I had a fair number of requests to resolve the issue of the previous tale--so after this, I will be stopping until the rescue party makes it to Oblivion. Vex's smile sent an arrow of fear into my heart. I was not an actress, but if I didn't make this look good, we would all suffer. I put on my best expression of shocked dismay and lowered my head, as though I were struggling not to weep. "Oh gods," I said softly. "I should have foreseen this." "Forseen what, sweetness? That your so called beloved would abandon you?" He sat down next to me. Taking my chin in a firm grip, he forced me to look at him. "You love him still, yes?" It was better not to lie. "I do, my Count, even though I am bound to you I still love him." I hoped that hearing this would make Vex inclined to be lenient with Zerith--after all, as he had pointed out to Red, Zerith was all that I had. I no longer felt the deep sense of desperation I had but a few days ago, but it would behoove me to let Vex think that things hadn't changed. "I do hope that you would come to love me in time," he said softly, his emerald eyes devouring mine. Instinctively, the mental wall I had put itself between us, blocking what the daedra count could never be allowed to know. He smiled sadly then. "It is not my wish to cause you pain, sweetness. But know that I will do what I must to keep you by my side for eternity. If that means destroying your mortal lover and all of your friends who will attempt to help you, then so be it." He released my chin, then kissed me slowly, seeking to stir my passions. When I didn't respond, he merely chuckled. "Well enough, Nyxalinth. Know that even now, Lord Zul and my Chosen are searching for your beloved dark elf. As for myself, I will be awaiting your friends in my Audience Chamber. They will not leave my realm alive." His eyes moved over my barely dressed figure. He gave me that wicked look I knew all too well. "You are very lovely, Nyxalinth. All that effort just for me. I am not one to pass on such a fine offering." His fingers traced the curve of my lips. "And you should be aware--I know that you're lying. But no matter. Zerith will be punished, your friends will become as dust, and as for you...well, now you have something else to make up for." He slowly undid the jewelled buttons of my gown. "I do hope that you slept well." I made up for it, all right. By the time he finished with me I was so exhausted I could barely move a muscle, much less please him again. And as ever, my body had betrayed me, delighting Emerald Vex to no end. I watched him dress through slitted eyes. He did not put on his usual attire--rather, he put on an ornate suit of ebony armor and a green plumed, visored helm. A gleaming orcish dai-katana was strapped to his broad back--he was arraying himself for the coming battle. He pulled on black dragon hide gauntlets. Smirking, he said, "Do wish me luck sweetness." When I only glared, he laughed. "No matter--I am hardly the one in need of it!" The door opened. Red and Blackie strode gracefully into the room. They too were arrayed for battle, but their armor and weapons were considerably lighter. I rolled my eyes--I was too exhausted to feel any fear. "If you boys are looking for fun, I'm not in much shape for it," I told them wearily. Blackie grinned. "Not at all lovey. We're here to stand guard over your lovely body." Red smirked, adding, "Your friends think it will be easy. The only reason you and that Dreadknight woman defeated us before is because it wasn't us!" As I watched, the brothers took up positions on the ceiling on either side of the door. Hanging upside down didn't seem to perturb them in the least. Vex nodded. "An excellent strategy, my friends. By the time they realize something is a miss, it will be too late." He chuckled, then kissed me once more. "Why is it that I cannot get enough of you?" I grinned evilly. "Because you are a vile, disgusting pervert who gets off on using my own body against me, and by letting his even more vile, disgusting henchmen use me for their own amusement?" To my utter surprise, Vex threw back his head and laughed. Red and Blackie joined him. Finally, Vex said, "Tis but a few of many reasons. And I was beginning to think you had lost your spirit." Still grinning, I said, "Give me Midnight and Shadow Heart and I'll show you how much spirit I have!" Midnight was my mithril saber, and Shadow Heart was an ebony dagger. Vex laughed again. He kissed me once more then said, "Watch over her, my friends. Try not to let her beauty distract you--it would hardly do to have her friends walk in and find you pleasing her." Red grinned cruelly. "It might be rather amusing, Your Grace, but we take your point." Emerald Vex bowed low to me and departed. Blackie smirked down at me from his perch. Red leered. I glared at them both then turned my back to them. I couldn't wait to see them get roasted and sliced to pieces. ---------------------------- Shadow Walkers Realm http://www.livid.org mailto://sherrian@pagan.net PGP Public Key Fingerprint: F3C8 947E 0895 B415 00FC 5980 6497 91F4