Chapter 9: Breaking the Queen’s Spell

Grant flipped the switch—studied twelve hours a day. At midterms, he shot to 8th in the grade. I held onto first.

"Only 39 points higher than me," he grumbled. "Next time, I’ll surpass you."

A month later, Grant was second—three points above Madison. She cornered him in tears, mascara streaking. "Are you going to keep scoring higher than me?"

Grant shrugged. "You want me to throw the next exam so you look better? Is that it?"

It was the first time he’d ever spoken to her like that. Madison fled, her kingdom crumbling.

She tried to win Grant back, but he brushed her off—he was too busy studying. The spell was broken.

"Chloe Matthews," Grant said, finishing another test. "If I beat you next time, you owe me a favor. Deal?"

"Deal," I said, already confident I wouldn’t lose. As I clicked on a link for a new collar—black leather, silver ring—I braced for what came next.