A smile spread across her face as she imagined it. "Can you picture how much more magical it would be with Grandmère the Mermaid? Reading stories about the sea while actually sitting by a pool, maybe splashing my tail in the water for emphasis?"
"That's exactly what being a Wish Bearer is about," Jacinth said, her musical voice warm with approval. "Creating those moments of pure joy, those memories that last a lifetime."
Mandy realized how perfectly her dream aligned with what Jacinth was describing. Not saving the world or solving major problems - just bringing a little more magic and wonder into it, one child at a time.
Jacinth nodded, an almost knowing look in her dark eyes. For a moment, Mandy wondered if the Djinn could read her thoughts after all, despite her earlier denials.
"Happiness becomes its own reward," Jacinth said, her musical voice carrying a note of deep understanding. "When you bring joy to others, it multiplies. It spreads outward, touching lives you might never even know about."
"The world needs more happiness," Jacinth continued softly. "More moments of pure magic and wonder." Her dark eyessparkled as she gestured toward Mandy's phone, still displaying the video of the graceful mermaid performer. "More dreams coming true."
The pendant pulsed warmly, almost like a gentle encouragement. She twisted it between her fingers, drawing comfort from its familiar warmth as she considered the possibility that maybe - just maybe - her seemingly impossible dream wasn't so impossible after all.
Jacinth rose gracefully to her feet. "I think I've given you enough to think about for now." Her dark eyes sparkled with that familiar mischievous light. "I'll be in touch."
Before Mandy could respond, Jacinth leaned over and, stretching out one slender hand, bopped her nose with a finger. The unexpected playfulness from such an ethereal being startled a giggle from Mandy's throat, and Jacinth's musical laugh joined in.
Jacinth's expression softened. "Keep thinking about the pool, the landscaping, the house." Her musical voice carried a note of encouragement. "The more detailed your mental images, the better Kieran can reproduce it for you." She tilted her head, those knowing dark eyes fixed on Mandy's face. "If you decide to wish for that."
Chapter
Fourteen
Mandy sat in her recliner,turning Kieran's pendant over and over.
Seven days. Seven days of simply… thinking. Jacinth's words replaying in her head: "What would your life look like if you could have it?"
The answer had crystallized slowly, like a photograph developing in solution. Each day had brought new clarity, new details to the vision. Not just her writing, or being a live mermaid - but the whole picture of what her life could become.
She'd spent so many years being practical, making the best of things, adapting to limitations. The idea of actually choosing something purely because it would bring joy felt almost rebellious.
"Okay," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "I think I'm ready." She took a deep breath, straightening in her chair. "At least ready to talk about it."
The pendant pulsed with warmth beneath her fingers as she prepared to summon Kieran.
Mandy touched the pendant, drawing comfort from its familiar warmth. "Kieran? I'd like to… to talk about my first wish. Though I'm not entirely sure it's something you can grant."
The air shimmered with that distinctive trace of magic as Kieran materialized in her living room.
"Sabah al-khayr, Kieran," Mandy said, relief flooding through her at his immediate response. "Thank you for coming so quickly." She twisted the pendant between her fingers, already second-guessing her decision to call him.
He returned her greeting with regal grace. "Sabah al-noor, Amanda." He settled into the armchair across from her.
"You wanted to discuss your wishes?" he prompted.
"Yes, I..." She paused, distracted by the way 'Amanda' sounded in his deep, resonant voice, making her name feel special, almost magical. She twisted the pendant between her fingers, using its familiar warmth to gather her thoughts. "I've been thinking about what Jacinth said. About what I truly want versus what I think I should wish for."
The words caught in her throat. How could she explain without sounding greedy? Here she was, given this incredible gift of three wishes, and instead of using them to help others or solve world problems, she was thinking about swimming pools and Spanish-style houses.
"I had an idea, but..." Mandy's voice trailed off as uncertainty gripped her. She stared down at her hands, unable to meet those ancient eyes. The pendant pulsed warmly against her fingers, almost like an encouragement, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her dreams were too self-indulgent, too focused on personal desires rather than greater good.
"Most wishes are possible," his deep voice carried that otherworldly resonance. "Though some require more... creative solutions than others."
Mandy opened her mouth to explain her wish, then closed it again as a completely different thought struck her. "You know, I've been meaning to ask - why do you often wear robes?"
The question seemed to catch him off guard. One elegant eyebrow arched upward as he regarded her with mild surprise.
"I mean," she continued, unable to stop now that she'd started, "Jacinth wears jeans and t-shirts, but you've always worn robes or a tunic. Not that you don't look amazing," she added hastily. "But is it because you're a prince? Personal preference? Or some kind of magical requirement?"
