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.”

me,” I begin, my voice

eggs.”

slow smile spreads across his face, and he pulls me into a

Avery.

I feel her fears easing slightly. “I’m scared, Clint. I

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

We’ll

I nod, a small smile tugging at my

him in the library, his nose

the sight of me.

take a seat beside him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. “I—I need to

his elbows resting on his knees. “Go

spell,” I begin, my voice steady despite my nerves.

he’s silent. Then, a rare smile breaks across

going to be parents,

heart aches. “I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know if I’m

“You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every

a surge of gratitude. “Thank you. For

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

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

he says, his voice deep and steady.

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

furrows, and he steps

detection spell,” I begin, my voice

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

“Three? That’s… incredible. We’re going to be parents,

ears melting away. “I’m scared, Cassius. I don’t know

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

the way. We’ll figure

me, and I nod, a small smile tugging at my

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

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

those that I freed from Nightshade, to help manage the increased workload. At first, Michelle

eyes adding a touch of

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

with bitterness.

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

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

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

my instincts are

the days pass, Michelle’s behavior grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine my authority, subtly

would be better suited to lead the household. She charms Clint,

and my mates. I tried to warn them, but my concerns

Avery,” Clint says, his tone dismissive. “She’s a

probably just stressed

building, like a storm cloud gathering on the horizon. Michelle’s

day, and I know that a confrontation is

the tension reaches a breaking

as she watches me and my mates enjoy the food. But as I take a bite, I choke, my eyes widening in shock.

within moments,

unconscious.

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

the household will have a true leader. One who

as I try to think of a way to stop Michelle. With

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

smile falters, and she takes a step back, her confidence wavering. “You