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.”

Draven taught me,” I begin, my voice trembling. “The one to detect pregnancy. It… it showed

eggs.”

pulls me into a tight embrace. “Three? That’s… amazing.

little ones, Avery. Three little

is infectious, and I feel her fears easing slightly. “I’m scared, Clint. I don’t know

intense. “You’re going to be an incredible mother, Avery. And I’ll

of the way. We’ll figure

boosts me, and I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips.

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

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

beside him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. “I—I need to tell you

leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Go

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

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

incredible. We’re going to be parents,

heart

his touch grounding me. “You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every step

Clint’s, and I feel a surge of gratitude. “Thank

Cassius. I find him in the gardens, his broad shoulders tense as he paces back and forth, his

expression softens,

voice deep and

take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. “I—I need to tell you something.

brow furrows, and he steps closer,

the pregnancy detection spell,” I begin, my voice

Then, a slow smile spreads across his face, and he pulls

incredible. We’re going to be

I feel my ears melting away. “I’m scared, Cassius. I don’t know if I’m ready

holds me at arm’s length, his gaze intense. “You’re going to be an

way. We’ll figure it

smile tugging at my lips. “Thank you. For everything.”

am grateful how easily they accepted this

pass, the household buzzes with excitement. Clint, Cassius, and Conner hire a cook

freed from Nightshade, to help manage the

of exotic beauty to the household. But as time goes

behavior. She becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight and her words

with bitterness.

I overhear Michelle muttering under her breath as she prepares a meal. “She thinks

leader of the household, Naga’s Queen. She has

churns at the venom in Michelle’s voice. I had sensed

my instincts are screaming that something is

behavior grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine my authority, subtly

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

between me and my mates. I tried to warn them, but my

his tone dismissive. “She’s a great cook, and she’s helping us out a

stressed with the pregnancy. Michelle’s not a threat.” But

like a storm cloud gathering on

clearer with each passing day, and I know

the household gathers for dinner, the tension reaches a breaking

tight as she watches me and my mates enjoy the food. But as I take a bite,

is laced with a potent sedative, and within moments, Clint, Cassius, and Conner are slumping

unconscious.

chest as I realize Michelle’s plan. The cook steps forward, her emerald eyes

leader. One who

races as I try to think of a way to stop Michelle. With a surge of determination, I reach

“You won’t get away with this,” she snarls, her voice laced with power. “I won’t let you hurt my family.

step back, her confidence wavering.