Lustral || Complete

XIV

     Liri squeezed Ardon's hand as the Calypso's loading bay hatch hissed open. Relieved to be home, she watched the weary travelers brightened with each cleansing breath of the warm, salty, floral-tinged air purifying the ship. 

     "Sweet Nebula, that smells amazing," Mauvrick stated with a broad smile cutting his face in half.

     Taking a deep breath, Liri led them down the ramp. "It's even better than I remember."

     "Welcome home, Lady Liriandra Delaney," Ardon said with a wink. 

     Syd slowed her pace as she reached the end of the ramp. "I almost feel like we are too dirty to leave the ship. I mean, look at that." She pointed to the pristine, white sandy beach off to the left.

     "Who gives a shite? D'ya see wha' we'r parked next to?" 

     Syd stumbled as she turned to look in the direction Luke was pointing. "That's a Kobain 3200XY; it's one of the fastest ships in the known galaxy." Her mouth hung open as her eyes doubled in size.

     "No, that's the Kobain 4200XY," Liri corrected.

     "There isn't a 4200XY."

     Liri nodded. "Actually, they started production on them over a year ago."

     "You mean your father owned that too?" Syd asked, disgust coating her words.

     "No."

     "I'll be needn' ta take a looksie under da hood if ya don' mind," the small blonde mechanic said with a huge grin lighting up his face.

     "Sure, Luke. I'm positive the twins will be more than happy to show someone their toys."

     "Twins?"

     "Yes, and there they are," Liri's voice hitched as five of her harem-mates poured out of the marble, white-columned building, reminiscent of old Earth's Greek architecture. 

     "Go," Ardon said as he let go of her hand. "I'm right behind you."

     She kissed his cheek. "Thank you for everything, Ardon." 

     Liri sprinted to Pasley's open arms. She melted into the soft, warm, embrace, and surrendered to her turbulent emotions. Tears poured down her face as a chorus of happy, excited voices pleasantly filled her ears. They ran their hands over her in welcome.

     "You've finally returned!"

     "We missed you so much."

     "It wasn't the same without our huntress leading the shadow raids." A large man said as he swooped in and picked Liri up. The other four parted, and he spun around while kissing her, laughing when they pulled apart.

     Liri giggled and wiped the tears from her face. "Jensen, you look like you have more muscles than the last time I saw your handsome face! What has Pasley been feeding you?"

     "She's taken good care of us, as always, but I have added on a few pounds of muscle." He shifted Liri to one arm and flexed the other. "You like it?"

     She ran her hand over the warm, inviting flesh. "I think I'll need to give you a thorough inspection before I can say for sure."

     "I like the sound of that." The large man chuckled.

     "Our turn, Jensen!" two dark-haired men with large, teal eyes bellowed in unison.

     "Riley and Wesley," Liri grunted as they sandwiched her in between their lithe forms as soon as her feet touched the ground. "Free me this instant!"