Bloodloss: Book 3

By Faith Birmingham-Gray

As if Rayla's life could not have gotten worse, she has now found herself back in the safety of her home while three of her closest friends suffer at the enemy's hands. Memories of what she had endured while a prisoner of the enemy torment her mind as she wonders what could be happening to her friends. The darkness has filled her until she can see no hope. When a letter comes warning them of the movement of their enemy, Tenabris, all hope seems lost. Until they see who the note is from. As Lord Hightower is whisked away to request aid from the capital, several of the others scramble to fill his shoes. They begin training, practicing, and gathering supplies. Not until the enemy's forces are seen do Rayla and Raiden embark on a rescue mission for their friends. When things go wrong, Rayla finds the answer to the question she never dared ask… Where is she really from? The answer changes everything, for herself and the upcoming battle. With chaos around her, Rayla must make a choice. The past has caught up with her. The darkness has overcome her. But can she allow the light to outshine it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667898902

Book preview

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© 2023 Faith Birmingham

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published by BookBaby.

Cover illustrated by Roger and Makenzie Pemberton.

Edited by Sarah Wessman.

Print ISBN: 978-1-66789-889-6

eBook ISBN: 978-1-66789-890-2

Visit @bloodline_trilogy on Instagram for further information.

To my Gramme and Pops, who insisted on paying to finish the series. You’ve always been two of my biggest supporters, and you’ve always shown me how to let the light outshine everything. This life goal is now complete because of you. Hope you enjoy reading how the story ends. I love you both.

Love,

your favorite granddaughter

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Raiden

Chapter 2 Raiden

Chapter 3 Raiden

Chapter 4 Sapphire

Chapter 5 Raiden

Chapter 6 Rayla

Chapter 7 Sapphire

Chapter 8 Raiden

Chapter 9 Sapphire

Chapter 10 Rayla

Chapter 11 Rayla

Chapter 12 Sapphire

Chapter 13 Raiden

Chapter 14 Rayla

Chapter 15 Raiden

Chapter 16 Rayla

Chapter 17 Sapphire

Chapter 18 Rayla

Chapter 19 Raiden

Chapter 20 Sapphire

Chapter 21 Sapphire

Chapter 22 Rayla

Chapter 23 Raiden

Chapter 24 Sapphire

Chapter 25 Rayla

Chapter 26 Rayla

Chapter 27 Rayla

Chapter 28 Raiden

Chapter 29 Rayla

Chapter 30 Sapphire

Chapter 31 Rayla

Chapter 32 Rayla

Chapter 33 Raiden

Chapter 34 Sapphire

Chapter 35 Rayla

Chapter 36 Rayla

Chapter 37 Rayla

Chapter 38 Raiden

Chapter 39 Raiden

Chapter 40 Rayla

chapter 1

Raiden

The funeral ceremony had been beautiful, if Raiden felt like being honest. At least, it had been as beautiful as a funeral could be.

Eight guards in total had been killed in the ambush at Riraveth. One of the other guards who had been injured had later died as well. The families had been fed, as a gesture of honor, in Castle Maith’s grand dining hall. This had all happened nearly a month ago. Raiden and the others weren’t sure why Tenabris and his men hadn’t followed them to the province, catching them unprepared. It made for a stressful and tense month, always looking over their shoulders, expecting to be attacked without warning. But so far, nothing had happened. Lord Hightower had placed scouts throughout the province, all the way to the border of Riraveth, to report on any movement in their direction, but nothing had been reported thus far.

Still, even with the attack in Riraveth a month prior, the events were still fresh on Raiden’s mind. It would always feel fresh on his mind.

He climbed the staircase in silence, listening to his footsteps echo down the stairwell. These particular stairs led to the guest chambers on the second floor of the castle. The stone walls only made the place feel colder.

Raiden was honestly glad to be experiencing any feeling at all, even if it was being miserably cold. He had felt so numb in the past month, as if his mind was detached from the world around him.

As he climbed the stairs, he let his thoughts trail back to the meeting he and the others, minus Rayla of course, had held the previous night to discuss tactics.

The first order of business had been to rationalize why they hadn’t already been attacked. Lord Hightower and the others had all agreed that there was something amiss. The logical choice for any army in Tenabris’s position would have been to attack quickly.

"We may not ever know the reason why they haven’t come yet, Hightower had finally said. The important thing is that we have scouts on the lookout now. I have no doubt that Tenabris has foul play at hand. But whatever it is, our scouts will warn us in time to prepare."

Lord Hightower was set to leave for Rathús Castle soon. The group had decided that he should go as soon as possible to request aid from the king. He had wanted to leave sooner, but there was too much he had to organize in case he was gone for longer than expected. He had sent a messenger ahead of him, but there had been no reply.

It had also been decided that Macarius would fill in for Hightower in the lord’s absence. Unfortunately, the bowmaster had become irritable and quiet since his injury. It was clear to Raiden that he was severely depressed by the thought of never being able to properly shoot a bow again. Raiden could understand why the man was so upset. Archery was Macarius’s life. Raiden couldn’t imagine never being able to shoot again. And Macarius wasn’t that old. In fact, he hadn’t even reached the age of forty yet. Raiden would guess he still had a good twenty years in him before his age alone would have affected his performance.

Nevertheless, as ineffective as Macarius was physically, his tactical leadership could be useful in Hightower’s absence. Luca would be preoccupied with his own troops, so Macarius was the logical choice.

As Raiden reached the floor of the hallway, his footsteps lost their echo in the open corridor. Doors stretched down either side of the hall. It was dim and chilly in the stoney corridor, and a few of the rooms had a little light leaking into the hall from underneath the wooden doors. Raiden glanced to the nearest door on the left. Just as he reached the doorway, the door swung open. A tall, muscular figure emerged, closing the door softly. The man who had just emerged turned to leave, saw Raiden standing there, and jumped.

Gracious, boy! Luca whispered. You gave me a scare.

Sorry, sir, Raiden replied. He drew his eyes from the door to look at the swordmaster. How is she?

Luca’s expression told Raiden all he needed to know before the man could even reply.

She’s bitter, the man answered. That’s the only way I know to describe her at this point.

Raiden dropped his gaze.

Of course she’s bitter, he thought. Still, he clenched his jaws and said nothing.

A hand on his shoulder drew Raiden’s gaze back up.

Good luck, Luca said sincerely. And Raiden? If you can get her to open up, even just a little, please do it. I fear what she will become if she doesn’t let her anger out.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was a silent fear amongst the tightly knit circle of companions that Rayla’s emotions would build up too much, and she would eventually have to let out all the anger she had been feeling. Normally, that wouldn’t be too much of a concern. They’d all felt that way at some point. But with Rayla… Her emotions came with powers. Some were good, but those associated with anger and hate…

Raiden shook his head. Rayla would never allow herself to bring that kind of harm to any of them.

Yes, sir, Raiden replied softly. He watched as Luca disappeared down the stairs. Then, sighing, he pushed open the door.

As he walked into the room, he ran a hand through his hair. It had grown out since they had returned. He’d been both too busy and careless to cut it, and it now fell into his eyes if he didn’t push it out of his face regularly.

He plopped down on the bed, staring at the figure bundled up under the sheets.

It’s colder out today, he tried casually. No reply. Raiden rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Hightower thinks that he should be ready to leave within the week, he continued in a light tone. That’s a good sign. Maybe we can get some help for Saph soon.

Soon? a gravelly voice came from under the covers. The voice was raw from lack of use and sleep. Raiden watched as the sheets fell back and a familiar scowl appeared.

Rayla–

No, she cut in. "Please, tell me more about how this help will be on its way soon. As if Sapphire and Nel and Carrow being in the hands of Tenabris and his men for a month already isn’t long enough. As if there isn’t a strong possibility that they are all dead by now anyway."

Despite how much he understood his friend’s bitterness, Raiden still flinched at the thought of Sapphire dead. He took a deep breath and shook his head.

He should have known better than to bring up the subject in the first place. Since their return, Rayla’s mood had been even worse than Macarius’s had. Physically, the girl was improving significantly, considering the extent of her injury. It seemed that Rayla’s blood allowed her to heal at a faster pace than what was typical.

However, despite her improving physical state, Rayla’s mental state seemed to be deteriorating significantly. Only Raiden had been able to get more than two or three words out of her each day. In fact, while the others thought Rayla had barely spoken since the attack, Raiden knew the truth. At least once a week, his visits to her room ended in a total breakdown on Rayla’s part, leaving her sobbing, screaming, and clinging to Raiden’s shirt. She demanded that he tell no one about those moments. Not even Sir Luca, which was why the swordmaster expressed such concern for Rayla showing no emotion.

Raiden found himself balling the sheets of the bed into his fists. Though he wanted to be there for Rayla, he was tired. Rayla had been injured, yes, but Raiden had been under the stress of watching her nearly die, then nursing her back to health, all while worrying about an impending attack and the fact that his sister had been captured and taken away by the enemy.

Sometimes, Raiden couldn’t help but think that Rayla was being selfish.

You need to get out of this room, he said. He’d meant to sound encouraging, but it came out like a growl. Rayla noticed.

Why? she muttered. What else can I mess up for us?

Raiden bit his tongue.

It’s not like I haven’t already destroyed half our lives. And I’m sure that number will grow when Tenabris arrives at our doorsteps.

Rayla– Raiden tried, but the girl was just getting started.

I’ll probably get you killed too, she said. She was trying to sound indifferent, like she had already given up hope. That’s what she had wanted everyone to think lately. And she’d almost convinced Raiden of that as well. But when she said Raiden’s name, her voice caught with emotion. Raiden should have been relieved that his friend still had some feelings left in her, but instead, he felt angry.

Enough, Rayla! He stood abruptly, throwing the sheets he’d been clinging to back on the bed. "Why do you insist on acting like you don’t care? Why do you break down in my arms and then immediately return to this… this horrible version of yourself? You think I’m not fighting off the same thoughts? That Sapphire is already dead, and that we’ll never be able to defeat Tenabris? You don’t think I’m worried about losing you? Again? What has happened to you, that you’re trying so hard to give up hope? Why are you doing this?"

Rayla stared at him, her throat bobbing as she swallowed once. Twice.

I have to, she said so softly, Raiden almost didn’t hear her.

Why? he demanded.

Rayla’s eyes met his. You know why.

The bloodcry.

She was afraid that if she let herself feel too much, she would release another bloodcry, and kill or harm the only people she had left.

Everything they’d been worrying about with her, Rayla had been worrying about too. Only on top of her worry, she also felt guilt.

These past several weeks, she hadn’t been emotionless. She hadn’t given up hope. And she hadn’t been as selfish as she’d seemed. And now she had finally trusted Raiden with the reason why.

Raiden knew that she was only willing to trust him this much because of what they had discussed a month ago.

Thinking that it might be helpful, Raiden decided to bring the old conversation up now in an attempt to calm her down.

Do you remember what we talked about on our way home that night? Raiden asked as he stared at the wall.

He didn’t have to specify which night he meant. Rayla knew. There was a slight pause before he finally heard Rayla answer in an impartial voice.

We agreed not to talk about it yet, she said. Her tone suggested that she didn’t care about anything Raiden had said, but the boy could hear the slight hint of pain behind her words. She wanted to talk about it as much as he did.

I know, he continued slowly. I just wanted you to remember. I thought it might help.

He heard Rayla sigh and felt her cold hand on his forearm. He looked over to see her motion her head toward the opposite side of the bed. An invitation.

Raiden climbed over Rayla’s feet and settled beside the girl. She wrapped her arms around his right bicep and laid her head on his shoulder.

The intimacy would have startled him if she’d made such a move months ago. For as long as Raiden had known his friend, she had never been one for physical contact. However, when she had awoken on the third night of their journeying home from Riraveth, something had changed.

Raiden let his mind wander back to the cold and dark night. He had been near freezing, having given one of his blankets to Rayla and the other to Macarius. Both had been riding with a partner, Rayla in front of Raiden and Macarius seated behind Luca. Neither of them were strong enough to ride on their own, and Macarius’s back bled every time he made a sudden movement.

The group had remained at their poor excuse for a camp for nearly a week, giving both Rayla and Macarius time to stabilize as much as possible before the group absolutely had to head back to Maith to alert Hightower of the situation. Rayla had slept for most of the journey, leaning back against Raiden’s chest for support.

Raiden recalled the pained look on Rayla’s face when she had woken up that night, and the way he had brushed her hair away from her face and leaned down to kiss her forehead before he could think about what he was doing. He had started this intimate gesture when she had been unconscious. But his heart had lurched at the fear that she would push him away now that she was awake.

Instead, she had smiled up at him sleepily. He recalled their conversation.

Hi, she mumbled.

How do you feel? he’ asked.

Hurt, came the soft reply.

Why don’t you get some–

I need to tell you something.

Raiden’s heart dropped at the words.

Wh- what is it? he asked slowly.

I . . . There’s something that Carrow t-told me, she said between shivers. Something about my p-powers.

Raiden waited for Rayla to catch her breath. Speaking seemed to take so much of her energy.

He . . . said that I can only h-heal people that I l-love, she whispered.

Raiden swallowed thickly at the words. Up until that point, he had only been thinking about what he would do if Rayla died. It wasn’t that he had forgotten to tell her that he loved her. It was more like he had grown used to the realization and was now waiting until the time was right to tell her.

But, I d-don’t know what that m-means. I’ve never–

Shh, Raiden soothed her. You don’t have to do anything right now. Just take your time. When we get Saph back and finally stop Tenabris, then we can talk more about . . . what this means.

Rayla gave his a long, thoughtful look. Then, without saying a word, she grabbed one of his hands. Raiden’s heart fluttered.

He opened his mouth to ask… something. He wasn’t sure what, but he felt like he needed to say something about the gesture. But before he could, Rayla spoke softly.

I need to know you’re h-here, she murmured. If… if I wait to talk about things…P-please just be patient with m-me. And… just show me you’re here.

Raiden’s heart soared.

I’ll do anything you need, he promised.

At that, Rayla had promptly nodded and then fallen back asleep.

Since that night, Raiden’s words had become their custom. Rayla let her guard down with Raiden. She began to slowly and shyly show affection to him, whether it be with a hug or by taking hold of his hand, and Raiden would follow her wishes. He was content with the arrangement. It meant that he never pushed her too far and that she was finally seeking comfort rather than trying to handle everything on her own.

Now, the feeling of her head on his shoulder sent a tingle down his arm. He felt her breathing hitch, and he realized that she was holding in tears.

Raiden sighed. When did his life get so complicated?

You don’t have to hold your emotions in, Rayla, he told her.

She coughed softly, trying to sound casual. But it sounded more like a sob.

Every other time I’ve let my emotions out, something bad has happened, she told him. I can’t afford to show any emotion.

If you don’t, Raiden warned, It will come out eventually. And with less control. He glanced at the door.

No one is around, he told her. Just let everything out.

She sniffled.

I can’t, she whimpered.

You can, Raiden promised. You’re not going to hurt me. You’d never hurt me. And you can trust me, Rayla. Like I trust you. With my life.

There was a pause, and Raiden held his breath. Then Rayla turned, burying her face in his shirt, and sobbed.

chapter 2

Raiden

Shh, he soothed. Just breathe.

I’m . . . trying . . . but . . . I– Rayla tried between sobs. I can’t. It won’t s-stop!

You can do it, he promised. Gently, he stretched his neck and kissed the top of her head. Rayla leaned further into Raiden’s body. Eventually, the sound of her crying slowed and then stopped.

Better? Raiden asked softly.

Rayla sniffled.

I want to get up, she told him, immediately changing the subject away from the fact that she had just been crying.

Raiden chuckled. Stubborn as always, he mused, but secretly, he was overjoyed. There was a light in Rayla’s eyes that he hadn’t seen in weeks.

Slowly, Raiden climbed out of the bed and made his way back around to Rayla’s side. Carefully, he helped the girl stand up.

Raiden watched her closely, but allowed her to walk around on her own. She’d only just regained enough strength to stand at all, but the healing powers in her blood were rapidly increasing her strength.

Tell me again, Rayla said, leaning heavily against the bedpost.

Raiden rolled his eyes. Just when he’d thought she was making progress…

Rayla, why? he asked. We do this every time. Maybe we should move on from this.

Please?

Fine, he sighed, eyeing her warily. But I don’t know what else you plan to get from the same story over and over again.

He hesitated until Rayla rolled her hand in a motion for him to continue. Raiden turned to sit cross-legged on the bed, facing her as he spoke.

Macarius’s informant hinted to him that Kuvira knew about your powers because he knew about your past, Raiden said, starting from the earliest point. "But when we went to Riraveth last month, the informant told Macarius how he knew this information."

From my mother, Rayla interrupted.

Yes, Raiden said. According to whoever this informant is, Kuvira knew your mother.

But Kuvira is dead now, Rayla said, as she did every time they had discussed this topic. So now the only hope I’ve ever had of finding my family is gone. And it’s my fault, because I killed him.

"Rayla, this informant is probably the same man that sold us out to Tenabris and his army and got Saph and the others captured. You can’t trust everything he said. Or his intentions."

Then why did you tell me in the first place? Rayla demanded.

Because if I hadn’t, Raiden growled, trying and failing to hide his growing irritation at the argument that he’d been having with Rayla for a month now, And you had found out some other way, you would have hated me.

Rayla didn’t answer. Because she knows I’m right, Raiden thought to himself.

He watched as Rayla bit her lip and looked up to the ceiling in thought. Finally, she struggled to make her way to the door.

Um, absolutely not, Raiden said, running to intercede the girl.

Please, Raiden? Rayla begged. I’ve done it once before–

And you regretted it, Raiden finished. It always makes your pain worse.

Rayla shrugged.

I don’t care, she said. Then she looked at the ground, shuffling her feet. Besides… I want to…

Her voice trailed off, but she looked up and Raiden could read her eyes. I need to heal. And not physically. She needed to converse, to plan, to try to gain back some of her hope.

The two stared at each other for several long seconds before Raiden finally threw his hands up, stepping aside.

Fine, he conceded. But I don’t want to hear it when you are in pain later.

He followed her closely out the door and to the top of the stairwell, where he demanded to go in front of her in case she fell. It was a slow process, but they eventually made it to the bottom.

Well, a warm voice called from across the chamber. If it isn’t our young heroes.

Raiden and Rayla looked up to see Lord Hightower passing by them with an encouraging smile. His eyes were radiating with hope and pride, staring at Rayla as she stood up taller. Raiden glanced over to see Rayla forcing a halfhearted smile in return. He took note of how casual and easy Rayla seemed to be walking, aside from how breathless she was. The fact that she was walking without