"I know. But I need to ask you something important." His fingers tightened around hers. "Will you release one of your remaining wishes to me?"
"Of course."
Fear gripped him as he watched her fade. "No, you must say the words properly." He leaned closer, his white hair falling forward as he willed her to keep her eyes open, hold his gaze. "You must state clearly that you give the wish to me of your own free will."
Kieran watched her lips twitch with the ghost of a smile she didn't have the strength to fully form. His chest tightened with anguish at how weak she had become, how much effort even that small movement cost her.
"I knew it," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the steady beeping of the monitors. "The Aladdin thing."
Confusion rippled through him. What did an ancient Arabic folk tale have to do with this crucial moment? His silver-blue eyes narrowed as he tried to parse her meaning, his fingers tightening reflexively around her frail hand.
Beside him, Jacinth let out a sound that was half laugh, half sob. "Oh, Mandy." She wiped fresh tears from her cheeks to glance at Kieran. "Remember? The genie in Aladdin was bound to the Djinn vessel - he needed a wish to be free."
Kieran pressed the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger, his blue fire flickering with a mixture of exasperation and urgent concern. Even on her deathbed, this woman managed to frustrate him with her tendency to find connections to those ridiculous human stories about magic.
The steady beep of the hospital monitors counted out precious seconds as he fought to maintain his composure. Her life force grew weaker with each shallow breath, and here she was making references to children's movies.
Kieran had to laugh. The sound startled him - deep and rich, echoing off the sterile hospital walls. His blue fire danced with a mixture of exasperation and fondness as he watched Mandy's lips curve into that faint, knowing smile.
"Made you laugh," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the steady beep of the monitors.
His silver-blue eyes softened as he studied her face. Even now, pale and weak, connected to machines that tracked her failing life force, she maintained that spark of mischief that had first caught his attention. That determined brightness that saw wonder in everything, even a grumpy ancient Djinn prince who'd forgotten how to enjoy life.
Trust this impossible woman to focus on making him laugh when she lay dying. To find triumph in cracking his stern exterior even as her own life force faltered.
Jacinth's face was anxious as she watched Mandy, who seemed to be drifting, not asleep yet not awake either. Her gaze lifted to Kieran, and he saw knowledge dawn.
"You intend to bring her across," Jacinth breathed, eyes alight with hope, her musical voice barely above a whisper. "Toshare your blue flame with her." She hesitated, conflict evident in her expression. "But Kieran, she's in what may become her final sleep. She cannot give permission. Are you certain-"
"Have you not seen into her heart these past weeks?" Kieran interrupted softly, his silver-blue eyes fixed on Mandy's still form. "Into her very soul?"
The monitors beeped steadily in the background as he continued, his deep voice gentle but firm. "She yearns for magic with every atom of her being. It calls to her, speaks to her very essence." He opened his hand, and called Mandy's pendant to him. The nurses had removed it from her on admission, but now it appeared in his palm. He carefully fastened it about Mandy's neck, feeling the familiar warmth of his own magic responding.
"She would never ask for this gift - her humility and self-doubt would prevent her from even considering the possibility. But she wants it, Jacinth. With every breath she takes, she longs for it. I've watched her these past weeks. Seen how she embraces each new magical revelation with pure joy, without fear or hesitation. Her wonder at discovering our world has been..." He paused, searching for the right words. "Refreshing. Inspiring, even."
"But to make such a choice for her..." Jacinth's voice trailed off, heavy with concern.
Kieran watched Mandy's chest rise and fall with each labored breath, his blue fire stirring with growing concern. The monitors continued their steady beeping, but her life force flickered dangerously.
"She's not thinking clearly," he said, his deep voice tight with barely contained emotion. "This illness, the fever, the constant coughing - they're taking too great a toll." His fingers tightened around Mandy's frail hand as he turned to face Jacinth. "Coming after decades of disability and chronic pain, she's simply too weak to fight anymore."
His silver-blue eyes fixed intently on Jacinth's tear-stained face. "Tell me truthfully - if she were well, do you believe she would fight to live?"
Jacinth's dark eyes widened at his question. She fell silent, her gaze moving to Mandy's pale features as she considered his words. The monitors hummed steadily in the background, marking each precious second that passed.
Finally, Jacinth's expression cleared, certainty replacing her earlier distress. "Yes," she said firmly, her musical voice carrying absolute conviction. "Yes, she would fight. She would choose to live… always."
"She belongs in our world, Jacinth." A rare smile curved his lips as he remembered Mandy's methodical spreadsheet approach to wishes, her careful consideration of consequences, her pure delight in each new magical discovery. "Her soul already speaks the language of magic. She simply needs the proper vessel to contain it." His voice softened as he recalled her earnest questions about wish-granting ethics. "In time, she will make an exceptional Wish Bearer."
Jacinth's dark eyes widened as she processed his words, her gaze shifting between Kieran and Mandy's still form. He could see the moment understanding dawned in her expression, followed by thoughtful consideration.
"You're right," she said finally, her musical voice carrying conviction. "I've seen it, too. She would adore granting wishes, I know she would!"
Kieran's blue fire stirred as Jacinth wiped the last tears from her face. Her expression shifted to the one of stubborn determination he'd seen countless times over the centuries.
"How can I help?" she asked, her musical voice steady now.
"Contact one of the elders," he said, his deep voice commanding. "Have them assist you with modifying the memories here, and ensure the medical records show Mandyimproved and was discharged." His silver-blue eyes never left Mandy's pale face. "We cannot leave traces of what truly happened."
