OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: OF MONDAYS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE KIDNAPPED PRINCESS

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: OF MONDAYS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE KIDNAPPED PRINCESS

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Mondays at Supreme Allievo Academy were never kind.

The date carried a reputation—hated by every student who dragged themselves from the comfort of their beds, only to face the cold bite of routine. By six-thirty in the morning, they were expected to assemble in strict lines before the Solencia Courtyard, where the flag-raising ceremony awaited like a ritual none could escape.

For most, it was tedious. For Arielle Rylance Del Rio, it was unbearable. Mondays were the day she hated most.

Why? Because it required the one thing she despised above all—waking up early. And early was not, and never would be, her thing.

But not this Monday. Because today... she wasn't here.

KD always arrived early, a matter of duty as the Student Council President. As the students began lining up, his eyes swept the courtyard—and Riyee was nowhere to be found. They hadn't seen each other since last Tuesday; his council duties had been packed, and he had to attend a session with Dr. Elara as well. The last time he'd spoken to her had been Thursday, and since then... silence.

One by one, the Ardent Court members arrived. All except Riyee.

KD frowned, a tight knot forming at the back of his neck. Where could she be? Did she oversleep again? he thought.

He tried calling her. Nothing. Her phone had been off since Friday.

"Rielle's not here yet?" KD heard Jodie ask, glancing at Xylia.

"Maybe she's just late," Xylia replied. "She's always late anyway."

True enough—Riyee had never been one to arrive early. But today was different. Even though she usually came late, she was almost always ahead of the rest of the Ardent Court. And today... they were earlier than her.

A quiet unease settled in the air, subtle to everyone else, but impossible for KD to ignore. His gaze sharpened, scanning the courtyard. Something was off. Way off.

KD stepped into the lineup, deliberately positioning himself near the Ardent Court members. His posture was perfect, controlled—but his eyes didn't stay still. They swept the courtyard, sharp and restless, tracking every movement, every face.

"Where's Riyee?" he asked Saichel, his voice low, calm, but carrying an edge—something sharper, something that demanded attention.

Saichel's grin faded, replaced by a puzzled look. "Wasn't she supposed to be with you, Pres?"

"I haven't seen her since Tuesday. Haven't talked to her since Friday," Khaizer said, calm—too calm—but the tightening at his jaw betrayed it, a flicker of something unsettled beneath the surface.

KD noticed the subtle shift in the Ardent Court members' expressions at his words—Lyle's eyes narrowed, calculating; Xythe's usual composure faltered for a heartbeat; Saichel's smirk remained unreadable; Thres and Tofer tensed; Alexie's gaze lingered warily; Seb stiffened; and Keryn's sharp, Irish-pink-tinged eyes signaled alertness and readiness. Their collective unease confirmed what he suspected: the Ardent Court didn't know about Riyee's absence.

"What do you mean she's not with you?" Xythe asked, his voice low and cold, carrying an edge that made KD's gaze sharpen.

"She's been sending photos," Saichel said, tone flat now. "Inside Imperial Quarters. Stolen images of you. Making us think she was safe with you. And you're saying—" his eyes narrowed "—she wasn't there at all?"