Azure flames danced along his arms, flowing from his hands into hers. The fire spread up her arms, wrapping around her shoulders before trailing down her spine in a sinuous stream of cobalt light. The flames cascaded down her legs, wrapping around her knees where he knew the arthritis caused her the most pain.
Mandy's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise as she felt the tingling warmth of his Djinn fire. He monitored her reactions carefully, ensuring the magic remained gentle and soothing rather than overwhelming. The blue flames responded to his will, seeking out the damaged areas of her body and surrounding them with healing warmth.
"Oh!" she breathed, wonder replacing the uncertainty in her expression. "It's warm, like... like sunshine on my skin. But inside somehow?"
Kieran nodded, maintaining his focus as the last of the blue fire settled into place. He could feel the magic working, temporarily resetting her body to its earlier, healthier state.
Releasing her hands, he watched intently as she took a hesitant step forward, then another. The transformation in her expression captivated him - decades of pain and limitation melting away as she realized she could move freely.
Her eyes widened with wonder. "I can't... I mean, I can!" She took several more steps, a delighted laugh bubbling up from her chest. "It doesn't hurt at all!"
The pure joy radiating from her face awakened something within him, a lightness of spirit he hadn't felt in centuries.
"We should go right now," she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. "I don't want to waste a single minute of this. The park's only about five minutes away."
A laugh escaped him before he could contain it, the sound surprising them both. When was the last time someone had made him laugh? He couldn't remember.
"One moment," he said, halting her enthusiastic rush to the door.
The air shimmered with magic as Kieran raised his hands, his vibrant blue robes dissolving into sparkles of light that swirled, then coalesced into contemporary clothing as the last of the sparkles dissipated.
Mandy's mind stuttered to a halt as she stared at Kieran. Gone were his usual flowing robes. Instead, he wore tailored slacks and a crisp white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled precisely to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. A subtle pattern woven into the fabric caught the morning light. The top two buttons were undone, showing just a hint of throat, while the fit emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame.
The effect was... devastating. Even in this more relaxed attire, he radiated authority and refinement. His silver-white hair was pulled back in a neat queue at the nape of his neck, and his ice-blue eyes sparkled with amusement at her obvious surprise.
A light breeze stirred the air, carrying the scent of creosote and sage. While others might have wilted in the growing Arizona heat, Kieran looked perfectly composed. Of course he did -he was a being formed of smokeless fire. Desert temperatures probably felt refreshing to him.
"Ready?" he asked, lifting one dark eyebrow.
Mandy started, realizing she'd been staring. She felt her cheeks warm as she gathered her keys and purse. At the door, she paused to wave goodbye to her cats, who watched from their perches by the window. "You two be good," she told them sternly.
Kieran settled into the passenger seat of Mandy's small car, his tall frame requiring some adjustment of the seat.
"I could have transported us directly," he explained, his deep voice carrying a note of apology. "But materializing in public spaces can be... problematic. Especially in areas I haven't personally visited before."
"Oh, of course!" Mandy's enthusiastic nod surprised him. "Like in Star Trek, you wouldn't want to beam down into the middle of a tree or something. Or worse, into another person!"
Her quick understanding pleased him. Most humans required lengthy explanations about the limitations of magic, but Mandy's mind seemed to grasp the practical aspects intuitively.
She guided the car into a parking space near the lake, and they exited the vehicle. Mandy practically bounced on her toes as she led the way toward the water.
Kieran watched as Mandy's steps quickened along the path, her movements free and natural without the constant burden of pain. She seemed different now, when unencumbered by physical limitations. Not just her movements, but her spirit seemed to burn even brighter, as if the pain had cast a cloud over her that now moved aside so she stood in the sun.
"I used to come here every Sunday," she said, eyes bright with memories. "Back when Sabrina was little."
"Why Sundays specifically?" The question emerged before he could consider whether it was too personal.
A soft smile lit her features. "Sunday was waffle morning. I'd make a big batch of waffles - it was our special tradition. And afterward, we'd bring the leftover waffles here to feed the ducks and geese."
"Sometimes there'd even be a swan," she continued, her eyes fixed on the rippling water. "We figured it must have escaped from Reid Park Zoo - it's just over there." She pointed toward a cluster of trees in the distance. "The swan would glide over so regally, like royalty expecting tribute. Sabrina always saved an extra piece of waffle, just in case it showed up."
Kieran observed how Mandy's steps remained light and easy as they followed the curving path along the water's edge. His blue fire hummed contentedly within him, maintaining the temporary healing spell with barely a whisper of effort.
"This is wonderful," Mandy breathed, her deep green eyes sparkling. "Just like the old days, when I could walk for hours without thinking about it."
She tilted her face upward, catching the sunbeams that filtered through the canopy of trees above them. The dappled light played across her features, highlighting the joy that radiated from her expression. Despite the fierce Arizona heat that made most humans wilt and seek shelter, she seemed to draw energy from the warmth, her movements becoming even more fluid and natural.
Kieran found himself captivated by the transformation. The woman beside him bore little resemblance to the careful, pain-limited being who had needed a cane to cross her own living room.
