Mandy found herself momentarily lost in his gaze, the weight of his attention sending her thoughts spiraling. This was noordinary conversation; it felt charged, alive with an unspoken connection. If this was Heaven, what was Kieran doing here, and why did her cats accompany him? Her fingers instinctively tightened around the delicate silk of her nightgown, as if seeking solace in its softness amidst the unfolding emotions.
"I..." she hesitated, searching for the right words to convey the enormity of what she was experiencing. "Actually, I feel amazing. Better than I have in years. Actually, better than I have in my whole life, I think." Her hand pressed against her chest, still marveling at the ease of breathing. "It's not just that my lungs are clear, I feel… amazing!" She chuckled. "Okay, I already said that, but still. I do!"
She gazed around the exotic, yet tranquil, bedroom again. "I'm not in Heaven, am I?" Mandy ventured cautiously, her fingers still clutching the silk of her nightgown.
Kieran's laugh filled the room, deep and rich, making her heart skip. She'd never heard him laugh like that before - free and unguarded, his usual stern demeanor softening.
"No, you are very much alive," he assured her, the glacier blue of his eyes sparkling with amusement. "This is my home in Qaf."
Mandy glanced around the room with new understanding. Of course - the arabesque patterns, the marble walls, even the jasmine-scented air spoke of the magical realm she'd only heard about in stories.
"Your clothes are in the wardrobe," Kieran gestured to an ornately carved piece of furniture. "When you're ready, join me for tea. Breakfast will be ready soon, and Jacinth will join us." He nodded toward the massive spotted cat that was now submitting to having its ears thoroughly groomed by Mozart. "Dinen will show you the way."
The magical cat - Dinen - looked up at the sound of its name, pausing in its grooming session to fix those glowing eyes onMandy. Blue flames flickered along its spotted coat as it blinked at her slowly, radiating an air of patient dignity despite Mozart's continued attention to its ears.
Kieran turned and strode from the room, his boots clicking softly against the marble floor. Mozart immediately abandoned his grooming duties and trotted after him, tail held high.
"Traitor," Mandy muttered. At least Bach remained faithfully sprawled across her feet, purring contentedly.
The massive wardrobe beckoned, its intricate carvings seeming to shift in the morning light. Mandy approached cautiously, running her fingers over the smooth wood before grasping the silver handles. The doors swung open silently, revealing an interior that shouldn't have been possible given the wardrobe's exterior dimensions.
Her jaw dropped. When Kieran said her clothes were in here, he apparently meant every single item she'd ever owned. Everything hung neatly organized by type and color, just as she kept them at home. Her practical t-shirts and jeans seemed oddly out of place against the magical backdrop of Qaf.
A flash of colored fabrics caught her attention, and her heart squeezed with recognition. These were the galabiyyas she'd bought in Cairo decades ago, when she'd been an exchange student. The traditional Egyptian dresses were made of soft cotton. She examined one that was a deep turquoise that would bring out the green in her eyes, with colorful embroidery around the neckline and hem.
Now, surrounded by the graceful beauty of Kieran's home, it felt like the perfect choice. Mandy carefully lifted the galabiyya from its hanger, the fabric soft against her fingers. The memories it carried of spice-scented markets and ancient streets seemed to fit this magical setting far better than her usual practical wardrobe.
Mandy carefully hung the silk nightgown in the wardrobe before slipping on her underwear, then sliding the galabiyya over her head. The soft cotton settled around her like a familiar embrace, bringing back memories of Cairo's vibrant streets. She glanced around for her shoes but didn't see them anywhere near the wardrobe.
A quick scan of the room revealed a small decorative rug beside the bedroom door that she hadn't noticed before. Her practical walking shoes and comfortable sandals sat neatly arranged on it, along with what appeared to be embroidered ballet slippers in a deep green.
The slippers looked incredibly comfortable, their surface adorned with delicate silver threading that caught the morning light. Mandy picked one up, admiring the intricate pattern that echoed the arabesque designs on the walls. The fabric felt butter-soft against her fingers.
She slid them on, sighing at how perfectly they fit. It felt like walking on clouds, the cushioned soles providing just the right amount of support.
Dinen sat watching her with those glowing, intelligent eyes, blue flames still dancing along its spotted coat. Bach was now sprawled on the bed, apparently deciding that a morning nap took precedence over everything else.
Mandy hesitated, feeling slightly foolish as she addressed the magical cat. "Um, I'm ready now." She twisted her fingers in the soft fabric of her galabiyya. "If you could show me where to go?"
Dinen gave a rough cry that sounded like a cross between a meow and a small roar. The massive cat rose gracefully, blue flames flickering along its spotted coat as it padded toward the door. Mandy followed, her embroidered slippers silent on the marble floor.
The hallway opened onto a balcony that took her breath away. Gold veins threaded through the pristine marble railings,catching the morning light and making them seem to glow from within. The effect created ever-shifting patterns that drew the eye along graceful curves and geometric designs.
Dinen led her to a curving staircase that swept down in an elegant spiral. Mandy's hand trailed along the smooth banister as she descended. Her galabiyya swished softly around her ankles with each step.
The large open room at the bottom of the stairs had gorgeous - and likely priceless - richly colored carpets scattered across the marble floor. Dinen's massive paws made no sound as the magical cat guided her toward a balcony where slender Moorish arches rose in a graceful colonnade, supporting the ornate roof above
A table and several chairs occupied the space, positioned to take advantage of the view through the arches that opened onto a garden. Beyond the carefully tended greenery, endless sand stretched to the horizon, its golden expanse a striking contrast against the brilliant blue of the desert sky.
Mandy stared at the desert vista, transfixed by colors that shouldn't exist in nature. The sky held shades of blue she'd never seen before, deeper and more vibrant than anything possible in the human world. The sand rippled with hints of gold and amber that seemed to shift and dance, catching light in ways that defied physics. Even the garden's greenery pulsed with life, each leaf and flower radiating subtle hues beyond her normal perception.
Kieran stoodin the shadows of an alcove, watching as Mandy entered the room. Her forest-green eyes widened at the sight through the balcony’s, wonder radiating from her entire being. The morning light caught the embroidery on her galabiyya,the turquoise fabric complementing both her coloring and the ethereal setting of Qaf perfectly.
The traditional Egyptian dress suited her far better than her usual practical clothing, flowing around her with graceful dignity as she moved toward the balcony. She looked as if she belonged here, in his realm of magic and ancient power.
Dinen padded across the marble floor toward him, giving a rumbling purr that drew Mandy's attention away from the spectacular view. Her face lit up when she spotted Kieran, a warm smile spreading across her features that filled him with unexpected pleasure.The pure joy in her eyes sparked something deep within him.
He hadn't realized how much her suffering had affected him until this moment, seeing her transformed and vital. The weight of centuries seemed to lift from his shoulders as her smile reached him, bright and unguarded as the desert sunrise spreading across Qaf's endless sands.
