Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

Night fell over the caravan like a horny blanket.

Melisa watched Isabella gyrate around the campfire. Her cousin's hips moved in ways that pulled eyes in and refused to let them go. Kimiko joined her daughter, and suddenly the guards weren't even pretending to patrol.

"Your family has interesting traditions," Aria observed.

"That's not tradition. That's Tuesday."

They sat apart from the chaos, sharing a log that put them a tad closer than necessary. Aria had changed from her riding leathers into looser travel clothes. Still criminally attractive.

"Shouldn't you be mingling?" Melisa asked. "Royal presence and all that?"

"I prefer watching." Aria sipped from a flask. "People reveal more when they think you're not paying attention."

"Like what?"

"Your warrior hasn't taken her eyes off you since we stopped."

Melisa glanced over. Sirah sat across the camp, supposedly sharpening her sword. But yeah, those blue eyes tracked Melisa's every movement.

"She's rather protective of you."

"She's obsessed." Melisa sighed as Aria passed the flask.

Melisa choked on whatever liquor royalty drank. It burned all the same, despite probably being expensive enough to make frugal alcoholics cry.

"Ack-, ack-" She coughed.

"Smooth," Aria said.

"Shut up."

"Such disrespect. I could have you executed."

"Oh, sorry. Shut up, Your Majesty."

The laugh that comment extracted from Aria was more like a cackle. It was refreshing, seeing the queen let loose like this.

"Can I ask you something?" Melisa wiped her mouth.

"Within reason."

"Did you miss it? Being on the road instead of stuck in the palace?"

Aria's expression shifted. For a second, the mask slipped.

"Every day." She took the flask back. "I spent years traveling between Syux and Rhaya. Negotiating treaties, mediating disputes, sleeping under stars instead of stone."

"Why'd you stop?"

"Have you forgotten? Mother died." Simple. Factual. Heavy. "The crown doesn't travel. It waits."

"That's..."

"The job." Aria's shoulder brushed hers. "But nights like this? With terrible liquor and your cousin traumatizing my guards? It almost feels normal."

Isabella chose that moment to demonstrate an intense amount of flexibility. Two guards fainted.

"I'll get you some more liquor," Melisa said.

"Please."

Melisa stood, immediately feeling Sirah's attention sharpen. She ignored it, heading for the supply wagon where her father had made sure to pack some of the good stuff.

"Hey Dad."

Melistair looked up from his book.

"Enjoying the show?"

"Trying not to watch, actually."

"Smart girl. I take it you're here for my usual spirits." He rummaged through bags. "For you or the queen?"

"Both?"

"Ah." That knowing smile all dads perfected. "The Amberheart?"

"Is that the one that tastes like burning piss?"

"All good liquor tastes like burning piss."

He handed her a bottle that probably cost more than most people's houses. Melisa hugged him quick before heading back.

Melisa returned to find Aria exactly where she'd left her. Watching Isabella corrupt another generation of royal guards.

"Success?" Aria asked.

"Amberheart. Dad's private stash."

"Your father has excellent taste." Aria produced cups from somewhere. Royal magic, probably. "To complicated journeys."

They drank. It did taste like burning piss, actually.

"Three more days to Yalmir proper," Aria said.

"Nervous?"

"Should I be?"

"I dunno." Melisa refilled their cups. "What exactly does Yalmir want? Really want?"

"Power. Influence. Proof that Syux takes them seriously. Proof Syux won't be adding them to their list of enemies anytime soon." Aria swirled her drink. "Your presence helps. The nim who saved a human king, despite everything. I feel your presence sends a rather strong message."

"I guess."

Aria took another gulp.

"Tomorrow we'll reach the outer villages. You'll see your homeland again." Smooth subject change. "How does that feel?"

"Well, I was only there till I turned 9." Melisa replied. "Syux is more my homeland, honestly."

"Odd to hear."

They drank in comfortable silence. Around them, the camp settled into nighttime routines. Margaret told embarrassing stories about Melisa's childhood to anyone listening.

"I should sleep," Melisa said eventually.

"Should you?"

Melisa raised a brow at the queen.

"That's a dangerous question."

"I specialize in those." But Aria stood too. "Rest well, Melisa."

---

Three days later, they crested a hill and Yalmir's outer villages spread before them.

Melisa pressed against the carriage window. Architecture carved from the mountains themselves. That looked like they were made of marble. And kitsune absolutely everywhere.

"Oh," she breathed.

The villagers lined the roads to watch them pass. Fox ears in every color. Tails swishing with curiosity. Women of all ages, from elderly matriarchs to children who couldn't be older than Hazel.

"No men," one guard observed.

"Kitsune don't have men. We're all women." Kimiko answered him.

"How do you..."

"Reproduce?" Kimiko grinned. "Very enthusiastically."

The guard's cheeks pinked.

"I meant biologically."

"So did I~"

A group of young kitsune ran alongside their carriage. One with purple hair waved enthusiastically. Another blew kisses.

Isabella's carriage had stopped because she was hanging out the window, flirting with a vendor. Kimiko appeared to be encouraging her.

"Your cousin's going to cause an incident," Aria said.

"Probably several."

"Should we intervene?"

"How do you intervene with a hurricane?"

"Point taken."

The village gave way to winding mountain paths. Each turn revealed new wonders. Hot springs steaming between rocks. Meditation gardens suspended over drops. Temples that defied gravity.

"It's beautiful," Melisa admitted.

"You sound surprised."

"My village was nowhere near this pretty."

[It was basically a bunch of wooden houses and mud.]

"Places change. People too."

"Profound."

"I have my moments." Aria leaned forward. "Look there."

A massive structure dominated the next peak. Part palace, part fortress. A stunning feat of engineering.

"The Celestial Court," Aria whispered. "Where the Matriarch rules."

"Where I probably die of embarrassment when my family does something insane."

"At least you'll die having been very entertaining."

Isabella chose that moment to shriek with delight. She'd acquired what looked like several "welcome gifts" from admirers. Mostly clothing. Mostly transparent.

But Melisa was smiling. Yalmir might be her latest testing ground, but at least she wasn't facing it alone.

The carriage climbed higher. The Celestial Court grew larger.