In the end, Vex had his way with me, as always.  And as always, I
thought and struggled until his skills and endurance won out over my sense
of morality and self respect.
    I slept for a short time, then awoke.  I stretched gingerly, wincing a
little.  The daedra lord had been quite vigorous, and my body showed it.
In his own way, he had missed me, and he'd made up for lost time with great
abandon.
    I sat up and looked down at the daedra lord lying next to me.  His
green hair was spread out over the bed in vivid contrast to the black silk
sheets.  He was gorgeous, immensely superb in bed, but he was evil.  And he
would never have me completely.  Emerald Vex would pay, oh yes, but in the
meantime, I would keep him amused, for my sake and Zerith's.
    Vex wasn't sleeping.  He was in a deep, meditative trance that daedra
entered to regain lost energies.  If I'd had a suitable weapon, I could've
slain him, for daedra were at their most vulnerable in this state.  The
fact that he could lay there so peacefully next to me was meant to mock my
helplessness against him.  
    'If Kriella and her husband are on the way, now would be the perfect
time,' I thought wryly.  'He's far more powerful than she--or anyone--gives
him credit for.'
    I knew about the Morphoid daedra Vex had sent.  He'd sent the thing
merely to test out his foes, and they had beaten it.  Next time, he would
send a frost or fire daedra...or worse.  What I had found out only
recently, and what Kriella didn't know, was that Emerald Vex was no mere
lord, but a daedra count, the worst of a nasty lot.
    Sighing, I climbed out of bed.  There was no going back to sleep for me
now.  I wanted a bath, and to relax.  I picked up one of the sheets that
had fallen to the floor during our--ahem--activities and wrapped it around
myself.
    As I bathed, I thought about what had happened back at Battlespire.
'Gods help me if Vex finds out about my tryst with Rathine,' I thought.  'I
can't even begin to imagine what would happen to me.'  Emerald Vex often
gleefully gave me to Red and Blackie, either to punish me or to reward
them.  He'd even let me see Zerith on occasion.  But Rathine was an old
rival, and knowing that he'd had me wouldn't sit well with Emerald Vex.  I
shuddered in spite of the warm water.
    I'd had my reasons for sleeping with the Dremora, and it wasn't because
of his striking good looks--which he had in abundance--or for personal
gain.  I'd done it to save Skudge, whom Rathine had captured, and to gain
one of the cogs I needed.  It wasn't like I'd had a choice--Rathine had
knocked me unconcious and rendered me helpless.
    Not that the tryst had been entirely unpleasant.
    And Rathine had kept his word.  After Mara only knew how many hours,
the Dremora gave me Skudge (whole and well, and ornery as ever), a pat on
the rump, and the cog I needed.
    I missed Skudge terribly, though.  "Zerith would like Skudge, I think."
    "Indeed?  You can tell Aerith all about your little adventures at
Battlespire at dinner."
    Startled, I looked up to see Emerald Vex.  He'd gotten dressed, and was
wearing a king's ransom in finery and jewels.  
    "Come, it's time to dress, my dear."  He looked me over, his emerald
eyes darkening with desire.  "Though if you wish to dine naked I'll not
object."  
    Blushing, I got out of the pool.  I dressed in the garments I was
given--an incredibly gorgeous robe of royal blue cut velvet.  Vex draped a
diamond and sapphire necklace, earrings, and bracelet on me.  The earrings
alone could probably feed a family for three years.  And it was all going
with me when I left.
    "You look beautiful," he told me in that husky purr I knew so well.
"Now to dinner, and a great event."
    My blood turned to frost.  "What event?"
    The daedra lord--count--smiled cruelly.  "You will be soul bonded to me
this night.  I know what your friends have planned, you see.  And once we
are soul bound, there will be no escape for you.  If I die, you die as well."
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