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.”

I begin, my voice trembling. “The one to detect pregnancy. It… it showed

eggs.”

he pulls me into a tight embrace.

ones, Avery. Three little dragons running

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

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

way. We’ll figure it

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips.

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

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

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

forward, his elbows resting on his

begin, my voice steady despite my nerves. “It showed

silent. Then, a rare

be

my heart aches. “I’m scared, Conner. I don’t know if

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 out

feel a surge of gratitude.

him in the gardens, his broad shoulders tense as he paces back and forth, his

When he sees me, his expression softens, and he approaches me, his blue eyes searching

says, his voice deep and

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

and he steps closer, his

my voice trembling. “It showed

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

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

away. “I’m scared, Cassius. I don’t know

going to be an incredible mother,

the way. We’ll figure it out

at my lips. “Thank you.

do this my way and I am grateful how easily they accepted this unexpected

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

help manage

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

becomes increasingly resentful, her smiles tight and

with bitterness.

as she prepares a meal. “She

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

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

now, my instincts are screaming that something is

pass, Michelle’s behavior grows more manipulative. She begins to undermine

she would be better suited to lead the household. She charms

my mates.

his tone dismissive. “She’s a great cook,

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

a storm cloud gathering on the

with each passing day, and I

the tension reaches a breaking point. Michelle serves a lavish meal,

enjoy the food. But as

with a potent sedative, and within moments, Clint, Cassius, and Conner are slumping in their

unconscious.

in my chest as I realize Michelle’s plan.

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

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

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

takes a step back, her confidence wavering. “You think you can stop