Disclaimer: I do not own the Tairen Soul Series by C.L. Wilson. However, I do own Angela and any non-canon magic.

A/N: OMG, I can't believe it's been two years since I last wrote Angela/Cyr. I really love them and have reread my favorite parts for so long that I just needed to continue it. Special thanks to my few and far between readers. You have no idea how much it matters to have reviews. I confess, I love Ellysetta/Rain. I wanted to have a side character that felt rejected but still loved which is where Angela came in. I never want to know Ellie for any reason. Without the Tairen Soul Series we'd all be without one of the best high fantasy romance books (IMHO) ever written. Also, this story and my LBR3 stories are the only incomplete ones. I am writing a real novel so I appreciate any feedback for GSP or story flow. Mostly, for FFN I just want to write my favorite parts; but I know I need to flesh out the story. Thank you so much for your continued support!

–JHS.


Ch. XIV: Alone Part II

Angela's eyes stung from unshed tears as she stared at the incinerated fireoak tree. The scorched earth burned her nose. She absolutely ruined it with her small Fire weave which would have been readily absorbed by the majestic tree.

Ravel stared at the tree, then her.

"Can we fix it?" The young woman whispered, feeling enormously guilty and meek.

I wish Cyr were here. She thought, upset.

« Shei'tani? »Cyr asked, concerned and edgy.

« Oh Cyr, » Angela Spirited. « I destroyed a tree today with a small Fire weave…maybe I'm not cut out for this magic thing. »

« Oh, » Cyr Spirited, surprised. « Everyone makes mishaps, ajiana. Just keep practicing, all will be well. »

Angela felt Cyr's warmth. « Beylah vo, kem'Cyr. Sieksta for this morning. Come back to me soon…for I'd like to practice with you as well, kem'shei'tan. »

« Kem'Angela. » Cyr answered with conviction. The tightness in his chest loosened considerably.

« Don't become distracted by me when you're on a mission. » Angela chided, making Cyr's lip curl into a small smile. « I want you to return to me safely and in all haste—it's not like I can't call for help to Ravel or someone while you're away for three days. »

« Aiyah…until three days, ajiana. » He agreed, fading away.

Ravel gave Angela a knowing look as she blushed.

"I think the tree can be fixed with an Earth—oh hello Kieran." Ravel greeted.

Angela jumped. Her attention elsewhere as she smiled shyly at the bright-eyed Kieran that looked so much like his mother. It took everything in her not to hide behind her lu'tan.

"Hello Angela-falla." Kieran smiled kindly at her. "Hello Ravel."

"Hello," Angela echoed softly.

"We were wondering if you could assist us with an Earth weave." Ravel stated diplomatically, as he inclined his head to the tree.

"Certainly," Kieran responded readily, Angela watched curiously as the Earth master's eyes went from blue to a glowing green.

Awed she moved closer as she watched the fireoak tree grow from sapling to its former majestic state.

She giggled and clapped her hands.

Turning to Kieran she smiled joyously.

"Beylah vo!" She told him sincerely, taking his hand, her platinum banded eyes showing her tairen, surprising the young Fey. "Bless you!" The young woman continued. Her hands glowing a soft platinum. "I was so hurt when I killed it. We don't have fireoak trees in Norban since the winters are so bitter. I'd only seen them in Celieria City when I was a seamstress apprentice." Angela rambled. "We used to put wishes on the tree during festivals."

The young woman felt tired, but she quickly let his hands go and blushed.

Kieran grinned at her, and bowed. "I'm happy to assist you in any way I can, kem'falla." He exchanged a look with Ravel.

Ravel signaled him with his hands to discuss later.

Before anyone could say anything a child shouted, "Kiiiiiiieraann!"

As one, the adults turned as a little girl with mink curls bounced over to him and hugged him firmly.

Kieran laughed and swung the little girl around.

Angela blinked at the mortal girl.

She looks so familiar.

Lillis giggled. "I found you!" She told him excitedly.

"Yes, you win this time, ajiana." The Earth master chuckled. "May I introduce Lillis Baristani, one of the Feyreisa's twin sisters?"

The little girl smiled sweetly at Angela.

"Oh," Angela greeted. "It's very nice to meet you. I'm Angela."

"So you're Ellie's real cousin?" Lillis asked curiously, eying the red-haired woman so similar but absolutely different than her Ellie. "It's nice to meet you, too." She quickly added at Kieran's look.

"Er, yes." Angela answered, her eyes turning platinum again, shivering.

Lillis gaped at her.

"You've got tairen eyes!" She gushed, beaming at her. "Can I see her? Is she red like Ellie's?"

The Norban woman looked at the girl, feeling strained and tired, she shivered. Ravel and Kieran looked worried.

"I've…no idea," Angela muttered. Shaking her head she gave them a wry smile as she answered Ravel's unspoken question. "I'm OK, Ravel." She said. "Truly, this is nothing. Do y'all have bitter winters like Norban?" She asked quickly.

"Nei, kem'falla. " Ravel answered, moving closer to her. "Not so far here."

Angela looked thoughtful, before smiling relieved. "Y'all have everything." She took Ravel's cue.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both." Angela said politely, her accent making an appearance as her eyes became brighter.

The Fey and child echoed her sentiment as Angela and Ravel walked away.

Angela felt a throbbing behind her right eye and at her pulse points. She drew a slow breath as Ravel hovered.

« Are you alright? »Angela asked Varenia.

« I must rest 'ere long. »Her tairen answered. « We hurt for our mate. »She explained.

Angela frowned. « But. »She protested, her eyes clouded. « How can missing someone for three days hurt us this badly when he is gone for only a few bells? Does this mean we can't be separated even for that long? Is that even healthy? »

Varenia gave off a distinct impression of a shrug. « I suppose this is what he meant by 'excruciating,'? »

"Kem'falla?" Ravel questioned, taking her hand.

Angela swallowed thickly. "My tairen is unsettled," she answered, blinking away her confusion. "Can we continue learning tomorrow?"

"Aiyah." Ravel quickly reassured. He led her toward the Palace and made his way to the Healer's quarters.

"Kem'falla," he announced to Jisera, who was positively glowing with her shei'tan. Seeing Angela her smile intensified, having Angela mirror back in strained manner, before assessing the situation.

By this time, Angela was limping from her left foot.

"Angela!" Jisera exclaimed, gesturing to the Fey Lords to lead Angela to a cot. Her foot was badly bruised, causing all of them to frown.

The young woman was breathing heavily and winced as she was carefully lifted to rest on the cot. Her bruises continued all around her body as she shook.

Unsettled, Jisera ordered the Fey Lords outside.

Using her golden weaves she tried to find the source of Angela's pain.

Jisera nearly fell backward, causing her mate to rush over to her from outside.

Oh my gods. Jisera thought, alarmed.

She witnessed a deeply injured tairen.

« Hello. Varenia greeted in her sweet voice. « Can you help us? We hurt for our mate. I'm doing everything I can not to send our magic out to him. We don't want him distracted by us while he's fighting for the Fey. »

Jisera's eyes welled with tears.

« I will do my utmost kem'falla. » She said sincerely. Exchanging a dark look with her shei'tan she asked him to reach the Feyreisen and Feyreisa.

Angela isn't healing because her mate isn't here to withstand her injuries. Jisera surmised. But there is something more.

Carefully, the shei'dahlin sent more golden weaves to the young woman. She noted Angela absorbed it. Yet, there was no visible healing.

«You're trying to heal me. »The red tairen explained to the fellana, allowing her to see the deep wounds. «Yet, it's too hard for one of you to do it. I've never been freed from what the Mages placed on me. Sometimes, when we combine magic it hurts us, too….when we feel a little better we will show you how we create weapons. We're just too exhausted at the moment and we know there is war going on. We know we need to rest but we want to help, too. »

Horrified, the fellana, blinked back tears.

"Y-you need to rest, kem'falla." Jisera said shakily. "Would you like to return to your own room?" She would convene with their majesties concerning the young woman.

"Teska." Angela murmured as Ravel carefully lifted her and carried her to her room.

"Angela!" Exclaimed Sol Baristani worriedly. The young woman smiled wanly as he walked with them. She closed her eyes and fell asleep in Ravel's arms.

Grimly, the Fey warrior nodded to the Celierian and returned Angela to her bedchamber. He placed her carefully and closed the door behind him.

What are we going to do? He wondered.