Page 33

Chapter

Thirty-Three

Kieran's silver-blue eyes held a hint of excitement that made Mandy's heart skip. "There's something I want to show you," he said, his deep voice carrying an unusual note of anticipation.

Before she could respond, the familiar sensation of magical transportation wrapped around her. The marble halls of his tower dissolved, reforming into the cream-colored walls of the Airbnb where she'd stayed after her first wish. The same Southwestern decor welcomed her, the soft red tiles cool beneath her feet.

"Why are we here?" Mandy asked, but Kieran merely smiled that rare, transformative smile and guided her into the living room.

Mandy's jaw dropped as she took in the enormous floor-to-ceiling cat tree dominating the corner of the living room. The structure was a masterpiece of feline architecture, with multiple platforms, enclosed spaces, and scratching posts woven together in an elegant design that complemented the room's Southwestern aesthetic.

"Oh my goodness," she breathed, stepping closer to examine the intricate details. Sisal-wrapped poles alternated with plush carpeted surfaces in desert tones of cream and terra cotta. Cozy caves beckoned at various heights, while wide platforms offered perfect sunbathing spots beneath the windows.

Through the glass doors, she spotted more cat-friendly additions in the courtyard - climbing structures artfully arranged among the desert plants, creating a safe outdoor paradise for her feline companions.

Kieran's hand closed about hers, and he led her to the study. There, positioned perfectly beside the desk, stood a smaller but equally well-crafted cat tree. This one seemed designed for companionship while working, with comfortable perches at both chair and standing height.

"You noticed," she whispered, touching one of the plush platforms. "You noticed how they always want to be near me when I'm writing."

"Of course I noticed." Kieran's deep voice carried a gentle warmth that made Mandy's heart flutter. His strong hands enfolded hers, the familiar touch sending tingles of awareness through her entire body. "I notice everything about you."

His silver-blue eyes held hers as his thumbs traced soothing patterns across her palms. "This house is ours now - yours and mine. While you still walk in the mortal realm, this will be our home."

Mandy's throat tightened with emotion as she looked around the beautiful space. Everything she loved about the Airbnb was still there - the cream walls, the soft red tiles, the perfect mix of modern comfort and Southwestern charm. But now it held so much more. The cat trees weren't just furniture; they were physical proof of Kieran's attention to detail, his understanding of what mattered to her.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. How could she possibly express the wonder filling her heart? This wasn't just a house - it was a promise, a future, a dream she hadn't dared to imagine becoming reality.

Tears of happiness spilled down her cheeks as she squeezed Kieran's hands, hoping he could feel everything she couldn't say.

Mandy's heart felt ready to burst, overflowing with joy as she gazed into Kieran's silver-blue eyes. The words she'd held back for so long tumbled from her lips.

"I love you." Her voice trembled with the intensity of emotion behind those three simple words.

Kieran's arms tightened around her. "I could not let you go." His deep voice resonated through her, but he fell silent after that declaration.

Mandy waited, watching emotions flicker across his usually stern features. When he remained quiet, she took a step back, disentangling herself from his embrace. Folding her arms across her chest, she tapped her foot against the soft red tiles. One eyebrow arched upward - she'd been practicing that particular expression for weeks.

A pained look crossed Kieran's face. "You're going to make me say the words, aren't you?"

Her other eyebrow joined the first as she continued tapping her foot, fighting to keep her expression stern despite the bubble of laughter threatening to escape.

Kieran heaved a dramatic sigh, as if she'd asked him to move mountains rather than speak three simple words. "I love you, Amanda Dupont."

The formal use of her full name, delivered in that put-upon tone, made her heart soar even as laughter finally broke free.

His deep laugh joined hers, and he squeezed her hand. "There is more," he said, his tone shifting slightly, as if he were preparing to unveil something special.

His blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief she rarely saw in his usually serious demeanor. He drew her to the doors opening onto the courtyard, his gentle tug making her heart skip. "Come." The word carried a wealth of promise in its single syllable, and she found herself following without hesitation, eager to see what other surprises he'd planned.

The afternoon sun painted the courtyard in golden light as they stepped outside. Mandy's breath caught in her throat, and her hand flew to her mouth as she took in the changes to the pool area. Where there had been a simple swimming pool before, now an architectural marvel stretched before her.

The pool deck had been extended on the far side, with elegant stone stairs gracefully descending into a tunnel that ran alongside the pool. She crossed the deck and made her way downstairs and stood, stunned. Before her, a tunnel extended alongside the pool wall, featuring a stunning glass wall that allowed anyone standing outside to gaze directly into the underwater world, creating the aquarium-like viewing area she had always envisioned.

"That..." She couldn't even finish the sentence, overwhelmed by the possibilities. The tunnel would allow the children to see her, as Grandmere the Mermaid, beneath the water.

"It's exactly what you imagined," Kieran's deep voice carried a note of satisfaction. He gestured toward the property with an elegant sweep of his hand. "And it's ours now. Our home in the human realm, whenever we wish to be here."

Mandy moved forward, into the tunnel. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the glass window. The cool smoothness beneath her fingertips confirmed its reality. Kieran had manifested her dreams into physical form, creating the perfect space for her to pursue her passion for mermaiding while maintaining their connection to the mortal world.

Staring at the magnificent pool area, Mandy felt her heart overflowing. In all her years, no one had ever done anything like this for her. It wasn't the magnificent pool or the underwater viewing area - it was the fact that Kieran had listened. Really listened, and understood.

Here was someone who saw her - really saw her - for exactly who she was. Not as the practical divorced mother, not as the quiet writer who lived alone with her cats, not as the woman limited by disability. He saw her soul, with all its wild dreams and fierce determination.

"You understand," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "You… you see me." Unable to contain the emotions overwhelming her, Mandy turned and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his chest. His familiar scent of desert winds and exotic spices enveloped her as his strong arms pulled her close.

Kieran's chin came to rest on top of her head as he held her, one hand moving in soothing circles across her back while she clung to him. "I will always see you," he murmured, his deep voice resonating through her. "Always hear you." His arms tightened protectively around her. "Always love you."

Did you love the Djinn, Jacinth? I did! I invite you to dive back into the enchanting world of The Magic of Wishes & Dreams, which all begins with Julian’s and Alessandra’s story, in Wishes in a Bottle . Experience the magic, the wishes, and the enchantment of this paranormal romance series.

Our mischievous Remi has been time traveling to the 21st Century, where he meets the charming Djinn, Jacinth, and becomes embroiled in the paranormal community there as an infrequent (because he’s not supposed to be there!) but welcome visitor. I wrote up a fun short story, When Worlds Collide, which tells how Remi and Jacinth first meet. It also serves as an introduction to the Magic of Wishes and Dreams paranormal romance, taking place in the 21st Century in the Hudson Valley north of New York City. When Worlds Collide is free for my newsletter subscribers.

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