He lay back and studied her beauty from a new angle. Nature surrounded her with a late October wind. Joined by the slanting sun, it teased her long tresses, drawing them to spread glistening strands outward, backed by the blue heaven above.

The sky called his attention; clouds skittered across in a race to be first to the east. Their journey mirrored the flowing motion of Shayla's hair. He locked his hands behind his head, face falling into an easy, relaxed smile.

"Kal!" Shayla growled while trying to gather her curls into a ponytail.

He snickered. "Not cousins-unless you go back almost a thousand years. I know my family history that far back. No missing relatives." He lifted his left shoulder casually. "So you don't like the idea of kissing cousins?"

She rolled her eyes. "Never mind. How can you be sure? Fae?"

He reached over, letting his fingers lose their way amidst soft tresses. "I suppose you could be mostly witch. I just think that your hair is a direct link to the Fae. I recall reading about it once. It was their nimbus. A sure sign of being Fae. Well, at one time in history, anyway."

Shayla drew in a breath and pulled her knees up, hugging them tightly. Her gaze traveled across the grounds of the ancient Abbey. A blush warmed her cheeks when her eyes went to their place on the stone wall. She reached up and wiped the moisture away from her face.

He moved closer, seeking renewed physical contact. He gave his voice its most soothing purr once more. "You love being outdoors and around animals, don't you?"

She tucked her face down hiding behind a lock of falling hair, eyes on the ground.

"You feel whole when surrounded by nature."

Her face fell to her knees, hiding embarra.s.sment.

"Shayla," he said in her ear. He wove his fingers into her hair and combed it aside to reveal her cheek.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Well in combination with being magical, talking to animals and the nimbus, I'd say that clinches it."

"When I was in was in the fifth grade." Her hands trembled; she clenched fingers in response, trying to steady them. "I froze Mrs. Moore. She was yelling at me because I took a book about faeries away from Phil Jonson. I got mad and froze her. I don't remember how I got away with it-only that I did."

A light of joy ignited his laughter. "I knew you couldn't have gone this long with nothing happening. Mum home schooled me so she wouldn't have to deal with teachers who miraculously had purple hair or frogs jumping out of their pockets."

Shayla laughed, the corners of her mouth curling as she looked into his eyes, hers dancing. "I was always supposed to keep everything a secret. That's actually only one instance. Mom's going to have a cow when she finds out about you."

Meekal cringed, feeling that 'oops' moment again. He brushed it aside for later and tried to be rea.s.suring. "It'll be all right, love." He felt the jolt that traveled down her spine and bit his inner lip in response. Wow, crazy.

He came out of the thought, realizing her hand on his jaw invoked bliss. He leaned into her caress, relishing the feel of his stubble on her sensitive palm.

"Carry over trait?" she murmured, lips brushing his skin lightly.

"To a central point of wholeness. It's who I am."

"I think it's wonderful. Kal-Kat."

He turned slightly, and licked her with the tip of his tongue, sending fire through them both. "It's getting late. We should go if we're going to see the sunset from the Tor." He took her hand in his and pulled her up. Amus.e.m.e.nt swirled in his gut, he hugged her close.

On a rush of spiraling air, he transported them to the top of St. Michael's Tower on the Tor, facing west. "Don't tell Mum I did that. She'll have kittens."

Shayla giggled. "How can no one see you when you do that?"

He shrugged, nonchalant. "A charm."

A gasp popped up and Shayla clutched him tighter. "How?" She stared down at the empty air beneath them, and then waved her toe against nothing.

The urge to chuckle won out. "You didn't think the tower had an upper floor, did you?"

"Never saw any pictures." She backed up into his chest and gazed out the small gothic window. "Are we levitating?"

"Naw. I used to hang out up here when I was a kid. Harry and I figured out how to let the ley lines hold us up. Not the same as levitating."

"Cool."

"Humm. You could say that you're standing on the St. Michael Line. Although many ley lines crisscross here on the Tor, St. Michael is the strongest and most predominant."

"I remember reading something about that," Shayla said, and pointed through the narrow window. "St. Michael's Line. That means, well since it's October 31, that mound where the sun is setting must be Burrowbridge Mump."

"Aye. You do know a tad bit of history."

"Just a tad."

He wrapped his arms tightly around her and rested his jaw against the softness of her hair, just next her ear. Perfect fit. He sighed as a sensation of comfort and home surrounded him.

She leaned into him, increasing the feeling of belonging.

"Can you hear it?" he asked, rubbing his chin in her hair.

"What?"

"The sunset."

"I don't understand."

"Shh. There's still time. Focus on the sun's...o...b.. and then close your eyes. Let the earth's song guide your inner vision to see the sunset. You've been attuned, so now you'll hear it. The ancient Celts referred to the earth's beautiful music as ran Mor. No human has ever created anything to compare to it because it's the combined synergy of every living creature, earth breath and ocean wave."

She stilled, lashes resting against windswept cheeks. A slow lift at the corners of her mouth was the only indication she heard. Meekal allowed his heart to soar, meeting hers above the earth, joining in the song.

A gentle breath escaped her as the last curvature of the golden orb slipped past the horizon. Her stomach growled.

His laughter answered. "Let's get some supper."

A smile lit her face as she turned and leaned in for a brief kiss. "Sounds like a delicious idea. I'm famished."

"Then so be it, but first," he said backing up a step, and giving a slight bow. "May I have this dance?"

"Dance?"

"Aye. How did you expect to get down to earth?" He took a dancer's stance, foot tapping the air, and hand waiting for her to step into his s.p.a.ce in acceptance of his offer. "Shall it be a one, two, three waltz or a boogying swing dance?"

"One, two, three," Shayla answered, entwining their fingers.

The Earth's song carried them downward as they spun to the rhythm heard by few.

"Are you always this romantic?"

"Only for you, my love," Meekal answered, as they stepped out of the Tower. He pulled his cell phone out and called Chaeli. "Hi, Mum. We're going to get something to eat."

"Did you see the sunset?"

He shook with silent laughter. "Aye, Mum. We saw the sunset from St. Michael's Tower." He winked at Shayla, and then enjoyed her giggle washing over him.

"Ah, we all know what a romantic you are. I'll see you later."

He flipped his phone closed and took her hand. "Let's go to Harry's Pub."

"Harry has a pub?"

This time he shared laughter with the English countryside. "No. We just like to hang there. You'll like it." He gave her a secretive smile and tugged on her hand. "We'll walk this time and it'll take a little while to get down the side of the Tor."

They stepped into Harry's Pub amidst flashing and spiraling red, white and blue lights. Shayla gasped, looking around in surprise.

Got cha. Meekal greeted the hostess. "Hey, Lily. It's just two tonight."

Lily gave Shayla an appraising glance, picked up two menus and turned on her high heel. "Come this way then, Kal."

They followed her to the back of the pub as cla.s.sic American rock and roll infused the air.

Lily watched them while they made themselves comfortable, her eyes lingering on Meekal.

"This is fine. Thanks, Lily." He gave her a dismissive smile.

Shayla tapped his foot under the table. "Friend of yours?" she whispered.

"We dated once."

"Wondered why she was so hoity-toity. How does she work in three inch heels anyway?"

"Changes every hour."

"Ooh, that tidbit means you know her well." The tip of her tongue came out and swept across a succulent upper lip. She leaned forward. "So you bring your newest conquest to meet her?"

"Conquest? Am I mistaken? I had the impression it's deeper than that." He held her gaze as his foot slid up her leg under the table. Shock flashed through him when her boot landed in his crotch. He choked, holding her laughing eyes in a tight embrace. His hand went to his lap in natural reactive protection even as he looked up at their server with a heated face.

Their server, wearing a nametag proclaiming her to be Amie, tapped her pad with a purple pen. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Shayla maneuvered her foot in a sensual circle. He stared at her, feeling a mixture of awe and determination, and then squeezed her foot.

She sent the tip of her tongue out, and glanced up. "Hi, Amie. I'd like a Banana Banshee."

He bit back a groan.

Shayla pushed on him again, tossed smooth curls over her shoulder, giving him an innocent smile. "My friend would like a Comfortable Screw."

Meekal chewed the inside of his cheek.

She winked.

His voice caught somewhere in his throat. "That'll be fine, Amie."

Amie looked at Shayla's funky black and red hair, leather jacket over a hot pink blouse and leather skirt, with skepticism. "I need to see some ID."

Shayla, shaking with amus.e.m.e.nt, turned her mouth upward into a playful smile, and then licked her upper lip-again.

Profuse tongue. Meekal resisted the urge to lean forward and consume its hyperactive delectableness. He moved slightly to the left trying to ease his jeans into a better position of comfort.

Shayla pulled her small wallet from a pocket and produced an Ohio driver's license.

Amie studied it and then handed it back. "A Banana Banshee and Comfortable Screw coming right up."

"Thank you."

Meekal reached under the table and grabbed her boot. "Shock value?"

Shayla twisted her foot from his grasp and leaned forward on the table. "My turn. Besides, it doesn't make up for the jolts you've given me today. Are you saying you aren't interested in a Comfortable Screw?" She tilted her head to the right, pulling her full lower lip between her teeth.

He growled. "Comfortable, fast, or slow."

She pulled up and reached across the table, tonguing his voice into oblivion.

A feral groan rose, sending blissful vibrations through their connection. He clutched her head tightly, enticed by her tasty treat. Their tongues danced to the rhythm of Eden Mystic's, 'Every Where with You Baby.'

Amie set his Comfortable Screw on the table with a bang and a slosh.

Meekal pulled away, gasping for air and smiled up at her. "Thanks." He touched his finger to his swelled lower lip enjoying its heightened sensitivity and grinned. "I think we're ready to order dinner, Amie."

"Yes," Shayla said, smacking her lips. "I'd like a hamburger, well done, and fries, a gla.s.s of water and a side salad with creamy Italian."

Amie tapped her pad again, joined into the fray by chewing on her lip, while eyeing Shayla.

He cleared his throat. "Ah, she meant chips, Amie. You know, fries, chips?" He motioned with his hands as though a balancing scale while her eyes glowered at him. "I'll have the same. Thank you."

Amie snorted and stalked away.

Shayla turned her head, watching her progress back to the kitchen. "Did you date her, too?"

"No. She rooms with Lily."

"Humm."