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.”

the spell Draven taught me,” I begin, my voice trembling. “The one to detect pregnancy.

eggs.”

me into a tight

three little ones, Avery. Three little

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

“You’re going to be an incredible mother, Avery. And

We’ll figure it out

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thank you. For

in the library, his nose buried in

sight of me.

hands clasped tightly in my lap.

leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Go

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

Then, a rare smile breaks

to be parents, Avery.

reaction is so genuine, so full of wonder, that my heart aches. “I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know

“You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll be here, every step of the way. We’ll figure it

feel a surge of gratitude.

I seek out Cassius. I find him in the gardens, his broad shoulders tense as he paces back

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

voice deep and steady.

breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

and he steps closer,

my voice trembling. “It showed three eggs, Cassius.

Then, a slow smile spreads across his face, and he pulls

going to be parents, Avery. To three little

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

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

the way. We’ll figure

confidence buoys me, and I nod, a small smile tugging at

this my way and I am grateful how easily they

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

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

of exotic beauty to the

She becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight

with bitterness.

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

household, Naga’s Queen. She has no idea

Michelle’s voice. I had sensed

are screaming that

the days pass, Michelle’s behavior grows more manipulative. She

She charms Clint, Cassius,

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

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

“You’re probably just stressed with

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

each passing day, and

evening, as the household gathers for dinner, the tension reaches a breaking point. Michelle serves a

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

moments, Clint, Cassius, and

unconscious.

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

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

a way to stop

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

step back, her confidence wavering. “You think you