"This is perfect," Mai sighs, nestling into my chest. I have to admit, it is pretty amazing. We're standing on top of the Palace and the view is gorgeous. My nerves are jangling as I think about the reason I'm here but I take a deep steadying breath and begin.
"It is at that," I whisper in her ear. The sun is setting, falling behind the horizon in a wonderful kaleidoscope of pinks, oranges and yellows. The dimming light makes her more beautiful than ever, highlighting her pale skin and mirrored in her eyes, which today are a striking auburn colour. "I don't know why, but today's got me feeling all nostalgic. Do you remember when we first met?"
"When we were four and my dad was promoted to Governor and we moved across the street?" she asks, puzzled.
"Yeah, and I slipped out of the palace and knocked on the door to ask if there were any children that wanted to come out and play."
"I remember," I can't see her face but I know she's smiling. "You chucked a rock at me the minute I stepped out the door and I swore I'd never talk to you again."
"We made up though, didn't we? I gave you half my Fire Gummies."
"After you'd licked them!" She giggles.
I laugh softly, my lips brushing her earlobe. "Yeah, ok, so I'll own up to that one."
"Then there was that time when you pushed me in the duck pond and I nearly drowned." She adds, getting caught up in the memories.
"I saved you, though," I murmur.
"Your mother saved me!" She laughs. "You just stormed off in a strop!"
"Yeah, really loudly though. How else would my mum have known what happened?" I say, following the infallible logic of a ten year old.
"I'll always remember our time at Ember Island," she says.
"When I got insanely jealous?" I chuckle at the memory. "You didn't speak to me for the rest of the trip! But it didn't change anything between us. I asked you out a few weeks later," I remind her.
"And I said no!" She says incredulously.
"Yeah but I was persistent. And now look, two whole years together..."
"Two very good years, too," she spins in my embrace so we're facing one another and I lean down and place a soft kiss on her lips.
"Do you remember that time I proposed to you on top of the Palace?" I ask softly.
"No, I-" her voice cuts off as she sees the velvet box in the palm of my hand.
My heart is racing, hammering in my chest, but I push the words out anyway, petrified of the answer. "Mai, will you marry me?" My voice cracks with emotion and I want to run away in case the answers no. I realise my eyes are closed and when I open them she's looking at me, tears streaming down her face. Then she says the only thing I need her to:
"Yes."