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

eggs.”

face, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. “Three? That’s… amazing.

Avery. Three little dragons running

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

“You’re going to be an

We’ll figure it

confidence boosts me, and I nod, a small smile tugging

seek out Conner. I found him in the library, his nose buried in a

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

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

he leans forward, his elbows resting on his

I begin, my voice steady despite my nerves. “It showed three eggs, Conner.

silent. Then, a rare smile breaks across his face, transforming his

going to be parents, Avery. To

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

touch grounding me. “You’re going to be amazing, Avery. And I’ll

echo Clint’s, and I feel a surge

I seek out Cassius. I find him in the gardens, his

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

he says, his voice deep and steady.

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

and he steps closer, his gaze

I begin, my voice trembling.

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

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

feel my 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 incredible mother, Avery. And I’ll

way. We’ll figure it

small smile tugging at my lips. “Thank you. For everything.” I am glad that they

grateful how

buzzes with excitement. Clint, Cassius, and Conner hire a cook

that I freed from Nightshade, to help manage the increased

her raven hair and emerald eyes adding a touch of exotic beauty to the household. But

She becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight and her words

with bitterness.

muttering under her breath as she prepares a meal. “She

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

at the venom in Michelle’s voice.

instincts are screaming

more manipulative. She begins to undermine my

household. She charms Clint, Cassius, and

mates. I tried to warn them,

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

stressed with the pregnancy. Michelle’s not

can feel the tension building, like a storm cloud gathering on the horizon.

passing day, and

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

my mates enjoy the food. But as I take a

laced with a potent sedative, and within moments, Clint, Cassius, and

unconscious.

chest as I realize Michelle’s plan. The cook

the household will have a true leader. One who knows

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

her confidence wavering. “You think you can stop