Free Fae Dominance by J. B. Miller Page A

it is just not moving as quickly as I would like. We would have to curb any disputes near Dianthe but it can be done. So, what do you say, Kale. Are you willing to take the bet?”
    I looked him up and down. He was much more slender than I was. I probably had three or four stone on him. The way my metabolism ran, I would burn off the alcohol fast. Even with it being as strong as it was. There was always the unknown but I thought I had good odds. I took the plunge.
    “We have a deal,” I held out my hand.
    Robin grasped it tightly and a myriad of churning light surrounded us. Silence filled the room as heat rose in waves from our bodies. The laughter and raucous sounds of the club had died completely while every creature there stilled to watch the man that was foolish or brave enough to enter into a deal with the most feared Fae in their entire world.
    Robin pulled me close to whisper in my ear.
    “Then let us begin, my wolf. The night is young and it stretches out before us. There is much to do and I am eager to begin.”
    He let me go and I sat back silently pondering what kind of insanity I had led myself into. Before I could question any more he turned from me and called over the hovering bartender.
    “We need an impartial judge,” Robin informed him. “You are it. For the next hour you serve only us, do you understand?”
    “Yes, my Lord,” the terrified Fae male stammered. “How may I serve you?”
    “It is simple,” Robin drawled. “You will serve us drink for drink. The exact same for the duration of one hour. There will be no difference in the mixes. Exactly the same in each serving, then at the end of the hour my mate and I will attempt to walk to the main doors. If the wolf falters—I win, if I falter—he wins. Is that clear?”
    I had to give it to the guy, he must have had one hell of a set of balls. As terrified as he was, he still asked for clarification.
    “My Lord,” he said timidly. “And if you both falter or if neither of you do?”
    Damn, I was feeling sorry for the male. He was nearly shaking in fear. The smell of it was clogging the air it was so thick. If he had not shown me, I would be wondering what the hell Robin did to be so feared by these people? Their fear was paralyzing.
    Robin ran a long elegant finger across the top of his glass. “If neither of us falter the wolf wins, and if both of us…again the wolf wins. The only way I win is if only the wolf fails.” His eyes flashed in warning. “Fairly fails that is. If there are any unfair advantages given in the hopes of currying favor know that only my ire and wrath will be raised.”
    The bartender bowed his head and murmured, “Of course, as you will it, my Lord.”
    He then turned and pulled out an hourglass from the ether. Faerys and their freaky powers, I shook my head. “I will begin it when you both have your first drink, my Lord.” His shoulders straightened and he turned from us to make the requested drinks.
    This was the strangest drinking contest I had ever taken part in, but I was in it to the finish. Laughter drew my attention back to Robin. “Excellent,” he exclaimed. “This will be one to tell the grandchildren, puppy, one day years from now.”
    Robin’s mirth broke the silence and sound came back to the room. I was in shock though and sat there dumbly when the drinks were set before us. Grandchildren…my mind looped on that word. One day we would have grandchildren. That meant that first we would have children. A slow smile opened my lips and my sharpening teeth shone. I picked up the glass filler with luminescent blue liquid and raised it to Robin. “To us, my friend—to whatever this night brings and to the future you have just envisioned. May all of those dreams come true for all of us!”
    Robin met my raised glass with a smile. “Indeed, Kale. That is a guaranteed outcome. I have seen it. To us,” his eyes gleamed as he raised his glass. “And to our mates and a future of laughter and