Ancient Mystic's War of the Realms Saga by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (year 7 reading list .TXT) 📖

You may also wish to check up on the Grand Magus. She is up to tricks I've only seen Uncle doing."
She was intrigued. "You don't say?" She asked, then nodded regally. "Take me to them both."
"Us." They both heard Draconis supply from behind her. "Take us to them both."
"Right," She said, turning back to Joel. "If you don't mind?"
Joel grinned. "Of course not. Why do you think we are here?"
The group began walking through the Wood. As they grew closer to the Mystic Sisters' Palace, Joel could Feel her head start to throb. Quickly Sensing her with Empathy, he feared Orthos was showing his true-feelings of the Palace.
"Love?" Draconis asked her. "What's wrong? Another vision?"
She shook her head. "No, an emotion. Hatred, pure hatred for this place. It has to be coming from Orthos' Empathy."
Draconis growled lowly.
"Kanos, make yourselves at home, the Companions won't hurt you, even if you both do look a little strange to them." She told them, rubbing her temples.
"May we go to Wolf's Head?" The Spirit dragon named Kronin asked eagerly.
"If you're searching for the Packs, they've moved." Joel told him. "Nikita, why don't we show them where Chase Moondancer and the Packs are?"
"Certainly." Nikita purred. "It would be good to see how they fair after the War. It has been awhile."
"Dranus, you stay with them." She told him, who nodded.
"Nay, he stays with us." Draconis supplied.
Again, Dranus nodded without saying a word.
"Braken Joel, please keep an eye on them." Draconis supplied as they left.
Joel nodded, sensing this new Lord of the Dragon Nations trusted him with the care of his children. It was an honor.
"That I will, Lord Draconis." Joel supplied. "Come 'Kita, Draconians. Shift to Companion wolves if you can; the Packs are not used to Dragons, and it is said the Alpha Male of the Mountain Wolf Forest Packs hates them."
Prince Kronin looked at Joel and smiled. I remember you. You were the one who rescued me and my sisters from starving to death.
Joel looked back at him, staring once more into the Dragonwolf's eyes. Than you would already know of the Packs, aye? "Come Princes Tristian and Kronin. My mate Nikita White-Snow and I will show you the way."
The sons of Lord Emperor Draconis of the Dragon Nations took each of their hands after telling their parents and Guard goodbye.

II

Derrick Reading left Dracora’s side when she claimed she had work to do. Part of him felt he would be in the way whilst the other felt he belonged at her side. What confused him most were the feelings of attraction and pure-love he was having when he was around her.
His mind was in turmoil. Should he try yet again to salvage whatever marriage he had with Ariana – Adellandra – whatever she was calling herself these days? Or should he follow his heart and soul and stay by Dracora? What about the children he had back in the Outer Realm?
Hundreds of questions flooded his mind, each more confusing and complicated than the next and neither of them had any answers.
Derrick as the Protector headed to the Mystic Palace, to see if Enchantra would be able to help him. His Protectors Pendant-Locket buzzed hot around his neck and he could literally feel Adellandra nearby.
If you are in the Realm, Protector, please join me at the Palace. There is someone I wish you to meet.
Ariana’s voice was in his mind; only, it sounded differently. It sounded more regal and otherworldly, as if she was from the nation of Romania.
He didn’t know what to expect when he arrived. Instead of her Lady Guardian self, Ariana was now a Dragonwolf. Oddly enough, the new form suited her. Ariana was talking to an older male Dragonwolf with dark black dragon wings, thick black fur and tail to match. Was this Draconis that she spoke of? Lord Emperor of the Dragon Nations that claimed her as his mate and shared his memories with her, totally changing her for all eternity? Was this the male whose rough voice haunted his thoughts, threatening to end his existence if Derrick tried to send a telepathic message to Ariana’s mind?
It was time to find out.
Derrick and Draconis met eye to eye.
"Sulheya," Derrick said politely.
Draconis nodded. "Sulheya yourself, stranger. How is it you know the Ancient Wolf-Speak?"
"I learned it from Lady Guardian." Derrick announced. He tried to kiss Ariana but she shook her head and inched away from him, closer to Draconis’ side. Draconis met his eyes and growled again. Derrick was nervous but continued diplomatically. "I am known as the Protector of the Realms, Lady Guardian's Earthly Protector and consort."
"I would say pleasure to meet you, but it is not." Draconis nodded with a frown.
"Draconis!" Ariana turned to Derrick, shocked at her mate’s behavior. "Protector, this is Lord Draconis Dratianos, Emperor of the Dragon Nations and my mate."
So it was the same guy! Derrick thought to himself. He feigned shock. "Mate? What the hell?" He demanded. "When did that happen, Ariana Moon?"
“I told you already,” Ariana growled at the name. "I am no longer Ariana Moon. I am Lady Empress Adellandra Dranna Dratianos of Mal'estar and the Dragon Nations. I have no time for explanations now, mortal, so please, step aside and let me greet our children at the Palace."
"Careful, fridishda," Draconis purred in Adellandra’s ear, just loud enough for Derrick to hear the foreign word.
Adellandra turned to him and calmed herself, leading the three of them to the Mystic Palace.
Derrick could sense the loving rapport between them, and longed for the old days, when he and his Ariana communicated the same way. They used no words, just loving glances and simple touches. It would never be the same again between them; he knew it.
Adellandra greeted a forlorn and frazzled Lord O'Dell. Derrick saw the children were trying to cheer him up and keep him talking.
"O'Dell?" Adellandra asked, walking to him and hugging his Wizard's form. "How are you doing, Old friend?"
O'Dell shook his head. "Not well, Lady Guardian. I have lost all logic, it seems. Enchantra has caught me doing things I would normally not do. The Palace and the Realm are in ruins because of it."
"My Lord, all will be well." Derrick’s stepdaughter Kelina Erin announced.
"Yeah, after Orthos is destroyed." His son Mark Antony said sarcastically.
"But it will be well, brother." His other twin-son Andrew supplied. "You will see. Mother will destroy Orthos in all three of you and the day will be saved once again."
Adellandra cleared her throat, smiling at them. "Don't argue, children."
They hadn’t seen her standing there in Dragonwolf form next to Draconis. They saw her and turned, hugging her legs.
At least their children were still their own, and hadn’t changed. Derrick was glad of that.
"Mom, you look weird." His usually-silent daughter Melody remarked.
It would seem in the Realm of Dreams, Melody Elizabeth was able to speak out loud.
"I'm in Dragonwolf form, Mel." Adellandra hugged her. "Where is your brother?"
"Theo’s playing with Celine and Tiger out back." Kelina, Kelly, answered.
"Go with them, will you?" The Lady asked. "All of you. I need to speak with O'Dell alone with your father and Lord Draconis."
Melody looked at Draconis and felt his wings. He didn't seem to mind.
"Are you really Lord Draconis of the Dragon Nations?" Melody asked. "The one Dracora talks about?"
Draconis cleared his throat. "Aye, that would be me."
"Good." Melody supplied, then left with her brothers and sister out back.
"My Lord." Adellandra began, and both Draconis and O'Dell turned to answer. Derrick had to smile. "I meant O'Dell. This is my mate, Lord Draconis Dratianos, Emperor of the Dragon Nations."
O'Dell looked at him and grinned. "You look just like Brakkon. I can see it in your dark eyes."
That surprised Adellandra and Derrick, but not Draconis.
"Thank you, Lord O’Dell." Draconis supplied.
Derrick had to speak up. "Ok, I want an explanation on how this mate bit came about."
Draconis turned to him. "She said she would explain later. We have more important business to discuss."
They stared at each other, each wanting to prove themselves to the other.
"Actually lanta, that is what I came here for." Adellandra interrupted. "That, and getting the pieces of Orthos out of us before they destroy us from the inside out."
"I stand corrected." Draconis said.
Derrick took a seat. "Well, I prefer to sit."
"Do as you wish." Draconis said to him, then turned back to his mate. "Darling?"
"Thank you." Adellandra said, looking again at O'Dell. "Have you figured out how to get Orthos out of us yet?"
Lord O’Dell only shook his head; his usually bright eyes were dark and clouded.
He is only a mask of his former self. Draconis sent to Adellandra’s mind, only Derrick heard as well. The thought of the Lord Emperor being on the same mind-path as he and Adellandra irked him.
Derrick seethed about the newcomer in Ariana-Adellandra’s life. Unfortunately for him, she could sense it and huffed at him.
"If you don't want to be here so badly, Derrick Reading, then leave."
"I want to know what's going on!" He demanded.
"You will, just have patience." Adellandra told him. "Right now, I can feel you both seething and I don't like it one bit."
Derrick stood. "What the hell has happened to you?"
Draconis stood as well, in a ready position for a fist fight. "I suggest you listen to the Lady. Leave, before I have to kill you outright for your disrespect."
"Silencia!" The Lady roared, stopping both of them. "Stop this right now, both of you. Derrick, go to the Countess in Monarch's Glen for now. She needs a new liaison and vassal, not to mention companionship of another. I'll see to you myself later."
Derrick didn't question, especially when he saw the black in her eyes. "Yes, Lady Guardian."
With that, he disappeared.
III

"Very well done, my love." Draconis grinned at his mate, proud.
"Thank you, but we have business to attend to." Adellandra said, going to O'Dell's side and taking his hand. "O'Dell, do you know why I took up my Lady Guardian role?"
O'Dell shook his head.
"Because you were unable to handle it, and not even our Companions would trust their Lord acting like the once-destroyed Master." She told him. "With Draconis' help, we will get Orthos out of us and destroyed forever."
O'Dell only nodded his head.
"For now, I do believe we need a new Lord Guardian." She told him quietly. "One that the Companions can trust and respect as much as they do us."
O'Dell looked up at her, then Draconis. "I agree, Lady Adellandra. Your mate would make a fitting Lord Guardian in my place. I was fit to retire to my castle in peace anyway. With the threat of Orthos in my mind, it would be nearly impossible to retain my duties without worrying of what his Logic would force me to do."
Adellandra smiled when he called her by her true-name. "I do believe you need to see for yourself just what my Lord Draconis can do."
O'Dell actually laughed lightly. "I need no proof of what your Lord Draconis can do. I knew his father, and I also knew him from long ago, do I not?"
"I am afraid I am unsure about that, Lord O'Dell." Draconis supplied. "It has been far too