EPILOGUE
‘Go for it, Darby.’
They were all gathered in Peyton’s favorite star lounge. She stood on a small raised platform in front of the window which showed the passing blackness of space as her backdrop.
She was dressed in a one shouldered beautiful, floor-length gown made from the Waetera, her long white hair flowed down her back almost touching the floor. Her position as Star Daughter demanded her rope of Star Crystal fashion itself into a crown of stars which now adorned her head.
What gave every one pause when they saw it, was the crystal had turned from the soft blue color it had taken when her hair had turned white to the color of space…black.
The same color as her cloak, which was so black it was almost too painful to look at. Instinctively people knew the cloak was a gift from the Star Child.
All the ladies club were dressed in beautiful gowns, ranging in colors from silver to gold. The traders were dressed in their new clothes, depicting the color they decided on for their trading house. A deep navy blue with long coats of dark gray, with purple piping.
When asked, why purple? Rose had shrugged and said she had no idea, it just seemed right.
Darby, Heather, and Jean along with all the other females wore colorful party dresses. Melody and Netta along with all the Warriors present wore their new dress uniforms and long trench coats, they looked startling deadly.
Standing in front of Peyton were Kerol and Penny as well as Jorge and Amelia and around thirty other couples. On other ships in the same position were over five hundred couples, including Fern Jones and a Warrior named Renta, with Nina in attendance.
Peyton did not know all the couples, but she was pleased and delighted to see so many coming together, it eased her heart to know they were finding love.
They all stood waiting for her to speak at this the first Maikonian joining ceremony. Darby nodded to Peyton to let her know she was almost ready, and a few seconds later she gave her the signal to begin.
‘Greetings, to everyone on this momentous occasion. I am pleased and proud to officiate for our first joining ceremony. So celebrants if you are ready, we shall commence.’
She waited for Darby’s signal, as the screen was only one way, they therefore had to wait for the other ships to notify Darby they were ready. She nodded when she heard from all the other ships.
Peyton grinned as she said. ‘Thank you all for coming to witness this ceremony. This celebration of love, it is said that to love and be loved is to feel the stars warmth from both sides of the whole. Only then do we understand how truly blessed by their divine light we are.
Starlight illuminates our true hearts and needar, it is a light that shows us the path to true love and gives life to every cell of our being. We give thanks for the love that has gathered us together today, as we celebrate the friendship and commitment between these two people. Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share, it is the great unifier.
We have one universal truth which states no matter who we are, where we have come from and what we believe, love is what will hold us together.
These couples united today have the promise of possibilities and the expectation of joyful surprises, as they traverse this wonderful union of two diverse species and cultures.
So it is now my task to ask each of them a very special question. Do you courageous Ladies and Warriors of Maikonia. Wish to join your hearts and needars to each other at this time, before these witnesses with love and understanding. To create a family together whatever form that takes and do you swear to enrich each other’s lives for as long as you both shall live?’
‘Yes!’
Peyton, her eyes twinkling with delight as she looked at the two couples directly in front of her said. ‘Celebrants, if you would please.’
Brenda, Helen, and Esther took strips of star-studded dark blue ribbon and wrapped it around the hands of each of the couples joining them together.
Darby signaled that the other celebrants were doing the same. Peyton told the couples.
‘We take these ribbons and bind your hands together as your hearts and needar are bound. May the binding of your love last a lifetime?’
They waited for the okay from Darby to say all the celebrants were finished, she waved and Peyton said. ‘Thank you Celebrants.’
She looked at the females before her and said. ‘Ladies, please repeat after me. In all the universe there is no heart for me like yours.’
They all heard the voices that joined with the females on her ship as they repeated the words.
Peyton then addressed the Warriors.
‘Warriors repeat after me. In all the universe there is no love for you, like mine.’
The Warriors repeated the words in their deep voices throughout the ships. Peyton smiled as she raised her hands and said in the singsong voice of the Star Child.
Congratulations, you are now joined under the Light of the Stars, take with you the blessings from us all.
Outside of the ships, stars zipped across the darkness of space so fast they looked like exploding fireworks. Gasps were heard across the comms as everyone watched the delightful display.
Peyton turned and bowed to the star filled space beyond the window as did every person there and on every ship. She straightened and clapped her hands laughingly saying. ‘Let’s parrrteeee!!!’
When she stepped down from the platform, Brenda took the ribbons from the two couples and handed them to her. She placed them into two small wooden boxes while several of the ladies club did the same for the other couples.
Peyton told the two couples standing with her. ‘These are for you, a small memento of your ceremony.’ On the lid of each box was a carving of two people entwined in a loving embrace. ‘The boxes are a present for every couple from the Leesungha family.’ Brenda told them as Penny traced the engraving with awe, saying. ‘It is so beautiful.’
Kerol said for them all. ‘We will thank them. They are truly a beautiful gift. Madam Peyton, thank you for the words you spoke, they were truth and beauty.’
Amelia agreed. ‘Graceful and loving.’
Peyton inclined her head. ‘I thank you. The celebrants created the ceremony, the words were a combination from ceremonies on Earth and from the histories of the Star Child, which reflect our new lives. I am glad you liked them, the ceremony will hopefully be added to and changed and gifted with more words as many more unions occur. I am so happy for you all.’
She hugged them all over again, then they were passed from female to female. Finally ending with Esther who touched the face of Kerol in a gently caress as he held Penny’s hand in his. He leaned down and kissed her cheek whispering. ‘I thank you Lady Esther for believing in me.’
‘It is what we do.’ She told him as she returned the salute. ‘Love each other that is all that matters.’
Then she was holding Amelia in her arms as Jorge with a smile on his face held her hand. Esther said tearfully. ‘I am so very happy for you both.’
Amelia laughed through her tears as she whispered. ‘I thought I would never have what you and your Harry had and look Esther, I do!’
‘Oh sweet girl, you were always destined to be loved and Jorge is a good and honorable male, love him well.’
‘I will Esther, I will!’
Jorge leaned down and kissed her cheek saying. ‘Thank you, Lady Esther.’
Hawk stood waiting, once Amelia let the misty-eyed Esther go, he took her hand in his saying.
‘Esther come, I have found a bottle of vintage Fenteric wine. Helen says it will put hair on your chest. Dinas does not understand what she means. I explained it was an expression. He is asking Helen to show him her chest, so he can find out why it would do so to your species, as it does not to any others!’
Esther’s peals of laughter ricochet around the room, causing the happiness to escalate. Hawk grinned as Peyton gave him the thumbs up, Esther and her Harry had raised both Amelia and Karen after their parents had died.
Esther’s grief for her husband overwhelmed her at times, especially on occasions such as this. So Peyton asked Hawk to distract her from her sadness if he could. It seemed to have worked as another peel of laughter rang out. Penny hugged Peyton again and asked. ‘Did you see our markings?’
‘Do you know what it says?’ Darby asked Amelia, who nodded enthusiastically. ‘Oh yes, as soon as they appear, the translation is in your mind. It is as though you always knew it.’
Jorge agreed. ‘It is like a memory.’
Kerol nodded. ‘Exactly like that!’
‘It didn’t hurt, thank goodness. I was a little worried about that.’ Penny whispered to the others standing with her.
‘Good to know.’ Heather said, as all the females present sighed in relief, they had been concerned as well. Darby took Amelia’s hand in hers and traced the words with her finger.
Jorge stilled and then very gently lifted Darby’s fingers away from Amelia’s wrist, saying in a husky voice. ‘Please Lady Darby stop. The marking is connected to mine. What touches my mates touches mine.’
‘Oh!’ Darby blushed. ‘I apologize.’
Amelia hit Jorge. ‘Don’t growl at her; she did not know. I did not know. How do you know?’
He leaned over and whispered in her ear for a few seconds, she turned bright red. ‘Oh... Oh well, yes, I see.’ She glared at him as he raised an eyebrow at her.
‘You should have warned me!’ She growled at him with a head toss as she walked over to Penny.
Jorge murmured. ‘Where would the fun of that have been?’ He grinned unrepentantly at his mate as he swaggered over to her.
Peyton was laughing so hard her face was pink. Darby and Netta asked her why she was laughing, but she mimed a lock and key refusing to tell them, she hoped they would all find out for themselves one day.
In the very early hours of the following morning, the party was over and Peyton’s viewing lounge was returned to its previous state with couches, chairs and tables scattered around.
She sat curled up on her favorite couch as family and friends new and old wandered in and found seats.
Hawk and Dinas sat with a tipsy Esther, Brenda and Helen between them, still drinking the wine from earlier.
Rose, Frand and Miko found themselves with Heather and Melody. Darby and Netta sat together and were very drunk. They had indulged in a whiskay drinking competition, which had ended in a draw, much to the amusement of the Warriors.
They sat near Peyton who glowed a soft gold of happiness and contentment. Esther sighed resting her head on Hawk’s arm as she said. ‘It was a great day.’
‘It truly was.’ Several voices agreed with her.
Peyton let them sit and bask in the success of the day as they all relived the parts they had enjoyed the most. The happy couples, the food and gifts as well as the amazing cakes Helen and several of the bakers had made for each ship.
Personally she had enjoyed the dancing that the females had made the Warriors try with mixed results.
Mostly they talked about the fun of watching the Warriors and the Leesungha family at their first Earth party. When they had talked themselves quiet and sat sleepy and contented.
Peyton said softly. ‘A Day to Remember!’
She stood and walked to the viewing window and said. ‘My family and friends behold our new home!’
They all stood to take in their first view of Maikonia Prime as the ships passed through the barrier that shielded their worlds from the rest of the universe. Just as it had done for millions upon millions of yentas.
The Star Child's voice rang out to every person on every ship.
WELCOME HOME PEOPLE OF MAIKONIA!
‘Oh my stars. It’s purple!’
Continue to follow Peyton’s adventures in the series, Daughter of Ethos in the upcoming book,
Destination Home
Translations:
Adee = Living malleable unknown substance
Amahka = Mate to Star Daughter
Ambassador = Ambassador
Anult woue = Attack Dog
Artar = Veterinarian
Assaen = Assassin
Basterads = Bastards
Bitchre = Bitch
Cabu = Cow
Cassuam = Engine
Castque = Out Cast
Chinsee = Goatee beard
Circlet = Made to work as a whore
Comparium = Engine
Data drive = Flash drive
Data Flick = Data Chip
Darma = Trader word for mother
Dayam = Damn
Desoul = Demon
Devlish = Devil
Empirer = Palace
Falears = Faders
Feelons = Felons
Funta= Joke
Furin = Fuck
Furiner = Fucker
Genea = Geneticist
Gesovo = Vow
Gravatron = Force or traction
Greeting = Hello
Guardiod = Adopted
Guardio = Adopted parent or Guardian
Guardioan = Adopting/adoption
Hayda = Hell/Hades
Healers = Doctors/ surgeons
Hiesie = Conmen
Hikaran = Chess, four levels played in 3D
Hoay = Gay Male
Hutell= Motel/Hotel
Impoef = Pretender
Investigtor = Investigator
Kailee = Mystic Queen
Kail = Mystic King
Kilto = Mile
Lalorla = Lawyer (Lalora)
Laroro =Accountant (La-roe)
Layra = liar
Lituiumin = Type of alloy (lit-tui-umin)
Lunera = Month
Luslian = Precious metal
Masters = Mind Healers
Matar = Mother
Mecon = Senator
Min = Minute
Mins = Minutes
Mystics = All of the mystical people
Narto = Narcotics
Needar = Being/ Spirit
Nutoro = Idiot
Olesho = Asshole
Omperea = Mystic word for great mother
Parta = Trader word for Uncle
Plasium = Platinum
Poho = Ghost
Primer = Level of technology advancement, low, medium, high.
Priounty = Reward/Bounty
Raccinor = ‘Race- in- orr’ Motorbikes
Rie = Soul fire. Inner spirit. Well of power.
Rogu= Stew
Roments = Pig like animal with eight legs
Santinue = Drug used for Turquall
Savgell = Animal
Scallut = Female whore
Scallup = To whore oneself
Scaloup = Male whore
Schrouse = Special heavy water/gray water
Scup = Smug
Sene = Seer
Sevna = Mystic Priestess
Shipteen = Ships dining room
Snikes = Snake crossed with a lizard, Venomous
Somnea = Leather
Somneline = Mammoth animal used for leather
Soytou = Cow carcass
Shosole = Steroid Drug
Suula = Soul bond
Taje = Jerk
Tetamoant = Sampler of food
Thsieon = Thieves
Tivna = Priestess
Tocho = Matchmaker (Toeco )
Tournat = Sword duel
Tuarillians = Original Turquall
Tuap = Shit
Turquall = Large cat
Unta = Trader word for Aunt
Urnu = Guard, nanny
Upio = Deer like animal with six legs
Walkways = Escalators
Wetera = Material
Weken = Week
Whiskay = Whiskey
Woian = Gay female
Woue = Dog
Yenta = Year
Books by L. M. Lacee
DAUGHTER OF ETHOS SERIES:
Book 0.5: Prelude
Book 1:Unknown Universe