after Red and Blackie finally left me alone I wrapped myself up in the
bed covers and tried not to weep.  I felt as I always did after they had
'enjoyed my company'--like I wanted to die.
    But as always, I settled for sleep.  Sleep always helped.  I wasn't a
quitter, and I wouldn't let Zerith down.
    I slept for gods only know how long.  When I awoke, there was a tray of
food waiting for me.  I ate it, even though the food tasted like ashes in
my mouth.  I had to keep my strength up if I was going to deal with Red,
Blackie, and Emerald Vex.
    I knew the routine well.  I finished eating, then walked through the
archway into the bath chamber.  It was the same as before--satisy every
dark passion emerald Vex had, sleep like a log, eat, then bathe.  And it
would begin anew.  I moved stiffly, as I was quite sore and bruise.  They'd
never been quite this rough with me before.  The water would restore me--it
always did.  Gods forbid that anything interfere with His Lordship's
pleasure, I thought sullenly.
    I glanced at my body in the mirror and gasped.  There wasn't an inch of
me that wasn't marked with bruises or love bites.  I smirked wryly.  Love
bites, indeed.  "They love me, all right.  And if they loved me anymore,
they'd love me to death!"
    I bathed, and while the water healed my battered and bitten body it
didn't make me feel *clean*.  'I'd have to be flayed alive for that,' I
thought dryly.
    I sighed.  The water felt wonderful, but I couldn't sit in the bath
forever.  Emerald Vex would be here soon, and keeping him waiting wasn't
such a hot idea.
    I climbed out of the bath and dried off.  There were clothes, but it
was hardly the sort of thing you'd wear to, say, the Angry Porcupine.  It
was a black silk robe, the fabric so sheer you could read through it.
    Before Zerith had pushed me through the portal, we'd both earned
freedoms and priveledges.  We were allowed to roam Vex's manse unfettered,
though there was always the chance that we could run into Red and Blackie.
I had on a few occasions, but the few times I'd run into Zerith made it
worth it.  But now we were once again imprisoned in luxurious cages.
    I put on the robe.  It didn't surprise me in the least that every curve
of my body was clearly visible.  'Zerith would love this on me,' I thought,
and sighed.  "I wish Zerith were here to see this."
    "Perhaps if you accord yourself properly, my sweet, that could be
arranged."
    I turned, startled.  Emerald Vex was lounging in one of the overstuffed
chairs.  He was wearing flowing green and black robes and a king's ransom
in jewelry.  His emerald green hair hung loose and shining to his waist.
He held out an elegant hand to me, and I went to him.
    I sat in his lap, and he kissed me.  Against my will, my passions
stirred.  He chuckled and I gave him a venomous look.
    "I have missed you sorely," he murmured.  "I especially missed you in
my bed."
    "I have no doubt of it," I replied with as much respect as I could muster.
    He chuckled again and puished my robe open.  "Well, we have a great
deal of catching up to do.  And if you please me, I'll let you see Zerith."

    It took forever, but finally Emerald Vex was satisfied.  Once again I
was sore and tired, but as always, I had to admit he was talented.  I lay
in the circle of his arms as he stroked my back.  Even afterwards, he
couldn't leave me be.
    But he said the words I longed to hear.  "Tonight, at dinner, my sweet.
 You will see your beloved.  I promise you this."  And he smiled, a smile
of such dark and sensuous promise that I shuddered.
    And not entirely from fear.