Fer stopped talking and got up. “I need to get some fresh air.”

She walked out though the tavern door, disappearing into the night. I was left alone at the table. I let her go knowing that what she had told me was still a sore subject for her.

Madam Owlet had said that Fer had had her heart broken in the past. Now, after hearing the latest bit of Fer’s tale, I felt for sure that Fer had been in love with Rosabella. I also realised that Fer hadn’t fully realised it then. She probably still didn’t fully know it. She was still working out her feelings.

Two wooden bowls suddenly appeared on the table with two rolls of bread, snaping me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see that it was Selena who had placed the things on the table. She continued placing things onto the table, two spoons, cups as well as two big jugs with golden brown liquid in them.

She finally dropped a key on the table. “Your room. Fer knowsss where it isss.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled and slithered away back to the bar counter. I noticed that the tavern was now full and seemed to be run by snake shifters. I had a feeling that Selena’s family owned the place.

Sensing that the food had finally come, Fer reappeared, sitting down next to me. Grabbing the key on the table, she placed it into her pocket. She then grabbed a bowl, spoon and roll of bread. Dripping the bread into the bowl, she began eating.

I grabbed the other bowl and looked to see what was inside. It was some type of watery stew, filled with carrots, potatoes, and small chunks meat. I dipped the spoon and scooped out a chunk of meat.

“What is this?”

“It’s beef stew. The jug has ale in it. Have you never had it before?” She looked at me surprised.

“I have.” I muttered. “Many times.”

Travelling the human realm meant that I’d been to a lot of inns and taverns. It was the typically food served, stew and ale. “I’m just disappointed I guess.”

“You do understand that this is meant to be a replica of a human tavern. They are trying to go for real here.”

“But no human tavern has the inside looking as though it belonged to a palace.”

Fer rolled her eyes. “This is still the Gods realm remember. Mother Fate forbid if they have to sit on anything less than gold silk.”

I was silent after that. Fer finished her roll of bread and began eyeing mine. “You going to eat that.”

Sighing, I broke the warm bread in half, and handed her a piece. She accepted happily, like a child receiving a birthday gift.

“Don’t worry. The food tastes much better than it looks. Gods would never eat what some human taverns serve as food. Everything is high quality. I promise.”

Nervously, I brought the spoon to my lips. The stew was amazing, the best I’d ever had. It was worthy of  being a palace meal. The meat and vegetables were soft, melting in my mouth.

Fer smirked when she saw my face. “Divine isn’t it. The Crossroads make the best food. Now drip the bread into the stew.”

I did as I was told and suddenly understood why Fer wanted my roll. Dripping the bread into the broth, made the roll more favourable. Within minutes, we both polished the stew and bread. All that was left was two jugs of ale.

Fer stood up, grabbing a jug and two cups. “Come on, the night is still young and one for telling tales.”

I grabbed the other jug and followed Fer out of the tavern.