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.”

taught me,” I begin, my voice trembling. “The

eggs.”

and he pulls me into a tight

Avery. Three little dragons running

I feel her fears easing slightly. “I’m scared, Clint. I don’t know if I’m ready for

gaze intense. “You’re going to be an

We’ll figure it

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

I found him in the library, his nose buried in

at the sight of me. “Avery,” he says,

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

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

used the pregnancy detection spell,” I begin, my voice steady

a moment, he’s silent. Then, a

We’re going to be

genuine, so full of wonder, that my heart aches.

takes my hand, his touch grounding me. “You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here,

and I feel a surge

him in the gardens, his broad shoulders

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

says, his voice deep and steady. “What’s

in my chest. “I—I need to tell you something.

he steps closer, his

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

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

going to be

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

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

We’ll figure it out

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

am grateful how easily

buzzes with excitement. Clint, Cassius, and Conner hire

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

and emerald eyes adding a touch of exotic beauty to the household. But as

becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight and

with bitterness.

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

Avery, the leader of the household, Naga’s Queen. She has no

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

but now, my instincts are screaming that something is deeply

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

to lead the household. She charms Clint, Cassius,

between me and my mates. I tried to

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

probably just stressed with the pregnancy. Michelle’s not

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

with each passing day, and I know that a confrontation

the household gathers for dinner, the tension reaches a breaking

my mates enjoy the food. But as I take a bite, I choke, my eyes widening in

within moments, Clint, Cassius, and Conner are

unconscious.

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

leader. One

think of a way to stop Michelle. With a

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

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