Valoria Kingdom: City of Whispering Embers
They had never found the body of the first boy who broke Stan's heart and never will. That had been three years ago when he'd been fourteen. Stan remembered that night as though it had been yesterday - at the time Stan had been so angry that he'd been surprised by his actions. His name was Michol Little.
He had a blade stuck in Michol's chest up to the hilt. The bright red blood that gushed from the wound was mesmerizing. Michol gasped and grappled with the wound, his eyes round with pain and shock.
Stan's heart raced with a mix of fury and disbelief at what he had done. A part of him felt a cold satisfaction, but another part was horrified by the irreversible act. Conflicting emotions swirled within him, leaving him numb and detached from the reality of the situation.
Michol had told him that he no longer loved him. He had his sights set on another boy. How could Michol do this to him? He'd given him everything - his love, his body - it wasn't enough though.
Stan was brought back to the present when cold water ran over his face. Startled, he sat up to see a dark-skinned girl standing over him with a metal bucket in her hand.
Jenna-?"
"Don't you 'Jenna' me." she hissed angrily, plopping the bucket beside his head. "No sleeping on the cooking surfaces! My parents would be livid had they found you."
Stan watched Jenna march toward the oven and pull out a pan of chocolate cookies.Jenna had been Stan's closest confidante since childhood, a steadfast friend who knew all his secrets and fears.
She had always been protective of him, especially during his darkest moments. Despite her stern demeanor now, Stan knew she cared deeply for him and often acted as the voice of reason when his emotions got the better of him. She scowled folding her arms over her flour-stained apron.
Her wavy black hair was pulled into a tight bun to keep her hair out of her face as she worked. "I know you said you had no baking experience - but this is...this is bad."
Stan squinted at the pan looking for a mistake. All the cookies were about the same size, overflowing with chocolate chips.
"What-?"
"The edges are too crisp!"
Before Stan could answer, Jenna's mother entered hands clasped in front of her - a smile lighting up her face. "Has the next batch of cookies finished? They smell absolutely lovely!"
She stopped in front of the tray before she promptly plucked one off the tray biting off a piece.
Jenna protested. "Mother-!"
"Quiet, child." she hummed, closing her eyes. "My goodness, these are delicious! Stan, was this you?"
"Yes ma'am."
Jenna's mom opened her eyes again and then extended a hand toward him. "You're hired! My name is Natasha but please feel free to call me Tasha. My husband, Jerof is out front entertaining customers - have you met him?"
Briefly, Jerof was a short man, but what he lacked in height he more than made up for it with muscle. He appeared even more intimidating with his arms covered in many tattoos. He had a booming laugh that could be heard throughout the bakery, and he had a knack for making everyone feel at ease with his warm, welcoming demeanor. Jerof was known for his jovial spirit and his talent for storytelling, often regaling customers with tales from his travels or humorous anecdotes about everyday life. His presence in the bakery added a lively, cheerful atmosphere that drew people in and kept them coming back for more.Natasha was tall and slim with light brown skin, freckled cheeks and expressive brown eyes.
Jenna warned him that her mom had a quick temper and that its best for him to stay on her good side.Stan firmly shook her hand. "I'm honored you enjoyed my cookies. I've met Jerof ma'am."
"Oh! Wonderful!" Natasha gushed. "How soon can you start Stan?"
"Whenever you need me, Mrs. Tasha."
Natasha laughed. "What a gentleman. I wish Jenna hung out with more males like you." she winked, pinching his cheek. "Can you start tomorrow morning?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Great see you then!"
With that Natasha left the room humming softly to herself. When the door closed behind her, Jena released a sigh. She turned to Stan with a mixture of relief and amusement.
"Well, you survived the first encounter," she teased, a smile tugging at her lips. "Just wait until you see what it's like on a busy day here!" Jenna took a cookie off the pan swallowing it with one bite. "Hm. They're alright. You'd better not let my dad see you do this."
Stan chuckled reaching behind him to untie his apron. "Ah, so that's how you've gotten so fast at swiping stuff, hm?"
"Duh." Jenna scooped a few cookies onto a plate, then pulled out a paper bag dumping the rest inside. "Here, for the road and Kitty - don't eat them all."
Stan snorts. "And ruin this stunning physic?" he flexed a muscle.
"The only thing you're ruining right now is my eyes with your pale skin." Jenna shoved the bag at him, pointing toward the door. "Go on. Congrats on getting the job though."
Stan did a mock salute before ducking out of the room. As Stan made his way through the bustling bakery, the air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. The cheerful chatter of customers and the soft clinking of utensils created a lively soundtrack that complemented the warm, inviting ambiance. Laughter and friendly greetings echoed off the walls, blending harmoniously with the gentle hum of the ovens and the rhythmic tapping of the bakers at work.
Jerof was entertaining a group of people with some detailed story about how he'd gotten the dragon tattoo. Everyone was leaning forward in their chairs, nearly toppling out of them.Stan bid farewell to Jenna and her family before stepping out into the chilly air. He wrapped his arms around himself, instantly regretting not bringing his coat.
He quickly made his way through the market where the merchants were packing up their stuff for the day, but the streets were still packed with people walking about. Seizing his opportunity he occasionally shot his hand out grabbing a bracelet here and a watch there. When he exited the market his pockets were packed.
He hurried toward the little cottage his father had built on the edge of the city. His younger sister, Katherine, was playing in the yard, hopping around barefoot.
"Stan!" Katherine cried, running toward him arms wide. "Stan! How'd the interview go? Are you going to be working now?"
Stan wrapped his free arm around Katherine's small waist, picking her up and twirling her. "It went great, Kitty. Jenna sent these for you."
Kitty gasped. "What is it!" she took the bag and peeked inside, her blue eyes widened with surprise. "Cookies!"
"Where's Mother?" Kitty's smile fell and she sighed. "We have a visitor. He's asking for you."
He? Michol couldn't-no.
He buried him so deep that the devils on earth couldn't find him. There's no way-
"Who-?"
"The crown prince, Shay."