Page 77 of Crownless Heirs

As the red-eyed crow swallows the world.

We dig and sing to keep him still,

But deep below, he drinks his fill.

Oh Balor’s belly groans again,

The thunder speaks of wraith and rain.

His hunger swells with war and flame,

And none shall sleep who know his name”.

Niall pushed open the tavern doors, nodding to the barman who’d only just begun preparing for the evening rush when Niall waved and sat himself at the table with Sorcha. A plate was piled high with eggs, toast, and venison sausage. Bowls of stew, yogurt and fruit beside it.

Niall waved over the barmaid, who brought him a mug of beer.

Kyron looked at the mug and then to Niall, “Drinking already?”

“I’ve never seen him not drinking.” The barmaid said as she planted the mug in front of him.

Niall raised his mug. “That’s because I’m always drinking.” He took a sip. “You’ll never catch me without one.”

Maelan gave a lazy shrug. “To each their own.”

Sorcha rolled her eyes and without asking, Niall grabbed a slice of toast and helped himself to a forkful of eggs.

Sorcha grabbed her fork and stabbed the eggs mid plate and smiled at him.

His grin curled, slow and shameless. He leaned on one elbow, eyes on her. “That fire,” he murmured.

Kyron groaned as Maelan chuckled and reached for the fruit.

THUD.

A massive black shape slammed against the window beside them.

Niall jumped so hard he nearly knocked over his chair. “What in the Dagda is that?!”

A hulking black wolf stood at the window its massive head inside it, eyes bright, fur bristling.

Without flinching, Sorcha reached across the table, grabbed a venison sausage, and tossed it through the open window. Noctis caught it midair, gave one solid crunch, and disappeared from view.

“That’s my friend,” Sorcha said, calm as anything.

Niall stared at her. “That’s a friend?”

“Yes.”

He blinked. “You mean pet.”

“No.”

He looked around the table, expecting someone else to question this. No one did.

“Right,” he muttered. “Friend.”

Kyron choked back a laugh. Maelan grinned and popped a grape into his mouth.