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

my boobs. I now have boobs! I

The dress she gave me fits rather snugly but it isn’t baggy on me anymore. It is

my fingers through my hair, I exited the closet but immediately

closed the

rapidly beating heart. Once I wasn’t on the verge of a panic attack, I

dragon with a golden crown of scales around its horn.

me as I do you even though

sweet

I don’t understand. The voice resumes, “Think, Avery. Your nightmares aren’t dreams, they’re memories. There’s a reason that your favorite color is blue too because it used to be purple.”

know so much about me, what song

anyone, not even Tim, who at the time I considered my best friend. Suddenly in my

see.

and sitting beside the dragon who

began to remember it all. I reached over and started petting the

as a kitten’s fur. I hummed and sang with

Rise, rise our

silently sobbing as she rested her head in my lap. I stroked her head

when I was upset. She looked up

voice in my head, “Avery, I am

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

but the night that our parents were slaughtered took most