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

The streets of Yalmir's capital made Syux look like a dump.

Buildings spiraled upward. There were silk banners fluttering between spires. Fountains shot streams of water that danced in midair before raining down as mist.

"Holy shit," Isabella breathed, squinting. "Are those buildings fucking?"

"They're intertwined for structural support," Kimiko corrected.

"Whoa... Building sex!"

On her end, Melisa tried not to gawk like a tourist and failed spectacularly. Every corner revealed new wonders. Floating markets, bridges made of light, kitsune casually levitating instead of walking.

[No wonder they think humans are boring.]

Their escort led them deeper into the city. The crowds parted, staring at the strange delegation. Whispers followed in their wake.

"The nim mage."

"Is that really her?"

"Look at those horns."

"Think she'd swall—"

"MOVE IT," their guard barked. The crowd scattered.

Armia walked close to Melisa's left. Raven stood by her right. Even Isabella had stopped bouncing, just staring in awe.

"You look quite surprised, darling," Kimiko said to Isabella. "But, you've been here before."

"Yeah, it's just... been a while."

"Where exactly are we going?" Margaret asked.

"The Heart."

That was barely an answer to Melisa. Until, ten minutes later, Melisa understood.

The tree rose before them like a mountain. No, bigger than a mountain. Its trunk stretched wide as several football fields, bark carved with runes that pulsed with soft light. The canopy disappeared into clouds.

"That's..." Melisa's voice failed.

"The Heart Tree," Aria supplied.

Guards in crystalline armor flanked the entrance, a gap in the bark large enough to march an army through. They nodded at the escort and waved them inside.

They climbed. And climbed. And climbed some more.

"How is this place real?" Hazel asked, clinging to Melisa's hand.

"Magic, probably."

"Cool!"

[I can agree with that.]

Finally, they reached a massive door. Their escort knocked once.

"Enter."

The Matriarch's chamber took Melisa's breath away. Not the décor, though the living wood throne was impressive. Not the view, though seeing the entire capital through translucent walls was stunning.

No, it was the woman herself.

She had nine tails, each one moving independently. Her hair fell in moonlight-colored waves over huge tits. And, well, even for a kitsune, her robes could be called suggestive.

"Holy shit," Isabella murmured.

"Goodness..." Armia let out.

"I wonder what she'd feel like around my cock," Sirah said.

Melisa slapped a hand over Sirah's mouth. Hazel, to Melisa's mortification, giggled. Everyone else looked mortified.

"Lady Matriarch." Aria dipped her head. "Thank you for receiving us."

"Aria." The Matriarch's voice wrapped around them like silk. "How lovely to see you again. Please, call me Silviana."

Melisa watched Aria's cheeks turn pink. The queen of Syux was blushing like a schoolgirl.

[Can't blame her.]

The bulge beneath Silviana's robes wasn't exactly subtle. Kitsune didn't believe in hiding their best features, and this lady had features.

"You've met before?" Melisa asked and immediately felt stupid for doing so.

[Come on, Mel. The queen and effectively queen of two countries. Of course they've talked.]

"Several times." Silviana's tails swayed hypnotically. "Dear Aria visited during her diplomatic tours. Such a dedicated princess she was."

"... Now a dedicated queen," Aria managed.

"I can see that." Those silver eyes locked onto Melisa. "And you brought the famous nim mage. How thoughtful."

"Um. Hi?"

Silviana laughed.

"Come. Let's speak privately. The rest can enjoy our hospitality."

Isabella opened her mouth. Kimiko slapped a hand over it.

"Go," Margaret whispered. "We'll be fine."

---

The private chamber overlooked the entire capital through crystal walls. Melisa stared at the view and didn't bother hiding it this time.

"Wine?" Silviana gestured to a floating tray.

"Gods, yes," Aria said.

Three glasses filled themselves. The wine tasted like starlight and questionable choices.

"Your diplomatic efforts impress me," Silviana told Aria. "The trade agreements, the cultural exchanges. You've accomplished more for human-kitsune relations in two years than your predecessors managed in twenty."

"I try my best."

"You exceed expectations." A tail brushed against Aria's chair. The queen's blush spread down her neck. "And you, Melisa Blackflame. The nim who shattered every convention."

"Not every convention."

"No? A nim mage who saved a king and befriended a queen? Quite the resume."

"When you put it like that..."

"Tell me about yourself. How does a nim learn magic?"

Melisa picked her words like walking through a minefield.

"Practice. Years of practice. I had excellent teachers."

"Mmm." Silviana's gaze turned predatory. "And your specialties?"

"Fire magic mostly. Some healing. Nothing too exotic."

[Please don't ask about the blue flames. Please don't ask about blood magic. Please don't ask about—]

A warrior kitsune materialized at the door. Nine tails marked her as elite guard. She whispered something urgent in Silviana's ear.

The Matriarch's expression stayed perfectly neutral.

"Understood. Deal with it."

The guard vanished like smoke.

"Trouble?" Aria leaned forward.

"Border disputes. Nothing that concerns our guests." Silviana waved dismissively. "Local politics can be so tedious."

[That guard looked terrified. 'Border disputes' my ass.]

Melisa kept her mouth shut. Not her circus, not her monkeys.

"Now then." Silviana refilled their glasses with another gesture. "You'll stay with us for the week. The formal negotiations begin tomorrow, but tonight you should relax. Explore our city."

"That's incredibly generous," Aria said.

"It's incredibly practical." The Matriarch smiled. "Content guests negotiate better. Your rooms are ready in the guest wing. All of you, including your... outspoken darian companion."

"Sorry about Sirah," Melisa muttered.

"Don't apologize," she smiled. "You think I'm not used to every horny fox in this country wanting to fuck me?"

Aria choked on air.

Melisa blinked, her mouth opening and closing on its own.

Silviana stood gracefully.

"Tonight is for pleasure. Rest. Explore. Our bathhouses are legendary, and I suspect your foxes have already located our entertainment quarter."

"They have, yes."

"Good. Now go. My attendants will escort you to your chambers."

They stood to leave. At the door, Silviana's voice stopped them.

"Melisa?"

"Yeah?"

"We'll talk again. Just the two of us." She winked.

The way she said 'just the two of us' made Melisa's tail curl.

[This is fine. Everything's totally fine.]

Aria grabbed her arm and dragged her into the hallway.

"Stop broadcasting your panic," the queen hissed.

"You're one to talk. You were practically melting into that chair."

"Shut up."

Guards appeared to guide them back to the others.

Time to discover what kitsune considered 'guest accommodations' in a magic tree.