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

was only joking, but her tone told me she was frustrated.
I thought for a minute, and then looked at her. “Did Shannon ever tell you my secret?”
“Being a – oh, what did she call it? – Mystic Sister?” Dana asked. “Yeah, why?”
“Not only that, but my destiny.”
Dana gave me a strange look. “Destiny?”
“How can I explain it?” I thought aloud to myself. “Okay, you know of the Mystic Sisters, right?” Dana nodded and I continued. “Those who know the Mystics also know the Dream Realm.”
“Yeah, go on.” Dana was trying to be patient.
“Did my sister Anna ever tell you about Lord Guardian O’Dell?”
Dana knew Anna was my oldest sister, with the power of premonition and Mystic Healing. Anna often helped around the clinic whenever she visited. Dana also knew that Lord Guardian O’Dell was the Elder Guardian of the Dream Realm. “What about him?”
“Ever heard of O’Dell’s successor?”
Dana didn’t know what to think, or say, until I held my hands in the air. “You’re it? You’re the Young Guardian?”
I smiled. “It’s my job to take care of Young Dreamers, keeping all Dreamers from harm. I can only go into someone’s personal Dream Realm if they give me permission.”
I hoped she would get the hint. I wanted to go into her dream-thoughts and try to heal her secret pain. O’Dell had been teaching a new ability me since I was here last.
I could tell Dana understood the hint, and thought about it. “I don’t know. Love Joy suggested the Crusaders, but I’m not so sure.”
Maybe a quick trip wouldn’t hurt, and she would trust me enough to let me do it?
I held out my hand. “Do you mind?”
“What are you going to do?” Dana asked.
“A quick trip. Just to get a clue through your thoughts.”
Dana looked at me. “You can do that?”
“I’m the Young Guardian of the Dream Realm.” I told her with a grin. “I’m also a full Mystic Sister, thanks to the birth of Kelly seven years ago. I can do anything.”
Dana hesitated before taking my hand.
I closed my eyes and waited for her to close hers, so I could see something.

“Daddy!” Little Dana, ten-years-old, ran to give her father a hug. “Take me with you!”
Doc Swanson hoisted his daughter in the air, holding her on one hip. “Be a good girl for Daddy, okay?”
Little Dana shook her head. “I’ll be the best.”
Doc smiled, and she could read his eyes. “Someday, darlin’, you and I will run the clinic together. How’d you like that?”
“Teach me, Daddy! I want to help people when I grow up!” Little Dana hugged her father’s neck before he let her down. “I want to be just like you.”
Doc Swanson couldn’t have been happier.

We opened our eyes, shaking our heads out of the dazes.
I could see a faint tear from Dana’s eye.
“Hey, are you okay?” I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. “If I did anything to bring up sad memories, tell me.”
Dana nodded her head. “Not really, but I will be.”
Now would be the perfect chance to exit, stage right. I hopped off the table, being careful not to prick myself on one of the needles.
“Hey, what about the test?” Dana asked.
I smiled from the doorway. “I figure you need some time alone.”
Dana looked down, then back up at me.
I winked before leaving. “Besides, I can do that any-old time, right?”
Dana smiled. “See you at the wedding, Sister.”
I paused in the doorway, thinking of her father. She’d had to take over for him so suddenly.
“You know,” I spoke up. “I didn’t know your father that well, but I can tell you something.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re filling his shoes quite nicely.” I grinned, leaving her to her thoughts.

III

That night, all the agents of the System gathered in the church, ready for the main ceremonies. Butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, and I was nervous. Luna was, too, I could tell. Aimee and Shannon helped us dress – without Magic.
“How’s Aaron?” Shannon asked Aimee.
Aimee nodded her head as she played with my hair. “He’s nearly one-hundred percent better, thanks to your Healer’s potion.”
“What was wrong with Aaron?” I asked them.
They looked at each other first before Aimee answered me.
“Remember when I told you he was at the bar?” I nodded, so she continued. “He was flat-out drunk.”
“What about your induction?” Luna asked.
“That’s gonna have to wait until tomorrow, when Airhead gets his act together and can show me he’s learned his lesson.” Shannon said.
“Airhead?” I giggled. “That was his childhood nickname. Why would he want that for a codename?”
“I suggested it.” Aimee said. “Anyway, when Shannon and I helped him back to the room, she quickly brewed a healing potion for him. When he woke up, he had a headache.”
“She slipped it to him in his hot tea and voila! Back to normal.” Shannon said after her. “I just hope he can behave himself from now on.”
“Right.” I said. “Wouldn’t want one of the best Crusaders out of the business because of some minor technicality.”
“Some minor technicality?” Luna teased. “I think you’ve been hanging around Chips too long.”
I giggled, shaking my head.
Aimee touched my shoulder. “Sit still. I can’t work on your braid if you keep moving.”
“Sorry, Aimee.” My thoughts rumbled, now worried about Dana Swanson. “You know, Shan, you should look in on Lady Doc.”
“Why?” Shannon asked.
I told her about Dana’s depression. When I was done explaining, Luna and Shannon looked at each other’s reflections, then to me.
“That’s intense.” Luna whispered.
“Thanks for telling me.” Shannon replied, clearing her throat. “Love Joy was kind of worried about her.”
“They are partners you know.” I told her.
“Speaking of partners, I have something to tell you.” Shannon replied. She looked at Luna’s reflection. “You were right.”
“I was?” Luna snuck a look at me. “About what?”
“I have a twin, and I’ve invited her to the wedding.” Shannon replied, cringing.
I smiled. “That’s great, Shan!” I told her. “Who’s older?”
“She is.” Shannon said. “Don’t be mad at me.”
“Shannon Cecilia Ryan, we could never be mad at you.” Luna responded. “We don’t mind, do we, Ariana?”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
“Thanks, guys.” Shannon said, returning to fixing my sister’s hair.
We were silent as we pondered the event. The mood was turning sour, but I wanted to be happy.
I sighed. Aimee caught my eye in the mirror and nodded.
“This should be tradition.” Aimee said as she wrapped my elbow-length red-blond hair in a French Twist.
“What do you mean?” Shannon asked her. She was fixing Luna’s hair the same way.
The two of us decided to dress in the gowns our mother and aunt wore for their weddings. Pretty rainbow-pastel skirts with snow-white, sparkling tops. The veils on each tiara made us look like princesses.
“You know the old saying: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” Aimee replied. “It's supposed to be good luck.”
“I know what you mean, Aim.” Luna jumped in her chair. “Well, we already have the something borrowed.”
“Yeah, the dresses.” I remarked. “Now we need the rest.”
Shannon and Aimee looked at each other and got up.
“Where are you going?”
“You’ll see.” They chorused.
In a few seconds, they each came out with a small box in their hands.
“What are those?” Luna asked.
“Uh...someone gave this to me a couple of days ago.” Shannon stammered, sneaking a look at Aimee.
I wasn’t convinced. “Spill it, Shannon. What’s up?”
Shannon opened the box in her hands and brought out a blue hair-bow. “Luna, this is from Aunt Dixie. It’s been in the family since she was Earthbound.”
Luna took it. “Wow. It’s pretty. Help me put it in.”
While Shannon did that, Aimee hugged me from behind.
“Finally, I get to give this to you.” She said, handing me the box.
I opened it to reveal a small gold ring, with five different Jewel colors in it. I put it on and immediately felt the rush of energy that passed through my system. “Aimee, this is beautiful! Wherever did you find it?”
She hugged me from behind. “Years ago, when you ran away from the orphanage, I remembered something you’d told me.”
I looked at her strangely. I didn’t know where she was going with this. I didn’t remember telling her anything. “What did I tell you?”
“The five jewels of the Province.” Aimee said. “Each color: red, blue, green, black, and purple – stand for a different kind of Dream Realm Magic.”
I craned my head. “I don’t remember that.”
What I did remember were the actual Mystic Jewels of the Province Katherine and O’Dell had shown me in O’Dell’s Castle. I remembered those, but didn’t think I had told anyone about them.
“At any rate, I love it.” I turned to kiss her on the cheek and give her a hug. “For me, it will always bring Magic.”
“I knew it would.” Aimee replied, a single tear running down her cheek. She wiped it off and sniffed. “Now is not the time to cry.”
“You’re not crying in pain, Aimee.” I reminded her, wiping another wandering tear from her eye. “You’re crying tears of joy.”
She smiled. “I guess I am.”
“So much for tradition.” Shannon kidded, once seeing she and Luna were crying, too. “It’s time.”
I heard the music of “The Wedding March” begin. I waited patiently by the doors, holding onto Luna’s hand. Through the tiny window, I could see everyone gathered in the pews. The System Agents on one side, and the rest of our extended Mystic Family on the other. Mother and Father stood, all dressed up in their Sunday best, waiting for us.
My heart pounded, and Aimee and Shannon took the trails of our gowns before it was our turn to make our grand entrance.
The centers of attention, of course, were Derrick and Shane, awaiting us. They were dressed identically, too. Derrick had a burgundy vest under his jacket, and Shane had a navy-blue under his.
Luna and I exchanged a glance.
“This is absolutely perfect.” She whispered.
I smiled. “This is the System, Lu. Everything’s perfect.”
Finally, we heard our cues and headed out to Father.
Our father looked handsome in his navy-blue tuxedo. It brought out his bright-blue eyes.
He held his arms out for us. “Ladies.”
I took his left, and Luna took his right.
With that, we walked down the aisle, ignoring all the flash-photos being taken around the room.
Nothing seemed to exist except the four of us. For me, I only saw Derrick’s awaiting arm and loving smile.
We marched up to the boys, who held out their arms for us.
“Take good care of them, gentlemen.” Father remarked seriously with a small grin. “I trust you.”
“Yes, Sir.” Derrick and Shane chorused.
I took Derrick’s arm and Luna took Shane’s.
The moment of happiness had arrived. I could think of nothing but my future life as Mrs. Derrick James Reading. I turned around to see little Kelly, holding a basket of pedals and throwing them at our feet as we walked to the front. She looked darling in her little peach dress. I smiled.
Bradley Allen, once everyone of the Wedding Party took their places, was ready to present us with our wedding bands. He held a small pillow with two sets of twin rings.
Derrick and I were to be wed first. We took our positions in front of the Minister, a middle-aged gentleman, often a favorite of the System’s Agents.
Derrick took my hand and began reciting a short