OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE: OF UNSPOKEN JEALOUSIES, FRACTURED TRUTHS, AND

I leaned in my smile sweet but razor-edged. "Or maybe because it's an issue for you."

His pen paused mid-scribble. "It's not."

"Uh-huh." I tilted my head, lowering my voice just enough for only him to hear. "Then why did you glare at him the second he walked in? You think I didn't notice?"

"I know why." A voice chimed in from behind us.

Alexie. Of course. I hadn't realized she was sitting there, leaning forward with a smug smile.

Alexie. Of course. She leaned forward, her smile smug and lethal.

"Because, Ari, when Lucian's torture of you was broadcast last Monday..." She cleared her throat, then dropped her voice to mimic mine: 'Xythe will find me, like always. And Xythe will definitely kill you without mercy.'

Her laugh wasn't loud, but sharp enough to slice. A few heads turned. The sting burned hot across my chest, guilt pricking under my ribs. My nails dug into the wood of my desk.

KD's jaw tightened, his pen snapping mid-scribble. The air between us went brittle, every whispered stare in the lecture hall suddenly heavier.

And the teacher kept writing, as if X and Y were the only mysteries worth solving.

When the morning class ended, KD and I headed to the Allievo Commons for lunch and our daily dose of caffeine from the lounge cafe—Café Callisto. Personally, I needed at least five Iced Spanish Lattes—three extra shots each—if I was going to survive a whole day with KD.

"Are we in Antarctica? I feel like the hallway is full of snow right now." I heard Saichel murmur behind us.

Of course he and Xythe trailed a few steps back. They always did. KD once said I had "built-in bodyguards," though what he didn't realize was—they were guarding him just as much as me. Lucian might've been dead, but Rowan Lopez was still out there. And who knew how many of the Pact's people had already slipped into SAA's walls?

And that was the whole point—he always knew Xythe was closer. Knew Xythe would always be around. Saichel was one thing; he had Alexie. But Xythe? Xythe was a problem for him now, because of what he used to be to me.

"The President is freezing everything as he walks, did you two fight?" Saichel asked lightly, as if KD wasn't just a few feet in front of him

"Nope we didn't fight. He just won't admit stuff." I said rolling my eyes.

"I've told you Riyee, I have nothing to admit." KD shot back, his tone maddeningly stubborn—then he reached over and held my hand.

Saichel gasped like he'd won the lottery. "Ohhh, hand-holding in the hallway. Scandalous. Should I call the Media Club? Or maybe Xythe, since he's right here?"

KD didn't even look back. "Keep your mouth shut, Saichel."

"What? I'm just appreciating this domestic display." His voice went up a pitch. "Although... you did grab her hand a little too fast. Almost like you're scared someone might steal her."

I bit back a laugh, glancing at KD. His jaw ticked, but he kept walking.

"Jealous much?" Saichel pressed, clearly enjoying himself.

"Nope," KD said flatly.

"Mhm, suuure." Saichel drawled. "Because the way you glance at Xythe earlier could've frozen lava."

"I'm not jealous," KD finally glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowing at Saichel. "I'm making sure everyone knows she's mine. Big difference."

Saichel snorted, snapping his fingers like he'd cracked a code. "Right, right—that's just jealousy with better vocabulary."

I couldn't help it—the smirk broke free. Xythe, as always, walked in silence, but the air around him was dense, unreadable. KD's hand in mine, though steady, betrayed him in the way his knuckles flexed and refused to let go.

Afternoon came fast. Lucky I survived the day without strangling Saichel—or pouring boiling hot water on KD to melt his perpetual ice.

But I had to admit it—KD was cute when he was jealous. There was this subtle clash between his Ice President persona and the warmth he tried to keep under wraps. Either way, I loved all his sides

By the time evening settled, we were already in my dorm room at Eclipsa Sanctum. KD was sprawled beside me on my bed, Yakult in one hand, phone in the other. He didn't have to sneak in through the rooftop like some overdramatic movie scene—Keryn had made a secret passage straight to the third floor just for him.

"You staying the night?" I asked, glancing at him. He was sprawled beside me on my bed, Yakult in his right hand, scrolling lazily on his phone.

"Why? You don't want me here?" His brow furrowed, a faint crease betraying the worry he wouldn't voice. I caught a flicker of hesitation, like he wanted to bring up Xythe but held back.

I pinched his cheek to break it. "Relax. You're cute."

"I know."

I scoffed, grinning. "Cocky."

"But you said it yourself. I'm cute."

"Still cocky."

He leaned closer, eyes catching the light just right, and whispered, "But you love me."

He set his phone down, placed the Yakult on the side table, and let his gaze lock on mine—light hazel catching mine in a way that made my pulse skip.

"And you still love him," he added softly, his voice tinged with something raw.

The words struck harder than I expected. His fist clenched, his jaw tightening as he pressed on.

"I see it, Riyee. You still love Xythe... not the way you love me right now, not like the way you love Saichel, not even like the other Court members. It wasn't romantic, but it wasn't platonic either. I knew it, I understood it, and yet... it still hurts."

His jaw tightened, his fist curling against the sheets."You've known him your whole life. Of course you'd expect him to save you. And when I heard you say it—when I heard you call for him—it cut deep."

His hand brushed mine—hesitant, instinctive, like muscle memory. "Understanding it doesn't make it hurt less."

My chest tightened. Words pushed at my lips but died there, useless. Guilt and truth tangled until I could barely breathe.

He was right. I'd known Xythe my whole life. And it is Xythe—the Ardent Court's Tactician, our very own weapon. That's why, if there's someone I would expect to save me—it would be him. But how could I say that to KD, knowing he was hurting right now

"KD..." I whispered.

"Sssh." He pressed a finger against my lips. His eyes were steady, even as pain flickered in them. "You don't need to explain. I understand. But understanding doesn't make it hurt less."

For a long moment we just stayed there, staring, breath tangled. Then he leaned in, pressing his lips to mine—soft, deliberate, trembling with everything he couldn't hold back.

Heat surged through me as I clutched his shirt, pulling him closer, grounding him against me. His kiss wasn't fire—it was fracture. Ice splintering under weight, steady walls breaking open just for me.

We broke apart only enough for our foreheads to rest together, breath mingling, hearts stumbling into the same rhythm. His hands framed my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones as if I were something fragile, irreplaceable.

"Riyee," he whispered, voice low, unsteady, almost breaking. "I love you... more than I can hold."

A shiver ran through me. "And I love you, KD," I breathed, words trembling but fierce. "So much."

Then his lips claimed mine again—slower this time, deeper, like he was memorizing me, as if the night itself could end and we would still remain. Every sigh, every tremor, every whisper carried what words could never hold.