"Stay here, and no peeking," Abraham insisted, his voice growing distant as he moved away from her. Deja resisted the urge to open her eyes when she heard him shuffling around. "I mean it, Deja."

        "I'm not looking, honest," Deja replied.

        "Almost ready," he said. "Just one more... there, perfect."

        "Can I look?" Deja asked, the butterflies she had felt earlier that day had returned in full force.

        "Go ahead, open your eyes."

        Deja took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous though she couldn't explain why, and opened her eyes.

        She was met with a dazzling sight. Candles, dozens of them in jars of varying sizes and colors decorated the small alcove. Some were strung up and others left scattered about on the ground, on rocks, on overturned crates and even a wooden support beam half buried in the crumbling rubble of the old building.

        Abraham stood in the middle of it all, the soft yellow glow of candlelight causing his blond hair to shine like gold in the darkness.

        Deja laughed, delighted at the sight. "What is this? Did you do this all yourself?"

        He nodded and smiled, and reached for her hand, winding his fingers through hers before pulling her closer. "Do you like it?"

        "Yes," she replied, still in awe at the simple beauty of it all. She reached up and tapped one of the hanging jars. It moved in response, swinging back and forth slowly. "But why?"

        "It's for you, for your birthday," he said.

        "But my birthday isn't for a few more days," Deja said, turning her attention back to Abraham who she realized was standing incredibly close. Her heart skipped a beat and she met his gaze.

        "I know, I was going to wait, but I figured you would have a lot on your mind considering," he replied. "I just wanted it to be special."

        He wasn't wrong. With her sixteenth birthday just around the corner preparations were being made for her trip to the Upper City where she would register her name and status as a normal citizen of Cerulis. Everyone had to, ever since magic had become outlawed and any use of it was only allowed by those who underwent special training.

        "Are you worried?" Abraham asked?

        "About what?"

        He turned her hand over and rubbed his thumb over the underside of her wrist. "What if you have the Mark?"

        "Don't be stupid," Deja said with a laugh. "You know that sort of thing is passed down in families and no one in my family has ever gotten it. Besides, no one from the Cogworks has had a mark in at least a decade. I'm just gonna go and write my name in that big book and then come back."

        "You promise?"

        "Of course," Deja replied, puzzled by his odd behavior.

        "Even if you meet some handsome Elite who tries to sweep you off your feet?"

        "Abraham, what in the world has gotten into you?"

        "Nothing, like you said, I'm just being stupid," he said, releasing her hand. "I got you a present."

        Deja watched as he produced a small, colored box from behind his back. It was a pale blue, like the sky she loved so much, and tied closed with a white ribbon.

        "Open it," he said, pushing the box into her hands.

        She stared at it for a moment before tugging the ribbon loose and carefully removing the lid. Within the box, resting on a cloud of white, was a thin silver bracelet. It glittered in the candlelight and for a moment Deja wasn't sure what to say.

        "Do... you like it?" Abraham asked.

        Like it? It was the most precious gift anyone had ever given her. "Ham... how did you... it must've been so expensive!"

        Abraham chuckled and lifted the delicate chain from the box. He undid the clasp and draped it around her wrist. "I knew it would suit you the moment I saw it."

        Deja lifted her arm, watching with delight as the bracelet sparkled where it lay draped across her tanned skin.

        "Deja..."

        "Hmm?" she shifted her eyes from the bracelet to Abraham whose heated gaze locked with her own. She felt the fluttering begin anew and slowly lowered her arm until it hung loose at her side.

        He stepped in closer, placing both hands on her shoulders.

        "I have one more gift... if you'll accept it," he said, tilting his face downward. She could feel his warm breath as it caressed her cheek and her pulse began to quicken. It was at that moment that she realized she wanted to know what it would feel like to kiss him.

        "Yes," she replied, her voice a breathy whisper.

        He wasted no more time with words and reached out to cup her cheek with his hand. His fingers teasing across the subtle curve of her jaw before hooking beneath her chin to gently guide her face upwards. As he leaned in, Deja's heart began to pound and her lips parted as she drew in one last uneven breath.

        His lips were soft, softer than she had imagined in the seconds leading up to this moment, and they were warm, very warm. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment as he looped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. His fingers fanned out across the small of her back while his free hand slid up the nape of her neck to tangle in the mess of dark, windblown curls.

        Then the moment was over, Abraham was drawing away, breaking the kiss with gentle sigh. Deja felt star struck and the light of the candles seemed even bright and more dazzling than before.

        She had always wondered what all the fuss was about, and now she knew.

        "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that," Abraham murmured, letting his forehead come to rest against hers. "It took all the strength I had not to do that this morning at the cafe when you were pouting."

        "I never pouted," Deja protested, still mesmerized by the lingering warmth of his mouth.

        "You definitely pouted," Abraham said.

        "No way, I didn't-" whatever else she was going to say was cut off when Abraham leaned in and stole another kiss. This one was brief but just as sweet as the first.

        "I'm sorry," he murmured, "I couldn't resist."

        Deja smiled, the distant chimes of the turret clock in the Upper District reminding her of the time. It was ten o'clock. "I should probably get home before my mom notices I'm gone."

        "I'll walk you home," Abraham said.

        "You live on the other side of the Cogworks," Deja said. "You'll have twice as far to walk to get home."

        He reached down and laced his fingers through hers. "It's worth it if it means I get to spend a little more time with you."

        Deja felt a blush rise to her cheeks and wondered if this is what it felt like to be in love.

        Bright, warm, welcoming light spilled from the open windows and doorways of the pub. It was accompanied by boisterous laughter and drunken singing as the miners inside unwound after a long day spent in the mines.

        "I guess this is goodnight," Deja said, making no move to let go of Abraham's hand. He also seemed reluctant to let her go.

        "If you insist..." he murmured, reaching out with his free hand to brush a few disheveled curls from her forehead. She wasn't sure why, but his touch suddenly made her feel anxious and delighted at the same time.

        "I don't insist..." Deja replied, taking a step closer.

        Abraham leaned in again, no doubt with the intention of stealing another kiss, but stopped short when the pub door banged open. The pair quickly stepped apart, Deja pulling her hand free before looking back over her shoulder.

        They both stared as three men, all leaning on one another for support, came staggering out of the building. The men were laughing and bantering with one another and Deja recognized them as friends of her father. She held her breath and waited, praying that the trio were too caught up in their own affairs to notice them. Finally, they ambled off in the opposite direction of where she and Abraham had become as still as statues.

        "That was close... now... where were we?" Abraham asked, reaching for her again.

        Deja danced away, laughing lightly. "That was too close, I think it's best I get inside before someone sober comes out."

        Like her father.

        Abraham pouted before nodding. "I suppose you're right," he said with a defeated sigh. He bowed with a flourish and when he rose the smile was gracing his handsome features once more. "Goodnight, Deja, sweet dreams."

        Deja smiled. "Goodnight, now get out of here before you get us both in trouble."

        Abraham offered another brief bow before retreating back down the street. Deja watched him until he disappeared into the darkness, an unexpected feeling of longing tugging at her heart.