OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER FORTY: OF LATTES, LOVE TRIANGLES, AND THE PRESIDENT

The Commons buzzed around us, but in that moment, it felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of us—coffee, a smirk, and the weight of everything unspoken between us.

And then—Rowan Lopez approached. KD's Liaison Minister of Public Diplomacy. Polished words, sharp intentions. A threat disguised as civility. A ticking bomb. The Halcyon Pact's kill-switch aimed at KD. He would either capture him and deliver him to the Pact—or end him outright, just like during the chandelier incident.

I stiffened slightly, my stomach knotting. Every instinct screamed at me.

Rowan's smile was practiced, polite, but it didn't reach his eyes. Too sharp, too calculating. Too aware of exactly what—or who—he was stepping into. Every step radiated careful control, but underneath that calm polish, I could feel the potential for chaos coiled and ready.

"President Dela Vega," he said smoothly, inclining his head. "And... Ms. Del Rio." His gaze lingered just a fraction too long on me, like he was measuring whether I belonged in the equation.

I didn't smile. Didn't move. I just stared back letting the silence stretch between us like a drawn blade.

"What is it, Rowan?" KD asked, calm and measured, unaware of the danger standing just a few feet away.

KD didn't know the threat in front of him—not yet. But we did—the Ardent Court did. Every careful step, every too-perfect smile, every flicker of his eyes told me exactly what Rowan was capable of.

"I would like to make a report regarding the Student Council schedule for this week," Rowan said, voice smooth, deliberate.

I crossed my arms, eyebrow raised. "Really? Reporting? In the middle of lunch break? Is lunch break not a concept to you?"

Rowan pretended to be startled, as if afraid of me. But I remembered the smirk he wore during the chandelier incident. He had planned to kill KD back then. If Xythe hadn't been fast enough to push him out of the way, KD would be dead. Even though Xythe saved him, both of them still got injured—and not just them. Other students got caught in the crossfire, too.

"Riyee, don't scare Rowan," he said, voice low and controlled, though that subtle edge reminded me he wasn't completely unaware.

I mentally rolled my eyes, feigning innocence. "I'm not scaring your council member."

KD didn't say anything to me and turned back to Rowan. "Go on, Rowan. I'm listening."

I watched him closely, sipping my latte. Honestly, I was going to need another one to survive this conversation.

"Dr. Elara Fenn said the High Chamber Council's session with her will start tomorrow," Rowan said calmly.

"Okay," KD replied.

Without another word, Rowan turned and left, his polished steps slicing through the Commons like a quiet warning.

KD chuckled, shaking his head. "You do have a habit of picking fights with my council."

"Excuse me! They were the ones who started. Remember Sports Week? They set real traps for us."

"But your Ardent Court was the one who said not to dismiss them and let them hold their council chair," KD explained, calm but deliberate, the weight of his words grounding the conversation. "So you don't get to be annoyed by them being here. They were supposed to be expelled."

Then he sighed lightly, a faint edge of resignation in his voice. "I don't even have a choice but to work with them until the end of the school year. Elections aren't really a thing here in SAA, especially when the whole student body already approved the current council."