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Chapter 19 – Little Minx

"Myrnin, in the middle of all of my craziness," I blushed again, thinking about my earlier power struggle, "you said, 'that's not possible' and something about compelling you. What happened to me?" I asked, a little afraid to know the answer.

He contemplated before answering, "I'm not exactly sure. When I made the transfer, I assumed you would only be able to access defensive abilities, because aggressive traits, such as compulsion, are limited to vampires. They don't transfer to humans. However, once again, you defy the normal logic and order of things," he grinned at me wryly.

"Is it dangerous...am I dangerous? It scares the hell out of me to realize I didn't have any control...and with you, of all people. I never would have intentionally treated you like that." I diverted my eyes and said softly, "Although I did really enjoy the way you snapped me out of it."

He tightened his hold on me and whispered huskily, "Cariad, I am a predator. I enjoyed all of it."

Another wave of heat radiated out of me, causing my arms and legs to tingle. I was stunned again at the strength of my desire. He smiled, knowingly. I managed to slow down my breathing and asked, "And what the hell is up with that?"

I didn't have to elaborate further. He knew what I meant and teased, "Well that is just natural...given my sexual prowess."

I grinned, allowing, "Yeah, I was kind of fond of a few things."

"A few things?" he repeated my words with a laugh. "Is that what you call you're almost constant stream of sexual expletives?"

I blushed deeply.

He continued purring, "Which I enjoyed tremendously by the way. I like hearing what you are thinking every moment."

"Don't you think it's a bit redundant, given your ability to read my emotions?" I asked dryly.

"Not at all...I wouldn't have it any other way," he stated a bit smugly. I raised my eyebrow at him. He looked a lot like a satisfied cat who just ate the canary. Humph...I guess that makes me the canary, I giggled silently. And then, tried to pay attention because he was still speaking.

"But back to your question. I think you were just experiencing some of the excesses that come along with the heightened senses of vampiric traits."

I thought about that. It made sense. "When we get home, I want a full week with you - alone; no interruptions," I demanded, a bit petulantly. I was going to have to find some balance in my hormones/reactions and he was going to have to do that for me, since all of this 'excess' came from him.

"You can have me for as many days as you want," he purred seductively.

My belly curled in tight anticipation. "And stop using that tone of voice," I scolded him. We were never going to make it out of this bed, if he kept that up.

He laughed. "Okay, how about this? Your bag is here, so why don't we both get fully dressed - because we do need to work on your skills again. We'll practice for an hour or so, and then you can get some sleep."

"The sun is going to be up in an hour. How am I going to have time to sleep?" It would be better for me to well-rested before I began the challenge, but I wouldn't have traded the last few hours for anything.

"You will be able to sleep through the day. We aren't going back until tomorrow night," he explained.

Whew. His words made me feel incredibly better. "Okay," I said, my eyes fluttering shut. "I'll close my eyes, so you can get out of the bed without me seeing you."

He laughed and disappeared, but I was perfectly serious. I already knew how much his naked body distracted me, and I needed to get to work learning as much as I could in the little time we had.

Within a half an hour, we were showered, dressed and fed. We sat across from each other at the table. Liam had been correct about food in the refrigerator. I nibbled on a muffin, while Myrnin drank from a sports bottle.

"Only two?" I asked, after he finished his second one and didn't reach for his normal morning third one.

He smiled and reminded me, "I did have a snack sometime during the night."

"Oh, right," I giggled with a slight blush.

He jumped right into the training. "Luckily for us, Gwion likes to go easy on the first two challenges. It isn't as much sport to him if he wins on the first try. They will progressively get harder. Although he seems to be taken with you, so I am not sure if that means he will go easier or harder with you."

"Well you did want him to be charmed by me," I reminded him.

"Yes, you have an amazing knack of drawing the most dangerous men to you like a moth to a flame," he said wryly. "It doesn't mean I have to like it."

He looked at me thoughtfully. "From our earlier experience, I don't think he will have much success with a fear-induced illusion. Your body seems to readily fight back against straight aggression."

"Okay," I murmured, thankful that I probably wasn't going to be in for a prolonged 'horror-fest'.

Myrnin continued, "Keep your emotions tightly hidden. If he can sense what you are feeling, it will make it much easier for him to deceive you."

"I can do that," I nodded.

"Are you ready to practice again?" he asked me tentatively. "Feeling in control? Not that I particularly minded our last episode, but we are running short on time."

"So how close did I come to breaking through your defenses?" I asked curiously, still trying to understand what I was capable of.

His lips turned up into a wicked smile as he growled silkily, "We can play that game again anytime you want."

Fire shot through my abdomen. My hands gripped the table tightly, to keep me in place. I noticed he hadn't really answered my question, but I was too close to hopping over the table and throwing myself at him, to ask him to clarify his meaning. My chest heaved a few times before I could get the words through my tightly clenched teeth, "I thought you said we were short on time." I looked at him pointedly.

"I'm sorry," he smirked, not appearing very repentant. "Let's continue. And if you do well, I have a little treat in mind for later," he added suggestively.

"I am going to kill you," I threatened, my mind getting a little foggy with desire. "Literally end you, if you do not stop that."

"Okay, okay...let's get started," he laughed.

We went through forty-five minutes of him testing me and me working to control and properly direct my responses. When we were done, he looked at me satisfied.

"So, you think I can do this?" I asked him.

"As shocking as it is, I think you can," he murmured.

"So, I did well then?" I questioned, reminding him of his previous words.

Immediately, his features changed. "Very well," he growled low as he stood and advanced on me. I stopped breathing, nearly blinded by desire and anticipation as he picked me up and carried me back to the bed. I'd like to say that I had enough control to be satisfied with just one time before I fell asleep. But that was not quite the case. Three climaxes later, sheer exhaustion lured me into a deep sleep.

Later that evening, we were escorted into the large ornate study we had been in the previous day. Gwion sat casually, looking completely relaxed. I envied him. My nerves were causing my belly to do backflips. There were about twenty other people in the room, some on the balcony and some on the main floor, including Shane and Michael! I was relieved to see they were out of the holding cell. They didn't look too worse for wear, although Shane ignored me completely, looking down with his fists clenched.

The room had been rearranged, with an obvious circle in the middle. The luxurious couches and chairs were pulled back, so that they didn't encroach inside the circle.

Gwion stood and walked to the center and then motioned me forward. I walked slowly, keeping all my emotions tightly behind my shield, not wanting to reveal just how nervous I was. When I reached him, he tilted his head and evaluated me. I wondered what he was looking for. He murmured in confusion, "Hmmm...your emotions are surprisingly silent today."

Then understanding lit his expression. "Oh! So then, you enjoyed yourself last night?" he smirked suggestively.

I cringed, ridiculously thankful that he couldn't feel the tidal wave of embarrassment that flowed through me. His smile widened. He brushed his fingers lightly along my cheek as he whispered, "You may be able to hide your emotions from me, but you cannot stop your body's response."

Shit! Shit! Shit! I realized I was blushing furiously. Damn it, why couldn't Myrnin have given me some sort of shield to keep my body from revealing what I was thinking.

"This is...unexpected," he looked toward Myrnin.

"There was no condition in the agreement against it," Myrnin stated darkly.

"Indeed," he nodded slowly and looked back to me, murmuring almost to himself, "What did he give you, little minx?" He didn't look worried or as if he even really cared to know the answer, so I stayed silent. If anything, he looked more satisfied. I assumed it would make the win 'sweeter' than just an easy human.

He leaned down to me. "Did Myrnin explain the rules? Well, there is really only one rule. You simply have to tell me no three times," he affirmed.

"Simply..." I muttered under my breath. I was certain there would be nothing simple about this.

Gwion grinned at my response.

"And you won't compel me?" I confirmed.

"No. Where would the fun be in that?" he smiled mischievously. "Would you be more comfortable sitting or standing?" he asked. I was surprised by the note of kindness in his voice.

"Um...sitting, I guess," I answered tentatively.

He snapped his fingers. Almost immediately, a large comfortable chair was positioned behind me. He nodded toward the chair, encouragingly.

I settled into the seat, my mind spinning. I knew this would be the only opportunity I had. If I was going to charm him, it had to be now. "Before we begin...," I hesitated, not sure how to bring it up.

"Don't!" Myrnin hissed angrily.

Gwion looked at Myrnin in surprise and then back down to me, intrigued. "What would you like, little minx?"

"I want you to...reconsider coming with us. You were friends...with Amelie before. She will die without your help. Please come with us," I asked softly.

He was silent for a moment as he considered my request. "All right, I am willing to include that condition in our agreement. If you win, I will free both of your friends - and return with you to assist with Amelie."

That was too easy. I held my breath.

"However, if I win, then you agree to take your friends' place - and go through the same process with me - Clāmāre," his eyes gleamed as he set his condition.

I couldn't stop the loud gasp that came out of my mouth.

"No!" Myrnin hissed furiously, an almost constant growl rumbling from his chest.

Gwion looked at Myrnin playfully, "What is the problem, my friend? I promise she will enjoy it. And I have plenty of abilities I would be willing to...share with her."

A cold chill ran down my spine.

"No," I whispered.

"Too late," Gwion replied with a hard glint in his eyes. "I like this arrangement better. It's all or nothing. If you decide against it, you are free to go."

I looked at Myrnin who was almost threatening me with his eyes, not to do it. But if I didn't, Amelie would most certainly die. I hated to admit it, but I could live with that. What I couldn't live with was losing Michael and Shane. Myrnin watched my face change. He knew my decision.

Myrnin snarled savagely, "I'll kill him before I let him touch you."

Gwion laughed, "You could try. But we both know that won't happen. And don't forget, my friend, you chose to bring her to me."

Myrnin's face contorted. I knew he felt he was to blame. His pain caused my breathing to increase. I wanted nothing more than to run to him and give him what he wanted. Well, I guess that wasn't true. There was one other thing that I wanted more - I didn't want to face Eve, without having done everything in my power to get the father of her child back to her.

I turned back to Gwion in confusion. "But that wouldn't work...the process requires me to...want...what happens," I whispered, trying to make him understand, without flat-out stating there was no way in hell I could ever want him.

His eyes dilated with lust, "That's where you are wrong, little minx. I would absolutely break you and you would be begging me for more." His confidence in his skill was undeniable.

I realized too late that my words hadn't helped. No, the only thing I had accomplished was lighting a fire in him - I had challenged his sexual abilities - and he never lost.

I began to tremble.

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