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

because of my boobs. I now have boobs!

but

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

and closed the

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

and blue dragon with a golden crown of scales around its

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

yet sweet voice echoed in my

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.”

so much about me, what song did Mom sing?” I have never sung it out

I considered my best friend. Suddenly in my head, the

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

beside the dragon who was singing

all. I reached over and

was as soft as a kitten’s fur. I hummed and sang with her, “In a land that time forgot, our hope

rise our warrior

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

as my mother did me when I was upset. She looked up at me with

heard her voice in my head, “Avery, I am so so sorry. I did everything I

explained, “I am Regina. I am your dragon. We were born as one.

for so long, but the night that our parents were slaughtered took most of