The Dark One

ELEVEN: JADE

About a week later, I sat at a table with paper and a quill writing out a letter to Tissaia.
'My dear Tissaia,
I am well and recovering from Sodden but still my strength alludes me. I still have the ability to feel emotions, so I should tell you that I could feel Vilgefortz's ever growing passion for you at Sodden while you were talking; I do not trust him, regardless of our butting-heads. I have made a mistake one which I made in anger, during the pain which I spoke of to you; I will not disclose the information in case this is intercepted but I'd like you to know that it could impact The Brotherhood's trust.
I am staying with a group of Witchers, those who are left, but will return to Aretuza once my strength is restored. I have not forgotten our conversation nor the confessions of our feelings.
I beg this letter find you well and you are happy as well as content.
Yours faithfully,
Jade'
I folded the paper and sent it to Tissaia with a wave of my hand, the table of Witchers next to me began to gamble over who would be accepted by myself to step-out with. The bets were all placed on Lambert, a rather distasteful, read-headed moron with a temper quicker than mine. He rose and took two paces before I turned my head and locked eyes with him, "Don't even think about it." He hung his head and retreated back to his table. "Looks like you have to pay." I chuckled as I rose and left for my room.

I sat on my bed and looked out of the window at the snow covered mountains and trees, such a peaceful place yet filled with such sad creatures. I sighed and turned to the door, as Lambert walked in holding a letter; "Yours." He said, handing me the paper.
"Thank you Lambert." He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
I ripped into the letter, paying heed to the black stamp holding the pages together. Inside was a letter from Fringilla: 'Jade,
Your allegiance to Nilfgaard is wise. Cahir will have other ideas, but you are a strong fighter and an even better mage. You do not need to come to Cintra but instead be our eyes and ears in Aretuza.
Also congratulations for winning Sodden.
Fringilla'
I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling frustrated over my stupidity for aligning with Nilfgaard; but liberated at the same time. I knew it was wrong but I didn't want to work for or against Nilfgaard, but only with Tissaia and damn the consequences. I laid back on my bed and closed my eyes, my mind still turning over from my past decisions.

TISSAIA
I received Jade's letter and read it over and over making sure I understood everything. I'd received it in a meeting with the Brotherhood, something I didn't appreciate. I folded the paper and turned to the fire in my room, tossing the pages into the flames and watched it burn. The paper turned a dark brown then crumpled at the edges, turning black as the flames engulfed it more. I was disturbed from my peace by the sound of door opening and Vilgefortz walked in, "Well, what secrets are you hiding?" He asked as I turned to the window and away from the now burned remains of the letter.
"Nothing. I don't have a habit of hiding secrets. What secrets are you hiding?"
"No. You don't. But I do know when your mind is elsewhere, on someone else. Jade is dead and not coming back."
"You're wrong. She is alive and I know it." He opened his mouth to speak but I stopped him, "Save it."

JADE
I rode to Aretuza on a black stallion, once I'd crossed the bridge my horse disappeared and the doors were opened by Tissaia. Her hair was down and her eyes glazed over once I'd stopped walking and stood opposite her. "Hello Tissaia, I take it you got my letter?" I stated as she stood rooted to the spot unable to move.
"You're back? For good?"
"As long as you'll have me." I replied as she smiled.
"I'll take you. Forever."
"Because I need more teaching?" I joked as she stepped closer.
"No. Because I love you. I need you. I just didn't know it at Sodden."
"And I thought you love Vilgefortz." I chuckled as she shook her head, letting her hair sway slightly.
"There hasn't been a day where I don't or haven't loved you since I saw you at Sodden. I should have noticed it sooner."
I looked down at the lady and smiled as her eyes flicked from my own to my lips and back up, "I'd be upset if you didn't." I muttered as she closed the gap between us. It felt amazing how her lips worked against my own, but I still couldn't believe Tissaia was kissing me.
"We should go in before anyone sees us."
"You mean Vilgefortz and The Brotherhood." I muttered as she tilted her head.
"Maybe."
"So what? I love you and we shouldn't have to hide."
"But we do. This only happens in our chambers." She whispered as we walked inside and locked the doors behind us.

We walked into her chambers, the second the door was locked behind us we continued. My arms went around her body, pulling her closer. She sat on top of me as one of her hands found my hair, she scratched along my scalp. My hands explored her body as I groaned, "You have too much fabric on your body." I muttered as she laughed.
"Maybe the next time you're allowed to undress me, but for now, just kissing and maybe cuddles." Tissaia whispered, kissing me softly on the forehead.
"Cuddling sounds nice." I whispered as she laid down next to me. I cuddled closer to her as she drew figures on my arm.
"Try to sleep now." She whispered as she ran her hand over my hair, "I'll dine with the students and Vilgefortz as usual. I'll be gone at least an hour, I just need to change." She stated as I hummed.

I laid on the bed trying to get some sleep, but it was impossible. My mind wouldn't relax for a minute, I tossed and turned constantly. Tissaia had gone to dinner with the girls and Vilgefortz, my thoughts became more focused on the man who was trying to steal Tissaia from me. Suddenly, I heard the door open and closed my eyes while my whole body tensed. I listened as the footsteps came closer to the bed, I felt fingers on my cheek; "I can tell you're not asleep, you're breathing's different." My eyes automatically opened, revealing I hadn't been sleeping. "What's going on in that mind of yours?" She asked me, tracing lines on my forehead.
"Nothing you need to worry about."
"You nervous about something?"
"You make me nervous." I whispered and looked at her lips.
"What? Why?" She asked as I huffed and sat up in the bed.
"As if you don't know what's going on."
She bit her lip and smiled, "I want to hear it from you." She whispered.
"That conversation made me realize my feelings for you and I don't know if that's okay or not. That's why I can't sleep." I confessed and threw my hands over my face. Tissaia murmured something, but I couldn't understand it; "What was that?" I asked.
She lifted my hand from my eyes, "I want to see your eyes. They're beautiful." She sat upright again and smirked, "Yennefer's coming." She stated as if the undeniable tension between us wasn't there.
"Brilliant. Just what I need." I muttered as Tissaia smirked slightly as she turned to face me.
"Why do you butt heads?"
"She's always trying to prove that she's more powerful than me. Arrogance will be her undoing."
Tissaia sighed as she climbed onto the bed and rested her head on my shoulder, "Try and get along?"
"No chance. Unfortunately, not everyone can live in peace with each other. Yennefer and I are like that." I muttered as Tissaia rolled over and laid on the pillows.
"The Brotherhood will want answers. Why you disappeared and what was in the letter."
"They saw the letter?"
"No. I got it in a meeting, and apparently I was off after I read it."
"My fault. Sorry Tiss." She smiled as soon as the sentence had finished, "Sorry, Tissaia."
"No. I like it. Only you call me that though."
"You do know I will have to go to Nilfgaard to settle a slight disagreement."
"By settle I take you mean kill those in your way?" Tissaia muttered as I laughed.
"Unfortunately I do."
"When?"
"Before Yennefer gets here."
"So a week." Tissaia whispered, running her hand up my arm. "Take me with you."
"I can't. You know why." I replied.
The door opened as Vilgefortz walked in, "So. It's true then, the great sorceress returns. Come to kill us?"
"No. Just you." I muttered as Tissaia nudged me hard in the ribs. "Ow."
"Don't." She whispered as I raised my eyebrows in silent acknowledgment.
"Your love for Tissaia will be your undoing. I'm stronger now, I could win." He stated as I rolled my eyes. "You're weak. I challenge you. Sword fight, first person to bleed stays away from Tissaia." He growled, standing opposite me.
"I accept." I muttered, as the man turned and left the room.