STRINGS BETWEEN US

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE: OF QUIET WATCHERS, MASKED MOMENTS, AND CRESTS IN THE NIGHT

The lantern ceremony had begun by the time we slipped into the glowing crowd. Students were lighting soft orbs of light, whispering wishes into them before letting them drift up like bottled stars.

I held mine carefully.

KD didn't speak.

He just waited.

I whispered something into the paper-something quiet and impossible and mine-and looked at him.

He was already watching me like I was the only real thing in the night.

We released our lanterns together.
They floated upward-side by side-before joining the constellation above.

And maybe it was stupid, but it felt like a promise.
Like we'd both let something go, just to make space for this.

The music shifted-stronger now, bolder.

A voice rang from the stage:

"By tradition, the Royal Waltz shall now commence-led by our Student Council President."

KD turned toward me, one hand already extended.

"May I have this dance, Arielle Rylance Del Rio?"

I raised a brow. "Using my full name? Desperate much?"

"Effective, though."

"Fine. But if you step on my dress, I'm calling Bianchi."

"If I step on your dress, I deserve Bianchi."

I laughed-and took his hand.

The Courtyard transformed once more. Students gathered beneath the largest chandelier strung across Solencia's central clearing. Strings hummed. Light spilled like wine. And somewhere, hidden in the music, I swore I could hear my heartbeat syncing to his.

We stepped onto the floor as if it belonged to us.

KD's arm slid around my waist, firm and certain. His other hand caught mine, guiding me into the first steps of the waltz. My mask shifted slightly as we spun, but I didn't care. Not with the way his fingers steadied me, not with the way he looked at me.

Like I was the only star in the sky.

We moved in perfect rhythm. Silver against silver. Glance against glance. Step for step.

"You always make me look composed," I whispered.

"You've always been fire," he murmured back. "I just learned how to dance in your heat."

The final chord struck.

And then-

He pulled me closer.

Lifted his hand.

And slowly, deliberately, removed his mask.

The courtyard held its breath.

Not a strand of his hair was out of place. His eyes-sharp and light-hazel-looked straight into mine.

Then-

He reached up, gently.

And removed my mask too.

The whole school stilled.

And then-he kissed me.

There, beneath chandeliers and stars and every watching soul in Supreme Allievo Academy, he kissed me like he had nothing left to hide.

Gasps echoed.

One person dropped their drink. Another whispered, "That's not allowed, right?"

I didn't care.