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 detect pregnancy. It…

eggs.”

across his face, and he pulls me into a tight

ones, Avery. Three little dragons

I feel her fears easing slightly. “I’m scared, Clint. I don’t

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

the way. We’ll figure it

small smile tugging

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

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

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

sharpens, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on

I begin, my voice steady

widen, and for a moment, he’s silent. Then, a rare smile breaks across his face, transforming

to be parents,

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

takes my hand, his touch grounding me. “You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every step of the way. We’ll figure it

I feel a

his broad shoulders tense as he paces

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

his voice

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

steps closer, his gaze intense. “Go

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

a moment, he’s silent. Then, a slow

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 I’m

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

of the way. We’ll figure it out

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

grateful how easily they accepted

buzzes with excitement. Clint, Cassius, and

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

touch of exotic beauty

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

with bitterness.

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

the household, Naga’s Queen. She has no idea what it takes to truly

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

instincts are

grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine

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

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

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

expression unreadable. “You’re probably just stressed with the pregnancy. Michelle’s not a threat.” But

like a storm cloud gathering on the

and I know that a confrontation

as the household gathers for dinner, the tension

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

within moments, Clint,

unconscious.

chest as I realize Michelle’s plan. The cook steps

have a true leader. One who knows

stop Michelle. With a surge of determination, I reach for

me. “You won’t get away with this,” she snarls, her voice laced with power.

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