Page 29

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Arriving back home, the stuffy air of her closed-up apartment hit her with an almost physical force. After her time in Qaf's magical realm, these ordinary surroundings brought an unexpected flood of memories - not of the ethereal marble halls she'd just left, but of the sterile hospital room where she'd nearly died. The familiar scents of home, slightly musty from days without fresh air, felt overwhelmingly precious, a reminder of everything she'd thought she'd lost forever.

Here in her own living room, with the cats' climbing tree and her scattered manuscript pages, the contrast between her near-death and her miraculous salvation felt almost too much to bear.

Bach and Mozart had been off inspecting their home, presumably becoming reacquainted after their stay in Qaf, but now two streaks of orange and white fur shot around the corner from the hallway, and they skidded to a halt in front of her, their tails held high like exclamation points, meowing urgent greetings.

The sight of their beloved faces hit her like a physical blow as she flashed back to those awful last days in the hospital. She'd been certain she'd never see them again. Never hear Mozart's demanding yowl for attention or feel Bach's sandpaper tongue grooming her fingers. Never watch them chase each other through the apartment or curl up together in their favorite window perch.

Her knees gave way as tears overwhelmed her. She sank to the floor, gathering both cats into her arms. They squirmed closer, purring thunderously as she buried her face in their soft fur. The familiar scent of home and cat shampoo and the slight mustiness of their favorite blanket made her cry harder.

"I thought-" She couldn't finish the sentence, her voice breaking as Mozart headbutted her chin insistently. Bach kneaded her shoulder, purring so hard his whole body vibrated.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she managed finally, her words muffled in Mozart's long fur. "My sweet boys. My precious babies."

The cats seemed determined to reassure her they were really there. Mozart draped himself across her lap while Bach climbed higher, settling around her shoulders like a furry scarf. Their combined purring filled the entryway with a soothing rumble as Mandy's tears gradually slowed.

Mandy wiped her eyes with trembling fingers, the cats' purring a comforting vibration. Being back in her apartment brought those final hospital days rushing back with devastating clarity - the burning agony in her lungs, each breath a desperate battle, the bone-deep exhaustion as her body fought a losing war against the virus.

She remembered the doctors' grave faces, their voices muffled behind protective gear as they discussed her deteriorating condition. The terrifying moments when she couldn't get enough air, panic clawing at her chest as the oxygen mask seemed to suffocate rather than help.

Worst had been the crushing loneliness. No visitors allowed in the COVID ward - just endless hours watching masked medical staff hurry past her door, too overwhelmed to stop for more than brief checks. She'd had her phone, but even thinking of trying to talk had become too exhausting. The thought of never seeing her family again, never hugging her daughter or grandchildren...

Mozart's rough tongue on her fingers pulled her back to the present. Bach's purring increased as he pressed his face against her tear-wet cheek. The familiar weight of their bodies anchored her, reminding her that she was home, she was alive - more than alive. She was Djinn now, with impossible magic flowing through her veins.

But the memory of those dark days still pressed against her chest, threatening to overwhelm her again. In Qaf, everything had seemed magical and distant, like a beautiful dream. Here in her own living room, with the cats' climbing tree and her scattered manuscript pages, the contrast between her near-death and her miraculous salvation felt almost too much to bear.

The fear and resignation she'd felt in the hospital, believing she was saying goodbye to everything she loved, crashed over her in waves.

An odd bump against her arm startled Mandy from her dark memories. She wiped her eyes with shaking fingers, blinking in surprise at the massive spotted form of Dinen beside her. The magical cat's blue flames flickered softly along his fur as he watched her with those impossibly wise eyes.

"Dinen? What are you doing here?" Her voice came out rough from crying.

Dinen nudged his nose against her hand, his whiskers tickling her palm. The gesture seemed deliberate, almost pointed. A half-laugh, half-sob escaped her as understanding dawned. She opened her hand, palm up, and called her own blue flame into being. The warmth spread through her fingers as the ethereal fire danced and swirled.

"Is that what you wanted to remind me of?" she asked softly.

The magical cat's rumbling purr of approval vibrated through the air, his own blue flames brightening in response to hers. Mozart and Bach watched the display with fascination, their own purrs never faltering as the magical fire cast dancing shadows across their fur.

Mandy reached out to scratch behind Dinen's ears, his blue flames warm against her fingers. "Thank you for reminding me. I promise I won't forget again." The magical cat's purr deepened, his spotted form stretching luxuriously under her touch.

Carefully setting Mozart and Bach on the floor - much to their displeasure - she made her way to the kitchen counter where her purse lay. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone, checking the battery level - still at 85%. Good.

Her heart raced as she pulled up Sabrina's contact and pressed call.

"Mom! I was just about to call you. Are you home now from the hospital?"

Tears welled in Mandy's eyes at the sound of Sabrina's panicked voice, but she kept her tone deliberately light. "Yes, honey, I'm home. Sorry I didn't call right away, I've been, well, sleeping a lot."

She swiped at her eyes, grateful Sabrina couldn't see her face.

Sabrina's voice cracked with emotion. "Mom, I was so scared when the hospital called about the COVID. They said you were in critical condition! I was literally on the airline website about to book a flight to Tucson when your friend called."

"My friend?" Mandy's heart skipped. She hadn't expected Jacinth to get directly involved.

"Yeah, the one with the unusual name... Jackie? No, Jas-something. She said you were responding well to treatment and were going to be discharged." Sabrina let out a shaky breath. "I almost didn't believe her, but she knew all your medical details and seemed so confident."

Mandy silently blessed Jacinth's quick thinking. Of course the clever Djinn would have intercepted Sabrina before she could rush to Tucson and discover her mother missing from the hospital.

"Thank god for modern medicine," Mandy said with a small laugh, hoping it didn't sound as forced as it felt. "The new treatments really worked wonders. I'm completely better now."

"And how about your back? It's been, what a month, six weeks now, since the surgery?"

Now that Mandy could answer without any prevarication! "My back feels better than it has since I was in my twenties," she said. "It's amazing. Everyone tells me I keep saying that word over and over, but really. It's just… well… amazing!"

"I told you so!" Sabrina's smugness radiated through the phone. "Didn't I say you should have gotten the surgery ages ago?"

Mandy rolled her eyes, a watery chuckle escaping. "Yes, yes, you were right. I should have listened to my brilliant, all-knowing daughter."

"Finally! An admission of my superior wisdom." Sabrina's laugh echoed through the speaker. "So does this mean you'll really come for Christmas this year, for sure? The kids would love to see you, and Charlie's been talking about building a proper guest room in the farmhouse."

Mandy's heart swelled at the mention of Christmas. She grinned as she pictured her family's shocked expressions when they saw her transformation.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," she said, keeping her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling up inside her. "No more canceling because of pain issues."

She could tromp through the snow with her grandchildren, make snow angels and snowmen. No more struggling with winter coats that barely zipped or boots she couldn't bend to lace. Oh my gosh! She could even ride again!

The thought of riding a horse again after so many years sent her off in a reverie. The endless trails through the forest near Sabrina's farm, the crisp winter air, the rhythmic sound of hooves on packed snow...

"Mom? You still there?" Sabrina's concerned voice broke through her reverie.

"Oh! Sorry honey, just lost in thought." Mandy smiled, picturing her daughter's familiar eye-roll at the other end of the line.

"Some things never change!" Sabrina's warm laugh filled her ear. "You've been doing that since I was little - zoning out mid-conversation when inspiration strikes. Working on a new book?"

"Something like that." Mandy bit her lip, fighting back the urge to share everything. "Love you, sweetie. Give the kids hugs for me?"

"Always do. Love you too, Mom. Talk soon!"

The line went quiet, leaving Mandy alone with her whirling thoughts and three watchful cats - one of them a blue-flamed magical cat. She had to shake her head. Seriously. A whole new world!

Setting her phone on the charger, Mandy moved into her kitchen, wrinkling her nose as she anticipated what she would find on opening the refrigerator door. She pulled it open and surveyed the damage. Half a gallon of milk had definitely gone bad, along with some wilted vegetables in the crisper drawer and some leftovers that now resembled science experiments more than food.

She dumped everything questionable into a garbage bag, wiping down the shelves as she went. Grocery shopping was definitely a priority, but it could wait. Right now, the lingering memories of those final hospital days clung to her like a film she needed to wash away. A long, hot shower would help clear her head.

She padded down the hallway to her bathroom, Mozart and Bach trailing behind like furry shadows. Even Dinen followed, jumping effortlessly onto her bed to recline in regal majesty as she turned on the shower.

Steam filled the small space as Mandy stepped under the spray, letting the hot water cascade over her shoulders. She closed her eyes, focusing on the sensation of warmth rather than the memories threatening to surface - of hospital sponge baths and the awful weakness that had made even lifting her arms exhausting.

She stayed under the water until her skin pruned, scrubbing every inch with her favorite strawberry-scented soap - yes, really, strawberry! it took her back to her hippie days in the 70s - until she felt truly clean. The familiar scent helped ground her in the present, reminding her this was real - she was home, she was alive, she was Djinn.

Wrapped in her softest towel, Mandy surveyed her closet options. The desert heat called for something light and comfortable. Frowning at her closet, she turned and went to her dresser, opening the drawers one after another. Nothing seemed to be missing, and yet, she clearly recalled seeing her clothing in the wardrobe at Kieran's in Qaf. Had he simply magicked - was that even a word? - her clothing back and forth?

She made a mental note to ask him about that, while choosing her favorite linen trousers and a flowing tank top in deep forest green that matched her eyes. A coordinating semi-sheer duster completed the outfit, its lightweight fabric floating about her as she slipped it on.

She headed back into her living room, the cats on her heels. Her laptop waited on the kitchen counter, and she settled onto a bar stool to check her email. Mostly junk, a few messages from her writing group, and a couple from her beta readers asking about her progress on the latest manuscript. She fired off quick replies, then scrolled through Facebook to catch up on family news.

The normalcy of it all felt surreal after her time in Qaf. Here she sat, doing ordinary things like cleaning her fridge and checking social media, while blue flames danced beneath her skin and magic thrummed through her veins.

She closed the laptop, uncertainty creeping in. Should she call Kieran now? He'd said to summon him when she was ready, but what did that mean exactly? Ready for what? Her mind buzzed with countless questions about her new existence as a Djinn.

Dinen lounged on her living room floor, his spotted form taking up an impressive amount of space. His blue flames flickered lazily as he watched her with those impossibly wise eyes.

"What do you think?" she asked the magical cat. "Should I call him now? Wait? And, wait for what?"

Dinen chuffed at her question, the sound somewhere between a laugh and a snort. He stretched languidly, then yawned with deliberate slowness. His impressive display of gleaming white fangs made Mandy step back instinctively, even though she knew he meant her no harm.

"Oh, thanks so much for that helpful advice," she said, rolling her eyes at the magical cat's theatrical response. "Really, your insight is invaluable."

Blue flames rippled along Dinen's spotted coat as he closed his massive jaws with an audible click. A shimmer of magic filled the air, and suddenly Kieran stood in her living room, his silver-white hair catching the morning sunlight. His lips curved in that subtle smile that made her heart skip.

"I see Dinen has been offering his unique brand of wisdom," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of amusement she hadn't heard before.

Heat crept into Mandy's cheeks as she gestured at Dinen's lounging form. "Oh yes, I was deeply impressed by his sage counsel. The huge yawn really drove his point home."

Her gaze fell on the ornate table still sitting in her living room, its elaborate carvings catching the morning light. The same table Kieran had conjured during their first meeting - had it really been only a few weeks? It felt like years had passed since her world turned upside down.

Kieran moved to the table with fluid grace, his blue robes whispering against the floor. A familiar teapot materialized, along with delicate glasses and a bowl of sugar. Steam curled from the spout, carrying that exotic blend of spices she'd grown to love.

"Please, sit." His deep voice carried a note of seriousness that made her stomach flutter. "We need to discuss several important matters."

Mandy sank into one of the cushioned chairs, smoothing her duster with nervous fingers. "Absolutely. I have about a million questions. But…" she gestured at Kieran. "You first."

His elegant hands moved with practiced grace as he poured the tea, but she noticed a slight hesitation - almost imperceptible - when their fingers brushed during the exchange of cups. That brief touch sent a current of awareness through her, and she caught the smallest catch in his breathing. The air seemed to thicken with unspoken words, heavy with the weight of whatever caused his usual perfect control to waver.

Kieran's silver-blue eyes met hers across the ornate table, their ancient depths holding something she hadn't seen before - a vulnerability that made her heart skip. His expression was more serious than she'd ever seen, the stern lines of his face softened by what might have been uncertainty.

"I must acknowledge something," he said, his deep voice carrying a weight of responsibility, though she noticed how his fingers remained close to hers on the table, as if drawn there despite his formal tone. "I made the choice to transform you without your consent."

Mandy remained silent as he continued, her heart beating an uneven rhythm against her ribs. The raw honesty in his voice, so different from his usual measured tones, held her motionless. She'd never seen him like this - the stern Djinn prince laying bare his actions, his direct gaze, usually so guarded and distant, holding hers.

"You were too ill to comprehend or respond. The COVID had ravaged your lungs beyond repair." His elegant hands tightened briefly on his teacup. "I knew you were slipping away, and I... I could not let that happen. So I made the decision for you."

He straightened in his chair, his shoulders squared as if preparing for judgment. "I take full responsibility for that choice. However," his voice softened slightly, "I was absolutely certain that, had you been able to understand and choose, you would have agreed. Your love of magic, your sense of wonder, your desire to help others - all of these told me you would embrace becoming Djinn."

The truth of his words resonated deep within her, stirring both her heart and her newfound magic. Without hesitation, she reached across the table, covering his hand with hers. The contact sent a spark through her, feeling like a warm hum dancing beneath her skin in response to his touch.

"You're right," she said simply. "I would have chosen this. A thousand times over, I would have said yes."

Relief flickered across his stern features, softening the set of his shoulders. His fingers curled around hers, warm and reassuring, but there was something else in his expression now - an intensity that made her pulse quicken in response.

Kieran's silver-blue eyes held hers with renewed intensity. "I have no wish to take more choices from you, nor deny you the human life you've built. However, you must understand the importance of learning to control your magic properly."

Mandy nodded in fervent agreement. "That's actually one of the things I wanted to ask you about," she said. "I mean, I managed to heat my tea earlier when you were teaching me, but there's a lot more to being Djinn than just making the perfect cup of Earl Grey. And I really don't want to accidentally set something on fire or make things disappear when I sneeze." She caught herself starting to ramble and stopped, watching his face for his response.

"I would prefer if you were to spend time in Qaf." He seemed to choose his words carefully, his expression serious. "The magic there will help you learn faster, and more safely, than attempting to master your powers in the human realm."

Mandy nodded, understanding. "Like immersion study in Cairo," she said seriously.

Kieran's rich laugh startled her. The sound transformed his stern features, lighting up his silver-blue eyes with genuine mirth. He rarely laughed - not real laughter, just those subtle smiles or a slight curve of his lips. The unexpected warmth of it wrapped around her like summer sunshine.

"Yes," he agreed, still chuckling. "That is actually a perfect analogy. The magic of Qaf will surround you, just as being in a foreign country while learning its language surrounds a student in an immersion study."

She found herself smiling in response, oddly pleased at having broken through his usual reserve. A yearning awoke within her, a need to know the real Kieran beneath the formal facade of the ancient Djinn prince.

Kieran's expression grew serious once more, though warmth lingered in his silver-blue eyes as they held hers. He seemed to weigh each word carefully before speaking. "It is my hope that you would want to stay with me in my tower while you learn."

Mandy's heart thundered against her ribs as his words sank in. Living in Kieran's tower, being near him every day... The memory of his kisses flashed through her mind, from their fierce first embrace to that gentle brush of lips before he'd vanished. Heat bloomed across her cheeks as she tried to focus on the practical aspects of magical training. Why did he want her there? The warmth of his fingers still wrapped around hers sent tingles up her arm.

"Of course, you have the option to stay in the village," he continued, his deep voice careful, seemingly unaware of the direction of her thoughts. "And in time, if you wish, you may choose a home of your own there. Although, it is my hope that, in time, you would become my Chosen." Something in the way he spoke that single word gave her pause, weighted with meaning she didn't yet understand, but her magic responded to it like a whispered promise.

"Chosen?" The word felt significant on her tongue. "What does that mean?"

Kieran's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his silver-blue eyes darkened with an intensity that made her breath catch. When he spoke, his deep voice carried careful control. "Among the Djinn, a Chosen is... a life partner. One's eternal mate." His fingers tightened briefly on his teacup before he forced them to relax.

"But there is no need to rush such decisions. You have only just begun this new life as Djinn - you need time to adjust, to understand what this all means. For now, my tower offers privacy and space to learn your abilities. And the presence of Dinen will assist with any... magical mishaps."

The magical Djinn cat made a chuffing noise, as of agreement.

Mandy stared at him in shock. Chosen. Life partner. Eternal mate. The words echoed in her head as their implications sank in. And now he was offering his tower as her temporary home... Living there, seeing him every day, learning magic under his direct guidance... The thought sent warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the tea. Her newly awakened magic stirred within her, reaching toward him of its own accord.

"I want that," she said softly, her voice trembling as she met his silver-blue gaze. "To stay in your tower, I mean." The words held more meaning than she'd intended, and the answering flare of magic in his eyes made her heart stutter. Their magic tangled together, crackling with possibility in the space between them.

Something fierce and hungry flickered in those ancient eyes, too quick for her to interpret before his careful control returned. He reached for her empty cup, his fingers brushing hers as he took it, the touch deliberate, almost possessive.

As he refilled their cups, his voice shifted to practical matters. "It would be my suggestion that you plan to stay in Qaf initially for a week or two. We can establish a routine where I bring you home each day to check your messages, make calls, and ensure everything is in order here, until you have the control to be able to bring yourself here without assistance. This way you can maintain your human connections while focusing on mastering your abilities."

Mandy twisted her fingers together in her lap. The offer was incredibly generous, especially given everything happening in the supernatural world. She'd seen the news coverage of the shapeshifter incident - the whole world was reeling from that revelation.

"I don't want to be a burden," she said softly. "With the shifters being exposed, you must have important Council meetings to attend. I know you have responsibilities..."

Moving with sudden, fluid grace, Kieran rose, to come around the table in two long strides. His elegant hands cupped her face, the warmth of his touch sending sparks through her entire body. Those ancient silver-blue eyes captured hers with an intensity that stole her breath.

"There is no one more important to me," he said, his deep voice carrying absolute conviction. The blue flames within her reached toward him of their own accord, a response she couldn't control. His magic answered in kind, the air around them shimmering with possibility. "The Council can wait."

Mandy's heart thundered in her chest at his words, at the fierce protectiveness in his expression. All her carefully prepared arguments about not wanting to impose dissolved under the heat of his gaze.

A hot desert breeze stirred the drapes at her windows, carrying the scent of creosote and summer dust, so different from the magical winds of Qaf.

Qaf - the cool marble halls of Kieran's tower, where delicate flowers of jasmine bloomed in the garden below his balcony. She remembered the way morning light had painted golden patterns across the floor, how the desert wind had carried that impossibly sweet perfume as she and Kieran shared breakfast under ornate arches.

The memory felt so vivid she could almost feel the smooth marble beneath her fingers, taste the exotic spices of the tea, see the sapphire sky stretching endlessly over golden dunes...

Mandy blinked. Her hand wasn't just remembering the feel of marble - it was actually touching it. The ornate balcony of Kieran's tower surrounded her, its carved railings exactly as she recalled, the table and chairs still in their place. The same garden spread below, fragrant blossoms swaying in the ethereal breeze of Qaf.

She spun in place, her heart racing. How had she gotten here? One moment she'd been in her living room in Tucson, the next...