Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

*Draven**

| was desperate to have a private conversation with Avery, away from prying ears. As | walked with Rory, |

couldn't shake

the feeling that something was amiss. | had noticed a change in Avery and The Tever since the Ravens

intervened to

put an end to the Hags. But now, | couldn't help but wonder how much of that outcwas orchestrated by the

Ravens

themselves. Avery’s newfound magic was growing stronger by the day, and | feared that even | might not be

able to help

her control it.

Finally, when we were a safe distance from the palace, | turned to Avery. | knew | had to broach the subject

delicately.

“You and The Tare now fully bonded,” | began. “Conner’s confession was the final piece of the puzzle.”

Avery's face lit up with a soft smile. “I used to dream about them,” she admitted. “I never imagined they could

love me

before my transformation.”

| squeezed her hand reassuringly. “They all did, including their dragons. They were just confused before, but now

they

understand. You were destined to be together.”

“But why do | still feel incomplete?” Avery asked, her voice filled with longing.

“Because there is another out there for you,” | replied, my tone filled with . “You have seen him in your

dreams, felt

his presence. The only thing left is to feel his touch, to know that he is truly yours.”

Avery gasped, and | couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. Our friendship has grown so close, she’s like a little

sister tonow. “Avery, you are not just Nagas Queen; you are the Queen of Queens, and perhaps even more. |

wish my visions

revealed everything, but as we both know, they only offer glimpses, leaving us to piece together the puzzle on

our own.”

She nodded, “I am doing my best. This is all so crazy.”

I chuckled, “I understand completely, just as you did when you freedfrom Blackbriar. Speaking of which, |

have a

question for you. How much did the Ravens assist in that?”

“In the heat of the moment, | believed they had done everything for me. But now, doubts linger in my mind.

Perhaps they merely served as a conduit for the power | required, acting as a mere battery. If only there were a

manual to guide me

through this bewildering journey,” Avery mused.

“The learning curve is undeniably steep, as | recall your warning that the dragon | had taken was not meant for

me. The

realization of what you meant has dawned uponnow, as my soulmate is not of dragon descent,” | confessed.

Avery's eyes sparkled with understanding. “It is Rory, isn’t it?” she inquired knowingly.

| nodded solemnly. “Indeed, but | fear she is not the only one. Talos beckons me, and | must heed the call,” |

declared, my

resolve unwavering.

Avery gazed into my eyes and embracedtightly. “I am grateful that she belongs to you because | hold her

dear. However, she is concealing something, whether she is aware of it or not. We must uncover the truth.

Furthermore, |

believe Talos holds a secret that concerns us all. It may be the key to the mysterious man with the piercing blue

eyes who

bears a striking resemblance to me,” she revealed.

“Together, we will unravel the mysteries that lie before us. Now, do you wish to discover if you are with egg?” |

inquired.

She shook her head, indicating she was not prepared to know. “What if | were to teach you a spell, and you could

use it

when the tis right?” | proposed.

She tenderly kissed my cheek, expressing her desire for such knowledge. “I cherish you and am grateful for your

friendship,” she whispered.

| enveloped her in a warm embrace, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. “Avery, it is | who should be thanking

you. You

have not only liberatedbut have also providedwith a sense of belonging. For that, | will forever be in

your debt.”

“We are free from debts as long as we uphold honesty and loyalty, that is my main concern,” Avery declares, her

wisdom

shining through despite her young age.

“Indeed, | delved into the history of King James Balans of Talos. Tim unknowingly providedwith valuable

information,” I chuckle. “I only probed because | understand the unwavering loyalty a Beta has for their Alpha.

While you

could easily command him as the Queen, | did not want to put you in a difficult position. Cora poses a greater

threat than

King James realizes. His arrogance could lead to our downfall, which is why we must journey to Talos after

Christmas,” |

explain.

Avery nods in agreement, her voice filled with determination. “I am willing to face the truth, even if it scares me

to know

whether he is truly mine or not.”

“It will all work out, at least that is my hope,” | say confidently.

“Now, are you going to claim Rory or not?” Avery asks, her eyes filled with determination.

“We need to go to her pack, but not as ourselves first,” | suggest, my mind racing with possibilities.

“Okay, then we will go to Nightshade soon. We should keep a watch on Rory in case they try to summon her

home,” she

suggests, her voice tinged with concern.

Sadly, | know she is right. Werewolves are territorial, and we removed her from hers. Her Alpha will no doubt try

to get

his pup hby any means necessary. | have issues with swerewolves because they use females to barter

for status

and make deals. Not all of them respect the mating bond.

“Avery, yes we will. | don’t want harm to cto her before | can fully heal her,” | say, my voice filled with

determination.

“I will give sof my life force for her if | must. If | have to, | will replace her wolf with a dragon,” she says, her

eyes

blazing with resolve.

“You can do that?” | ask, amazed by her power.

She shrugs, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Maybe, at least | think | can.”

word

word

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