevet chose to send Penelya back to her family's farm on Ithic instead of allowing her to further her education as she had planned, but Penelya refused to allow Rugal to speak ill of him. She asked Rugal to come with her and he declined.

In 2375 she had to flee Ithic again, when the Dominion turned against the Cardassians. Though feared dead, Rugal found her on Cardassia Prime three years later in 2378, where they were reunited. She agreed to return to Ithic with him and his human charge, Hulya Kiliç. (DS9 novel: The Never-Ending Sacrifice)