Page 6

Chapter

Six

Mandy watched Jacinth drift toward the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves dominating the far wall. Questions about magic and Djinn tumbled through her mind, each more surreal than the last.

"Oh my!" Jacinth's eyes widened. "These shelves must hold hundreds of books!" Her fingers trailed along the spines.

"Closer to a thousand," Mandy said proudly. "Though these days I mostly read on my Kindle - easier to hold and adjust the text size and lighting."

Jacinth pulled out a well-worn paperback, its spine cracked from multiple readings. " The Hobbit ," she read, turning the book over in her hands. "This one's been loved quite thoroughly."

"My first introduction to fantasy," Mandy said, warmth spreading through her chest. "Though talking to actual magical beings feels just as fantastic as reading about hobbits for the first time."

"You have an entire section dedicated to fantasy," Jacinth observed, moving along the shelves.

"Oh!" Jacinth's delighted exclamation drew Mandy's attention. "You have the entire Dragonriders of Pern series! I absolutely adore these books."

Mandy straightened, her back pain momentarily forgotten. "You've read Anne McCaffrey?" She caught herself, realizing how silly that sounded.

"Oh yes!" Jacinth pulled out Dragonflight reverently. "The way she created such a complete world, with the dragons and their riders..." She sighed happily.

"Do you have a favorite?" Mandy asked.

" The White Dragon ," Jacinth replied without hesitation. "You?"

"The Harper Hall books," Mandy said, settling back. Her cheeks warmed. "I had such a crush on Masterharper Robinton."

Jacinth's eyes lit up. "Robinton was wonderful - using music and diplomacy instead of force." She returned Dragonflight to its place.

They beamed at each other, sharing the moment. Mandy couldn't remember when she'd last had someone to discuss her beloved fantasy novels with.

Jacinth moved to the romance section, her eyes widening. "Historical, contemporary, romantic suspense..." She pulled out a book featuring a bare-chested man with glowing eyes. "And quite the paranormal romance collection! You're quite the romantic."

"I like happy endings," Mandy said, grinning. She was past caring what people thought of romance novels.

"Oh, I wasn't criticizing." Jacinth's eyes sparkled. "Though you seem particularly fond of paranormal romance."

Mandy chuckled. "I never thought I'd be discussing this with an actual magical being."

"Who do you think inspired these stories?" Jacinth winked. "Some of the greatest love stories I've witnessed have been between magical beings and humans."

Mandy's heart began to race as Jacinth moved toward the final section of her bookshelves. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap as the Djinn's graceful hand traced along the spines of multiple copies of books - both hardcover and paperback - all bearing the same author name. Jacinth's brow furrowed as she pulled one out, examining the cover.

"Why do you have so many copies of each book by this author?"

Color rushed to Mandy's face. She lowered her gaze to her twisted fingers. "Actually... I'm the author. That's me."

"You wrote all these?" Jacinth pulled out a hardcover edition of Siren's Song , the third book in Mandy's paranormal romance series about merfolk.

"I've been writing paranormal romance for about ten years," Mandy explained. "Though I tried contemporary early on."

Jacinth's laugh filled the room. "I knew you were writing something when I watched you, but an author! Why didn't you say?"

"It never came up. I'm just a self-published author who writes about magical creatures and humans falling in love." Mandy paused. "Though those stories might read differently now."

Jacinth settled onto the couch with Siren's Song . "Are these romances based on your experiences?"

Mandy winced, stroking Bach's fur. His purring helped ground her against rising memories. "Actually... it's the opposite. I've always wanted that kind of love, but..." Her voice trailed off. "It never happened for me."

Heat crept into her cheeks, and she glanced down. "There have been men in my life. Of course. But they never saw me. They wanted things - money, a place to stay, someone to take care of them. Even, sometimes, simply because I was there. But love? That never happened."

Mandy gestured toward her bookshelves. "So I write these stories, give my characters the happiness I never found. They get their happy endings." She chuckled with somewhat bittersweet humor. "I experience love vicariously through them."

Bach butted his head against her hand. She obliged him, grateful for the distraction. "Pathetic, isn't it? A romance writer who's never found love."

"That's such a shame." Jacinth set the book aside, leaning forward. "But you shouldn't give up hope."

Mandy laughed, the sound bitter. "Jacinth, I'm sixty-seven. That ship has sailed." She gestured at herself - grey hair, extra pounds, cane propped against her recliner. "Not exactly prime dating material."

"Nonsense." Jacinth's bracelets jingled as she waved dismissively. "Magic has a way of surprising people when they least expect it."

The warmth in Jacinth's voice made Mandy's chest tighten. She wanted to believe in possibilities, in magic, in happy endings. But decades of disappointment had taught her better.

Jacinth turned back to the shelves, head tilting. "These are organized by series?"

"Yes." Mandy nodded, pleased someone had noticed. "Each series has its own shelf, chronologically arranged."

"Very methodical." Jacinth pulled out a hardcover of The Mermaid's Kiss . "How much for this one?"

"Oh, please. Take whichever ones you'd like."

Jacinth planted one hand on her hip. "Mandy Dupont, don't you dare give away your books. Did you write these yourself, or did you write these yourself?"

Heat crept up Mandy's neck. "Well, yes, but-"

"No buts." Jacinth held up the book. "You put your heart and soul into these stories. They have value. I want to pay properly."

Mandy squirmed in her recliner. She'd always struggled with putting monetary value on her work in person, though she sold them readily online. Something about face-to-face transactions made her want to give them away.

Mandy sought a middle ground. Jacinth clearly wouldn't back down about paying, but charging full price to someone who'd helped her felt wrong.

"How about a compromise? The book sells for sixteen dollars, but my author copies cost six." She paused. "Would ten be fair? More than my cost, less than retail."

Jacinth scowled. "You're still undervaluing your work."

Mandy shook her head. "No, I'm not. I get two dollars in royalties per retail sale. At ten, I'm doubling my money."

"I can accept that." Jacinth reached into a purse - had that existed a moment ago? - and pulled out a crisp ten-dollar bill.

Mandy tucked the ten-dollar bill into the side pocket of her recliner, still uncomfortable with accepting money from someone she knew. A glint of silver caught her eye - Jacinth now held an elegant fountain pen that hadn't existed a moment ago.

The Djinn extended both the pen and the book toward her, dark eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Would you sign it for me?"

"You want me to...?" Mandy stared at the pen's intricate patterns. "Is that magical?"

"Perhaps." Jacinth's lips curved mischievously. "Does it matter?"

The pen felt warm in Mandy's palm, its weight perfect in her grip, as if crafted specially for her hand.

"What should I write?" The blank title page stretched before her, intimidating. She'd signed books before, but this felt different. Significant.

"Whatever you'd like," Jacinth said. "Just make it personal."

Mandy stared at the page, suddenly aware that she was about to sign a paranormal romance book for an actual magical being. The absurdity of the situation hit her, and she couldn't help but laugh. "I never imagined I'd be autographing one of my books for a Djinn."

The pen moved with surprising smoothness, the ink shimmering slightly. She paused, gathering her thoughts, then wrote:

"To Jacinth -

Who brought magic into my life in more ways than one. Thank you for showing me that sometimes the most wonderful stories aren't just found in books, but in the extraordinary moments of our everyday lives.

With deepest gratitude,

Amanda Dupont"

She finished her signature with a flourish, then sat back to examine her handiwork. The silvery ink caught the light, her usually plain handwriting transformed into something elegant by the magical pen.

"There," she said, carefully closing the book and returning both it and the pen to Jacinth. Her cheeks warmed as Jacinth read the inscription.

Jacinth hugged the book to her chest. "Thank you, Mandy. This means more than you know." Then the book simply... vanished.

Mandy's jaw dropped. Despite the magic she'd witnessed, watching something disappear still shocked her.

Jacinth's musical laughter filled the room. "Your expression!"

Mandy shook her head, finally finding her voice. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

"Oh?" Jacinth's grin turned impish as she pointed toward the kitchen.

The spaghetti sauce pan's lid lifted. The wooden spoon rose, dipped into the sauce, and stirred with perfect circles before settling back on its rest. The lid descended with a gentle clink.

"Could I wish for enchanted kitchen utensils?" The words tumbled out.

Jacinth's musical laughter filled the room. "Already thinking practical applications? I like how your mind works."

"Standing at the stove isn't easy these days. Help with cooking would mean fewer days of pain afterward."

"That's actually quite clever. Most people wish for wealth or power or beauty. But enchanted kitchen tools?" She grinned. "That's original."

"What's it like?" Mandy asked. "Being a Djinn? Where do you live when you're not appearing in hospitals and kitchens?"

"Until recently, I lived in Qaf, which is the Djinn homeland," Jacinth said, her dark eyes growing distant with memory. "It's beautiful there - all sweeping desert vistas and hidden oases. The tents look simple from the outside, but inside..." She sighed happily. "Imagine the most luxurious palace you've ever read about, then multiply it tenfold."

"Until recently?" Mandy prompted, curiosity overcoming hesitation.

"Yes." Jacinth beamed. "I'm married now. We have a house in the Hudson Valley - my husband Douglas, our children Ben and Molly, and my adopted daughter Talya." Her voice softened. "It's different from Qaf, but wonderful. Though I miss the endless desert and the stars you could almost touch."

Mandy frowned, calling up old memories. "I remember learning about Qaf in school - the great circular mountain range ancient geographers believed encircled the world."

"Both true and not true," Jacinth's eyes twinkled. "The physical mountain exists, but Qaf is also a mystical realm parallel to your world. Like two pieces of paper laid together - they occupy the same space, but on different planes."

"So it's there, but invisible to human eyes?"

"Exactly. The mountain humans see is just the shell, if you will. True Qaf, home of the Djinn, exists in that parallel space. Humans only see it if we choose to reveal it."

Mandy's fingers went to the pendant at her throat, its steady warmth a constant reminder of the magic now threading through her life. "Is that where Kieran lives?"

"When he's not busy being stern and princely elsewhere," Jacinth said with a laugh.

"Princely?" Mandy's voice cracked on the word.

"Oh yes." Jacinth's dark eyes sparkled with mischief. "Didn't he mention it? In addition to being one of the elders - an ancient Djinn - Kieran is also a prince of the Djinn."

Mandy's stomach did a slow flip. The stern being who'd explained wishes with such patience wasn't just any Djinn. He was royalty.

"A prince of the Djinn is granting me wishes?" Her voice squeaked.

Jacinth's grin widened, satisfaction radiating from her entire being. "Yes! Isn't it great?"

Mandy sank into her recliner. She'd argued with actual royalty. Made him laugh. A Djinn prince in her modest living room, while Mozart stalked his robe.

Her mouth opened and closed. What did one say about casually chatting with supernatural royalty?

Jacinth set Mozart on the floor and patted her hand. "Some food will help. Dinner's ready."

The familiar statement made everything both better and, somehow, worse. An immortal being discussing dinner like old friends.

Jacinth slid the garlic bread into the oven.

"Oh! Wait! The oven needs preheating."

Jacinth slid her a glance, and winked. "It is."

Of course. Because - magic. Mandy scratched Bach's ears as garlic bread aroma filled her apartment.

A soft chime sounded - had her oven always done that? The salad bowl floated from the refrigerator to her table. The garlic bread followed, perfectly sliced in an unfamiliar basket, wrapped in fine linen.

Her everyday plates transformed to elegant china, with gleaming silverware. Water glasses materialized, condensation already beading their sides.

"Sit." Jacinth's stern look brooked no argument.

Mandy started to protest, but Jacinth's raised eyebrow stopped her. Her body welcomed the reprieve as she eased from the recliner, shooing Bach from her lap.

Steam curled upward from the sauce pan as Jahsinth lifted the lid. Expertly, the Djinn heaped pasta onto the plates, then spooned sauce over. A moment later, the plates floated through the air, settling onto the table with a dusting of fresh Parmesan.

"This looks amazing," Mandy said, inhaling deeply.

Jacinth settled across from her with a flourish. "Dig in!"

Mandy twirled pasta on her fork and took a bite, savoring her familiar recipe made extraordinary by magic.

"Perfect. Though I can't tell if it's magic or just hunger."

"Sometimes hunger is the best seasoning," Jacinth laughed.

Mozart appeared at Mandy's feet while Bach claimed the empty chair, both eyeing their plates.

"Don't even think about it," Mandy warned the cats, though she couldn't help but chuckle at their eternal optimism. "You know spaghetti sauce isn't good for cats."

"Tell me more about your family," she said, reaching for garlic bread.

Jacinth beamed. "Douglas is a veterinarian specializing in horses. We met when I granted his wishes, like Kieran with you. He'd just regained custody of Ben and Molly after his divorce, needed a nanny, asked me to stay temporarily..." She spread her hands. "The rest is history."

Mandy frowned, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. "Wait... a Djinn married to a veterinarian?"

Jacinth's musical laughter filled the dining room. "Yes, he's human. Completely, wonderfully human." Her dark eyes softened with obvious love.

"So… you married a human?" The words tumbled out before Mandy could stop them, but Jacinth didn't seem offended.

"Yes, and it's the best decision I ever made." Jacinth's smile radiated pure joy. "Though it wasn't an easy one at first. The age difference alone..." She shook her head. "I'm over nine hundred years old, after all."

Mandy choked on her water. She stared at Jacinth's youthful face, trying to grasp such a span of time.

"Love doesn't care about age or magic. When it's right, it's right." Jacinth reached blithely for more garlic bread. "Though the Djinn Council wasn't thrilled."

"I can imagine," Mandy murmured, thinking of Kieran's formality and respect for tradition.

"Kieran helped smooth things over with the Council," Jacinth said, as if reading Mandy's thoughts. "He may seem stern and traditional, but he understands that love doesn't always follow conventional paths."

That surprised Mandy. Though he had shown moments of warmth during their brief interaction.

"Oh, he didn't approve at first." Jacinth's dimples appeared. "But he came around. I knew he would."

Heat flooded Mandy's cheeks. "Were you reading my mind?"

"No, no." Jacinth laughed. "Only ancient Djinn can do that. Your expression said everything - wondering how someone so traditional could support a human-Djinn marriage."

Mandy ducked her head, embarrassed at being so transparent. She focused on twirling more pasta onto her fork, using the moment to compose herself.

"So, how old are the children?" she asked, genuinely curious about this magical-human family.

"Ben's seven, Molly's five." Pride filled Jacinth's voice. "And Talya, she's fourteen. We rescued her from a bad situation, but really, she adopted us. She started high school this year."

"She's wonderful - so full of life. Teaches her Djinn friend about phones and computers. They spend hours giggling over TikTok videos."

Mandy took another bite, mind whirling at the image of supernatural beings on social media.

"I so want to write a Djinn romance now," she told Jacinth, snickering.

"Oh?" Jacinth's laugh chimed. "What kind of Djinn hero? Tall, mysterious, and princely perhaps?"

Heat flooded Mandy's cheeks. "I was thinking generally," she protested, though plot threads already spun. "Maybe a charming Djinn who meddles in everyone's lives for their own good."

"Are you implying something?" Jacinth's laugh filled the kitchen.

"Who, me?" Mandy feigned innocence. "I never base characters on real people. That would be unprofessional."

"Of course not." Jacinth's eyes sparkled. "Just like none of your characters were inspired by anyone real."

Heat crept up Mandy's neck. Mr. Devon, her high school music teacher, surfaced in memory - his warm baritone, kind blue eyes, graceful conducting hands. The hero of Symphony of Love bore a striking resemblance.

"Really." She took a hasty sip of water, avoiding Jacinth's knowing gaze. "My characters are completely fictional."

"You're adorable when you blush," Jacinth said, her musical laugh filling the kitchen again. "And you're a terrible liar."

Mandy chuckled, recovering a bit. "No, really. They are, I swear."

She struggled to find words to explain. "It's more about inspiration than copying. It could be anyone, anything - a brief encounter, a movie scene, song lyrics. Just a feeling that stays with you."

"Like music triggering emotion?" Jacinth tilted her head.

"Exactly!" Mandy sat up straighter, encouraged by Jacinth's grasp of the concept. "It's taking that spark of inspiration - often no more than simply a feeling - and building something new from it. The final character might share one or two traits with the original inspiration, but they become their own person through the writing process."

"Oh, I understand." Jacinth's dimples appeared. "I just love teasing you. You get so adorably flustered."

Heat crept up Mandy's neck. "You're terrible."

"I know." Jacinth's eyes sparkled. "You're fun to tease. Kieran just gets exasperated and gives me that look."

Mandy burst out laughing, perfectly picturing Kieran's expression of long-suffering patience.

"Just like when you derailed his grand entrance," Mandy snickered.

"He tries so hard to be stern and princely." Jacinth frowned a little, and her gaze was suddenly a little assessing as she studied Mandy. "But sometimes he forgets and actually laughs. Like he did with you."

Heat crept up Mandy's neck, remembering that rich sound. How it had transformed him, making him more approachable - though 'human' wasn't quite the right word for a Djinn prince.

"I still can't believe you didn't tell me before that he's royalty," Mandy muttered, fiddling with her napkin.

Jacinth suddenly straightened, her dark eyes widening. "Oh! I completely lost track of time." She jumped up from her chair with that otherworldly grace. "I'm so sorry, Mandy, but I have to go - Douglas is watching the children, but I never miss their bedtime.

"Of course," Mandy urged, understanding completely. "Family first!"

"Thank you for tonight. We'll talk soon!" Jacinth vanished.

Mandy stared at the empty space where the Djinn had been, still trying to process everything that had happened. Mozart jumped into the vacated chair, looking around in confusion for his new friend, while Bach settled into her lap with a contented purr. The apartment felt oddly empty now, though the lingering scent of garlic bread and the warmth of the pendant against her chest reminded her that it hadn't all been a dream.