Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 321: Victory or Defeat Astrid's POV

As we neared the dungeon, the cold air wrapped around me like a warning, and my steps faltered.

The weight of what I was about to do settled heavily in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I was nervous - no, I was scared. Giselle was down there, the woman who had torn our lives apart, and I had to face her alone.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt warm air fanning the side of my face. I blinked and turned, only to find Killian standing so close, his face inches from mine.

His breath was warm on my skin, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of us.

My heart skipped a beat. The closeness, the way he was looking at me—it made me forget, just for a second, about the darkness waiting ahead.

"Astrid," he whispered, his voice soft and full of concern. "Are you sure about this?"

His eyes searched mine, his brow furrowed with worry, and for a brief moment, I wanted to say no.

I wanted to lean into him, let him shield me from everything. He always had a way of making me feel safe.

"I can come with you," he added gently, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a spark of warmth through me.

For a moment, I hesitated. His presence was comforting, but I knew I needed to do this alone.

I needed to face Giselle on my own terms, even if part of me was terrified of what I might find.

I shook my head, offering a small smile. "No," I said softly, trying to steady my voice. "I need to do this by myself."

gaze, his eyes lingering on mine, as if he wanted to argue but

hand tightened briefly around mine, a promise in his touch. "I'll be

needed to find the courage. With one last look into his eyes, I turned toward the dungeon

I could still feel the

I walked

the last time I saw Giselle, the last

heavy iron door, its hinges creaking as it

fell on Giselle, and I froze. The woman before

figure who had always held her head high now sat slumped against the stone wall, her appearance disheveled, her body worn

smatted, her dress torn

Her hair was

looked

nothing, all the grandeur stripped away, leaving only

person

twisted smirk played on her lips, as if she hadn't

she still believed she held some

through the bars, her

voice hoarse but filled with mockery. "Look who's

you could

you

you'd get away with it? I told you before, you won't.

me back to that moment when the guards had dragged her away to the dungeon. She had screamed threats at me then, words I had dismissed as the ravings of a bitter, defeated woman. I had thought they were empty, but now I knew better. She had always had something hidden, something dark and cruel waiting to be

had not been idle, and for a moment, I felt the anger surge in my veins, the reminder of how close she had

my silence for anguish, for pain. "Ryker is dead, isn't he?" she asked, her voice dripping with twisted

feet, but it's too late, Astrid. I told you,