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“That’s part of what we are here to talk to you about,” Daemon says with anger in his tone. Zypher looks giddy when he hears the anger. I think he is hoping they are complaining about me.

“What is her name?” I ask Zypher. His eyebrows furrow because I just broke a rule by talking.

“She asked you a question,” Kael says.

“Leli,” he says, and I turn to Daemon.

“I’m going to go talk to Leli so you three can talk,” I say.

“You of all people should know the rules,” Zypher starts to say. I’m feeling like being a bitch, so I cut him off.

“I wasn’t asking for permission, Zypher,” I say simply. When no one calls me out for breaking maiden rules, Zypher steps aside to let me pass him. Before I can walk away, Daemon keeps eye contact with Zypher as he grabs me and pulls me close to kiss me softly.

“Take your time,” Daemon says.

“Okay,” I say with a smile. When I turn back, Zypher looks angry. It’s not often that I see him like this, but it’s just as amusing as it was before. I walk past him and head towards Leli. When I get close to her, she turns to go into what used to be my room, but I shake my head.

We make our way out the backdoor into the garden as she turns to me and smiles, “You wanted to talk?” she asks.

“Yeah… I don’t even know where to start.” I say. “I need help.”

“Oh?” she asks. “Being a witch and maiden to the kings is risky, so I assume it’s about them.”

“Yeah… so I am their mate,” I say.

“What?” she says loudly. “Oh my Gods. Fuck, do you realize how long we’ve been looking for you? I had a feeling, but…”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.

“You’ve mated with them, yes? They know you are a witch?” She keeps her volume low so no one can hear.

“Yeah. They know. They know you are too. They are pulling all the maidens and working towards ending the segregation of the fox shifters,” I say.

“Then you know about the prophecy. The curse is broken now too, I bet,” she says. “I am from Voradia. That is where most of the witches fled. I volunteered with others to come here and find you.”

“I had a vision of a war,” I say.

“Yeah. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot recently,” she says. “You need to go there. There is a lot you need to prepare for, and you can’t do that here. You’ll need more powerful witches to help you.

“I’m glad the witches had somewhere to go. I was worried they were mostly killed off.”

“Gods, no. There are thousands, and they’ve all been waiting on the High Witch who is to be mated to the Three Kings,” she says with a smile.

“So I’m a part of this?” I ask.

“Yes. Youarethis. This prophecy is entirely about you.”

“Daemon is going to ask you, but did Zypher have the whole pack fuck you like he did me?”

“Yes,” she says, rolling her eyes. “That shit went on for hours. You did that for five years?”

“Yeah. Once a month for sometimes more than ten hours. Sometimes more. It’s gross,” I say, curling my face up.

“And sticky,” she says, fake gagging.

“And Morwen? Did you have any issues with him?” I ask.

“I was raped over his desk a few days ago,” she says.