CHAPTER EIGHT: OF CRIMSON ENTRANCES, COLD KISSES, AND THE STORM THAT ARRIVED LATE
RIYEE'S POV
7:53 AM
Aureum Gymnasium - Supreme Allievo Academy
The crowd was already buzzing. Every seat in the Aureum Gymnasium was taken, the upper bleachers overflowing, noise thick in the air like static before a storm.
And still—no sign of them.
I sat alone on the bench, fingers tapping against my thigh, already halfway to glaring. My friends? Dramatic. My teammates? Theatrical. My patience? Nonexistent.
They had seven minutes.
Seven minutes before the first whistle of Sports Week. Seven minutes before Supreme Allievo's finest-its High Chamber elites, scholarship players, and combative representatives-went head-to-head with the most disruptive force ever invited onto this court.
The Ardent Court. And I was the only one here.
Xythe and Saichel's pulse pattern—undetectable. They hid it on purpose. They are probably laughing in the corner while they sense me being annoyed by them.
At least I looked good doing it.
My version of the Court's uniform was a whisper of rebellion: a deep crimson cropped top, silver lining catching the gym lights with every breath I took, the Ardent sigil sharp against my collarbone. My black skirt had a slit for speed, not modesty. My fingers itched inside fingerless gloves, and the quiver strapped to my thigh felt heavier than usual-like even it knew things were about to change.
I exhaled.
The crowd was starting to notice. Whispers stirred.
And then-
"This is the first time you're actually early."
I didn't even have to turn. That voice always found its way to me.
"Don't start, KD."
"Don't start what?" he asked, casually leaning in, like this was some hallway encounter and not a nationally-broadcast sports event.
"Being annoying."
"I'm always annoying when it comes to you."
I glared.
Instead of matching my usual retort, he did something else—something far more dangerous. He leaned down—kissed me—on the forehead.
The gymnasium stilled.
I blinked up at him, flustered beyond language, my fist already halfway raised.
He caught it effortlessly. "Not today, girlfriend."
"Early flirting?" Jodie's voice rang from somewhere to my right. "Bold move, President."
"Still can't believe the Ice President melted," Xylia added, her tone half-awed, half-amused.
I groaned, "He doesn't melt. He's just roleplaying."
KD leaned in again, this time whispering low against my temple. "Good luck, girlfriend. I'll be watching."
Mico approached from the side, blinking. "Not playing, Pres?"
"Nope," KD answered, colder than ice this time. "Let them be. They suspended me before. Not gonna help Bianchi and her group."
"Ice President Post-Suspension Rebellion Arc," Jodie muttered.
KD just chuckled. "I need to go to my post. I'll find you later."
YOU ARE READING
OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)
Teen Fiction✧ STRINGS BETWEEN US ✧ Book Two: Operation Winterspine by miszywitch She thought she buried the war with her title. But some crowns aren't laid down--they're reactivated Arielle Rylance Del Rio walked away from the Ardent Court, from the strategist...
