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

so confusing. The dress she gave me fits rather snugly but it isn’t

my fingers through

and closed

the verge of a panic

an iridescent white and blue dragon with a golden crown of scales around

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

sweet voice echoed in

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

me, what song did Mom sing?”

even Tim, who at the time I considered my best friend. Suddenly in my head,

a beauty few can see. She lays in wait, sleeping, dormant

bed and sitting beside the dragon who was singing

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

a kitten’s fur. I hummed and sang with her,

Rise, rise our warrior

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

did me when I was upset. She looked up at

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

“I am Regina. I am your dragon.

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