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

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

fits rather snugly but it isn’t

After I ran my fingers through my hair, I exited the closet

and closed

my now rapidly beating heart. Once I wasn’t on the verge of a panic

with a golden crown of scales

see me. “Avery, I know that you are afraid. You know me as I do you even though we haven’t talked

firm yet sweet voice echoed in my

“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 I once like

door, “If you know so much about me, what song

Tim, who at the time I considered my best friend.

the thorns there’s a beauty few can see. She

to my bed and sitting beside the dragon who was singing my

began to fall as I began to remember it all. I reached over and started petting the dragon between her horns.

a kitten’s fur. I hummed and sang

Rise, rise our

down at the dragon who was silently sobbing as she

was upset. She looked up at me with her said glowing blue eyes. I saw the specks

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

am Regina. I am your dragon.

slaughtered took most of