Page 16

Chapter

Sixteen

The moment Mandy placed her hand in Kieran's, her apartment vanished. The world shifted and spun, leaving Mandy's stomach lurching as her surroundings transformed. One moment they stood in her living room, the next they materialized on a busy city sidewalk. Cars crept through the intersection ahead, their brake lights glowing in the late afternoon sun.

Mandy blinked rapidly, trying to orient herself. Her hand tightened on Kieran's as panic fluttered in her chest.

Half in panic, half in wonder, Mandy clutched Kieran's hand tighter as she stared at their new surroundings. "Did you just... teleport us?" Her voice came out higher than usual as she tried to process the instant change of location. The familiar comfort of her apartment had vanished, replaced by the bustle of a city street she didn't recognize.

Kieran's deep laugh resonated through the air, while Mandy peered around, taking in the unfamiliar architecture - tall buildings with classical facades lined the broad avenue, their windows reflecting the late afternoon sunlight. Trees dotted the sidewalk, their branches providing welcome shade from the summer heat. Nothing looked remotely like Tucson. People passed them on the sidewalk, but, oddly, no one looked twice at them as they stood under a pretty peach-colored awning.

"Won't people notice that we just appeared out of nowhere?"

"We're invisible at the moment," Kieran's deep voice assured her. His free hand traced an intricate pattern in the air. "I'm casting a glamour that will make it appear as though we've been walking along this street all along. Anyone who might have been watching will remember seeing us approach."

True to his words, Mandy felt an odd tingling sensation wash over her skin. She watched in the store window beside her in fascination as their forms seemed to slowly materialize, like watercolors bleeding into view on wet paper. A businessman walked past, his eyes sliding over them without any sign of surprise or concern.

"There," Kieran said, satisfaction coloring his tone. "Now we're fully visible, and anyone who sees us will assume we've been here all along."

They stood outside a spacious store that took Mandy's breath away. Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating glass display cases that lined the walls and created elegant islands throughout the room. The polished wooden floors gleamed, and the high ceiling gave the space an almost cathedral-like feeling.

Kieran opened the heavy glass door, his hand warm against her lower back as he guided her inside. The air-conditioned interior washed over her skin, a blessed relief. Only then did she register how oppressive the outside air had been - muggy and heavy with humidity, nothing like the crisp, dry heat she knew from home. Her hair had already begun to frizz in ways it never did in Arizona's desert climate.

A slim blonde woman in an elegant navy suit approached them, her heels clicking purposefully across the polished floor. Her bright smile and professional demeanor suggested she regularly welcomed distinguished visitors to this exclusive space.

"Welcome to Uncommon Threads," she said warmly. "I'm Laura. How may I assist you today?"

Uncommon Threads? Mandy's mouth went dry. Washington DC? They were actually in Washington DC? The words stuck in her throat as she tried to process this impossible leap across the country. She couldn't very well blurt out her astonishment though.

"Thank you," she managed, her voice sounding faint even to her own ears. "It's lovely to be here."

She felt Kieran's steadying presence beside her, his quiet strength helping her maintain her composure despite the surreal situation. The showroom's elegant displays stretched before her, holding treasures she'd only dreamed of seeing in person.

The soft chime of the front door drew Laura's attention. "Excuse me," she said warmly. "I need to greet our next visitors. Please, take your time exploring." She hurried toward the entrance where a small group had gathered.

Kieran leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured, "That's Alessandra's sister - Julian's sister-in-law. She manages the showroom."

"Oh! Right!" Mandy's mind connected the dots. Alessandra - Julian DiConti's wife, the one who had broken his curse.

Moving deeper into the showroom, Mandy's attention was caught by the intricate embroidery on a displayed sari. The delicate threads shimmered in the carefully positioned lighting, creating patterns that seemed to dance before her eyes. She took several steps closer to examine the detailed work, then froze.

She was still walking. Normally. Pain free.

Her hand flew to her back, pressing gently where the familiar ache should be. Nothing. No stabbing sensation, no burning muscles, no creaking joints.

"I renewed the healing spell before we arrived," Kieran said quietly. "It would hardly do to transport you across the country only to have you unable to properly explore."

Warmth bloomed in her chest at his thoughtfulness. She hadn't even considered how the temporary healing spell from their park visit might affect this impromptu journey. But he had.

Mandy stared, amazed, into a display case containing an elaborately embroidered shawl. The silk fabric shimmered with gold thread worked into intricate paisley patterns. Her attention caught on the wooden tray mounted beneath the case. Small squares of fabric lay arranged in neat rows - samples of the materials used in the piece above. Her fingers traced over the raw silk, marveling at its subtle texture.

"They have samples for everything?" She couldn't keep the delight from her voice.

Kieran leaned close, his deep voice pitched for her ears alone. "Julian insisted on the samples. He wanted people to experience the textiles fully - not just see them behind glass, but touch them, feel their weight and texture in their hands."

Mandy's fingers traced over another sample, this one featuring delicate metallic embroidery work. The threads felt cool and smooth beneath her fingertips. She moved to the next display, finding another carefully arranged tray of samples.

This is wonderful," she breathed, running her fingers over a scrap of fabric that somehow managed to be both rough and smooth at once. "So many museums keep everything locked away behind glass. You can look but never touch. This is so much better."

"Simply incredible," Mandy breathed, already moving toward the next case. She ran her fingers over another swatch of fabric, marveling at the intricate weave. A thought struck her as she traced the delicate pattern.

"How do they keep people from walking off with the samples?" she asked, looking up at Kieran. "I mean, they're just sitting here in open trays."

Kieran's blue eyes sparkled with a mischief she was more accustomed to seeing from Jacinth than the ancient prince. "Go ahead - try to put that sample in your purse."

Mandy blinked at the unexpected suggestion. "What?"

"Go ahead - try," he urged.

Shrugging, Mandy picked up the fabric swatch and moved to drop it in her purse. Somehow, her hand bypassed the open bag entirely, placing the sample neatly back in its designated spot on the tray.

Frowning, she tried again. This time she deliberately aimed for her pocket, but once again, her hand seemed to have other ideas. The sample landed precisely in its proper place on the display tray.

"That's..." Mandy stared at her hand in bewilderment. "How did...?"

Kieran's deep laugh echoed through the showroom. "Protection magic. Julian may no longer have Djinn powers, but he's still a powerful mage - the samples can only be placed in their trays. Then they… forget, for lack of a better word… that they were trying to take the sample."

Mandy stared at him in amazement, then burst out laughing. "That's brilliant! And so practical too." She tried one more time to pocket a sample, giggling as her hand smoothly deposited it back in its proper place.

"How come I'm not forgetting, though?" she asked him curiously.

That faint quirk of his lips that she was coming to love appeared. "Because you are expecting it."

That was just so cool.

Next, she headed to the far wall where rows of wooden cubbies held skeins of yarn in a rainbow of colors. A carved wooden sign explained their unique origin - 100% silk yarns created from the remnants of sari and gown fabrics.

Mandy's breath caught at the sight. Each skein seemed to capture light differently, creating subtle variations in color and texture. Some were solid hues that shifted from deep jewel tones to delicate pastels, while others combined multiple colors in ways that reminded her of sunrise over the desert.

"Oh, these are gorgeous," she sighed, running her fingers over a skein that shimmered between deep purple and midnight blue. "I wish I knew how to knit or crochet. Just imagine what beautiful things you could make with these."

The yarn felt impossibly soft against her skin, its natural sheen catching the sunlight streaming through the windows. Another skein nearby combined threads of gold, copper, and rich burgundy in a way that made her think of autumn leaves.

Reading the sign above the yarns, her brows raised as she read about the charitable donations - all proceeds going to help domestic abuse victims both locally and internationally.

"Whoa! A hundred percent of sales? That's amazing," she breathed, her fingers still caressing the silken yarn. The knowledge that such beauty could arise from helping others made the colors seem even more vibrant.

"Julian is very determined to make a difference," Kieran said quietly. "As I understand it, he's in the process of making another collection - from Nepal this time."

"Nepal?" The word conjured images of snow-capped mountains and colorful prayer flags in Mandy's mind.

"Yes. There are women there who twist leftover material from sari silk rolls into yarn. The yarn sells for considerable amounts here in America, but the women who create it see very little of that money."

Mandy glanced down at the skein in her hand with new appreciation. The way the light caught the threads reminded her of sunlight on water. To think something so beautiful could come from leftover scraps - and that the process of transforming those scraps could help lift people out of poverty.

This was more than just a store or a museum - it was a bridge between worlds, connecting artisans with opportunities, turning waste into wonder. The magical protection on the samples seemed almost symbolic of the greater protection being offered to vulnerable women through programs like this.

She'd read about it, in the magazine articles about Julian and Uncommon Threads. But somehow being here, in this exhibit, seeing the textiles, the exquisite embroidery, the priceless silver and gold threads, the real pearls and gemstones - this felt different - more personal somehow. Perhaps it was knowing the man behind it had spent centuries bound by magic, yet still found ways to help others.

Her gaze drifted back to the yarns, seeing them now not just as beautiful objects, but as symbols of hope and transformation. Each skein represented someone's chance at a better life, at dignity and independence.

"One of my granddaughters knits," she told Kieran absently, as she took a basket from the stack beside the display. Mandy gathered six skeins of the shimmering yarn, letting her fingers linger over each selection as she put them into the basket. The purple-blue that had first caught her eye, the autumn-hued blend, a deep emerald that reminded her of forest shadows, two skeins in complementary shades of rose and coral, and finally a delicate silvery-white that seemed to capture moonlight. "She makes the most beautiful shawls. Just wait until she sees these! They'll make a wonderful Christmas present."

Kieran's deep voice carried a rare note of warmth. "I'm certain she'll create something magnificent."

Near the register, Mandy spotted a sleek digital kiosk with a touch screen. She moved closer, intrigued. The screen displayed options to sign up for the Uncommon Threads newsletter and make additional donations to their charitable projects.

"Oh, perfect!" Her fingers flew across the screen, entering her email address. A separate form allowed her to add a donation amount of her choosing. Mandy typed in a number that made her heart feel warm, knowing it would help someone build a better life.

"You know," she said, looking up at Kieran, "I've always believed in the ripple effect of kindness. One small act can spread outward in ways we never expect." She gestured at the stunning textiles surrounding them. "Like all of this - the creation of such exquisite beauty, just having them here, displaying them, in turn helps even more people."

She lingered a few more minutes, taking mental snapshots of the stunning textiles and intricate embroidery work. Each piece told a story - of artistry, of hope, of lives transformed. Finally, knowing she couldn't delay forever, Mandy gathered her selections and walked to the front counter, savoring each pain-free step across the polished floor.

The yarn purchase took only moments - Laura efficiently rang up her selections and carefully wrapped each skein in tissue paper before placing them in an elegant shopping bag with the Uncommon Threads logo.

As Mandy tucked her credit card back into her wallet, Kieran stepped closer. "Since we're already here, would you like to see more of the city? The National Mall is quite close."

Her heart leaped at the suggestion. "I've never been to DC before," she admitted, clutching her shopping bag. "I'd love to see it!"

They stepped out into the humid afternoon air. Mandy's hair immediately began to frizz again, but she couldn't bring herself to care. The iconic Washington Monument pierced the sky ahead of them, its white stone gleaming in the sunlight.

Walking along the Mall's wide paths, Mandy breathed in the historic atmosphere. Families sprawled on blankets across the grass while tourists snapped photos. The scent of grilling meat and spices drew her attention to a cluster of food trucks parked nearby.

The aroma of freshly fried corn batter drew Mandy toward one particular food truck. Her mouth watered at the sight of golden-brown corn dogs being dipped into bubbling oil, the batter forming a perfect crispy shell around each hot dog.

"Oh! Real hand-dipped corn dogs!" She tugged at Kieran's sleeve in excitement. "Not those frozen ones - these are made fresh. You have to try one!"

Before he could protest, she'd already stepped up to order. "Two please!"

Kieran accepted the offered corn dog with the same wary dignity he might show a peasant's dubious gift. His elegant fingers held the wooden stick at arm's length, studying it with wary disdain. The sight of the ancient Djinn prince confronting a corn dog made Mandy giggle.

"You survived tacos earlier," she reminded him. Mandy bit into her corn dog with enthusiasm, savoring the perfect contrast between the crispy exterior and fluffy cornbread interior. "Mmm! Just try it!"

With visible reluctance, Kieran took a careful bite. His blue eyes widened in surprise, and his stern expression softened. "This is... unexpectedly pleasant," he admitted, taking another, larger bite.

Mandy grinned in triumph. "See? Sometimes the best things come in humble packages."

After exploring more of the Mall and seeing the monuments lit up as dusk approached, Mandy's feet began to ache - a reminder that even Kieran's magical healing was temporary. The humidity had turned her hair into a frizzy mess, but she couldn't stop smiling. What an incredible afternoon.

"Time to return, I think," Kieran said, leading her to a secluded spot behind some trees.

His hand clasped hers, warm and steady. The world spun and blurred around them. Mandy's stomach lurched as reality shifted, then snapped back into focus. They stood in her living room, where Mozart and Bach lounged on the cat tree as if they'd never left.

The clock on her microwave showed 3:47 PM - exactly the same time they'd left, despite spending hours in DC. Mandy blinked in amazement.

"Did we... travel through time too?" She clutched her Uncommon Threads shopping bag, the tissue-wrapped yarn inside proving it hadn't been a dream.

"It seemed simpler," Kieran replied. "This way your cats haven't missed a meal."

Mandy laughed, touched by his consideration for her pets. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. It was wonderful."

"You need not worry about any adverse effects when the healing spell fades," he assured her, his deep voice gentle. "Your body will simply return to its previous state - no worse, no better."

Mandy sank into her favorite recliner, her mind still processing the incredible afternoon they'd shared. Walking in the park, seeing Uncommon Threads, walking along the National Mall…

"Has today helped you decide about your wish?" Kieran asked, settling gracefully into the chair across from her.

"Yes." The word came out firm and clear. No hesitation, no doubt. "Being able to walk without pain, to move freely again..." Her voice caught as she remembered the simple joy of strolling through the park, of exploring the textile showroom without worrying about her back or her knees. "This is absolutely what I want."

The temporary relief Kieran had given her had shown her exactly what she'd been missing. Not just the absence of pain, but the freedom to live fully again. To walk, to swim, to chase her dreams without physical limitations holding her back.

"I want to be healed," she said, meeting his ice-blue gaze. "To have my body restored to full health, like you described - resetting to before the spinal stenosis and arthritis took over my life. It's just…"

Kieran waited patiently as she gathered her thoughts, watching her with that steady gaze.

"I need a little more time before I make the wish," she said, her eyes meeting his with quiet determination. "I absolutely want this. It's just… there are so many details to consider, and I want to have a solid plan of action before proceeding." She gestured toward her computer desk where he glimpsed her ever-present spreadsheet. "I know it probably seems overly cautious..."

"No," he interrupted, his deep voice gentle. "It shows wisdom to consider such a significant change carefully."

"Thank you for understanding," she said softly. "And thank you again for today - for reminding me what's possible."

Kieran inclined his head slightly, his blue fire dancing beneath his skin in response to her genuine gratitude. "Touch the pendant when you're ready," he reminded her. "I will come."

He allowed his form to dissolve into smoke, carrying the memory of her warm smile with him as he departed.