He quietly acknowledged his growing respect. In all his centuries as a Wish Bearer, he'd rarely encountered such clear-eyed acceptance of mortality combined with such determined enjoyment of life's remaining pleasures.
He forced his attention back to the pressing matters at hand. The High Council meeting would require his full focus. Yet even as he reviewed potential strategies and diplomatic approaches,that background awareness remained - a quiet warmth in his chest, echoing through the magical connection of their paired vessels.
His lips curved slightly as he imagined her reaction to the current crisis - she'd probably already started a new spreadsheet analyzing the societal implications of supernatural exposure. Complete with color-coding and carefully organized tabs, no doubt.
The thought brought unexpected warmth to his expression before he schooled his features back to their usual stern lines, realizing he had strayed once more from the pressing matters needing his attention.
The isolation of his tower had always provided clarity before, allowing him to maintain the emotional distance necessary for his role as both prince and Council member. But now... now the very solitude he'd cultivated seemed to mock him. He'd existed for millennia, witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, yet here he stood, unsettled by memories of shared tea and cookies with a mortal woman who organized her books by genre and was ruled by two fluffy housecats.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
A knockat the door startled Mandy from her writing. Bach and Mozart alerted, staring at the door with interest. She glanced at the clock as she pushed herself up from her desk chair - almost noon.
Her breath caught as she opened the door. The man standing there filled the entire doorframe, towering over her. His caramel-colored hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and despite his intimidating size, his green eyes crinkled warmly at the corners. He wore a red and black plaid button-up shirt over well-worn jeans, and his boots had seen better days.
"Hi there! Are you Mandy?" His voice boomed, deep and friendly.
Cautiously she admitted it, hoping whatever he wanted would be brief, so she could sit down before her back started hurting.
"Fabulous. I'm Dean. Jacinth asked us to stop by."
Mandy started to shift her weight automatically, preparing for the inevitable pain that would come from standing too long - then stopped as she remembered she didn't have to worry about that anymore. The habit was so ingrained after years of chronic pain that she'd momentarily forgotten. Her body was healednow, thanks to the Wish magic. She could stand here all day if she wanted to, pain-free.
The thought made her dizzy for a moment, and she gripped the doorframe to steady herself. Not from physical weakness this time, but from the overwhelming emotion that swept through her.
"You okay there?" Dean's concerned voice broke through her thoughts.
She blinked rapidly, forcing herself to focus on what he'd said earlier. Something about Jacinth sending him? Her mind scrambled to catch up as she processed both the lingering amazement at her healed body and this unexpected visitor's words.
"I'm sorry," she managed. "Did you say Jacinth sent you? I'm so sorry." She extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Instead of shaking it, Dean swept her into an enormous bear hug. His strong arms wrapped around her, gentle despite their obvious power.
The embrace enveloped her completely, and something inside Mandy's chest loosened. She felt... safe. Protected. The sensation of absolute security and acceptance washed over her as Dean held her close, his presence solid and reassuring. The pendant she wore pulsed warmly between them, as if approving of this unexpected connection.
As Dean released her, Mandy stepped back, slightly dazed from the unexpected but comforting bear hug. Her eyes widened as she noticed the woman who'd been completely hidden behind Dean's massive frame. The newcomer was petite and plump, with blonde hair and warm brown Bambi eyes.
"Hi, I'm Lena," the woman said, extending her hand with a sweet smile that lit up her whole face. "We're so happy to meet you."
Mandy shook Lena's hand, noting how the couple's energy seemed to complement each other perfectly - Dean's booming presence balanced by Lena's gentle demeanor.
Standing to one side, Mandy gestured for them to enter. "Please, come in."
Bach and Mozart assessed the newcomers with typical feline wariness. But to Mandy's surprise, a minute later she was watching in amazement as both her typically standoffish cats wound around Dean's ankles, purring loudly. Even Bach, who usually took days to warm up to visitors, rubbed his face against Dean's boot with clear enthusiasm.
Mandy watched in bewilderment as her cats continued their enthusiastic greeting of Dean. With Kieran and Jacinth, she'd attributed their instant acceptance to some Djinn quality she couldn't perceive. But Dean and Lena felt completely human - no trace of that otherworldly energy that seemed to radiate from the Djinn.
Yet here were Bach and Mozart, practically climbing Dean's legs in their eagerness to get his attention. Even more surprising, the giant of a man had crouched down to their level, his huge hands surprisingly gentle as he scratched behind their ears, murmuring to them in that booming voice of his while they purred like motorcycle engines.
Lena shook her head, an amused smile playing across her face. "Cats just love Dean. You'd think they'd have the sense to recognize an apex predator when they see one, but no - they just fawn all over him."
It took a minute for her brain to catch up with Lena's words. "I'm sorry, what? Apex predator?"
"Oh!" Lena's eyes widened slightly. "Dean's a bear shifter. I thought Jacinth would have mentioned-"
"S-shifter?" Mandy felt her knees weaken… and no, not from pain… and she stumbled backward until her legs hit the recliner,thinking it better to collapse into its familiar comfort than onto the floor. She gaped at Dean's massive frame, seeing him in an entirely new light. A bear. An actual, real-life bear shifter. Here in her living room!
