Thank you for all your lovely coments, it really makes me want to keep writing this. I know you think I'm being cruel to Rae and Eclipse but keep in mind there is always the happy ending. ;p Well Enjoy and Please review!

Rae's Thoughts

Eclipse's Thoughts

Eclipse's Inner Voice

Chapter 3 - Refuge from Love

Eclipse sat frozen in his chair, his lips unresponsive as Meruhasae tried to gain entrance to his mouth. She bit his lower lip gently and he reacted instinctively.

His hand came up and took her by the shoulder. She sighed pleasurably before being pushed back roughly. Eclipse held her at arms length and looked down at her angrily. "Don't ever try that again." He hissed icily, eyes dark with rage. His hands dropped from her shoulders. "Leave here now."

Meruhasae blinked up at him, an embarrassed blush of anger creeping into her pale cheeks. With a toss of her dark hair, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the library. As soon as the huge double doors slammed in her wake he let a breath out and dropped his head. His hand came up to wipe at his lips, trying to rid them of the feeling of Meru's mouth.

Well, that was uncalled for. Shut up. I'm in no mood for you. You never are, are you? The voice quieted and Eclipse stared around the library. It had suddenly become the last place he wanted to be.

He walked out the door and stopped in the hallway as he kicked something. It bounced across the corridor and came to rest against the wall. Eclipse quirked an eyebrow at the item. He crossed the hall in two long strides and crouched to pick up the object.

A small package, badly wrapped in sapphire paper. Eclipse examined the ribbon carefully knotted around it. He felt he'd seen it before. Three guesses and the first two don't count, genius. Raenef. This is one of his hair ribbons. Bingo! What's it doing here though, with this? He hefted the package and stood, determined to return it to Raenef and hopefully find the cleric somewhere along the way. He needed to relieve some stress. [1]

- - -

Raenef slammed the door to his room shut and collapsed against it. He sat, tears streaming down his face, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling. He tried willing the tears to stop but the image of Eclipse with that woman kept running through his mind, making the tears fall anew.

I'm nothing to him! Just his useless student who never does anything right. He choked on a sob. There was a crushing weight in his chest that had never been there before. I always thought he liked me but - He dropped his head into his hands and sobbed. He's just nice to me. I should never have expected him to love me back.

His breath caught in his throat. Someone was coming down the hallway outside his room. What if it's Eclipse? The full horror of the thought struck him and he bolted to his feet. I can't face him. I'd rather die.

The footsteps walked past the room, probably Chris or Eru, but Raenef's mind was already made up.

He went to his closet and took up a long black cloak, one which Eclipse had chosen, and wrapped it around his shoulders. Tears blurred his vision and his thoughts. Without anymore preparation, he gave a hoarse "go" and reappeared in the forest behind the castle.

I'm sorry Eclipse. "He whispered over his shoulder." Before pulling up the hood of his cloak and taking off into the woods.

- - -

Eclipse grinned wickedly and flexed his fingers, somewhat resembling a very pleased cat, as he watched Chris run away. The screaming gets on my nerves a bit but it's entirely worth the racket. Eclipse was feeling much more relaxed after setting the idiot cleric on fire. I think you just like to hear him scream. So? You know there's a name for that type of condition. Sadism, and believe me, it's kinda kinky. I'm ignoring you from now on. Sure you are...

He had been in the process of looking for Raenef when he stumbled across the cleric. Now that he had relieved some tension he figured it would be a good time to go drop the package off to Lord Raenef. There was only one place left he hadn't checked. With a soft "go" he teleported to Raenef's bedroom.

The room was dark and still. On one side, the bed rested on it's dais, it's hangings drawn shut. On the other, a great rosewood armoire stood beside the door to the Demon Lord's private bath. The doors to the balcony were open but no wind blew through them.

He must be sleeping. I'll just leave this by his bed. He quietly walked up beside the bed, but before he reached the night stand he was hit by an insatiable urge. He reached forward and slowly pulled aside the silver bed curtains.

He's... not here. The bed was littered with trinkets and paper bags from some shops in one of the villages below the castle. A small bag full of still warm pastries lay beside the remnants of blue wrapping paper. So, the knight wasn't lying. He did come back with them earlier.

A very bad feeling was burying itself in the pit of Eclipse's stomach. Raenef wasn't in the castle and it was getting dark. But then where could he be? Meru's words came back to him with horrifying clarity. The Demon Lord of Tareth.

Eclipse whirled from the bed and raced for the doors. Horrible images of the fate that awaited Rae at the hands of this other demon. lord racing through his mind.

A wicked fire came into Eclipse's violet[2] eyes. "If he makes Raenef shed so much as one tear, I will rend him limb from limb."

- - -

Raenef slumped against the tree, trying to catch his breath. He had no clue how long he had been running but night had fallen and a bright crescent had risen in the sky. His chest ached and his legs felt like they could barely hole him up.

The rough bark of the tree behind him felt good, a solidity he longed for at the moment. He tilted his head back and stared up at the stars that dappled the velvet sky through his tears. "I'm sorry Eclipse. I just want you to be happy, even - " He choked on his thought. "Even if it's not with me."

The sadness was crushing in on him. He crossed his arms over his stomach and started to curl in on himself trying to ward away the pain. The sobs strangled his already raw throat. I'd rather die then live with this pain. It's unbearable.

"I'm sure I can assist you with that goal."

The voice spoke from the darkness of the trees around him. A shiver ran down Raenef's back, whoever this was he was positive they meant him no good. Terrified, Rae spun away from the tree and took off into the gathering darkness.

As soon as he had disappeared a dark figure stepped up to the tree where he had just been. With a malicious flash of teeth, the man spoke.

"Run, little demon lord. You'll make this hunt so much more enjoyable."

A/N: I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I've been running on a horrible writer's block lately. And I also wanted to mention that it seems the story has taken on a life of it's own. I hadn't really planned on making it this long or even having the other demon lord show up but the pen is no longer in my control it seems. Ah well, you've read so you'd might as well review right? If you don't I'll seek my bear and gnomes on you! manical laughter...choke heh- nevermind me!

[1] At this part I got the best image of Eclipse with a lighter to the edge of a tied up Chris's tunic screaming "Burn, baby! Burn!" Sorry I had to add that in if for no one elses amusement but my own.

[2] I've noticed most people give Eclipse red eyes but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm so partial to startling violet I had to do it. -