OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT: OF PILLOWS, RIVALS, AND UNSAID TRUTHS

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT: OF PILLOWS, RIVALS, AND UNSAID TRUTHS

RIYEE'S POV

Of all the places I could be stuck for a "staycation," it had to be a hospital.

Day two at DVMC—Dela Vega Medical Center—a.k.a. KD's personal fortress. The faint antiseptic scent lingered in the air, mingling with the hum of machines. Sunlight slanted through the blinds, painting stripes across the floor, and every beep of the monitors felt like a tiny reminder that I was trapped. The crisp hospital sheets scratched against my skin as I shifted in bed, and the soft squeak of nurses' shoes on the polished floor echoed faintly down the corridor.

The last time I was confined here—during the chandelier incident—he wasn't like this. Back then, he didn't parade his power, flaunt his money, or act like the world bent to him.

Now? It's different. Right now, he's using all the tools at his disposal to make sure I stay put in this room. And somehow, it feels like the room itself is conspiring with him.

Ugh. I just want to go back to school, pretend I care about class, or at least have a proper glaring contest with Bianchi Madriaga.

"Why the long face, Princess?"

I didn't even have to look. Of course it was him—Saichel, striding in like chaos had a bodyguard.

"Use the privilege of having an excuse to vacation," he said, voice all smug like he hadn't single-handedly turned my hospital room into a stage for his theatrics.

I threw him a death glare for that comment.

Of course, he's Saichel—unbothered, unfazed, walking in like the world owes him a front-row seat to my irritation. Trailing him was Xythe, hand casually in his pocket, looking annoyingly calm.

The moment our eyes met, I frowned. "Why weren't you confined? I heard from Alexie you almost collapsed."

Xythe shrugged, nonchalant as ever. "I don't need to be hospitalized. A sleep and a day without Saichel were enough."

Saichel clutched his chest in mock offense. "Ouch, Prince! Your words just bruised my ego. Stop before I fall into dramatic despair."

I smirked. 'Honestly, a day without you means peace and quiet.'

Saichel's frown deepened. "No. A day without me means no fun with the two of you. And that's sad for you."

Xythe and I didn't react immediately, exchanging one of those looks that only said we know he's being ridiculous, but... he's not entirely wrong.

To be fair, he had a point. Chaotic, unpredictable, sometimes exhausting—yes—but his chaos was comforting, grounding even, in a way only someone like him could be.

They told me about their sessions with Dr. Elara. Saichel said it was fun, that the doctor didn't even get a chance to counsel him because he talked nonstop. Xythe, on the other hand, said he was told to cherish his life and to stop risking it for everyone else.

Which is true. That's always been Xythe—he doesn't care what happens to him as long as the people he cares about are safe. But he wasn't always like that. He changed slowly, shaped by the Ardent Court missions and the day I was almost kidnapped. And now... after my kidnapping, I noticed something others might miss: a part of Xythe's humanity had switched off again, his heart harder than before

"Do you have a problem with me?" Xythe asked, frowning slightly. "You've been staring at me, Ari."

Caught staring, I quickly looked away. "Nope. No problem," I said, forcing casualness. The coolness of the sheets pressed lightly against my arm, grounding me, reminding me I was still... here.

He didn't press it, but I caught the faint lift of an eyebrow—just enough to know he noticed.

For a moment, the room felt quieter. My gaze flicked to him again, slower this time, tracing the calm line of his jaw, the steady rhythm of his breathing.

"By the way... thank you for rescuing me," I said softly, the words heavier than simple gratitude. Not just for saving my life, but for always having my back, for being someone I could trust when everything else fell apart.

Xythe tilted his head slightly, a faint acknowledgment in his eyes. "You said it yourself. I would find you... and save you. I just did my job."

Before I could respond, Saichel's voice cut through, teasing and loud. "Ooooh, I feel that. That slow-burn connection..." He smirked, eyes darting between the two of us. "Don't tell me—you two getting back together? "

I grabbed the canned coffee KD had left earlier and tossed it at him. "Shut up, Saichel."

Xythe didn't react verbally—just shot Saichel the kind of side-eye that said, one more tease and a silver dagger will fly.

Saichel leaned closer, grinning mischievously. "Careful, Princess. Don't be too sweet to him... or he might fall for you all over again—and won't recover. And that would be... bad, considering you're already with the President."

Xythe's gaze sharpened instantly, cool and unwavering, the kind that could freeze blood if it wanted. I felt it even before I saw the subtle tilt of his jaw, the tight line of his mouth.

"Careful yourself," Xythe said, voice low, steady, dangerous. "Stick to your chaos and leave hearts alone."

Saichel only laughed, unbothered.

Xythe glared, daggers in his silence.

And me? I planned Saichel's murder the second I got discharged. Just one more day in this hospital. Just one.

Discharged day came. Of course I was happy. KD was the one who fixed everything. Well, he should. He's the one who decided for my three day hospital arrest.

"Finally, I'm free!" I said as we stepped out of the hospital door.

"You acted like I imprisoned you." KD said.

I crossed my arms. "You technically did."

He just shrugged, casual like it cost him nothing. "I just want you to recover well. That's the least I can do for you. I'm not Xythe..."

I snapped my eyes to him, rolling them so hard it might've sprained something. "Why do you keep bringing up Xythe?

His mouth tugged into that stubborn half-smirk. "Because he's a rival."

I narrowed my eyes. "He is not."

"He's your ex-boyfriend," KD fired back without missing a beat.

"And he's a close friend," I shot, leaning into the words like I was daring him to argue.

His brow arched, the challenge simmering there. "Pretty generous title for someone who is definitely not over you."

I folded my arms, glare sharp enough to cut glass. "You sound jealous for someone who insists he's not."

"I wasn't jealous," he said, firm as stone.

I arched a brow, biting back a smirk. "Right. And I'm a saint who never breaks rules."

His jaw tightened. "I'm serious, Riyee."

"Uh-huh." I tilted my head, my smile sharpening. "So what—Xythe's name just slipped out of your mouth? Pure coincidence, I'm sure."

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You're impossible."

I leaned in closer, whispering like I'd uncovered some deep secret. "You're jealous."

His eyes met mine, stubborn but flickering with something warmer. "I'm protective," he corrected, lips twitching despite himself. "Big difference."

I grinned, triumphant. "Jealous. Protective. Either way, it's cute."

And for a second—just a second—his playful façade cracked.

Silence fell between us, sharp and telling.

And silence—KD's silence—always said more than words ever could.