STRINGS BETWEEN US

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE OF TACTICS, COURTROOMS, AND THE COST OF SILENCE

"SAA won't know what hit them," Saichel said with a dark chuckle. "Two royalty students from Celestine? Let's see them handle that."

"They won't just notice," Alexie added. "They'll panic. Another top-tier Ardent leaving midyear? It'll raise questions. Stir tension."

"Good," Lyle murmured at last. "Let the tension spread."

Saichel stretched, grinning. "Good. Because if Bianchi keeps this up, I'm transferring next just to throw her off a balcony."

Keryn rolled her eyes. "You'd be suspended in five minutes."

"Correction," Saichel smirked, "I'd get crowned."

Keryn tossed a lighter on the table. "Just stay out of jail, Tactician."

Thres locked eyes with me. "You'll be alone out there."

I nodded, the weight of that truth settling in.

But not unarmed.

I wouldn't walk into SAA as her ex. Not as the boy clinging to the past. I'd go as the Court's hand—an instrument of calculated power and protection.

Our message was clear:

You don't touch the Princess.

And if you do—

We respond.

Seb handed me a sealed drive. I slid it into my coat pocket.

"I'll give this to the President myself," I said.

Alexie smirked. "Make sure he knows it's not a warning."

"It's a favor," I said. "One he better not waste."

Thres's voice was low, serious. "You know this is war now, right?"

I nodded.

And the Court? We never blink.

Because we always play for keeps.

Saichel whistled low as I grabbed my coat. "You should bring your gun and dagger," he teased. "Allievo might be more violent than we thought."

Without looking back, I slid the envelope deeper into my pocket.

"I always bring weapons," I said quietly. "The real question is—will I need to use them?"

"You say that like you're not the weapon," Keryn said, cracking open a drink.

"Please," Saichel scoffed. "Xythe's idea of subtlety is throwing daggers into mahogany tables. What's next? Smirking enemies into submission?"

"It worked on your ego," I shot back.

Laughter exploded, breaking the tension.

"Touché," Alexie grinned. "Underestimate a prince with perfect aim and posture at your own risk."

"I don't underestimate him," Saichel said mock-offended. "I'm just saying, if anyone trips near him, it's a calculated takedown."

"And if you trip," I added, slipping on gloves, "it's probably because I got bored."

Tofer raised a brow. "Should we be worried you're enjoying this transfer too much?"

I scanned the room—at the camaraderie, the tension, the unspoken bonds forged in battle.

"I'm not enjoying it," I said. "I'm preparing for it."

A beat.

"There's a difference."