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

eggs.”

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

little ones, Avery. Three little dragons running

infectious, and I feel her fears easing slightly.

gaze intense. “You’re going to be an incredible

way. We’ll

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

found him in the library, his nose buried in a thick tome, his brow

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

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

gaze sharpens, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

I begin, my voice steady despite my nerves.

moment, he’s silent. Then, a rare smile

going to be parents, Avery. To

is so genuine, so full of wonder, that my heart aches. “I’m scared, Conner.

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

echo Clint’s, and I feel a surge

the gardens, his broad

he sees me, his expression

his voice deep and

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

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

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

silent. Then, a slow smile spreads across his

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

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

his gaze intense. “You’re going to be an incredible mother,

the way. We’ll figure it out

tugging at

way and I am grateful how easily

excitement. Clint, Cassius, and

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

adding a touch of exotic beauty to the household.

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

with bitterness.

breath as she prepares a meal. “She thinks she’s so

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

voice.

but now, my instincts are screaming that

grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine my

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

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

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

nods, his expression unreadable. “You’re probably just stressed with the

I can feel the tension building, like a storm

clearer with each passing day, and I know that a

evening, as the household gathers for dinner, the tension reaches a breaking

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

a potent sedative, and within moments, Clint, Cassius, and Conner are

unconscious.

I realize Michelle’s

a true leader. One

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

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

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