Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (the lemonade war series .TXT) 📖

about?”
I gave her a brief overview of my life story from the time I ran away. “As the Young Guardian of the Dream Realm, I can heal a person’s wounds.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“Why would she lie about something like this?” Derrick spat. I tapped his arm to calm him with a look.
“Millie also told me about your failing health. If you want me to, I can help ease the pain.”
Rhonda Doll pondered that statement, glancing at us. “How will you know where to start? The cancer has spread from my breast to my entire body.”
Derrick stood back while he let me do my job. I sat on the bed, took her hand and closed my eyes. With Empathy, I sensed where the pain started. I targeted the Healer’s Magic to that spot, calling a spell under my breath. I heard Derrick’s voice in my mind telling me not to overdo myself.
It took a few silent minutes, but I did it. I couldn’t heal it completely, not knowing much about medicine, but I did take away some of the pain. When I opened my eyes, they met with Rhonda’s. She squeezed my hand and smiled.
“Thank you.” Was all she said before falling asleep.
I pet her hand, wishing her well before we left the room.
“How are you feeling?” He asked me.
“A little weak, but I’ll manage.”
“Let’s see if the servants around here will get you something to munch on.”
I smiled at my loving husband, leading him to the kitchen. Sitting at the head of the table was Mr. Richard Doll, my ex-foster father. He was reading the newspaper, drinking coffee. Something I’d seen him do often.
“Mr. Doll.” I startled him.
He looked at us and focused on my face as I stepped closer.
“Ariana Moon? Is that you?” He stood to hug me. “All grown up, I see.”
“Yes, and married to this wonderful man.” I told him, gesturing to my husband. “Derrick Reading, meet the prominent, if not successful Richard Doll.”
The men shook hands.
“Well, sit, sit. Make yourselves at home.” Mr. Doll pulled out a chair for me. Derrick sat beside me. “It’s been almost ten years since I saw you last.”
“That’s right.” I told him. He’s gotten bolder since then, too. I noticed.
“Tell me, child, what’s going on in your busy life, besides being married?”
I told him, minus the System of course.
“My, you have been busy!” He exclaimed, smiling with my husband. I blushed. “Can I offer you something to eat? I could have the staff bring it to you.”
I smiled at his renewed enthusiasm. “That would be nice, thank you. In the meantime, I came over for a reason.” I explained the dream, my destiny, and my healing powers.
We watched as Mr. Doll stood up and headed to the kitchen. When he came back, I saw the girl in my dream. She was dressed in a black maid’s costume, with stringy red hair and soft brown eyes.
“Who did you want me to meet, Father?” Her soft voice asked.
I stood up to greet her.
“She says you know her as the Young Guardian.” Mr. Doll smiled.
She turned her head to see me. As our eyes locked, a smile spread on both our lips. She ran to me, hugging me. “You came! You really came!”
“Of course I came, Millie.” I laughed. “I wouldn’t let you down.”
She hugged me again, happy to see me in the flesh instead of dreams. “It was true! My bear was fixed when I woke up, Mrs. Reading! That’s when I believed you!”
“So enthusiastic.” Derrick joked. “Hello, Millie. I’m her husband Derrick.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Millie said, and then turned back to me. “Thank you for sending Celine Stargazer, Mrs. Reading. I’m not so lonely now.”
“You’re welcome, and I’m glad you like her.” I told her. “She happens to be the daughter of the Companion I had with me when I was here.”
“Celine told me about you and Lady Katherine.” Millie said. “Celine took me on a tour of the Dream Realm. It was wonderful and I had so much fun!”
“I guess your mission is accomplished, huh, Love?” Derrick teased.
“Not quite.” I told him. “How have you been treated since I met you?”
Millie looked away. “Nothing’s changed. I’m still just a servant to Mother Doll, but Father Doll takes care of me when he can.”
That’s when I thought of something. “Would you like to live with us?”
The question startled her, making her step back. She shook her head. “I couldn’t leave here. This is my home. Mother Doll is sick and someone has to be there to take care of her.”
“Yes, I know about her illness.” I said. “What about the servants treating you like dirt? Don’t you want to get away from that?”
“I appreciate the offer, Mrs. Reading, really I do, but I can’t leave here.” Millie replied. “Thanks to Celine and the Dream Realm, I can manage life here. I really don’t mind the hard work either.”
“If you’re sure.” Derrick stepped in.
“I’m positive, Mr. Reading.” Millie replied. “This is my home. It may not be much, but when you’re a ward of the court, you can’t be picky who your foster parents are. You know about that, right, Mrs. Reading?”
I sighed, hugging the girl again. “Yes, I know. I went through at least five of them before I met my husband.”
“But, that’s a story best left for another visit.” Derrick put in, seeing how weary I looked. My muscles were aching from the Healer’s Magic and my Earthly Protector could sense it. He took me in his arms. “For now, as long as everything is settled here, we should be on our way home. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Doll, Millie.” Derrick shook Mr. Doll’s hand again. “I hope to come again soon.”
“Yes, me, too.” Mr. Doll announced. “It’s been a pleasure seeing our Ariana Moon again. I’m sorry, Ariana Reading.”
Mr. Doll and I met eyes and smiled. He knew what that name did to me.
With that, and a hug to each Millie and Mr. Doll, Derrick and I were finally on our way. We stopped at a local restaurant for a bite to eat before we left Shore Point.
Story: #3:
The Miracle of Melody

After eight grueling months of pregnancy, Melody Elizabeth Reading was born. It wasn’t an easy birth, but to the family, it was worth it. Derrick now had a daughter he could call his own, the twins had a sister they could tease and bully, and I had a better understanding to the unknown if yet mysterious part of my own Mystic heritage.
I should start over.
Okay.
Derrick and I led our happy little lives with our other children, Kelly, Mark Antony, and Andrew. Each day brought new challenges for the entire family, as life often does. Four months into the pregnancy, I was haunted by dreams of Melody again. This time, we met face to face.
It began with a late-night call. Derrick and I were spending a quiet evening together, relaxing from the day’s events.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Now, who could be calling at this hour?” Derrick asked with a yawn as he stood up from the couch.
I waved a hand to the nearest lamp, letting light shine above us once again.
Derrick shook his head as I raced to answer the phone. He kissed my lips. “I’ll be waiting.”
I smiled, picking up the line. “Reading residence, Ariana speaking.”
“Ariana? It’s Melody Applebee.”
I was shocked. The infamous Melody Applebee. The mysterious Mystic cousin I never knew I had. Could it be? “I’m sorry, who?”
“Melody Applebee. You probably don’t know me, but I know of you.”
I didn’t know what to think. “How?”
“I’m your cousin, also known as a Mystic Sister.”
If this woman was what she claimed, what did she need with me?
Then again, she did sound desperate when she continued. “I need your help.”
“Where are you calling from?” I was a little suspicious. Not just anyone can claim to be a Mystic Sister and mean it without my knowledge.
“I live in Sterling, Connecticut. Listen, I need your help.”
“How do you need my help?”
“Please listen.” Melody insisted.
It was that moment I knew something was wrong with this mystery cousin. Her voice sounded like Luna’s and mine.
I sighed. “Very well. Go ahead.”
“I know of you as the Young Guardian, and am in dire need of some counsel.”
“Certainly. Explain how you know of that title.”
“My great-grandmother is the Mystic Sister Dorianne. My grandmother, after fleeing pregnant with my mother and aunt Annabelle, hears of the Mystic Magic for the first time. I’m really named after my grand-aunt, but the line suggests I was named after my grandmother, in hopes my grand-aunt would come back to life someday. It’s a hard story, but the ending isn’t pretty.”
This was interesting. She told me the same story Dorianne herself had.
I was curious. “How much of the Mystic Magic do you know?”
“Not much. In fact, whenever I try to use it, it goes haywire.” Melody replied. “I attract trouble like a magnet, which brings me to my disturbing, very real-feeling dream.”
I perked my ears and listened as Melody explained her dream. It was the same dream I’d had months ago. Melody and her husband Michael were driving to meet with their daughters at the neighbor’s house. Melody used her Magic to sense them, only to open her eyes and see herself get killed.
“You say you dream this often?”
“Only twice.” Melody replied. “The second time, my own daughter, Amanda Jo, was in it. She sensed me and sent me a telepathic message.”
“Interesting.” I whispered. Time for evasive interaction. “Listen, Melody. Go back to bed – it must be at least three in the morning. I’ll visit you in your dream and see what’s going on, okay?”
Melody let out a content sigh. “Thank you, Young Guardian.”
“You still didn’t tell me how you know my title.” I replied.
“Lord Guardian speaks of you often. He’s very proud of you, Ariana. You’ve done a lot to please him, not to mention the Mystic Sisters themselves.”
That’s good to know, I thought with a yawn. “I’ll visit in your Dream Realm. Good night, Melody.”
“Good night, and thank you again, Ariana.”
We hung up, and I stared at the phone for a second.
I suddenly felt afraid for my unknown cousin, whoever she really was.

The Dream Realm of Melody Applebee was a confusing one, and had been on my mind since the phone call. What would Melody have to worry about so much as to call me late at night?

Well, when I found her, I also found out a lot about her anxious Mystic teachings.
There weren’t much of the lessons on control as I had to go through years ago, Earthbound. There were just the little tidbits of Magic Melody had been taught. She’d been taught she could do anything she wanted to, but was afraid to try. Mostly, she could do the basics, and knew how to control those. Melody was able to control telepathy, clairvoyance – the accidental part of it, telekinesis, and premonition. All basic Mystic Magic Powers.
What Melody couldn’t control was her developing travel powers. Like the magnet, just seeing something coming at her, and not thinking otherwise, the thing would literally aim for her. She didn’t know how to divert her Mystic Magic wind – a colorful orange glow in her aura – at her command.
Besides the dream, the main thing that was bothering Melody