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

now have boobs! I am very pleased about that fact, but everything

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

my fingers through my hair, I exited the closet

and closed the

Once I wasn’t on the verge of a panic attack,

with a golden crown

see me. “Avery, I know that you are afraid. You know me as I do you even

soft firm yet sweet voice

it mean? 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.” Did

know so much about me, what song did Mom

time I considered my best friend.

thorns there’s a beauty few can see. She lays in wait, sleeping,

and sitting beside the

to fall as I began to remember it all. I

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

rise

looked down at the dragon who was silently sobbing as she rested her head in my lap. I stroked

was upset. She looked up at me with her said glowing blue

begin to glow as I heard her voice in my head, “Avery, I

her to clarify and she explained, “I am Regina. I am your dragon. We were born as one. I have longed to speak

that our parents were slaughtered took most of my magic. I was barely able to