Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Fifty - Letters

Transporters took Jade's stuff overnight, adjusting her room to her new wardrobe, taking her research, her books, and anything else that they deemed she needed to survive the next several months. She stood on the Omega 5 bridge, Topaz and Amorio on her sides, and Alex, Amelia, and Joe had already gone ahead. Jade looked at Omega 5 and turned back to her fathers, smiling on her face. She took a deep breath.

"You fill my heart with such pride," Topaz said. His eyes glossing made hers gloss as well. He sniffed and laughed. "Sorry, I just." He shook his head. "I am so proud of you."

"As I am," Amorio smiled, squeezing her shoulder. "Remember if you need anything."

"I know. I have an entire line of fathers to hook me up," Jade chuckled. "Thank you both. Without either of you, I wouldn't be able to walk in there as I am. I'm proud to have you as my fathers." They embraced her and took another deep breath. "We're an emotional bunch," she said, laughing through her sniffles. She sighed and looked back. "I should go." They nodded and watched as she made the rest of the walk to the door. One last turn, she waved at them both before entering.

Unlike her first day at Omega 5, blending in was not something she could do anymore. The moment she was recognized, the hallways went silent. Jade took a deep breath and pushed through, smiling and greeting everyone who came to her. The walk from the entrance to her room was exceedingly longer than she ever remembered it before. Rick and Neia, Jade's new bodyguards, bowed at her as Jade approached her door. She returned the bow and entered her room. They shut the door behind her. Jade reached down and grabbed the pile of mail inserted through the slot and carried it to her desk. Being alone in a room after days of crowds on top of her was uncanny. Nerves twisted in her stomach at the silence of the four walls surrounding her. Jade turned to the letters, stopping when seeing Emanuel's name on one. She smiled, feeling the unease in her fade as she picked it up and opened it.

Princess,

I trust this letter has found its way to your hands. By now, you should be settling back at Omega 5, and here I am left with the fondness of your memory in my head. The eyes that watched me steadily as my body navigated a ballroom floor bless my dreams. The way your mouth parted at my words and my heart throbbed at the sound of your voice. I'm afraid I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since our first meeting. I hope the next time I get to see you, we will have more time to be acquainted.

With grand awe,

Prince Emanuel

Jade's heart throbbed as she reread the letter. Her smile widened as she started to pen a letter in return. Making her way through the letter, she folded it and addressed it to him. The front of the letter with their names on it caused her mind to race. A dream come true for a childhood Jade and a feeling of bliss for the one she became. Making her way through the letters, most were from Amorio and Craig, and she even had one from Lily. She was quick to reply, all of which she enjoyed the sense of normalcy they provided her. The packet of papers at the end was from Omega 5. Opening it revealed information regarding her team, including the names of her teammates.

[Team #46]

Jade Flora

Alex Caldwell

Ray Rayes

Meet-and-Greet Monday at 7p in the Ceremony Hall.

Jade frowned. They gave her no time to recover from the week she had. In just a few hours, Jade would have to attend a meet-and-greet where she and Alex would once again be in a position to spend a lot of time together. They left off on a good note, but she worried old habits would return without Joe in the middle to mediate the relationship. Her eyes focused on the other name, Ray Rayes. The name was somewhat humorous, but it belonged to a man she had never met. Jade crossed to her closet, fumbling for something appropriate to wear to the event. Now that everyone knew her position Topaz asked her to wear the appropriate jewelry as often as possible. She placed pounds of jewelry on the bed to be accessible for when to get dressed.

Neia popped her head in, grabbing Jade's attention. "Your Light, you have a visitor." Jade gestured for her to let them in, but she was taken aback when James walked into her room. They shut the door behind him, and he looked down before proceeding toward her.

"James? What are you doing here?"

"Jade, um. Your Light. I heard about everything. You know, you being the princess and all." He rubbed his arm with his opposing one. Sweat dampened his forehead. "I came to apologize. For everything, for not fighting against William about the paintings, torturing you with them, and." James looked down, "about manipulating you into letting me." Jade turned her head, remembering the shame she tucked away. "I heard you talk on that balcony. You put hope into Findere, a hope that I still hear people conversing about, and I don't want to hold you back. Even if a fraction of the memory still brings you discomfort. I'm sorry."

Jade nodded, searching his eyes for even a glimpse of insincerity, but she couldn't find any. "I forgive you." The words surprised even her, but this was no time to dwell on her past. The pain inflicted on her before couldn't weigh her down anymore. The torture and damage it caused was something she wanted nothing more than to let go of, and maybe forgiving James would be the first step. His eyes widened at her, just as surprised. "What you did was heinous, but I'm not letting it drag me down a moment longer. Take my forgiveness and use it to shape a better man." James nodded and made his way to the door. He stopped, she waited for words, something to remind her of the man he once was, but with silence, he left, taking another piece of her past with him.