Chapter One

“Ve need to talk,” Kirill said, his Russian accent making it sound ominous.

“Uh-oh,” I said.

“Its nothing bad,” Trevor, who had walked up with Kirill and Jake (one of my werelions) said. “We want to talk about teaching the kids.”

“Teaching them what?”

“Basic things that all kids are taught. An education.”

“An education,” I whispered. Then, louder, I exclaimed, “Oh, Hufflepuff! Its never even occurred to me that I should send them to school. Is there a school for god kids? Am I a bad mother?”

“Youve taught Lesya and Vero to read,” Trevor said. “It has occurred to you, just not at this level.”

“Da,” Kirill said. “Time to go up a level. Jake vas teacher. He offered to help.”

I sighed and looked at Jake. “Are you sure youre up for this?”

“Absolutely, Tima. Focusing on three children will be much easier than teaching a whole classroom. And I used to teach high school kids, so I can complete their basic education.”

“Three children?”

“Ill be teaching Zariel too.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, I accept your offer. When do you want to start?”

“Today.” Jake grinned and stood up. “Ive already got the classroom set up and a curriculum planned.”

“Already?” I looked from him to my husbands. “This is the first Ive heard of it.”

We were sitting in the dining hall at the cartoon-long dining table, but we were at the end near the kitchen so we didnt have far to go for snacks. I had intended to finish the leftover chocolate cake in the fridge, but forgot all about it under the circumstances. Okay, I forgot mostly about it. Its impossible to forget entirely about chocolate cake.

“We told him to gather what he needed,” Trevor said. “Either way, he was going to be teaching Zariel.”

“Ve didnt zink youd vant Zariel learning while Lesya and Vero ver excluded,” Kirill added.

“Yeah, all right,” I grumbled.

Ever since Id gotten back from my adventure into the Faerie Realms past, I found it more difficult to get angry with my men. Or with anyone, really. It just didnt matter in the grand scheme of things. Had they gone behind my back? Not really. Theyd been approached by Jake and given their consent. Thats all. They just wanted everything prepared before they talked to me about it. It wasnt as if theyd spoken to the kids first. I had the final say. And they were right. Id never let Lesya and Vero miss out on gaining an education. To quote G.I. Joe, “Knowing is half the battle.”

“Start them slow, Jake,” I added. “They need it to be fun. My kids are like cats. You have to make them want to do something, not force them into it.”

“Of course, Tima.” Jake winked at me. “Im a cat too.”

A swarthy Italian dreamboat, Jake—not to be confused with Jacob, another of my lions—must have had his students swooning. I did not doubt that Lesya and Zariel would develop crushes. The whole palace was full of gorgeous men, but becoming their teacher would send Jake into superstar status. Couldnt be helped. At least Id be there to monitor things, and Id be prepared for it. Who knows? Maybe Lesya wouldnt like boys.

Oh, who was I kidding? Shed already announced that she was going to be just like her mommy and have a bunch of husbands (her words).

As Jake walked away, I chuckled. He had no idea what he was getting into with two shapeshifter girls. Vero would be fine, but those girls were going to give him hell. Especially when their hormones came into play. I looked at my husbands and shook my head. “Im glad youre more focused parents than I am. No matter what you say, I never considered that the kids would need schooling.”

“It would have occurred to you sooner or later,” Trevor said.

“Sure, after they turned eighteen, and it was too late.”

“You have a lot to vorry about,” Kirill said. “Ve pick up slack. Zat is how family vorks.”

I grimaced, then blinked. “I have to find a teacher for Rian and Brevyn now. Ive been teaching Brevyn Love Magic, and their nanny taught them to read, but I didnt think about things like math and history and geography and—”

“Vervain,” Trevor cut me off and laughed. “Relax. Its really not as important in our world. I mean, yes, teach them math. Thats a good skill to have. But theyve learned history from their father, Im sure.”

“Fey history. I should teach them about the Human Realm,” I said.

“Discuss it vith Arach,” Kirill said. “He may have some input.”

“Yeah. Youre right.” I sighed. “My children are going to school. Id say I feel old, but after going fifteen thousand years into the past and hanging out with Arach, I feel like a baby.”

“You are a baby,” Trevor said as he leaned in to kiss me. “But only compared to us.” His honey-colored stare shifted down to my cleavage. “In all other ways, you are fully grown, and I appreciate it.”

I snorted a laugh and pushed him away playfully.

“Mom! Dad!” Lesya came running into the room. “Im going to school! Jake is going to teach me stuff.”

“Da, you are,” Kirill said. “Im glad youre excited.”

But even as I smiled, I muttered, “If knowing is half the battle, am I arming my opponent?”