Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

**Avery**

I ran and hugged Draven and Rory as soon as I saw them. They just giggled. We all sat and ate breakfast before we went

into a room in the palace that hasn’t been used in a long time. The dimly lit chamber buzzed with tension as Draven and

I leaned over a weathered map, our fingers tracing the jagged borders of Nightshade territory. The air was thick with the

scent of pine and sweat, a stark contrast to the cool, calculated demeanor of the group. Rory, her sharp eyes darting

between the map and the others, adjusted her hood, her voice low and urgent. “Remember, this is reconnaissance only. No engagements, no traces. We’re ghosts in their midst.” Her words hung heavy, a reminder of the peril we were about

to face.

Draven, his dark hair falling over his forehead, nodded grimly. “We’ll mask our scents and alter our appearances. They’ll

think we’re human traders passing through.” His hands moved with precision as he pulled vials of pungent oils from his

satchel, distributing them to the group. With my fiery red curls tied back in a loose braid, I sniffed the vial skeptically.

“Smells like a dead skunk mated with a pine tree. Should do the trick.” My lips quirked in a faint smile, but my eyes

remained hard, my mind already on the mission ahead.

The group worked in silence, smearing the oils over our skin and clothing, the acrid scent overpowering the natural musk

We donned human disguises with the aid of Draven’s magic, also wore cloaks,

mud to mimic the look of weary

charmed to

we approached the outskirts of Nightshade territory, the atmosphere shifted. The forest grew

of my dagger, my senses on high alert. Draven

compound came into view, a sprawling cluster of

hung in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of

kept my expression neutral, my

our cart laden with trinkets and furs—a convincing facade

suspicion, but the human disguises held. Bethany, a tall,

she inspected our wares. “What brings you

flashed a charming smile, his voice smooth and practiced. “Just passing through, looking to

the region.” Bethany’s lips curled, but she

where you’re seen. We don’t

my chest. The mission was clear: observe, gather

as we passed a small, windowless hut, a muffled cry pierced the air. I froze, my eyes locking with Draven’s as all of

resolve hardened.

Draven’s unspoken protest, I drifted closer to the hut, my movements casual.

once-proud forms

Bethany stood before them, a whip in her hand, her face twisted in sadistic glee

shoved Draven aside and stormed into the

roared, my voice echoing through the small space. Bethany whirled around, her eyes widening in

lunged at her,