Sacred Bonds and Broken Oaths

Chapter 1

"Talia, dear, would you pass me the bread lame?" Mother called from the other side of the kitchen. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow bone with the back of her hand and wiped it on her stained apron. She had been baking since before dawn and it was nearly midday.
"Yes, mother." I quickly made my way to the cupboard where we kept the baking tools and placed it beside her. "May I meet with Charles and Leanna? They invited me for noon tea."

"Charles, huh?" My mother looked at me from the corner of her eye questioningly but didn't stop her busy hands from preparing the dough. "And Leanna, mother." I playfully rolled my eyes. "I don't even see Charles that way, he's always just been a boy to me, no different than Emris."

"Ha! I hardly believe he would feel the same, the poor thing has followed you like a lost pup since you were yay high" Her hand was raised to the height of her hip. I knew what she meant and I knew she was right, but I simply couldn't see little Charlie as anything more than the six year old boy I grew up with. Granted, twelve years have passed since we were that young. We would run around the town center and throw coins into the wishing fountain and pester the different shop owners begging for candies and whatever else we could get our little hands on.

I remember the first time we ran up to the holy temple of our small village. It's tucked away on the outskirts on the edge of the mountain. We had run a little too far into the woods and lost track of where exactly we were. A massive arch stood before rows of steps up into the mountain. I could only get a glimpse of the edge of the temple itself as it was covered by trees and vines. We were so spooked by it we ran back into town immediately and back to my father's bakery.

"To answer your question though," I blinked, leaving the fond memories behind me. "Yes, you can go with them, but don't torture the boy too much, Tai."

"Yes mother, thank you!" I smiled warmly and turned to grab my dark cloak from the hanger near the door.

The cold autumn air outside was brisk, biting through the layers of my cloak and corseted dress with its sharp, crisp chill, making every breath feel invigorating. In stark contrast, the bakery was a haven of warmth, enveloped in a cozy embrace of heat and the comforting aroma of fresh bread and spiced pastries.

Heavy grey clouds coated the sky and a light flurry of snow began to fall around me. My steps quickened pace as I was reaching the tea house where my friends were waiting.

Charles sat on the wooden rail of the raised porch. He swung his long legs over the side and jumped down to the ground. His honey blonde hair fell to his brows, nearly covering his chocolate brown eyes. "It seems the sun is envious of your beauty today; she's hidden behind the clouds, unable to compete with your radiance. " He reached and grabbed my hand and placed a small kiss along my knuckles in a bow.

"Charlie, you flatter me, though I'd argue the sun's retreat is just good timing, but I wouldn't want Anna to think we're late because of your charming distractions."

"Ah, I see. So you're suggesting my compliments might keep us from our meeting?"

"Only if you keep them coming! But since we're both heading inside, let's save the poetic flourishes for another time. I wouldn't want to be the cause of any delays."

"Shall we make our way then? I promise to save my most dazzling remarks for later."

"I have no doubt you'll manage that. Now let's go inside." I playfully pushed his shoulder and headed towards the door.

"Merciless woman." Charles mumbled below his breath, only barely audible and brushed his hair from his brow.

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