Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 398: Tied by Blood

Astrid's POV

I stared deep into Asha's eyes, clouded with emotions she clearly struggled to

suppress.

The faint shimmer of tears made her gaze softer, more vulnerable than I had seen

in years.

My heart wrenched for her, for the conflict I knew was tearing her apart.

"It's alright, Asha," I said gently, cupping her hands to steady the tremor in them. "I didn't bring him here to hurt him."

Asha let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping as though a heavy weight had been lifted.

I leaned towards her when I noticed her eyes squint in thoughts as if she still had something to say to me.

She retreated back from the intensity of my gaze. “I-I... I just,” she hesitated., her pale eyes drifting away from me.

"It's okay," I said softly, breaking the silence.

I squeezed her hands gently, willing her to look at me again. If you want to see him, you're free to go."

Her head snapped up, her expression startled, as though the offer itself had caught her off guard.

quickly, her voice a little too sharp before softening into a murmur.

faint tremble in her jaw and the

I've never heard Asha speak about her brother again, nor have I seen her

life, but it doesn't change the fact that

I replied quietly. "Although he is a criminal, he is still your brother after all. It's been a

against my words. She looked away again, her

crime he had committed is too much. He deserves his punishment and he deserves to

yourself too," I muttered, stealing her attention. "If you want to see

wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded,

though there was a terror in her voice. "But

pulled her hands from mine, stepping back slightly. She turned her face to the side, biting down

Astrid," she said after a moment, her voice trembling

alive and to set him after years had

for sparing his life

quiet plea for understanding, and I could see how much she was trying to

too," I said softly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "No matter what he's

deep breath, forcing myself to push through the weight of the truth. "But I can't ignore what he's done

for it. He... he's made choices that I can't defend either.

my voice as I spoke. "The only reason I brought

to figure out his intentions. To find out if he had made more

lips parting in surprise.

know," I admitted. "But I couldn't risk leaving him out there, not after everything we've been through. If he has something to do

nodded again, her gaze falling to the ground, understand. And I trust you to handle it. Just... promise me,