Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

**Avery**

I try to hide my panicked soul as I shield my body from them. Conner stands and I wince. He puts his hands up, “Before we discuss all of this, I have an idea.” I narrowed my eyes as he shook his head. “Avery, we won’t push you into doing

anything. This can be at your pace, but what I am suggesting is a quick shopping trip because you will need something to wear besides that shower curtain,” he said softly.

I looked down. He’s right, but if I take away from my savings I won’t have much to leave my adoptive parents when I go

to college. Growls started emanating from The Trio. I scrambled back, but when I did the shower curtain shifted. Clint and

Cassius both surged forward, but Conner caught them by the collars of their shirts.

“Brothers, restrain yourself. Let’s let her put some clothes on,” Conner said calmly as he pulled them towards my now

doorless doorway. “Avery, this short trip is on us. Consider it part of our penance, please.” He poked his head in, “Knock

on the wall when you are ready.”

I sat on my bed for a few minutes to make sure that they wouldn’t return until I was ready. Still wrapping the shower

curtain around me, I walked into my closet and shut the door. I rummaged through the few things on my rack before I

settled on a black knit dress that Trisha had given me. It was always too big because my body resembled a toothpick. I

I now have

snugly but it isn’t baggy

peek through. After I ran my fingers through my hair,

closed the

on the verge of a

golden crown of scales around its horn. It looked at me

know that you are afraid. You know me as I do you even though we haven’t

a soft firm yet sweet voice echoed

Avery. Your nightmares aren’t dreams, they’re memories. There’s a reason that your favorite color is blue too because

you know so much about me, what song did Mom sing?”

I considered my best friend. Suddenly in my head, the voice began to

there’s a beauty few can see. She lays in wait, sleeping, dormant until light reveals

sitting beside

fall as I began to remember it all. I

as soft as a kitten’s fur. I hummed and sang with her, “In

Rise, rise our

she rested her head in my lap. I

upset. She looked up at me with her

glow as I heard her voice in my head, “Avery, I am so so sorry. I did everything I could to save

and she explained, “I am Regina. I am your dragon. We were born

slaughtered took most