Nyx I awoke shortly after my dream of Kriella. They were coming for us! At last I would be free of the villain who'd bonded me to him and his vile henchmen. Though I'd ceased to weep over my captivity long ago, the idea of freedom for Zerith and I, never to see Emerald Vex again was a delicious one. Speaking of Zerith...had Kriella not told me of his escape, and asked me to distract the daedra count? I sighed. I was a little envious of Zerith, but moreso, I wished him all the luck of the gods. I loved him, and I would always love him. Even if we chose to see others again once we returned to Tamriel, my heart would always belong to him. As of now, there were only two other men I would consider sharing my heart with--one I knew only from what I'd been told, the other I'd not seen in years. I shook the thoughts away. I loved Zerith. We hadn't spoken of marraige that wonderful night in his arms, but he had promised that we could make a go at being exclusive. I hoped it would work, for I needed stability after what I'd endured. Vex stirred in his sleep, drawing my attention. Again I marvelled that such evil could hold such beauty. And I knew what I had to do. But the blatant approach would not work. Firstly, it was simply not my nature--subtle seduction was more my metier. Secondly, such boldness would only serve to arouse his suspicions, not his desires. Smiling a little, I disentangled myself from the circle of his arms and got out of bed. I knew he would awaken, and I was right. No sooner had I slipped on my chamber robe than the daedra count became fully awake. "Where are you going, sweetness?" I smiled a little. "No where in particular, m'lord. It would see there is naught for me to go." He smirked, stretching langorously. The sheets slipped dangerously low. I allowed myself to look him over slowly. This wasn't lost on Vex. He raised one brow and said, "You brought it on yourself, sweetness." I smiled my best wicked smile. Unfortunately, I couldn't fake a blush. I said, "Well, my lord, perhaps there is a way I could make it up to you?" He returned my smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You do change your tune quickly, my sweet," he purred. Nevertheless, he cast the sheets aside fully. I let my eyes linger on what he had to offer me. 'Perhaps I have come to see that all along, I have been a fool to reject what you so deliciously offer me, my lord." I perched on the side of the bed. "I was bidding Zerith farewell, my lord. We are bonded now, are we not?" I moved my fingers up his leg. "Should I not be yours alone?" Without warning Vex pulled me down next to him. He shifted us so that he pinned me to the bed. His emerald eyes bore into mine. Instinctively, I blocked all thoughts of Zerith, escape, and my hatred for the daedra count from my mind. "If I thought for one instant that you were lying to me my sweet Nyxalinth, I would visit torments upon you and Zerith that would have you screaming in your dreams forever!" His fingers dug painfully into the little nests of nerves in my wrists. I bit my lip, refusing to cry out as he continued to invade my mind. Finally, he nodded. "Satisfied, my Lord Vex?" I asked sweetly a hint of risque humor in my words. He grinned wickedly. "That you do not plot against me? Yes. Your friends do not stand a chance against me, with or without that hulking warmage. Yes, he lives, much to my consternation. It makes things difficult, but not insurmountable." Suddenly he rolled aside and lay next to me. His green eyes narrowed wickedly. "Well, my sweet? I do believe you said something about making things up to me? You'd best get started." I bit my lip to keep from laughing aloud. Emerald Vex was terrified of Balefire, wehther he chose to admit it or not. And it did my heart good to know it. ---------------------------- Shadow Walkers Realm http://www.livid.org mailto://sherrian@pagan.net PGP Public Key Fingerprint: 07A0 01CF 1716 EA1A BCFC 6217 25FC A908