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“Very nice, little whore.” That hated voice congratulated and taunted me as Miri's father stepped into view. “You had a very appreciative, and surprised audience for that last performance.”

“I wondered what he meant when he turned away from me and told someone. “Well, go ahead, pay her price.

“I find reunions to be so uplifting.” He grinned nastily at me as the person he had addressed came out of the shadows and hesitantly put a silver coin in my hand.

It was Miri.

Her expressions were many and varied. Shock. Pain. Sorrow. Outrage. And worse, the worst of them all, a trace of disdain.

I just looked at Miri as she stared at me without being able to say a thing. No matter what had happened to me, I still loved her and the things I'd seen in her face hurt.

“I'll just leave you two to enjoy this.” Her father said and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“Bastard.” I breathed.

“Oh yes.” Miri nodded. “That and worse.

“Oh, Mike, what have they done to you?”

“What you see, what you saw.” I shook my head. “I can't help being what they have imposed on me just now.”

“They're watching.” She turned to look at the walls and everywhere else with real concern.

“No matter.” I shrugged, reaching out to make sure what they saw was an argument that I hoped wouldn't really happen. “They are seeing what I want them to see right now.”

“You can do that?” She asked with a surprised look on her face.

“Oh, yes.” I gave her a little smile. “They may have me bound, but I am finding more and more ways around that every day.”

“Then why?” She asked simply. “Why do what you just did?”

“Miri, it's hard to explain other than to tell you that the binding spells they put on me make that a part of my nature that I can't fight. And don't think I haven't tried to do that. I still love you Miri, even with how I look and what I am.

“This.” I looked down and the silver coin in my hand with a slow smile. “May just be part of what I need to get my freedom.”

“Can you do that?”

“In time.” I nodded.

“I want my husband back.” She wistfully told me.

“Miri.” I tried to think of how to tell her and just decided to say it. “What you see is me. Michael was a shell, to hide all this.
“I was born so long ago that no civilazation that was there exists in any more than ruins and interesting things in museums today. This essence you see was hidden away in mortal forms that changed with each time I died and was reborn into a new one. What your father and his companions did was to strip that mortality away, destroy it so the essence was forced to take shape just to survive. And they had their trap well set before they did that.

“But I have no real memories of that long ago life, or of the human lives I've lived beyond that of Michael's, and like him, I do love you Miri. And the people who have done this to us are going to pay.”

“Can you take your old, Mike's shape?” She asked. “I want to spend at least a few moments with the man I loved. If you do have that kind of power, and are the Heart's Desire' of anyone who pays your damned price, I want Mike back for a little while.”

I tried, oh gods I tried. I could take any female form someone wished, could become any woman in the world or fantasy. But I couldn't go back to being a male for even one second for the person I loved in life more than anything I had ever known.

So I clothed myself in an illusion, for her sake, to at least appear to be what she wanted so badly to see.

“I can't hold this for long.” I told her with tears in my eyes. “And probably will never be able to do it again. Taking a male shape is just something my essence fights.”

“Oh, Mike.” She was weeping. “I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too, Miri.” I hugged her and just holding the illusion was taking a lot my strength. “But I can do no more than this. I'm sorry, my love.”

“It was enough, just to know that you still exist in whatever form.” She answered with her face pressed into my chest. “I hate my father. That was the last look you saw on my face, it wasn't meant for you.”

“The shock, pain, and sorrow nearly undid me.” I softly told her. “To think that you hated me was almost more than I could take.”

“Oh, never that my love.” She quietly answered as my illusion shimmered and vanished. “You were the love of my life, the one who refused to leave when you were in danger because of staying with me, the father of my son. I could never hate you even if seeing what you have been made to do is painful.”

“Our son.” I let out a breath looking at her trim figure. “He was born, and is well?”

“Oh yes.” Miri nodded and smiled through her tears. “He looks like his father, and is very healthy.”

“And you?” I asked. “What about that arranged marriage?”

“Well I'm not being auctioned off to a member of my father's circle.” She answered. “His name is Miles and he isn't that bad at all.”

“Miles?” I asked.

“He was born in England and raised there.” She told me. “So he isn't all that big on the making women bow down and all that crap. And he is a good man, Mike. Not part of the inner circle, just someone with a lot of potential they want to tap and he's related to some of them.”

“Then try to be happy with him, Miri.” I told her quite honestly. “I can't ever be what I was with you again. Your father and his friends saw to that, I'm afraid.”

“Then make love to me as you are.” She looked at me, and began taking her clothing off. “I know who's in that body, please make love to me.”

So I did.

And you know? It was just as good as when I had been Michael.

“Never forget that I love you, Miri.” I told her when we were finished. “But I can't be Mike for you.”

“They saw to that.” She nodded and I could see the anger in her.

“I can give you something that will make things easier, but you have to promise me not to try and get revenge on people if I do that.” I told her as I held her.

“What?”

“I can open your magic to you, Miri.” I answered. “But only if you promise me not to use it right now. They would kill you if you showed it here.”

“Magic?” She shook her head. “Females can't use magic.”

“Miri.” I took her cheeks in my hand and looked her in the eyes. “You have used it. When you swore you and our son wouldn't forget me. It isn't that females can't use magic, just that they have been taught that they can't. You hid us for several years while we ran from your father, you know. You just didn't know you were doing it. Just use it to make sure you aren't mistreated or you will suffer. You wouldn't be strong enough right now to fight the circle.”

“I know, love, I know.” I tried to soothe her. “I can give you that gift, but if you use to fight them you will lose and find yourself bound far tighter than I am just now. If you can't promise me that you won't use this against them, I will not open it to you, and if you even try to fight them, I will close it again. Do you understand? This is simply something to make your life better, not a thing for vengeance.

“Believe me.” I told her while giving her a tight hug. “I intend to take care of that and will.”

“I want them to pay.” She whispered.

“Oh they will.” I promised. “Just don't, please don't, try to do it yourself. I WILL take care of this. Believe me.”

“Are you strong enough?”

“Oh yes.” I nodded with a little smile. “Back when, even gods hesitated to fight with my people. Oh yes, I can do it.”

“I'll hold you to that.” She told me.

“I will do it.” I promised. “And with a promise, my kind are bound just as surely as we can be by magic. I've made that promise to you, it will happen, my love.”

“I don't know why, but I believe you.” She answered softly while hugging me tighter and pushing up against me. “I believe you.”

“One of them already screwed up, and has paid for it.” I told her. “The others will, too.”

“If one of them is beaten, does that weaken the spells that hold you, make you do those things?” She asked.

“No, I wish it was that simple. The spells binding me have been in the making for over a century, Miri. But I think I've found another way. If that doesn't work there will be another, or another. I can afford to be patient, if I have to be but believe me when I tell you that bindings or not, the ones who did this to us won't enjoy what they've done for long.”

“Patient?” She almost exploded. “I don't have eternity to wait, you know.”

“I know, I know.” I hugged her and ran a hand through her hair. “This Miles you told me about, he is a good man, really?”

“Yes.” She nodded and her face flushed. “But I thought just going to him would betray you — Michael.”

I nodded. “How does he feel about raising a son that isn't his?”

“He's told me that Michael is my child and he will treat him as his own, and I believe him, but...”

“No buts here, Miri.” I set a finger lightly to her lips. “The one, the one really important thing about love is that you want the one you love to be happy. I can never be Mike again, or even male other than with an illusion. I'm not even human now. If this man is what you say he is, and he will love our son as his own, go to him. Be happy with your life. That's what matters to me here. Do you understand that?

“You being happy.” I finished and kissed her cheek.

“But...”

“No buts, here, Miri.” I gently told her. “You have to get on with life now. And don't worry. The Circle, or whatever they call themselves, are going to have a lot more to worry about than screwing up your life or doing anything to our son very soon. Really soon.”

“Promise?”

“I've already promised you that, Miri.” I grinned. “Don't worry. Marry this Miles, let him get you out of this damned country, and I'll handle the other things. Okay?”

“All right.” She reluctantly answered. “But what about you?”

“Oh, I have plans of my own.” I told her, okay kind of lied to her, but I would have those in time. “I'll be fine.”

“That isn't what I wanted to hear, you know.” She poked me in the ribs.

“Okay, okay.” I took her hands and kissed both of them. “I honestly don't know what is going to happen with me right now. But I do know that this bondage I'm in is not something either Mike or my original self, Vanda, would tolerate for long. I'll get out of it, and trust me, people are going to regret what they've done. That's all I can tell you right now.”

“But what about love?” She asked.

“I've had it, still have it.” I kissed her and then did it again. “I'll find it again, I'm sure. Right now we need to worry about you.”

“I'd say that was bullshit.” She kissed back then pulled away. “But I have our son to worry about now.”

“I'll be watching, Miri.” I told her, promised without saying it. “But you're right. Just make sure he grows up to be a good man. I wish I could be there to help, but that isn't going to happen. Other than me watching.”

“If you really are what you say,” she whispered, “that should be enough.”

“And the magic?” I asked. “Will you take it, and not try anything stupid with it?”

“Yes.” She had to think about that but closed her eyes and repeated it. “Yes. Provided you hold to your promise about things.”

“My kind always keeps our promises, dear one, my love.” I assured her.

“All right.” She tilted her head in that way that used to drive me crazy, and gave me a sad smile. “I'll accept that and go on with my life like you've asked. Without trying to do anything to those bastards who did this to us.”

“Good.” I smiled and reached in to really open up her access to the magic. “Teach our son well, Miri. He is going to be something really special.”

She felt what I'd done and her eyes widened as the sense of the magic flooded her being, her mind, her soul.

“Now you feel it.” I told her and pulled her back into a hug. “Now you know, so learn. And do no harm with it, my love.”

“I won't.” She promised and I knew that was the truth.

“I have to go now.” I was crying, but what the hell, I'd have done that if male or female. “Goodbye, Miri. Live well, love well, and be happy.”

“I'll do it for you.” She said and her cheeks were wet, too.

“No, my love.” I corrected. “Do it for you. You deserve it.”

“Mike...”

“Call me Vanda, Mike is gone.” I answered though it wrenched my heart to say that. “That is my name, Miri, Samireh is one forced on me. Call Vanda if you need me and I will come. Another promise.”

“I will.”

“Oh, don't forget to look angry when you leave this room.” I reminded her. “Our watchers have been enjoying a pretty nasty argument.”

“Oh, that won't be so hard.” She grinned at me. “I AM angry. Just not at you.”

“Have fun, get out of this place, and live well, my love.” I hugged her again.

“I will.” She told me. “That's a promise.”

“I have to go now.” I didn't want to, wanted to take her back to my my prison, but that wasn't something that could be. “I love you Miri.”

“I love you, too, and always will.” She answered as I faded away.

I cried for hours once I had returned to my prison.

I stared at the small pile of pure silver I had managed to accumulate.

Once the impurities had been taken out what was left was kind of disappointing.

But that was the key, I just knew it. Why I knew that? Don't ask because I don't have an answer. I just knew it.

I ran my hand through the precious metal, felt a tingle, and found myself looking at a flat disk of silver that was probably around two ounces in weight.

“Wow.” I looked at what was left after that and the small pile was really discouraging if that disk was what I really needed. It would take forever and then some, to get enough for what I was thinking.

Inanely I recalled a sequence from a movie called Switch that I had once watched. A woman got out of a limo wearing a fur coat and some activist confronted her and yelled. “Do you know how many innocent animals had to die to get you that coat?”

Her answer was quite succinct. “Do you have any idea how many animals I had to fuck to get this coat?”

Now I really understood what she was talking about.

Shit.

I knew what I had to do. How to do it. What it would take to do it. And it wasn't a happy thing, let me tell you.

“This is alduterated.” I frowned and tossed the coin back to the man who had offered it. Granted, that took some effort, but I did it. Yay me. “If you really want me, get me a pure coin.”

“You do not dictate here, slave.” He flatly told me while tossing the coin back at me. “That is your price, take it and obey me.”

“I don't think so.” I smiled at him and with a wave removed the scant clothing I'd been wearing. He didn't even realize I'd moved us into my prison he was so caught up in the view and surprised that I had refused him. “After all don't you think I'm worth the pure coin instead of that cheap imitation?”

“The rules are quite clear on that one, whore.” He spat back even if he was kind of distracted by my deliberately sexy poses. “If it is silver, you have been paid and must perform as ordered.”

“Rules can change.” I told him simply. “I've just changed this one. Now my price is pure silver.”

“You can't do that!” He protested, then demanded. “Show me the proper respect while you're at it slave, or someone you love will suffer for it.”

“Don't threaten me or mine in my own home, Master.” I put as much contempt into that title as I was able and watched him finally notice where we were. “As for changing the rules? I guess someone forgot to tell me about not being able to do that and as you know, it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind.

“Well, I changed mine, and oddly, here you are with me, in the place you and your companions made to hold me. Without having paid my price.”

I let that little thing sink in for him and watched in amusement as he went from anger to worry, then to outright fear. “I command you to return us to where we were!”

“Oh, no, revered master.” I smiled and it wasn't a nice one at all. “Here, in these circumstances? You don't rule, I do. I have three words that very neatly sum up this situation...

“You are mine.” I finished then proceeded to show him that.

When I was finished, I told the very subdued male. “When you return, be sure to let the others know how my price has changed, would you?”

He nodded, unable to even speak just then.

“Good.” I purred, then reached out to stroke his now beardless cheek. He flinched and I have to admit I hadn't been all that kind, but then again, he had threatened Miri. “Once you do that, you will leave the area and your magic will close to you. Try using it before then and I guarantee you won't enjoy the results. Do as I say and you will be a cherished young wife, try to fight and you will be at best a concubine and at worse a common whore. Do you understand?”

He nodded again and I waved him back to where he had first called me.

Oddly, as angry as I had been, I didn't savage him. Oh trust me, I scared the crap, and other things out him, but I actually did very little of anything truly pyhsical to him.

Oh, no. All I'd done was tell him about the new life I had planned for him.

Needless to say, that terrified and horrified him.

Oh well.

And yes, I'm a bitch.

“Why are you asking for pure silver?” Miri's father shouted at me.

“But my price is a piece of silver.” I answered simply. “You had people giving me things that were not so except for coatings. My binding demands silver, not imitations, Master. Have I not performed adequately once the price has been paid?”

He didn't like that answer, but had no response other than. “Yes, little whore, you have satisfied all your customers.”

“It pleases this slave that she is pleasing her master.” I did the whole prostrating on the floor bow thing. “Would master care to sample what I do?”

“Yes.” He gritted out, not wanting to, but also wanting to.

“You know my price, Master.” I gave him a coquetish smile and waited.

That was the most unpleasant of all my times. But like the others, I was able to take things from him other than his manly seed or the small coin he had given me.

But the thing is, he gave me another bit of what I needed to be free.

Just to spread my legs and spurt.

I was never so glad that mortals couldn't get a child on me as then.

I bathed and scrubbed for hours following that one, even had Souri almost flail me with the scrub brush.

But even after that, I still felt soiled in a way I never had before.

With each thing I tried, each little success, I would check the weave of magics that imprisoned me.

The web hadn't weakened at all. But...

“Is that a gap?” Souri pointed at one small, very small, blot at the base of the corruscating web designed to subjugate me.

“No.” I answered beginning to think about allowing the elation I was feeling to come out. “Oh, no, Souri.

“That.” I watched the tiny, so tiny, dark spot in all that brightness with a smile slowly growing on my face. “That is the tip of the blade that will rip a gaping hole in all these spells.”

“Then it is starting.” She gave me a hug and a satisfied smile.

“Yes.” I hugged her back. “Yes it is.”

“It is a good thing those idiots had no real idea of what they were trying to hold.” Souri grinned at me. “I do look forward to seeing what you do to them, Mistress.”

“Now that Miri is safely in England, and reunited with her mother, and both have their magic opened, as well as Miles being taught, I know my wife and child are not going to be harmed.” I nodded while my expression turned grim, “So yes. It is time to get this really started. Past time.”

“I so want to hurt them.” Souri sighed. “They took a Princess, A PRINCESS of a race they can't even begin to comprehend and made you into a common whore!”

“Souri.” I took her face in my hands and gently kissed her forehead. “Your fidelity, your love for me does you a great deal of honor. It actually humbles me to know what you've done, what you would do for my sake. But this is for me to do.

“They stole a life from me even if they did give me back my true self. They have humiliated me, degraded me, and worse, they want my son. They will NOT have him, Souri. I am going to see to that.

“I know, I know.” I hugged her again. “You are raging, wanting to harm the ones who have tried to harm me.

“I've seen it in you since all this started.” I told her. “But to act would be more than dangerous for you, it could destroy you. These mages are powerful enough to not only bind you, but end you. If that were to happen I don't think this country they live in would survive my response. Please, please don't do something that would make that happen.”

“You, you would do that?” She actually looked surprised and more than a little pleased as she asked. “For my sake?”

“That and more, Souri.” I nodded. “If they really harmed you, I would pull the gates of whatever Hell I could find, bring it here, and walk them through it.”

“For a mere servant?” She asked in wonder.

“Oh, I'm beginning to see that you are far more than a 'mere servant' Souri.” I answered. “You were with me, in every life I lived, weren't you? You watched over me, helped, protected, prodded, whatever it took to make certain I lived at least happily.”

“She nodded with tears in her eyes. “Yes. Part of me has been a lover, a spouse, a friend, a parent, a child, even an enemy if that was needed. Yes, I have been with you through all that time.”

“And you have to ask if I would do what I said if something happened to you?” I asked with tears in my eyes, too.

Looking into her eyes, I saw something familiar, very familiar. But decided not to press that just yet.

“I would, I will if they harm you.” I promised, and she felt the force of that as surely as if it had been a major magical working. “I would hunt them, and any like them to the ends of the Earth, and beyond to avenge you. So please, don't do something that would make me do that.”

“As you wish.” She let out a long sigh but I could tell she was still thinking about it.

“Just keep doing what you are doing.” I grinned. “That is a lot more help than you seem to think.”

“Your Miri and her mother are becoming quite adept.” She answered with a little grin of her own. I'd sent Souri to teach them both how to make use of the new access to magic I'd given them, and she was also carefully guiding Miles into the ways of using his own potential.

“And Naderah?” I asked.

“She is going to be like her mother.” Souri actually smiled at that. “She already reminds me of the child I fell in love with so long ago, Mistress.”

“My name,” I told her while lifting her chin with a forefinger so she was looking into my eyes, “is Vanda. Please use it, dear one.”

“That, that would not be proper.” She told me.

“Oh, I think you've earned the right.” I said in return.

“This is going to take some getting used to.” She mumbled.

“Just try, you'll get used to it.” I chuckled.

“I doubt it.”

“Again, just try. Please.” I asked.

“That was well done, Princess, or possibly I should start saying, my Queen.” A familiar voice congratulated me as I was thinking about things involving Souri, and sadly, my vengeance.

“Oh?” I turned to see Behrouze standing there in all his male glory and he not only bowed to me, he prostrated himself before rising and nodding.

“The fidelity, the perserverence, the love, that little Efreeti has given you has already become legendary among the survivors of her kind, you know. In time, that one will be a queen in her own right.”

“She is a queen.” I nodded. “She has shown strength, and great deal of restraint through this, though she has badly wanted to do more. She deserves much more than simply being able to use my name to address me.”

“Indeed she does, my queen.” He bowed again then grinned. “I don't suppose you have any under used and not yet appreciated wine sitting around?”

“Always, my friend.” I laughed and made it appear.

“And where is your faithful Souri right now?” He questioned while taking an appreciative sip of what I'd called up.

“Off teaching my daughter how to make the best use of her magic.” I chuckled.

“An excellent teacher for that.” He smiled back then got a slightly nervous look on his face. “As for your daughter...”

“I know you've been visiting her, too.” I laughed and poured some wine for myself while sitting on a couch so I could look at him. “I do hope your intentions are honorable?”

“I'm besotted with her.” He let out a sigh then gave me a weak grin. “I don't know if it just because she is only the second female of our kind I've encountered in so long and is nowhere near as intimidating as her mother — yet, anyway, or if it truly is what I think it is.”

“And what would that be, Behrouze?” I prodded a little wickedly, but hey, this was important and not deadly dangerous for a change.

“I think I love her.” He answered carefully.

“Think?”

“All right, I do love her.” He admitted. “She has such beauty, of form and soul. How could anyone not love her?”

“I named her well.” I smiled. “She truly is a rare one, isn't she?”

“That she is, my queen.” He answered with a little shrug then looked at me. “Would you object to my trying to show her that, and hopefully wooing her?”

“Not at all, Behrouze.” I smiled and reached over to pat his hand. “You are a good one, my friend, and my daughter deserves a good man in her life who will live long enough to really be with her.”

“Then I have your blessing?”

“Oh yes, contingent on her being willing, that is.” I told him.

“I would never force myself on her.” He actually looked a bit outraged at that.

“Peace, dear.” I smiled. “I know you wouldn't do that. I take it she has shown interest already?”

“Do you watch everything?” He asked.

“Only until it reaches the really personal parts.” I nodded.

“I'm going to have the mother-in-law from Hell.” He shuddered but was grinning while he said that.

“I like you Behrouze, but don't push it.” I gave him a mock severe look then went on. “Just make her happy. After what she has been through she deserves that.”

“And more, my queen.” He agreed.

Just promise me that you won't do things to hurt the ones who have hurt her in the past.” I ordered. “Magic is coming back into the world and our race was not well loved the last time around. Part of the reason there are so few of us is that no one wanted to help us when the magic faded. I won't have a repeat of that.”

“As you say, my queen,” He bowed, “So it shall be.”

“The go show my daughter what a wonderful man you are.” I chuckled and shooed him off.

Damn. If circumstances had been different, I would have grabbed that guy and run.

But he was a good match for my daughter.

“Building a dynasty are you?” Souri asked with amusement as she shimmered with the effect that happened every time either one of us returned from somewhere.

“Yes I am.” I admitted without shame. “The Djinn could do far worse for a crown prince, you know. And Naderah is besotted with him, too.”

“So she has told me — in great detail.” Souri laughed.

That pleasant interlude was short, but needed.

Now, now, I had all I needed to gain my freedom but the quantity. The best part of that was making the ones who had done all this suffer, and change, as I did it.

I have mentioned that I can really be a bitch, right?

Then there was the queen thing.

Me?

Queen of a race that contested with gods? And won as often as they lost?

That one, I was really going to need to think about.

I had touched, changed, every one of the circle who had done this to me.

Oh, not all of them had been transformed into females. But every one of them, with the notable exception of Miri's father, were now mine to use as I needed.

Odd. I was their sex slave. But they were my slaves.

And, as my pile of pure silver grew, that tiny dark spot in their magics grew.

My time was coming.

Oh, yes, it was close now.

I would have my payment, my true price, soon.