Epilogue
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Myla
It takes about two weeks to arrive on Taugon, maybe less. It’s really hard to keep up with time when you’re on a space ship.
As we take a flyer down to the planet, I’m nervous. I’m still really not sure what to expect.
Tia grins at me. “A word of advice: don’t eat the berries.”
“Okay.” I laugh.
Who in their right mind would eat wild berries? Growing up on a farm, even I know that wild berries are more than likely poisonous...
That’s a story I’ll have to ask her about one day...
“Unless you want to go on a terrifying trip, in which case, eat all you want,” she adds mischievously.
Never mind. Now I’m afraid to ask what the hell she’s talking about.
“I almost didn’t rescue my guys, thinking they were walking, talking hallucinations,” she continues.
I burst out laughing.
Moak glances back over his shoulder. “She is not joking.”
In the short time we’ve all been together, it already feels like family. Tia is like the sister I never had. I can totally see her getting us both into trouble.
We land with a soft thud, and everyone stands. I cast an almost shy smile at my guys. This is my— our —new home, and we’re here together, seeing it for the first time.
Then a thought crosses my mind, and I wonder if there are any Acradidia left here?
“Don’t worry,” Tia says as though she can read my mind; I must have a glass face or something. She pats my arm. “When we claimed this world as our own, all the labs were destroyed. We made sure there were no Acradidia left here.”
“That’s good to know,” I reply, relieved.
As we step into the cool air, I see a red sun sinking below a mountain. The trees are large, and some kind of geyser erupts in the distance. But the city is breathtaking.
“Is that…?” I swallow hard.
Tia smiles. “That is our new home.”
Some sort of vehicle—an air buggy or cart— arrives, and we are ushered on. It has half sides, and a small door, but everything is electric. Moak spreads his fingers and places his hand on a control panel, and the cart says, “Welcome back. Where may I take you?”
“ Kintolf square,” he replies.
The cart takes off with smooth acceleration, zipping high over the trees. The wind rustles my hair, and I laugh. “This is amazing!”
Tekil stands behind me, Zeno to my left, Vi’del to my right. I glance at each of them; they are watching me.
The cart slowly lowers in an open area in the center of the city. There are large glass buildings with pointed roofs, each different in color. Yellows, blues, greens—all glass, but none see- through.
Moak ushers us to the blue building, which is also the largest, and opens a lift. Not an enclosed elevator—a literal lift that takes you to other floors, allowing you to see out. Again, think half-walls and openness.
When we reach the top, he points to a door at the far end of the hall. “This is our dwelling.”
Pointing to the opposite end of the hall, he says, “That will be yours.” Pinning Vi’del with a look, he continues, “It’s Kintue technology so you will know how to import your handprint for security.”
“Thank you.”
The four of us head to our new home. I’m a bundle of excited nerves. Vi’del opens the door and I step inside and gasp.
One entire wall is clear glass, without the blue that’s seen from the outside. I can see Humans and Kintolf alike on the street; buildings still under construction. In the distance, I see large trees illuminated by streaks of pink as the sun sets.
Three pre-historic wolves are racing out of the city, heading for the trees. So wild and natural.
Turning, I look over our new home. Huge plush couches, a heavy wooden coffee table. Now this looks like something from home.
An open space with a kitchen to the left, equipped with the latest stove, a refrigerator, sink, and a huge replicator. Huh, I guess we have the option to cook (or not).
Heading left, there’s a huge bedroom with a bed large enough to accommodate the four of us. A heavy wood dresser, night stand, chest of drawers, along with a very large walk-in closet filled with new clothes.
Wow!
This has Tia’s handiwork written all over it.
Entering another room, my knees almost buckle. A large ceramic bathtub with rock walls takes up most of the bathroom. It’s big enough to be a small pool. There’s also a sonic shower in a separate space off to the left.
“Bastian says that Tia likes to take baths.” I glance over my shoulder and see Zeno watching me.
Stepping further inside, he taps the wall and a computer screen lights up.
“What?” I’m so overwhelmed by everything.
“You will find that most rooms are equipped with computer integration.”
“I will never learn how to do this.”
Zeno turns on the water. Instead of a facet, it fills from the bottom up. His finger lifts my chin so I’m looking him in the eyes.
“You have a lifetime to learn. Right now, take a long bath.” He kisses my lips. “And when you get out, we’ll get you good and dirty again.”
My breath hitches and suddenly I’m wet. “Promise?”
“We have a lot of rooms to claim.”
My hair is swept to the side; a kiss lands on my neck. Tekil.
Vi’del grabs the hem of my shirt, lifting it over my head. His fingers play with my nipples.
Zeno expertly unbuttons my pants, his hand sliding under my panties. One finger dips inside as he starts lightly pumping it in and out.
My pants and panties are ripped away, and Zeno’s on his knees between my legs, licking my juices before his tongue works its magic.
“On second thought,” Tekil growls, “the bath can wait until later.”
Later sounds good….
The End