OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: OF BLADES UNVEILED, THE POLITICAL STRIKE

She turned her gaze to me and smiled softly.

"You didn't fail today, President Khaizer Dela Vega," she said, her tone firm yet kind. "So don't carry the weight of blame on your shoulders."

I said nothing. I simply nodded and curled my fingers into a fist.

We were dismissed by the Headmaster after. And the first thing I do is go to where Riyee is—Eclipsa Sanctum.

She was still sleeping on her bed when I came.

"Is she really fine?" I asked Xythe, my fingers still wrapped around Riyee's hand. He was the only one here—everyone else in the Court was with the Headmaster, giving their report.

"She is. She just needs rest," Xythe said, before turning toward Riyee's dorm. "I'll leave her with you, Khaizer. I need to report to the Headmaster."

And just like that, it was only me and Riyee.

She looked peaceful, almost fragile in sleep—but I knew better. Beneath that quiet surface simmered a storm I'd only just begun to understand.

She stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open, and I leaned in slightly.

"Riyee," I called softly.

Her gaze met mine and widened. "KD!"

Before I could react, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry." she murmured against my shoulder.

"For what?"

"You saw that version of me. Ari, the Heart of the Court."

I wrapped my arms around her.

"She's scary," I admitted. I felt her flinching, then I added, "But she's brave. Brave enough to reveal herself to protect the people around her. And I want to know more about her."

I pulled back, meeting her eyes. "You don't have to be scared. I told you didn't I? I'll love every version of you."

She bit her lower lip and then said. "Even if I keep on drawing blades to people?"

"Even if you shoot your arrows."

Her eyes shimmered with tears. "I was scared earlier... not for myself, but for you. I thought I was going to lose you."

"But you didn't lose me. You protected me."

I let out a quiet groan. "I should be the one protecting you. But it ended up the other way around."

She laughed softly. "I am an Ardent Court member, KD. I was trained for that."

I frowned slightly. "I thought you were the Princess they swore to protect."

Her fingers tightened around mine. "I am. But I'm also the Heart who will draw her own blades before they ever get the chance."

"I didn't see blood earlier," I said, still trying to reconcile what I'd witnessed. I knew her history, the kind of bloodshed she feared. I've seen her faint because of that. That's why seeing her fight had left me stunned.

"Because our weapons are designed for precision, control, and efficiency rather than excessive bloodshed." she explained. "The Court values disabling, incapacitating, or neutralizing targets quickly without messy collateral damage. Excessive blood could create chaos, slow them down, or give away their position. Besides," a faint smirk tugged at her lips, "if there was too much blood, do you think I'd still be standing?"

I laughed quietly at that.

Then I cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her lips.
"I love you, Arielle Rylance Del Rio—even if you show me a hundred more versions of you."

Her smile softened. "And I love you, Khaizer Dylan Dela Vega... even if you're the most annoyingly icy President I've ever met."

My hands lingered on her face, fingertips tracing the soft curve of her jaw like I was trying to memorize the warmth I'd been missing. She leaned into my touch, her eyes half-closed, and I caught the faint hitch of her breath.

When our lips met again, it was slower this time—deeper, more deliberate. Every movement felt electric, like we were testing the fragile line between safety and vulnerability. My heart hammered in my chest, caught in a rhythm only she could compose.

I felt her fingers press against my chest, searching for the steady beat beneath my shirt. Her eyes locked onto mine, full of a question I didn't need words for—I'm here. I'm not letting go.

Time seemed to fold around us, the tension thick but comforting. I didn't want to rush anything. Every kiss was a promise, a quiet confession, a tether pulling me closer to her, even while the chaos outside threatened to pull us apart.

When we finally parted, my forehead rested against hers. I whispered, "I'm not letting go."

Her smile was soft, trembling—like a secret finally shared. "Good. Because neither am I."