Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

**Avery**

I decided to do the spell Draven taught me. The air in the grand hall of the Naga palace is thick with anticipation as I

stand in the center, my heart pounding in my chest. The ancient spell Draven taught me glows faintly in my hands, a

delicate orb of light that holds the weight of my future. I take a deep breath, my fingers trembling as I whisper the

incantation. The light swirls, shifting colors from soft pink to deep blue, and then—it splits into three distinct orbs. My

eyes widen, and my breath catches. Three. Not one, but three. The realization hits me like a physical blow, and I stagger

back, my vision blurring as the room spins.

Cassius is the first to reach me, his strong arms catching me before I hit the ground. “Avery, what is it? What’s wrong?”

His voice is laced with concern, his piercing blue eyes searching mine for answers. Clint and Conner are close behind,

their faces etched with worry as they crowd around me.

“I—I don’t know,” I manage, my voice shaking. “The spell… it showed three. Three eggs.” The words feel like a foreign

language, heavy and unreal on my tongue.

The Trio exchanges a glance, their expressions shifting from confusion to awe. Clint’s green eyes soften, and he takes my

hand, his thumb brushing against my knuckles. “Three? Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I whisper, my mind racing. Three. Three lives growing inside me. The thought is both exhilarating and terrifying.

I hadn’t even fully adjusted to my new life with my mates, let alone prepared for motherhood—multiplied by three.

Conner steps forward, his usual reserve cracking as a rare smile touches his lips. “That’s… incredible. We’re going to be

fathers.” His voice is laced with wonder, and for a moment, I allow myself to feel the joy radiating from him.

But the weight of it all crashes back down on me. “I—I don’t know if I’m ready,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

“What if I mess up? What if I’m not enough for them?”

Cassius pulls me into his embrace, his warmth enveloping me. “You’re more than enough, Avery. We’re in this together.

You won’t have to do it alone.”

His words ease some of me fears, but the nerves remain. I need to tell them individually, to see their reactions, to ensure

they’re truly on board. “I—I need some time,” I say, pulling away slightly. “I want to tell you all separately. It’s… important

to me.”

The Trio nods, their understanding evident in their eyes. Clint squeezes my hand. “Take all the time you need. We’re here

for you, no matter what.”

Later that evening, I seek out Clint first. I found him in the training yard, his muscular frame glistening with sweat as he

spars with a practice dummy. His movements are fluid, powerful, and I watch him for a moment, my heart swelling with

admiration. When he finally notices me, he pauses, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “Hey,” he says, his voice warm. “What’s up?”

I take a deep breath, my hands twisting together nervously. “Clint, I—I need to talk to you.”

His brow furrows, and he steps closer, his blue eyes searching mine. “What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

voice trembling. “The one to

eggs.”

smile spreads across his face, and he pulls me into

ones, Avery. Three little

easing slightly. “I’m scared, Clint. I

arm’s length, his gaze intense. “You’re going to

of the way. We’ll

small smile tugging at my

I seek out Conner. I found him in the library, his nose buried in a thick tome, his brow furrowed in concentration.

blue eyes softening at the sight of me. “Avery,” he says, setting the

in my lap. “I—I need to tell you something.

forward, his elbows

detection spell,” I begin, my voice steady despite my nerves. “It showed three

and for a moment, he’s silent. Then, a rare smile breaks

We’re going to be parents, Avery. To

genuine, so full of wonder, that my heart

amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every step of the way. We’ll figure it

I feel a surge of gratitude.

I find him in the gardens, his broad shoulders

his expression softens,

voice deep and

in my chest. “I—I need to tell you something.

furrows, and he steps closer, his gaze intense. “Go

I begin, my voice trembling. “It showed three

eyes widen, and for a moment, he’s silent. Then, a slow smile spreads

to be parents, Avery. To three

joy is overwhelming, and I feel my ears melting away. “I’m

his gaze intense. “You’re going to be

way. We’ll

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thank you. For everything.” I am glad that

this my way and I am grateful how easily they

Clint,

that I freed from Nightshade, to help manage

hair and emerald eyes adding a touch of exotic beauty to the household. But as

a shift in Michelle’s behavior. She becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight and

with bitterness.

afternoon, I overhear Michelle muttering under her breath as she

Naga’s Queen. She has no idea what it takes to

the venom in Michelle’s voice. I had sensed something off about

are screaming that something

grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine

better suited to lead the household. She charms Clint, Cassius, and Conner with

me and my mates.

tone dismissive. “She’s

just stressed with

tension building, like a

with each passing day, and I know that a

the household gathers for dinner, the tension

enjoy the food. But as I take a bite, I choke, my eyes widening

within moments, Clint, Cassius, and

unconscious.

in my chest as I realize Michelle’s plan. The cook

“Finally, the household will have a true leader. One who knows

way to stop Michelle. With

her voice laced with

her confidence wavering. “You