POV: Xavier

I'd never felt so helpless in my life. The Fae chains burned where they touched my skin, eating through flesh with cold fire that made every nerve scream. Beside me, Theo struggled against identical restraints, his face twisted in pain.

But nothing hurt worse than watching Thelma stand alone before Queen Maeve, knowing I couldn't protect her.

"This will be entertaining," the Queen said, her silver eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "A mortal child challenging a Fae Queen to single combat. Tell me, True Alpha, do you even understand what you've agreed to?"

Thelma's jaw was set, her shoulders squared despite the fear I could feel bleeding through...