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“He said he saw you shift, but that you are also a witch,” he says.

“All witches can shift into a fox,” I explain. “I shifted because he had me cornered; it was that or use magic. Unfortunately, some magic had to be used because he was still trying to come after me, but I was not in a form that I was able to protect myself.”

The man is not looking at me. I have noticed he hasn’t been for the entire time that he has been talking. I realize that almost everyone who has talked to me isn’t actually looking at me; they are looking at the ground as if to avoid making eye contact with me. It is odd seeing this from people who are not witches or foxes. He is afraid of me. I turn to Daemon, Callum, and Kael when I realize why everyone came without hesitation.

“They are afraid of me,” I say.

“I was questioning that until I noticed that no one is making eye contact with you,” Daemon says. I sigh heavily and look at Dad.

“I don’t want people here because they are afraid of me. That is how Zypher and Morwen will get people to turn against me,” I say. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You need to find out why they are afraid,” Dad says.

“Well…” Vash starts to say.

“What?” I sigh.

“Zypher has been spreading rumors about you…” he says. “With you introducing Mazvyn as your father, everyone can clearly see that he is a demon…”

“Fuck,” I say. “Fuck, this is bad.”

“Just have them say it and be honest,” Dad says. “Honesty is the only way to gain their respect and trust. Zypher is trying to taint their view of you.” He further explains.

I turn back around to face Eldric, who is still looking down. “What exactly did Zypher say about me?”

“He… He said that you are a demon and you and your father want to take control of the country. He said that your being mated to the kings was fake and they were under a spell you did to get them on your side.”

“Dear God,” I sigh. “Look… I am technically half demon and half witch. My mother was a witch, and my father is an incubus, which makes me half-succubus. Now, I know that sounds frightening because of how Zypher is spinning this. I need to know why you all came here if he is saying this.”

“Because…” he starts to say but stops.

“Just say it, please,” I say, trying not to sound annoyed. I know it isn’t their fault that they fear me.

“Zypher said that you drain people’s lives and kill them,” he said. “It seemed more logical to be with you than against you. We are loyal to our kings, and they are loyal to you.”

“First, Iamthe mate to the Three Kings. I don’t even think there would be a spell strong enough to force a mate bond like that,” I say. “Second, I don’t drain lives, or whatever. I assure you if I had that ability… I would have killed him a long time ago instead of being raped by him and his pack repeatedly.”

I probably don’t need to be so blunt, but if I want them to see that I am not a threat, I need to be completely transparent. I can’t expect them to follow me blindly out of fear and expect them to not turn on me if given the chance.

“In short, a succubus draws from sexual energy. That’s it. My body reserves that energy, which I can, in turn, use to increase the effectiveness when I cast a spell, but otherwise… I’m just really pale with black hair. I am not the threat that he is making me out to be.”

“So, the kings are not being forced to submit to you?” he asks seriously. Daemon and Kael stifle laughter, and it makes me smile.

“They’re not being forced into anything,” I confirm with a smile. “They decided to make me queen. I told them about the things I faced when it was assumed that I was a fox shifter, but they were the ones who took that step to end the shift ban and bring equality to them.”

“Why would they go from hating witches to accepting one overnight?” he asks. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful… We are all just a bit confused.”

“I understand,” I say. “I am being open with you all because I want you all to be just as invested in this cause as I am. I don’t want to lead on lies and fear… But that is not my place to explain.”

“I can if you want me to,” Daemon says as he stands up.

“That’s up to you,” I say. “I’m not the one who was plagued with that nightmare.”

Kael and Callum step up to join us as Daemon cups my face. I am lost in his eyes so easily that I almost forget there are hundreds of people watching until Dad clears his throat and gets my attention.

“Focus, guys,” he says with humor in his tone, while a few people in the crowd chuckle.

“Sorry,” I laugh and pull myself out of the hold Daemon has on my mind.