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.”

begin, my voice trembling. “The one to detect pregnancy. It… it

eggs.”

spreads across his face, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. “Three? That’s… amazing.

little ones, Avery. Three little dragons

fears easing slightly. “I’m scared,

at arm’s length, his gaze intense. “You’re going to be an incredible mother, Avery.

way. We’ll

and I nod, a small smile tugging

library, his nose

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

hands clasped tightly in my lap. “I—I need to tell

forward, his elbows

begin, my voice steady despite my nerves. “It

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

be

full of wonder, that my heart aches.

be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every

feel a surge of gratitude. “Thank you.

the gardens, his broad shoulders tense as he paces back and forth,

sees me, his expression softens, and he approaches me,

his voice deep and steady.

take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

furrows, and he steps closer,

the pregnancy detection spell,” I begin, my voice trembling. “It

moment, he’s silent. Then, a slow smile spreads across his face, and he pulls

That’s… incredible. We’re going to be parents, Avery. To three

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

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

We’ll figure it out

confidence buoys me, and I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thank you.

this my way and I am grateful how easily they accepted this

the days pass, the household buzzes with excitement. Clint, Cassius, and Conner

of those that I freed from Nightshade, to help manage the

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

a shift in Michelle’s behavior. She becomes increasingly

with bitterness.

as she prepares a meal. “She

the leader of the household, Naga’s Queen. She has no idea what it

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

but now, my instincts are screaming that

more manipulative. She

lead the household. She charms Clint, Cassius,

driving a wedge between me and my mates. I tried to warn

just doing her job, Avery,” Clint says, his tone dismissive. “She’s a great cook, and she’s helping us

unreadable. “You’re probably just stressed with the pregnancy. Michelle’s not

like a storm cloud

with each passing day, and I know that a

gathers for dinner, the tension reaches a breaking point. Michelle serves a lavish meal,

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

and within moments, Clint, Cassius, and

unconscious.

chest as I realize Michelle’s

household will have a true leader. One who knows how to

to stop Michelle. With a surge of determination,

within me. “You won’t get away with this,” she snarls, her voice laced with power. “I won’t let you hurt my family. You messed with the wrong bitch. I will enjoy killing

step back, her confidence wavering. “You think you can stop me? You’re