Page 19

Chapter

Nineteen

The view from the balcony of Mandy's twelfth-floor hotel room stretched out before her, the Catalina Mountains painted in stunning shades of purple and gold by the setting sun. Even if this all turned out to be some elaborate hallucination - although she knew better by now - she'd still have three days of pure vacation bliss. Room service, a heated pool, the majestic horizon she could admire from her balcony, and absolutely no responsibilities beyond pampering herself.

The room itself was gorgeous, with southwestern-inspired décor in warm earth tones that made her feel instantly at home. She'd already unpacked her suitcase, arranging everything just so - her bubble baths and oils on the tub lip, skin care and makeup lined up precisely on the bathroom counter, her clothes hung neatly in the closet, her laptop set up on the desk overlooking the mountains.

Drawing a deep breath, she turned to face Kieran, who stood patiently at her side, waiting.

"So... how does this work?" The words came out shakier than she intended.

Kieran produced an elegant crystal bottle filled with swirling blue liquid that reminded her of the Mediterranean Sea. The glass caught the fading sunlight, sending prismatic patterns dancing across the balcony floor.

"Take this after dinner this evening," he instructed, his deep voice steady and reassuring as he placed the bottle in her trembling hands. "It will induce sleep."

Mandy examined the bottle doubtfully, turning it this way and that. The liquid inside moved like silk, beautiful but somehow intimidating. Her throat felt dry as she contemplated drinking it.

Reading her hesitation, Kieran's expression softened slightly. "I assure you it tastes delightful. Like summer berries and morning dew."

She managed a weak smile at that poetic description, but her fingers still clutched the bottle uncertainly.

"Your body will be changing significantly," he explained, his voice gentling further. "Even with magic guiding the transformation, your physical form needs time to process these changes. The sleep allows this to happen safely and comfortably." He gestured at the setting sun. "You'll sleep through tomorrow and awaken in the evening."

Mandy's eyes widened in alarm. "Twenty-four hours?" Her gaze darted to Bach and Mozart, who sprawled bonelessly across the hotel room's king-size bed. "But -"

"I will ensure they are properly fed and cared for," Kieran said, his deep voice carrying absolute certainty.

She stared at him for a moment, trying to picture this ancient, powerful being scooping litter boxes. Which almost made her giggle, despite her anxiety. Still, if Kieran said he'd handle it, she believed him.

Her attention returned to the crystal bottle in her hands, watching the blue liquid swirl like captured ocean waves. "And that's really it? Just... drink this after dinner?"

"That is your part of it," Kieran confirmed, his tone somber. "The Wish magic will do the rest."

"Once you have fallen asleep, I will return to begin the spell work," Kieran said, his deep voice steady and reassuring. "You won't be aware of anything until you wake tomorrow evening."

Mandy's fingers tightened around the bottle as she nodded, unable to find words. The enormity of what was about to happen left her speechless. After thirty years of pain and limitations, everything would change in a single night.

Doubt crept in at the edges of her mind, whispering that nothing could possibly be this easy. The optimistic part of her heart desperately wanted to believe, while another part - her logical mind - insisted this couldn't possibly be real.

"Do you have any final questions?" Kieran asked, his ice-blue eyes studying her face.

She shook her head, then changed her mind. "Actually, yes. Will it... will it hurt?" She hated how small her voice sounded.

"No," Kieran's response was immediate and firm. "You will sleep deeply and peacefully and awaken feeling refreshed and energized. The magic ensures this."

Mandy took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "Okay. I understand."

"Very well." Kieran inclined his head slightly. "I will take my leave now. Remember - after dinner, drink the entire contents of the bottle. Relax. Enjoy your evening. I will return once you are asleep."

With that, he vanished in a shimmer of blue light, leaving Mandy alone on the balcony with her thoughts and the bottle of magical potion.

Mandy took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the crystal bottle's smooth surface. The blue liquid inside swirled hypnotically, catching the rays of sunlight streaming through the balcony door.

"I'm really doing this," she murmured aloud. The pendant pulsed warmly in response, as if offering encouragement. Whether this worked or not, she was committed to seeing it through. After all, what did she have to lose? At worst, she'd have an interesting story to weave into her next novel. At best... well, at best, her entire life would change.

She glanced at her neatly organized spreadsheet of post-transformation plans, printed and laid out on the desk. She'd thought of everything - from practical concerns like clothing to longer-term considerations about explaining the changes to her daughter. She was ready. Or as ready as anyone could be for something this monumentally life-altering.

Mandy settled into one of the cushioned balcony chairs, her laptop balanced perfectly on one wide chair arm. The desert breeze carried the scent of creosote and sage, nature's perfume heightened by this morning's brief rain. Bach and Mozart prowled the generous balcony space, their noses twitching at new scents, ears perking at unfamiliar bird calls.

Her nerves calmed, steadying as she opened her current work-in-progress. Writing had always been her escape, her way of processing emotions too complex for ordinary expression. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she lost herself in her characters' world, their problems temporarily more pressing than her own.

When her back began to protest the position, Mandy saved her work and changed into her swimsuit. The heated pool beckoned, its surface gleaming in the desert sun. Shrugging on her coverup and sliding her feet into flipflops, Mandy grabbed her cane and headed for the elevator.

In the pool, the warm water lapped at Mandy's shoulders as she floated, but her mind refused to settle. She tried her usual pool meditation techniques - focusing on her breathing, listening to the gentle splash of water against the pool's edge, counting the clouds drifting across the impossibly blue Arizona sky. Nothing worked. Her thoughts kept circling back to what lay ahead.

What would it feel like to wake up in a body free from pain? How long would it take to adjust to moving without calculating every step? The questions tumbled through her mind like clothes in a dryer, each question triggering three more.

Finally, Mandy gave up pretending she could relax. She pulled herself up the pool steps, careful not to twist her back, and wrapped herself in one of the hotel's luxuriously thick towels.

"So much for floating my worries away," she muttered, gathering her things. At least the walk to the elevator gave her time to dry off a bit. The familiar twinge in her knee as she stepped into the lift reminded her exactly why she was here, why she'd agreed to this crazy magical transformation.

Her room key beeped softly as she let herself in, greeted by Mozart's demanding meow. Apparently, their afternoon snack was overdue by cat standards.

Back in her room, wrapped in the hotel's luxuriously thick robe, Mandy studied the room service menu. Her stomach churned with nervous anticipation, but Kieran said explicitly that she needed to eat before taking the potion. She ordered room service - a perfectly grilled ribeye steak, medium rare, with a loaded baked potato and caesar salad. If this turned out to be her last meal before a magical transformation... well, she'd chosen well. Bach and Mozart watched with interest as she hung up the phone, clearly hoping some of her dinner might find its way to their dishes.

"Don't give me those looks," she told them, scratching Bach behind his ears. "You have your own Fancy Feast waiting."

She settled back in her chair, watching the sun paint the mountains in deepening shades of purple and gold. Despite her nervousness about what lay ahead, she couldn't help but appreciate the perfect tranquility of this moment - her cats contentedly exploring their temporary kingdom, the majestic desert landscape spread before her, and the simple luxury of room service on its way.

Mandy pulled herself from her contemplation of the sunset and checked the time. The cats were giving her meaningful looks - their internal clocks were never wrong when it came to dinner time. She retrieved their food from her carefully packed supplies, the familiar routine helping to settle her nerves.

"Alright, you spoiled creatures," she said, measuring out their portions with practiced precision. Bach and Mozart wound around her ankles, their purrs reaching new levels of intensity as she placed their bowls in the designated feeding area she'd set up in the bathroom.

She watched them eat - such a normal, everyday moment on what could be the most extraordinary night of her life.

When room service arrived with her dinner, the aroma of perfectly cooked steak made her mouth water despite her nervousness. She arranged everything just so on the small table by the window, taking time to appreciate the careful presentation. The meal was every bit as delicious as it had smelled, but even so, she had a hard time forcing herself to eat, given the butterflies doing somersaults in her tummy.

Finishing her dinner, Mandy faced her next decision. What to wear for this magical transformation? Her usual nightgown felt too intimate, considering Kieran would be present while she slept. The thought of the ancient Djinn prince seeing her in her the thin, floating nightgowns she wore made her cheeks flush. Yes, even at her age. She rolled her eyes at herself.

She opened the closet where she'd carefully hung her clothes, fingers trailing over the fabrics until they found the perfect choice - her favorite caftan in shimmering gold and crimson patterns. She loved the rich colors, that reminded her of desert sunsets, appropriate for this transformative night in Arizona.

The silky fabric settled around her like water as she slipped it on. The caftan's generous folds would keep her decent while Kieran worked his magic, yet she felt beautiful wearing it - a small comfort as she faced whatever lay ahead.

Mandy settled into bed, propping herself against the pillows she'd carefully arranged. The crystal bottle felt cool against her palm as she studied the shimmering blue liquid one final time. Taking a deep breath, she lifted it to her lips.

The taste surprised her - summer berries and morning dew, just as Kieran had promised, but with subtle notes of honey and something ethereal she couldn't quite identify. Warmth spread through her chest as she swallowed, different from alcohol's burn. This was gentler, more natural, like sunlight seeping into her very bones. She found herself wishing there was more of it, savoring the last drops as they slid down her throat.

The sensation radiated outward, tendrils of pure relaxation flowing through her limbs. Her muscles unwound one by one, tension she hadn't even realized she was carrying melting away. The pendant pulsed softly against her skin, its rhythm matching the waves of warmth flowing through her body.

Bach and Mozart had already claimed their favorite sleeping spots on the bed. Their familiar presence grounded her as she reached for the light switches, leaving only the bedside lamp glowing softly.

Settling back against the pillows, Mandy picked up her Kindle. The familiar comfort of reading before sleep felt important tonight, a normal routine on this most abnormal of evenings. She opened her current book, some light romance she'd started the night before.

A gentle lassitude seeped through her body, making her eyelids heavy. She blinked, trying to focus on the screen. The pendant's steady pulse grew fainter, or maybe she was just less aware of it. Her eyelids felt heavier with each passing moment.

She didn't remember closing her eyes. Didn't notice when the Kindle slipped from her loosening grasp. The last thing she registered was Bach's soft purring against her hip as she drifted into the deepest sleep she'd ever known.

Mandy drifted slowly toward consciousness, aware of insistent nudging against her hands. Bach and Mozart's familiar headbutts demanded attention, their purrs rumbling through the mattress. Her fingers automatically found their sweet spots - Bach's chin, Mozart's ears - as she gradually surfaced from the depths of sleep.

She smiled, eyes still closed as she paid her cats their morning tributes of chin and ear scritches, savoring the peaceful moment.

Something nagged at the edges of her mind. Something important. Her eyes fluttered open, landing on the bedside clock's glowing numbers: 6:15 PM.

PM?

Memory crashed back like a tidal wave. The potion. Kieran. Her first wish.

Mandy shot upright in bed, then froze as reality caught up with her action. She'd just... sat up. Just like that. No careful repositioning, no bracing herself on the mattress and pushing herself using her arms. No shooting pain down her spine or protesting muscles. She'd simply sat up, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Her hand flew to her lower back, pressing gently where the familiar ache had lived for so many years. Nothing. No pain. No stiffness. No burning sensation shooting down her legs.

Bach complained at the sudden movement, relocating himself to her lap with an indignant meow. Mozart simply adjusted his position at her feet, apparently unimpressed by this miracle.

Mandy sat perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe as she took stock of her body. The constant background noise of pain that had been her companion for decades... was silent. The grinding in her knees, the burning in her spine, the deep ache in her hips - all gone.

She'd sat up in bed. She was having a hard time comprehending that. Just... sat up. Like a normal person. Like someone who didn't have to carefully plan and execute every movement. Like someone who didn't need to calculate the cost in pain before attempting any action.

Mandy glanced down at herself, but the hotel's thick duvet covered her from chest to toes. Her hands clutched the edge of the covers, suddenly afraid to throw them back. What if nothing had changed? What if she looked exactly the same as she had last night? Her heart hammered against her ribs as panic threatened to overwhelm her.

She forced herself to take deep breaths, focusing on what she already knew was different. She didn't have any pain, not at all. Nothing. Zip, zilch, nada. In fact, she felt just fine.

That alone was miraculous. If this was all she got from her wish - if she looked exactly the same but had this complete freedom from pain - that would be enough for her. She could be happy with that. It didn't matter what she looked like. The freedom from pain was worth everything.

The familiar zing of magic filled the air moments before Kieran materialized near the balcony door. His ice-blue eyes studied her, his brow furrowing slightly. "Is something wrong? Was the outcome not what you wished for?"

"No! I mean - yes! - I mean..." Mandy took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. "The pain is gone. Completely gone. I can't even begin to tell you what that means to me."

Kieran nodded, but something in his expression suggested he was waiting for more.

"I..." Mandy's fingers twisted together nervously. "I haven't actually gotten up yet. Or looked at myself. I'm afraid to." The confession tumbled out in a rush. "I know it's silly. The pain is gone - that alone is more than I ever dreamed possible. But I can't seem to make myself move from this spot to see… um… to see the rest of me."

" Wallah , woman!" Kieran's exasperated tone made Mandy smile despite her nervousness. The familiar Arabic expression transported her back to Cairo's bustling streets, where she'd heard it countless times from frustrated shopkeepers and taxi drivers.

He waved his hand with an elegant flourish, and an ornate cheval mirror materialized beside him. Its carved wooden frame gleamed in the late afternoon light streaming through the balcony doors.

"Come here and look at yourself," Kieran commanded, his deep voice brooking no argument. "You cannot sit there forever."

Mandy's legs trembled slightly as she stood, though not from pain or weakness - just pure nerves. The caftan's silky fabric swirled around her as she moved, and something about the way it draped made her pause. The material clung differently, following the lines of a body she didn't quite recognize as her own.

She approached the mirror with small, hesitant steps, almost tempted to squeeze her eyes shut. But the faint smile curving Kieran's lips, his steady gaze gave her courage, and she forced herself to look.

Her breath caught in her throat. The face looking back at her was familiar yet transformed - still bearing her years of experience but somehow... lighter. As if decades of pain had lifted from her features, smoothing lines she hadn't even realized were etched by constant discomfort.

But her shape... Mandy's hands flew to her waist, confirming what her eyes could hardly believe. Her body had returned to its younger form, slender and graceful as it had been in her late teens. Her thick hair, shining and full, cascaded past her shoulders in the abundant waves she remembered from her youth. While it was the original deep mahogany color of her youth, silver strands at her temples spoke of gracious aging.

Mandy stared at her reflection, her mind struggling to reconcile the impossible transformation before her. She was still herself - but as if decades of chronic pain hadn't taken its toll.

"It worked," Mandy whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kieran remained silent, his tall form motionless as he observed her reaction. His presence filled the room with that peculiar energy she'd come to associate with Djinn magic, though he made no move to speak or interrupt her moment of discovery.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to touch the mirror's cool surface. The movement felt different - lighter, easier, completely free of the joint stiffness she'd lived with for so long. Her fingers traced her reflection, following the graceful lines of a body she remembered from decades past.

She'd believed in the magic. How could she not, after everything she'd witnessed? The pendant's constant warmth, Kieran's dramatic appearances, Jacinth's playful revelations about the magical world. She'd known, intellectually, that this transformation was possible.

And yet... she hadn't truly believed. Not really. Not in her heart of hearts. Some part of her had remained skeptical, waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the dream to shatter.

But now, faced with undeniable proof in the mirror before her, that last thread of doubt dissolved. This was real. The magic was real. The transformation was real.

Mandy's gaze shifted from her reflection to Kieran's tall form, still standing motionless near the balcony doors. His ice-blue eyes met hers in the mirror, his expression unreadable as always. Emotion welled up inside her, threatening to overflow.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Then louder, stronger, "Thank you."

Before she could second-guess herself, Mandy spun around and launched herself at him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as tears spilled down her cheeks. She pressed her face against his chest, the fabric of his black shirt soft against her skin.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she repeated over and over, the words muffled against his chest. His body felt solid and real beneath her hands, grounding her in this impossible moment as grateful tears soaked into his shirt.

She could feel the subtle thrum of distinctive energy that marked him as Other, as something ancient and powerful beyond her comprehension. Yet in this moment, he felt wonderfully, reassuringly present and real - not some distant, mythical being, but simply the person who had given her back her life, her freedom, her future.

Mandy felt his arms come around her, strong and secure. The subtle thrum of magic emanating from him wrapped her in a cocoon of safety and warmth. For a moment, she felt utterly protected - as if nothing in the world could harm her while she stood within the circle of his embrace.

She breathed in his unique scent - ancient books and desert wind, with an underlying hint of something otherworldly she couldn't quite identify.

Reality crashed back suddenly. She was hugging a Djinn prince. An ancient, powerful being who sat on the Djinn Council. Who was she to throw herself at him like some emotional teenager?

Mandy stepped back quickly, her cheeks burning. The caftan's silky fabric swirled around her legs as she retreated, unable to meet his ice-blue gaze. "I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I shouldn't have-"

"You are welcome," Kieran said simply, his deep voice carrying a warmth she'd rarely heard before. A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth as he regarded her flustered state.

Mandy turned back to the mirror, studying her reflection more carefully now that the initial shock had passed. Her fingers traced the delicate lines radiating from the outer corners of her eyes, and her face broke into a delighted smile.

"My laugh lines!" she exclaimed, leaning closer to the mirror. "You kept my laugh lines!"

The fine creases deepened as her smile widened, telling the story of decades of joy and laughter. While the transformation had smoothed away the deeper furrows carved by pain and tension, these particular lines remained - a gentle reminder of all the happiness she'd experienced despite her challenges.

Her fingertips followed the subtle creases, marveling at how they perfectly matched her memories. These weren't the harsh grooves of suffering that had marked her face before, but rather the soft imprints left by countless moments of mirth and delight.

Kieran's rich chuckle filled the room, a sound Mandy had rarely heard from the usually stoic Djinn prince. His ice- blue eyes held genuine warmth as he watched her continued exploration of her features.

"And what will you do next, now that you have your mobility restored?" he asked, his deep voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Mandy turned from the mirror, her mind racing with possibilities. The spreadsheet she'd created seemed inadequate now, faced with the reality of complete freedom of movement. She could do anything. Everything. The world had suddenly opened up before her like a flower blooming in fast-motion.

"I hardly know where to start," she admitted, laughing at her own indecision. "There are so many things I've wanted to do for so long, I can't seem to pick just one."

"What does your checklist say?" he asked, with a lift of one brow.

Oh, right! Her checklist! Mandy went to the desk, surveying the papers there. "Clothes," she announced. "I need to make a run to Walmart later, when it's more quiet," she said, her voice steadying as she focused on logistics rather than her embarrassment. "I'll just get a couple things I can wear tomorrow, when I go to the mall, since, obviously, I'll need a whole new wardrobe."

Mandy hugged herself, unable to contain her excitement as she paced the hotel room. The caftan's silky fabric swished, moving with her body with each step. "Then, day after tomorrow I'll check out of the hotel here, I've got an Airbnb reserved for the next few weeks, up in the foothills near the Catalina Mountains," she explained, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "It has a pool and everything."

"And the best part?" Mandy's smile widened as she gestured toward her laptop. "I can still keep writing, meet all my publisher's deadlines. The Airbnb has fantastic wifi, and the mountain views..." She sighed happily. "The scenery alone should inspire at least two new novels."

She hugged herself again, unable to contain her joy as she pictured the coming weeks - mornings spent writing by the pool, afternoons exploring her newly pain-free body's capabilities, evenings watching the sunset paint the mountains in spectacular colors. Complete privacy to adjust to her transformation, with only her cats and her imagination - and the occasional Djinn - for company.

A grin spread across her face. "Plus, at the Airbnb, I can yell and jump around and act completely crazy without worrying about the neighbors thinking I've lost my mind!" She bounced slightly on her toes, delighting in the ease of movement. "I mean, I probably will lose my mind a little bit. In a good way! But I'd rather do it privately."

To her absolute astonishment, Kieran laughed - a deep, rich sound that filled the hotel room. His ice-blue eyes sparkled with genuine amusement as he regarded her enthusiasm. Bach and Mozart looked up from their spots on the bed, apparently as surprised by the sound as she was.

Kieran's rich laughter faded into a gentle smile - an expression Mandy had never seen on his usually stern face.

"You are going to be perfectly fine," he said, his deep voice carrying absolute certainty. "More than fine."

Something in his tone, in the quiet confidence of his words, settled the last lingering traces of anxiety in Mandy's heart, and she found herself completely believing him.

Yes, she would be fine. She had a beautiful mountain retreat waiting for her, complete privacy to adjust to her new body, and her cats to keep her company. She had her writing to keep her grounded, and this incredible gift of freedom from pain to explore.

Most importantly, she realized, she had something she'd lost somewhere in the decades of chronic pain and limitations - hope. Pure, boundless hope for the future stretching out before her.

The pendant pulsed warmly against her skin as Mandy met Kieran's ice-blue eyes and smiled, truly believing for the first time that everything really would be fine. More than fine. It would be extraordinary.