I KNOW it's been FOREVER since I've updated. No excuse for delaying you readers, but what can I say? Life sometimes does that to me...Anyway, I'm so thrilled that I've gotten as far as with this fic as I have. 89 reviews! that's mind-boggling to me. Stupid writer's block stopped me from updating, as well as my computer being in the shop. Please read and review!

::smacks head on keyboard:: stupid, stupid me...I forgot to say that "Return to Pooh Corner" is dedicated to Insaneoveranime, as I owe a fic for my 50th reviewer. I blame the forgetfulness on a 103.7 fever...ugh. Very un-fun. And un-cool, come to that.

Ahh! I sense repetition in this fic!! No!!

Dedications: Hentaikoneko, dragoninaquajogger, Dlady (XD), Chisakami Saiyuki, Mad Hatter, moonwillow, insaneoveranime, Lisa, AleneVillanore, Lady Kilgorin, Bloody Hello Kitty, Arin Ross, Alyson Metallium, BakaNeko

:::Chapter 9:::

"Nadil told you to curse her, to bring her to her senses and to weaken her; not to kill her!"

"The side affects of it have worn off. Do not speak so fiercely to me, Shydeman. You could have done no better. Once Nadil has had his way with her, I will kill her lover, and she will watch his flesh decay."

"Mmmh," Shydeman chuckled. "Aren't you the morbid one, Shyrendora?"

"She deserves a fate worse than death."

"So bitter. Don't let Lord Nadil hear you talk like that, about his "precious gem". You know she is only more valuable to us, now."

Shyrendora fell silent, bowing her head so that streaks of death-like tendrils fell into her eyes. I would have felt sorry for her, had she been less than nemesis to me. For behind her steely glare, tears glistened. She was one of the few demons to keep emotion, although I knew she must bottle it up inside, to prove herself "normal". It seemed inconceivable to me, that one of Nadil's generals, was able to shed tears. I could not help but wonder what a past she must have had, to show such weakness as this.

Shydeman nodded at her still figure, pleased that he was wise enough to spot a crack in her tightly plastered on mask.

"Even your powers of mind control are weak. You're losing your touch, Shyrendora." he smiled spitefully. "Look," he said, gesturing to me swiftly. "still she sleeps."

"She lies, pretends, hides. She has heard all that you have said, and merely hopes that we do not realize." the voice changed tune, narrowing with hatred and disgust. "But, of course, you would not notice, would you? You are just waiting for Nadil to cast her aside, so you may take her as your whore."

Fire blazed in Shydeman's eyes, a harsh glare fixed in his gaze. Shyrendora spun on her heel away from him, but he caught her by the wrist and yanked her back to him, until their skin was flush against each other's. And then he pressed his mouth to hers, fierce and angry. When they parted, passion snuck out of their breaths, and bruises clung to the energy in the air.

"Shydeman--Shyrendora. Go see to our...latest development."

Both snapped their heads around, then quickly exited out a side door will little more than a "As you wish, my Lord", which was sung in unison, a mix of tenor and soprano. It was interesting to watch a couple who loved and hated as strongly as they did. One could only wonder which would win out in the end.

"Cesia," came the voice, deep and purring. Delirium swam before my eyes as I strained to focus on him, Nadil, the one whom I was forced to share my bed, my soul, but never my heart. That had been given away long before, without questions or pleas or the spider webbed delinquency that danced, interwoven beneath my skin. The emotions that whirled within my blood.

Oh--

And I did nothing but lie there, as the Demon Lord lowered himself to me...touched my already tainted skin...

God, Rath...

I felt his undulating caresses wash over me with an almost lurid aura, darkness pounded into my flesh with every thrust and groan; and every whimper from my swollen lips more filled with sorrow and despair. Let me out... She whispered, her voice low, and trembling I shook my head, feeling tears sneak out of my eyes and sprinkle the sheets beneath me.

I'm sorry...

And then the Demon Lord lay beside me, almost tenderly stroking my hair, cheek, neck... A thin layer of sweat covered his lean frame, making his skin glow glossy in the dim light. He was beautiful, I realized. He really was.

...so sorry.

I think that realization hurt more than anything. What did that mean? That now, I couldn't hate him. Nadil. I couldn't, and I couldn't see why. I was supposed to be with Rath! I was supposed to heal his heart and take care of him, and worship his body as he deserved to be worshiped. But something told me that maybe I was here for a reason. To prove that love is fickle. To prove that I did not know what true love really meant.

And in the hours where I was left alone, in a room too dark to see the simplest of shapes, I once again became trapped within my mind. And I had nothing to distract myself with. Nothing. I was left unarmed, to listen to the words of vengeance that dripped into my brain; whispered words of rage from my other side.

"Could you..did you ever love me?" I cried softly, imagining the words slipping out and dying in the still, dead air. What good was I now, used and discarded?

A low and husky voice responded, a spattering of words murmured into the darkness.

"Sabel...do come in. We've been expecting you."

:::End of chapter 9:::

By the way, the next chapter will involve that scene in book 15 with Nadil and Sabel. It will be a little raunchy. You have been warned.

Once again, I apologize a thousand times for not updating. Please don't hold that against me. I love all my readers and feel honored and blessed that you take the time to read my work. My ambition is to be a writer, and therefore feedback of any kind is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Lady Dragonnaine