CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: OF SHATTERED MASKS, DANGEROUS FIRES, AND THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
RIYEE'S POV
Jodie grabbed my wrist, her voice low and urgent.
"Rielle, don't—"
But it was too late. Because my legs were already moving.
I couldn't even remember when I'd decided to follow him.
All I knew was—I had to.
We didn't say a word as we left the courtyard—passing half-destroyed booths, onlookers whispering, stares from the balconies of the Sovereign Court—
where I knew someone was definitely watching.
Bianchi Madriaga.
Watching everything.
But KD didn't care. He just kept walking.
Didn't stop until we reached the east wing terrace—the part of campus people always seemed to forget. Quiet. Hidden. Untouched by the chaos of the festival.
And that's where he stopped.
Back turned. Staring past the city walls.
For a moment, I just stood at the door. Watching him.
Frozen.
But the longer I looked, the deeper the chill settled into my bones. This wasn't just KD slipping into his usual Ice President mode. No. This wasn't the composed, untouchable President everyone feared. This version of him was colder. Sharper. More ruthless. Dangerous.
Not the president I knew. And terrifyingly...
Not the KD I knew either.
"You shouldn't be here," I said tightly, forcing the words out even though my throat was dry. "You're suspended."
KD let out a soft, humorless laugh. "They suspended my title, not my legs."
I wanted to slap him, I swear. I hated how calm he sounded. Like none of this mattered. Like he hadn't just turned the entire festival into a war zone.
"They're saying the festival might get canceled," I muttered, trying to get something out of him.
Nothing.
Still facing away from me. "Let them."
My chest tightened.
"You think this is funny?!" My voice cracked, panic slipping through. "People worked hard for this! They trusted you—"
"Because of you?" he cut in, finally turning.
His gaze wasn't angry.
It was calm. Too calm. Lethal in its honesty.
"Say it, Riyee." His voice was soft but razor-sharp. "Say what you're too scared to admit."
I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I hated him. I hated that I knew exactly what he meant.
"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, barely able to hear myself.
KD's voice dropped—low, quiet, but laced with venom. "Because no one else can burn for you."
Boom.
The words hit me square in the chest.Before I could breathe, he stepped closer.
YOU ARE READING
STRINGS BETWEEN US
Teen Fiction"A slow-burn teen romance threaded with secrets, rivalries, and a dangerous past neither of them remembers-until it comes for them." ✧ STRINGS BETWEEN US ✧ She left her crown behind. He ruled with silence. But some strings pull-no matter how far you...
