Well Peaches, here it is – the last chapter.

Chapter 58 – A Little Rough

When I awoke, the lab was noticeably missing the sound of Myrnin's typical antics – glass breaking, all nature of items crashing and the occasional cursing. Glancing around, I spotted a handwritten note in elegant script, "Have some errands to run. Be back in a few hours. Love, Myrnin."

Hmmm…I wondered if any of his errands had something to do with Amelie. Apprehension crashed over me in waves as I considered her plight. Her identity was gone. Well not gone really, just misplaced – inside of my body. I couldn't believe Myrnin thought she might kill herself. The concept of a world without Amelie somewhere in it, just seemed so bizarre to me. Amelie needed her power back. And I was more than ready to give it to her.

Gwion could fix this, but he was being too damned stubborn. As much as he tried to hide it, I had seen his softer side…Choices he made and actions he took that helped others, without an obvious link to benefit him. He played by his own rules, certainly, but I had a hunch those rules included a measure of respect and loyalty to certain individuals…Oddly enough, Myrnin being most prevalent. I guess that should not surprise me, considering how similar they were in personality. I smiled as I remembered our fateful trip to Walmart. They had both acted like mischievous little boys…So different from the cruel cold-blooded killer vampires that they were.

And Gwion admitted I had earned different rules as well. He had also shared that I affected him more than I realized, and claimed he had never wanted a woman as much as he wants me. I wasn't quite sure I believed all of that, but I had to think a small part of him might listen and agree with my argument to remove Amelie's powers from me.

I pulled out a pair of skinny jeans quickly, slid them up my legs and fastened them at my waist.

I had made up my mind.

Myrnin wouldn't be back for a few more hours. That would give me time to go see Gwion and try to convince him to change his mind. Myrnin definitely would not like the idea of me appealing to Gwion's softer side, but I had to do something. I had to at least try. I couldn't just let Gwion walk away, leaving Amelie suicidal and me crazy.

I selected a soft green blouse and buttoned it up the front swiftly. Now that I had made up my mind, I was anxious to get it over with. Certainly, the fastest way to get him would be by portal. Oliver had shared with Myrnin that Gwion was staying in one of the estate homes near the northern border. Thankfully, that house was tied into the portal system. I just wasn't sure where the portal ended up inside of the house. Myrnin hadn't shared exactly which room, and I couldn't very well ask him now. Oh well, no matter where it ended, it couldn't be that bad. It was just a house, for heaven sakes.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the portal system, navigating with my mind where I wanted to go. The house came into view. The portal materialized. I stepped through and then opened my eyes.

The sight in front of me was indeed shocking. Gwion stood a few feet away, obviously having just exited the shower. His skin glistened with remaining water droplets. The muscles in his stomach, chest and arms rippled, seemingly of their own accord. I knew that, because the only clothing he wore, wasn't really clothing at all – but a towel wrapped low on his hips.

I inhaled sharply.

Amelie's power leapt inside my belly and itched at my skin, shockingly close to being set free. It knew exactly what it wanted. The sudden heat that flooded my body left me breathless and tingling. I was taken aback by the ferocity of it…Way stronger than I had ever felt before.

My brain momentarily froze as my attention wandered deliberately down his lithe frame and slowly back up again. By the time I reached his eyes again, I found he was waiting for me to finish with a knowing smirk.

"Little minx, I must say this is an unexpected pleasure. I wasn't sure if I would see you again before I left," he drawled.

I frowned. Her power was not at all happy with the idea of him going away. I felt a bit tongue tied for the moment, as I wrestled for control.

I knew I was in danger.

A lot of danger.

Shit.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly, forcing oxygen into my brain, thinking it would help clear my head. I could do this. I could keep control, I chanted to myself.

My efforts were working.

For a moment.

Until he dropped the towel.

A needy whine escaped from the back of my throat. I clamped a hand over my wayward mouth to keep any other embarrassing noises from coming out – like me begging him to throw me on the bed and take me hard and fast.

His eyes dilated and he took a step toward me.

I shot my palm in the air toward him and rasped, "Wait!"

Before he could respond, I realized that I was still staring – a little bit fixated, actually – on one particular part of his anatomy. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly and snapped, "Why the hell are you naked?!"

His deep chuckle reverberated through the room. "This is my bedroom," he reminded me and then purred, "and it isn't anything you haven't seen before. "

Adrenaline raced through my veins as I stood there, my feet planted to the floor, still staring into the blackness behind my closed eyelids. I hissed, "Well put some clothes on! I am not going to talk to you like that!"

He sighed, "Very well then."

I waited as I listened to him put on a pair of pants.

"Is this better?"

I lifted one eyelid and peeked through. Thankfully, he had put on a pair of jeans…Although they only seemed to accentuate his powerful stance and strong legs. Yum.

Stop that!

I forced my brain into submission and mumbled quickly, "You need to let Amelie take back her power."

Rather than be upset with my demand, he appeared amused and questioned, "Why would I do that?"

"Because it doesn't belong to me," I rushed, still trying to keep myself from panting. My eyes wandered to his chest. I wanted to outline each of his muscles with my fingertips – or maybe my tongue.

I was losing this battle.

And he knew it.

His eyes increased intensity – if that were even possible – and he closed the distance between us. His fingertips whispered across my cheek as he murmured seductively, "Little minx, you are perfect exactly the way you are, and I would not blemish you by making any changes. Come with me and rule by my side. There would be no female with a higher position than yours."

That was all it took.

His touch.

A barely there caress.

And Amelie's powers roared free.

The corners of his mouth turned up, and anticipation practically radiated out of him as he waited patiently for my answer.

I lifted my chin and smirked with disdain, "I don't want anybody's job…Especially not Raven's."

Emboldened by my full transformation into Amelie's power, he snaked an arm around my back, and roughly pulled me against his body. He leaned down to nuzzle into my neck as he purred, "What I am referring to is not work. It is a status…That you most certainly deserve."

I pushed him back.

Well at least I tried to.

If he thought I was going to put myself into submission to him or any other man, he would be sorely disappointed. I replied haughtily, "I'm not looking to be anyone's puppet."

He chuckled – yes, actually chuckled in the face of my ire – and replied, "I wouldn't try to make you into my puppet. Believe me, I prefer you much more when you are fighting me every step of the way."

I did believe him.

His lips moved steadily along the soft flesh of my jaw and collarbone, as he pushed his hips into me, a not so subtle reminder of his erection – and his intention.

He was going to take me.

Here. Now.

My mind went blank.

The only thing I felt was fire.

"What do you want?" I breathed.

"I want your naked body writhing beneath me, while I see, touch and taste every inch of your flesh. And when I am done, I am going to bury my cock so deep inside your pussy, that you won't even remember your own name," he replied huskily.

Well, shit.

Reminding him of his earlier avoidances, I smirked, "You sure you're not going to stop me again? Or find someone else to stand in your place?"

He growled low, "Oh no. I plan on fucking you until you can't take it anymore and beg me stop – and then I am going to fuck you some more."

Fuck. Me.

Hmm…I guess that thought was a bit redundant.

I knew he wasn't exaggerating.

My belly clenched fiercely. I licked my lips and challenged him provocatively, "What makes you think you will be on top?"

He growled low, "I'll let you be on top – for a while – but when the time comes, I will have control and position you exactly where I want you – beneath me."

Anticipation curled my toes as I pushed him further, "And what makes you think you have the strength to position me to your whim?"

His eyes gleamed wickedly, "You could try to resist me…But I can't promise I would be gentle when I forced you – or is that what you want? Do you like it a little rough, little minx?"

He didn't let me answer his question. Instead he occupied my lips and tongue with his own, fierce and demanding. I met him back equally aggressively. I wanted more…More power...Power to control him.

His hands lifted me and wrapped my legs around his waist, never breaking our kiss as he climbed on the bed with me under him – clearly meeting my challenge head on.

I growled and flipped our bodies, so that I was straddling him. I pulled back and smirked. He was amused and reminded me he was still in control as he allowed, "For now…"

I narrowed my eyes dangerously and pushed into his mind, looking for a foothold to make him submit to me.

His eyes widened in surprise. He gripped my hips tightly to him and ground into me hard as he growled, "You do like being in control, don't you?"

The friction was amazing. I groaned deeply, temporarily losing focus as I was overwhelmed with heat. I had changed the game when I penetrated his mind and apparently, he was up for that challenge as well because he asked throatily, "Do you want me to teach you now? Do you want to learn how to use your power while I fuck you?"

A needy whine escaped the back of my throat.

Hell yes, I wanted that.

"Try again," he commanded.

I focused and delved further into his mind, holding every inch of ground I gained tightly. And the more I held, the more a lust for power raged inside of me.

I wanted all of him.

But he wasn't making it easy.

He appeared unaffected as he slowly, purposefully, unbuttoned my shirt and slid it off of my arms. My bra was easily discarded next and finally his hands cupped and massaged my bare breasts, moving with undeniable experience as he stroked and pinched my nipples.

I trembled and struggled to maintain my tentative position in his mind.

"How are you doing? Still holding in there?" he taunted me seductively.

I panted but held my ground.

"Let me tell you a little secret. I never play a game that I don't win. And when I win, I always want something in return. Any guesses as to what I am going to want when I win this game?" He whispered as he rose up and took one of my breasts into his mouth, sucking and flicking my nipple with his tongue, before nipping at me playfully.

I cried out as the pleasure shot through my body. It took everything I had not to melt into him.

He continued relentlessly "A little hint – You're going to give me every inch of your body now, so it isn't sexual."

I knew what he wanted. It took me a moment before I could speak and breathed, "You want me to return to Conwy with you?"

His eyes gleamed with calculation. "That's right…Still want to play?"

The desire to dominate him practically strangled me in its grip. I couldn't turn back now. Instead, I dug deep, pulling from the power Myrnin had given me and my own. I melded them both tightly with Amelie's power already raging through my body and tried again. This time, I lashed out fiercely, holding nothing back.

He gasped in shock.

Because I had him.

And he knew it.

He waited to see what I would do.

And then I gasped in shock.

Because the trigger that Myrnin had planted in my mind released with a vengeance. I remembered our earlier conversation and our plan – and I was back in my right mind again.

I had done it!

My control over Gwion held firm, while I quickly snatched my bra and shirt. I definitely preferred not to take the next steps topless. Gwion eyed me warily as I quickly redressed myself, unable to move under my control. I teased him, "So now that I have full control, what is to stop me from forcing you to release Amelie?"

He was clearly stunned, but didn't back down as he said confidently, "You may have a measure of control over me, but you don't have that kind of control. You are nowhere near strong enough to force me to speak."

I smiled widely and whispered, "No, not alone, but did you know that when Myrnin compels someone, I can feel and touch his connection?"

Gwion hissed, "That's not possible!"

Myrnin suddenly materialized through the portal behind me and drawled, "Yeah, it shocked the hell out of me too when she did it the first time. Funny thing is, our connection goes both ways. Which means that while she has you under her control; she may not be strong enough to force you to speak the words alone…But when I join her connection –"

Myrnin stopped speaking and linked into my control.

Gwion gasped when he felt Myrnin's presence in addition to mine.

Myrnin purred, "Would you like to say the words of your own free will, or would you like me to force you?"

Suddenly, Amelie and Oliver materialized through the portal.

Gwion's heated gaze penetrated mine. I held my own, refusing to look away. Finally he nodded his head and murmured, "Well played, little minx, well played."

He turned toward Amelie and spoke with authority, "I release you."

I beamed and kept Gwion's attention as I mouthed sincerely, "Thank you."

I didn't hate him.

We had been through too much together.

Myrnin and I maintained our control. We had decided it would be better for Amelie and Oliver to leave before we released Gwion. I only hoped Gwion would not attack once he was free.

Without warning, Oliver lurched forward, a dagger clenched in his fist. Myrnin spun to block Oliver's path to Gwion and growled viciously, "No! Claire is alive because of him. I will not allow his life to be taken…At least for now…Or by someone other than me."

Gwion rolled his eyes.

Amelie tried to calm Oliver down, murmuring, "We agreed…"

"No, you agreed! I think it is insane to let that madman live one more minute!" Oliver spat, still vibrating with fury.

Suddenly, a third presence entered Gwion's mind!

What the hell?!

I did not recognize the identity of the person. And from Myrnin's confused expression, neither did he.

But Gwion clearly did.

And he was stunned into silence for a moment.

"Wow, your head is a busy place, apparently. What – or should I say who – is that?" I looked down at Gwion and asked curiously.

Gwion's entire demeanor had changed. He looked at Myrnin and snapped impatiently, "You can let me go now. I am needed elsewhere and no longer have any interest in any of you."

Oliver hissed, "He's lying!"

Gwion rolled his eyes again in irritation. "Ask Myrnin. With the connection he has, he would know if I were lying."

Oliver looked to Myrnin.

Myrnin looked hesitant as though he did not completely trust what was happening, but he murmured, "He isn't lying. He fully intends to leave the instant he is released."

Amelie nodded.

Oliver stood in stony silence.

Myrnin looked at me and said, "Let him go."

I climbed off of Gwion and released the compulsion.

Without a further word or even a nod, Gwion left.

….

I turned to Amelie excitedly. She wore a matching expression of anticipation. Myrnin interjected, "Let's do this at the lab."

We all funneled back through the portal and I lay down on the couch. Amelie knelt next to me. I tilted my head up to give her better access and immediately her fangs sunk deep into my neck. Any pain I might have felt was overshadowed by my immense relief, to finally be rid of her power.

It took Amelie about fifty minutes as she slowly and carefully drew her power back into her own body. When she finally withdrew her fangs, Oliver scooped her up and placed her gently in a chair. She remained quietly in the chair, with her eyes closed. I didn't disturb her. I suspected she was adjusting to change.

Suddenly, she lurched forward, her eyes rolling wildly, her expression terrifying.

We all froze.

The shrill ring of Myrnin's phone interrupted our paralyzed silence.

"Answer it!"Amelie roared. It was obvious she expected the call and knew who was on the other end.

In a blink, Myrnin mashed the button to accept the call. But he didn't get a word in, before a man's voice screamed, "He took them!"

I knew his voice!

Michael!

Dread-riddled adrenaline flooded every ounce of my body. There could be only one explanation – Gwion had taken Eve and Faeryn!

.

Before you completely freak out, that the book ended on a cliffhanger (you know who you are - he he), technically this book ended once Amelie was completely put back together again, hence the title: All The Queen's Horses. The sequel, All The King's Men, begins another story.

Much love Peaches! It's been a wild ride.